With over 50 locations across the DMV, Sandy Spring Bank provides financial services for thousands of people—something it’s been doing for over 150 years.
The bank was first founded after the Civil War, when economic conditions across the country were dire. The banks of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., were too far for the people of Olney, so they founded their own. Sandy Spring Bank now holds the reputation of being one of the oldest independent financial institutions in the area, as well as one of the largest.
The bank doesn’t just help people manage their money, though—it also gives back to the community. Sandy Spring Bank provides support to over 300 nonprofits in the region, largely focused on affordable housing, financial literacy and education and health and wellness. This also includes funding thousands of meals for people in need.
In 2018, they founded the Sandy Spring Bank Foundation, which has partnered with nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, Inova Sports Medicine Institute and Martha’s Table.
“Our employees live, work and raise their families here, so we are deeply invested in making a positive impact in our community and helping our local economy thrive,” says Daniel J. Schrider, the bank’s chairman, president and CEO. “We aim to be a financial advocate for our clients and prioritize personal interactions and meaningful relationships as an integral part of our mission.”
Sandy Spring Bank has received other awards in the past, not just for its banking services but for the environment it fosters for its employees. The bank system is a certified “Great Place to Work” and was named “Best Bank to Work For” by American Banker in 2020.
“Being named the best financial institution by our community is a testament to our employees’ dedication, and we are honored to achieve this recognition,” Schrider says of being selected as Montgomery Magazine’s “Best Financial Institution.”
