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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

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FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 9, 2003

 

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MERCANTILE BANKSHARES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland		0-5127		52-0898572
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

Two Hopkins Plaza, P.O. Box 1477, Baltimore, Maryland 21203

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(410) 237-5900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)

 

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INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

 

Item 5.

Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure

 

This is an optional filing made disclose the event reported below. It is not a filing required by Regulation FD.

 

On December 9, 2003, the registrant issued a press release announcing a quarterly cash dividend. A copy of the release is attached as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.

Financial Statements, and Exhibits.

 

(c)

Exhibits.

 

99

Press Release

 

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Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

				Mercantile Bankshares Corporation                 (Registrant)
Date: December 9, 2003						By:		/s/    Terry L. Troupe
						Terry L. Troupe Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99		Press Release

 

 

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