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): January 10, 2006

MERCANTILE BANKSHARES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland		0-5127		52-0898572
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Two Hopkins Plaza, P.O. Box 1477, Baltimore, Maryland 21203

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(410) 237-5900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

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))

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 8.01 Other Events

This is an optional filing made to disclose the event reported below. It is not a filing required by Regulation FD.

On January 10, 2006, the registrant issued a press release announcing a 3-for-2 stock split payable in the form of a stock dividend. Shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 20, 2006 will receive one additional share for every two shares owned. The additional shares will be distributed on January 27, 2006. A copy of the release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

99.1 Press Release

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 thereunto duly authorized.

	Mercantile Bankshares Corporation
	(Registrant)

Date: January 10, 2006		/s/ Terry L. Troupe
		Terry L. Troupe
		Chief Financial Officer and
		Executive Vice President

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Description

99.1		Press Release