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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 8, 2003
                                                         ---------------

                             BOSTONFED BANCORP, INC.
                             -----------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

      Delaware                         1-13936               52-1940834
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(State or other Jurisdiction of     (Commission             (IRS Employer
 Incorporation or Organization      File Number)            Identification No.)

         17 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803
         --------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                                 (781) 273-0300
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)

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









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ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.
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      On October 8, 2003, BostonFed Bancorp,  Inc. announced that Boston Federal
Savings Bank  ("BFSB"),  its wholly  owned  subsidiary,  had received  Office of
Thrift  Supervision  ("OTS")  approval  to  purchase  from Encore Bank seven (7)
branch  offices  located  in  Belmont,  Lexington,   Needham,  Newton,  Sudbury,
Wellesley and Woburn, Massachusetts.

      A press  release  announcing  the receipt of OTS  approval to purchase the
branch offices is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER EXHIBITS.
         ---------------------------------------

      Exhibit 99.1  Press Release dated October 8, 2003







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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 hereunto duly authorized.



                                       BOSTONFED BANCORP, INC.



Dated: October 8, 2003                 By: /s/ John A. Simas
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: John A. Simas
                                           Title:   Executive Vice President,
                                           Chief Financial Officer and Secretary




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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit 99.1  Press Release dated October 8, 2003