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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549




                                   FORM 8-A

               FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR (G) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



                         CONNECTICUT BANCSHARES, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



DELAWARE                                               (being applied for)
- --------                                               -------------------
(state of incorporation or organization)       (IRS Employer Identification No.)


923 Main Street, Manchester, Connecticut       06040
- ----------------------------------------       -----
(Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)


      If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant
to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A.(c), check the following box.
[   ]
      If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant
to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A.(d), check the following box.
[ X ]
      Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form
relates: 333-90865.
         ---------

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                   COMMON STOCK,  PAR VALUE  $.01 PER SHARE
                   ----------------------------------------
                               (Title of class)





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ITEM 1.   DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED.

      Incorporated by reference to the portion of the Prospectus under the
heading "Description of Connecticut Bancshares Stock," filed on November 12,
1999 as part of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No.
333-90865.

ITEM 2.   EXHIBITS.

      1.    Copies of all constituent instruments defining the rights of all the
            holders of each class of such securities, including any contracts or
            other documents which limit or qualify the rights of such holders.

            (a)   Certificate of Incorporation

                  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's
                  Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-90865, filed on
                  November 12, 1999.

            (b)   Bylaws

                  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's
                  Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-90865, filed on
                  November 12, 1999.

            (c)   Amended Provisional Plan of Conversion

                  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant's
                  Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-90865, filed on
                  November 12, 1999.

      2.    A copy of the security to be registered hereunder is incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 4.0 to Registrant's Registration Statement on
            Form S-1, No. 333-90865, filed on November 12, 1999.



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      Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.


                            CONNECTICUT BANCSHARES, INC.
                            ----------------------------
                                   (Registrant)


                            Date:    December 2, 1999



                            By:  /s/ Richard P. Meduski
                                 Richard P. Meduski
                                 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director