SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    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: JANUARY 27, 2004

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                       HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

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   Maryland                         0-2525                     31-0724920
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(STATE OR OTHER            (COMMISSION FILE NO.)              (IRS EMPLOYER
JURISDICTION OF                                           IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
INCORPORATION OR
ORGANIZATION)

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                                Huntington Center
                              41 South High Street
                              Columbus, Ohio 43287
                                 (614) 480-8300
               (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
                       INCLUDING AREA CODE OF REGISTRANT'S
                          PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

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ITEM  5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         On January 27, 2004, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated ("Huntington")
and Unizan Financial Corp. ("Unizan") issued a news release announcing that they
had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 27, 2004.
A copy of the news release describing this transaction is attached as Exhibit
99.1 to this report, and is incorporated herein by reference. The materials used
in connection with Huntington's conference call presentation on January 27, 2004
relating to the merger are attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this report, and are
incorporated herein by reference.

         This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking
statements, including certain plans, expectations, goals, and projections, and
including statements about the benefits of the merger between Huntington and
Unizan, which are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties.
Actual results could differ materially from those contained or implied by such
statements for a variety of factors including: the businesses of Huntington and
Unizan may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to
accomplish than expected; the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies
from the merger may not be fully realized within the expected timeframes;
disruption from the merger may make it more difficult to maintain relationships
with clients, associates, or suppliers; the required governmental approvals of
the merger may not be obtained on the proposed terms and schedule; Unizan's
stockholders may not approve the merger; changes in economic conditions;
movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and
services; success and timing of other business strategies; the nature, extent,
and timing of governmental actions and reforms; and extended disruption of vital
infrastructure; and other factors described in Huntington's 2002 Annual Report
on Form 10-K/A, Unizan's 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and documents
subsequently filed by Huntington and Unizan with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. All forward-looking statements included in this Current Report on
Form 8-K are based on information available at the time of the Report. Neither
Huntington nor Unizan assume any obligation to update any forward-looking
statement.

ITEM  7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (c) Exhibits.

         Exhibit 99.1  --  News Release of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated,
                           dated January 27, 2004.

         Exhibit 99.2  --  Presentation materials, January 27, 2004.



                                   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



Date:    January 27, 2004              By: /s/ Richard A. Cheap
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Richard A. Cheap, Secretary


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX




     EXHIBIT NO.                DESCRIPTION
                             

     Exhibit 99.1               News Release of Huntington Bancshares
                                Incorporated, dated January 27, 2004.

     Exhibit 99.2               Presentation materials, January 27, 2004.