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): July 19, 2006


                        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)

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 July 19, 2006, the Board of Directors of Provident Bankshares
Corporation (the "Company"), upon recommendation of the Corporate Governance
Committee, voted to elect Dale B. Peck, C.P.A. to the Company's Board of
Directors, effective September 20, 2006. Mr. Peck is expected to serve on the
Board's Audit Committee. Mr. Peck will receive the customary fees, stock option
grant and annual retainer for his service on the Company's Board of Directors
and the committees thereof. Mr. Peck will also be eligible to participate in the
directors' deferred compensation plan and the Non-Employee Directors' Severance
Plan.





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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.


                                     PROVIDENT BANKSHARES CORPORATION



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


Date: July 24, 2006




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