================================================================================ 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 17, 2006 SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Pennsylvania 1-16581 23-2453088 - ---------------- ------------ ------------- (State or other (Commission (IRS Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Ident. No.) incorporation) 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 - ---------------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (215) 557-4630 N/A -------------------------------------------------------------- (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)) ================================================================================ PAGE 2 Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On January 17, 2006, Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release discussing the Company's fourth quarter results. The press release, attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference, is being furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for any purpose. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (a) Not applicable. (b) Not applicable. (c) Not applicable. (d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished herewith: 99.1 Press Release, dated January 17, 2006, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. PAGE 3 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. SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. Dated: January 17, 2006 /s/ Mark R. McCollom ----------------------------- Mark R. McCollom Chief Financial Officer PAGE 4 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number - ------- 99.1 Press Release, dated January 17, 2006, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.