That's not really the point. Of course the bank could survive without Ed Hale. In fact, the bank would probably have been more successful without him. Now that the fortunes of 1st Mariner are rapidly unraveling, it no longer matters. You and I both know that among Ed Hale, Canton Crossing, the Bancorp, and the Bank there are many co-mingled interests. These entities are far from independent and, as one analyst noted, "as Ed Hale goes, so goes the bank". Anyone waiting for this stock to take off is whistling Dixie.