-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HOALHaVtixIsb57pwVBcw0BROgIp1UJ7z21Krbcc8+fiWXFkbCAtLJd8Cf5P4T0m
 rdI14r2KKWRMgjsHcnFmMw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000050341-04-000089.txt : 20040402
<SEC-HEADER>0000050341-04-000089.hdr.sgml : 20040402
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040402140452
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000050341-04-000089
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040401
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040402

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000050341
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				050341324
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			RI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 FEDERAL STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6174342200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 FEDERAL STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FLEET BOSTON CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19991001

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FLEET NORSTAR FINANCIAL GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920525

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19880110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COUNTRYMAN GARY L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001166518

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06366
		FILM NUMBER:		04712956

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP INC
		STREET 2:		1618 MAIN ST
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2147437600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP INC
		STREET 2:		1618 MAIN ST
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-01</periodOfReport>

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        <issuerName>FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FBF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
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            <rptOwnerName>COUNTRYMAN GARY L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>175 BERKELEY STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02117</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionCoding>
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                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11713.1325</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stk</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Dir Stk Option</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.39</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2368</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-10-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-04-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stk</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2368</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Dir Stk Option</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>47.02</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2368</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-10-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-04-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stk</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2368</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Dir Stk Option</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>42.17</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-01</value>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-10-01</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-04-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Disposed of pursuant to the merger agreement between the FleetBoston Financial Corporation (&quot;FleetBoston&quot;) and Bank of America Corporation (&quot;Bank of America&quot;). Each share was exchanged for .5553 of a share of Bank of America common stock having a market value of $81.47 per share on the effective date of the merger of FleetBoston with Bank of America (the &quot;Merger&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Stock units held under the FleetBoston Directors Deferred Compensation and Stock Unit Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These stock units, which were payable 1 to 1 in shares of FleetBoston common stock following reporting person's ceasing to be a director of FleetBoston, were assumed by Bank of America in the Merger and replaced by Bank of America stock units. The number of shares subject to each new Bank of America stock unit is equal to the number of shares subject to each FleetBoston stock unit held immediately prior to the effective date of the Merger multiplied by .5553 (rounded to the nearest whole share).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Stock units held under the BankBoston Director Stock Award Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Stock units held under the BankBoston Retirement Benefits Exchange Program.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Right to buy.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">These options were assumed by Bank of America in the Merger and replaced by options to purchase Bank of America common stock. The number of shares subject to each new Bank of America option is equal to the number of shares subject to each FleetBoston option held immediately prior to the effective date of the Merger multiplied by .5553 (rounded to the nearest whole share), and the exercise price of each new Bank of America option is equal to the exercise price of each FleetBoston option divided by .5553 (rounded to the nearest whole cent).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Martha R. Francis,  Attorney-in-Fact for Gary L. Countryman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----