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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

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     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 13, 2004

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                          Astoria Financial Corporation
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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           Delaware                       0-22228                11-3170868
(State or other jurisdiction of       (Commission File         (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)             Number)           Identification No.)

          ONE ASTORIA FEDERAL PLAZA, LAKE SUCCESS, NEW YORK 11042-1085
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (516) 327-3000

                                 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):

[_]   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
      CFR 230.425)
[_]   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) under the Exchange Act (17
      CFR 240.14a-12(b))
[_]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[_]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Items 1 through 7 Not Applicable.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

      On October 13, 2004, Astoria Financial Corporation (the "Corporation")
issued a press release stating that, on October 27, 2004, it is scheduled to
participate in an investor conference in New York City, sponsored by Ryan, Beck
& Co.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)   Exhibits.

      The following Exhibit is filed as part of this report:

      Exhibit 99.1   Press release dated October 13, 2004.


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                                    SIGNATURE

      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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                              ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                              By: /s/ Peter J. Cunningham
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Peter J. Cunningham
                                                  First Vice President and
                                                  Director of Investor Relations

Dated: October 13, 2004


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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
 Number     Description
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   99.1     Press release dated October 13, 2004.


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