SHORE BANCSHARES INC

Management of Shore Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for the preparation, integrity and fair presentation of the financial statements included in this Annual Report. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reflect management’s judgments and estimates concerning the effects of events and transactions that are accounted for or disclosed.

Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that pertain to the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report reliable financial data. The internal control system contains monitoring mechanisms, and appropriate actions taken to correct identified deficiencies. Management believes that internal controls over financial reporting, which are subject to scrutiny by management and the Company’s internal auditors, support the integrity and reliability of the financial statements. Management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control system, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of internal controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. In addition, because of changes in conditions and circumstances, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time. The Audit Committee of the board of directors (the “Committee”), is comprised entirely of outside directors who are independent of management. The Committee is responsible for the appointment and compensation of the independent auditors and makes decisions regarding the appointment or removal of members of the internal audit function. The Committee meets periodically with management, the independent auditors, and the internal auditors to ensure that they are carrying out their responsibilities. The Committee is also responsible for performing an oversight role by reviewing and monitoring the financial, accounting, and auditing procedures of the Company in addition to reviewing the Company’s financial reports. The independent auditors and the internal auditors have full and unlimited access to the Committee, with or without the presence of management, to discuss the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, and any other matters which they believe should be brought to the attention of the Committee.

Management assessed the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. This assessment was conducted based on the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission “Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013).” Based on this assessment, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024.

There were no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Act of 1934) during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The 2024 financial statements have been audited by the independent registered public accounting firm of Crowe LLP (“Crowe”). Personnel from Crowe were given unrestricted access to all financial records and related data, including minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and committees thereof. Management believes that all representations made to all the independent auditors were valid and appropriate. The resulting report from Crowe accompanies the financial statements. Crowe has also issued a report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. This report has also been made a part of this Annual Report.