8-K

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 14, 2009

RESOURCE AMERICA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-4408	72-0654145
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

    One Crescent Drive, Suite 203, Navy Yard Corporate Center, Philadelphia, PA 19112

 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 215-546-5005

                                                                      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 PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.

On December 14, 2009, Resource America, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Thomas C. Elliott, Senior Vice-President of Finance and Operations for the Company, has been promoted to the additional position of Chief Financial Officer.   Prior to becoming Senior Vice-President in 2005, Mr. Elliott, age 36, was Vice President-Finance of the Company from 2001 to 2005. Mr. Elliott also served as Chief Financial Officer of Resource Capital Corp. ("RCC") , serving from September 2005 until June 2006. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Elliott held various financial positions at Fidelity Leasing, Inc., a former subsidiary of  the Company, including Manager of Financial Planning, Director of Asset Securitization and Treasurer.  Steven J. Kessler, the Company's former Chief Financial Officer, retired from his position effective December 14, 2009, but will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of RCC. 

A copy of the press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated December 14, 2009

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.

	RESOURCE AMERICA, INC.
Date:  December 17, 2009	By:	/s/ Michael S. Yecies
		Michael S. Yecies
		Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thomas C. Elliott Promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Resource America, Inc.

PHILADELPHIA, PA --December 14, 2009-- Resource America, Inc. (NASDAQ: REXI) (the “Company”) announced today that Thomas C. Elliott, Senior Vice-President of Finance and Operations for the Company, has been promoted to the additional position of Chief Financial Officer. He replaces Steven J. Kessler, Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1997, who has retired from that position and has assumed the role of Chairman of Resource Capital Corp. (NYSE:RSO), a real estate investment trust sponsored and externally managed by the Company.

Jonathan Cohen, President and CEO of the Company, commented, “Tom Elliott has been an invaluable member of our senior management team for many years and is the perfect person to become our Chief Financial Officer.  We are excited about Tom’s new role and look forward to his continued leadership in our Company’s future.”  Prior to becoming Senior Vice-President in 2005, Mr. Elliott was a Vice President-Finance at the Company from 2001 to 2005. Mr. Elliott also served as Chief Financial Officer of Resource Capital Corp., serving from September 2005 until June 2006. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Elliott held various financial positions at Fidelity Leasing, Inc., a former subsidiary of Resource America, including Manager of Financial Planning, Director of Asset Securitization and Treasurer. 

Jonathan Cohen said, “Steve Kessler’s service to Resource America has been exemplary and we are grateful for that service and very fortunate that as Steve moves to the next phase of his career that Resource Capital Corp. will have the benefit of his focus and efforts during this critical time in the commercial real estate markets.”

Resource America, Inc. is a specialized asset management company that uses industry specific expertise to generate and administer investment opportunities for its own account and for outside investors in the commercial finance, real estate and financial fund management sectors. For more information please visit our website at www.resourceamerica.com or contact pkamdar@resourceamerica.com.

Certain matters discussed within this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Resource America, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include financial performance, regulatory changes, changes in local or national economic conditions and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including quarterly reports on Form 10Q, reports on Form 8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K. Resource America, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statement to reflect new or changing information or events.

Resource America, Inc.

www.resourceamerica.com