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): NOVEMBER 18, 1998


                              GREATER BAY BANCORP
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



      CALIFORNIA                                        77-0387041
(State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                     identification number)


                       Commission file number:  0-25034
                                        

                            2860 WEST BAYSHORE ROAD
                          PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94303
             (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)


      REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (650) 813-8200
                                        



                                        

 
ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         Reference is hereby made to the Registrant's press releases attached
hereto as Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3 which meet the requirements for filing
under Item 5 and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

Exhibits
- --------

99.1   Press Release dated November 18, 1998.

99.2   Press Release dated November 27, 1998.

99.3   Press Release dated December 4, 1998.

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                                  SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                        GREATER BAY BANCORP
                                        (Registrant)


 
Dated: December 8, 1998                 By:  /s/ Linda M. Iannone
                                             --------------------
                                             Linda M. Iannone
                                             Senior Vice President and General
                                             Counsel

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                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                 -------------


99.1   Press Release dated November 18, 1998.

99.2   Press Release dated November 27, 1998.

99.3   Press Release dated December 4, 1998

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