(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT

TO RULE 13d-2(a)

(Name of Issuer)

(Title of Class of Securities)

(CUSIP Number)

(Name, Address, Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box o.

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

(1)                                 This calculation is based on 18,965,494 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Howard Bancorp, Inc. outstanding as of March 1, 2018, as reported in writing to the Reporting Persons by the Company on March 1, 2018.

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(1)                                 This calculation is based on 18,965,494 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Howard Bancorp, Inc. outstanding as of March 1, 2018, as reported in writing to the Reporting Persons by the Company on March 1, 2018.

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(1)                                 This calculation is based on 18,965,494 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Howard Bancorp, Inc. outstanding as of March 1, 2018, as reported in writing to the Reporting Persons by the Company on March 1, 2018.

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(1)                                 This calculation is based on 18,965,494 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Howard Bancorp, Inc. outstanding as of March 1, 2018, as reported in writing to the Reporting Persons by the Company on March 1, 2018.

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(1)                                 This calculation is based on 18,965,494 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Howard Bancorp, Inc. outstanding as of March 1, 2018, as reported in writing to the Reporting Persons by the Company on March 1, 2018.

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(1)                                 This calculation is based on 18,965,494 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Howard Bancorp, Inc. outstanding as of March 1, 2018, as reported in writing to the Reporting Persons by the Company on March 1, 2018.

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(1)                                 This calculation is based on 18,965,494 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Howard Bancorp, Inc. outstanding as of March 1, 2018, as reported in writing to the Reporting Persons by the Company on March 1, 2018.

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(1)                                 This calculation is based on 18,965,494 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Howard Bancorp, Inc. outstanding as of March 1, 2018, as reported in writing to the Reporting Persons by the Company on March 1, 2018.

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Item 1.                                                         Security and Issuer

The title and class of equity security to which this statement on Schedule 13D relates is the Common Stock, $0.01 par value (“Common Stock”) of Howard Bancorp, Inc. (the “Issuer” or the “Company”).

Item 2.                                                         Identity and Background

This Schedule 13D is being jointly filed by the parties identified below.  All of the filers of this Schedule 13D are collectively referred to as the “Patriot Financial Group II.” The Joint Filing Agreement of the members of the Patriot Financial Group II is filed as Exhibit 1 to this Schedule 13D.

(a)- (c)            The following are members of the Patriot Financial Group II:

·                 Patriot Financial Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Patriot Fund II”);

·                 Patriot Financial Partners Parallel II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Patriot Parallel Fund II” and together with the Patriot Fund II, the “Funds”);

·                 Patriot Financial Partners GP II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and general partner of the Funds (“Patriot GP II”);

·                 Patriot Financial Partners GP II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and general partner of Patriot GP II (“Patriot II LLC”);

·                 W. Kirk Wycoff, Ira M. Lubert and James J. Lynch, each of whom serve as general partners of the Funds and Patriot GP II and are members of Patriot II LLC; and

·                 James F. Deutsch, who is a member of the Funds’ Investment Committee.

The Funds are private equity funds focused on investing in community banks and financial service-related companies throughout the United States.  The principal business of Patriot GP II is to serve as the general partner of and to manage the Funds.  The principal business of Patriot II LLC is to serve as the general partner of and to manage Patriot GP II. The principal employment of Messrs. Wycoff, Lubert, Lynch and Deutsch is investment management with each of the Funds, Patriot GP II and Patriot II LLC.

The business address of each member of the Patriot Financial Group II is c/o Patriot Financial Partners II, L.P., Cira Centre, 2929 Arch Street, 27th Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.

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(d)                                 During the last five years, no member of the Patriot Financial Group II has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e)                                  During the last five years, no member of the Patriot Financial Group II has been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

(f)                                   Each natural person who is a member of the Patriot Financial Group II is a citizen of the United States.

Item 3.                                                         Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

In connection with the merger (the “Merger”) of 1st Mariner Bank (“1st Mariner) with and into the Company on March 1, 2018, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated August 14, 2017, between the Company and 1st Mariner (the “Reorganization Agreement”): the Funds received an aggregate of 1,662,399 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in exchange for the aggregate number of shares of 1st Mariner stock held by the Funds as of the consummation of the Merger.  The Funds purchased shares of 1st Mariner initially with capital of the Funds.

Item 4.                                                         Purpose of Transaction

The Funds acquired the Common Stock reported herein for investment purposes and the acquisition of shares of Common Stock was not motivated by an intent to exercise control, directly or indirectly, over the management, policies or business operations of the Issuer.  Subject to applicable federal and state securities laws, Patriot Financial Group II may dispose of shares of the Common Stock from time to time, subject to market conditions and other investment considerations, and may cause shares of the Common Stock to be distributed in kind to investors.  To the extent permitted by applicable bank regulatory limitations, each member of the Patriot Financial Group II may directly or indirectly acquire additional shares of Common Stock or associated rights or securities exercisable for or convertible into Common Stock, depending upon an ongoing evaluation of its investment in the Common Stock and securities exercisable for or convertible into Common Stock, applicable legal restrictions, prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements of such member of the Patriot Financial Group II and/or investment considerations.

Other than as described in this Item 4, each member of the Patriot Financial Group II has no present plans or proposals that relate to or would result in any of the events set forth in Items 4(a) through (j) of Schedule 13D. However, each member of the Patriot Financial Group II reserves the right to change its plans at any time, as it deems appropriate, in light of its ongoing evaluation of (i) its business and liquidity objectives; (ii) the Company’s financial condition, business, operations, competitive position, prospects and/or share price; (iii) industry, economic and/or securities markets conditions; (iv) alternative investment opportunities; and (v) other relevant factors.

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Item 5.                                                         Interest in Securities of the Issuer

The information contained on the cover pages to this Schedule 13D and the information set forth or incorporated in Items 2, 3, 4 and 6 is incorporated herein by reference.

(a) and (b)

(1)         Each of Patriot GP II, Patriot II LLC, Mr. Wycoff, Mr. Lubert, Mr. Lynch and Mr. Deutsch disclaims beneficial ownership of the Common Stock owned by the Funds, except to the extent of its or his pecuniary interest therein.

(2)         This calculation is based on 18,965,494 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Howard Bancorp, Inc. outstanding as of March 1, 2018, as reported in writing to the Reporting Persons by the Company on March 1, 2018.

(c) No members of the Patriot Financial Group II had any transactions in the Common Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) during the past 60 days, except as described and referenced in Item 3 of this Schedule 13D.

(d) Other than the Patriot Financial Group II, no other person has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the securities of the Company referred to in this Item 5.

(e) Not applicable.

Item 6.               Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

None.

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Item 7.                                                         Material to Be Filed as Exhibits

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SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date:      March 12, 2018

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EXHIBIT 1

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agree that the Schedule 13D to which this Joint Filing Agreement is being filed as an exhibit shall be a joint statement filed on behalf of each of the undersigned.

Date:      March 12, 2018

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