EXHIBIT 23(a)

                          Consent of Stegman & Company



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



The Board of Directors
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.



         We  hereby   consent  to  the   incorporation   by  reference  in  this
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated February 8, 1996 relating
to the  consolidated  financial  statements  of Sandy Spring  Bancorp,  Inc. and
Subsidiary,  and to the reference to our Firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Prospectus.

                                                      Stegman & Company


Towson, Maryland
June 28, 1996