[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 54 (Thursday, March 23, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E665]]
                   TRIBUTE TO SIGNET BANK OF MARYLAND

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 1995
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to the 
Signet Bank of Maryland on its 200th anniversary of serving the 
Baltimore community. Originally established as the Bank of Baltimore on 
Christmas Eve 1795 by the Maryland General Assembly, Signet Bank of 
Maryland is the direct descendant of that original bank.
  For two centuries, the Bank of Baltimore and its descendants have 
remained on the same site, at the heart and core of Baltimore. The bank 
has steered a steady and profitable course through the War of 1812, 
numerous financial panics of the 19th century, the Great Fire of 
Baltimore in 1904 and the Great Depression.
  In 1985, Union Trust Bancorp, a descendant of the original Bank of 
Baltimore, and Bank of Virginia Co. merged to create a $7 billion 
multibank institution. The name was changed to Signet Banking Corp. a 
year later. Presently, Signet Bank of Maryland is a full-service 
commercial bank with 87 locations throughout central Maryland, the 
Eastern Shore, and the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC. In offering 
specialized services for retail and commercial banking, international 
trade finance, trust, asset-based lending and leasing, cash management, 
real estate, insurance and consumer financing, Signet is an important 
contributor to the prosperity of Baltimore and Maryland.
  A subsidiary of Signet Banking Corp., which is approximately a $10 
billion multibank holding company, Signet Bank of Maryland and its 
ancestors have been the financial home for many generations of 
Baltimoreans. Signet has shared in Maryland's rich history and there is 
little doubt that it will continue to be a major contributor to our 
community into the 21st century.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in extending congratulations to 
Signet Bank of Maryland in celebrating its 200-year history in 
Maryland.


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