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 and Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report:

December 27, 2004

Date of earliest event reported:

December 21, 2004

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-10587
Commission File No.

23-2195389
(IRS Employer Identification Number)

One Penn Square, P.O. Box 4887, Lancaster, PA
(Address of principal executive offices)

17604
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (717) 291-2411
                                                                                                                                  
(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 obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ]    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]    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.

     In accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Merger between Fulton and First Washington FinancialCorp, Fulton appointed Abraham S. Opatut, a First Washington director, to the Fulton board of directors effective as of January 18, 2005.  Mr. Opatut will serve until the 2005 annual meeting of Fulton's shareholders, and he will be nominated to serve for, and stand for election to, a three year term at that meeting.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ Charles J. Nugent
Charles J. Nugent
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: December 27, 2004