Baltimore, May 7, 2004 — Provident Bank has named Royeese N. Stewart as the new retail manager of the bank’s Laurel/Bowie Branch located at 207 Bowie Road in Bowie, MD.

Stewart, who has more than eight years of branch banking experience, transferred from her post as Financial Sales Representative of the Capital Centre Branch. Prior to accepting her latest position, she served as branch manager of the Laurel/Bowie Branch and as a financial sales representative for the Capital Centre Branch in Largo, MD

"This is a great opportunity to serve a wonderful community," said Stewart. "I’m looking forward putting my skills to work by focusing on our biggest asset—our customers."

Stewart, a native of Jackson Georgia, attended Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA. She currently resides in Temple Hills, MD.

Provident Bankshares Corporation is the holding company for Provident Bank, the second largest independent commercial bank headquartered in Maryland. With $5.3 billion in assets, Provident serves individuals and businesses in the dynamic Baltimore-Washington corridor through a network of 118 offices in Maryland, Virginia, and southern York County, PA. Provident Bank also offers related financial services through wholly owned subsidiaries. Securities brokerage, investment management and related insurance services are available through Provident Investment Center and leases through Court Square Leasing and Provident Lease Corp. Visit Provident on the web at www.provbank.com

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