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) April 17, 2001


                        FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                  RHODE ISLAND
       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


                    1-6366                               05-0341324
            -----------------------            ---------------------------------
           (Commission File Number)            (IRS Employer Identification No.)


                      One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02210
             -----------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-434-2200
                                                            -------------


           -----------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)









Item 5.         Other Events.
                ------------


                Pursuant to Form 8-K, General  Instruction F, the Company 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 April 17, 2001


                                   SIGNATURES

       Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended,  the  Company has duly caused this report to be signed in its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                           FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION



                                           By:  /s/ William C. Mutterperl
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                Name:  William C. Mutterperl
                                                Title: Executive Vice President,
                                                        Secretary and General
                                                        Counsel



Dated:  April 17, 2001