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 19, 2005


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


       MARYLAND                      0-16421                    52-1518642
    (State or other              (Commission File              (IRS Employer
    jurisdiction of                  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)

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:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
    (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] 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))






ITEM 5.02   DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS;
            APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.

        On October 19, 2005, the Board of Directors of Provident Bankshares
Corporation (the "Company"), upon recommendation of the Corporate Governance
Committee, voted to elect Pamela J. Mazza to the Company's Board of Directors,
effective November 3, 2005. Ms. Mazza is expected to serve on the Board's
Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Mazza will receive customary fees and an
annual retainer for her service on the Company's Board of Directors and the
committees thereof.













                                   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



                                         /s/ Robert L. Davis
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         Robert L. Davis
                                         General Counsel

Date: October 25, 2005