Commission File Number 0-9756

RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION

1503 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 835-4309

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and
(2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   __X__ .  No   ___ .

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   __X__ .  No   ___ .

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Transitional Small Business Format
Yes   ___ .   No    x .

RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to “Riggs” and the “Company” refer to Riggs National Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-UNAUDITED
RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The Accompanying Notes Are An Integral Part Of These Statements

3

The Accompanying Notes Are An Integral Part Of These Statements

4

RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)

The Accompanying Notes Are An Integral Part Of These Statements

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RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)

The Accompanying Notes Are An Integral Part Of These Statements

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RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)

NOTE 1.        BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and follow general practice within the banking industry. These principles have been applied on a consistent basis and include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. The preparation of financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for all of 2004. For comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. These reclassifications include those resulting from the 2004 announcement that the Company would discontinue the operations of several of its business subsidiaries and divisions as discussed below. The financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

NOTE 2.        EXIT FROM INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

As noted in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004, Riggs had intentions to exit or sell approximately all of its international banking business and focus its remaining embassy banking business on a select client base. Subsequent to June 30, 2004, the Company announced it would completely exit its foreign embassy banking relationships either through a sale or wind-down of activities. Accordingly, Riggs is pursuing a buyer for its London and Channel Islands operations and is exiting its foreign embassy relationships, and has terminated business operations at its Miami office. In the third quarter, the Company also sold a London property and its corporate aircraft, which were used in support of its international operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company recorded $10.8 million of expenses related to this exit, which were partially offset by a $2.5 million gain on the sale of a property in London, resulting in net expenses of $8.3 million.

The operating results related to those portions of the London and Channel Islands operations, which are classified as held for sale and which include all recurring operating results as well as some exit related expenses, as identified in the following paragraphs, are reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The operating results of the embassy business, and some of the London operations, which also include expenses identified in the following paragraphs, are reported in results from continuing operations because they do not meet the accounting criteria for discontinued operations.

As part of the exit from its international business, Riggs has accrued approximately $2.3 million of employee severance costs for the nine month ended September 30, 2004. This severance is payable under the terms of an existing Company policy and is therefore accrued in accordance with SFAS No. 112 (Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits). In addition, the Company recorded approximately $1.1 million of employee retention costs which are accrued in accordance with SFAS No. 146 (Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities). The Company anticipates recording approximately $700 thousand of additional retention expenses in the fourth quarter of 2004.

The Company also recorded approximately $7.4 million of additional exit-related expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. These costs include accruals for leasehold obligations at vacated properties and write-downs associated with abandoned fixed assets in the amount of $272 thousand and an impairment charge on its corporate aircraft that was held for sale of $7.1 million during the second quarter of 2004. The amount of this charge was based upon an offer to purchase reduced by estimated selling costs. Consistent with its policy of allocating the operating costs of the aircraft, 45% of the impairment charge was allocated to the International Banking Segment, 25% of the impairment charge was allocated across all segments as part of general corporate overhead and 30% was charged to the Other Segment. Prior to the write-down, the aircraft had a book value of $34.9 million, and an adjusted book value of $27.8 million at June 30, 2004. The aircraft was sold during the third quarter with no significant gain or loss after the impairment. These expenses were partially offset by a gain in the amount of $2.5 million on the sale of a London property.

The assets and liabilities that are held for sale at September 30, 2004, which are valued at the lower of cost or estimated fair value include (in thousands):

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

As noted above, the Company is attempting to sell portions of its London and Channel Islands operations. If a sale cannot be consummated, Riggs will wind down these operations. A wind down would result in increased costs primarily related to the London pension plan, employee retention payments and lease breakage fees. The Company estimates net costs related to the exit from international operations will total $15.0 to $20.0 million, which includes the $8.3 million in net costs recorded year to date at September 30, 2004.

NOTE 3.        CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Management of the Company has prepared the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis and which follow general practice within the banking industry. Accordingly, management of the Company is required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that it believes to be reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates, judgments and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net interest income, the provision for loan losses, noninterest income and noninterest expense during the periods presented. Based on its consideration of accounting policies that involve the most complex and subjective estimates and assumptions, as well as its analysis of whether and to what extent such estimates and assumptions will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, management has identified the following critical accounting policies. Due to uncertainty inherent in these matters, actual results of future operations could differ from the estimates, judgments and assumptions used in applying these critical accounting policies.

Reserve for Loan Losses
The reserve for loan losses is maintained at a level deemed the best estimate adequate to absorb probable losses in the loan portfolio. The determination of the reserve for loan losses is based upon an on-going, analytical review of the loan portfolio. This analysis requires application of judgment, subjective evaluation of economic uncertainties and assessment of business conditions that may change. Because of these and other factors, adjustments to the reserve for loan losses may be required.

The analytical review of the loan portfolio performed to determine the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses includes a review of loans with balances over $250 thousand for impairment, an analysis of historical loss experience by loan type, an evaluation of current economic conditions and other factors considered pertinent to the analysis. Impaired loans are defined as those credits where the Company has determined it probable that all amounts due in accordance with the loan agreements will not be collected or recovered from the disposition of collateral. Impaired loans are generally commercial and financial loans and commercial real estate loans and are usually on non-accrual status. Each impaired loan with an outstanding balance equal to or greater than $250 thousand has a specific, identified loan loss reserve associated with it or has been written down to its estimated net realizable value. Impaired loans do not include groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans with similar collateral characteristics, such as residential mortgage and home equity loans. Loss reserves for these types of loans are established on an aggregate basis using historical loss experience and other factors deemed relevant to the analysis. Balances related to impaired loans for which there are specific reserves are excluded when applying historical loss ratios to determine loan loss reserves.

The specific reserves for impaired loans, if any, are included in the reserve for loan losses. Impaired loans are valued based upon the fair value of the related collateral if the loans are collateral dependent. For all other impaired loans, the specific reserves are based on the present values of expected cash flows discounted at each loan’s initial effective interest rate.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

Provisions to the reserve for loan losses are charged against, or credited to, earnings in amounts necessary to maintain an adequate reserve for loan losses. Commercial loans are charged-off when it is determined that they cannot be fully recovered and non-commercial loans are generally charged-off or loan foreclosure proceedings begun upon becoming 120 days delinquent or at such time as permitted by law or other regulations. Recoveries of loans previously charged-off are credited to the reserve for loan losses.

The Company maintains its reserve for loan losses in accordance with a policy approved by the Board of Directors. The Company has an established methodology for analyzing its reserve for loan losses that includes an internal loan classification policy. The Company periodically evaluates the appropriateness of its loan loss methodology to ascertain that it produces accurate assessments of probable loan losses. Domestic and international loans are subjected to similar review procedures.

While the Company believes its credit monitoring procedures are adequate, credit losses are, however, inherent to the business, and it is possible there may be unidentified losses in the loan portfolio at September 30, 2004 that may become apparent at a later date pursuant to additional internal analysis or pursuant to comment following regulatory examination. The establishment of loan loss reserves for problem credits that are currently unidentified or unanticipated would negatively impact future earnings. A charge, if any is needed, would generally be recorded in the segment in which the loan is recorded.

Venture Capital Investments
Venture capital investments are accounted for at fair value with gains and losses included in noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

At September 30, 2004, the Company valued its venture capital portfolio at $41.9 million. This valuation was arrived at using a variety of factors including, but not limited to, market prices, where available, and discounted, if necessary, to reflect trading history, lock-up provisions, lack of market liquidity and other factors; cost, if there is no readily determinable market price and there has not been a material event, such as a follow-on round of financing or strategic sale; a value higher than cost if indicated by additional financing which fulfills certain requirements, an offer to purchase; and analysis and commentary from a fund’s Investment Manager/General Partner. The largest investment in the venture capital portfolio is valued at $3.7 million at September 30, 2004.

Because the Company has no present intention to sell or liquidate the venture capital portfolio, the valuation of venture capital investments is subject to uncertainty in that it does not represent a negotiated value between the Company, as seller, and an independent and willing buyer that has the necessary knowledge and financial ability to complete the purchase. Additionally, if the Company attempted to sell its venture capital portfolio particularly if it deemed it necessary to liquidate the investments within a short period of time, the actual proceeds from the sale could differ significantly from the recorded carrying value. The market for the type of venture capital investments Riggs holds has since 2000 been impacted by a slow economy, a depressed domestic equity market in which, notwithstanding the recent recovery of stock prices, the values of publicly traded companies have declined. Because of these market conditions, there has been a decline in the number of initial public offerings and acquisitions of private companies by publicly traded firms. The gradual improvement in these sectors has begun to afford the Company better liquidation opportunities and it continues to actively manage the portfolio to maximize current valuations. Although these and other factors have been assessed in determining current values, because of the subjectivity in determining values, it is possible that the Company would experience a loss if it chose to liquidate its venture capital portfolio, particularly if it attempted to do so quickly. The loss, if any, would be recorded in the Riggs Capital Partners segment.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

Deferred Taxes
The Company records a provision for income taxes based upon the amount of current taxes payable (or refundable) and the change in net deferred tax assets or liabilities during the year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax effects of differing carrying values of assets and liabilities for tax and financial statement reporting purposes that will reverse in future periods. When substantial uncertainty exists concerning the recoverability of a deferred tax asset, the carrying value of the asset is reduced by a valuation allowance. Establishing a valuation allowance results in an increase in income tax expense.

Unrealized losses in venture capital operations have resulted in the maintenance of $11.7 million of deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2004. These assets can be utilized to reduce taxes payable on future capital gains but must be utilized within five years of the year in which the loss is realized for tax return purposes. Riggs has established a valuation allowance of $2.7 million against the deferred tax asset at September 30, 2004. A $3.7 million reduction in this valuation allowance occurred during the quarter primarily due to the expected availability of additional capital gains that will be generated by future assets sales. The Company believes that the unreserved deferred tax asset balance of $9.0 million at September 30, 2004, which includes a deferred tax asset related to realized losses of $3.5 million, will be realized through generation of future net capital gains within its venture capital operations or the implementation of alternative business strategies that generate net capital gains. Management has identified several alternative business strategies that could produce sufficient capital gains to allow the unreserved deferred tax asset balance to be realized.

If sufficient net capital gains within the Company’s venture capital operations are not realized in a timely manner, or if business conditions or other factors make it impossible, impractical or imprudent to implement alternative strategies, an additional valuation allowance, resulting in a charge against income for that portion of the deferred tax asset which will not be utilized, will be recorded in the Other segment.

Gain and Loss Contingencies
The Company evaluates gain and loss contingencies in accordance with SFAS No. 5 (Accounting for Contingencies) and, when necessary, FASB Interpretation No. 14 (Reasonable Estimation of the Amount of a Loss, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 5).

Gain contingencies are not recognized in the financial statements until the gain is realized, but the Company does evaluate the need to disclose such contingent gains in the notes to the financial statements. Loss contingencies are categorized as remote, reasonably possible or probable of occurring. Contingent losses for which chances of occurrence are remote are neither recognized nor disclosed in the financial statements. Possible contingencies are not recorded in the financial statements but, if material, are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. Loss contingencies that are likely to occur are deemed probable of occurring. Probable loss contingencies that are material are recorded as liabilities in the financial statements at the estimated amount of the loss if such loss can be reasonably estimated. If no reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, but a range of possible losses can be reasonably ascertained, the minimum estimated loss will be accrued and the Company describes in its disclosure the remaining loss contingency.

The determination that a contingency is remote, reasonably probable or probable of occurring is made by the Company based upon known and pertinent knowledge which is deemed reliable. Additional information, or interpretations of knowledge previously deemed reliable, could become known at a future date which may cause the Company to reassess its evaluation of the contingency occurring.

For a discussion of the more significant risk factors that impact Riggs, or could impact Riggs, see Item 7 of the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Valuation of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Assets and liabilities that are held for sale are valued at the lower of cost or market value. Market values have been determined by a variety of methodologies which the Company deems appropriate to arrive at an estimate fair value. The valuation of assets and liabilities held for sale do not, however, represent a binding offer to purchase these assets and liabilities from a willing and capable buyer. Actual proceeds from a sale, therefore, may be less than the carrying values.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

NOTE 4.        EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations are as follows:

Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations are as follows:

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

At the end of September 2003, approximately 3.7 million stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive. All stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share at September 30, 2004 because the effect would be anti-dilutive in periods for which there was a loss. The weighted average exercise price for these options was $15.17 per share and $18.78 per share at the end of the same respective periods. During the fourth quarter of 2004, approximately 36,874 options at a weighted-average strike price of $13.83 will expire. The Company expects that a significant portion of these options will be exercised.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

Stock-Based Employee Compensation Plans
At September 30, 2004, the Company had five stock-option plans which are described more fully in Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in its 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company accounts for these plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25 (Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees), SFAS No. 148 (Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123) and related interpretations. There is no stock-based compensation expense for these plans reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as all options granted under these plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The Company has also awarded time vested and performance based restricted shares. Expense related to time-vested and performance-based stock awards are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 (Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation) to stock-based employee compensation.

EARNINGS PER SHARE-CONTINUING OPERATIONS (PRO FORMA)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (PRO FORMA)

All stock options were excluded from the calculation of pro forma diluted earnings per share at September 30, 2004 because the effect would be anti-dilutive in periods for which there was a loss. At September 30, 2004, there were 572,468 unvested options outstanding. Upon a change of control, as defined in the 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan, all options become fully vested. There were 3,418,786 stock options outstanding at September 30, 2004 with an exercise price range of $12.00 to $30.25 and a weighted average exercise price of $15.17. In the third quarter of 2004, 1,736,167 stock options expired unexercised and 2,373,452 options were exercised with a weighted average price of $15.66 and $14.82, respectively.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

Tax (expense) benefit reflects a blended tax rate of 35% for the gain (loss) recorded in the U.S. and 30% for the gain (loss) recorded in the U.K.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) BALANCES

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

NOTE 6:              SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that provide diverse products and services within the financial services industry. Riggs has five reportable segments: Banking, International Banking, Treasury, Riggs Capital Partners (venture capital) and Other. The Company accounts for and evaluates its segments on a functional basis, rather than a legal entity basis. Accordingly, revenue and expenses from a single legal entity may impact multiple segments.

Except for the utilization of funds transfer pricing and cost allocation methodologies, the accounting policies for the segments are substantially the same as those described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Riggs accounts for intercompany transactions as if the transactions were to third parties under market conditions. Overhead and support expenses are allocated to each operating segment based on number of employees, service usage and other factors relevant to the expense incurred. Geographic financial information is provided in Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Revenue and expense allocation formulas and funds transfer pricing methodologies may change. If necessary, prior periods are restated to reflect material changes in the components of the segments. Prior periods are not restated, however, to reflect changes in revenue and cost allocations or funds transfer pricing methodologies. In addition, revenues and expenses which are unusual or noncontrollable may be reflected in the Other segment, which is consistent with internal financial reporting, if management believes such presentation most accurately represents the remaining operating segments’ performance. Beginning in the first quarter of 2004, the segment previously reported as Riggs & Co. is, due to an organizational realignment, included in the Banking segment. Prior periods have been adjusted to reflect this change. Prior periods have also been adjusted to reflect discontinued operations as a result of the Company’s 2004 decision to sell or exit its international operations.

Reconciliations are provided from the segment totals to the consolidated financial statements. The reconciliation of total average assets represents the elimination of intercompany transactions.

Following are brief descriptions of the segments:

Banking

The Banking Segment operations at September 30, 2004 are primarily conducted through 51 branch offices and 154 ATMs in and around Washington, D.C.

International Banking
The International Banking Segment includes the Washington-based embassy banking business, the London banking subsidiary, Riggs Bank Europe Ltd. (RBEL), and an Edge Act chartered subsidiary in Miami, where business operations were terminated in the third quarter of 2004. Among the services provided are letters of credit, foreign exchange, taking of deposits, private banking and cash management. The International Banking segment also includes an international private-client services division, which has offices in London and in Jersey (Channel Islands), and Riggs Bank & Trust Company (Channel Islands), which provides credit, treasury and investment management services to affluent international clients.

As previously noted, Riggs will exit or sell substantially all of its international banking business. Riggs is pursuing a buyer for portions of its London and Channel Islands operations. The Company is also exiting its foreign embassy relationships.

Treasury

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

Riggs Capital Partners
Riggs Capital Partners represents the Company’s venture capital operations, which specialize in equity investments in privately-held high-tech and high-growth companies.

Other
The Other Segment consists of unallocated parent company income and expense, net interest income from unallocated equity, long-term debt, trust preferred securities, foreclosed real estate activities and other revenue or expenses not attributable to one of the other segments.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED