Excellent business and economics writer Jamie Smith Hopkins reports 1st Mariner Bank to be sold to investors

1st Mariner Bank to be sold to investors - baltimoresun.com

Parent company filed for bankruptcy protection as part of the deal; the bank is not included in that filing

By Jamie Smith Hopkins, The Baltimore Sun 7:12 PM EST, February 10, 2014

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/money/bs-bz-first-mariner-to-be-sold-20140210,0,3218227.story

Labels: Bus Banking 1st Mariner Bank, Bus Econ Banking, Business Banking, Journalists Hopkins Jamie Smith Sun, People Keidel Mark

The parent company of 1st Mariner Bank said Monday that it has signed a deal to sell the bank after years of regulatory demands that it increase its capital, potentially ending the company's long struggle to right itself after the mortgage crisis.

A group of investors, many with local ties, have agreed to buy the Baltimore bank — the largest based in the region — and recapitalize it with about $100 million.

First Mariner Bancorp, the parent company, said it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday afternoon in Baltimore federal court to "facilitate the transaction."

[…]

"For four years, the bank has been under a regulatory order that it's been trying to satisfy, and we've reached the finish line," said Mark Keidel, interim president of 1st Mariner Bank. "This agreement … puts the bank on much firmer financial ground — and quite frankly gives us the ability to be back on offense."

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/money/bs-bz-first-mariner-to-be-sold-20140210,0,3218227.story

Jamie Smith Hopkins: 1st Mariner Bank to be sold to investors

+++++++++++++++

Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Patuxent Publishing Co., The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO
The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=41

Westminster Patch: http://westminster.patch.com/search?keywords=Dayhoff

Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
+++++++++++++++

1st Mariner Bancorp Founder, Edwin F. Hale Sr., Announces Retirement

1st Mariner Bancorp Founder, Edwin F. Hale Sr., Announces Retirement Hale built 1st Mariner Bank into the largest independently owned bank in Baltimore, which today employs hundreds of Baltimoreans.

http://www.1stmarinerbancorp.com/ Company Release - 12/23/2011 10:52  http://www.snl.com/irweblinkx/file.aspx?IID=1024706&FID=12364293 http://www.snl.com/irweblinkx/file.aspx?IID=1024706&FID=12364293

BALTIMORE, Dec. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  1st Mariner Bancorp (OTCBB: FMAR.OB), parent company of 1st Mariner Bank, announced today that Edwin F. Hale Sr., chairman and chief executive officer of the company and bank, retired from the board and his executive capacity effective December 22, 2011.  Hale turned 65 in November and elected to announce his retirement plans in conjunction with the company's year end Board of Directors' meeting. Plans for Hale's retirement were initially contemplated in April in conjunction with the  Company's announcement of the execution of a stock purchase agreement with Priam Capital Fund I, L.P. "While it is difficult to leave 1st Mariner, the time is right," said Hale, who launched the bank in 1995.  "I am proud of the commitment to community banking 1st Mariner has embraced and   the hundreds of financial services jobs the company has created in the Baltimore metropolitan area."   Captain Michael R. Watson, will become interim, non-executive chairman of the banking company upon Hale's departure.  Watson, a 1st Mariner Bancorp director since 1998, is the President of the International Maritime Pilots' Association and the President of the American Pilots' Association and is a Past Chairman of the Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.   Mark Keidel, currently the President and Chief Operating Officer of the company and the bank will assume the principal executive responsibility on an interim basis, subject to regulatory approval.  Keidel has been a senior executive at 1st Mariner since June, 2000. 1st Mariner also announced that Jack E. Steil, formerly president of Wilmington Trust Mid-Atlantic Region, and Robert D. Kunisch Jr., formerly president of Wilmington Trust FSB, Maryland, have been engaged by the company since July of this year to  advise the board of directors with respect to strategic planning, and they will continue to serve in this capacity. Prior to joining Wilmington Trust, Steil and Kunisch were both executives at Mercantile Bankshares Corporation.  Steil spent 32 years with the Mercantile during which time he served in many capacities including Chief Credit Officer. Kunisch has 21 years experience in the banking industry primarily in the commercial lending specialty. About 1st Mariner Bancorp 1st Mariner Bancorp is a bank holding Company with total assets of $1.2 billion.  Its wholly owned banking subsidiary, 1st Mariner Bank, operates 22 full service bank branches in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford, Howard, Talbot, andCarroll counties in Maryland, and the City of Baltimore. 1st Mariner Mortgage, a division of 1st Mariner Bank, operates retail offices in Central Maryland and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  1st Mariner also operates direct marketing mortgage operations in Baltimore.  1st Mariner Bancorp's common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "FMAR.OB".  1st Mariner's Website address is www.1stMarinerBancorp.com, which includes comprehensive level investor information. In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of the Company's plans and expectations regarding the Company's efforts to meet regulatory capital requirements established by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, revenue growth, anticipated expenses, profitability of mortgage banking operations, and other unknown outcomes.  The Company's actual results could differ materially from management's expectations.  Factors that could contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to increase its capital levels and those of 1st Mariner Bank, volatility in the financial markets, changes in regulations applicable to the Company's business,  its concentration in real estate lending, increased competition, changes in technology, particularly Internet banking, impact of interest rates, and the possibility of economic recession or slowdown (which could impact credit quality, adequacy of loan loss reserve and loan growth).Greater detail regarding these  factors is provided in the forward looking statements and  Risk Factors  sections included in the reports filed by the Company with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2011. Our forward-looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss elsewhere in this news release, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our web site and at the SEC's web site, www.sec.gov. SOURCE 1st Mariner Bancorp 12/23/2011 1st Mariner Bancorp Founder, Edwin F. Hale Sr., Announces Retirement 10/28/2011 1st Mariner Bancorp Reports 3rd Quarter 2011 Results 9/22/2011 1st Mariner Bancorp and Priam Capital Agree to Amend and Extend the Term of Their Agreement 8/31/2011 1st Mariner Bancorp Announces Its Stock Will Begin Trading On the Over The Counter Bulletin Board 7/29/2011 1st Mariner Bancorp Reports 2nd Quarter 2011 Results 4/27/2011 1st Mariner Bancorp Reports 1st Quarter 2011 Results

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Mark Keidel from Carroll County promoted to chief operating officer of 1st Mariner Bank

1st Mariner Bank Promotes Executives as It Prepares for Future Growth

Company Release - 05/20/2009 12:00

On Wednesday May 20, 2009, 12:00 pm EDT

Mark A. Keidel is named director and chief operating officer of 1st Mariner Bank, Paul B. Susie is appointed chief financial officer and Robert P. Warr is promoted to chief risk officer and executive vice president

BALTIMORE, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 1st Mariner Bank (Nasdaq: FMAR - News) today promoted Mark A. Keidel to chief operating officer of the bank and holding company, and Robert P. Warr to chief risk officer and executive vice president. 1st Mariner also announced that Paul B. Susie will be appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer.

As chief operating officer, Keidel will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the bank and the holding company, 1st Mariner Bancorp, which has $1.377 billion in assets and employs 700 people. He also will become a director of both entities. Most recently, Keidel was 1st Mariner's chief financial officer.

As chief risk officer, a newly created position at the bank, Warr will be responsible for the quality and profitability of the bank's loan portfolio. He will oversee the credit function, legal department, construction administration and the bank's appraisal subsidiary. Most recently, Warr was senior vice president of commercial lending.

As chief financial officer, Susie succeeds Keidel and will be responsible for supervising the bank's general accounting, purchasing and regulatory accounting functions.

The promotions are effective immediately, said Edwin F. Hale Sr., Chairman and Chief Executive of 1st Mariner Bancorp.

"Mark and Bob are extraordinarily talented and dedicated individuals who have demonstrated remarkable skill during these past two difficult years," Hale said. "Paul is an excellent addition to our executive management team, bringing fresh perspective and solid business experience. They have each proven to be strong leaders and adept decision makers and will be an integral part of 1st Mariner Bank as we work to improve profitability and seize upon the many opportunities we see in the market."

Keidel replaces Joseph A. Cicero, 65, who retires May 22nd. Cicero, who was chief operating officer and president of 1st Mariner Bancorp, will continue to work with the bank on a consulting basis through the end of the year. He is a 14-year 1st Mariner Bank veteran and a 38-year veteran of the banking industry.

"Joe has made a significant contribution to the development of 1st Mariner," Hale said. "His efforts and leadership have been invaluable."

Keidel joined 1st Mariner in June 2000 as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Prior to that he was chief financial officer at Mason-Dixon Bancshares, Inc., in Westminster, Maryland, controller at Carroll County Bank & Trust, and managerial accounting officer at First National Bank of Maryland. A graduate of Frostburg State University, Keidel received his Certified Public Accounting credentials in 1991, and attended the Bank Administration Institute Financial School the same year.

Warr joined 1st Mariner in April 1997 as senior vice president in commercial lending. Prior to coming to 1st Mariner, Warr was senior vice president for real estate lending at the Bank of Baltimore where he managed the commercial loan workout program. He began his commercial banking career at Union Trust Company where he originated and serviced income property loans in Washington, D.C., northern Virginia and Maryland. Warr received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Baltimore.

Susie is new to the 1st Mariner organization. He began his career with Coopers and Lybrand (now PriceWaterHouseCoopers) and has held senior financial positions with Baltimore Marine Industries, Earthshell Corporation and Celsion Corporation. A graduate of the University of Baltimore, he has over 18 years of experience in both public and corporate accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Hale also announced that in addition to the individuals listed above, the Executive Management of the bank will include George H. Mantakos, Dennis E. Finnegan, Edward "Ned" Perry, and Kenneth C. Jones. George Mantakos will continue to serve as the bank's Chief Lending Officer. Dennis Finnegan will continue to serve as the director of retail banking, as well as overseeing the company's human resource, deposit operations, and information technology functions. Ned Perry will continue to serve as President of 1st Mariner Mortgage, and Ken Jones will continue to serve as Senior Vice President leading the bank's facilities administration.

Hale concluded, "I am confident that our executive management group has the right mix of experience, technical skills, and energy to lead 1st Mariner Bank through these difficult times. In spite of the challenges in the current market today, I am optimistic about 1st Mariner's future and this group's ability to tackle current challenges while preparing the company for future opportunities."

ABOUT 1st MARINER BANK

1st Mariner Bancorp is a bank holding company with total assets of $1.377 billion. Its wholly owned banking subsidiary, 1st Mariner Bank, (total assets $1.265 billion) operates 25 full service bank branches in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford, Howard, Talbot, and Carroll counties in Maryland, the City of Baltimore, and Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania. 1st Mariner Mortgage, a division of 1st Mariner Bank, operates retail offices in Central Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Massachusetts. 1st Mariner Mortgage also operates direct marketing mortgage operations in Baltimore City. Mariner Finance, LLC (total assets $101 million) is a consumer finance subsidiary that currently operates branches in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, and Tennessee. 1st Mariner Bancorp's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "FMAR." 1st Mariner's Web site address is www.1stMarinerBancorp.com, which includes comprehensive level investor information.

http://www.snl.com/irweblinkx/file.aspx?IID=1024706&FID=7835937

20090520 sdosm Mark Keidel from Carroll County promoted

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/