UNITED STATES

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:

January 19, 2006

(Date of earliest event reported):

January 19, 2006

Commission File No. 0-10587

Fulton Financial Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

Pennsylvania

23-2195389

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(IRS Employer Identification Number)

One Penn Square

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

17602

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 717-291-2411

Former name or former address, if changed since last Report: N/A

     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:

       Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act

       Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act

       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act

       Pre-commencement to communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act



TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM 8.01 - Other Events

ITEM 9.01 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

SIGNATURE

EXHIBIT 99.1 - Press Release dated January 19, 2006.




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Item 8.01 - Other Events.

On January 19, 2006, Fulton Financial Corporation announced receipt of approval from the Federal Reserve Board of its pending acquisition of Columbia Bancorp.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits

Exhibit No.

Description

    99.1

Press Release dated January 17, 2006.




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SIGNATURE

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 thereunto duly authorized.




Date: January 19, 2006

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

By:       /s/ Charles J. Nugent 


 

Charles J. Nugent

Senior Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

  





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