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 January 20, 1998


                            AMBANC HOLDING CO., INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)


         Delaware                      0-27036                  14-1783770
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction     (Commission File No.)        (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)                                     Identification No.)


 11 Division Street, Amsterdam, New York                              12010-4303
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (518) 842-7200
                                                            --------------------

                                       N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





Item 5. Other Events
- --------------------

     On January 20,  1998,  the  Registrant  issued the press  release  attached
hereto as Exhibit 99  announcing  its earnings  for the Three and Twelve  Months
Ended December 31, 1997.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
- -----------------------------------------

     (c)  Exhibits

     The  Exhibits  referred  to in  Item 5 of this  Report  and  listed  on the
accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as part of this Report and are incorporated
herein by reference.



                                   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 thereunto duly authorized.

                            AMBANC HOLDING CO., INC.



Date:     January 20, 1998           By: /s/Robert J. Brittain
      ---------------------------           ---------------------------------
                                            Robert J. Brittain
                                            President & Chief Executive Officer




Exhibit
Number                            Description
- -------        ---------------------------------------------------

  99           Press release dated January 20, 1998