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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) April 26, 2006

                          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

                                 Not Applicable
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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 8 - OTHER EVENTS

Item 8.01 Other Events.

         On April 26, 2006, Commonwealth Bankshares, Inc. issued a press release
announcing the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend payable May 31, 2006 to
shareholders of record as of May22, 2006. 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.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1      Press Release, dated April 26, 2006, entitled "Commonwealth
          Bankshares, Inc., Norfolk, VA, Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend."



                                   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:   April 26, 2006                       By:    /s/ Cynthia A. Sabol, CPA
                                                    ----------------------------
                                             Name:  Cynthia A. Sabol, CPA
                                             Title: Executive Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer