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                                  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, 2005

                          Commonwealth Bankshares, Inc.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Virginia                  01-17377            54-1460991
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     (State or other jurisdiction     (Commission       (I.R.S. Employer
          of incorporation)           File Number)     Identification No.)

                    403 Boush Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510
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               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (757) 446-6900


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         (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))

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SECTION 2 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 2.02  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

        On July 19, 2005, Commonwealth Bankshares, Inc. issued a press release
announcing record earnings for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005. A
copy of the Company's press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is
herby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 9 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

ITEM 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c) Exhibits.

        99.1    Press Release, dated July 19, 2005, entitled "Commonwealth
                Bankshares, Inc., Norfolk, VA, Announces Record Earnings for the
                Quarter and Six Months Ended June 30, 2005."



                                   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.

                                             Commonwealth Bankshares, Inc.

Date: July 19, 2005                          By:    /s/ Cynthia A. Sabol, CPA
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                                             Name:  Cynthia A. Sabol, CPA
                                             Title: Executive Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer