EXHIBIT 99(a)

                                  FORM OF PROXY
                                  -------------

                                 REVOCABLE PROXY

                       AMBASSADOR BANK OF THE COMMONWEALTH


           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                     OF AMBASSADOR BANK OF THE COMMONWEALTH

                         SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                                  JUNE 30, 1998

    
     THE UNDERSIGNED holder of common stock of Ambassador Bank of the
Commonwealth ("ABC") hereby appoints Timothy J. McDonald and David M. Lobach,
Jr., or either of them, with full power of substitution, the proxy or proxies of
the undersigned to vote all of the shares of the common stock of Ambassador Bank
of the Commonwealth ("ABC Common Stock") held of record in the name or names of
the undersigned at the close of business on May 8, 1998, at the Special Meeting
of the shareholders of ABC to be held on Tuesday, June 30, 1998, at 10:30 a.m.
at The Holiday Inn, Routes 22 and 512, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and at all
adjournments or postponements thereof, with all of the powers the undersigned
would possess if personally present. Said proxies are specifically authorized to
vote:     
    
     (1)       PROPOSAL to approve, adopt, ratify and confirm the Merger
               Agreement, dated as of January 26, 1998, as amended and restated
               as of April 14, 1998, and the related Plan of Merger among Fulton
               Financial Corporation ("FFC"), Lafayette Bank ("LB") and ABC
               providing, among other things, for the merger of ABC with and
               into LB and for the automatic conversion of each share of ABC
               Common Stock into 1.40 shares of Common Stock of FFC.     

               [_]  FOR              [_]  AGAINST               [_]  ABSTAIN

     (2)       In their discretion as to any other matter properly before the
               meeting, including, without limitation, a motion to adjourn or
               postpone the meeting to another time and place for the purpose of
               soliciting additional proxies in favor of the Merger Agreement or
               otherwise.

               [_]  FOR              [_]  AGAINST               [_]  ABSTAIN
 

 
     This proxy is revocable and will be voted as specified.If no specification
is made, this proxy will be voted "FOR" each of the proposals listed. If any
other business is presented at the Special Meeting, this proxy will be voted by
those named in this proxy in their best judgment. At the present time, the Board
of Directors knows of no other business to be presented at the Special Meeting.
    
     The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting of
Shareholders and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus of ABC attached thereto, and
hereby revoke(s) all other proxies heretofore given by the abovesigned in
connection with this meeting.     


                        Date:
                             ---------------------------------
 
                        --------------------------------------
                                        Signature
 

                        --------------------------------------
                                        Signature
 
                        Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon. If
                        stock is jointly held, each joint owner should
                        sign. If signing for a corporation or a
                        partnership, or as attorney or fiduciary, indicate
                        your full title. If more than one fiduciary is
                        involved, all should sign.