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

May 12, 2008

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 May 12, 2008, Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. (“Sovereign”) issued a press release announcing that it had priced its public common stock offering that was announced earlier that day. Sovereign sold 156,250,000 shares of its common stock, no par value for total net proceeds of $1.25 billion. An additional 23,437,500 shares of common stock have been granted to the underwriters under a 30-day option to cover over-allotments. The offering is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close May 16, 2008. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated May 12, 2008, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.

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.

	SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC.
Dated: May 13, 2008	By:	/s/ Stacey V. Weikel
		Name:	Stacey V. Weikel
		Title:	Senior Vice President

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated May 12, 2008, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.