Provident Bankshares Corporation operates as a holding company for Provident Bank, which provides commercial banking services to individuals and businesses. It accepts non-interest bearing deposits, interest bearing demand deposits, money market deposits, savings deposits, direct time deposits, and brokered time deposits. The company offers installment loans secured by real estate, boats, or automobiles; home equity loans; personal lines of credit; commercial and residential construction loans; intermediate-term commercial mortgages; syndicated loans; and business loans to small and medium sized businesses. As of April 19, 2007, it served various customers in the areas of Baltimore, Washington, and Richmond through a network of 148 banking offices in Maryland and Virginia, as well as in southern York County, Pennsylvania. Provident also provides securities brokerage, investment management, leasing, and related insurance services. The company was founded in 1886 and is based in Baltimore, Maryland.