Risk-Based Capital (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Howard Bank [Member]
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) Actual amount	$ 39,196	$ 38,172
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) Actual ratio	12.79%	13.75%
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) For capital adequacy purposes amount	24,525	22,214
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) For capital adequacy purposes ratio	8.00%	8.00%
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) To be well capitalized under the FDICIA prompt corrective action provisions amount	30,656	27,768
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) To be well capitalized under the FDICIA prompt corrective action provisions ratio	10.00%	10.00%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Actual amount	36,466	34,739
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Actual ratio	11.90%	12.51%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) For capital adequacy purposes amount	12,262	11,107
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) For capital adequacy purposes ratio	4.00%	4.00%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) To be well capitalized under the FDICIA prompt corrective action provisions amount	18,394	16,661
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) To be well capitalized under the FDICIA prompt corrective action provisions ratio	6.00%	6.00%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Actual amount	36,466	34,739
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Actual ratio	10.10%	10.92%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) For capital adequacy purposes amount	14,448	12,725
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) For capital adequacy purposes ratio	4.00%	4.00%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) To be well capitalized under the FDICIA prompt corrective action provisions amount	18,060	15,907
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) To be well capitalized under the FDICIA prompt corrective action provisions ratio	5.00%	5.00%
Howard Bancorp [Member]
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) Actual amount	48,974	40,127
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) Actual ratio	15.83%	14.36%
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) For capital adequacy purposes amount	24,742	22,349
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) For capital adequacy purposes ratio	8.00%	8.00%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Actual amount	46,241	36,694
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Actual ratio	14.95%	13.14%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) For capital adequacy purposes amount	12,371	11,174
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) For capital adequacy purposes ratio	4.00%	4.00%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Actual amount	46,241	36,694
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Actual ratio	12.79%	11.52%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) For capital adequacy purposes amount	$ 14,457	$ 12,737
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) For capital adequacy purposes ratio	4.00%	4.00%