Exhibit 5


                                 March 11, 1999

Board of Directors
Wyman Park Bancorporation, Inc.
11 West Ridgely Road
Lutherville, Maryland 21093

Members of the Board:

     We have acted as counsel to Wyman Park Bancorporation, Inc. (the "Company")
in connection  with the  preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission of a  registration  statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Registration  Statement") relating to 101,171 shares of the Company's
common  stock,  par value $0.01 per share (the  "Common  Stock"),  to be offered
pursuant to the 1999 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

     In this  connection,  we have  reviewed  originals or copies,  certified or
otherwise  identified  to  our  satisfaction,  of  the  Plan,  the  Registration
Statement,  the Company's Certificate of Incorporation,  Bylaws,  resolutions of
its Board of Directors and such other documents and corporate records as we deem
appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

     Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

1. The shares of Common Stock being so registered have been duly authorized.

2. The shares of Common  Stock to be offered by the Company will be, when and if
issued,  sold and paid for as  contemplated by the Plan,  legally issued,  fully
paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Company.

     We hereby  consent  to the  inclusion  of our  opinion as Exhibit 5 of this
Registration  Statement  and the  reference  to our firm in the  Prospectus.  In
giving this consent,  we do not admit that we are within the category of persons
whose  consent is required  under  Section 7 of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as
amended,  or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder.

                                              Very truly yours,


                                             /s/ SILVER, FREEDMAN & TAFF, L.L.P.