- ---------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 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) February 6, 2001 SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Pennsylvania 0-16533 23-2453088 - ------------------ ----------- ------------- (State or other (Commission (IRS Employer jurisdiction of) File Number) Ident. No.) incorporation 2000 Market Street, Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103 --------------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (215) 557-4630 N/A -------------------------------------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------- Item 5. Other Events. The Company's press release, dated February 6, 2001, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (a) Exhibits. The following exhibit is filed herewith: 99.1 Press Release, dated February 6, 2001, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. 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 hereunto duly authorized. SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. Dated: February 7, 2001 /s/ Mark R. McCollom Mark R. McCollom, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number - -------- 99.1 Press Release, dated February 6, 2001, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.