SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC  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)

September 1, 2004



    SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA


(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)



Florida

1-13660

59-2260678

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission

File Number

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)



815 Colorado Avenue, Stuart, FL

34994

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)



Registrant’s telephone number, including area code     (772) 287-4000    

 



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 (see General Instruction A.2.)


x

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


Beginning in the third quarter of 2004, Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida (“Seacoast”) will reclassify revenues from merchant services, which have previously been included as a component of interest and fees on loans in the registrant’s statements of income, to “other noninterest income”. Revenues from merchant services for prior periods will be reclassified in comparative financial statements.  This change has no effect on Seacoast’s reported total revenues, net income or cash flows.

  

Seacoast has consistently included merchant fee revenues in interest and fees on loans since first offering merchant services.  Although these revenues have never amounted to a material component of interest and fees on loans (generally four percent or less), Seacoast has now determined that these fees are more appropriately classified as a component of noninterest income.  The registrant’s independent auditors concur with this reclassification.  


The amount of merchant revenue included in interest and fees on loans by quarter-end for the three years ended December 31, 2003, and for the first and second quarters of 2004 were as follows:


Year

 

Quarter Ended

Merchant Revenue

2004

 

June 30

$540,000

 
  

March 31

465,000

 

2003

 

December 31

395,000

 
  

September 30

405,000

 
  

June 30

405,000

 
  

March 31

405,000

 

2002

 

December 31

327,000

 
  

September 30

370,000

 
  

June 30

370,000

 
  

March 31

395,000

 

2001

 

December 31

404,000

 
  

September 30

382,000

 
  

June 30

346,000

 
  

March 31

346,000

 

 




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.


SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA



Date:    September 1, 2004

By:

 /s/ William R. Hahl

William R. Hahl

Executive Vice President & CFO