Bank And Trust

Howard County police are investigating a bank robbery that took place yesterday morning at the Key Bank and Trust in the 9400 block of U.S. 40 in Ellicott City.Sgt. Steven Keller, a police spokesman, said a man entered the bank about 11 a.m., pulled out a handgun and demanded money from the tellers. He received an unknown amount of cash and left the bank. He fled in an older model blue Chrysler, heading west on U.S. 40.The suspect is described as a black male in his mid-50s, with a light complexion and dark freckles.

A group of shareholders has filed a lawsuit against top executives of Mason-Dixon Bancshares Inc., alleging that they intentionally blocked acquisition attempts and therefore caused stockholders to suffer millions of dollars in losses.The group called for the ouster of Thomas K. Ferguson, president and chief executive of the Westminster-based banking company, and its chairman, William Dulany, for violating their duties to shareholders.It also is seeking a temporary restraining order to stop Mason-Dixon from issuing its proxy statement next week because it allegedly contains "false and misleading" statements about the stockholders group.

Rogers appointed to Springfield boardGov. Parris Glendening has appointed Ben C. Rogers of Westminster assistant vice president and business development officer of the citizens advisory board of Springfield State Hospital in Sykesville.The board is made up of appointed business leaders and others whose responsibility is to assume leadership in developing community understanding of the needs of those who have mental disorders.Rogers, who joined Carroll County Bank and Trust Co. in 1993, will work directly with the staff and patients of the hospital.

Taneytown Bank and Trust to complete acquisitionTaneytown Bank and Trust Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Monocacy Bancshares Inc., has received final regulatory approval to complete acquisition of Royal Oak Savings Bank FSB.Monocacy has assumed ownership and management of Royal Oak's two branches effective Dec. 31.The acquisition of the Eldersburg and Randallstown offices gives Taneytown Bank and Trust nine branch locations and extends its reach into...

Taneytown Bank and Trust names Brown vice presidentTaneytown Bank and Trust Co. has announced that G. Michael Brown has joined the commercial lending division as a vice president.Mr. Brown will develop new business and service current customers in the bank's market area.The Carroll County native is a graduate of Salisbury State University.Previously, he was a senior vice president in lending at Sequoia Bank in Baltimore. He had also worked for the Bank of Maryland in Towson.

Sterling Bank and Trust Co. yesterday named Mark H. Anders president and chief executive.Mr. Anders, 41, said he plans to build the $80-million-asset bank's small business loan portfolio as a complement to its private banking department.He said there is a "tremendous" market for local businesses that have sales of less than $5 million annually."The small businessman . . . has not been particularly well served," Mr. Anders said., "The small businessman wantsto be stroked. He also wants to be dealing with decision-makers."

Elaine A. McReynolds, administrator for the Federal Insurance Administration, will be the keynote speaker for a seminar that will address natural disasters. The seminar, scheduled for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, will be in the auditorium of Westminster High School.The seminar is underwritten by Carroll County Bank and Trust, Taneytown Bank and Trust, Union National Bank, Westminster Bank and Trust, New Windsor State Bank, F & M Bank and FCNB Bank.Representatives from Community Emergency Preparedness associated with the Office of the Environmental Services for Carroll County also will attend.

College receives $10,000 from Westminster bankThe Carroll Community College Foundation has received a $10,000 donation from Westminster Bank and Trust Co. for the Amphitheater Campaign.The amphitheater, to be built on the college's 80-acre campus, is projected to accommodate as many as 4,000 people for musical and theatrical performances.The college's goal is to have construction drawings by the end of the year.

Monocacy Bancshares signed an agreement to purchase Royal Oak Savings Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S.B. Holding Co. Inc.Royal Oak has branches in Randallstown and Eldersburg.The transaction will involve the assumption of approximately $40 million in deposits and the purchase of a small amount of tangible assets, as well as mortgage servicing right associated with approximately $40 million in mortgages.The acquisition of Royal Oak will require and is contingent upon receiving the approval of the federal banking regulators.

PEOPLEBrian M. Etzler appointed at bankTaneytown Bank and Trust Co.'s board of directors and president and chief executive officer, Frank W. Neubauer Jr., have announced the appointment of Brian M. Etzler as trust department manager.Mr. Etzler, of Taneytown, holds a diploma in banking from the American Institute of Banking, is a graduate of the Maryland Banking School and is a 1994 graduate of the Central Atlantic School of Trust, Bucknell University.He is expanding the scope of the department to include personal retirement and business 401K plans.