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): JANUARY 22, 2001

                              PRIVATEBANCORP, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                          -----------------------------

           DELAWARE                     000-25887                  36-3681151
(State or other jurisdiction     (Commission file number)     (I.R.S. employer
       of incorporation)                                     identification no.)

        TEN NORTH DEARBORN                                          60602
         CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                                        (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 683-7100


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.
         ------------

     On January 22, 2001, PrivateBancorp, Inc. (the "Company") announced its
earnings results for the quarter ending December 31, 2000. Attached as Exhibit
99.1 is a copy of the press release relating to the Company's earnings results,
which is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7(c).  EXHIBITS.
            --------

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated January 22, 2001.

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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.

                                       PRIVATEBANCORP, INC.



Date: January 22, 2001                By:   /s/ RALPH B. MANDELL
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Ralph B. Mandell
                                             Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                             Executive Officer

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                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                -----------------


Exhibit
- -------

99.1      Press Release dated January 22, 2001.

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