1 ================================================================================ 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): December 20, 2000 PROVIDENT BANKSHARES CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) MARYLAND 0-16421 52-1518642 (State or other (Commission (IRS Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) incorporation) 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) ================================================================================ 2 ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 AND 9. NOT APPLICABLE. ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS. On December 20, 2000, Provident Bankshares Corporation ("Provident") issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors approved extending its stock repurchase plan to purchase 2,588,000 additional shares. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. -2- 3 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. PROVIDENT BANKSHARES CORPORATION By: /s/ Peter M. Martin ------------------------------------------ Peter M. Martin Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Date: December 21, 2000 -3- 4 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- 99.1 Press release dated December 20, 2000.