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                                  UNITED STATES
                       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): October 18, 2000



                       PROVIDENT BANKSHARES CORPORATION
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


MARYLAND                            0-16421                    52-1518642
(State or other Juris-            (Commission                 (IRS Employer
diction of Incorporation)         File Number)              Identification No.)


             114 EAST LEXINGTON STREET, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21202
         (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (410) 277-7000


                                NOT APPLICABLE
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)






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ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 AND 9.   NOT APPLICABLE.

ITEM 5.     OTHER EVENTS.
            ------------

     On October 18, 2000, Provident Bankshares Corporation issued a press
release regarding the repositioning of its mortgage lending operation. A copy
of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1










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                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                   PROVIDENT BANKSHARES CORPORATION


                                   By:  /s/ Peter M. Martin
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        Peter M. Martin
                                        Chairman of the Board, President
                                          and Chief Executive Officer


Dated:  October 18, 2000








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