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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MHrjorVnTYm90So2r0WfuByKJHmZe0Jyw/nwvCfS+1zmR2tr+5wbo1zS6/I7xzHa
 sTCh0nife8ENAUVdUo1Gew==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001245313-04-000064.txt : 20041026
<SEC-HEADER>0001245313-04-000064.hdr.sgml : 20041026
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041026185810
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001245313-04-000064
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041021
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041026
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041026

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRIEDMAN JOEL P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001232920

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15637
		FILM NUMBER:		041097747

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ACCENTURE LEGAL & COMMERICAL GROUP
		STREET 2:		23RD FL 161 N CLARK STREET
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SILICON VALLEY BANCSHARES
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000719739
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				911962278
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3003 TASMAN DR
		STREET 2:		M/S NC820
		CITY:			SANTA CLARA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95054
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4086547400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3003 TASMAN DRIVE, M/S NC820
		CITY:			SANTA CLARA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95054
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-21</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000719739</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SILICON VALLEY BANCSHARES</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SIVB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001232920</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FRIEDMAN JOEL P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3003 TASMAN DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SANTA CLARA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95054</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Lisa Bertolet as attorney in fact  For: Joel P. Friedman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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