SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          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))
(X)  Definitive Proxy Statement
( )  Definitive Additional Materials
( )  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12


                        POTOMAC BANCSHARES INC.
            (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                        L. GAYLE MARSHALL JOHNSON
      (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than 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:




                            POTOMAC BANCSHARES, INC.
                          Charles Town, West Virginia



                NOTICE OF REGULAR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                           To be held April 22, 1997



To the Shareholders:

         The Regular Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Potomac Bancshares, Inc.
("Potomac"), will be held at Bavarian Inn and Lodge, Shepherdstown, West
Virginia, at 10:00 a.m. on April 22, 1997, for the purposes of considering and
voting upon proposals:

         1.  To elect a class of Directors for a term of three years.

         2. To approve the appointment by the Board of Directors of Yount,  Hyde
& Barbour, P.C., as independent Certified Public Accountants for the year 1997.

         3.  Any other business which may properly be brought before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.

         Only those shareholders of record at the close of business on March 21,
1997, shall be entitled to notice of the meeting and to vote at the meeting.

                                           By Order of the Board of Directors
                                           Charles W. LeMaster, President



PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE, WHETHER OR
NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON.  IF YOU DO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU
HAVE THE OPTION TO WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY.



March 28, 1997






                            POTOMAC BANCSHARES, INC.
                           111 EAST WASHINGTON STREET
                                  P.O. BOX 906
                          CHARLES TOWN, WEST VIRGINIA
                                 (304) 725-8431


                                PROXY STATEMENT
                ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - April 22, 1997

         This  statement is furnished in  connection  with the  solicitation  of
proxies for use at the Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  of Potomac  Bancshares,
Inc.  ("Potomac") to be held on April 22, 1997, at the time and for the purposes
set forth in the accompanying Notice of Regular Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.

Solicitation of Proxies

         The  solicitation  of proxies is made by management at the direction of
the Board of Directors of Potomac.  These proxies enable shareholders to vote on
all matters  which are  scheduled  to come before the  meeting.  If the enclosed
proxy is signed and returned,  it will be voted as directed; or if not directed,
the proxy will be voted "FOR" all of the various  proposals  to be  submitted to
the vote of  shareholders  described  in the enclosed  Notice of Regular  Annual
Meeting and this Proxy Statement.  A shareholder  executing the proxy may revoke
it at any time before it is voted: (i) by notifying  Potomac in person,  (ii) by
giving  written  notice to Potomac  of the  revocation  of the  proxy,  (iii) by
submitting  to Potomac a  subsequently-dated  proxy,  or (iv) by  attending  the
meeting and withdrawing the proxy before it is voted at the meeting.

         The expenses of the solicitation of proxies will be paid by Potomac. In
addition to this solicitation by mail, officers and regular employees of Potomac
and Bank of Charles Town may, to a limited extent, solicit proxies personally or
by telephone or telegraph,  although no person will be engaged  specifically for
that purpose.

Eligibility of Stock for Voting Purposes

         Pursuant to the Bylaws of  Potomac,  the Board of  Directors  has fixed
March  21,  1997,  as the  record  date  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the
shareholders  entitled  to  notice  of,  and to  vote  at,  the  meeting  or any
adjournment thereof, and only shareholders of record at the close of business on
that  date  are  entitled  to such  notice  and to vote at such  meeting  or any
adjournment thereof.

         As of the record  date for the Annual  Meeting,  600,000  shares of the
capital stock of Potomac were issued and  outstanding  and entitled to vote. The
principal  holders of Potomac  Common Stock are  discussed  under the section of
this Proxy Statement entitled,  "Principal Holders of Voting Securities".  As of
the record date, Potomac had a total of approximately 850 shareholders.







                              PURPOSES OF MEETING

         1.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

General

         The Bylaws of  Potomac  currently  provide  for a  classified  Board of
Directors.  There are three  classes  with each being  elected  for a three year
term.  There are  presently  twelve  Directors  on the  Board,  four of whom are
nominees for election at the 1997 Annual  Meeting.  Of the four nominees,  three
are non-employee Directors.

         The Bylaws of Potomac  provide  that in the  election of  Directors  of
Potomac each  shareholder will have the right to vote the number of shares owned
by that shareholder for as many persons as there are Directors to be elected, or
to cumulate  such shares and give one  candidate  as many votes as the number of
Directors multiplied by the number of shares owned shall equal, or to distribute
them on the same principle among as many candidates as the shareholder sees fit.
For all other  purposes,  each share is entitled to one vote.  If any shares are
voted cumulatively for the election of Directors,  the Proxies, unless otherwise
directed,  shall have full  discretion and authority to cumulate their votes and
vote for less than all such nominees.

         The Bylaws of Potomac  provide  that  nominations  for  election to the
Board of  Directors,  other  than  those  made by or on behalf  of the  existing
management  of Potomac,  must be made by a shareholder  in writing  delivered or
mailed to the President not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to the
meeting called for the election of Directors;  provided,  however,  that if less
than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to  shareholders,  the  nominations
must be  mailed  or  delivered  to the  President  not  later  than the close of
business  on the 7th day  following  the day on which the notice of meeting  was
mailed. The notice of nomination must contain the following information,  to the
extent  known:  (a) name and  address  of  proposed  nominee(s);  (b)  principal
occupation of  nominee(s);  (c) total shares to be voted for each  nominee;  (d)
name and address of  notifying  shareholder,  and (e) number of shares  owned by
notifying   shareholder.   Nominations   not  made  in  accordance   with  these
requirements  may be disregarded by the Chairman of the meeting and in such case
the votes cast for each such nominee will likewise be disregarded.

         The table set forth on pages 4 and 5 of this Proxy  Statement  contains
background information on each director nominee.

Committees of the Board

         The Board of Directors of Potomac, as such, has no standing committees,
and the  functions  of Board  committees  have been  carried out by the Board of
Directors  as a whole or through  committees  of the Board of  Directors  of the
Bank. While there is no such requirement, the Board of Directors of the Bank and
Potomac are, and have at all times been, identical.

                                       2





         The Bank has a standing Asset/Liability Management Committee, Audit
Committee, Building/Site Committee, Community Reinvestment Act/Fair Lending
Committee, Investment Committee, Salary and Personnel Committee, Steering
Committee, Trust Committee and Trust Investment Review Committee.

         The Asset/Liability Management Committee consists of eight members:
Thomas F. Chambers, Thomas C.G. Coyle, Fonnie R. Crawford, William R. Harner, E.
William Johnson, Gayle Marshall Johnson, Charles W. Lemaster and Donald S.
Smith.  This Committee is comprised of Board members and senior officers whose
responsibilities are to manage the balance sheet of the Bank to maximize and
maintain the spread between interest earned and interest paid while assuming
acceptable business risks and ensuring adequate liquidity.  This Committee held
no meetings during 1996.

         The Audit Committee consists of five members:  Guy Gary Chicchirichi,
Francis M. Frye, E. William Johnson, Minnie R. Mentzer and Donald S. Smith.  The
purpose of the Audit Committee is to meet with the internal auditor to discuss
and review audit procedures and results.  The auditing department consists of
one full-time employee with the responsibility to administer internal audit
procedures on a regular basis.  During 1996, the Audit Committee held five
meetings.

         The Building/Site Committee consists of eight members:  John P. Burns,
Jr., Robert W. Butler, Thomas C.G. Coyle, Francis M. Frye, William R. Harner,
Charles W. LeMaster, John C. Skinner, Jr., and Donald S. Smith.  The
Building/Site Committee is charged with making recommendations and decisions
regarding proper repair and maintenance of the Bank's real property.  The
Committee held seven meetings in 1996.

         The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)/Fair Lending Committee consists of
nine members: John P. Burns, Jr., Thomas F. Chambers, William H. Chesley, Jr.,
Guy Gary Chicchirichi, Fonnie R. Crawford, William R. Harner, E. William
Johnson, Charles W. LeMaster and Pamela W. Stevens. The CRA/Fair Lending
Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors policies
that address fair lending concerns and the requirements of the CRA.  Fair
lending concerns are directed at preventing lending practices that discriminate
either overtly or that have the effect of discrimination.  The Community
Reinvestment Act requires that banks meet the credit needs of their communities,
including those of low and moderate income borrowers.  This Committee held two
meetings in 1996.

         The Investment Committee consists of seven members:  John P. Burns,
Jr., Guy Gary Chicchirichi, William R. Harner, E. William Johnson, Charles W.
LeMaster, Minnie R. Mentzer and Donald S. Smith.  The Investment Committee
recommends investment policies to the Board and reviews investments as
necessary.  On most occasions the entire Board acts as the Committee.  The
Investment Committee held no meetings in 1996.

         The Salary and Personnel Committee consists of six members:  Thomas
C.G. Coyle, Francis M. Frye, William R. Harner, Charles W. LeMaster, James E.
Senseney and Donald S. Smith.  The Salary and Personnel Committee's
responsibilities include evaluating staff performance and requirements,
reviewing salaries, and making necessary recommendations to the Board regarding
these responsibilities.  The Committee held two meetings in 1996.  Neither of
the executive officers who serve on this Committee makes recommendations or
participates in meetings relating to his own salary.  See "Salary and Personnel
Committee Report on Executive Compensation."

                                       3





         The Steering Committee consists of thirteen members:  John P. Burns,
Jr., Robert W. Butler, Thomas F. Chambers, Fonnie R. Crawford, Francis M. Frye,
William R. Harner, Robert R. Hersey, Gayle Marshall Johnson, Charles W.
LeMaster, Minnie R. Mentzer, James E. Senseney, John C. Skinner, Jr. and Donald
S. Smith.  The Steering Committee held no meetings in 1996.  This Committee
reviews and evaluates operating procedures, interest rates charged on loans and
interest rates being paid on deposits.

         The Trust Committee consists of six members:  Robert W. Butler,  Thomas
C.G. Coyle, Robert L. Hersey, Charles W. LeMaster, James E. Senseney and John C.
Skinner,  Jr. The Trust Committee is responsible for the general  supervision of
the fiduciary  activities performed by the Trust and Financial Services Division
in order to ensure proper  administration of all aspects of the Bank's fiduciary
business.  It sets  forth  prudent  policies  and  guidelines  under  which  the
department can fulfill its fiduciary  responsibilities in a timely and efficient
manner and meet state and federal regulatory  requirements.  The Committee makes
periodic  reports to the Board of Directors  and oversees the  activities of the
Trust  Investment  Review  Committee.  The Trust Committee held nineteen regular
meetings in 1996.

         The Trust Investment Review Committee, consisting of three trust
officers and one director (Robert L. Hersey, Betty A. Braxton, David S. Smith
and Robert W. Butler), meets regularly to review investments in trust accounts
and to determine that these investments remain within the guidelines of the
account.  This Committee held nine meetings during 1996.

         Neither Potomac nor the Bank has a nominating  committee.  Rather,  the
Board of Directors of each selects nominees to fill vacancies on the Board.

         The  Board of  Directors  of  Potomac  met for four  regular  quarterly
meetings  in 1996.  The Board of  Directors  of the Bank  holds  regular  weekly
meetings each Tuesday and special meetings from time to time as required. During
1996, the Bank Board held 53 regular  meetings and one special  meeting.  During
the year,  each of the  Directors  attended at least 75% of all  meetings of the
Boards of Potomac  and the Bank and all  Committees  of the Board of the Bank on
which they served.

Management Nominees to the Board of Potomac

         The management nominees for the Board of Directors are:



                              Served As       Family
                               Director     Relation-      Term In
                                  of        ship With       Years
                               Potomac         Other       For Which      Principal Occupation or
Nominees                Age     Since        Nominees      Nominated      Employment Last Five Years
 
William R. Harner        56      1994         None            3          Employed at Bank since 1967; Sr. Vice
                                                                         President & Cashier since 1988; Sr. Vice
                                                                         President and Secretary of Potomac since
                                                                         1994.

E. William Johnson       52      1994         None            3          Professor - Shepherd College, Jefferson
                                                                         County, West Virginia; Director - Jefferson
                                                                         Memorial Hospital.

                                       4







                              Served As      Family
                              Director     Relation-      Term In
                                 of        ship With       Years
Nominees                       Potomac       Other       For Which      Principal Occupation or
(Continued)             Age     Since       Nominees     Nominated      Employment Last Five Years
 
John C. Skinner, Jr.     55      1994         None            3          Attorney, owner of Nichols & Skinner, L.C.,
                                                                         Jefferson County, West Virginia; Bank
                                                                         attorney since 1986; Potomac attorney since
                                                                         1994.

Donald S. Smith          68      1994         None            3          Employed at Bank 1947 to 1991; President
                                                                         1978 to 1991 (retired); Vice President and
                                                                         Assistant Secretary of Potomac since 1994.



Principal Holders of Voting Securities

         The  following  shareholder  beneficially  owns more than 5% of Potomac
Common Stock as of February 27, 1997:



        Name Of                     Amount and Nature of
   Beneficial Owner                 Beneficial Ownership                 Percent of Common Stock
 
Virginia F. Burns
Rt 2 Box 132
Charles Town WV  25414              44,480 shares; Direct                          7.4133



Ownership of Securities by Nominees, Directors and Officers

         The following  table shows the amount of Potomac's  outstanding  Common
Stock  beneficially  owned by  nominees,  directors  and  principal  officers of
Potomac individually and as a group. The information is furnished as of February
27, 1997, on which date 600,000 shares were outstanding.



                                              Amount and Nature of
         Nominees                             Beneficial Ownership                 Percent of Common Stock
 
William R. Harner                                     50 shares  (1,3)*                        .0083
141 Tuscawilla Hills                               1,350 shares  (2,4)*                        .2250
Charles Town WV  25414-9777

E. William Johnson                                   250 shares  (1,3)*                        .0417
869 Deer Mountain Estates                             50 shares  (2,4)*                        .0083
Harpers Ferry WV  25425

John C. Skinner, Jr.                                 936 shares  (1,3)*                        .1560
PO Box 133                                         1,946 shares  (2,4)*                        .3243
Charles Town WV  25414-0133                        1,014 shares    (5)*                        .1690


                                       5





                                              Amount and Nature of
     Nominees (Continued)                     Beneficial Ownership                 Percent of Common Stock
 
Donald S. Smith                                    2,400 shares  (1,3)*                        .4000
PO Box 264                                         3,500 shares    (5)*                        .5833
Charles Town WV  25414-0264

  Directors (Non-Nominees)

John P. Burns, Jr.                                   100 shares (1,3)*                         .0167
Rt 1 Box 296                                       1,310 shares (2,4)*                         .2183
Charles Town WV  25414-9769                           12 shares   (5)*                         .0020

Robert W. Butler                                   2,300 shares (1,3)*                         .3833
635 S Samuel Street                                   96 shares (2,4)*                         .0160
Charles Town WV  25414-1141                        1,416 shares   (5)*                         .2360

Guy Gary Chicchirichi                              1,200 shares (1,3)*                         .2000
Rt 1 Box 38
Charles Town WV  25414-9704

Thomas C.G. Coyle                                    784 shares (1,3)*                         .1307
Rt 3 Box 252                                       1,641 shares   (5)*                         .2735
Kearneysville WV  25430-9439

Francis M. Frye                                    2,611 shares (1,3)*                         .4352
400 Forrest Avenue                                   262 shares   (5)*                         .0437
Charles Town WV  25414

Charles W. LeMaster                                3,750 shares (1,3)*                         .6250
PO Box 207                                         1,000 shares   (5)*                         .1667
Shepherdstown WV  25443-0207

Minnie R. Mentzer                                  4,326 shares (1,3)*                         .7210
PO Box 84
Harpers Ferry WV  25425-0084

James E. Senseney                                  8,000 shares (1,3)*                        1.3333
530 S George Street                                1,720 shares (2,4)*                         .2867
Charles Town WV  25414-1638                           96 shares   (5)*                         .0160


                                               Amount and Nature of
  Officers (Non-Nominees)                      Beneficial Ownership                      Percent of Common Stock

Gayle Marshall Johnson                               408 shares (1,3)*                         .0680
PO Box 1028
Charles Town WV  25414-7028


                                       6





                                                 Beneficial Ownership                 Percent of Common Stock
 
All nominees, Directors & principal               27,115 shares  (1,3)*                       4.5192
officers as a group                                6,472 shares  (2,4)*                       1.0786
(13 persons)                                       8,941 shares    (5)*                       1.4902
                                                  -------------                               ------
Total                                             42,528 shares                               7.0880
                                                  =============                               ======




* 1 indicates  sole voting power,  2 indicates  shared voting power, 3 indicates
  sole  investment  power,  4 indicates  shared  investment  power,  5 indicates
  indirect ownership by spouse or minor child.

Executive Compensation

         Potomac's  officers did not receive  compensation  as such during 1996.
The  following  table  sets  forth the annual  and  long-term  compensation  for
services in all  capacities to the Bank for the fiscal years ended  December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994 of the chief executive officer.  No officer had total annual
salary and bonus exceeding $100,000.  Neither Potomac nor the Bank has any stock
option plans,  employee stock  ownership  plans or other employee  benefit plans
except for the pension plan described in this Proxy Statement.


                                            SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE


                                                                        Long-Term Compensation
                                                              -----------------------------------------
                                  Annual Compensation                    Awards                Payouts
                               --------------------------     ---------------------------     ---------
                                                    Other                      Securities                     All
                                                   Annual        Restricted     Under-                       Other
                                                   Compen-         Stock         lying          LTIP       Compen-
Name and                       Salary     Bonus     sation       Award(s)      Options/       Payouts       sation
Principal Position     Year      ($)       ($)       ($)           ($)         SARs (#)           ($)         ($)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Charles W. LeMaster    1996    76,366      N/A        0            N/A           N/A            N/A           0
President and CEO
                       1995    73,701      N/A        0            N/A           N/A            N/A           0

                       1994    75,351      N/A        0            N/A           N/A            N/A           0



                                       7





                               PENSION PLAN TABLE


                                                  Years of Service
                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remuneration            5          10               15                20               25                30
                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  $10,000            $  760     $ 1,520          $ 2,280          $ 3,040           $ 3,800           $ 3,800
   15,000             1,260       2,520            3,780            5,040             6,300             6,300
   20,000             1,760       3,520            5,280            7,040             8,800             8,800
   25,000             2,260       4,520            6,780            9,040            11,300            11,300
   30,000             2,760       5,520            8,280           11,040            13,800            13,800
   40,000             3,760       7,520           11,280           15,040            18,800            18,800
   50,000             4,760       9,520           14,280           19,040            23,800            23,800
   60,000             5,760      11,520           17,280           23,040            28,800            28,800
   70,000             6,760      13,520           20,280           27,040            33,800            33,800
   80,000             7,760      15,520           23,280           31,040            38,800            38,800


         The Bank's  retirement plan is The West Virginia  Bankers'  Association
Retirement  Plan for Employees of Member Banks.  This is a defined  benefit plan
under which  benefits  are  determined  based on an  employee's  average  annual
compensation  for any five  consecutive  full  calendar  years of service  which
produce the  highest  average.  An  employee is any person (but not  including a
person  acting  only as a  director)  who is  regularly  employed on a full-time
basis. An employee  becomes  eligible to participate in the plan upon completion
of at least one year of service and attainment of age 21.

         Normal  retirement  is at age  65  with  the  accrued  monthly  benefit
determined on actual date of retirement.  An employee may take early  retirement
from age 60 and the accrued monthly benefit as of the normal  retirement date is
actuarially reduced. There is no reduction if an employee is 62 years of age and
has 30 years service.

         Compensation  covered  by the  pension  plan is based  upon  total pay.
Effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 1993, the Internal Revenue
Code (the Code) prohibits  compensation in excess of $150,000 (as indexed) to be
taken into account in determining one's pension benefit.

         As of December  31,  1996,  the current  credited  years of service and
projected  estimated  annual  benefit under the pension plan  (assuming  that he
continues   employment,   the  plan  is  not  terminated  or  amended,   current
compensation  increases  under  the  plan's  assumptions  and that  the  maximum
compensation  allowed under the Code does not exceed $150,000) for the following
officer is:

         Name                 Current Service         Projected Annual Pension

Charles W. LeMaster               21 years                     $34,464


Salary and Personnel Committee Report on Executive Compensation

         The Salary and Personnel Committee is comprised of six members:  Thomas
C.G. Coyle, Francis M. Frye, William R. Harner, Charles W. LeMaster, James E.
Senseney and Donald S. Smith. The Salary and Personnel Committee reviews and
recommends to the board changes to the compensation levels of all executive
officers of the Bank.  The Committee seeks to attract and retain highly capable
and well-qualified executives and to compensate executives at levels
commensurate with their amount of service to the Bank.  The Committee met once
to review and approve the Bank's 1996 compensation levels.

                                       8





         The Bank's Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President review
each executive officer's compensation and make recommendations to the Committee.
The Committee reviews these  recommendations  and  independently  evaluates each
executive's  job  performance  and  contribution to the Bank. The Committee also
considers the inflation rate and the compensation  levels of executive  officers
holding  similar  positions  with the  Bank's  competitors.  For  instance,  the
Committee  compares the compensation  levels of its executive  officers with the
levels,  when known, of such  institutions as Bank One, F&M Blakeley,  Jefferson
Security Bank, Blue Ridge Bank and One Valley Bank of Martinsburg.  Compensation
levels  for  executives  of the  Bank are  competitive  when  compared  to these
institutions.

         Compensation  for the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and the  Senior  Vice
President is determined  in  essentially  the same way as for other  executives.
Although  the  Chief  Executive  Officer's  compensation  is  not  tied  to  any
performance   goals  of  the  Bank,  the  Committee  does  consider  the  Bank's
profitability  for the prior fiscal  years.  Charles W.  LeMaster  serves on the
Committee and is the Bank's Chief Executive Officer;  however,  he does not make
any  recommendations  relating  to his  salary and is not  present at  Committee
meetings when his compensation is being discussed.

         The  Senior  Vice  President's  compensation  also  is not  tied to any
performance goals of the Bank.  William R. Harner serves on the Committee and is
Senior Vice President of the Bank; however, he does not make any recommendations
relating  to his  salary  and is not  present  at  Committee  meetings  when his
compensation is being discussed.

         Neither  Potomac nor Bank of Charles Town  currently has any employment
agreements with any employees.

         Recent revisions to the Internal Revenue Code disallowed  deductions of
compensation  exceeding  $1,000,000  for  certain  executive  compensation.  The
Committee  has not  adopted a policy in this regard  because  none of the Bank's
executives received compensation approaching the $1 million level.

         This  report  should not be deemed  incorporated  by  reference  by any
general  statement  incorporating  by reference  this Proxy  Statement  into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
except to the extent  that  Potomac  specifically  incorporates  this  report by
reference,  and shall not  otherwise  be filed  under such Acts.  This report is
submitted by:

                              Thomas C.G. Coyle
                              Francis M. Frye
                              William R. Harner
                              Charles W. LeMaster
                              James E. Senseney
                              Donald S. Smith

Performance Graph

         The following graph compares the yearly  percentage change in Potomac's
(and prior to Potomac's  formation,  the Bank's)  cumulative  total  shareholder
return on Common Stock for the five-year  period ending  December 31, 1996, with
the  cumulative  total return of the Media  General Index (SIC Code Index 6712 -
Bank Holding Companies).  Shareholders may obtain a copy of the index by calling
Media General Financial Services, Inc. at telephone number (800) 446-7922. There
is no assurance that  Potomac's  stock  performance  will continue in the future
with the same or similar trends as depicted in the graph.

                                       9





         The  information   used  to  determine   Potomac's   cumulative   total
shareholder  return on its Common Stock is based upon  information  furnished to
Potomac or the Bank by one or more  parties  involved in  purchases  or sales of
Potomac's (and prior to its formation, the Bank's) Common Stock. NO ATTEMPT WAS
MADE BY POTOMAC OR THE BANK TO VERIFY OR DETERMINE THE ACCURACY OF THE
REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO POTOMAC OR THE BANK.

         The graph shall not be deemed  incorporated by reference by any general
statement  incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under
the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the
extent that Potomac specifically incorporates this graph by reference, and shall
not otherwise be filed under such Acts.

                              [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


                     COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
                  OF COMPANY, INDUSTRY INDEX AND BROAD MARKET

                                         FISCAL YEAR ENDING
COMPANY                    1991     1992     1993    1994    1995    1996

POTOMAC BANCSHARES         100     103.46   107.63  137.27  142.83  137.81
INDUSTRY INDEX             100     139.32   187.63  204.21  303.76  439.03
BROAD MARKET               100     104.00   119.39  118.39  153.50  185.38






Compensation of Directors

         Directors  of  Potomac  were  not  compensated  as  such  during  1996.
Directors of the Bank are compensated at the rate of $150 for each regular board
meeting  attended.  They are  additionally  compensated  $70 for each  committee
meeting  attended.  Directors  who are  operating  officers  of the Bank are not
compensated for Committee meetings attended.


                                       10





Certain Transactions with Directors, Officers and Their Associates

         Potomac  and the Bank  have  had,  and  expect  to have in the  future,
transactions  in the  ordinary  course of  business  with  Directors,  officers,
principal shareholders and their associates. All of these transactions remain on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates, collateral and repayment
terms on the  extension  of  credit,  as those  prevailing  at the same time for
comparable  transactions  with  unaffiliated  persons,  and  in the  opinion  of
management of Potomac and the Bank, did not involve more than the normal risk of
collectibility or present other unfavorable features.

         Nichols  and  Skinner,  L.C.,  a law  firm in  which  Director  John C.
Skinner, Jr. is a shareholder, performed legal services for the Bank and Potomac
in 1996 and will perform  similar  services in 1997. On the basis of information
provided by Mr. Skinner, it is believed that less than five percent of the gross
revenues of this law firm in 1996  resulted  from payment for legal  services by
Potomac and the Bank. In the opinion of Potomac and the Bank,  the  transactions
with  Nichols and Skinner,  L.C.,  were on terms as favorable to Potomac and the
Bank as they would have been with third  parties not otherwise  affiliated  with
Potomac or the Bank.

         2.  PROPOSAL TO APPROVE SELECTION OF AUDITORS

         The Board of Directors has selected the firm of Yount,  Hyde & Barbour,
P.C. to serve as independent auditors for Potomac for the calendar year 1997 and
proposes the approval by the  shareholders at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of that selection. If that selection does not receive the approval of a majority
of the votes  represented in person or by proxy,  the Board will request a later
approval  of an  alternate  auditor.  Potomac is advised  that no member of this
accounting firm has any direct or indirect material interest in Potomac,  or any
of its subsidiaries.

         A representative of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., will be present at the
Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if he
so desires. The enclosed proxy will be voted "FOR" the approval of the selection
of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., unless otherwise directed.


       FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

         Upon written request by any shareholder to Gayle Marshall Johnson, Vice
President  and Chief  Financial  Officer,  Potomac  Bancshares,  Inc.,  111 East
Washington Street, PO Box 906, Charles Town, West Virginia 25414-0906, a copy of
Potomac's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K will be provided without charge.


            SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

         Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Potomac's
Directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of Potomac's equity securities, to file with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  initial  reports of  ownership  and  reports of changes in
ownership  of Common  Stock and other equity  securities  of Potomac.  Officers,
Directors  and  shareholders  owning more than ten  percent are  required by SEC
regulation to furnish  Potomac with copies of all Section 16(a) forms which they
file.


                                       11





         To Potomac's knowledge,  based solely upon review of the copies of such
reports furnished to Potomac and written  representations  that no other reports
were required,  during the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, all Section
16(a) filing  requirements  applicable  to its  officers,  Directors and persons
owning more than ten percent were complied with.


                               OTHER INFORMATION

         If any of the nominees  for  election as Directors  should be unable to
serve as Directors by reason of death or other  unexpected  occurrence,  a proxy
will be voted for a substitute  nominee or nominees  designated  by the Board of
Potomac unless the Board of Directors adopts a resolution pursuant to the Bylaws
reducing the number of Directors.

         The Board of Directors is unaware of any other matters to be considered
at the  meeting  but, if any other  matters  properly  come before the  meeting,
persons  named in the proxy  will  vote  such  proxy in  accordance  with  their
judgment on such matters.

Shareholder Proposal for 1998

         Any  shareholder  who wishes to have a proposal  placed before the next
Annual  Meeting of  shareholders  must submit the proposal to William R. Harner,
Senior Vice  President and Secretary of Potomac,  at its executive  offices,  no
later than November 28, 1997,  to have it considered  for inclusion in the proxy
statement of the Annual Meeting in 1998.

                                                       Charles W. LeMaster
                                                       President

Charles Town, West Virginia
March 28, 1997



                                       12





                            POTOMAC BANCSHARES, INC.
      111 EAST WASHINGTON STREET, PO BOX 906, CHARLES TOWN WV  25414-0906

                    PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                                 April 22, 1997

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, That the undersigned shareholder(s)
of Potomac Bancshares, Inc. ("Potomac"),  Charles Town, West Virginia, does (do)
hereby  nominate,  constitute and appoint Donald S. Smith and James E. Senseney,
or any one of them,  with full  power to act alone as my (our)  true and  lawful
attorney(s)  with full power of substitution for me (us) in my (our) name, place
and stead to vote all the Common Stock of Potomac,  standing in my (our) name on
its books at the close of business on March 21, 1997,  at the Annual  Meeting of
Shareholders  of  Potomac  Bancshares,  Inc.,  called  for and to be held at the
Bavarian Inn and Lodge,  Shepherdstown,  West  Virginia,  on April 22, 1997,  at
10:00 a.m., and at any and all adjournments of said meeting, with all the powers
the undersigned would possess if personally present, as follows:

         1.       Election of Directors.  For the election of the four persons
                  listed below for a three year term:

                             William R. Harner          John C. Skinner, Jr.
                             E. William Johnson         Donald S. Smith

                  [  ]     FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE LISTED NOMINEES

                  [  ]     DO NOT VOTE FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED NOMINEES

                  [  ]     FOR ALL OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE EXCEPT THOSE FOR
                           WHOM I CHOOSE TO WITHHOLD TO VOTE FOR AS LISTED
                           BELOW:

                           -----------------------------------------------------

         2.       A  proposal  to  approve  the  appointment  by  the  Board  of
                  Directors  of Yount,  Hyde &  Barbour,  P.C.,  as  independent
                  Certified Public Accountants for the year 1997.

                           [ ] FOR        [ ] AGAINST        [ ] ABSTAIN

         3.       Any other business which may be brought before the meeting or
                  any adjournment thereof.

         Unless  otherwise  specified on this Proxy,  the shares  represented by
this Proxy will be voted "FOR" the propositions  listed above and described more
fully in the  Proxy  Statement  of  Potomac  Bancshares,  Inc.,  distributed  in
connection with this Annual Meeting.  If any shares are voted  cumulatively  for
the election of Directors,  the Proxies,  unless otherwise directed,  shall have
full discretion and authority to cumulate their votes and vote for less than all
such nominees.  If any other  business is presented at said meeting,  this Proxy
shall be voted in accordance with recommendations of management.

         The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the listed propositions.

         THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MAY BE
REVOKED PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE.

                                   Dated: _______________________________ , 1997

                                   ____________________________________________

                                   ____________________________________________

                                   ____________________________________________
                                         (Signature(s) of Shareholder(s))


When signing as attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee or guardian, please
give full title.  If more than one trustee,  all should  sign.  All joint owners
must sign.