Provident Bank

A ruling yesterday from the state's highest court over prepayment mortgage charges could make it more expensive for some to obtain home equity loans, the banking industry's trade association warned. The Maryland Court of Appeals found that state-chartered Provident Bank assessed a "prepayment charge" that's not allowed under state law. The bank had waived $680 in closing costs on a $17,000 loan to Andrew Bednar in 2003 but collected the money after the loan was paid off early when he refinanced with another lender two years later.

Provident Bank's tiny branch in Millersville is located inside the Shoppers Food Warehouse, directly opposite the frozen foods. It's so chilly that the tellers keep space heaters beneath their desks. But when Lakisha Jones started working there last summer, she ushered in a one-woman warm front. The 27-year-old Jones is the singer with the blazing furnace of a voice who is rapidly becoming a favorite with the judges and viewers of American Idol's sixth season - just as she became an overnight favorite with her customers and colleagues at the bank.

John Howard Edwards, who formerly headed Provident Bank's mortgage department, died May 21 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson of injuries he suffered that day in a two-car collision near Glen Arm. He was 69 and lived in Hydes.Known as Hank, Mr. Edwards had a lengthy career as a mortgage banker in Baltimore. He retired in 1990 from Provident Bank of Maryland, where he worked 42 years, ending as senior vice president.He had recently begun working as manager for new business at Baltimore County Savings Bank.

A West Baltimore auto repair shop owner said City Council President and mayoral candidate Lawrence A. Bell III left his 1996 car sit unretrieved for months after being repaired for an apparent collision before the bank repossessed it.Reuben Peas, owner of Peas and Slider Automotive in the 4100 block of Belvedere Ave., said Bell took the 1996 Ford Mustang to his shop during the summer of 1996 for repairs. Peas said the car looked as if it had been in an accident and that he repaired the headlight, front grill, bumper, radiator and hood at a cost of $3,000.

Maryland chamber sets second Vision SeriesThe Maryland Chamber of Commerce will hold its second Vision Series from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sept. 29 at Goldwell Cosmetics' main auditorium, 981 Corporate Blvd. in Linthicum Heights.A panel of executives representing Bell Atlantic, Legg Mason, Wood Walker Inc. and Northrop Grumman will discuss how their companies benefit from participating in mentor programs. The panel will provide a forum for business leaders to learn about effective involvement in programs linking education to the workplace.

New positionsEdelman, Fennell take posts with convention associationThe Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association named Stefanie Edelman and Dion T. Fennell to the staff of the area promotion bureau.Edelman, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, will serve as director of convention services and housing. She formerly was director of catering and convention services at the Hyatt Dulles in Herndon, Va.. Before that, she spent seven years at the Hyatt Regency in Baltimore.

Free workshops scheduled at woodworking showLocal woodworkers will conduct 14 free workshops during the Baltimore Woodworking Show, which runs Friday through Sunday at the Maryland State Fair Cow Palace, 2200 York Road in Timonium.The show will feature the latest in hand and power tools, machinery and supplies that can be purchased at "special show prices."Four full-day seminars on furniture-making fundamentals, picture framing, beautiful wood finishing and scroll saw techniques will be offered for $125 when registering at the show.

New positionsEdward E. Berger appointed treasurer of ComsatComsat Corp., based in Bethesda, appointed Edward E. Berger treasurer. He formerly was a managing director for the Washington-based advisory firm of Taylor-DeJongh. A Bethesda resident, he is an MBA graduate of Cornell University and holds an advanced degree from the University of Leuven in Belgium.Tristate Electric names Powell, Edwards directorsTristate Electric & Electronic Supply Co. named Greg Powell director of its OEM/Automation & Electronics division and named John W. Edwards director of integrated supply for the Hagerstown-based firm.

New positionsDevine to head human resources at Harbor Court HotelHarbor Court Hotel announced the selection of Eva M. Devine as director of human resources. She will have responsibility for implementing regulatory and corporate personnel policy and will also sit on the hotel's executive committee. Before joining the luxury hotel, the Sweet Briar College graduate was operations director for the Pride of Baltimore and the former marketing director for Baltimore-based Faidley's Seafood. Berkshire Consulting Group, in Ellicott City, announced Donna T. Rawlings has joined the firm as a senior consulting associate.

Provident Bankshares Corp.'s chairman and chief executive, Carl W. Stearn, who for the past seven years has run the state's second largest independent bank, will retire next spring, the company said yesterday.Stearn will be succeeded by Peter M. Martin, Provident's president and chief operating officer, when he retires April 15 at the company's annual meeting.Stearn will be employed as a consultant to Provident and remain on the Baltimore-based banking company's board for three years, he said in an interview last night.

Legg Mason cuts 20 Baltimore jobs Baltimore money manager Legg Mason Inc. has eliminated 20 workers in mutual fund administration roles at its Light Street headquarters. Two more workers were affected at Legg's New York office as the company consolidates those functions, Legg spokeswoman Mary Athridge said Friday.Legg's work force, which includes its headquarters in Baltimore and its subsidiaries, has lost 565 people, or 13 percent, since September. Hanah Cho MassMutual aims to hire 30 agents MassMutual is looking to hire 30 people to sell its insurance, annuity and retirement products in the Baltimore region, the insurance company said Friday.

The bank robber didn't even try to conceal his identity. He leaned across the counter of the Chevy Chase Bank in Gaithersburg and practically shoved his face into the surveillance camera, giving authorities one of the clearest pictures of a robber they had ever seen. Newspapers published the shot, and television stations flashed it on the air. FBI Special Agent Jeff Cisar was sure that authorities would have him quickly locked up. But no tips came in. And Cisar was left thinking. "Most of these aren't going to make the front page, especially if it's a note-job bank robbery," Cisar said.

A security breach at a major credit card payment processor has prompted more than two dozen banks nationwide - including Baltimore-based Provident Bank - to notify customers that their credit and debit card numbers might have been compromised. Provident sent new cards to customers last week with a letter stating that it has "been advised of a very large data breach impacting millions of credit and debit card numbers." Only those customers who received letters and replacement cards sent last week were affected, said Dana Jung, Provident's manager of business continuity and customer information security.

Man believed responsible for eight bank robberies Baltimore County police are asking the public's help in identifying a suspect they think is responsible for eight bank robberies since June. The most recent robbery was at 11 a.m. Jan 17 at Provident Bank in a Shoppers food store in the 11100 block of Reisterstown Road. The man is a suspect in these robberies: June 14 and Nov. 15, Chevy Chase Bank in the 4600 block of Edmondson Ave.; June 21, Provident Bank in the 5400 block of Baltimore National Pike; Aug. 12, Provident Bank in the 3800 block of E. Lombard St.; Aug. 21, Provident Bank inside the Reisterstown Road Shoppers food store that was also robbed last week; Nov. 30, Provident Bank inside the Shoppers food store in the 800 block of Goucher Blvd.

Two more banks join U.S. 1 loan program Provident Bank and Susquehanna Bank have joined the Route 1 Revitalization Loan Program. "As the second bank to join the program this year, Provident Bank's involvement will help enhance U.S. Route 1 and make it a thriving economic corridor of Howard County," County Executive Ken Ulman said in a news release. "Susquehanna Bank is the third bank to join the program this year, and its commitment will help greatly enhance U.S. Route 1 and make it a thriving business community," Ulman said.

When Jan Darrah chose a place to do her banking about 10 years ago, she picked Provident Bank because it was small and was based right here in town. "I like to do my business locally as much as possible," the Butchers Hill art teacher said, "because I like to give my money to local business people." Yesterday, however, she learned that her bank is no longer as small or as local, after Buffalo, N.Y.-based M&T Bank Corp. agreed to purchase Provident Bankshares Corp., the largest remaining Baltimore-based banking company, in a deal worth $401 million.

Provident Bankshares Corp., the state's largest independent bank, agreed yesterday to sell itself to M&T Bank, becoming the latest Baltimore financial institution to be acquired. So what does the proposed deal mean for employees, customers and the community? Here's a look: How will my account be affected? Provident Bank customers should see no changes immediately. You can continue to use your account and other products as you always have. Once the deal closes, expected in the second quarter of 2009, the two banks will undergo a conversion and integration process.

Awards * Starcom Design/Build has won three awards in the Maryland Remodelers competition sponsored by the Maryland Home Builders Association. * Meetings & Conventions magazine announced that the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront was awarded the Gold Key Award for 2008. * System Alliance Inc. received two WebAwards from the Web Marketing Association in the site development category Kudos * Warschawski, the Baltimore-based public relations and marketing agency, was named by The Homes Report as one of the Top 20 best agencies to work for in the nation.

Banking and finance * PNC announced the appointments of Tracy A. Sorzano as trust director for the greater Maryland region and Lisa H.R. Hayes, a senior wealth planner, as senior vice president in the regional bank's wealth management division. * Provident Bank named James McGovern, credit risk review division, Amy Creason, emerging business division, and Roxanne Naiman-Roloff, business banking division, as vice presidents within their respective divisions. Construction * Harkins Builders Inc. announced that Steve Rubin joined the staff of the Marriottsville-based general contractor as business development manager.

Banking * PNC Bank announced that Tracy A. Sorzano, trust director for the greater Maryland region, and Lisa H.R. Hayes, a senior wealth planner, were appointed senior vice presidents in the regional bank's wealth management division. * Provident Bank appointed Amanda Miller, consumer banking division; Michael Moloney, emerging business division; and Stacey Westbrook, small business division, as vice presidents within their divisions. Education * The College of Notre Dame of Maryland named Terri L. Meekins as director of philanthropy for the North Baltimore college's pharmacy school.