EXHIBIT 5

                   OPINION OF SILVER, FREEDMAN & TAFF, L.L.P.
                        WITH RESPECT TO LEGALITY OF STOCK







                                                      September 22, 1997



The Board of Directors
Wyman Park Bancorporation, Inc.
11 West Ridgely Road
Lutherville, Maryland 21094

         Re:   Registration Statement
               Under the Securities Act of 1933

Gentlemen:

         This opinion is rendered in connection with the Registration  Statement
to be filed on Form S-1 with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  under the
Securities  Act of 1933 relating to the 925,750  shares of Common Stock of Wyman
Park  Bancorporation,  Inc.  (the  "Company"),  par value $.01 per share,  to be
issued.  As counsel,  we have reviewed the Certificate of  Incorporation  of the
Company and such other  documents as we have deemed  appropriate for the purpose
of this opinion.  We are rendering this opinion as of the time the  Registration
Statement referred to above becomes effective.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common
Stock of the Company covered by the aforesaid  Registration Statement will, when
sold, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of
the Company.

                                          Very truly yours,


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