-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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,
 H1izZh2c58JYFpdeDzOiOu1qEIRjGNbY0MDADV6bPRHF+wrPweGRvPn3ogLnH4NI
 AhaMpDeLEin7rEX6of9mBQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000835012-10-000014.txt : 20101213
<SEC-HEADER>0000835012-10-000014.hdr.sgml : 20101213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20101213152518
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000835012-10-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20101213
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20101213

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Fields Stephen G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001341922

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17377
		FILM NUMBER:		101247787

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1177
		CITY:			NORFOLK
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23501-1177

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000835012
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				541460991
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		403 BOUSH ST
		CITY:			NORFOLK
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23510
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7574466900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		403 BOUSH STREET
		CITY:			NORFOLK
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23510
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-12-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000835012</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CWBS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001341922</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Fields Stephen G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P O BOX 1177</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NORFOLK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23501-1177</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Former EVP &amp; Comm Loan Officer</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>Individual is no longer with the Company effective 12/09/2010.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Stephen G Fields</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-12-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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