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

April 15, 2005
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

New Jersey
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

001-16197
(Commission File Number) 22-3537895
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

158 Route 206, Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey 07934
(Address of principal executive offices)

(908) 234-0700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

        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))

Other Events, Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On April 15, 2005, Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation disseminated a press release reporting the initiation of a stock buyback program. The press release is being furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(C)   Exhibits:

        99.1 Press release of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation, dated April 15, 2005.

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SIGNATURE

        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.

Dated: April 15, 2005


PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ Arthur F. Birmingham
       Arthur F. Birmingham
       Executive Vice President and Chief
       Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
99.1 Title
Press Release of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation dated April 15, 2005

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EX-99.1

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation
Announces Stock Repurchase Plan

GLADSTONE, N.J. – (Business Wire) – April 15, 2005 – The Board of Directors of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (AMEX:PGC) has authorized the purchase of up to 150,000 shares of its outstanding common stock during the next 12 months. Purchases may be made from time to time through April 15, 2006 in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, at prices not exceeding prevailing market prices. The Corporation currently has 8,270,224 common shares outstanding.

        The acquired shares are to be held in treasury to be used for general corporate purposes.

        Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is a bank holding company with total assets of $1.13 billion as of March 31, 2005. Peapack-Gladstone Bank, its wholly owned community bank was established in 1921, and has 19 branches in Somerset, Hunterdon and Morris Counties. Its Trust Division, PGB Trust and Investments, operates at the Bank’s main office located at 190 Main Street in Gladstone and at 233 South Street in Morristown. To learn more about Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation and its services please visit our web site at www.pgbank.com or call 908-234-0700.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations about new and existing programs and products, acquisitions, relationships, opportunities, taxation, technology, market conditions and economic expectations. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “anticipate,” “look,” “view,” “opportunities,” “allow,” “continues,” “reflects,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation for updating any such forward-looking statement at any time. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the availability of the necessary capital to make repurchases and a decline in the economy in New Jersey.

Contact:

Arthur F. Birmingham, Chief Financial Officer
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation
T: 908-719-4308

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