SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC  20549

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):  January 25, 2005


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
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Exchange Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 2.02     Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On January 25, 2005, the Registrant issued a press release and held a conference call relating to its earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2004.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.  This information is furnished under Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.  The information in this Form 8-K and Exhibits attached hereto shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference.

Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits

99.1              Press release dated January 25, 2005

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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:  January 25, 2005

\s\ TERRY L. TROUPE

 

 

Terry L. Troupe

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

 

                                                                                               Description

 

99.1

 

Press release dated January 25, 2005 announcing Registrants fourth quarter 2004 earnings.

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