UNITED STATES

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.







Date of Report: December  16, 2008

(Date of earliest event reported)




Centrue Financial Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





DE

(State or other jurisdiction 
of incorporation)


0-28846

(Commission File Number)


36-3145350

(IRS Employer 
Identification Number)






7700 Bonhomme Avenue St. Louis, Missouri

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

63105

(Zip Code)




3145055505
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)




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:


 
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

  

 
o 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 December 16, 2008, Centrue Financial Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release (the "Press Release") that it has received preliminary approval from the U.S. Treasury Department for participation in the Treasury's Capital Purchase Program.  A copy of the Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits


(a) Financial statements:

             None

(b) Pro forma financial information:

             None

(c) Shell company transactions:

             None

(d) Exhibits

             99.1       Press Release of Centrue Financial Corporation dated December  16, 2008



SIGNATURE

      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.








Dated: December  16, 2008



CENTRUE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

By:  /s/ Kurt R. Stevenson                      

     Kurt R. Stevenson

     Senior Executive Vice President and Principal Financial Accounting Officer







Exhibit Index



Exhibit No.
Description


99.1
Press Release of Centrue Financial Corporation dated December  16, 2008