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 (Date of earliest event reported): December 21, 2011

______________________________________

WESTFIELD FINANCIAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

141 Elm Street
Westfield, Massachusetts 01085
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (413) 568-1911

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:

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

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

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

⃞ 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 22, 2011, Westfield Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program (“Repurchase Program”) under which the Company may purchase up to 1,333,496 shares, or 5% of its outstanding common stock. Repurchases may be made pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 or 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  On May 25, 2010, the Company had previously announced a stock repurchase program for 2,924,367 shares of its common stock and as of December 21, 2011, 324,165 shares are remaining to be repurchased under that program.

Pursuant to the Repurchase Program, on December 21, 2011, the Company entered into a 10b5-1 repurchase plan (“10b5-1 Plan”) with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.  Pursuant to the 10b5-1 Plan, a maximum of 1,333,496 shares may be repurchased beginning January 23, 2012, or upon the completion of the previous program, whichever is later.  The 10b5-1 Plan expires on January 23, 2013.

The press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01.              Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)  Not applicable.

(b)  Not applicable.

(c)  Not applicable.

(d)  Exhibits.

The exhibits required by this item are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.

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.

EXHIBIT INDEX