MD Bank and Trust

Most of us feel the wear and tear of turning 50. Grey hair, laugh lines and maybe a few aching joints may slow us down. Not so with Maryland Bank and Trust. As the community bank heads into it’s 50th year, it’s going strong with new locations and more ways to make money matters easier for its customers.

For one thing, the bank has expanded from its original Waldorf location to branches in four counties; with 11 locations in Charles, St. Mary’s, Calvert and Prince George’s, there’s bound to be a convenient location.

Vice president Brad Howard has worked in the Waldorf branch for 32 years. He says the bank has “grown a lot with the community.” In the beginning the bank offered the traditional checking and savings accounts, CDs and loans. Now their programs also include PC banking, bill payment, and remote deposit capture, to name a few. The growth mirrors the bank’s commitment to providing their customers the ultimate convenience.

MD Bank and Trust prides itself in recognizing that time is precious and people can’t always carve out the time needed to get to the bank during regular business hours. The range of automated services means customers can access their accounts whenever it’s convenient.

“If you can’t sleep at night and you want to make transfers at 2:00 a.m., you can do it,” says Howard. “Time is money.”
Unlike most banks, though, MD Bank and Trust isn’t confined by traditional ‘banker’s hours.’ They open their doors at 7:29 a.m. and close them at 4:01 p.m. Drive-up customers can bank until 7:01 p.m. “We do that because it gives everyone just that extra bit of time – we wait that extra minute for you,” Howard touts.

Howard says he has seen plenty of changes during his time at the bank, but says one thing that hasn’t changed is a commitment to customer service. With many employees who have worked there for decades, loyal customers are sure to see a familiar face to help them with their transactions. “We’ve kept a lot of long-term employees because we’ve been doing the right thing. We offer good benefits and education opportunities. There’s a sense of pride in working here,” according to Howard.

Despite the current unsettled economy, the bank hasn’t seen a drop off in business. “Rates aren’t everything,” says Howard. “People like to know who they’re dealing with. The business people we deal with like the fact that we’re always concerned with them.” He also points out the benefits of a local community bank versus a national name.

“This is a wonderful time to be a community bank because we’re able to show how we can really meet the needs of customers with loans, or not cutting off their lines of credit, or other things that are happening with our bigger competitors,” Howard says. He also proudly points out that Maryland Bank and Trust did not get involved in any of the subprime lending that recently rocked the banking world; “Our concern was to service our customers and give them loans they needed, locally.”

That service parlays into the bank’s membership with the Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a wonderful experience for our branch managers to attend mixers and meet potential customers as well as current customers – many of them are members too – and to get our name exposed to people within Charles County.” He points out his long-term membership with the Chamber and calls the organization “a strong advocacy for business in our community.” He also says Maryland Bank and Trust has benefitted from Chamber membership because it has actively participated. “It’s not just being a member, it’s being involved. It’s the ability to connect with people that can help advance business.”

Howard won’t reveal what plans are in the works to mark the bank’s 50th anniversary next year other than to say, “We’re always looking to expand.” But he seems quite pleased with what Maryland Bank and Trust has accomplished in its history. “Fifty years. That’s a pretty good milestone for a small community bank.”