While I've heard some negative things about its mgmt, I believe that this stock -both in the short and long terms- will do will.

Short Term: The area will see some serous real estate buying and selling over the next few months as a result of a new administration. This activity will not only have an upward pressure on housing prices, but also bring in a new crop of government appointees, presumably able to pay their mortgages.

Long-Term: Base realignment. Jobs and families around NIH/Bethesda will grow significantly. Additionally, the spill-over from the development around the bases south and east of the bank's geographic market will have a significant impact on SASR's bottom line.

About the only potential damage is the State of Marlyand's potential for a downgrade on the ratings because of the pouring of money into the debacle called the Intercounty Connector. The ICC will have a negative impact on the state's bond ratings, and, if it continues as a rathole into which the state pours good money after bad, it could have a negative economic impact on the region and the state, and therefore SASR. Fortunately, it looks as tho' the State goverment will be looking at the ICC a little differently this year, and may actually cancel the project.