The Harbor Bank of Maryland

Last updated
The Harbor Bank of Maryland
Industry
  • Banking
  • Financial services
FoundedSeptember 13, 1982
Founder
Headquarters25 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Number of locations
7 branches (2025)
Key people
Parent Harbor Bankshares Corporation
Website theharborbank.com

The Harbor Bank of Maryland is a commercial bank providing capital and financial services to the Greater Baltimore and Washington D.C. markets. Harbor Bank is designated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a Minority Depository Institution (MDI), [1] as well as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), [2] by the United States Treasury.

Contents

The Harbor Bank of Maryland has seven branches throughout the state of Maryland, with an office dedicated to loan production in Silver Spring. [3]

History

Pre-opening

In June 1973, an organizing committee named "Capital Strategy, Incorporated" filed an application with the Comptroller of the Currency to form a nationally chartered bank named "Harbor National Bank". The committee, led by Joseph Chester, was required by the FDIC to raise $1.5 million in capital (equivalent to over $10 million today) to begin operations. [4]

The committee fundraised for several years, but was unable to get the necessary capital. By 1977, the committee had dwindled in members and efforts. A new committee member, Joseph Haskins, Jr., designed a plan to capitalize the bank with financial support from Baltimore's faith-based communities.

A call from a Senator in 1979 informed the committee that the Federal Reserve Bank would not authorize a federal bank charter. This catalyzed a pivot to a state charter for the bank, which required even more funds. A short-term commercial banking charter was granted by Maryland in March 1980. [5] The state charter allowed investors to purchase shares of the bank, which was a major boost to the revitalized fundraising efforts.

Opening, operating, and growing

Once the administrative and logistical elements were organized, the bank officially opened on September 13, 1982. [6] By 1987, Harbor Bank was poised for Haskins to officially lead the Bank as President and CEO. Haskins instilled a new culture, improved professionalism, increased financial literacy outreach, opened more branches, and offered more banking products/services.

The Bank's holding company, Harbor Bankshares Corporation, was formed in 1992. [7] In May 1993, bank moved headquarters from 21 West Fayette to 25 West Fayette Street to accommodate increased staffing and customers. Harbor Bank became the first community bank to launch an investment subsidiary, Harbor Financial Services (HFS) in 1996. [8] Two new financial subsidiaries were launched in 2002; The Harbor Bank of Maryland Community Development Entity (Harbor CDE) and The Harbor Bank of Baltimore LLC, which became The Harbor Bank of Maryland Community Development Corporation (Harbor CDC). [9]

Haskins relinquished the presidency, remaining as Chief Executive Officer of The Harbor Bank of Maryland, Harbor Bankshares Corporation, and President of Harbor Bankshares Corporation in July 2000.

The Harbor Bank of Maryland is a full-service commercial bank offering checking, savings, CDs and a varying selection of loans.

References

  1. "Minority Depository Institutions List | FDIC.gov". www.fdic.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  2. "CDFI Certification". www.cdfifund.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  3. "Hours & Locations - Harbor Bank of Maryland". www.theharborbank.com. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  4. "Full text of Annual Report of the Comptroller of the Currency : 1974 | FRASER | St. Louis Fed". fraser.stlouisfed.org. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  5. "Organizers of Harbor Bank of Maryland, after losing the... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  6. "The Harbor Bank of Maryland, History". www.usbanklocations.com. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  7. "Articles of Incorporation". opencorporates.com. June 22, 2021. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  8. "Articles of Incorporation". opencorporates.com. June 22, 2021. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  9. By (2002-10-21). "Key minority bank casts a wider net". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2025-01-13.