SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  March 29, 2001
                                                   --------------

                           Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


              Maryland                0-19065                   52-1532952
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction       Commission file            (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                      number)            Identification Number)


17801 Georgia Avenue, Olney, Maryland        20832
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (301) 774-6400
                                                     --------------


<PAGE>



Item 5. Other Events.
--------------------

         On March 28, 2001, the Board of Directors of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
("Bancorp") authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 5% of the 9,552,672
outstanding  shares of Bancorp  common  stock,  par value  $1.00 per  share,  in
connection  with shares  expected to be issued  pursuant to  Bancorp's  dividend
reinvestment,  stock option,  and employee benefit plans and for other corporate
purposes.  The  share  repurchases  would  be made  on the  open  market  and in
privately  negotiated  transactions,  from time to time until March 31, 2003, or
earlier  termination of the program by the Board.  Bancorp's previous repurchase
program  expired on March 31, 2001.  For additional  information,  see the Press
Release included as Exhibit 99.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
-----------------------------------------

(a)      Exhibit 99 - Press Release dated March 29, 2001.



                                   Signatures

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                     SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.



                                     By:    /s/ James H. Langmead
                                           ----------------------
                                           James H. Langmead,
                                           Chief Financial Officer,
                                            Vice President and Treasurer

Dated : March 29, 2001
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  March 29, 2001
                                                   --------------

                           Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Maryland                0-19065                   52-1532952
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction       Commission file            (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                      number)            Identification Number)

17801 Georgia Avenue, Olney, Maryland        20832
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (301) 774-6400
                                                     --------------
Item 5. Other Events.
--------------------

         On March 28, 2001, the Board of Directors of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
("Bancorp") authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 5% of the 9,552,672
outstanding  shares of Bancorp  common  stock,  par value  $1.00 per  share,  in
connection  with shares  expected to be issued  pursuant to  Bancorp's  dividend
reinvestment,  stock option,  and employee benefit plans and for other corporate
purposes.  The  share  repurchases  would  be made  on the  open  market  and in
privately  negotiated  transactions,  from time to time until March 31, 2003, or
earlier  termination of the program by the Board.  Bancorp's previous repurchase
program  expired on March 31, 2001.  For additional  information,  see the Press
Release included as Exhibit 99.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
-----------------------------------------

(a)      Exhibit 99 - Press Release dated March 29, 2001.

                                   Signatures

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                     SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

                                     By:    /s/ James H. Langmead
                                           ----------------------
                                           James H. Langmead,
                                           Chief Financial Officer,
                                            Vice President and Treasurer

Dated : March 29, 2001