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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 EHFK2Mjzo+yckpqyrQRVOw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000819692-04-000025.txt : 20040203
<SEC-HEADER>0000819692-04-000025.hdr.sgml : 20040203
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040203142256
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000819692-04-000025
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040203

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TIERNEY JOHN P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001192968

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15495
		FILM NUMBER:		04562294

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4546 KIFTSGATE BEND
		CITY:			BLOOMFIELD HILLS
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48302

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000819692
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				341567092
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1215 SUPERIOR AVE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44114
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2165665300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1215 SUPERIOR AVENUE
		STREET 2:		1215 SUPERIOR AVENUE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44114
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>1</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000819692</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192968</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TIERNEY JOHN P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1215 SUPERIOR AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CLEVELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44114</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>3</transactionFormType>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1477.48</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1477.48</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person owned Phantom Stock Units representing 514.430 shares of common stock on October 15, 1997, the date on which the reporting person became a director of Charter One Financial, Inc.  These units have been adjusted for stock dividends and dividend reinvestment through the date hereof.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">One for One</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Per the reporting person's election, payments commence on January 2, 2002, in three annual installments.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert J. Vana, Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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