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) August 23, 1996
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FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
RHODE ISLAND
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-6366 05-0341324
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02211
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-292-2000
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 5. Other Events.
Pursuant to Form 8-K, General Instructions F, Registrant hereby
incorporates by reference the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Other Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
Exhibit 99 Press Release
Dated August 23, 1996
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed in its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Registrant
By /s/William C. Mutterperl
_________________________________________
William C. Mutterperl
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Dated: August 23, 1996
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Exhibit 99
NEWS RELEASE
PRESS STATEMENT: BURKE V. LUDWIG
BY FLEET NATIONAL BANK
The United States District Court for the District of Connecticut ruled
today in the challenge brought by the State of Connecticut against the
April merger of five of Fleet's national bank subsidiaries in
Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The court ruled that the
Comptroller of the Currency exceeded its authority in approving the
merger.
Despite today's ruling, Fleet continues to maintain that the
interpretation of federal banking law by the Comptroller of the
Currency is correct, and that the merger was properly structured,
approved, and consummated. The merger of Fleet's national bank
subsidiaries mirrored a virtually identical merger completed last year
by BayBanks, Inc. under the same laws, without challenge. The court
remanded the matter to the Comptroller of the Currency and the Banking
Commissioner for further consideration, and Fleet is currently in
discussion with both parties. Fleet intends to appeal the ruling of
the District Court, and remains convinced that the Comptroller's
interpretation of federal banking law will ultimately prevail.
Today's ruling will have no effect on Fleet's banking operations or
customer service in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
