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 16, 2007


                          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 16, 2007, Cooperative Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") issued
a press release announcing that on August 15, 2007, the Board of Directors
declared the 2007 third quarter dividend of $0.05 per share. The dividend is
payable on or about October 17, 2007, to stockholders of record as of October 2,
2007.

         The full text of the Company's press release dated August 16, 2007,
issued in connection with the announcement, is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is
furnished herewith.

ITEM 9.01     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
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        (d)   Exhibits

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

              99.1        Press Release dated August 16, 2007










                                   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 16, 2007