Jesus, it ain't a dangerous banana spider. It's a golden silk orb spider, like Jim said. They're everywhere in the east and mid-Atlantic states and the species here are harmless. The problem species are in Central and South America.
We've had a pretty "spidery" summer this year. I've been noticing spiders and spider webs for quite some time around my house. I've had several of these (and garden spiders [argiope aurantia]--which can be bigger than this one) in my backyard for months, one in my big oak bonsai, catching all kind of crummy tree eating bugs.
All spiders are poisonous. It's a matter of degree. These two species are dangerous AT ALL. Bites aren't any worse that a bee sting.