HarVest Bank

HarVest Bank of Maryland was a specialized commercial bank founded in 2004 to serve the financial needs of the biotechnology, life sciences, and technology sectors in Maryland. Headquartered in Rockville, the bank was established by biotech industry leaders, including Dr. John Holaday, to provide tailored banking services and seed capital to early-stage science companies. It functioned as a community bank with a specific focus on the I-270 technology corridor, offering expertise that traditional financial institutions often lacked in evaluating biotech assets. The bank offered traditional products like checking and savings accounts alongside specialized lending for medical practices and government contractors. Following the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent economic pressures, the bank was closed by the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation in April 2012, and its assets were subsequently acquired by Sonabank.