Potomac Bank Voted 2025 "Best of the Best" Bank, Financial Planning, Loan Service, and Mortgage Company by Journal-News Readers

Rhea-AI Summary

Potomac Bank (OTCID:PTBS) was voted “Best of the Best” by Martinsburg Journal-News readers in 2025 for four categories: Bank, Financial Planning, Loan Service, and Mortgage Company. The bank has won similar reader honors over the past six years.

Voting occurred earlier in 2025 before the institution adopted the new name Potomac Bank on November 3, 2025; it was previously named Bank of Charles Town since its founding in 1871. The announcement notes the bank was not sold or merged and that the name change unifies offices across the Potomac River region. The Awards use a two-round reader poll (nomination then final voting) with daily voting for about two weeks.

News Market Reaction – PTBS

+0.11%

+0.11% Session close to close

In the Dec 9 session, PTBS gained 0.11%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights Potomac Bank’s strong local franchise, earning “Best of the Best” statu...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Potomac Bank’s strong local franchise, earning “Best of the Best” status in four financial categories and extending a streak of similar honors over six years. It follows recent earnings growth, dividend payments, and a rebranding that aligns the bank’s name with its broader footprint. Investors may watch how this community recognition supports deposit growth, customer retention, and the bank’s positioning as shares trade near, but below, their 52‑week high.

Key Figures

Award year: 2025 Award categories: 4 categories Years honored: 6 years +5 more

8 metrics

Award year 2025 Martinsburg Journal-News Best of the Best awards

Award categories 4 categories Bank, Financial Planning, Loan Service, Mortgage Company

Years honored 6 years Similar Best of the Best honors over past six years

Voting frequency Once per day Readers could vote once per day during poll

Voting duration Approximately two weeks Length of Best of the Best voting period

Finalists per category No more than five businesses Nomination round limit in each category

Voting rounds Two rounds Nomination and final voting rounds

Price vs 52-week high -3.68% Pre-news position relative to 52-week high

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 09 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Dec 09	Community recognition	Positive	+0.1%	Named “Best of the Best” in four key banking service categories.
Nov 12	Management hire	Positive	+1.6%	Appointed experienced wealth advisor to lead Northern Virginia office.
Nov 03	Rebranding/name change	Positive	+0.0%	Adopted Potomac Bank name to reflect broader regional footprint.
Oct 29	Earnings report	Positive	+1.8%	Reported Q3 2025 earnings growth and authorized stock repurchase plan.
Oct 28	Dividend declaration	Positive	+1.8%	Declared quarterly cash dividend on common stock for shareholders.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive corporate and financial updates have generally coincided with flat to modestly positive price reactions, with no clear pattern of selling on good news.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Potomac Bancshares announced a 32% year‑over‑year Q3 2025 earnings increase, a quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share, and the rebranding of Bank of Charles Town to Potomac Bank. These were followed by a leadership hire in wealth management and now local “Best of the Best” accolades across four service categories. Price reactions to these events have been modestly positive or flat, suggesting steady sentiment as the franchise expands its regional identity.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- (OTCID:PTBS) -- Potomac Bank recently announced it was voted the "best" in the Martinsburg Journal-News 2025 Best of the Best Readers' Choice Awards in four financial services categories:  Bank,  Financial Planning, Loan Service, and Mortgage Company. The bank has received similar Best of the Best honors over the past six years from the same readers' poll.  Voting was conducted earlier in the year prior to the bank adopting its new name on November 3, 2025 – Potomac Bank.  It was previously named Bank of Charles Town since its founding in 1871.  The bank adopted the new name to unify its many offices throughout the Potomac River region under one name.  The bank was not sold or merged with another bank.

"To say I am proud of our team is an understatement," stated Alice P. Frazier, President and CEO.  "I am thrilled for our employees to be recognized as the 'best' by our clients and community in every primary financial services category.  On behalf of everyone at Potomac Bank, we are truly thankful for these highest of honors and are proud to be considered worthy." 

The Best of the Best Readers' Choice Awards is an annual reader poll conducted by the Martinsburg Journal-News. Readers may vote once per day for approximately two weeks for their favorite businesses in categories including Entertainment and Travel, Food and Dining, Health and Beauty, Home and Garden, Services, Shopping, Vehicles, and Other.  Each category includes sub-categories, such as under Services is listed Banks. There are two rounds of voting.  The first round is a nomination round that narrows each category to no more than five businesses.  The final round of voting determines the winner and two finalists or runners-up. 

To see a full list of the 2025 Best of the Best Readers' Choice Awards winners, click here. (This links to the Martinsburg Journal-News list of winners.)

About Potomac Bank

Founded in 1871 as Bank of Charles Town and renamed Potomac Bank on November 3, 2025,  Potomac Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Potomac Bancshares, Inc. (OTCID:PTBS).  With approximately $962 million in assets as of September 30, 2025, the Company conducts operations through its main office, an additional eight branch offices, and two loan production offices.  Offices are located in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties (WV), Washington County (MD), and Loudoun and Stafford Counties (VA).   The Bank offers commercial lines and term loans, residential and commercial construction loans, commercial real estate loans, agricultural loans, and government contractor loans.  The Bank is also a Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender.  The Residential Lending division offers secondary market and portfolio mortgage loans, one-time close construction to perm loans, as well as home equity loans and lines of credit.  For over 70 years, Trust and Wealth has provided caring and personalized trust services, growing into a premier financial management, investment strategies, and estate services provider.  The Bank also provides convenient online and mobile banking for individuals, businesses, and local governments plus free access to over 55,000 ATMs through the Allpoint® network plus another approximately 675 free access ATMs through another partnership.  Potomac Bank was voted a "Loudoun's Favorite" winner in the 2025 LoudounNow readers' poll in multiple categories:  Bank, Financial Planner, Mortgage Company, and Mortgage Broker (Steve Cowen), plus runner-up for Banker (Paul Bice).  The Bank was also voted a "Best of the Best" winner in the 2025 Martinsburg Journal-News Readers' Choice Awards in four categories:  Bank, Financial Planning, Loan Service, and Mortgage Company.  In 2023, American Banker selected Potomac Bank as a "Top 200 Community Bank," an annual listing of the best performing banks in the United States with assets under $2 billion.  Since 2019, the Bank has been named a "Best Bank To Work For" by American Banker five times.

The Company's shares are quoted on the OTCID marketplace under the symbol "PTBS."  Individuals may purchase shares through one's personal broker.  For more information about Potomac Bancshares, Inc., and the Bank, please visit our website at www.potomac.bank.

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SOURCE Potomac Bank

FAQ

What awards did Potomac Bank (OTCID:PTBS) win in the Martinsburg Journal-News 2025 Best of the Best?

Potomac Bank won Bank, Financial Planning, Loan Service, and Mortgage Company categories.

When did Bank of Charles Town change its name to Potomac Bank (OTCID:PTBS)?

The bank adopted the new name Potomac Bank on November 3, 2025.

Was Potomac Bank (OTCID:PTBS) sold or merged when it changed its name?

No; the announcement states the bank was not sold or merged and the change unified its offices.

How long has the bank been operating before the 2025 name change for Potomac Bank (OTCID:PTBS)?

The bank was founded in 1871 and operated as Bank of Charles Town until the name change.

How does the Martinsburg Journal-News Best of the Best voting process work for winners like Potomac Bank?

The Awards use a two-round reader poll: a nomination round narrows to five businesses, then a final voting round with daily votes over about two weeks.