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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):
                                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))

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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.



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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.

                                                   SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC.

Dated:  January 17, 2006                           /s/ Mark R. McCollom
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Mark R. McCollom
                                                   Chief Financial Officer



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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number
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99.1 Press Release, dated January 17, 2006, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.