UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_] Check the appropriate box: [_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14A-6(E)(2)) [_] Definitive Proxy Statement [X] Definitive Additional Materials [_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12 PROVIDENT BANKSHARES CORPORATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Total fee paid: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing Party: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date Filed: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes: Reg. (S) 240.14a-101. SEC 1913 (3-99) PROVIDENT BANKSHARES ---------------------- CORPORATION PROVIDENT BANKSHARES CORPORATION (NASDAQ: PBKS) . Total assets of $5.1 billion as of December 31, 1999 . Second largest commercial bank chartered in Maryland ranked by total asset size . Major presence in dynamic Baltimore-Washington corridor as well as Northern Virginia; 83 banking offices . 25 consecutive quarterly increases in core earnings . Book value at December 31, 1999: $10.76 per share 1999 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS . Double digit earnings growth of 13.1% . Growth in earnings per share of 13.6% . Growth in average deposits of 11.7% . Growth in non-interest income of 13.2% . Exceeded EPS consensus estimate of $1.65 by $.02 . Improved operating efficiency by 3.6% 1999 PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ($ in thousands, except per share data) 1999 1998 Growth ---- ---- ------ Net Income $44,150 $39,030 13.1% Earnings Per Share $ 1.67 $ 1.47 13.6% Return on Assets 0.90% 0.90% Return on Common Equity 14.61% 13.99% Net Interest Margin 3.13% 3.12% RETAIL GROWTH STRATEGY . Increasing market share with "hub and spoke" strategy . In-store branches provide convenience with prime locations, extended hours . In-store partners include Wal-Mart, Shoppers Food Warehouse and Metro Foods . Traditional branches support network with drive-in banking, safe deposit services and expanded commercial capabilities . Provides platform to grow Commercial and Real Estate customer base RETAIL GROWTH STRATEGY [MAP APPEARS HERE] Montgomery County/Northern Baltimore City/Baltimore County Virginia . Household Growth - 1.9% . Household Growth - 4.6% . Average Income - $61,500 . Average Income - $79,600 . Average Property Value - $103,000 . Average Property Value - $174,000 INCREASE DEPOSIT MARKET SHARE Percent of Maryland Commercial Banks [Graph Appears Here] 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 3.1% 3.3% 3.7% 4.3% 4.6% 5.1% 5.9% COMPETITION - MARKET SHARE [Bar Graph Appears Here] All Bank of Sun Chevy First PBKS First America Trust Chase Mercantile Union ---- ----- ------- ----- ----- ---------- ----- 1998 5.1% 11.4% 16.1% 9.0% 7.0% 3.5% 7.9% 1999 5.9% 11.7% 16.3% 8.6% 7.1% 3.2% 6.9% INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS . Valuable franchise in highly attractive markets . Enhancing franchise value while improving profitability . Well positioned in markets served . Highly experienced senior management team . Enhancing shareholder value . Asset quality VALUABLE FRANCHISE IN HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE MARKETS . 83 Branches as of December 31, 1999 . Branches located in metropolitan Baltimore, affluent Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., Southern Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia ENHANCING FRANCHISE VALUE WHILE IMPROVING PROFITABILITY . Partnerships with Wal-Mart, Shoppers Food Warehouse and Metro Foods allowing cost effective expansion into prime locations . Break-even on in-store locations: 18 months on average . Traditional branches support in-store expansion . Branch expansion will support commercial calling effort WELL POSITIONED IN MARKETS SERVED . Large enough to provide a full range of services -- Commercial lending -- Cash Management services -- Provident Investment Center, Inc. -- Internet Banking -- Leasing companies . Small enough to be flexible in a world of financial giants -- Local decision makers E-COMMERCE CAPABILITIES [PICTURE APPEARS HERE] . Web site -- Open accounts -- Loan applications -- Mortgage loans . PC Banking . Internet Banking . Debit Cards -- Retail and commercial HIGHLY EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT TEAM Peter M. Martin Chief Executive Officer . 33 years banking experience . CEO: April 1998 . President of Provident Bank: February 1990 - April 1998 Richard J. Oppitz Gary N. Geisel John F. Novak Office of the Chair Office of the Chair Office of the Chair . 28 years banking experience with . 29 years banking experience with . 26 years banking experience executive positions in retail executive positions in retail banking banking, commercial lending and . 13 years with Equitable Bank, credit administration . 5 years with Equitable Bank, Baltimore, Maryland, as Senior Baltimore, Maryland Vice President in charge of . 6 years with Provident Bank Consumer Lending . 7 years with Citizens Bank, . 16 years with Equitable Bank, Laurel, Maryland Baltimore, Maryland ENHANCING SHAREHOLDER VALUE . 25 consecutive quarters of increased core earnings . 25 consecutive quarters of dividend increases . Stock buy-back strategy ASSET QUALITY [Bar Graph Appears Here] [Bar Graph Appears Here] ALLOWANCE TO LOANS 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 1.57% 1.35% 1.36% 1.38% 1.26% NON-PERFORMING TO LOANS 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.90% 0.84% 0.36% 0.37% 0.91% LOANS OUTSTANDING 12/32/99 [Pie Graph Appears Here] Consumer Commercial Commercial Real Estate Residential Mortgage - -------- ---------- ----------------------- -------------------- 70% 11% 12% 7% CONSERVATIVE BALANCE SHEET MANAGEMENT . Strong internal growth . Acquired loan strategy . Alternate Investment . Seasoned staff . Broker/dealer relationships . Strong returns PROVIDENT BANK FINANCIAL STRENGTH STRATEGIC FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES . Sustainable Quality Revenue . EPS Growth . Increasing Returns on Invested Capital STABILITY OF EARNINGS 10 Year UST 2 Year UST 3 Month LIBOR CAPITAL MARKETS 1st Qtr 96 2nd Qtr 96 3rd Qtr 96 4th Qtr 96 1st Qtr 97 2nd Qtr 97 3rd Qtr 97 4th Qtr 97 10 Year US 6.33% 6.71% 6.70% 6.42% 6.90% 6.50% 6.10% 5.74% 2 Year US 5.76% 6.11% 6.10% 5.87% 6.42% 6.07% 5.78% 5.65% 3 Month LIBOR 5.47% 5.58% 5.63% 5.56% 5.77% 5.78% 5.77% 5.81% 1st Qtr 98 2nd Qtr 98 3rd Qtr 98 4th Qtr 98 1st Qtr 99 2nd Qtr 99 3rd Qtr 99 4th Qtr 99 6.65% 5.45% 4.42% 4.65% 5.24% 5.78% 5.88% 6.44% 5.56% 5.47% 4.27% 4.53% 4.99% 5.51% 5.60% 6.21% 5.71% 5.69% 5.31% 5.07% 5.00% 5.37% 6.08% 6.00% EARNINGS PER SHARE 1st Qtr 96 2nd Qtr 96 3rd Qtr 96 4th Qtr 96 1st Qtr 97 2nd Qtr 97 3rd Qtr 97 4th Qtr 97 EPS 0.253 0.263 0.281 0.298 0.307 0.313 0.345 0.333 1st Qtr 98 2nd Qtr 98 3rd Qtr 98 4th Qtr 98 1st Qtr 99 2nd Qtr 99 3rd Qtr 99 0.352 0.362 0.371 0.381 0.390 0.420 0.430 [LINE AND BAR GRAPHS APPEAR HERE] NET INCOME 4Q93 1Q94 2Q94 3Q94 4Q94 1Q95 2Q95 3Q95 2.1 2.5 2.6 2.9 3.4 3.6 3.7 4.4 4Q95 1Q96 2Q96 3Q96 4Q96 1Q97 2Q97 3Q97 4Q97 4.8 5.1 6.4 6.8 5.4 7.7 7.9 8 8.7 1Q98 2Q98 3Q98 4Q98 1Q99 2Q99 3Q99 4Q99 9 9.3 9.7 10.1 10.3 10.9 11.3 11.5 [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE] GROWTH IN EARNINGS PER SHARE [BAR GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- $0.88 $1.02 1.30* $1.47 $1.67 *exclusive of merger related expenses RETURN ON COMMON EQUITY [BAR GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 9.6% 10.9% 11.4% 13.3% 14.0% 14.6% EFFICIENCY RATIO [BAR GRAPH APPEARS HERE] Branch Expansion 1996: 44 Branches 1997: 66 Branches 1998: 68 Branches 1999: 83 Branches 1996 1997 1998 1999* ----- ----- ----- ----- PBKS 66.76 65.30 65.80 63.40 PEER 57.72 56.72 55.91 55.74 *Note: Peer though Sept. 1999 AVERAGE ASSETS ($ in billions) [BAR GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- $2.96 $3.32 $3.65 $4.35 $4.91 Annualized growth rate 12.8% AVERAGE LOANS ($ in billions) [BAR GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- $1.82 $2.02 $2.44 $2.88 $3.26 Annualized growth rate 13.2% CORE DEPOSITS [Bar Chart Appears Here] ($ in billions) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- $2.05 $2.28 $2.74 $3.41 $3.81 Annualized growth rate 11.7% INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS . Valuable franchise in highly attractive markets . Enhancing franchise value while improving profitability . Well positioned in markets served . Highly experienced senior management team . Enhancing shareholder value . Asset quality PROVIDENT BANKSHARES ---------------------- CORPORATION