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<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>United States</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Securities and Exchange Commission</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
<B>September 18, 2012</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 24pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>ASB BANCORP, INC.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Its Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 40%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>North Carolina</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
        or organization)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 17%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>001-35279</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Commission File Number)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 37%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>45-3463413</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(IRS Employer</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Identification No.)</P></TD></TR>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>11 Church Street, Asheville, North Carolina
28801</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(828) 254-7411</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including
area code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Not Applicable</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Former name or former address, if changed
since last report)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">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:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&pound;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&pound;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&pound;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD></TR></TABLE>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&pound;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD></TR></TABLE>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Item 8.01&#9;<U>Other Events. </U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">On September 19, 2012,
ASB Bancorp, Inc. (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;) announced that it has authorized the funding of a trust that will purchase up to
233,382 shares of the Company&rsquo;s outstanding common stock. The shares acquired by the trust will be used to fund restricted
stock awards under the Company&rsquo;s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders at the Company&rsquo;s annual
meeting held on May 24, 2012. For more information, reference is made to the Company&rsquo;s news release dated September 19, 2012,
a copy of which is attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.1 and is furnished herewith.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Item 9.01&#9;<U>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&#9;
Exhibits&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 10%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-decoration: underline">Number</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 85%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-decoration: underline">Description</TD></TR>
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    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">99.1</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">News Release dated September 19, 2012</TD></TR>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">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
thereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 6pt">&nbsp;</P>

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<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><B>ASB BANCORP, INC.</B></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 50%">&nbsp;Date: September 19, 2012&#9;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 4%">By:&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 46%">/s/ Suzanne S. DeFerie</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-top: #000000 1px solid">Suzanne S. DeFerie<BR><I>President and Chief Executive Officer</I></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 6pt">&nbsp;</P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ASB Bancorp Inc", "cik": "0001520300", "assigned-sic": "6035", "irs-number": "453463413", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-35279", "film-number": "121099292"}, "business-address": {"street1": "11 CHURCH STREET", "city": "ASHEVILLE", "state": "NC", "zip": "28801", "phone": "828-254-7411"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "11 CHURCH STREET", "city": "ASHEVILLE", "state": "NC", "zip": "28801"}}
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):
September 18, 2012
ASB BANCORP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Its Charter)
North Carolina
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
        or organization)
001-35279
(Commission File Number)
45-3463413
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
11 Church Street, Asheville, North Carolina
28801
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(828) 254-7411
(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:
£
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 September 19, 2012,
ASB Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") announced that it has authorized the funding of a trust that will purchase up to
233,382 shares of the Company's outstanding common stock. The shares acquired by the trust will be used to fund restricted
stock awards under the Company's 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders at the Company's annual
meeting held on May 24, 2012. For more information, reference is made to the Company's news release dated September 19, 2012,
a copy of which is attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.1 and is furnished herewith.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)	
Exhibits
Number
Description
99.1
News Release dated September 19, 2012
2
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
thereunto duly authorized.
ASB BANCORP, INC.
Date: September 19, 2012
By:
/s/ Suzanne S. DeFerie
Suzanne S. DeFerie
President and Chief Executive Officer
3