First State Financial Services, Inc.
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549
Form 12b-25
SEC File Number: 0-16329
CUSIP Number: 336906 10 2
NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING
(Check One)
[ ] Form 10-K [ ] Form 11-K [ ] Form 20-F
[ X ] Form 10-Q [ ] Form N-SAR
For the Quarter Ended December 31, 1996
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PART I-REGISTRANT INFORMATION
Full Name of Registrant:
First State Financial Services, Inc.
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Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number):
1120 Bloomfield Avenue
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City, State and Zip Code:
West Caldwell, New Jersey 07007-2449
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PART II- RULES 12B-25(B) AND (C)
If subject report could not be filed without unreasonable
effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to
Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed.
(Check box if appropriate)
[ X ] (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in
Part III of this form could not be eliminated
without unreasonable effort or expenses;
[ X ] (b) The subject annual report or semi-annual report/
portion thereof will be filed on or before the
fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed
due date or the subject quarterly report/portion
thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar
day following the prescribed due date; and
[ ] (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibits required
by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.
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PART III-NARRATIVE
State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the form 10-Q
could not be filed within the prescribed time period.
First State Financial Services, Inc. (the "Registrant") is to be
acquired as of February 18, 1997, pursuant to an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the "Agreement") with Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.
("Sovereign") which was executed on June 25, 1996. Due to
involvement in the merger, there have been delays in finalizing
the financial data for th quarter ended December 31, 1996.
PART IV-OTHER INFORMATION
(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to
this notification:
Emil J. Butchko (201) 575-5800, #274
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(Name) (Area Code) (Telephone)
(2) Have all other periodic reports required under section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s)
been filed? If the answer is no, identify report(s).
[ X ] Yes [ ] No
(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of
operation from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be
reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report
or portion thereof?
[ ] Yes [ X ] No
If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.
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First State Financial Services, Inc.
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(Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 14, 1997 By: /s/ Emil J. Butchko
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Emil J. Butchko
Senior Vice President
