UNITED STATES
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):   October 18, 2005

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Maryland 0-2525 31-0724920
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(State or other jurisdiction
_____________
(Commission
______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio   43287
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(Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   614-480-8300

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))


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Item 8.01 Other Events.

On October 18, 2005, Huntington issued a news release announcing, among other things, that the board of directors authorized a new share repurchase program for up to 15 million shares. Purchases will be made from time-to-time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions depending on market conditions. The current share repurchase authorization, announced April 27, 2004, with 3.1 million shares remaining, has been cancelled and replaced by this new authorization. A copy of the news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report, and is incorporated herein by reference.






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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.

         
    Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
          
October 24, 2005   By:   Richard A. Cheap
       
        Name: Richard A. Cheap
        Title: Secretary


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Exhibit Index


     
Exhibit No.   Description

 
99.1
  News release of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, dated October 18, 2005