Exhibit 10.17


 


INVESTMENT AGREEMENT


(Covered
by a Resale Registration Statement)


 


THIS INVESTMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”)
is made as of March 28, 2012, by and between HOWARD BANCORP, INC., a Maryland corporation (“Issuer”), and EMERALD ADVISERS,
INC., a Pennsylvania business corporation (“Investor”). Investor is entering into this agreement
on behalf of accounts that it manages or advises and for which it has discretionary authority to buy or sell shares.


 


WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Issuer
(the “Board of Directors”) proposes to issue to Investor, and Investor proposes to purchase from Issuer, 173,003 shares
of common stock of Issuer, $0.01 par value per share (“Issuer Common Stock”), on the Closing Date (as defined in Section
2.1 hereof) (each, a “Share”, and collectively, the “Shares”);


 


WHEREAS, the Board of Directors also proposes
to issue shares of Issuer Common Stock (a) in a public rights offering (the “Rights Offering”) described in the Issuer’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-178204) as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
on November 28, 2011, as amended from time to time (collectively, the “S-1 Registration Statement”), (b) in a public
offering (the “Public Offer”) described in the S-1 Registration Statement, (c) pursuant to the separate investment
agreements dated the date hereof between Issuer, on the one hand, and other third parties, on the other hand (collectively, the
“Institutional Placement”); and


 


WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Issuer
believes that the sale of the Shares, under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, is in the best interests of Issuer;


 


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the
mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, mutually agree as follows:


 


1. Purchase and Sale
of Shares.


 


1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, on the Closing Date, Issuer shall sell, transfer, assign and deliver unto Investor, and Investor shall purchase
from Issuer, the Shares. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares is (i) $7.30 multiplied by (ii) the number of the Shares (the
“Purchase Price”).


 


1.2 At the Closing, Investor shall
pay to Issuer the Purchase Price, in cash, in consideration of its purchase of the Shares.


 


2. The Closing.


 


2.1 The closing of the transactions
contemplated under this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place at 10:00 a.m. at the main office of Issuer, 6011
University Boulevard, Suite 370, Ellicott City, Maryland, or at such other place as the parties shall agree in writing, on the
date following the sixth (6th) trading day after the satisfaction or waiver (subject to applicable law) of the latest to occur
of the conditions set forth in Sections 10, 11 and 12 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or
waived at the Closing) and the completion of the Rights Offering and the Public Offer or such other date mutually agreed upon by
the parties (the “Closing Date”).


 



    	 



    	 



    

 


2.2 Immediately prior to the Closing
(and as a condition of Investor’s obligations to purchase the Shares and otherwise perform its obligations under this Agreement),
Issuer shall deliver to Investor a certificate executed by its Chief Executive Officer certifying that (a) as of such date, to
her knowledge, the representations and warranties of Issuer set forth herein are accurate and complete in all material respects
and (b) that there has not been since the execution of this Agreement any material adverse change to Issuer’s business.


 


2.3 Immediately prior to the Closing
(and as a condition of Issuer’s obligations to deliver the Shares and otherwise perform its obligations under this Agreement),
Investor shall deliver to Issuer a certificate executed by its President and Chief Investment Officer certifying as to Investor
that as of such date, to his or her knowledge, the representations and warranties of Investor set forth herein are accurate and
complete in all material respects.


 


2.4 At the Closing, subject to the
terms and conditions hereof, Issuer shall issue the Shares to Investor and deliver to Investor a certificate representing the Shares,
duly registered in the name of Investor, as specified on the signature page hereto. In lieu of delivering
physical certificates representing the Shares issuable in accordance with the previous sentence, and provided that Issuer’s
transfer agent for the Issuer Common Stock (the “Transfer Agent”) then is participating in the Depository Trust Company
(“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer program, upon request of Investor, but subject to the applicable provisions
of Sections 7 and 8 hereof, Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Agent to electronically
transmit, on the Closing Date, the Shares by crediting the account of Investor’s accounts specified by the investor with
DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system, and provide proof satisfactory to Investor of such delivery. 


 


2.5 At the Closing, subject to the
terms and conditions hereof, Investor shall deliver to Issuer the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds
to an account designed by Issuer.


 


3. Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of Issuer. In addition to the warranties, representations and covenants of Issuer contained elsewhere
herein, Issuer hereby warrants, represents and covenants to Investor as follows:


 


3.1 Issuer is a corporation organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland with full corporate power and authority to own and
hold its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is duly registered and qualified to conduct its business
and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business
so as to require such qualification, except as has not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
upon Issuer’s ability to conduct its business or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.


 



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3.2 The authorized common stock
of Issuer consists of 10,000,000 shares of Issuer Common Stock, of which 2,640,264 shares were issued and outstanding as of the
date of this Agreement. The authorized preferred stock of Issuer consists of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01
per share (“Issuer Preferred Stock”), of which 12,562 shares of Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series
AA, are issued and outstanding and held by U.S. Department of Treasury under the Small Business Lending Fund program as of the
date of this Agreement. Other than the Issuer Common Stock and Issuer Preferred Stock, there are no other authorized classes of
equity securities of Issuer. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.2 to this Agreement, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options,
warrants, debt instruments or other agreements obligating Issuer to issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Issuer Common
Stock. As of the Closing, the Shares are being sold, and (upon receipt by Investor at the Closing) will be, free and clear of all
liabilities, debts, obligations, encumbrances, leases, indebtedness, liens, charges, and pledges, of whatever nature, whether fixed
or contingent, disclosed or undisclosed, foreseen or unforeseen, as of the date of this Agreement.


 


3.3 Issuer possesses the requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all of its obligations hereunder and has taken
all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and no additional consent or approval
of any other person, entity or governmental authority is required therefor.


 


3.4 This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Issuer and (assuming it has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Investor) is a legal, valid
and binding obligation of Issuer and is fully enforceable against it in accordance with its terms and conditions, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating
to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general
application.


 


3.5 The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Issuer, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the compliance by Issuer with the terms
and provisions hereof, will not result in a default under (or give any other party the right, with the giving of notice or the
passage of time (or both), to declare a default or accelerate any obligation under) any agreement to which Issuer is a party or
by which it or its properties or assets are bound, or violate any law, regulation, decree, writ, order or injunction which, collectively,
would have a material adverse effect upon Issuer’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.


 


3.6 Issuer has made all necessary
filings with all applicable federal, state and local authorities and/or regulatory bodies, and has complied with all applicable
laws, in each case with respect to the transaction contemplated herein, and Issuer will take all such further actions as are necessary
or appropriate to cause the transaction contemplated hereby to comply with all applicable laws.


 


3.7 The audited consolidated financial
statement of Issuer and its subsidiaries at and for the periods ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 fairly present in all material
respects the consolidated financial position and results of operation of Issuer and such subsidiaries as, at and for such periods,
in each case, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States consistently applied during the
periods involved, except in each case, as may be noted therein. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.7 to this Agreement, neither
Issuer nor Howard Bank (the “Bank”) has received notice from any governmental authority that the Bank’s Reports
of Condition (“CALL Reports”) submitted to its primary federal regulator and the State of Maryland under the applicable
law fail to conform in all material respects to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s requirements for
CALL Reports or the requirements of Section 37 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and applicable regulations thereunder. Except
as disclosed in Schedule 3.7 to this Agreement, since the filing of Issuer’s most recent call report, there has been no material
adverse change to Issuer’s financial condition or its results of operations of the kind which would be required to be disclosed
in filings with the SEC under applicable federal securities laws if Issuer were required to file reports pursuant to Sections 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which have not been so disclosed to Investor.


 



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4. Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of Investor. In addition to the warranties, representations and covenants of Investor contained elsewhere
herein, Investor hereby warrants, represents and covenants to Issuer as follows:


 


4.1 Investor is a corporation organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania with full corporate power and authority to own
and hold its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is duly registered and qualified to conduct its business
and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business
so as to require such qualification, except as has not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
upon Investor’s ability to conduct its business or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.


 


4.2 Investor possesses all requisite
power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all of its obligations hereunder and has taken all necessary
action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and no additional consent or approval of any other
person, entity or governmental authority is required therefor.


 


4.3 This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Investor and (assuming it has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Issuer) is a legal, valid
and binding obligation of Investor and is fully enforceable against it in accordance with its terms and conditions, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating
to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general
application.


 


4.4 Investor is a registered investment
adviser, has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks
of an investment in Issuer Common Stock and is able to bear the economic risk of loss with respect to its investment in Issuer
Common Stock. Investor is not an officer, director or “affiliate” (as that term is defined in Rule 405 promulgated
under the Securities Act) of Issuer. As of the date hereof, Investor owns no shares of the Issuer Common Stock, and, prior to the
completion of this private placement, Investor does not intend to acquire any additional shares of the Issuer Common Stock, other
than the Shares. Investor acknowledges that Issuer will not sell it shares of the Issuer Common Stock in the Public Offer.


 


4.5 The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Investor, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the compliance by Investor with the terms
and provisions hereof will not result in a default under (or give any other party the right, with the giving of notice or the passage
of time (or both), to declare a default or accelerate any obligation under) any agreement to which Investor is a party or by which
it or its properties or assets are bound, or violate any law, regulation, decree, writ, order or injunction which, collectively,
would have a material adverse effect upon Investor’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.


 



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4.6 The representations and warranties
made here in are accurate in all material respects. Investor will have the fiduciary and legal authority of assets under management
sufficient to pay the Purchase Price as of the Closing.


 


4.7 Investor has requested and received
such information and has made such due diligence investigation, including having such access to the management of Issuer and the
books and records of Issuer and its affiliated companies, as Investor has deemed pertinent to its consideration of the purchase
of the Shares. Investor has had the opportunity to question, and has questioned, to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate,
representatives of Issuer so as to receive answers and verify information obtained in such Investor’s examination of Issuer,
including the information that Investor has received and reviewed as otherwise referenced herein in relation to its investment
in the Shares. Investor has not been furnished a prospectus or any part of a registration statement filed with the SEC or state
securities agency or commission. Investor has reviewed publicly available information regarding Issuer and the information provided
to Investor by Issuer in connection with Investor’s due diligence and is familiar with the existing and proposed business
operations, management and financial condition of Issuer. Investor acknowledges and understands the risks involved in and tax consequences
of this investment, including the risk of losing the entire investment in the Issuer Common Stock, and the tax consequences of
this investment to Investor.


 


4.8 Investor is not relying on Issuer
or on any legal or other opinion in the materials reviewed by Investor with respect to the financial or tax considerations of Investor
relating to its investment in the Shares, and has consulted with its own legal, accounting, tax, investment and other advisers
for legal, tax treatment or investment advice with respect to the merits and risk of an investment in Issuer Common Stock, the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the securities laws of any jurisdiction applicable to Investor. Investor has relied
solely on the representations and warranties, covenants and agreements of Issuer in this Agreement and on its examination and independent
investigation in making its decision to acquire the Shares.


 


4.9 No oral or written material
representations have been made to Investor in connection with Investor’s acquisition of the Shares which were in any way
inconsistent with the information reviewed by Investor. Investor acknowledges that in deciding whether to enter into this Agreement
and to purchase the Shares hereunder, it has not relied on any representations or warranties of any type or description made by
Issuer or any of its representatives with regard to Issuer, any of its subsidiaries, any of their respective businesses or properties,
or the prospects of the investment contemplated herein, other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3 hereof.


 



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4.10 The Shares are being purchased
for accounts managed or advised by Investor, with their own funds and not the funds of any other person, for investment only and
not with a view toward resale, assignment, fractionalization, or distribution thereof. Investor acknowledges and agrees that it
may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Shares unless the resale of such shares have been registered under the Securities
Act and applicable state securities laws and such sale or other disposition is made pursuant to such registration, or an exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such laws is available, in which case, if reasonably requested by
Issuer, such sale or other disposition can only be effected if (i) the purchaser or transferee agrees in writing to be bound by
the applicable terms of this Agreement and (ii) unless effected pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, Investor shall have
furnished Issuer with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to Issuer, that such disposition will not require registration
under the Securities Act. Investor has no present arrangement (whether or not legally binding) at any time to transfer the Shares.
There are no agreements or other arrangements, written or otherwise, between Investor and any other person to act together for
the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of the Shares. Investor also represents that each of the accounts which
it manages or advises to which the Shares will be allocated is an “accredited investor,” as that term is defined in
Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act, and either does not have the discretion to distribute or resell the Shares
allocated to it or is not purchasing such allocation of Shares with a view toward resale, assignment, fractionalization, or distribution
thereof. Investor also represents that it has discretionary authority to act on behalf of such
accounts.


 


4.11 Investor has not incurred any
obligation for any finder’s or broker’s or agent’s fees or commissions in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby.


 


4.12 Investor acknowledges and agrees
that the Shares are not shares of capital stock in the Bank and are not savings accounts or deposits of the Bank and are not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, and that no Federal or state governmental
agency has passed upon or will pass upon the offer or sale of the Shares or has made or will make any finding or determination
as to the fairness of this investment.


 


4.13 Investor acknowledges that
the anti-manipulation provisions of Regulation M promulgated by the SEC may apply to the sales of the Shares offered by any prospectus
to the Registration Statement (defined below), and is aware of the requirements for delivery of such prospectus in connection with
any sales of the Shares offered by a prospectus to the Registration Statement.


 


5. Confidentiality
Agreement. Investor and Issuer hereby acknowledge that the Confidentiality Agreement entered into between them dated October
4, 2011 remains in full force and effect until closing is complete.


 


6. Notices. All
notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, or guaranteed overnight delivery, addressed as set forth below or as may be otherwise specified
by notice meeting the requirements of this paragraph. All notices shall be deemed given when mailed pursuant to the foregoing sentence.
Notices shall be addressed as follows:


 



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If to Issuer:


Howard Bancorp, Inc.


ATTN: Mary Ann Scully 


Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer


6011 University Blvd., Suite 370


Ellicott City, MD 21043


Telephone: (410) 750-0024


Facsimile No.: (410) 750-8588


 


With a copy to:


 


Frank C. Bonaventure, Jr.


Ober|Kaler


100 Light Street


Baltimore, MD 21202


Telephone: (410) 347-7305


Facsimile No.: (443) 263-7505


 


If to Investor:


Kenneth G. Mertz II


President and Chief Investment Officer


Emerald Advisers, Inc.


3175 Oregon Pike


Leola, PA 17540


Telephone: (717) 396-1116


Facsimile No.: (717) 735-0088


 


7. Issuer Covenants.
In connection with the registration of the Shares, Issuer agrees to:


 


7.1 Prepare promptly, and file with
the SEC no later than fifteen (15) days after the date hereof, (x) a registration statement on Form S-1, or any similar registration
statement, of Issuer under the Securities Act with respect to resale of the Shares, or (y) an amendment to the S-1 Registration
Statement to accomplish the same (either, the “Registration Statement”), and thereafter use all diligent efforts to
cause such Registration Statement to become effective within five (5) business days after notice from the SEC that such Registration
Statement may be declared effective, and keep the Registration Statement effective at all times until the earliest of (i) the date
when Investor may sell all Shares under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act without volume limitations, or (ii) the date
Investor no longer owns any of the Shares (collectively, the “Registration Period”), which Registration Statement (including
any amendments or supplements, thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.


 



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7.2 Prepare and file with the SEC
such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to the Registration Statement and the prospectus used in
connection with the Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective and current at all
times during the Registration Period, and, during the Registration Period, comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with
respect to the sale or other disposition of all the Shares covered by the Registration Statement until the expiration of the Registration
Period.


 


7.3 Unless available to Investor
without charge through EDGAR, the SEC’s website or Issuer’s website, furnish to Investor, (i) promptly after the same
is prepared and publicly distributed, filed with the SEC, or received by Issuer, one (1) copy of the Registration Statement, each
preliminary prospectus and the final prospectus, and each amendment or supplement thereto, and (ii) such number of copies of a
prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto and such other documents, as Investor
may reasonably request in order to facilitate the sale or other disposition of the Shares owned by Investor.


 


7.4 Notify Investor at any time
during the Registration Period of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in the Registration Statement
or a final prospectus with respect thereto, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances
then existing. Issuer will use all commercially reasonable efforts to amend or supplement such prospectus in order to cause such
prospectus not to include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing.


 


7.5 Use its commercially reasonable
efforts to cause all of the Shares covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.


 


8. Investor Covenants.
In connection with registration of the Shares, Issuer shall have the following obligations:


 


8.1 It shall be a condition precedent
to the obligations of Issuer to complete the registration or qualification pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement that Investor
shall timely furnish to Issuer in writing such information regarding itself and the distribution proposed by Investor as shall
be reasonably requested by Issuer and as shall be required to effect such registration or qualification and shall timely execute
such documents in connection with such registration as Issuer may reasonably request.


 


8.2 Investor by such Investor’s
acceptance of the Shares agrees to cooperate with Issuer as reasonably requested by Issuer in connection with the preparation and
filing of the Registration Statement and the qualification of the resale of the shares under applicable Blue Sky laws hereunder.


 


8.3 Investor shall not resell any
Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement upon receiving notice from Issuer pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof that the prospectus
included in the Registration Statement or a final prospectus with respect thereto, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, until Issuer has provided Investor with an amendment or supplement
to the prospectus in order to cause such prospectus not to include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then
existing.


 



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9. [Intentionally Omitted].


 


10. Mutual Conditions
to Closing. The obligation hereunder of Investor to purchase, and Issuer to sell, the Shares at the Closing is subject to the
satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of each of the conditions set forth below (unless waived by Investor and Issuer):


 


10.1 All consents and approvals
of any regulatory body or agency necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained
and all notice and waiting periods required by law to pass after receipt of such approvals or consents shall have passed, and all
conditions to consummation of the transactions set forth in this Agreement shall have been satisfied.


 


10.2 There shall be no actual or
threatened causes of action, investigations or proceedings (i) challenging the validity or legality of this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) seeking damages in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, or (iii) seeking to restrain or invalidate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which, in the reasonable
judgment of the parties, based upon advice of counsel, would have a material adverse effect with respect to the interests of the
parties to this Agreement. No judgment, order, injunction or decree (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) issued by any
court or agency of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraints or prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect. No statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction or decree (whether temporary,
preliminary or permanent) shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any regulatory authority that prohibits,
restricts, or makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.


 


11. Conditions Precedent
to the Obligation of Investor to Purchase the Shares. The obligation hereunder of Investor to purchase the Shares at the Closing
is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of each of the conditions set forth below (unless waived by the Investor):


 


11.1 Each of the representations
and warranties of Issuer contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects, and Investor shall have
received the certificate executed by Issuer’s Chief Executive Officer set forth in Section 2.2 hereof.


 


11.2 Issuer shall have performed,
satisfied and complied in all respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed,
satisfied or complied with by Issuer at or prior to the Closing.


 


11.3 From the date hereof through
the Closing, Issuer shall have raised at least $6,000,000 in aggregate gross proceeds from sales of Issuer Common Stock, including
proceeds from the sale of Shares hereunder, the Institutional Placement, the Rights Offering and the Public Offer.


 



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11.4 The Registration Statement,
and any amendment or supplement thereto, shall have previously become effective, and such Registration Statement shall be effective
on or immediately prior to the Closing Date and (i) neither Issuer nor Investor shall have received notice that the SEC has issued
or intends to issue a stop order with respect to such Registration Statement or that the SEC otherwise has suspended or withdrawn
the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, either temporarily or permanently, or intends or has threatened to do so (unless
the SEC’s concerns have been addressed and Investor is reasonably satisfied that the SEC no longer is considering or intends
to take such action), and (ii) no other suspension of the use or withdrawal of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement
or related prospectus shall exist.


 


11.5 The Issuer Common Stock shall
have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, trading of the Issuer Common Stock shall not have been suspended by
the SEC, the Nasdaq Capital Market or FINRA and the Issuer Common Stock shall not have been delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market.


 


12. Conditions Precedent to the
Obligation of Issuer to Sell the Shares. The obligation hereunder of Issuer to sell the Shares at the Closing is subject to
the satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of each of the conditions set forth below (unless waived by the Issuer):


 


12.1 Each of the representations
and warranties of Investor contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects, and Issuer shall have
received the certificate executed by Investor’s President and Chief Investment Officer set forth in Section 2.3 hereof.


 


12.2 Investor shall have performed,
satisfied and complied in all respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed,
satisfied or complied with by Investor at or prior to the Closing.


 


13. Gross Up Rights.


 


13.1 Subject to applicable securities
laws, other than the offering registered in the S-1 Registration Statement, Investor shall have the right to purchase its pro rata
share of all Equity Securities, as defined below, that Issuer may, from time to time, propose to sell and issue after the date
of this Agreement, other than the Equity Securities excluded by Section 13.5 hereof. Investor’s pro rata share is equal to
the ratio of (a) the total number of outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock that such Investor is deemed to be a holder immediately
prior to the issuance of such Equity Securities to (b) the total number of shares of the outstanding Issuer Common Stock (including
all shares of Issuer Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of any securities convertible into Issuer Common Stock or
upon the exercise of any outstanding warrants or options) immediately prior to the issuance of the Equity Securities. The term
“Equity Securities” shall include (i) any Issuer Common Stock, (ii) any security convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for, with or without consideration, Issuer Common Stock (including any option to purchase such a convertible security),
(iii) any security carrying any warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any Issuer Common Stock, and (iv) any such warrant
or right.


 



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13.2 If Issuer proposes to issue
any Equity Securities, it shall give Investor written notice of its intention, describing the Equity Securities and the price and
the terms and conditions upon which Issuer proposes to issue the same. Investor shall have ten (10) days from the receipt of such
notice (the “Offer Period”) to notify Issuer in writing that it intends to exercise its Gross-Up Right and as to the
amount of Equity Securities Investor intends to purchase, up to the maximum calculated in accordance with Section 13.1 (the “Designated
Securities”); provided, however, that if providing Investor ten (10) days’ notice to respond is not practicable, Issuer
may provide an earlier deadline for Investor to respond to such notice but giving Investor the maximum number of days to respond
as is practicable. Such notice shall constitute a non-binding indication of interest of Investor to purchase the amount of Designated
Securities specified by Investor (or a proportionately lesser amount if the amount of Equity Securities to be offered if such offering
of Equity Securities is subsequently reduced) at the price (or range of prices) and other terms set forth in Issuer’s notice
to it. The failure to respond during the Offer Period constitutes a waiver of its Gross Up Right in respect of such offering. Investor
shall execute a binding agreement to purchase any such Equity Securities within 30 days after expiration of the Offer Period, and
any Equity Securities that Investor indicated it would purchase but that are not covered by a binding purchase agreement at such
time may be sold to other persons, unless the failure to execute such an agreement is attributable to actions of Issuer, in which
case Issuer shall have the right to sell the Equity Securities to other persons within a reasonable time after the reason for such
delay has been resolved. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Issuer shall not be required to offer or sell such Equity Securities to
any Investor who would cause Issuer to be in violation of applicable federal securities or bank regulatory laws by virtue of such
offer or sale.


 


13.3 Issuer shall have 180 days
after expiration of the Offer Period to sell any Equity Securities in respect of which Investor’s Gross Up Rights were not
exercised, at a price and upon general terms and conditions not materially more favorable to the purchasers thereof than specified
in Issuer’s notice to Investor pursuant to Section 13.2 hereof. If Issuer has not sold such Equity Securities within 180-day
period, Issuer shall not thereafter issue or sell any Equity Securities, without first offering such Equity Securities to the Investor
in the manner provided above.


 


13.4 The Gross Up Rights provided
by this Section 13 shall not apply to, and shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) the first date upon which Investor no longer
beneficially owns Issuer Common Stock representing at least the Maintenance
Percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock immediately prior to an issuance contemplated under
Section 13.1 hereof, (b) the date of any breach by Investor of any obligation under this Agreement, or (c) the third anniversary
of the Closing Date. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Maintenance
Percentage” shall mean the percentage equal to the quotient of (x) the Shares and (y) the issued and outstanding shares of
Issuer Common Stock immediately following the Closing Date. The Maintenance Percentage shall be made to the nearest one-tenth (1/10th)
of a percentage point.


 


13.5 The provisions in this Section
13 shall not apply to any issuance of Equity Securities by Issuer (i) to employees, consultants, officers or directors of Issuer
or any of its subsidiaries for the primary purpose of soliciting or retaining their employment or services or in a transaction
or pursuant to management or employee agreements, incentive programs or stock purchase or equity compensation plans approved by
the Board of Directors (including any such programs or plans in existence on the date hereof), (ii) by Issuer to a third party
as consideration in connection with (but not in connection with raising capital to fund) (A) a strategic business combination or
other merger, acquisition or disposition transaction, partnership, joint venture, strategic alliance or investment by Issuer or
similar non-capital raising transaction approved by the Board of Directors, or (B) an investment by Issuer or its subsidiaries
approved by the Board of Directors in any party which is not prior to such transaction an affiliate of Issuer (whether by merger,
consolidation, sale or exchange of stock, sale of assets or securities, or otherwise), (iii) as part of any offering registered
under the Securities Act, provided, that Investor shall not be precluded by Issuer, its underwriter or its agent in connection
with such offering from purchasing in such offering, on the same terms and conditions offered to the public, a sufficient number
of Designated Securities, so as to maintain its pro rata share of all Equity Securities, (iv) upon the exercise, conversion or
exchange of options, warrants or similar rights or other convertible securities, and (v) in connection with any stock split, stock
dividend paid on a proportionate basis to all holders of the affected class of capital stock or recapitalization approved by the
Board of Directors.


 



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14. Miscellaneous.


 


14.1 This Agreement (including any
exhibits and schedules hereto) and the other documents delivered or to be delivered hereunder set forth the entire understanding
of the parties with respect to its subject matter, supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties in respect
of its subject matter. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties, their heirs, legal representatives,
successors and assigns. This Agreement is not transferable or assignable by the parties without the prior written consent of the
other party.


 


14.2 This Agreement may not be modified,
amended, supplemented or altered except by written agreement executed by all parties hereto. No failure to exercise, and no delay
in exercising, any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise
of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver of any breach
of any provision shall be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision, nor shall
any waiver be implied from any course of dealing between the parties. No extension of time for performance of any obligations or
other acts hereunder or under any other agreement shall be deemed to be an extension of the time for performance of any other obligations
or any other acts. The rights and remedies of the parties under this Agreement are in addition to all other rights and remedies,
at law or equity, that they may have against each other.


 


14.3 The parties shall pay their
own fees and expenses, including their own counsel fees, incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.


 


14.4 The representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements of Issuer and Investor contained herein or made pursuant to this Agreement which by their terms are intended
to survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement.


 


14.5 This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of law principles. Any legal
proceedings with respect to this Agreement shall take place solely within the Circuit Court of Howard County, Maryland and all
parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction of said Court. THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY
JURY WITH RESPECT TO DISPUTES ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RELATED AGREEMENTS AND CONSENT TO A BENCH TRIAL WITH THE APPROPRIATE
JUDGE ACTING AS THE FINDER OF FACT. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a judgment may be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction.


 



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14.6 Issuer will provide to Investor
an advance copy of any proposed announcement to be made by Issuer with respect to this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated
hereby and Investor shall have the right to approve any information contained therein regarding Investor, its affiliates and the
transactions contemplated hereby, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Further, Investor will not make
any public announcement with respect to this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated thereby without approval by Issuer
of the content and timing of such announcement, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, (a) Issuer or the Bank may disclose information relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without
the consent of Investor to any regulatory agency with jurisdiction over Issuer or the Bank or as may be required by law and (b)
Investor may disclose information relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the consent of Issuer in
connection with any regulatory applications or notices or other filings made by Investor in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.


 


14.7 This Agreement may be executed
by facsimile signature and in any number of counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed an original but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


 


14.8 The section and subsection
headings contained in this Agreement are included for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.


 


14.9 In the event one or more of
the provisions of this Agreement should, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed as
if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.


 


14.10 Each of Issuer and Investor
shall execute and deliver such additional instruments and other documents and shall take such further actions as may be reasonably
necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and comply with all of the terms of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.


 


14.11 The obligation of Investor
under this Agreement shall expire on July 27, 2012.


 



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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto
set their hands and seals as of the day and year first above written.


 


	 	HOWARD BANCORP, INC., Issuer
	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	 	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
	 	 	 
	 	EMERALD ADVISERS, INC., Investor
	 	 	 
	 	By:	 


 



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