When used in this report, the terms "the Company", "we", "us", and "our" refer to First Mariner Bancorp and, unless the context requires otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries. The following discussion should be read and reviewed in conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set forth in First Mariner Bancorp's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking language within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements may include expressions about our confidence, policies, and strategies, provisions and allowance for loan losses, adequacy of capital levels, and liquidity. All statements included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, other than statements that are purely historical, are forward-looking statements. Statements that include the use of terminology such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our current intent, belief, and expectations. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, but are not limited to, statements of our plans, strategies, objectives, intentions, including, among other statements, statements involving our projected loan and deposit growth, loan collateral values, collectibility of loans, anticipated changes in other operating income, payroll and branching expenses, branch, office and product expansion of the Company, and liquidity and capital levels. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including general economic conditions, competition in the geographic and business areas in which we operate, inflation, fluctuations in interest rates, legislation, and government regulation. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. For a more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the "Risk Factors" discussion in the periodic reports that First Mariner Bancorp files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Except as required by applicable laws, we do not intend to publish updates or revisions of any forward-looking statements we make to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise.

The Company

First Mariner Bancorp is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of Maryland and registered under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. First Mariner Bancorp's business is conducted primarily through its wholly-owned subsidiaries: First Mariner Bank; Mariner Finance, LLC; and FM Appraisals, LLC. The Company had over 1,100 employees (approximately 983 full-time equivalent employees) as of March 31, 2009.

The Bank, which is the largest operating subsidiary of First Mariner Bancorp with assets exceeding $1.270 billion as of March 31, 2009, is engaged in the general commercial banking business, with particular attention and emphasis on the needs of

individuals and small to mid-sized businesses, and delivers a wide range of financial products and services that are offered by many larger competitors. The Bank's primary market area for its core banking operations, which consist of traditional commercial and consumer lending, as well as retail and commercial deposit operations, is central Maryland as well as portions of Maryland's eastern shore. The Bank also has one branch in Pennsylvania. Products and services of the Bank include traditional deposit products, a variety of consumer and commercial loans, residential and commercial mortgage and construction loans, wire transfer services, nondeposit investment products, and Internet banking and similar services. Most importantly, the Bank provides customers with access to local Bank officers who are empowered to act with flexibility to meet customers' needs in an effort to foster and develop long-term loan and deposit relationships. The Bank is an independent community bank and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC").

First Mariner Mortgage, a division of the Bank, engages in mortgage-banking activities, providing mortgages and associated products to customers and selling most of those mortgages into the secondary market. First Mariner Mortgage has offices in Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.

NGFS, a division of the Bank, engages in the origination of reverse and conventional mortgages, providing these products directly through commission based loan officers throughout the United States. NGFS originates reverse mortgages for sale to Fannie Mae and other private investors. The Bank does not originate any reverse mortgages for its portfolio and currently sells all of its reverse mortgage originations into the secondary market. The Bank retains the servicing rights on reverse mortgages sold to Fannie Mae. NGFS is one of the largest originators of reverse mortgages in the United States.

Mariner Finance engages in traditional consumer finance activities, making small direct cash loans to individuals, the purchase of installment loan sales contracts from local merchants and retail dealers of consumer goods, and loans to individuals via direct mail solicitations, as well as a low volume of mortgage loans. Mariner Finance currently operates branches in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Mariner Finance had total assets of $101.662 million as of March 31, 2009.

FM Appraisals is a residential real estate appraisal preparation and management company that is headquartered in Baltimore City. FM Appraisals offers appraisal services for residential real estate lenders, including appraisal preparation, the compliance oversight of sub-contracted appraisers, appraisal ordering and administration, and appraisal review services. FM Appraisals provides these services to First Mariner Mortgage, NGFS, and Mariner Finance.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and follow general practices within the industry in which it operates. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the consolidated financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions, and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the consolidated financial statements at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. When applying accounting policies in such areas that are subjective in nature, management must use its best judgment to arrive at the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities. Below is a discussion of our critical accounting policies.

Allowance for loan losses

A variety of estimates impact the carrying value of the loan portfolio including the calculation of the allowance for loan losses, valuation of underlying collateral, and the timing of loan charge-offs.

The allowance is established and maintained at a level that management believes is adequate to cover losses resulting from the inability of borrowers to make required payments on loans. Estimates for loan losses are arrived at by analyzing risks associated with specific loans and the loan portfolio. Current trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, the views of Bank regulators, changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, and peer comparisons are also factors. The analysis also requires consideration of the economic climate and direction and change in the interest rate environment, which may impact a borrower's ability to pay, legislation impacting the banking industry, and environmental and economic conditions specific to the Bank's service areas. Because the calculation of the allowance for loan losses relies on estimates and judgments relating to inherently uncertain events, results may differ from our estimates.

Securities available for sale

Securities available for sale are evaluated periodically to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. The term "other-than-temporary" is not intended to indicate a permanent decline in value. Rather, it means that the prospects for near term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support fair values equal to, or greater than, the carrying value of the security.

The initial indication of other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") for both debt and equity securities is a decline in the market value below the amount recorded for an investment. In determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before full recovery of the value. For marketable equity securities, we also consider the issuer's financial condition, capital strength, and near-term prospects. For debt securities and for perpetual preferred securities that are treated as debt securities for the purpose of other-than-temporary analysis, we also consider the cause of the price decline (general level of interest rates and industry- and issuer-specific factors), the issuer's financial condition, near-term prospects and current ability to make future payments in a timely manner, the issuer's ability to service debt, and any change in agencies' ratings at evaluation date from acquisition date and any likely imminent action. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the security is segmented into credit and noncredit-related components. Any fair value adjustment due to identified credit related components is recorded as an adjustment to current period earnings, while noncredit-related fair value adjustments will be recorded through other comprehensive income.

Deferred income taxes

Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are subject to management's judgment based upon available evidence that future realization is not likely.

Loan income recognition

Interest income on loans is accrued at the contractual rate based on the principal outstanding. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as a yield adjustment over the contractual loan terms. Accrual of interest is discontinued when its receipt is in doubt, which typically occurs when a loan becomes impaired. Any interest accrued to income in the year when interest accruals are discontinued is generally reversed. Management may elect to continue the accrual of interest when a loan is in the process of collection and the estimated fair value of the collateral is sufficient to satisfy the principal balance and accrued interest. Loans are returned to accrual status once the doubt concerning collectibility has been removed and the borrower has demonstrated the ability to pay and remain current. Payments on nonaccrual loans are generally applied to principal.

Loan Repurchases

Our sales agreements with investors who buy our loans generally contain covenants which may require us to repurchase loans under certain provisions, including delinquencies, or return premiums paid by those investors should the loan be paid off early. These covenants are usual and customary within the mortgage-banking industry. We maintain a reserve (included in other liabilities) for potential losses relating to these sales covenants.

Loans repurchased are accounted for under American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") Statement of Position ("SOP") 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer. Under the SOP, loans repurchased must be recorded at market value at the time of repurchase with any deficiency for recording the loan compared to proceeds paid charged to earnings. Repurchased loans are carried on the balance sheet in the loan portfolio. Any further change in the underlying risk profile or further impairment is recorded as a specific reserve in the allowance for loan losses through the provision for loan losses.

Repurchased loans which are foreclosed upon are transferred to Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure at the time of ratification of foreclosure and recorded at estimated fair value. These assets remain in Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure until their disposition. Any declines in value subsequent to foreclosure reduce the carrying amounts through a charge to noninterest expense.

Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure

We record foreclosed real estate assets at the lower of cost or estimated fair value on their acquisition dates and at the lower

of such initial amount or estimated fair value less estimated selling costs thereafter. Estimated fair value is based upon many subjective factors, including location and condition of the property and current economic conditions, among other things. Because the calculation of fair value relies on estimates and judgments relating to inherently uncertain events, results may differ from our estimates.

Write-downs at time of transfer are made through the allowance for loan losses. Write-downs subsequent to transfer are included in our noninterest expenses, along with operating income, net of related expenses of such properties and gains or losses realized upon disposition.

Recent Developments

On April 22, 2009, the Bank entered into a consent agreement with the FDIC pursuant to which it agreed to the issuance of consent orders relating to the FDIC's investigation into whether the Bank violated federal fair lending laws. Without admitting any wrongdoing, the Bank agreed to the orders to settle the investigation. Among other things, the consent orders require the Bank to deposit $950,000 into a restitution fund to be used for paying restitution to affected borrowers and to pay a $50,000 civil money penalty. Details of these consent orders are discussed in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere in this report.

Financial Condition

At March 31, 2009, our total assets were $1.380 billion compared to $1.307 billion at December 31, 2008, an increase of 5.5%. Earning assets decreased $11.386 million or (1.0)% to $1.133 billion at March 31, 2009 from $1.144 billion at December 31, 2008. The growth in assets was due primarily to increases in cash and due from banks (+$79.860 million), loans outstanding (+$1.774 million), and loans held for sale (+$25.095 million), partially offset by a decrease in other earning assets (-$39.226 million). We funded the growth in assets with increases in deposits (+$71.574 million) and short-term borrowings (+$6.881 million).

We continued to develop our bank branching and mortgage loan office network, expand our commercial and retail business development efforts, grow Mariner Finance, and successfully develop and market our deposit and loan products.

Securities

We utilize the securities portfolio as part of our overall asset/liability management practices to enhance interest revenue while providing necessary liquidity for the funding of loan growth or deposit withdrawals. We continually monitor the credit risk associated with corporate investments and diversify the risk in the corporate portfolio. As of March 31, 2009, we held $12.378 million in securities classified as trading and $40.272 million in securities classified as available for sale ("AFS"). As of December 31, 2008, we held $12.566 million in securities classified as trading and $39.666 million in securities classified as AFS.

Trading Securities

Trading securities remained relatively stable at $12.378 million at March 31, 2009 compared to $12.566 at December 31, 2008. The entire trading security portfolio consists of mortgage-backed securities as of both March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

Securities Available for Sale

AFS securities remained relatively stable at $40.272 million at March 31, 2009 compared to $39.666 million at December 31, 2008. We recorded $1.716 million in OTTI charges related to two pooled trust preferred securities during the first quarter of 2009. In addition, during the first quarter of 2009, we added back to retained earnings as a cumulative effect of accounting change $1.148 million (net of tax effect) in OTTI previously recorded that was determined not to be related to credit deterioration (see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). At March 31, 2009, our net unrealized loss on securities classified as available for sale totaled $7.498 million compared to a net unrealized loss of $8.191 million at December 31, 2008.

Changes in current market conditions, such as interest rates and the economic uncertainties in the mortgage, housing, and banking industries, have severely impacted the securities market. The secondary market for various types of securities has been limited and has negatively impacted securities values. Quarterly, we review each security in our AFS portfolio to determine the nature of any decline in value and evaluate if any impairment should be classified as OTTI.

The trust preferred securities we hold in our securities portfolio were issued by other banks and bank holding companies. Certain of these securities have experienced declines in credit ratings from credit rating firms, which have devalued these specific securities. These declines have occurred primarily over the past year due to changes in the market which has limited the demand for these securities and reduced their liquidity. We monitor the actual default rates and interest deferrals for possible losses and contractual shortfalls of interest or principal, which could warrant further recognition of impairment, depending on our intention to hold the securities until full value can be recovered. See additional information on OTTI in Notes 6 and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

All of the remaining securities that are temporarily impaired are impaired due to declines in fair values resulting from changes in interest rates or increased credit/liquidity spreads compared to the time they were purchased. We have the ability to hold these securities to maturity and we expect these securities will be repaid in full, with no losses realized. As such, management does not consider the impairments to be other-than-temporary.

Our securities available for sale portfolio composition is as follows:

                              March 31,     December 31,
(dollars in thousands)          2009            2008
Mortgage-backed securities   $    22,498   $       22,248
Trust preferred securities        13,219           12,866
U.S. Treasury securities           1,002            1,003
Corporate obligations              2,623            2,548
Equity securities - Banks            180              251
Foreign government bonds             750              750
                             $    40,272   $       39,666

Loans

Our loan portfolio is expected to produce higher yields than investment securities and other interest-earning assets; the absolute volume and mix of loans and the volume and mix of loans as a percentage of total earning assets is an important determinant of our net interest margin.

The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio:

                                       March 31,     December 31,
(dollars in thousands)                    2009           2008
Commercial loans and lines of credit   $   87,092   $       91,111
Commercial construction                   103,168          109,484
Commercial mortgages                      321,444          319,143
Consumer residential construction          65,728           69,589
Residential mortgages                     147,211          138,323
Consumer                                  255,827          251,046
Total loans                            $  980,470   $      978,696

Total loans increased $1.774 million during the first three months of 2009. We experienced higher balances in commercial mortgage loans (+$2.301 million), residential mortgage loans (+$8.888 million), and consumer loans (+$4.781 million). Commercial and consumer residential construction balances decreased (-$6.316 million and -$3.861 million, respectively), as well as did commercial loans and lines of credit (-$4.019 million). Although we have been aggressive in our loan origination activity, as evidenced by the growth in our total loan portfolio, the poor market environment has continued to impact the demand for construction and development lending products. Additionally, we incurred significant charge-offs in the commercial and construction loan portfolios during the first three months of 2009.

Commercial Construction Portfolio

Our commercial construction portfolio consists of construction and development loans for commercial purposes and includes loans made to builders and developers of residential real estate projects. Of the total included above, $57.350 million represents loans made to borrowers for the development of residential real estate as of March 31, 2009. This segment of the portfolio has exhibited greater weakness during 2008 and the first part of 2009 due to overall weakness in the residential housing sector.

The breakdown of the portion of the commercial construction portfolio made to borrowers for residential real estate is as follows as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

                                  March 31,     December 31,
(dollars in thousands)              2009            2008
Raw residential land             $     6,628   $        6,630
Residential subdivisions              22,656           23,407
Single residential lots                4,953            4,338
Single family construction             9,142           12,547
Townhome construction                  1,639            2,817
Multi-family unit construction        12,332           12,317
                                 $    57,350   $       62,056

Credit Risk Management

Credit risk is the risk of loss arising from the inability of a borrower to meet its obligations. We manage credit risk by evaluating the risk profile of the borrower, repayment sources, the nature of the underlying collateral, and other support given current events, conditions, and expectations. We attempt to manage the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio through various control processes, such as credit evaluation of borrowers, establishment of lending limits, and application of lending procedures, including the holding of adequate collateral and the maintenance of compensating balances. However, we seek to rely primarily on the cash flow of our borrowers as the principal source of repayment. Although credit policies and evaluation processes are designed to minimize our risk, management recognizes that loan losses will occur and the amount of these losses will fluctuate depending on the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio, as well as general and regional economic conditions.

We provide for loan losses through the establishment of an allowance for loan losses by provisions charged against earnings. Our allowance represents an estimated reserve for existing losses in the loan portfolio. We deploy a systematic methodology for determining our allowance that includes a quarterly review process, risk rating, and adjustment to our allowance. We classify our portfolios as either consumer or commercial and monitor credit risk separately as discussed below. We evaluate the adequacy of our allowance continually based on a review of all significant loans, with a particular emphasis on nonaccruing, past due, and other loans that we believe require special attention.

The allowance consists of three elements: (1) specific reserves and valuation allowances for individual credits; (2) general reserves for types or portfolios of loans based on historical loan loss experience, judgmentally adjusted for current conditions and credit risk concentrations; and (3) unallocated reserves. Combined specific reserves and general reserves by loan type are considered allocated reserves. All outstanding loans are considered in evaluating the adequacy of the allowance.

Commercial

Our commercial portfolio includes all secured and unsecured loans to borrowers for commercial purposes, including commercial lines of credit and commercial real estate. Our process for evaluating commercial loans includes performing updates on all loans that we have rated for risk. Our commercial loans are generally reviewed individually, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, to determine impairment, accrual status, and the need for specific reserves. Our methodology incorporates a variety of risk considerations, both qualitative and quantitative. Quantitative factors include our historical loss experience by loan type, collateral values, financial condition of borrowers, and other factors. Qualitative factors include judgments concerning general economic conditions that may affect credit quality, credit concentrations, the pace of portfolio growth, and delinquency levels; these qualitative factors are evaluated in connection with our unallocated portion of our allowance for loan losses. We periodically engage outside firms and experts to independently assess our methodology and perform various loan review functions.

The process of establishing the allowance with respect to our commercial loan portfolio begins when a loan officer initially assigns each loan a risk rating, using established credit criteria. Approximately 50% of our risk grades are subject to review and validation annually by an independent consulting firm, as well as periodically by our internal credit review function. Our methodology employs management's judgment as to the level of future losses on existing loans based on our internal review of the loan portfolio, including an analysis of the . . .