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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003

Commission File No. 0-22345

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Maryland
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
52-1974638
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

18 East Dover Street, Easton, Maryland
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
21601
(Zip Code)

(410) 822-1400
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code

Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

        Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days Yes |X| No |_|

        Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K |_|

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes |X| No |_|

        The aggregate market value of the Corporation’s voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2003 was $153,083,156.

        The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of March 1, 2004 was 5,409,967.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Certain information required by Part III of this annual report is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting to be held on April 28, 2004.



INDEX


Part I          
Item 1.   Business   2  
Item 2.   Properties   10  
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings   10  
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   11  
 
Part II  
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters   11  
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data   12  
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   13  
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   27  
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   28  
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   57  
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures   57  
 
Part III  
Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant   57  
Item 11.   Executive Compensation   57  
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and  
    Related Stockholder Matters   57  
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions   59  
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services   59  
 
Part IV  
Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K   59  
 
SIGNATURES   61  
 
EXHIBIT LIST   62  

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        This Annual Report of Shore Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers of this report should be aware of the speculative nature of “forward-looking statements.” Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions, are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about (among other things) the industry and the markets in which the Company operates; they are not guarantees of future performance. Whether actual results will conform to expectations and predictions is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties discussed in this Form 10-K, general economic, market or business conditions; changes in interest rates, deposit flow, the cost of funds, and demand for loan products and financial services; changes in our competitive position or competitive actions by other companies; changes in the quality or composition of loan and investment portfolios; the ability to mange growth; changes in laws or regulations or policies of federal and state regulators and agencies; and other circumstances beyond the Company’s control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results anticipated will be realized, or if substantially realized, will have the expected consequences on the Company’s business or operations. Except as required by applicable laws, we do not intend to publish updates or revisions of any forward-looking statements we make to reflect new information, future events or otherwise. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

PART I

Item 1. Business.

General

        The Company was incorporated under the laws of Maryland on March 15, 1996 and is a bank holding company and a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”). The Company engages in the business of acting as the parent company to two bank subsidiaries, The Centreville National Bank of Maryland (“Centreville National Bank”) and The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland (“Talbot Bank”) (together with Centreville National Bank, the “Banks”), two insurance producers, The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC and Elliott Wilson Insurance, LLC, one insurance premium finance company, Mubell Finance, LLC (together with The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC and Elliot Wilson Insurance, LLC, the “Insurance Subsidiaries”), and an investment adviser firm, Wye Financial Services, LLC (“Wye Financial”). The Company also has a non-active subsidiary, Shore Pension Services, LLC.

        On November 12, 2003, the Company announced that it had executed a definitive merger agreement to merge with Midstate Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware bank holding company (“Midstate Bancorp”). If this merger is consummated, the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital securities of The Felton Bank, a Delaware commercial bank (“Felton Bank”), which will operate in as an independent bank subsidiary. For more information about this transaction, see Item 7 of Part II of this report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Recent Developments”.

        Talbot Bank owns all of the issued and outstanding securities of Dover Street Realty, Inc., a Maryland corporation that engages in the business of holding and managing real property acquired by Talbot Bank as a result of loan foreclosures. Centreville National Bank owns 29.25% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Delmarva Data. Delmarva Data is a Maryland corporation located in Easton, Maryland, which provides data processing services to banks located in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Delmarva Data provides these services to Centreville National Bank and Talbot Bank.

Banking Products and Services

        Centreville National Bank is a national banking association that commenced operations in 1876. Talbot Bank is a Maryland commercial bank and commenced operations in 1885. The Banks operate twelve full service branches and sixteen ATM’s, providing a full range of commercial and consumer banking products and services to individuals, businesses, and other organizations in Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties in Maryland. The Banks’ deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).

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        The Banks are independent community banks and serve businesses and individuals in their respective market areas. Services offered are essentially the same as those offered by larger regional institutions that compete with the Banks. Services provided to businesses include commercial checking, savings, certificate of deposit and overnight investment sweep accounts. The Banks offer all forms of commercial lending, including secured and unsecured loans, working capital loans, lines of credit, term loans, accounts receivable financing, real estate acquisition development, construction loans and letters of credit. Merchant credit card clearing services are available as well as direct deposit of payroll, internet banking and telephone banking services.

        Services to individuals include checking accounts, various savings programs, mortgage loans, home improvement loans, installment and other personal loans, credit cards, personal lines of credit, automobile and other consumer financing, safe deposit boxes, debit cards, 24 hour telephone banking, PC and internet banking, and 24-hour automatic teller machine services. The Banks also offer nondeposit products, such as mutual funds and annuities, and discount brokerage services to their customers. Additionally, the Banks have Saturday hours and extended hours on certain evenings during the week for added customer convenience.

Lending Activities

        The Company’s lending operations are conducted through the Banks.

        The Company originates secured and unsecured loans for business purposes. It is typical for commercial loans to be secured by real estate, accounts receivable, inventory equipment or other assets of the business. Commercial loans generally involve a greater degree of credit risk than one to four family residential mortgage loans. Repayment is often dependent on the successful operation of the business and may be affected by adverse conditions in the local economy or real estate market. The financial condition and cash flow of commercial borrowers is therefore carefully analyzed during the loan approval process, and continues to be monitored by obtaining business financial statements, personal financial statements and income tax returns. The frequency of this ongoing analysis depends upon the size and complexity of the credit and collateral that secures the loan. It is also the Company’s general policy to obtain personal guarantees from the principals of the commercial loan borrowers.

        The Company provides residential real estate construction loans to builders and individuals for single family dwellings. Residential construction loans are usually granted based upon “as completed” appraisals and are secured by the property under construction. Additional collateral may be taken if loan to value ratios exceed 80%. Site inspections are performed to determine pre-specified stages of completion before loan proceeds are disbursed. These loans typically have maturities of six to twelve months and may be fixed or variable rate. Permanent financing for individuals offered by the Company includes fixed and variable rate loans with three-year or five-year balloons, and one, three or five year Adjustable Rate Mortgages.

        The risk of loss associated with real estate construction lending is controlled through conservative underwriting procedures such as loan to value ratios of 80% or less, obtaining additional collateral when prudent, and closely monitoring construction projects to control disbursement of funds on loans.

        The Company originates fixed and variable rate residential mortgage loans. As with any consumer loan, repayment is dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, which can be adversely impacted by job loss, divorce, illness, or personal bankruptcy. Underwriting standards recommend loan to value ratios not to exceed 80% based on appraisals performed by approved appraisers of the Company. Title insurance protecting the Company’s lien priority, as well as fire and casualty insurance, is required.

        The Company also originates and sells long term fixed rate residential mortgage loans on the secondary market. These loans are not typically funded by the Company, however the Company receives a commission upon settlement.

        Commercial real estate loans are primarily those secured by office condominiums, retail buildings, warehouses and general purpose business space. Low loan to value ratio standards, as well as the thorough financial analysis performed and the Company’s knowledge of the local economy in which it lends, can reduce the risk associated with these loans.

        A variety of consumer loans are offered to customers, including home equity loans, credit cards and other secured and unsecured lines of credit and term loans. Careful analysis of an applicant’s creditworthiness is performed before granting credit, and on-going monitoring of loans outstanding is performed in an effort to minimize risk of loss by identifying problem loans early.

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Insurance Activities

        The Insurance Subsidiaries were formed as a result of the Company’s acquisition of the assets of The Avon-Dixon Agency, Inc., Elliott Wilson Insurance, Inc., Avon-Dixon Financial Services, Inc., Joseph M. George & Son, Inc. and 59th Street Finance Company on May 1, 2002. On November 1, 2002, The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC completed its acquisition of certain assets of W. M. Freestate & Son, Inc., a full-service insurance producer firm owned by Mark M. Freestate, who serves on the Board of Directors of Centreville National Bank. Through these entities, the Company offers a full range of insurance products and services to customers, including insurance premium financing.

Investment Adviser Activities

        Through Wye Financial, which was formed in 2002, the Company offers a variety of financial planning products and services to customers within its market areas.

Seasonality

        Management does not believe that the business activities of the Company are seasonal in nature. Deposits may vary depending on local and national economic conditions, but management believes that any variation will not have a material impact on the Company’s planning or policy-making strategies.

Employees

        At March 1, 2004, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 250 persons, of which 217 were employed on a full-time basis.

COMPETITION

        The banking business, in all of its phases, is highly competitive. Within their market areas, the Company and its subsidiaries compete with commercial banks (including local banks and branches or affiliates of other larger banks), savings and loan associations and credit unions for loans and deposits, with money market and mutual funds and other investment alternatives for deposits, with consumer finance companies for loans, with insurance companies, agents and brokers for insurance products, and with other financial institutions for various types of products and services. There is also competition for commercial and retail banking business from banks and financial institutions located outside our market areas.

        The primary factors in competing for deposits are interest rates, personalized services, the quality and range of financial services, convenience of office locations and office hours. The primary factors in competing for loans are interest rates, loan origination fees, the quality and range of lending services and personalized services.

        To compete with other financial services providers, the Company relies principally upon local promotional activities, including advertisements in local newspapers, trade journals and other publications and on the radio, personal relationships established by officers, directors and employees with customers, and specialized services tailored to meet its customers’ needs. In those instances in which the Company is unable to accommodate a customers’ needs, the Company will arrange for those services to be provided by other financial services providers with which it has a relationship. The Company additional relies on referrals from satisfied customers.

        Current banking laws facilitate interstate branching and merger activity among banks. Since September, 1995, certain bank holding companies are authorized to acquire banks throughout the United States. In addition, on and after June 1, 1997, certain banks are permitted to merge with banks organized under the laws of different states. As a result, interstate banking is now an accepted element of competition in the banking industry and the Company may be brought into competition with institutions with which it does not presently compete.

        The following table sets forth deposit data for Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester Counties as of June 30, 2003, the most recent date for which comparative information is available.

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Kent County Deposits   % of
Total
 

  (in thousands)      
Peoples Bank of Kent County, Maryland     $ 142,813     35.61 %
The Chestertown Bank of Maryland       123,972     30.91  
Chesapeake Bank and Trust Co.       55,045     13.72  
Farmers Bank of Maryland       33,927     8.46  
The Centreville National Bank       24,325     6.07  
SunTrust Bank       20,981     5.23  

   
 
       Total     $ 401,063     100.00 %

   
 

Source: FDIC DataBook


Queen Anne’s County Deposits   % of
Total
 

  (in thousands)      
The Queenstown Bank of Maryland     $ 229,423     40.93 %
The Centreville National Bank of Maryland       167,514     29.89  
Bank of America, National Association       50,009     8.92  
The Chestertown Bank of Maryland       41,326     7.37  
M&T       34,772     6.20  
BankAnnapolis       21,397     3.82  
Farmers Bank       16,065     2.87  

   
 
       Total     $ 560,506     100.00 %

   
 

Source: FDIC DataBook


Caroline County Deposits   % of
Total
 

  (in thousands)      
Provident State Bank of Preston, Maryland     $ 103,323     32.11 %
Peoples Bank of Maryland       88,954     27.64  
Allfirst Bank       33,676     10.47  
The Centreville National Bank of Maryland       29,822     9.27  
Farmers Bank of Maryland       28,919     8.99  
Bank of America, National Association       15,727     4.89  
Atlantic Bank       13,786     4.28  
Easton Bank & Trust       7,571     2.35  

   
 
       Total     $ 321,778     100.00 %

   
 

Source: FDIC DataBook

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Talbot County Deposits   % of
Total
 

  (in thousands)      
The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland     $ 321,870     41.56 %
St. Michaels Bank       157,173     20.29  
Bank of America, National Association       79,684     10.29  
Easton Bank & Trust       74,250     9.59  
SunTrust Bank       43,834     5.66  
Allfirst Bank       33,522     4.33  
Farmers Bank       26,414     3.41  
First Mariner Bank       19,554     2.52  
The Queenstown Bank of Maryland       14,470     1.87  
Chevy Chase Bank       3,746     0.48  

   
 
       Total     $ 774,517     100.00 %

   
 

Source: FDIC DataBook


Dorchester County Deposits   % of
Total
 

  (in thousands)      
The National Bank of Cambridge     $ 161,282     33.90 %
Bank of the Eastern Shore       131,370     27.62  
Hebron Savings Bank       44,254     9.30  
Provident State Bank of Preston, Maryland       29,993     6.31  
Bank of America, National Association       28,038     5.89  
Atlantic Bank       26,687     5.61  
M&T       26,234     5.51  
SunTrust Bank       14,608     3.07  
The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland       13,271     2.79  

   
 
       Total     $ 475,737     100.00 %

   
 

Source: FDIC DataBook

CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

        The Federal Deposit Insurance Company Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) established a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. Under this system, federal banking regulators are required to rate supervised institutions on the basis of five capital categories: “well -capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” and “critically undercapitalized;” and to take certain mandatory actions, and are authorized to take other discretionary actions, with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories. The severity of the actions will depend upon the category in which the institution is placed. A depository institution is “well capitalized” if it has a total risk based capital ratio of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk based capital ratio of 6% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 5% or greater and is not subject to any order, regulatory agreement, or written directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. An “adequately capitalized” institution is defined as one that has a total risk based capital ratio of 8% or greater, a Tier 1 risk based capital ratio of 4% or greater and a leverage ratio of 4% or greater (or 3% or greater in the case of a bank with a composite CAMEL rating of 1).

        FDICIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distribution, including the payment of cash dividends, or paying a management fee to its holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. Undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit capital restoration plans. For a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution’s parent holding company must guarantee (subject to certain limitations) that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan.

        Significantly undercapitalized depository institutions may be subject to a number of other requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized and requirements to reduce total assets and stop accepting deposits from correspondent banks. Critically undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator, generally within 90 days of the date such institution is determined to be critically undercapitalized.

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        As of December 31, 2003, each of the Banks was deemed to be “well capitalized”. For more information regarding the capital condition of the Company, see Note 17 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this Report.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

        The following is a summary of the material regulations and policies applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries and is not intended to be a comprehensive discussion. Changes in applicable laws and regulations may have a material effect on the business of the Company.

General

        The Company is a bank holding company and a financial holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) under the BHC Act and, as such, is subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the BHC Act and the regulations of the FRB.

        Talbot Bank is a Maryland commercial bank subject to the banking laws of Maryland and to regulation by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation of Maryland, who is required by statute to make at least one examination in each calendar year (or at 18-month intervals if the Commissioner determines that an examination is unnecessary in a particular calendar year). Centreville National Bank is a national banking association subject to federal banking laws and regulations enforced and/or promulgated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), which is required by statute to make at least one examination in each calendar year (or at 18-month intervals if the association has assets of $250 million or less and meets certain other conditions). The deposits of the Banks are insured by the FDIC, and certain laws and regulations administered by the FDIC also govern their operations. The Banks are also subject to numerous state and federal statutes and regulations that affect the business of banking.

         Nonbank affiliates of the Company are subject to examination by the FRB, and, as affiliates of the Banks, are subject to examination by the FDIC, the Commissioner of Financial Regulation of Maryland, and, in certain cases, the OCC. In addition, The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC, Elliott Wilson Insurance, LLC, and Mubell Finance, LLC are each subject to licensing and regulation by state insurance authorities. Retail sales of insurance products by these insurance affiliates are also subject to the requirements of the Interagency Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit Investment Products promulgated in 1994, as amended, by the FDIC, the FRB, the OCC, and the Office of Thrift Supervision. Wye Financial Services, LLC is subject to the registration and examination requirements of federal and state laws governing investment advisers.

Regulation of Financial Holding Companies

        In November 1999, the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLBA”) was signed into law. Effective in pertinent part on March 11, 2000, GLBA revises the BHC Act and repeals the affiliation provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which, taken together, limited the securities, insurance and other non-banking activities of any company that controls an FDIC insured financial institution. Under GLBA, a bank holding company can elect, subject to certain qualifications, to become a “financial holding company.” GLBA provides that a financial holding company may engage in a full range of financial activities, including insurance and securities sales and underwriting activities, and real estate development, with new expedited notice procedures. Maryland law generally permits Maryland State chartered banks, including the Bank, to engage in the same activities, directly or through an affiliate, as national banking associations. GLBA permits certain qualified national banking associations to form financial subsidiaries, which have broad authority to engage in all financial activities except insurance underwriting, insurance investments, real estate investment or development, or merchant banking. Thus, GLBA has the effect of broadening the permitted activities of the Bank.

        The Company and its affiliates are subject to the provisions of Section 23A and Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. Section 23A limits the amount of loans or extensions of credit to, and investments in, the Company and its nonbank affiliates by the Bank. Section 23B requires that transactions between the Bank and the Company and its nonbank affiliates be on terms and under circumstances that are substantially the same as with non-affiliates.

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        Under FRB policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks, and the FRB may charge the Company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to a subsidiary bank when required. In addition, under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”), depository institutions insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any losses incurred by, or reasonably anticipated to be incurred by, the FDIC in connection with (i) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution in danger of default. Accordingly, in the event that any insured subsidiary of the Company causes a loss to the FDIC, other insured subsidiaries of the Company could be required to compensate the FDIC by reimbursing it for the estimated amount of such loss. Such cross guaranty liabilities generally are superior in priority to obligations of a financial institution to its stockholders and obligations to other affiliates.

Federal Banking Regulation

        Federal banking regulators, such as the FRB, the FDIC, and the OCC, may prohibit the institutions over which they have supervisory authority from engaging in activities or investments that the agencies believes are unsafe or unsound banking practices. Federal banking regulators have extensive enforcement authority over the institutions they regulate to prohibit or correct activities that violate law, regulation or a regulatory agreement or which are deemed to be unsafe or unsound practices. Enforcement actions may include the appointment of a conservator or receiver, the issuance of a cease and desist order, the termination of deposit insurance, the imposition of civil money penalties on the institution, its directors, officers, employees and institution-affiliated parties, the issuance of directives to increase capital, the issuance of formal and informal agreements, the removal of or restrictions on directors, officers, employees and institution-affiliated parties, and the enforcement of any such mechanisms through restraining orders or other court actions.

        The Banks are subject to certain restrictions on extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, and principal stockholders or any related interest of such persons, which generally require that such credit extensions be made on substantially the same terms as are available to third parties dealing with the Banks and not involve more than the normal risk of repayment. Other laws tie the maximum amount that may be loaned to any one customer and its related interests to capital levels.

        As part of FDICIA, each federal banking regulator adopted non-capital safety and soundness standards for institutions under its authority. These standards include internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, and compensation, fees and benefits. An institution that fails to meet those standards may be required by the agency to develop a plan acceptable to meet the standards. Failure to submit or implement such a plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions. The Company, on behalf of the Banks, believes that the Banks meet substantially all standards that have been adopted. FDICIA also imposes new capital standards on insured depository institutions.

        The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) requires that, in connection with the examination of financial institutions within their jurisdictions, the federal banking regulators evaluate the record of the financial institution in meeting the credit needs of their communities including low and moderate income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of those banks. These factors are also considered by all regulatory agencies in evaluating mergers, acquisitions and applications to open a branch or facility. As of the date of its most recent examination report, each of the Banks has a CRA rating of “Satisfactory.”

Deposit Insurance

        As FDIC member institutions, the Banks’ deposits are insured to a maximum of $100,000 per depositor through the Bank Insurance Fund (“BIF”), administered by the FDIC, and each institution is required to pay semi-annual deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC. The BIF assessment rates have a range of 0 to 27 cents for every $100 in assessable deposits. In addition, as a result of the April 1997 merger of Kent Savings and Loan Association, F.A. into Centreville National Bank, approximately $33.2 million of the Centreville National Bank’s deposits are insured through the Savings Association Insurance Fund (“SAIF”), also administered by the FDIC, which are determined quarterly. The federal Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 included provisions that, among other things, recapitalized the SAIF through a special assessment on savings association deposits and bank deposits that had been acquired from savings associations.

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USA PATRIOT Act

        Congress adopted the USA PATRIOT Act (the “Patriot Act”) on October 26, 2001 in response to the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. Under the Patriot Act, certain financial institutions, including banks, are required to maintain and prepare additional records and reports that are designed to assist the government’s efforts to combat terrorism. The Patriot Act includes sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and required additional regulations, including, among other things, standards for verifying client identification when opening an account and rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering.

Federal Securities Laws

        The Company’s common stock is registered with the SEC under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company is subject to information reporting, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements of the Exchange Act. The federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the new regulations adopted in furtherance thereof made several changes to the Exchange Act and the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. to which the Company is subject. These changes impose additional requirements and restrictions on the Company, including, among other things, restrictions on loans to and other transactions with insiders, additional disclosure requirements in the reports and other documents that the Company files with the SEC, new director independence requirements, certain Board of Director committee requirements, and other corporate governance requirements.

Governmental Monetary and Credit Policies and Economic Controls

        The earnings and growth of the banking industry and ultimately of the Bank are affected by the monetary and credit policies of governmental authorities, including the FRB. An important function of the FRB is to regulate the national supply of bank credit in order to control recessionary and inflationary pressures. Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the FRB to implement these objectives are open market operations in U.S. Government securities, changes in the federal funds rate, changes in the discount rate of member bank borrowings, and changes in reserve requirements against member bank deposits. These means are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and may also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid for deposits. The monetary policies of the FRB authorities have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to have such an effect in the future. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, as well as the effect of actions by monetary and fiscal authorities, including the FRB, no prediction can be made as to possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or their effect on the business and earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

        The Company maintains an Internet site at www.shbi.net on which it makes available, free of charge, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to the foregoing as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. In addition, stockholders may access these reports and documents on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

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Item 2. Properties.

        The tables below identify the offices of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company’s main office is the same as Talbot Bank’s Main Office. The Company owns real property at 28969 Information Lane in Easton, Maryland, which houses the Operations, Information Technology and Finance departments of the Company and its subsidiaries. One half of the facility is leased to an unaffiliated third party.

The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland


Main Office
18 East Dover Street
Easton, Maryland 21601

Elliott Road Branch
8275 Elliott Road
Easton, Maryland 21601
Tred Avon Square Branch
210 Marlboro Road
Easton, Maryland 21601

Cambridge Branch
2745 Dorchester Square
Cambridge, Maryland 21613
St. Michaels Branch
1013 South Talbot Street
St. Michaels, Maryland 21663

ATMs


Memorial Hospital at Easton
219 South Washington Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
Sailwinds Amoco
511 Maryland Avenue
Cambridge, Maryland 21613
Talbottown
218 North Washington Street
Easton, Maryland 21601

The Centreville National Bank of Maryland


Main Office
109 North Commerce Street
Centreville, Maryland 21617

Kent Office
305 East High Street
Chestertown, Maryland 21620
Route 213 South Office
2609 Centreville Road
Centreville, Maryland 21617

Hillsboro Office
21913 Shore Highway
Hillsboro, Maryland 21641
Stevensville Office
408 Thompson Creek Road
Stevensville, Maryland 21666

Denton Office
850 South 5th Street
Denton, Maryland 21629

Chester Office
300 Castle Marina Road
Chester, Maryland 21619
                        ATM
Queenstown Harbor Golf Links
Queenstown, Maryland 21658

The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC


Easton Office
106 North Harrison Street
Easton, Maryland 21601

Elliot-Wilson Insurance, LLC
9707 Ocean Gateway
Easton, Maryland 21601
Grasonville Office
301 Saddler Road
Grasonville, Maryland 21638

Mubell Finance, LLC
106 North Harrison Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
Centreville Office
195 Lawyers Row
Centreville, Maryland 21617

Wye Financial Services, LLC
17 East Dover Street, Suite 101
Easton, Maryland 21601

        Talbot Bank owns the real property on which all of its offices are located, except that it operates under leases at its Saint Michaels Branch, its Cambridge Branch, and certain administrative offices at 21 East Dover Street, Easton, Maryland 21601. Centreville National Bank owns the real property on which all of its offices are located. The Insurance Subsidiaries do not own any real property, but operate under leases. Wye Financial Services, LLC leases its office space. For information about rent expense for all leased premises, see Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this report.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

        In the normal course of business, the Company may become involved in litigation arising from banking, financial, and other activities of the Company. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the future liability, if any, arising out of these matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, operating results, or liquidity.

-10-



Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

        None.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

        The shares of the Company’s common stock are listed on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market under the symbol “SHBI”. As of March 1, 2004, the Company had approximately 1,436 holders of record. The high and low sales prices as reported on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market for the shares of the Company’s common stock, as well as the cash dividends declared on those shares, for each quarterly period of 2003 and 2002 are set forth in the table below. These prices reflect inter-dealer prices and may not include retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and they may not represent actual transactions.


  2003   2002  
  Price Range   Dividends   Price Range   Dividends  
  High