Company Description
Potomac Bancshares, Inc. (PTBS) is a bank holding company in the commercial banking industry. It is the parent of Potomac Bank, a community bank that traces its origins to 1871 when it was founded as Bank of Charles Town in West Virginia. Over more than a century, the bank has expanded from its roots in Charles Town to serve communities across the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, Washington County in Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
According to company disclosures, the bank was founded in 1871 as Bank of Charles Town and was later aligned under the holding company name Potomac Bancshares, Inc. The bank adopted the new name Potomac Bank on November 3, 2025, unifying its offices throughout the Potomac River region under one name while maintaining the same ownership and leadership structure. The company’s shares are quoted on the OTCID marketplace under the symbol PTBS, and individuals may purchase shares through personal brokers.
Community Banking Focus and Markets
Potomac Bank operates as a community-focused commercial bank. The bank conducts operations through a main office, additional branch offices, and loan production offices located in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties in West Virginia, Washington County in Maryland, and Loudoun and Stafford Counties in Virginia. The institution describes itself as a trusted financial partner for individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, local governments, and municipalities across these markets.
The name Potomac Bank was chosen to reflect the connection among the diverse communities it serves, all linked by the Potomac River. Company communications emphasize a long-standing approach to community banking, local decision-making, and personalized service, as well as an ongoing mission to support local economies and community organizations.
Commercial and Business Banking
Potomac Bank states that it offers a range of commercial banking services. These include:
- Commercial lines and term loans
- Residential and commercial construction loans
- Commercial real estate loans
- Agricultural loans
- Government contractor loans
The bank is identified as a Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender, which is highlighted by the company as a point of strength in its commercial banking division and an area where it sees opportunities to gain new clients. These activities position Potomac Bank as a lender to a variety of business and agricultural borrowers in its regional footprint, as well as to government contractors.
Residential Lending and Mortgage Services
The company reports that its Residential Lending division provides multiple forms of consumer real estate financing. These include:
- Secondary market and portfolio mortgage loans
- One-time close construction-to-permanent loans
- Home equity loans and lines of credit
Potomac Bank and its BCT-branded operations have received regional recognition for mortgage-related services. Readers’ polls in Loudoun County, Virginia, and Martinsburg, West Virginia, have named the bank a winner in categories such as Mortgage Company, Mortgage Broker, and Loan Services, reflecting local visibility of its mortgage and lending activities.
Trust, Wealth, and Investment Services
Potomac Bancshares also highlights a long history in trust and wealth management. Through Trust and Wealth (also referred to as Potomac Bank Trust and Wealth or BCT Wealth Advisors in earlier branding), the company reports that for over 70 years it has provided trust services and evolved into a firm specializing in:
- Wealth management
- Investment strategies
- Trust services
- Estate services and estate settlement
The Trust and Wealth division serves business owners, families, and individuals, particularly in the metropolitan Washington, DC region, including Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Company communications describe this business as a premier provider of financial management, investment, and estate services within its markets.
Digital Banking and ATM Access
In addition to branch and loan office locations, Potomac Bank provides online and mobile banking services. These services are offered to individuals, businesses, and local governments. The bank also highlights access to a large surcharge-free ATM network, including free access to over 55,000 ATMs through the Allpoint network and additional free-access ATMs through another partnership. This combination of digital channels and ATM access is presented as part of the bank’s service model for both retail and business clients.
Recognition and Industry Standing
Potomac Bancshares and its banking subsidiary have received several recognitions cited in company news releases. These include:
- Selection by American Banker as a "Top 200 Community Bank", an annual listing of U.S. banks with assets under $2 billion, based on performance.
- Multiple designations by American Banker as a "Best Bank To Work For", with the bank stating it has received this recognition five times since 2019.
- Readers’ poll awards such as "Loudoun’s Favorite" in categories including Bank, Financial Planner, Mortgage Company, and Mortgage Broker, and "Best of the Best" honors in Martinsburg Journal-News Readers’ Choice Awards in categories such as Bank, Financial Planning, Loan Service, and Mortgage Company.
These recognitions are presented by the company as indicators of its performance as a community bank, its workplace culture, and its reputation among clients in its core markets.
Corporate Identity and Branding
Historically, the bank has operated under the names Bank of Charles Town, BCT, and The Community’s Bank. In 2025, the institution announced and then completed a transition to the unified name Potomac Bank. Company statements emphasize that this change did not involve a sale or merger; rather, it was described as an evolution that honors the bank’s heritage while aligning its identity with the Potomac River region and its holding company, Potomac Bancshares.
The bank’s tagline, "Community Takes Root Here," is used in corporate communications to underscore its focus on community relationships, local impact, and support for individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and community organizations in the areas it serves.
Shareholder Information
Potomac Bancshares, Inc. reports that its shares trade on the OTCID marketplace under the ticker PTBS. The company has announced regular quarterly cash dividends on its common stock in its news releases and has authorized a stock repurchase plan allowing the repurchase of a specified number of shares or dollar amount of common stock over a multi-year period, to be funded with cash on hand and cash generated from operations. These actions are presented by the company as part of its capital management and shareholder return practices.
Risk Management and Asset Quality (High Level)
In its earnings news releases, Potomac Bancshares provides information on asset quality metrics such as nonperforming assets, allowance for credit losses, and net charge-offs. The company has described asset quality as strong or excellent in recent periods, citing low levels of nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets and detailed allowance for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments. These disclosures reflect the company’s focus on credit risk management within its commercial and consumer loan portfolios.
Community and Philanthropic Activities
Employees of the bank founded the BCTCares Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on addressing food insecurity in the communities served by the bank. Through initiatives such as the Pack the 'Pack campaign, the foundation raises funds to support local backpack food programs that provide food to children and families. The foundation’s activities are highlighted in company news as part of its community engagement and philanthropic efforts.
Summary
In summary, Potomac Bancshares, Inc. (PTBS) is a regional community banking organization whose primary operations are conducted through Potomac Bank. With roots dating back to 1871, the company focuses on commercial and consumer banking, residential lending, and trust and wealth services across parts of West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. Its disclosures emphasize community banking values, regional recognition, and a mix of traditional and digital services, all underpinned by a long operating history and a community-focused mission.
Stock Performance
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SEC Filings
No SEC filings available for Potomac Bancshares.