SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

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                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                  May 17, 2004

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                          FIRST PACTRUST BANCORP, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

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          Maryland                       6035                     04-3639825
(State or other jurisdiction     (Commission File No.)          (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)                                      Identification No.)


610 Bay Boulevard, Chula Vista, California                     91910
 (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (619) 691-9741

                                       N/A
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



                           CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
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Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12: Not Applicable.

Item 5.     Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure
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         The board of directors of First PacTrust  Bancorp,  Inc. has authorized
management,  in its discretion,  to repurchase up to 5% of the Company's  common
stock  from time to time over the next 12  months in the open  market,  in block
trades or in privately  negotiated  sales.  The repurchase  program is effective
immediately.  Any repurchased  shares will be held as treasury stock and will be
available for general corporate purposes.

         A copy of the  related  news  release  is filed as an  exhibit  to this
report.


Item 7.        Financial Statements and Exhibits
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(c)   Exhibits

      Exhibit No.           Description
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         99.1                  The Company's news release announcing
                               5% stock repurchase program.



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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 thereunto duly authorized.


                                               FIRST PACTRUST BANCORP, INC.


Date: May 17, 2004                             By:   /s/ James P. Sheehy
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                                                     James P. Sheehy

                                                     Executive Vice President

                                                     Secretary and Treasurer


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