SANDY SPRING BANCORP INC (Form: S-3ASR, Received: 02/07/2018 16:09:20)

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 7, 2018

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

52-1532952

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

17801 Georgia Avenue

Olney, MD 20832

(301) 774-6400

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Ronald E. Kuykendall, Esq.

General Counsel and Secretary

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

17801 Georgia Avenue

Olney, MD 20832

(301) 774-6400

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to :

Aaron M. Kaslow, Esq.

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

Suite 900

607 14 ^th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 508-5800

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨
		Emerging growth company	¨

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	Amount to be Registered ⁽¹⁾	Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit ⁽¹⁾	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price ⁽¹⁾	Amount of Registration Fee ⁽³⁾
Debt Securities
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value
Warrants(4)
Depositary Shares(5)
Purchase Contracts
Units(6)
Total:

(1)

This registration statement covers an indeterminate aggregate number and amount of the securities of each class as may from time to time be offered and sold at indeterminate prices by the registrant. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with offers and sales of securities registered hereunder. The debt securities, preferred stock and warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of securities registered hereunder or that are represented by depositary shares.

(2)

Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, the securities being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(3)

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee and will pay the registration fee subsequently in advance or on a pay-as-you-go basis.

(4)

Warrants represent rights to purchase debt securities, common stock, or preferred stock registered hereunder.

(5)

Each depositary share will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement. In the event the registrant elects to offer to the public whole or fractional interests in shares of preferred stock registered hereunder, depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing such interests and such shares will be issued to the depositary under the deposit agreement.

(6)

Any securities registered hereunder may be sold as units with other securities registered hereunder. Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement and will represent an interest in two or more securities, which may or may not be separable from one another.

PROSPECTUS

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Depositary Shares

Purchase Contracts

Units

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more series, our unsecured debt securities, which may consist of notes, debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness; shares of our common stock; shares of our preferred stock; warrants to purchase other securities; depositary shares; purchase contracts; or units consisting of a combination of two or more of these securities. The debt securities and preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities of ours. This prospectus provides you with a general description of these securities. Each time we offer any securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement and, if necessary, a pricing supplement, that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. These supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To understand the terms of the securities offered, you should carefully read this prospectus with the applicable supplements, which together provide the specific terms of the securities we are offering.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SASR.”

Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 6 of this prospectus and in the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated in this prospectus by reference to read about certain risks and uncertainties that you should consider before buying any securities issued by us.

This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by the prospectus supplement for those securities.

These securities are not deposits or obligations of a bank or savings association and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is February 7, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	2

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION	4

SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.	5

RISK FACTORS	6

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES	6

USE OF PROCEEDS	6

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	7

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK	16

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK	20

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES	23

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	25

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS	27

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS	28

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	29

LEGAL MATTERS	32

EXPERTS	32

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer and sell the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, or units consisting of a combination of these securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to that offering. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus together with additional information from the sources described in “ Where You Can Find More Information ” in this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, the prospectus supplements, any free writing prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document.

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, those contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “Sandy Spring Bancorp,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You should call 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to you on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s Internet site.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we file separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document or in a more recent incorporated document.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC.

SEC Filings		Period or Date Filed (as applicable)
Annual Report on Form 10-K		Year ended December 31, 2016

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q		Quarter ended March 31, 2017 Quarter ended June 30, 2017 Quarter ended September 30, 2017

Current Reports on Form 8-K		May 4, 2017, May 16, 2017, May 17, 2017, July 31, 2017, October 18, 2017, November 22, 2017, December 14, 2017, December 29, 2017, and January 2, 2018 (other than those portions of the documents deemed to be furnished and not filed)

The description of Sandy Spring common stock set forth in its registration statement on Form 8-A, as amended, filed on November 9, 1999, including any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating that description

In addition, we also incorporate by reference all future documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of our initial registration statement relating to the securities until the completion of the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than Current Reports furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K), as well as proxy statements.

The information incorporated by reference contains information about us and our financial condition and is an important part of this prospectus.

You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this document through us, or from the SEC through the SEC’s Internet world wide web site at www.sec.gov. Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the following address:

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
17801 Georgia Avenue
Olney, MD 20832
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (301) 774-6400

In addition, we maintain a corporate web site, www.sandyspringbank.com. On our web site, we make available, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish it to, the SEC. This reference to our web site is for the convenience of investors as required by the SEC and shall not be deemed to incorporate any information on the web site into this prospectus.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This prospectus, as well as other written communications made from time to time by us and oral communications made from time to time by our authorized officers, may contain statements relating to future events or future results of Sandy Spring Bancorp that are considered “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend” and “potential,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements include statements of our goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

Forward-looking statements reflect our expectation or prediction of future conditions, events or results based on information currently available. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. These risk and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks identified in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in other reports we file with the SEC, and the following:

general business and economic conditions nationally or in the markets that we serve could adversely affect, among other things, real estate prices, unemployment levels, and consumer and business confidence, which could lead to decreases in the demand for loans, deposits and other financial services that we provide and increases in loan delinquencies and defaults;

changes or volatility in the capital markets and interest rates may adversely impact the value of securities, loans, deposits and other financial instruments and the interest rate sensitivity of our balance sheet as well as our liquidity;

our liquidity requirements could be adversely affected by changes in our assets and liabilities;

our investment securities portfolio is subject to credit risk, market risk, and liquidity risk as well as changes in the estimates we use to value certain of the securities in our portfolio;

the effect of legislative or regulatory developments including changes in laws concerning taxes, banking, securities, insurance and other aspects of the financial services industry;

competitive factors among financial services companies, including product and pricing pressures and our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified banking professionals;

acquisition integration risks, including potential deposit attrition, higher than expected costs, customer loss, business disruption and the inability to realize the benefits and cost savings from, and limit any unexpected liabilities associated with, any business combinations;

the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and other regulatory agencies; and

the effect of fiscal and governmental policies of the United States federal government.

All forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or in a document incorporated by reference herein or therein speak only as of the date such document. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of the forward-looking statements or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws.

SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

Sandy Spring Bancorp is the holding company parent of Sandy Spring Bank. Sandy Spring Bancorp is registered as a bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. As such, we are subject to supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Sandy Spring Bancorp began operating in 1988.

Sandy Spring Bank traces its origin to 1868, making it among the oldest banking institutions in the region. Sandy Spring Bank offers a broad range of commercial banking, retail banking, mortgage and trust services throughout central Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the greater Washington, D.C. market. Through its subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation and West Financial Services, Inc., Sandy Spring Bank also offers a comprehensive menu of insurance and wealth management services. At September 30, 2017, Sandy Spring operated 44 community offices and six financial centers across central Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the greater Washington, D.C. region.

As of September 30, 2017, Sandy Spring Bancorp had, on a consolidated basis, total assets of $5.3 billion, total deposits of $4.0 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $564 million.

On January 1, 2018, Sandy Spring Bancorp completed its acquisition of WashingtonFirst Bankshares, Inc. (“WashingtonFirst”), the holding company for WashingtonFirst Bank, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 15, 2017. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of WashingtonFirst common stock (voting and non-voting) was converted into 0.8713 shares of Sandy Spring Bancorp common stock. Sandy Spring Bancorp issued approximately 11,446,000 shares in the transaction. As of September 30, 2017, WashingtonFirst had, on a consolidated basis, total assets of $2.1 billion, total deposits of $1.7 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $209 million.

Our executive offices are located at 17801 Georgia Avenue, Olney, Maryland 21202, and our telephone number at these offices is (301) 774-6400. Our Internet address is www.sandyspringbank.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Additional information about us and our subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “ Where You Can Find More Information ” on page 2.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in securities issued by us involves certain risks. Before you invest in any securities issued by us, in addition to the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, you should carefully consider the risk factors contained in Part I, Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our annual or quarterly reports for subsequent fiscal years or fiscal quarters that we file with the SEC and that are so incorporated. See “ Where You Can Find More Information ” for information about how to obtain a copy of these documents. You should also carefully consider the risks and other information that may be contained in, or incorporated by reference into, any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges were as follows for the periods presented:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,		Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015		2014		2013		2012
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:
Excluding interest on deposits		6.86		5.72		5.06		4.38		5.09		4.14
Including interest on deposits		4.26		4.07		4.00		3.62		4.07		3.21

For the purpose of computing the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consist of income before income taxes and extraordinary items plus fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest. “Fixed charges” consist of interest on short-term and long-term debt, including interest related to capitalized leases and capitalized interest, and one-third of rent expense (net of rental income), which approximates the interest component of that net expense. In addition, where indicated, fixed charges include interest on deposits. We did not pay any preferred stock dividends during any of the periods presented.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a specific issue of securities. Our general corporate purposes may include financing possible acquisitions of branches or other financial institutions or financial service companies, extending credit to, or funding investments in, our subsidiaries and repaying, reducing or refinancing indebtedness. Until we use the net proceeds from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, we may use the net proceeds to reduce our indebtedness or for temporary investments.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer from time to time debt securities in the form of either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We will issue debt securities under one or more separate indentures between us and a trustee to be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The following summary of the general terms and provisions of the indenture is not complete (the text below refers to both indentures as the form of “indenture”). Forms of indentures for senior indebtedness and subordinated indebtedness are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The indentures are substantially identical except as described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities” in this section. You should read the indentures for provisions that may be important to you.

When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, the prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series, and it will also address whether the general terms and provisions described below apply to the particular series of debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the forms of indenture.

General

Unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture, our board of directors will set the particular terms of each series of debt securities, which will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series. We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture, in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium or at a discount. Among other things, the prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities being offered will address the following terms of the debt securities:

the title of the debt securities;

the price(s), expressed as a percentage of the principal amount, at which we will sell the debt securities;

whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated, and, if subordinated, any such provisions that are different from those described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities;”

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

the date(s) when principal payments are due on the debt securities;

the interest rate(s) on the debt securities, which may be fixed or variable, per annum or otherwise, and the method used to determine the rate(s), the dates on which interest will begin to accrue and be payable, and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

the place(s) where principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable;

provisions governing redemption of the debt securities, including any redemption or purchase requirements pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the redemption price and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple in excess thereof;

whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

the portion of the principal of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the entire principal amount;

any additional or modified events of default from those described in this prospectus or in the indenture and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture;

any additional or modified covenants from those described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities; and

any other specific terms of such debt securities.

In addition, we may issue convertible debt securities. Any conversion provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set forth in the officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. To the extent applicable, conversion may be mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common or preferred stock to be received upon conversion would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will provide an overview of the U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any debt securities we offer for sale.

Transfer and Exchange

As described in the applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security will be represented by either a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) or one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary, or its nominee (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), in the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities. Except as described below under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System,” book-entry debt securities will not be certificated.

Certificated Debt Securities

You can transfer certificated debt securities (and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest thereon) only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities. Either we or the trustee will reissue the existing certificate, or issue a new certificate, to the new holder.

You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. There is no service charge, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any taxes or other governmental charges payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System

Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (which we refer to below as “DTC” or the “depositary”), as the depositary, and registered in its (or its nominee’s) name. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company and a “banking organization” organized under New York law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within in the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. We understand that DTC intends to follow the following procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.

Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to “participants” or persons that may hold interests through participants (sometimes called “indirect participants”). A participant is a person having an account with the depositary for the related global debt security, typically broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the depositary will credit the participants’ accounts on its book-entry registration and transfer system with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities owned by such participants; the depositary will have no knowledge of the underlying beneficial owners of the book-entry debt securities owned by participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities will designate accounts to be credited. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the related global debt security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of indirect participants). Some states may legally require certain purchasers to take physical delivery of such securities, which may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities.

So long as DTC (or its nominee) is the registered owner of a global debt security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. This means that, except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names or to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form nor will such beneficial owners be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on DTC’s procedures for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest. As a beneficial owner of book-entry debt securities, information regarding your holdings will come through the participant, or indirect participant, through which you own such securities.

Notwithstanding the above, under existing industry practice, the depositary may authorize persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain of a holder’s rights. For purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities under the indenture, we, the trustee and our respective agents will treat DTC as the holder of a debt security and/or any persons specified in a written statement of the depositary with respect to that global debt security.

All payments of principal of, and premium and interest on, book-entry debt securities will be paid to DTC (or its nominee) as the registered holder of the related global debt security, and any redemption notices will be sent directly to DTC. Neither we, the trustee nor any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests. We expect DTC, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, premium or interest on a global debt security, to immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments ratably according to the respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held by each participant. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, similar to those for securities held in “street name.”

We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each global debt security if the depositary at any time cannot or will not continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and we fail to appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have the book-entry debt securities represented by global debt securities; in that event, we will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for the global debt securities of that series. If an event of default with respect to the book-entry debt securities represented by those global debt securities has occurred and is continuing, holders may exchange global debt securities for certificated debt securities.

We have obtained the foregoing information concerning DTC and its book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions affording holders of the debt securities protection, such as prior consent or acceleration rights, in the event we agree to a change in control or a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control), which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Covenants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any restrictive covenants applicable to any debt securities we offer for sale.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate or merge with, or sell or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person, which we refer to as a “successor,” unless:

we are the surviving corporation or the successor (if not us) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and

certain other conditions are met.

Events of Default

For any series of debt securities, in addition to any event of default described in the prospectus supplement applicable to that series, an event of default will include the following events:

default in the payment when due of any interest on any debt security of that series, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless we deposit the entire amount of such payment with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of such 30-day period);

default in the payment when due of principal of any debt security of that series;

default in the deposit when due of any sinking fund payment in respect of any debt security of that series;

default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the indenture that applies to such series, which default continues (without such default or breach having been waived in accordance with the provisions of the indenture) for a period of 90 days after we have received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the indenture; and

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us.

The applicable prospectus supplement will explain whether or not an event of default with respect to one series of debt securities will constitute a cross-default with respect to any other series of debt securities (except that certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization will always constitute cross-defaults).

If an event of default with respect to any outstanding debt securities occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by written notice to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), accelerate the payment of the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. Such acceleration is automatic (without any notice required) in the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. Following acceleration, payments on our subordinated debt securities, if any, will be subject to the subordination provisions described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities.” At any time after acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series, but before the trustee has obtained a court judgment or decree for payment of the amounts due, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities will contain particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities unless the trustee is indemnified against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of any debt security may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested the trustee in writing (and offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee) to institute the proceeding (and have not subsequently given contrary instructions), and the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

Under the indenture we must furnish the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year. The indenture provides that, other than with respect to payment defaults, the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of a default or event of default if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may amend or supplement the indenture or a series of debt securities if the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments consent thereto. We may not make any amendment or waiver without the consent of the specific holder of an affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment or waiver will:

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

reduce the rate of, or extend the time for payment of, interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

reduce the principal or change the stated maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

waive a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

make the principal of or interest, if any, on any debt security payable in any currency other than that stated in the debt security;

make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, holders’ rights to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of all holders waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of all holders waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a payment default or a default of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance

We may deposit with the trustee, in trust, cash or U.S. government securities in an amount that, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, which is sufficient in the opinion of our independent public accountants to make all payments of principal and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities of that series on the due dates for such payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities. If we make such a deposit, unless otherwise provided under the applicable series of debt securities, we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of such series (except for obligations relating to the transfer or exchange of debt securities and the replacement of stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities and relating to maintaining paying agencies and the treatment of funds held by paying agents and certain rights of the trustee and our obligations with respect thereto). However, this discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee a legal opinion stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and, based thereon confirming that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants

Under the indenture (and unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities), upon making the deposit and delivering the legal opinion described in “Legal Defeasance” above, we will not need to comply with the covenants described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants that may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any such noncompliance will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, or covenant defeasance.

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default

If we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amounts on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. We will remain liable for those payments.

The Trustee

The indentures limit the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims or secure its claims. The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, and there is a default under the debt securities of any series for which it is trustee, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.

Subordinated Debt Securities

The indenture will govern the extent to which payment on any subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities also are effectively subordinated to all debt and other liabilities, including trade payables and lease obligations, if any, of our subsidiaries.

Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of principal and interest on subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such senior indebtedness. If subordinated debt securities are accelerated because of an event of default, the holders of any senior indebtedness would be entitled to payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to such holders of all senior indebtedness obligations before the holders of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution. The indenture requires us or the trustee to promptly notify holders of designated senior indebtedness of any acceleration of payment of the subordinated debt securities.

We may not make any payment on the subordinated debt securities, including upon redemption (whether at the holder’s or our option) if:

a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, interest, rent or other obligations in respect of any senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable grace period (called a “payment default”); or

a default (other than a payment default) with respect to designated senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing that permits holders of designated senior indebtedness to accelerate its maturity, and the trustee receives a notice of such default (called a “payment blockage notice”) from us or any other person permitted to give such notice under the indenture (called a “non-payment default”).

We may resume payments and distributions on the subordinated debt securities, in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist; and, in the case of a non-payment default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived and 179 days after the date on which the payment blockage notice is received, if the maturity of the designated senior indebtedness has not been accelerated, unless the indenture otherwise prohibits such payment or distribution at the time of such payment or distribution.

No new payment blockage notice may be given unless and until 365 days have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior payment blockage notice and all scheduled payments, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities that have come due have been paid in full in cash. A non-payment default existing or continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice cannot be the basis for any later payment blockage notice.

If the trustee or any holder of the notes receives any payment or distribution of our assets in contravention of the foregoing subordination provisions, then such payment or distribution will be held in trust for the benefit of holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives to the extent necessary to make payment in full in cash or payment satisfactory to the holders of senior indebtedness of all unpaid senior indebtedness.

In the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of the subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors (including our trade creditors). This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the indenture.

The indenture does not prohibit us from incurring debt, including senior indebtedness. We may from time to time incur additional debt, including senior indebtedness.

We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the trustee, reimburse the trustee for reasonable expenses and to indemnify the trustee against certain losses, liabilities or expenses it incurs in connection with its duties relating to the subordinated debt securities. The trustee’s claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of noteholders in respect of all funds collected or held by the trustee and will not be subject to subordination.

Certain Definitions

“Indebtedness” means:

(1)

all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) for borrowed money (including our obligations in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments) or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such person or to only a portion thereof) (other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services);

(2)

all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances;

(3)

all obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of leases required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on our balance sheet, and all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) in connection with the lease of real property which contractually obligates us to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and the obligations of such person under such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property;

(4)

all obligations (contingent or otherwise) with respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or agreement;

(5)

all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise), to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of others of the type described in (1) through (4) above;

(6)

any indebtedness or other obligations described in (1) through (5) above secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which we own or hold, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured thereby shall be assumed by us; and

(7)

any and all refinancings, replacements, deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described in clauses (1) through (6) above.

“Senior indebtedness” means the principal, premium, if any, interest, including any interest accruing after bankruptcy, additional amounts, if any, and rent or termination payment on or other amounts due on our current or future indebtedness, whether created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by us, including any deferrals, renewals, extensions, refundings, amendments, modifications or supplements to the above. Senior indebtedness does not include:

indebtedness that expressly provides that it shall not be senior in right of payment to subordinated debt securities or expressly provides that it is on the same basis or junior to subordinated debt securities; and

our indebtedness to any of our majority-owned subsidiaries.

Governing Law

Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement applicable to the particular series of debt securities, the indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

Sandy Spring Bancorp, which is incorporated under the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland, is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of capital stock, $1.00 par value. As of February 7, 2018, we had 35,448,914 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Our board of directors may at any time, without additional approval of the holders of preferred stock or common stock, issue additional authorized shares of preferred stock or common stock.

Each share of our common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects with, each other share of common stock.

Voting Rights

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters presented to stockholders. Holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

Dividends and Repurchases

The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive and share equally in any dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Under Maryland law, we may pay dividends if, after giving effect to such dividends, (1) we will be able to pay our indebtedness as such indebtedness becomes due in the usual course of business and (2) our total assets exceed out total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights upon dissolution are superior to those receiving dividends.

Liquidation

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive their pro rata portion of our remaining assets after payment, or provision for payment, of all our debts and liabilities and the holders our preferred stock, if any, have been paid in full any sums to which they may be entitled.

No Preemptive or Redemption Rights

Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. The common stock is not subject to redemption.

Restrictions on Ownership

The Bank Holding Company Act generally would prohibit any company that is not engaged in financial activities and activities that are permissible for a bank holding company or a financial holding company from acquiring control of us. “Control” is generally defined as ownership of 25% or more of the voting stock or other exercise of a controlling influence. In addition, any existing bank holding company would need the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before acquiring 5% or more of our voting stock. The Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring control of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under a rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such as Sandy Spring Bancorp, could constitute acquisition of control of the bank holding company. Maryland law generally requires the prior approval of the Commissioner before a person, group of persons, or company may acquire 25% or more of our voting stock or otherwise exercise a controlling influence over the direction of the management or policy of Sandy Spring Bancorp or Sandy Spring Bank.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

A number of provisions of Maryland law, our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws deal with matters of corporate governance and certain rights of stockholders. The following discussion is a general summary of certain provisions of Maryland law, our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that might be deemed to have a potential “anti-takeover” effect. The following description of certain of the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws is necessarily general and reference should be made in each case to our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

Maryland Anti-Takeover Statute

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder, or an affiliate of an interested stockholder, are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, certain transfers of assets, certain stock issuances and transfers, liquidation plans and reclassifications involving interested stockholders and their affiliates or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. Maryland law defines an interested stockholder as: (i) any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of a corporation’s voting stock after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock; or (ii) an affiliate or associate of the corporation at any time after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock who, within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock of the corporation. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board of directors.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least: (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and (ii) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder. These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

Provisions of Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Classification of our Board of Directors . Our directors are divided into three classes. The members of each class are elected for a term of three years and only one class of directors will be elected annually. Thus, it would take at least two annual elections to replace a majority of our board of directors. Further, our policies impose certain notice and information requirements in connection with the nomination by stockholders of candidates for election to our board of directors at an annual meeting of stockholders.

Extraordinary Transactions . Pursuant to the Maryland General Corporation Law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot consolidate, merge, engage in a share exchange, or transfer its assets other than in the ordinary course of business unless such acts are approved by the stockholders by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless a lesser percentage is set forth in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, which may not be less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that the affirmative vote of not less than 80 percent of the outstanding shares of voting stock is required to authorize a merger or consolidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets unless approval of the transaction is recommended by at least a majority of the entire board of directors.

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80 percent of the outstanding shares of all voting stock and the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 67 percent of the outstanding shares of voting stock not including shares beneficially owned by a controlling party (as defined in our Articles of Incorporation) is required to approve certain business combination transactions. The super-majority vote requirement is not applicable to any business combination if the business combination has been approved by a majority of the continuing directors (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation) and our common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under our Articles of Incorporation, for their shares.

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation . Except as otherwise allowed by law, any amendment to our Articles of Incorporation must be approved by our board of directors and also by stockholders by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter; provided, however, that approval by at least 80 percent of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is required to amend the provisions regarding authorization of issuance of stock, directors, approval of certain transactions, approval of business combinations with controlling parties, evaluation of business combinations and amendment of the Articles of Incorporation.

Bylaws Amendments . Our Bylaws may be amended by a majority of the directors then in office or by a vote of not less than 80 percent of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Removal of Directors . Our Articles of Incorporation provide that a director may be removed only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Absence of Cumulative Voting . There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors. Cumulative voting means that holders of stock of a corporation are entitled, in the election of directors, to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares that they own multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Because a stockholder entitled to cumulative voting may cast all of his, her or its votes for one nominee or disperse his, her or its votes among nominees as the stockholder chooses, cumulative voting is generally considered to increase the ability of minority stockholders to elect nominees to a corporation’s board of directors. The absence of cumulative voting means that the holders of a majority of our voting shares can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Authorized Shares . As indicated above, our charter currently authorizes the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of capital stock. The unissued authorized shares may be used by our board of directors consistent with its fiduciary duty to deter future attempts to gain control of the Company. Also, as indicated above, our board of directors’ right to set the terms of one or more series of preferred stock may have anti-takeover effects.

Effect of Anti-Takeover Provisions

The foregoing provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Maryland law could have the effect of discouraging an acquisition of the Company or stock purchases in furtherance of an acquisition, and could accordingly, under certain circumstances, discourage transactions that might otherwise have a favorable effect on the price of our common stock. In addition, such provisions may make us less attractive to a potential acquirer and/or might result in stockholders receiving a lesser amount of consideration for their shares of our common stock than otherwise could have been available.

Our board of directors believes that the provisions described above are prudent and will reduce our vulnerability to takeover attempts and certain other transactions that are not negotiated with and approved by our board of directors. Our board of directors believes that these provisions are in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. In our board of directors’ judgment, our board of directors is in the best position to determine our true value and to negotiate more effectively for what may be in the best interests of our stockholders. Accordingly, our board of directors believes that it is in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders to encourage potential acquirers to negotiate directly with our board of directors and that these provisions will encourage such negotiations and discourage hostile takeover attempts.

Despite our board of directors’ belief as to the benefits of the foregoing provisions, these provisions also may have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt in which our stockholders might receive a substantial premium for their shares over then current market prices and may tend to perpetuate existing management. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. Our board of directors, however, believes that the potential benefits of these provisions outweigh their possible disadvantages.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SASR.”

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following summary contains a description of the general terms of the preferred stock that we may issue. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The terms of any series of preferred stock may differ from the terms described below. Certain provisions of the preferred stock described below and in any prospectus supplement are not complete. You should refer to the amendment to our Articles of Incorporation or the Articles Supplementary to the Articles of Incorporation with respect to the establishment of a series of preferred stock which will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such series of preferred stock.

General

Our Articles of Incorporation permit our board of directors to reclassify any of our unissued shares of capital stock into preferred stock, in one or more series, without stockholder action. The board of directors can fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of each series. Therefore, without stockholder approval, our board of directors can authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting, dividend, liquidation and conversion and other rights that could dilute the voting power of the common stock and may assist management in impeding any unfriendly takeover or attempted change in control. No shares of our preferred stock are currently outstanding.

The preferred stock has the terms described below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the preferred stock. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of the preferred stock being offered for specific terms, including:

the designation and stated value per share of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered;

the amount of liquidation preference per share;

the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

the dividend rate or method of calculation, the dates on which dividends will be payable, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will commence to accumulate;

any redemption or sinking fund provisions;

any conversion or exchange provisions;

whether we have elected to offer depositary shares as described under “Description of Depositary Shares”; and

any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions on the preferred stock.

The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of the preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and liquidation rights in all respects with each other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

As described under “Description of Depositary Shares,” we may, at our option, with respect to any series of the preferred stock, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, and provide for the issuance of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of the series of the preferred stock. The fractional interest will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the preferred stock.

Rank

Any series of the preferred stock will, with respect to the priority of the payment of dividends and the priority of payments upon liquidation, winding up, and dissolution, rank:

senior to all classes of common stock and all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank junior to the preferred stock (the junior securities);

equally with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank equally with the preferred stock (the parity securities); and

junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank senior to the preferred stock.

Dividends

Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates, if any, described in the prospectus supplement. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based on different methods of calculation. The dividend rate may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on record dates fixed by our board of directors, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dividends on any series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of noncumulative preferred stock, then the holders of that noncumulative preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment dates. Dividends on any series of cumulative preferred stock will accrue from the date we initially issue shares of such series or such other date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No full dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of any dividends on any parity securities unless dividends have been paid or set apart for payment on the preferred stock. If full dividends are not paid, the preferred stock will share dividends pro rata with the parity securities. No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any junior securities unless full cumulative dividends for all dividend periods terminating on or prior to the date of the declaration or payment will have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment set apart for payment on the preferred stock.

Our ability to pay dividends on our preferred stock is subject to policies established by the Federal Reserve.

Rights Upon Liquidation

If we dissolve, liquidate, or wind up our affairs, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, before any payment or distribution of assets is made to holders of junior securities, liquidating distributions in the amount described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of the preferred stock, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and, if the series of the preferred stock is cumulative, for all dividend periods prior to that point in time. If the amounts payable with respect to the preferred stock of any series and any other parity securities are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of that series and of the parity securities will share proportionately in the distribution of our assets in proportion to the full liquidation preferences to which they are entitled. After the holders of preferred stock and the parity securities are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

Because we are a bank holding company, our rights, the rights of our creditors and of our stockholders, including the holders of the preferred stock offered by this prospectus, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.

Redemption

We may provide that a series of the preferred stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option, with prior Federal Reserve approval, if required. In addition, a series of preferred stock may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise. The redemption provisions that may apply to a series of preferred stock, including the redemption dates and the redemption prices for that series, will be described in the prospectus supplement.

In the event of partial redemptions of preferred stock, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, our board of directors will determine the method for selecting the shares to be redeemed, which may be by lot or pro rata or by any other method determined to be equitable.

On or after a redemption date, unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of preferred stock called for redemption. In addition, all rights of holders of the shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock, if any dividends on any other series of preferred stock ranking equally as to payment of dividends and liquidation rights with such series of preferred stock are in arrears, no shares of any such series of preferred stock may be redeemed, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, unless all shares of preferred stock are redeemed, and we will not purchase any shares of such series of preferred stock. This requirement, however, will not prevent us from acquiring such shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all such shares outstanding.

Voting Rights

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the preferred stock will have no voting rights except as otherwise required by law or in our Articles of Incorporation.

Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve, if the holders of any series of the preferred stock are or become entitled to vote for the election of directors, such series may then be deemed a “class of voting securities” and a holder of 25% or more of such series, or a holder of 5% or more if it otherwise exercises a “controlling influence” over us, may then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company in accordance with the Bank Holding Company Act. In addition, at such time as such series is deemed a class of voting securities, (a) any other bank holding company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire or retain 5% or more of that series and (b) any person other than a bank holding company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire or retain 10% or more of that series.

Exchangeability

We may provide that the holders of shares of preferred stock of any series may be required at any time or at maturity to exchange those shares for our debt securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the terms of any such exchange.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, which we call depositary shares, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts, called depositary receipts, for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in the prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary named in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders.

If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

Withdrawal of Stock

Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.

After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the moneys payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Notices

The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.

Limitation of Liability

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and their duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the appropriate prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the accompanying prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the warrants’ expiration date. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Further terms of the warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:

the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants;

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;

any applicable anti-dilution provisions;

any applicable redemption or call provisions;

the circumstances under which the warrant exercise price may be adjusted;

whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;

any applicable material United States federal income tax consequences;

the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;

the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;

the designation and terms of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of the debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;

if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock will be separately transferable;

the number of shares of preferred stock, the number of depositary shares or the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased;

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

any redemption or call provisions;

whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts, including purchase contracts issued as part of a unit with one or more other securities, for the purchase or sale of our debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. The price of our debt securities or price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as applicable, may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula contained in the purchase contracts. We may issue purchase contracts in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish.

The applicable prospectus supplement may contain, where applicable, the following information about the purchase contracts issued under it:

whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder to purchase or sell, or both, our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as applicable, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or method of determining those amounts;

whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;

whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of our common stock or preferred stock;

any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;

United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase contracts; and

whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered global form.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts. The preceding description and any description of purchase contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contract agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such purchase contracts.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprised of two or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;

the terms of the unit agreement governing the units;

United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

The preceding description and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of unit agreement which will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such units, and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer and sell these securities in any one or more of the following ways:

to the public through a group of underwriters managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, or through dealers;

through one or more agents;

directly to purchasers; or

through a combination of such methods of sale.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

at a fixed price, or prices which may be changed from time to time;

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

at prices related to those prevailing market prices; or

at negotiated prices.

Each time we sell securities a prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

the name or names of any agents, dealers or underwriters included in the offer and sale of the securities;

the public offering or purchase price and the proceeds we will receive from the sale of the securities;

any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agents or underwriters;

all other items constituting underwriting compensation;

any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and

any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.

We may agree to enter into an agreement to indemnify the agents and the several underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments the agents or the underwriters may be required to make.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase debt securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to those contracts will be equal to, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

the purchase by an institution of the debt securities covered under that contract will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and

if the debt securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters will have purchased those debt securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters or dealers to purchase the securities offered will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters or dealers will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers may be changed from time to time.

The securities may be sold directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth in, the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

To the extent that we make sales to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement between us and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to a distribution agreement, we will issue and sell shares of our common stock to or through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell shares on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that any shares of our common stock sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our common stock. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our common stock or other securities. The terms of each such distribution agreement will be set forth in more detail in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. In the event that any underwriter or agent acts as principal, or broker-dealer acts as underwriter, it may engage in certain transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our securities. We will describe any such activities in the prospectus supplement relating to the transaction.

Offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus may be solicited, and sales of the securities may be made, by us of those securities directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resales of the securities. The terms of any offer made in this manner will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the offer.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Institutional investors with which these contracts may be made include, among others:

commercial and savings banks;

insurance companies;

pension funds;

investment companies; and

educational and charitable institutions.

In all cases, these purchasers must be approved by us. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that (a) the purchase of the securities must not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction to which that purchaser is subject and (b) if the securities are also being sold to underwriters, we must have sold to these underwriters the securities not subject to delayed delivery. Underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

Subject to any restrictions relating to debt securities in bearer form, any securities initially sold outside the United States may be resold in the United States through underwriters, dealers or otherwise.

Each series of securities other than common stock will be new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom offered securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time.

The anticipated date of delivery of the securities offered by this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering. The securities offered by this prospectus may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or a foreign securities exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity or activity of any trading in the offered securities.

We may enter into derivative or other hedging transactions with financial institutions. These financial institutions may in turn engage in sales of our common stock to hedge their position, deliver this prospectus in connection with some or all of those sales and use the shares covered by this prospectus to close out any short position created in connection with those sales. We may also sell shares of our common stock short using this prospectus and deliver our common stock covered by this prospectus to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge our common stock to financial institutions that in turn may sell the shares of our common stock using this prospectus. We may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of our common stock covered by this prospectus to support a derivative or hedging position or other obligations and, if we default in the performance of our obligations, the pledges or secured parties may offer and sell our common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus.

We also may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

Certain of the underwriters and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for, us or one or more of our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, Washington, D.C.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the various expenses to be incurred in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts shown are estimates except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.

SEC registration fee	$	(1	)
Printing expenses		(2	)
Legal fees and expenses		(2	)
Accounting fees and expenses		(2	)
Trustee fees and expenses		(2	)
Rating agency fees		(2	)
Listing fees and expenses		(2	)
Miscellaneous expenses		(2	)
Total Expenses		(2	)

(1)

Deferred in accordance with Rule 456(b) under the Securities Act and calculated in accordance with the offering of securities under this registration statement pursuant to Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act.

(2)

These fees depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and cannot be estimated at this time. Additional information regarding estimated fees and expenses will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 2-418 of the Maryland Annotated Code, Corporations and Associations Article (1993) (“Maryland Code”) provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in such capacities unless it is established that: (a) the directors act or omission was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; or (b) the director actually received an improper personal benefit; or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. A corporation is required to indemnify directors and officers against expenses they may incur in defending actions against them in such capacities if they are successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of such actions.

The Maryland Code provides that the foregoing provisions shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a director or officer seeking indemnification may be entitled under, among other things, any bylaw or charter provision, or resolution of stockholders or directors, agreement, or otherwise.

Article XV of the Articles of Incorporation of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. requires indemnification of officers and directors as follows:

Subject to applicable provisions of federal law, the Corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permissible under the Maryland General Corporation Law any individual who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, and any individual who serves or served at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, in any proceeding in which the individual is made a party as a result of his service in such capacity. An individual will not be indemnified if (i) it is established that the act or omission at issue was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith, or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (ii) the individual actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property, or services; or (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the individual had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. In the event any litigation is brought against a director of this Corporation, authorization is hereby made to advance all expenses needed by the director to defend the lawsuit. There shall be no obligation to repay the expenses forwarded, unless it shall be determined ultimately by the Corporation, in accordance with the provisions of this Article XV and the Maryland General Corporation law, that the director shall not be entitled to indemnification.

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The rights of indemnification provided for in this Article XV shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. Rights of indemnification under this Article XV shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in one of the capacities listed in the immediately preceding paragraph and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

Item 16. Exhibits

A list of exhibits filed herewith is contained in the exhibit index that immediately precedes such exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however , that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

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(4)

That, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)

any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)

any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the registrant or used or referred to by the registrant;

(iii)

the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the registrant; and

(iv)

any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the registrant to the purchaser.

The registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

The registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)2 of the Trust Indenture Act.

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Olney, State of Maryland, on February 7, 2018.

	SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

	By:	/s/ Daniel J. Schrider
		Daniel J. Schrider
		President and Chief Executive Officer

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. hereby severally constitute and appoint Daniel J. Schrider, Philip J. Mantua and Ronald E. Kuykendall, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to any of them, and to each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed herewith and any and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to said Registration Statement and generally to do all such things in our name and behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated.

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Daniel J. Schrider
		Daniel J. Schrider
		President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
		(Principal Executive Officer)

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Philip J. Mantua
		Philip J. Mantua
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Mona Abutaleb Stephenson
		Mona Abutaleb Stephenson
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Shaza L. Andersen
		Shaza L. Andersen
		Director

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February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Ralph F. Boyd, Jr
		Ralph F. Boyd, Jr.
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Joseph S. Bracewell
		Joseph S. Bracewell
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Mark E. Friis
		Mark E. Friis
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Robert E. Henel, Jr.
		Robert E. Henel, Jr.
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Pamela A. Little
		Pamela A. Little
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ James J. Maiwurm
		James J. Maiwurm
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Mark C. Michael
		Mark C. Michael


February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Gary G. Nakamoto
		Gary G. Nakamoto
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Robert L. Orndorff
		Robert L. Orndorff
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Joe R. Reeder
		Joe R. Reeder

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Craig A. Ruppert
		Craig A. Ruppert
		Director

February 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Dennis A. Starliper
		Dennis A. Starliper
		Director

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number		Description

1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement*

4.1		Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, SEC File No. 0-19065)

4.2		Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, SEC File No. 0-19065)

4.3		Bylaws

4.4		Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities

4.5		Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities

4.6		Form of Senior Debt Security*

4.7		Form of Subordinated Debt Security*

4.8		Form of Deposit Agreement (including Form of Depositary Receipt)*

4.9		Form of Preferred Stock Certificate*

4.10		Form of Articles Supplementary for series of Preferred Stock*

4.11		Form of Warrant Agreement (including Form of Warrant Certificate)*

4.12		Form of Purchase Contract*

4.13		Form of Unit Agreement (including Form of Unit Certificate)*

5.1		Opinion of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP as to the legality of the securities being offered

12.1		Computation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP

23.2		Consent of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

24.1		Powers of Attorney (contained in the signature pages of this Registration Statement)

25.1		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, under the Indenture for Senior Debt Securities**

25.2		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, under the Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities**

To be subsequently filed by an amendment to the Registration Statement or by a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

To be filed separately pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, if applicable.

Exhibit 4.3

BYLAWS

SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

ARTICLE I

PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The principal office of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (herein the “Corporation”) shall be at 17801 Georgia Avenue, Olney, Maryland, 20832.

ARTICLE II

MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

SECTION 1. Place of Meetings. All annual and special meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place within or without the State of Maryland as the Board of Directors may determine and as designated in the notice of such meeting.

SECTION 2. Annual Meeting . A meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation for the election of directors and for the transaction of any other business of the Corporation shall be held annually at such date and time as the Board of Directors may determine.

SECTION 3. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the shareholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the President, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or a majority of the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, or a special meeting may be called by the Secretary of the Corporation upon the written request of the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25 %) of all votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. Such written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at the meeting and shall be delivered at the principal office of the Corporation addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary. The Secretary shall inform the shareholders who make the request of the reasonably estimated costs of preparing and mailing a notice of the meeting and, upon payment of these costs to the Corporation, the Secretary shall then notify each shareholder entitled to notice of the meeting.

SECTION 4. Conduct of Meetings . Annual and special meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall designate, when present, either the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President to preside at such meetings.

SECTION 5. Notice of Meeting . Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be given either personally or by mail by or at the direction of the President, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Secretary, or Directors calling the meeting, not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting and to each other shareholder entitled to notice of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the shareholder at his address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation as of the record date prescribed in Section 6 of this Article II, with postage thereon prepaid. If a shareholder be present at a meeting, or in writing waives notice thereof before or after the meeting and such waiver is filed with the records of the meeting of shareholders, notice of the meeting to such shareholder shall be unnecessary. When any shareholders’ meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for more than thirty (30) days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. It shall not be necessary to give any notice of the time and place of any meeting adjourned for thirty (30) or fewer days or of the business to be transacted at such adjourned meeting, other than an announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken.

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SECTION 6. Fixing of Record Date . For the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders, or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors shall fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of shareholders. Such date in any case shall be not more than sixty (60) days and, in case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date on which the particular action, requiring such determination of shareholders, is to be taken. When a determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

SECTION 7. Quorum . Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders. If less than a majority of the outstanding shares are represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

SECTION 8. Proxies . At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney in fact. All proxies shall be filed with the Secretary of the meeting before being voted. Proxies solicited on behalf of the management shall be voted as directed by the shareholder or, in the absence of such direction, as determined by a majority of the Board of Directors. No proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

SECTION 9. Voting . At each election for directors, every shareholder entitled to vote at such election shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him. Unless otherwise provided by the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the General Laws of the State of Maryland, a majority of those votes cast by shareholders at a lawful meeting shall be sufficient to pass on any transaction or matter.

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SECTION 10. Informal Action by Shareholders . Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous written consent to the action is signed by each shareholder entitled to vote on the matter and a written waiver of any rights to dissent is signed by each shareholder entitled to notice but not entitled to vote at the meeting. The unanimous written consent and the written waiver, if any, shall be filed with the records of the shareholders’ meetings.

SECTION 11. Voting of Shares in the Name of Two or More Persons . When ownership of stock stands in the name of two or more persons, in the absence of written directions to the Corporation to the contrary, at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation any one or more of such shareholders may cast, in person or by proxy, all votes to which such ownership is entitled. In the event an attempt is made to cast conflicting votes, in person or by proxy, by the several persons in whose name shares of stock stand, the vote or votes to which these persons are entitled shall be cast as directed by a majority of those holding such stock and present in person or by proxy at such meeting, but no votes shall be cast for such stock if a majority cannot agree.

SECTION 12. Voting of Shares by Certain Holders . Shares standing in the name of another corporation may be voted by any officer, agent or proxy as the bylaws of such corporation may provide, or, in the absence of such provision, as the Board of Directors of such corporation may determine. Shares held by an administrator, executor, guardian or conservator may be voted by him, either in person or by proxy, without a transfer of such shares into his name. Shares standing in the name of a trustee may be voted by him, either in person or by proxy, but no trustee shall be entitled to vote shares held by him without a transfer of such shares into his name. Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver, and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof into his name if authority to do so is contained in an appropriate order of the court or other public authority by which such receiver was appointed.

A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

Treasury shares of its own stock held by the Corporation shall not be voted at any meeting or counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time for purposes of any meeting.

SECTION 13. Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors may appoint any persons, other than nominees for office, as inspectors of election to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. The number of inspectors shall be either one or three. If the Board of Directors so appoints either one or three inspectors, that appointment shall not be altered at the meeting. If inspectors of election are not so appointed, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President may make such appointment at the meeting. In case any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President.

Unless otherwise prescribed by applicable law, the duties of such inspectors shall include: determining the number of shares of stock and the voting power of each share, the shares of stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies; receiving votes, ballots or consents; hearing and determining all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote; counting and tabulating all votes or consents; determining the result; and such acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.

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SECTION 14. Nomination Procedures. The Board of Directors shall act as a nominating committee for selecting the management nominees for election as directors. Except in the case of a nominee substituted as a result of the death or other incapacity of a management nominee, the nominating committee shall deliver written nominations to the Secretary at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the annual meeting.

Nominations for the election of directors may also be made by any shareholder of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Such nominations by a shareholder must be made in writing and delivered to the Secretary not later than ninety (90) days prior to the month and day one year subsequent to the date that the proxy materials regarding the last election of directors to the Board of Directors were mailed to shareholders. Each such notice of nomination by a shareholder must set forth (a) the full name, age and date of birth of each nominee proposed in the notice, (b) the business and residence addresses and telephone numbers of each such nominee, (c) the educational background and business experience of each such nominee, including a list of positions held for at least the preceding five years, and (d) a signed representation by each such nominee that the nominee will timely provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation for the purpose of preparing its disclosures in regard to the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors. The name of each such candidate for director must be placed in nomination at the annual meeting by a shareholder present in person and the nominee must be present in person at the meeting for the election of directors. Any vote cast for a person who has not been duly nominated pursuant to this Article II, Section 14, shall be void.

SECTION 15. New Business at Annual Meeting. At an annual meeting of the shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, proposals for new business must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder.

For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of any such annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that if less than forty-five (45) days’ notice of the date of the meeting is given to shareholders, such notice by a shareholder must be received by the Secretary not later than the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed to shareholders or two (2) days before the date of the meeting, whichever is earlier. Each such notice given by a shareholder to the Secretary with respect to business proposals to be brought before a meeting shall set forth (a) a brief description of the business and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by the shareholder, and (d) any material interest of the shareholder in such business. Shareholder proposals that do not satisfy the requirements of this Article II, Section 15, may be considered and discussed but not acted upon at an annual meeting.

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ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. General Powers . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be under the direction of its Board of Directors. In addition to other powers specifically set out in these Bylaws or that apply under the General Laws of the State of Maryland, the Board of Directors and any committees thereof shall have the power to manage and administer the affairs of the Corporation and to do and perform all lawful acts with respect to the affairs of the Corporation except those that may be specifically reserved to the shareholders under the General Laws of the State of Maryland. The Board of Directors shall annually elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors and a President from among its members and shall designate, when present, either the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President to preside at its meetings.

SECTION 2. Qualification of Directors . Each director must be the holder of unencumbered or unhypothecated shares of common stock of the Corporation having an aggregate par value of $1,000 or a fair market value of $1,000. A director of the Corporation may not serve as attorney for any other financial institution or bank or savings and loan holding company, and may not be a member of the Board of Directors of any other financial institution or bank or savings and loan holding company. The requirements shall not apply to a person serving as an advisory director or a director emeritus.

SECTION 3. Age Limitation . No person shall be eligible for election or appointment to the Board of Directors if such person is under twenty-one (21) or over seventy (70) years of age at the time of his or her election or appointment. No director shall serve beyond the annual meeting of shareholders immediately following his or her seventieth (70th) birthday. This limitation shall not apply to a person serving as an advisory director or a director emeritus.

SECTION 4. Number, Term and Election . The maximum number of directors is fixed by the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and may be altered only by amendment thereto. The minimum number of directors shall be the minimum required under the General Laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force. The Board of Directors may, by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office, between annual meetings of shareholders, increase or decrease the membership of the Board of Directors within such limits, provided that no decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. The Board of Directors shall be classified in accordance with the provisions of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation,

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SECTION 5. Regular Meetings . The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw within two weeks after the annual meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.

SECTION 6. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of any one director or any two directors of the Corporation, or by a majority of the directors. The persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by such persons.

Members of the Board of Directors may participate in special meetings by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation shall constitute presence in person.

SECTION 7. Notice of Special Meetings . Notice of any special meeting shall be given to each director at least one hour previous thereto. Notice of a special meeting need not be in writing. Any director may waive notice of any meeting by a writing filed with the Secretary. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

SECTION 8. Quorum . A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors. If less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time. Notice of an adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are fixed at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.

SECTION 9. Voting . The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the vote of a greater number is required by the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the General Laws of the State of Maryland.

SECTION 10. Action by Written Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation for inclusion hi the corporate minute book.

SECTION 11. Resignation . Any director may resign at any time by sending a written notice of such resignation to the principal office of the Corporation addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, or the Secretary. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon acceptance thereof by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 12. Vacancies . Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. The term of such director shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.

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SECTION 13. Removal of Directors . Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed only in accordance with the provisions of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.

SECTION 14. Compensation . Directors, as such, may receive a stated salary for their services. By resolution of the Board of Directors, a reasonable fixed sum, and reasonable expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for actual attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors. Members of either standing or special committees may be allowed such compensation for actual attendance at committee meetings as the Board of Directors may determine. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving remuneration therefor.

SECTION 15. Presumption of Assent . A director of the Corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent or abstention shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent to such action with the person acting as the Secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered mail to the Secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who votes in favor of such action.

SECTION 16. Advisory Directors and Directors Emeritus. The Board of Directors may by resolution appoint persons to serve as advisory directors, who may also serve as directors emeritus, and shall have such authority and receive such compensation and reimbursement as the Board of Directors shall provide. No advisory director or director emeritus shall have the authority to participate by vote in the transaction of business.

SECTION 17. Contracts with Interested Directors. No contract or other transaction between this Corporation and any other corporation shall be affected by the fact that any director of this Corporation is interested in, or is a director or officer of, such other corporation, and any director, individually or jointly, may be a party to, or may be interested in, any contract or transaction of this Corporation or in which this Corporation is interested; and no contract, or other transaction, of this Corporation with any person, firm, or corporation, shall be affected by the fact that any director of this Corporation is a party to, or is interested in, such contract, act or transaction, or is in any way connected with such person, firm, or corporation, and every person who may become a director of this Corporation is hereby relieved from any liability that might otherwise exist from contracting with the Corporation for the benefit of himself or any firm, association, or corporation in which he may be in any way interested.

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ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, as they may determine to be necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Corporation, and may prescribe the duties, constitution and procedures thereof. The Board of Directors may delegate to an executive committee the power to exercise all the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the affairs and property of the Corporation, except such authority as may be specifically reserved to the full Board of Directors by the General Laws of the State of Maryland. Each committee shall consist of one or more directors of the Corporation. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not a quorum exists, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of the disqualified or absent member.

The Board of Directors shall have power, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors, at any time to change the members of, to fill vacancies in, and to discharge any committee of the Board. Any member of any committee of the Board of Directors may be removed at any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors at any meeting of the Board called for that purpose.

ARTICLE V

Officers

SECTION 1. Positions . The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board of Directors shall from time to time deem necessary for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. The Board of Directors may designate one or more Vice Presidents as Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President. The officers shall have such authority and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time authorize or determine by resolution. In the absence of action by the Board of Directors, the officers shall have such powers and duties as are generally incident to their respective offices.

SECTION 2. Election and Term of Office . The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of the shareholders. If the election of officers is not held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as possible. Each officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Election or appointment of an officer, employee or agent shall not of itself create contract rights. The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to enter into an employment contract with any officer in accordance with state law; but no such contract shall impair the right of the Board of Directors to remove any officer at any time in accordance with Section 4 of this Article V.

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SECTION 3. Resignation . Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon its acceptance by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. Removal . Any officer may be removed by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby, but such removal, other than for cause, shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

SECTION 5. Remuneration. The remuneration of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VI

Certificates for Shares

and Their Transfer

SECTION 1. Certificates for Shares . The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an assistant treasurer or by the Secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation, and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof. Any or all of the signatures upon a certificate may be facsimiles if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent, or registered by a registrar, other than the Corporation itself or an employee of the Corporation. If any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before the certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer at the date of its issue.

SECTION 2. Form of Certificates. All certificates representing shares issued by the Corporation shall set forth upon the face or back that the Corporation will furnish to any shareholder upon request and without charge a full statement of the designations, preferences, limitations, and relative rights of the shares of each class authorized to be issued, the variations in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each such series so far as the same have been fixed and determined, and the authority of the Board of Directors to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of subsequent series.

Each certificate representing shares shall state upon the face thereof: that the Corporation is organized under the laws of the State of Maryland; the name of the person to whom issued; the number and class of shares; the date of issue; the designation of the series, if any, which such certificate represents; the par value of each share represented by such certificate, or a statement that the shares are without par value. Other matters in regard to the form of the certificates shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

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SECTION 3. Payment for Shares . No certificate shall be issued for any shares until such share is fully paid. The consideration for the issuance of shares shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.

SECTION 4. Transfer of Shares . Transfer of shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be made only on its stock transfer books. Authority for such transfer shall be given only by the holder of record thereof or by his legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of such authority, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Corporation. Such transfer shall be made only on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares. The person in whose name shares of capital stock stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed by the Corporation to be the owner thereof for all purposes.

SECTION 5. Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the shareholders entitled to examine the stock ledger or the books of the Corporation or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 6. Lost Certificates . The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

SECTION 7. Beneficial Owners . The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.

ARTICLE VII

Fiscal Year; Annual Audit

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the 31 st day of December of each year. The Corporation shall be subject to an annual audit as of the end of its fiscal year by independent public accountants appointed by and responsible to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII

Dividends

Subject to the provisions of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and applicable law, the Board of Directors may, at any regular or special meeting, declare dividends on the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in the Corporation’s own stock.

- 10 -

ARTICLE IX

Corporate

Seal

The corporate seal of the Corporation shall be in such form as the Board of Directors shall prescribe.

ARTICLE X

Amendments

In accordance with the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors of the Corporation may repeal, alter, amend or rescind these Bylaws by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at a legal meeting held in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. In addition, these Bylaws may be repealed, altered, amended or rescinded by the shareholders of the Corporation by vote of not less than eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the shareholders called for that purpose (provided that notice of such proposed repeal, alteration, amendment or rescission is included in the notice of such meeting).

* * *

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SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

FIRST AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS

Article III, Section 5 of Bancorp’s bylaws is hereby deleted in its entirety. The following is inserted in its place:

“Section 5. Regular Meetings. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw within four weeks after the annual meeting of shareholders. The board of directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.”

Approved by the Board of Directors: May 29, 2013.

* * * *

SECOND AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS

Article III, Section 3 of Bancorp’s bylaws is hereby amended by deleting the same and inserting the following:

“Section 3. Age Limitation . No person shall be eligible for election or appointment to the board of directors if such person is under twenty-one (21) or over seventy-two (72) years of age at the time of his or her election or appointment. No director shall serve beyond the annual meeting of shareholders immediately following his or her seventy-second (72 nd ) birthday. This limitation shall not apply to a person serving as an advisory director or a director emeritus.”

Approved by the Board of Directors: January 27, 2016.

* * * *

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SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

THIRD AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS

Article II, Section 5 of Bancorp’s bylaws is hereby amended by deleting the same and inserting the following:

“SECTION 5. Notice of Meeting . Not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days before each shareholders meeting, the Secretary of the Corporation shall give notice in writing or by electronic transmission of the meeting to each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting and each other shareholder entitled to notice of the meeting. The notice shall state (1) the time of the meeting, the place of the meeting, if any, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which shareholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and may vote at the meeting; and (2) the purpose of the meeting, if the meeting is a special meeting or notice of the purpose is required by any other provision of the General Laws of the State of Maryland.

Any notice given to a shareholder is effective if given by a single notice in writing or by electronic transmission to all shareholders who share an address unless the Corporation has received a request from a shareholder in writing or by electronic transmission that a single notice not be given. If a shareholder be present at a meeting, or in writing waives notice thereof before or after the meeting and such waiver is filed with the records of the meeting of shareholders, notice of the meeting to such shareholder shall be unnecessary.

When any shareholders meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for more than thirty (30) days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. It shall not be necessary to give any notice of the time and place of any meeting adjourned for thirty (30) or fewer days or of the business to be transacted at such adjourned meeting, other than an announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken.”

Approved by the Board of Directors: October 26, 2016.

* * * *

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SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

FOURTH AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS

Article III, Section 3 of the Company’s Bylaws is revised to read as follows:

Section 3. Age Limitation . No person shall be eligible for election or appointment to the Board of Directors if such person is under twenty-one (21) or over seventy-two (72) years of age at the time of his or her election or appointment. No director shall serve beyond the annual meeting of stockholders immediately following his or her seventy-second (72nd) birthday. This limitation shall not apply to a person serving as an advisory director or a director emeritus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a director may, at the request of the Nominating Committee and if ratified by the Board, continue to serve as a director after the annual meeting of stockholders immediately following his or her seventy-second (72nd) birthday if (i) he or she was appointed to the Board of Directors in connection with a corporate acquisition, consolidation, or merger and (ii) the Nominating Committee and Board determine that his or her continued service would be of substantial benefit to the Corporation in recognizing the benefit of such acquisition, consolidation or merger. The continuation of such person’s service as a director shall be for such period as the Nominating Committee, subject to the approval of the Board, shall determine.

The second sentence of Article II, Section 6 of the Company’s bylaws is hereby revised to read as follows:

Such date in any case shall be not more than ninety (90) days and, in case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date on which the particular action, requiring such determination of stockholders, is to be taken.

Approved by the Board of Directors on December 13, 2017.

* * * *

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Exhibit 4.4

SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

SENIOR DEBT INDENTURE

DATED AS OF __________, 20

[__________________], AS TRUSTEE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page Number

ARTICLE I	DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE	1

Section 1.1	Definitions	1
Section 1.2	Other Definitions	5
Section 1.3	Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act	5
Section 1.4	Rules of Construction	5

ARTICLE II	THE SECURITIES	6

Section 2.1	Issuable in Series	6
Section 2.2	Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities	6
Section 2.3	Execution and Authentication	8
Section 2.4	Registrar and Paying Agent	9
Section 2.5	Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust	9
Section 2.6	Securityholder Lists	9
Section 2.7	Transfer and Exchange	10
Section 2.8	Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities	10
Section 2.9	Outstanding Securities	11
Section 2.10	Treasury Securities	11
Section 2.11	Temporary Securities	11
Section 2.12	Cancellation	12
Section 2.13	Defaulted Interest	12
Section 2.14	Global Securities	12
Section 2.15	CUSIP Numbers	13

ARTICLE III	REDEMPTION	14

Section 3.1	Notice to Trustee	14
Section 3.2	Selection of Securities to be Redeemed	14
Section 3.3	Notice of Redemption	14
Section 3.4	Effect of Notice of Redemption	15
Section 3.5	Deposit of Redemption Price	15
Section 3.6	Securities Redeemed in Part	15

ARTICLE IV	COVENANTS	15

Section 4.1	Payment of Principal and Interest	15
Section 4.2	SEC Reports	16
Section 4.3	Compliance Certificate	16
Section 4.4	Stay, Extension and Usury Laws	16
Section 4.5	Corporate Existence	16
Section 4.6	Taxes	16

ARTICLE V	SUCCESSORS	17

Section 5.1	When Company May Merge, Etc	17
Section 5.2	Successor Corporation Substituted	17

ARTICLE VI	DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES	17

Section 6.1	Events of Default	17
Section 6.2	Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment	19
Section 6.3	Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee	19
Section 6.4	Trustee may File Proofs of Claim	20
Section 6.5	Trustee may Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities	20
Section 6.6	Application of Money Collected	21
Section 6.7	Limitation on Suits	21
Section 6.8	Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest	21
Section 6.9	Restoration of Rights and Remedies	22
Section 6.10	Rights and Remedies Cumulative	22
Section 6.11	Delay or Omission Not Waiver	22
Section 6.12	Control by Holders	22
Section 6.13	Waiver of Past Defaults	23
Section 6.14	Undertaking for Costs	23

ARTICLE VII	TRUSTEE	23

Section 7.1	Duties of Trustee	23
Section 7.2	Rights of Trustee	24
Section 7.3	Individual Rights of Trustee	26
Section 7.4	Trustee’s Disclaimer	26
Section 7.5	Notice of Defaults	26
Section 7.6	Reports by Trustee to Holders	27
Section 7.7	Compensation and Indemnity	27
Section 7.8	Replacement of Trustee	27
Section 7.9	Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc	28
Section 7.10	Eligibility; Disqualification	28
Section 7.11	Referential Collection of Claims Against Company	29

ARTICLE VIII	SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE	29

Section 8.1	Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture	29
Section 8.2	Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification	30
Section 8.3	Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series	30
Section 8.4	Covenant Defeasance	32
Section 8.5	Repayment to Company	33

ARTICLE IX	AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS	33

Section 9.1	Without Consent of Holders	33
Section 9.2	With Consent of Holders	34
Section 9.3	Limitations	35
Section 9.4	Compliance with Trust Indenture Act	35

Section 9.5	Revocation and Effect of Consents	35
Section 9.6	Notation on or Exchange of Securities	36
Section 9.7	Trustee Protected	36

ARTICLE X	MISCELLANEOUS	36

Section 10.1	Trust Indenture Act Controls	36
Section 10.2	Notices	36
Section 10.3	Communication by Holders with Other Holders	37
Section 10.4	Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent	37
Section 10.5	Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion	37
Section 10.6	Rules by Trustee and Agents	38
Section 10.7	Legal Holidays	38
Section 10.8	No Recourse Against Others	38
Section 10.9	Counterparts	38
Section 10.10	Governing Laws	38
Section 10.11	No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements	38
Section 10.12	Successors	38
Section 10.13	Severability	39
Section 10.14	Table of Contents, Headings, Etc	39

ARTICLE XI	SINKING FUNDS	39

Section 11.1	Applicability of Article	39
Section 11.2	Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities	39
Section 11.3	Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund	40

iii

CROSS REFERENCE TABLE

Trust Indenture		Indenture
Act Section		Section
Section 310	(a)(1)	7.10
	(a)(2)	7.10
	(a)(3)	N/A
	(a)(4)	N/A
	(a)(5)	7.10
	(b)	7.10
Section 311	(a)	7.11
	(b)	7.11
	(c)	N/A
Section 312	(a)	2.6
	(b)	10.3
	(c)	10.3
Section 313	(a)	7.6
	(b)(1)	7.6
	(b)(2)	7.6
	(c)(1)	7.6
	(d)	7.6
Section 314	(a)	4.2, 10.5
	(b)	N/A
	(c)(1)	10.4
	(c)(2)	10.4
	(c)(3)	N/A
	(d)	N/A
	(e)	10.5
	(f)	N/A
Section 315	(a)	7.1
	(b)	7.5
	(c)	7.1
	(d)	7.1
	(e)	6.14
Section 316	(a)	2.10
	(a)(1)(A)	6.12
	(a)(1)(B)	6.13
	(b)	6.8
Section 317	(a)(1)	6.3
	(a)(2)	6.4
	(b)	2.5
Section 318	(a)	10.1

* This Cross Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

This SENIOR DEBT INDENTURE , dated as of ____________, 20 is made by and between SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC. , a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and [_______________], not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1 Definitions .

“ Additional Amounts ” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“ Affiliate ” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.

“ Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.

“ Authorized Newspaper ” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof that is made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.

“ Bearer Security ” means any Security, including any interest coupon appertaining thereto, that does not provide for the identification of the Holder thereof.

“ Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.

“ Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.

“ Business Day ” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday or any other day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York, or any Place of Payment are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“ Capital Stock ” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock.

“ Company ” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

“ Company Order ” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

“ Company Request ” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

“ Corporate Trust Office ” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [____________], Attention: Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Administrator, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

“ Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“ Depository ” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.

“ Discount Security ” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Stated Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

“ Dollars ” and “ $ ” means the currency of the United States of America. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“ GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.

“ Global Security ” or “ Global Securities ” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.

“ Holder ” or “ Securityholder ” means a person in whose name a Security is registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.

“ Indenture ” means this Senior Debt Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

“ interest ” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

“ Maturity ,” when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise.

“ Officer ” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

“ Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

“ Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

“ person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“ Place of Payment ”, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any Series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Section 2.1.

“ principal ” or “ principal amount ” of a Security means the principal amount of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.

“ Responsible Officer ” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject, in each case, who has direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

“ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“ Securities ” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“ Series ” or “ Series of Securities ” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2.

“ Stated Maturity ” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

“ Subsidiary ” of any specified person means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.

“ TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided , however , that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

“ Trustee ” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.

“ U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities which are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and which in the case of clauses (a) and (b) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Section 1.2 Other Definitions .

Term	Defined in Section
“Bankruptcy Law”	6.1
“Custodian”	6.1
“Event of Default”	6.1
“Legal Holiday”	10.7
“mandatory sinking fund payment”	11.1
“optional sinking fund payment”	11.1
“Paying Agent”	2.4
“Registrar”	2.4
“Service Agent”	2.4
“successor person”	5.1

Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act . Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“Commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.

Section 1.4 Rules of Construction . Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)

a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b)

an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)

references to “generally accepted accounting principles” and “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;

(d)

“or” is not exclusive;

(e)

words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

(f)

provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

Section 2.1 Issuable in Series . The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters; provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

Section 2.2 Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities . At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Section 2.2(a) and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally, in the case of Sections 2.2(b) through 2.2(q)) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate:

(a)

the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);

(b)

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;

(c)

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);

(d)

the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;

(e)

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

(f)

the Place of Payment where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

(g)

if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(h)

the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(i)

the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

(j)

if other than minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple in excess thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

(k)

the forms of the Securities of the Series in bearer or fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities);

(l)

if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;

(m)

the provisions, if any, relating to any lien, security or encumbrance provided for the Securities of the Series;

(n)

any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;

(o)

any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;

(p)

any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series); and

(q)

any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein.

All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.

Section 2.3 Execution and Authentication .

Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. Such a signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.

Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

Section 2.4 Registrar and Paying Agent . The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the Place of Payment specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (the “Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (the “Registrar”) and where notices and demands (other than service of process) to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (the “Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands (other than service of process).

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional service agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional service agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.

The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.

Section 2.5 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust . The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.

Section 2.6 Securityholder Lists . The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.

Section 2.7 Transfer and Exchange . Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).

Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

Section 2.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities . If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or satisfactory indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 2.9 Outstanding Securities . The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue (to the extent of the Maturity of such Security if less than the entire principal amount is due and payable on such date of Maturity).

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

Section 2.10 Treasury Securities . In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities of a Series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.11 Temporary Securities . Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and Stated Maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary Securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.

Section 2.12 Cancellation . All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures. The Company by Company Order may direct the Trustee to deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company.

Section 2.13 Defaulted Interest . If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

Section 2.14 Global Securities.

(a)

Terms of Securities . A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.

(b)

Transfer and Exchange . Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b), a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.

(c)

Legend . Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”

(d)

Acts of Holders . The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.

(e)

Payments . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

(f)

Consents, Declaration and Directions . Except as provided in Section 2.14(e), the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depository with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers . The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

Section 3.1 Notice to Trustee . The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 45 days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

Section 3.2 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed . Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of any Series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such Series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, and, in the case of global Securities, in accordance with the procedures of the depositary; provided that such method complies with the rules of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Securities are listed, and may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that Series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such Series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that Series; provided , however , that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such Series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security to be redeemed is a Global Security then any partial redemption of that Series of Securities will be made in accordance with the Depository’s applicable procedures among all Holders of such Series of Securities.

Section 3.3 Notice of Redemption . Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion a notice in an Authorized Newspaper.

The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

(a)

the redemption date;

(b)

the redemption price and accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date payable as provided;

(c)

the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(d)

that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(e)

that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(f)

the CUSIP number, if any;

(g)

any conditions precedent that must be satisfied prior to the redemption; and

(h)

any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

At the Company’s request given at least five Business Days prior to the date such notice is given to Holders, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense.

Section 3.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption . Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price, subject to, with respect to any redemption that is conditioned upon the satisfaction of any conditions precedent, (i) the delay of such redemption date until such time as any or all of such conditions precedent have been satisfied or (ii) the revocation of such redemption if the Company determines that such conditions precedent will not be satisfied. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the redemption date; provided that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the redemption date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities (or one or more predecessor Securities) registered at the close of business on the relevant record date therefor according to their terms and the terms of this Indenture.

Section 3.5 Deposit of Redemption Price . On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

Section 3.6 Securities Redeemed in Part . Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

Section 4.1 Payment of Principal and Interest . The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.

Section 4.2 SEC Reports . The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officers’ Certificate).

Section 4.3 Compliance Certificate . The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his/her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge).

The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.4 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws . The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.5 Corporate Existence . Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.6 Taxes . The Company shall pay prior to delinquency all taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.

ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.1 When Company May Merge, Etc . The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”), nor shall the Company permit any other person to consolidate with or merge into it or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to it, in either case unless:

(a)

the Company is the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and

(b)

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, and treating any indebtedness that becomes the obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as having been incurred at the effective date of such transaction no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and any supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

Section 5.2 Successor Corporation Substituted . Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person has been named as the Company herein; provided , however , that the predecessor Company in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.1 Events of Default .

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

(a)

default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days);

(b)

default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity;

(c)

default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series;

(d)

default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty for which the consequences of nonperformance or breach are addressed elsewhere in this Section 6.1 and other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default or breach continues uncured or unwaived in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of not less than 25.0% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

(e)

the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

commences a voluntary case,

ii.

consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

iii.

consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

iv.

makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or

(f)

a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,

ii.

appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

iii.

orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

(g)

any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2(n).

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 6.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment . Except to the extent provided otherwise in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate for such Series, if an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(e) or 6.1(f)), then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or portion thereof) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or 6.1(f) shall occur, the principal amount (or portion thereof) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee . The Company covenants that if:

(a)

default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days,

(b)

default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof, or

(c)

default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security, then, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 6.4 Trustee may File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.5 Trustee may Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities . All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 6.6 Application of Money Collected . Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7; and

Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

Third: To the Company.

Section 6.7 Limitation on Suits . No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(a)

such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;

(b)

the Holders of not less than 25.0% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(c)

such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(d)

the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(e)

no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 6.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies . If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative . Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver . No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12 Control by Holders . The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series; provided that:

(a)

such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;

(b)

the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; and

(c)

subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.13 Waiver of Past Defaults . The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default (a) in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series ( provided , however , that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of such Series affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs . All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

Section 7.1 Duties of Trustee .

(a)

If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of their own affairs.

(b)

Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers. The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture. The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

ii.

In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(c)

The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:

This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

ii.

The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

iii.

The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.

(d)

Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (g) of this Section.

(e)

The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power at the request or direction of any Holder unless it receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f)

The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g)

No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or satisfactory indemnity against such risk is not assured to it.

(h)

The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section with respect to the Trustee.

Section 7.2 Rights of Trustee .

(a)

The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b)

Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel, or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate and/or Opinion of Counsel.

(c)

The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.

(d)

The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or willful misconduct.

(e)

The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(f)

The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without negligence and in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(g)

The Trustee may conclusively rely upon and shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(h)

The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.

(i)

Delivery of reports, information and documents (including, without limitation, reports contemplated in this Section) to the Trustee is for information purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipts thereof shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with covenants under the Indenture, Securities, and guarantees (if any), as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates.

(j)

The Trustee shall have no responsibility for monitoring the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture.

(k)

The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions.

(l)

Any permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking actions enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.

(m)

The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

(n)

The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.

Section 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee . The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

Section 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer . The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.

Section 7.5 Notice of Defaults . If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.

Section 7.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders . Within 60 days after September 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish in an Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of such September 15, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity . The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, liability, claim (including any between the parties to this Indenture), suit or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.

The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee to the extent of its negligence or willful misconduct.

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or 6.1(f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination of this Indenture.

Section 7.8 Replacement of Trustee . A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:

(a)

the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b)

the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c)

a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d)

the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish such notice on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.

Section 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc . If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another person, the successor person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification . This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).

Section 7.11 Referential Collection of Claims Against Company . The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE VIII

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

Section 8.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

(a)

either:

all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

ii.

all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(1)

have become due and payable, or

(2)

will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(3)

are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company; or

(4)

are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable;

and the Company, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

(b)

the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(c)

the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive.

Section 8.2 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification .

(a)

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Section 8.3 or 8.4.

(b)

The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.

(c)

The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Section 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations held under this Indenture.

Section 8.3 Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series . Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2(p), to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of any Series on the 90th day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (c) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:

(a)

the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (c) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;

(b)

the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and

(c)

the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

the Company shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a regionally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

ii.

such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

iii.

no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 90th day after such date;

iv.

the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

vi.

the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

Section 8.4 Covenant Defeasance . Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2(p) to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(p) (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(n) and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series; provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(a)

With reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a regionally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

(b)

Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(c)

No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 90th day after such date;

(d)

The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

(e)

The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

Section 8.5 Repayment to Company . The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for six months. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

Section 9.1 Without Consent of Holders . The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder by indentures supplemental hereto:

(a)

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(b)

to comply with Article V;

(c)

to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, pursuant to Article XI, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company herein and in the Securities;

(d)

to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as its Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth, with such period of grace, if any, and subject to such conditions as such supplemental indenture may provide;

(e)

to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Securities of any Series or any related coupons in any material respect;

(f)

to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, or under any similar federal statute hereafter enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the TIA, excluding however, the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA or any corresponding provision in any similar federal statute hereafter enacted;

(g)

to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all Series of Securities, stating that such are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such Series);

(h)

to modify, eliminate or add to any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination (i) shall become effective only when there is no Security of any Series Outstanding and created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision or (ii) shall not apply to any Security Outstanding;

(i)

to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

(j)

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;

(k)

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;

(l)

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

(m)

to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

Section 9.2 With Consent of Holders . The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

Section 9.3 Limitations . Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:

(a)

reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b)

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;

(c)

reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

(d)

reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

(e)

waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(f)

make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;

(g)

make any change in Section 6.8, 6.13, or 9.3 (this sentence); or

(h)

waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security.

Section 9.4 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act . Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.5 Revocation and Effect of Consents . Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.

Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

Section 9.6 Notation on or Exchange of Securities . The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.

Section 9.7 Trustee Protected . In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent have been satisfied, the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects it.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls . If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.

Section 10.2 Notices . Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:

if to the Company:

if to the Trustee:

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an Authorized Newspaper. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.

If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or any Security, where the Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event or any other communication (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Securityholder of a Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to Depository (or its designee) pursuant to the applicable procedures from Depository or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at Depository.

Section 10.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders . Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

Section 10.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent . Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a)

an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b)

an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Section 10.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion . Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

(a)

a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b)

a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c)

a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)

a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 10.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents . The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by, or a meeting of, Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 10.7 Legal Holidays . Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

Section 10.8 No Recourse Against Others . A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

Section 10.9 Counterparts . This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or electronic format ( e.g. , “.pdf” or “.tif”) transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or electronic format ( e.g. , “.pdf” or “.tif”) shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 10.10 Governing Laws . THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF (OTHER THAN SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

Section 10.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements . This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 10.12 Successors . All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

Section 10.13 Severability . In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 10.14 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc . The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

ARTICLE XI

SINKING FUNDS

Section 11.1 Applicability of Article . The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.

Section 11.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities . The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (a) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (b) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.

Section 11.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund . Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.

[Signature page follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

	SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

	By:
		Name:
		Title:

	[_________________], as Trustee

	By:
		Name:
		Title:

Exhibit 4.5

Sandy Spring Bancorp, inc.

SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

DATED AS OF __________, 20

[____________________], AS TRUSTEE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page Number

ARTICLE I	DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE	1
Section 1.1	Definitions	1
Section 1.2	Other Definitions	6
Section 1.3	Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act	6
Section 1.4	Rules of Construction	6

ARTICLE II	THE SECURITIES	7
Section 2.1	Issuable in Series	7
Section 2.2	Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities	7
Section 2.3	Execution and Authentication	9
Section 2.4	Registrar and Paying Agent	10
Section 2.5	Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust	10
Section 2.6	Securityholder Lists	11
Section 2.7	Transfer and Exchange	11
Section 2.8	Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities	11
Section 2.9	Outstanding Securities	12
Section 2.10	Treasury Securities	12
Section 2.11	Temporary Securities	13
Section 2.12	Cancellation	13
Section 2.13	Defaulted Interest	13
Section 2.14	Global Securities	13
Section 2.15	CUSIP Numbers	14

ARTICLE III	REDEMPTION	15
Section 3.1	Notice to Trustee	15
Section 3.2	Selection of Securities to be Redeemed	15
Section 3.3	Notice of Redemption	16
Section 3.4	Effect of Notice of Redemption	16
Section 3.5	Deposit of Redemption Price	16
Section 3.6	Securities Redeemed in Part	17

ARTICLE IV	COVENANTS	17
Section 4.1	Payment of Principal and Interest	17
Section 4.2	SEC Reports	17
Section 4.3	Compliance Certificate	17
Section 4.4	Stay, Extension and Usury Laws	17
Section 4.5	Corporate Existence	18
Section 4.6	Taxes	18

ARTICLE V	SUCCESSORS	18
Section 5.1	When Company May Merge, Etc	18
Section 5.2	Successor Corporation Substituted	18

ARTICLE VI	DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES	19
Section 6.1	Events of Default	19
Section 6.2	Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment	20
Section 6.3	Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee	20
Section 6.4	Trustee may File Proofs of Claim	21
Section 6.5	Trustee may Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities	22
Section 6.6	Application of Money Collected	22
Section 6.7	Limitation on Suits	22
Section 6.8	Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest	23
Section 6.9	Restoration of Rights and Remedies	23
Section 6.10	Rights and Remedies Cumulative	23
Section 6.11	Delay or Omission Not Waiver	23
Section 6.12	Control by Holders	23
Section 6.13	Waiver of Past Defaults	24
Section 6.14	Undertaking for Costs	24

ARTICLE VII	TRUSTEE	24
Section 7.1	Duties of Trustee	24
Section 7.2	Rights of Trustee	26
Section 7.3	Individual Rights of Trustee	27
Section 7.4	Trustee’s Disclaimer	28
Section 7.5	Notice of Defaults	28
Section 7.6	Reports by Trustee to Holders	28
Section 7.7	Compensation and Indemnity	28
Section 7.8	Replacement of Trustee	29
Section 7.9	Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc	30
Section 7.10	Eligibility; Disqualification	30
Section 7.11	Referential Collection of Claims Against Company	30

ARTICLE VIII	SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE	30
Section 8.1	Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture	30
Section 8.2	Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification	31
Section 8.3	Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series	32
Section 8.4	Covenant Defeasance	33
Section 8.5	Repayment to Company	34

ARTICLE IX	AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS	34
Section 9.1	Without Consent of Holders	34
Section 9.2	With Consent of Holders	36
Section 9.3	Limitations	36
Section 9.4	Compliance with Trust Indenture Act	37
Section 9.5	Revocation and Effect of Consents	37
Section 9.6	Notation on or Exchange of Securities	37
Section 9.7	Trustee Protected	37

ARTICLE X	MISCELLANEOUS	37
Section 10.1	Trust Indenture Act Controls	37

Section 10.2	Notices	37
Section 10.3	Communication by Holders with Other Holders	38
Section 10.4	Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent	38
Section 10.5	Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion	39
Section 10.6	Rules by Trustee and Agents	39
Section 10.7	Legal Holidays	39
Section 10.8	No Recourse Against Others	39
Section 10.9	Counterparts	39
Section 10.10	Governing Laws	39
Section 10.11	No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements	40
Section 10.12	Successors	40
Section 10.13	Severability	40
Section 10.14	Table of Contents, Headings, Etc	40

ARTICLE XI	SINKING FUNDS	40
Section 11.1	Applicability of Article	40
Section 11.2	Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities	40
Section 11.3	Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund	41

ARTICLE XII	SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES	41
Section 12.1	Agreement of Subordination	41
Section 12.2	Payments to Holders	42
Section 12.3	Subrogation of Securities	44
Section 12.4	Authorization to Effect Subordination	45
Section 12.5	Notice to Trustee	45
Section 12.6	Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness	46
Section 12.7	No Impairment of Subordination	46
Section 12.8	Article Applicable to Paying Agents	46
Section 12.9	Senior Indebtedness Entitled to Rely	47

iii

CROSS REFERENCE TABLE

Trust Indenture		Indenture
Act Section		Section
Section 310	(a)(1)	7.10
	(a)(2)	7.10
	(a)(3)	N/A
	(a)(4)	N/A
	(a)(5)	7.10
	(b)	7.10
Section 311	(a)	7.11
	(b)	7.11
	(c)	N/A
Section 312	(a)	2.6
	(b)	10.3
	(c)	10.3
Section 313	(a)	7.6
	(b)(1)	7.6
	(b)(2)	7.6
	(c)(1)	7.6
	(d)	7.6
Section 314	(a)	4.2, 10.5
	(b)	N/A
	(c)(1)	10.4
	(c)(2)	10.4
	(c)(3)	N/A
	(d)	N/A
	(e)	10.5
	(f)	N/A
Section 315	(a)	7.1
	(b)	7.5
	(c)	7.1
	(d)	7.1
	(e)	6.14
Section 316	(a)	2.10
	(a)(1)(A)	6.12
	(a)(1)(B)	6.13
	(b)	6.8
Section 317	(a)(1)	6.3
	(a)(2)	6.4
	(b)	2.5
Section 318	(a)	10.1

* This Cross Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

This SUBORDINATED INDENTURE , dated as of __________, 20__ is made by and between SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC. , a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and [___________________], not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1 Definitions .

“ Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.

“ Bearer Security ” means any Security, including any interest coupon appertaining thereto, that does not provide for the identification of the Holder thereof.

“ Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.

“ Capital Stock ” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock.

“ Company ” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

“ Corporate Trust Office ” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [______________________], Attention: Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Administrator, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

“ Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“ Designated Senior Indebtedness ” means any of the Company’s senior indebtedness that expressly provides that it is “designated senior indebtedness” for purposes of this Indenture (provided that the instrument, agreement or other document creating or evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may place limitations and conditions on the right of such Senior Indebtedness to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Indebtedness).

“ Dollars ” and “ $ ” means the currency of the United States of America. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“ Holder ” or “ Securityholder ” means a person in whose name a Security is registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.

“ Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any person, and without duplication, (a) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person for borrowed money (including obligations of the Company in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments) or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such person or to only a portion thereof) (other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services), (b) all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances, (c) all obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of leases of such person required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on the balance sheet of such person and all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) in connection with the lease of real property which provides that such person is contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and the obligations of such person under such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property, (d) all obligations of such person (contingent or otherwise) with respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or agreement, (e) all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements by such person in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of another person of the kind described in clauses (a) through (d), (f) any indebtedness or other obligations described in clauses (a) through (e) secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which is owned or held by such person, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed by such person and (g) any and all refinancings, replacements, deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described in clauses (a) through (f).

“ Indenture ” means this Subordinated Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

“i nterest ” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

“ Officer ” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

“ Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

“p rincipal ” or “ principal amount ” of a Security means the principal amount of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.

“ Representative ” means the (a) indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or representative for any Senior Indebtedness or (b) with respect to any Senior Indebtedness that does not have any such trustee, agent or other representative, (i) in the case of such Senior Indebtedness issued pursuant to an agreement providing for voting arrangements as among the holders or owners of such Senior Indebtedness, any holder or owner of such Senior Indebtedness acting with the consent of the required persons necessary to bind such holders or owners of such Senior Indebtedness and (ii) in the case of all other such Senior Indebtedness, the holder or owner of such Senior Indebtedness.

“ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“ Securities ” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“ Senior Indebtedness ” means the principal, premium, if any, interest, including any interest accruing after bankruptcy, Additional Amounts, if any, and rent or termination payment on or other amounts due on the Company’s current or future indebtedness, whether created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by us, including any deferrals, renewals, extensions, refundings, amendments, modifications or supplements to the above. However, Senior Indebtedness does not include: (i) indebtedness that expressly provides that it shall not be senior in right of payment to the Securities or expressly provides that it is on the same basis or junior to the Securities; (ii) the Company’s indebtedness to any of the Company’s Subsidiaries; and (iii) the Securities.

“ Series ” or “ Series of Securities ” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2.

Section 1.2 Other Definitions .

Term		Defined in Section
“Bankruptcy Law”		6.1
“Custodian”		6.1
“Event of Default”		6.1
“Legal Holiday”		10.7
“mandatory sinking fund payment”		11.1
“optional sinking fund payment”		11.1
“Paying Agent”		2.4
“Payment Blockage Notice”		12.2
“Registrar”		2.4
“Service Agent”		2.4
“successor person”		5.1

“Commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

Section 1.4 Rules of Construction . Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)

a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b)

an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)

(d)

“or” is not exclusive;

(e)

words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

(f)

provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

(a)

the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);

(b)

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;

(c)

(d)

the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

if other than minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple in excess thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

(k)

the forms of the Securities of the Series in bearer or fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities);

(l)

(m)

the provisions, if any, relating to any lien, security or encumbrance provided for the Securities of the Series;

(n)

(o)

any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;

(p)

any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series); and

(q)

any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein.

Section 2.3 Execution and Authentication .

Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

Section 2.14 Global Securities .

(a)

(b)

(c)

Legend . Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

(d)

(e)

(f)

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

(a)

the redemption date;

(b)

the redemption price and accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date payable as provided;

(c)

the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(d)

that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(e)

that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(f)

the CUSIP number, if any;

(g)

any conditions precedent that must be satisfied prior to the redemption; and

(h)

any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

Section 4.6 Taxes . The Company shall pay prior to delinquency all taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.

ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

(a)

(b)

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.1 Events of Default . “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

(a)

(b)

default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity;

(c)

default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series;

(d)

(e)

the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

commences a voluntary case,

ii.

consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

iii.

consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

iv.

makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or

(f)

a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,

ii.

appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

iii.

orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

(g)

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee . The Company covenants that if:

(a)

default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days,

(b)

default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof, or

(c)

default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security,

then, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7; and

Third: To the Company.

(a)

such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;

(b)

(c)

such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(d)

the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(e)

(a)

such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;

(b)

the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; and

(c)

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

Section 7.1 Duties of Trustee .

(a)

(b)

Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

ii.

(c)

The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:

This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

ii.

The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

iii.

(d)

Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (g) of this Section.

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

Section 7.2 Rights of Trustee .

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

The Trustee shall have no responsibility for monitoring the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture.

(k)

(l)

Any permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking actions enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.

(m)

(n)

The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination of this Indenture.

(a)

the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b)

the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c)

a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d)

the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

ARTICLE VIII

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

(a)

either:

ii.

all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(1)

have become due and payable, or

(2)

will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(3)

(4)

are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable; and the Company, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

(b)

the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(c)

Section 8.2 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification .

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a)

(b)

the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and

(c)

the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

ii.

such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

iii.

iv.

vi.

(a)

(b)

Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(c)

(d)

(e)

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

(a)

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(b)

to comply with Article V;

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

(j)

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;

(k)

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;

(l)

(m)

to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

Section 9.3 Limitations . Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:

(a)

reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b)

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;

(c)

reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

(d)

reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

(e)

(f)

make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;

(g)

make any change in Section 6.8, 6.13, or 9.3 (this sentence); or

(h)

waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

if to the Company:

if to the Trustee:

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.

(a)

an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b)

an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

(a)

a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b)

a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c)

(d)

a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 10.12 Successors . All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

ARTICLE XI

SINKING FUNDS

ARTICLE XII

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 12.1 Agreement of Subordination . The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder by accepting a Security likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XII; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment of the principal of and interest on all Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with Article III as provided in the Indenture) issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

No provision of this Article XII shall prevent the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder.

Section 12.2 Payments to Holders . Except as otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture, no payment shall be made with respect to the principal of or interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities to be called for redemption in accordance with Article III as provided in the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 12.5, if:

(a)

a default in the payment of principal, premium, interest, rent or other obligations due on any Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing (or, in the case of Senior Indebtedness for which there is a period of grace, in the event of such a default that continues beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior Indebtedness), unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist; or

(b)

a default, other than a payment default, on a Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing that then permits holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of the default (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) from a Representative or the Company.

If the Trustee receives any Payment Blockage Notice pursuant to clause (b) above, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective for purposes of this Section unless and until (A) at least 365 days shall have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice, and (B) all scheduled payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities that have come due have been paid in full in cash. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.

The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions in respect of the Securities upon the earlier of:

(1)

the date upon which the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, or

(2)

in the case of a default referred to in clause (b) above, 179 days pass after notice is received if the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness has not been accelerated, unless this Article XII otherwise prohibits the payment or distribution at the time of such payment or distribution.

Upon any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, or payment thereof in accordance with its terms provided for in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment is made on account of the principal of or interest on the Securities (except payments made pursuant to Article VI from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to commencement of proceedings for such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization); and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company or bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceeding, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provision of this Article XII, shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders of the Securities or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, or as otherwise required by law or a court order) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution or provision therefor is made to the Holders of the Securities or to the Trustee.

For purposes of this Article XII, the words, “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XII with respect to the Securities to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new person, if any, resulting from any reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (other than leases which are not assumed by the Company or the new person, as the case may be) are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article V shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 12.2 if such other person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article V.

In the event of the acceleration of the Securities because of an Event of Default, no payment or distribution shall be made to the Trustee or any Holder of Securities in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with Article III as provided in the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 12.5, until all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or such acceleration is rescinded in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. If payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify holders of Senior Indebtedness of the acceleration at the address set forth in the notice from the Agent (or successor agent) to the Trustee as being the address to which the Trustee should send its notice pursuant to this Section 12.2, unless there are no payment obligations of the Company thereunder and all obligations thereunder to extend credit have been terminated or expired.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (including, without limitation, by way of setoff or otherwise), prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, or provision is made for such payment thereof in accordance with its terms in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Nothing in this Section 12.2 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.7. This Section 12.2 shall be subject to the further provisions of Section 12.5.

Section 12.3 Subrogation of Securities . Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the rights of the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII (equally and ratably with the holders of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as the Securities are subordinated and is entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XII, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness; and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities to or for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the subrogation provisions of this Article XII, which would otherwise have been paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or for the account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XII are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article XII or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XII of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XII, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XII.

Section 12.4 Authorization to Effect Subordination . Each Holder of a Security by the holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on the holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article XII and appoints the Trustee to act as the holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. If the Trustee does not file a proper proof of claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to in Section 6.3 hereof at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness or their representatives are hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders of the Securities.

Section 12.5 Notice to Trustee . The Company shall give prompt written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and to any paying agent of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee or any paying agent in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XII or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office from the Company (in the form of an Officers’ Certificate) or a Representative or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee thereof; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on a date not fewer than two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Security) the Trustee shall not have received, with respect to such monies, the notice provided for in this Section 12.5, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article XII to the contrary, nothing shall prevent any payment by the Trustee to the Holders of monies deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.1, and any such payment shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 12.1 or 12.2.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Representative or a person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee may request such person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such person, the extent to which such person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such person under this Article XII, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such person pending judicial determination as to the right of such person to receive such payment.

Section 12.6 Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness . The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XII in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in Section 7.11 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XII shall apply to the Company’s obligations to the Trustee under Section 7.7.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XII, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of Securities, the Company or any other person money or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XII or otherwise.

Section 12.7 No Impairment of Subordination . No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

Section 12.8 Article Applicable to Paying Agents . If at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article shall (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided , however , that the first paragraph of Section 12.5 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

Section 12.9 Senior Indebtedness Entitled to Rely . The holders of Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Designated Senior Indebtedness) shall have the right to rely upon this Article XII, and no amendment or modification of the provisions contained herein shall diminish the rights of such holders unless such holders shall have agreed in writing thereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

	SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

	By:
		Name:
		Title:

[___________________], as Trustee


	By:
		Name:
		Title:

Exhibit 5.1


	607 14 ^th Street NW, Suite 900
	Washington, DC 20005

February 7, 2018

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

17801 Georgia Avenue

Olney, Maryland 20832

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its filing of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

The Registration Statement registers an indeterminate amount of:

(i) debt securities of the Company, whether senior or subordinated, (collectively, “Debt Securities”);

(ii) shares of common stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company (“Common Stock”);

(iii) shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”),

(iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares of the Company (“Warrants”);

(v) depositary shares representing shares of Preferred Stock (“Depositary Shares”);

(vi) purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares of the Company (“Purchase Contracts”); and

(vii) units comprised of one or more of the securities described above in any combination (the “Units”).

The Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants, Depositary Shares, Purchase Contracts, and Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”

The Debt Securities are to be issued pursuant to a senior debt indenture (the “Senior Indenture”) and a subordinated debt indenture (the “Subordinated Indenture”), as applicable, the forms of both of which have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement (collectively, the “Indentures”) and are to be entered into, in each case, between the Company and a trustee (the “Trustee”). The Debt Securities are to be issued in the forms set forth in the Indentures filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

February 7, 2018

Page 2

We have examined: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the respective forms of Indentures filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement; (iii) the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, each as amended to the date hereof; (iv) corporate proceedings of the Company relating to the registration of the Securities and related matters; and (v) such other agreements, proceedings, documents and records and such matters of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to render this opinion.

As to certain facts material to our opinion, we have relied, to the extent we deem such reliance proper, upon certificates of public officials and officers of the Company. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents and instruments submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents and instruments submitted to us as certified or conformed copies. In addition, we have assumed the accuracy and completeness of all records, documents, instruments and materials made available to us by the Company.

Our opinion is limited to the matters set forth herein, and we express no opinion other than as expressly set forth herein. In rendering the opinion set forth below, we do not express any opinion concerning laws other than those of the States of Maryland and New York. Our opinion is expressed as of the date hereof and is based on laws currently in effect. Accordingly, the conclusions set forth in this opinion are subject to change in the event that any laws should change or be enacted in the future. We make no undertaking and expressly disclaim any duty to supplement or update our opinion, if, after the date hereof, facts or circumstances come to our attention or changes in the law occur which could affect this opinion and other statements expressed herein.

In addition, we have assumed that (i) the Registration Statement will have become effective under the Securities Act and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded, (ii) the Company shall remain validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, (iii) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any Securities being offered will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange, redemption, or exercise, (iv) with respect to shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock offered, there will be sufficient shares of unissued Common Stock or Preferred Stock authorized under the Company’s organizational documents and not otherwise reserved for issuance at the time of issuance thereof, (v) in the case of an Indenture, Articles Supplementary, Deposit Agreement, Warrant Agreement, Unit Agreement (as each is defined below) or other agreement pursuant to which any Securities are to be issued, there shall be no terms or provisions contained therein that would affect the opinions rendered herein and (vi) all actions are taken by the Company so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

February 7, 2018

Page 3

Based on the foregoing, subject to the limitations, assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

(1) With respect to any series of Debt Securities to be issued under either the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, when (a) the Trustee is qualified to act as Trustee under the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, (b) the Trustee has duly executed and delivered the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, (c) the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee, (d) the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (e) the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof (such Board of Directors or committee being hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (f) any supplemental indenture, officers’ certificate or board resolution in respect of the issuance of any Debt Securities has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee and the Company, and (g) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, any supplemental indenture, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, or upon the exercise of Warrants to purchase Debt Securities, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

(2) With respect to shares of Common Stock, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of and the terms of the offering of the shares of Common Stock and related matters, (b) there are sufficient numbers of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, and (c) certificates representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, or upon the exercise of Warrants to purchase Common Stock, upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Common Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less than the par value of the Common Stock), then such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

(3) With respect to any particular series of shares of Preferred Stock, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the shares of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of articles supplementary relating to such Preferred Stock (“Articles Supplementary”) conforming to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and the Maryland General Corporation Law and the filing of the Articles Supplementary with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, and (b) certificates representing the shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, or upon the exercise of Warrants to purchase Preferred Stock, upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock), then such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

February 7, 2018

Page 4

(4) With respect to any Depositary Shares, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Depositary Shares, the terms, execution and delivery of the deposit agreement relating to the Depositary Shares (“Deposit Agreement”), the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) the Deposit Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered, (c) the shares of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and deposited with the depositary in accordance with the applicable Deposit Agreement, and (d) depositary receipts for such Depositary Shares have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Deposit Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, or upon the exercise of Warrants to purchase Depositary Shares, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Depositary Shares will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

(5) With respect to any Purchase Contracts, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve and establish the terms of the Purchase Contracts and to authorize and approve the issuance thereof; (b) the governing instruments or agreements under which the Purchase Contracts are to be issued have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by any agent named therein and the Company; (c) the specific terms of the Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the governing instruments or agreements under which the Purchase Contracts are to be issued; and (d) such Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the governing instruments or agreements under which the Purchase Contracts are to be issued and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

(6) With respect to any Warrants, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Warrants, the terms, execution and delivery of the warrant agreement relating to the Warrants (“Warrant Agreement”), the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) the Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered, and (c) such Warrants have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

February 7, 2018

Page 5

(7) With respect to any Units, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Units, the terms, execution and delivery of the unit agreement relating to the Units (“Unit Agreement”), the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) the Unit Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered, and (c) such Units have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Unit Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, or upon the exercise of Warrants to purchase Units, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

Our opinion that any document or Security is a valid and binding obligation of the Company is subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, conservatorship, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief and limitation of rights of acceleration, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law and (iii) limitation of rights to indemnification, exculpation and contribution which may be limited by applicable law or equitable principles. We express no opinion regarding the effectiveness of any waiver of stay, extension or usury laws or of unknown future rights, and we express no opinion regarding severability provisions.

This opinion is rendered to you and for your benefit solely in connection with the registration of the Securities. This opinion may not be relied on by you for any other purpose.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

Very truly yours,

/s/ KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLP

Exhibit 12.1

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

Computation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to

Fixed Charges

(Dollars in thousands)

Our historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated are set forth in the table below. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing (1) income from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges by (2) total fixed charges. For purposes of computing these ratios:

•

earnings consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges,

•

fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits, include interest expense (other than on deposits) and the estimated portion of rental expenses attributable to interest,

•

fixed charges, including interest on deposits, include all interest expense and the estimated portion of rental expense attributable to interest.

	Nine
	Months
	Ended
	September		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except ratio)	30, 2017		2016		2015		2014		2013		2012
Earnings:
Income before taxes	$	67,735	$	71,990	$	67,382	$	55,782	$	66,985	$	54,599
Fixed charges		20,774		23,416		22,455		21,279		21,816		24,737
Earnings, including interest on deposits		88,509		95,406		89,837		77,061		88,801		79,336
Less: interest on deposits		9,212		8,161		5,878		4,791		5,439		7,357
Earnings, excluding interest on deposits		79,297		87,245		83,959		72,270		83,362		71,979

Fixed charges:
Interest on deposits	$	9,212	$	8,161	$	5,878	$	4,791	$	5,439	$	7,357
Interest on borrowings		9,635		12,843		14,235		14,027		13,994		15,294
Rental expense deemed to be interest		1,927		2,412		2,342		2,461		2,383		2,086
Fixed charges, including interest on deposits		20,774		23,416		22,455		21,279		21,816		24,737
Less: interest on deposits		9,212		8,161		5,878		4,791		5,439		7,357
Fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits		11,562		15,255		16,577		16,488		16,377		17,380

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:
Excluding interest on deposits		6.86		5.72		5.06		4.38		5.09		4.14
Including interest on deposits		4.26		4.07		4.00		3.62		4.07		3.21

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. for the registration of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depository shares, purchase contracts and units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated March 3, 2017, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Tysons, Virginia

February 7, 2018