- Current report filing (8-K)

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

January 28, 2009
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania	1-16581	23-2453088
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)



1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania		19102
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(267) 256-8601
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

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:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4 (c))

Item 8.01. Other Events

On January 28, 2009, Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. (“ Sovereign ”) announced that shareholders at a special meeting held on January 28, 2009, voted to approve the transaction by which Banco Santander, S.A. (“ Santander ”) will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Sovereign not currently owned by Santander. A copy of the related press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.


Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release, dated January 28, 2009, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.

Signature(s)

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.