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

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         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 17, 2006


                          COOPERATIVE BANKSHARES, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 NORTH CAROLINA                      0-24626                  56-1886527
 (State or other                   (Commission               (IRS Employer
 jurisdiction of                   File Number)             Identification No.)
 incorporation)

               201 MARKET STREET, WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28401
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (910) 343-0181

                                 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:

[ ] 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 8.01     OTHER EVENTS.
              ------------

         On August 17, 2006, Cooperative Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") issued
a press release announcing that Frederick Willetts, III, the Company's Chairman
and President, will be a guest speaker and panel participant at the 11th Annual
Community Bank Conference hosted by Howe Barnes on August 21, 2006 in Chicago,
Illinois. A copy of the press release is attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.1
and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
              ---------------------------------

         (d)  Exhibits

              Number           Description
              ------           -----------

              99.1             Press Release dated August 17, 2006.










                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.


                                  COOPERATIVE BANKSHARES, INC.



                                  /s/ Todd L. Sammons
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                  Todd L. Sammons
                                  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                  Officer

Date: August 17, 2006