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                    Columbia Bancorp: Dividend News Release



PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release - September 30, 1997


FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
John A. Scaldara, Jr., CFO and Secretary
(410)465-4800



COLUMBIA BANCORP ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND

        Columbia Bancorp (the "Company") announced this day declaration of its
quarterly common stock cash dividend of $.12 per share.  Specifically, the
Board of Directors of the Company authorized and declared a quarterly cash
dividend on common stock of $.12 per share on September 29, 1997.  The dividend
will be paid on October 27, 1997, to stockholders of record at the close of
business on October 15, 1997.

        Columbia Bancorp, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, is a bank
holding company and parent company of The Columbia Bank, a commercial bank. 
The Columbia Bank currently operates thirteen banking offices and provides a
full range of financial services to consumers and businesses.  Columbia
Bancorp's Common Stock is traded on the National Market tier of The Nasdaq
Stock MarketSM under the symbol "CBMD".



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