Sandy Spring Bancorp's (SASR) earnings are expected to witness flattish growth this year as exogenous factors are expected to be countered by benefits from the upcoming acquisition of Revere Bank. The biggest exogenous factor that will hurt earnings is COVID-19 that is likely to pressurize net interest margin and constrain organic loan growth. The negative implications of the pandemic are expected to be negated by the merger of Revere Bank that will lead to higher earning assets and non-interest income. In addition, net interest margin will receive some respite from the acquisition through