UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)

                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
           Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                    Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ___)

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/X/Definitive Additional Materials                 by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/ /Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-12

                          COOPERATIVE BANKSHARES, INC.
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                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


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    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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                  [Letterhead of Cooperative Bankshares, Inc.]








Dear Stockholder:


     The  Notice  of Annual  Meeting  and Proxy  Statement  for the 2004  Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Cooperative Bankshares,  Inc. to be held on April 30,
2004,  is being mailed on or about  Monday,  April 5, 2004,  rather than Monday,
March 29,  2004,  as is  reflected  on the  Notice of Annual  Meeting  and Proxy
Statement. Please return your proxy card as soon as possible.


                                Sincerely,


                                /s/ Linda B. Garland
                                Linda B. Garland
                                Vice President and Secretary