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

June 8, 2007

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 of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Ident. No.)
1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania		19102
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)
(215) 557-4630 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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b) On June 8, 2007, Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. (“Sovereign”) issued a press release announcing the planned retirement of James J. Lynch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Bank Mid-Atlantic Division and Vice Chairman of Sovereign, effective September 30, 2007. The press release, attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:

99.1 Press release, dated June 8, 2007, 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:  June 8, 2007	By:	/s/   Stacey V. Weikel
		Stacey V. Weikel
		Senior Vice President

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release, dated June 8, 2007, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.