Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of
Directors;Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of CertainOfficers.

On September 30, 2009, Hunter R. Hollar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"), informed the Company that he will retire from the Company's Board of Directors as of December 31, 2009.

Item 8.01 Other Events

On September 30, 2009, the Company appointed current director, Mr. Robert L. Orndorff, as Vice Chairman of the Board. Mr. Orndorff will assume the position of Chairman of the Board on December 31, 2009.

The Company issued a news release announcing the retirement of Mr. Hollar and the appointment of Mr. Orndorff on October 1, 2009. A copy of the news release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibits

Number Description

99.1 Press Release dated October 1, 2009

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