<PAGE>

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington, DC 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 20, 2005


                         Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


  Virginia                                 0-28635                   54-1964895
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission file number)        (IRS Employer
 of incorporation)                                                     Number)


                   5350 Lee Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22207
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)


        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 703.534.0700

         Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

|_|  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))

<PAGE>

ITEM 1.01         ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT
ITEM 2.03         CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION
                  UNDER AN OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT
ITEM 3.03         MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
ITEM 7.01         REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

         On December 20, 2005, Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"),
the parent company of Virginia Commerce Bank, Arlington, Virginia, completed its
previously announced private placement of an aggregate of $25 million of trust
preferred securities through VCBI Capital Trust III, a newly formed trust
subsidiary organized under Delaware law (the "Trust").

         The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities, along
with the proceeds of the sale of the common securities of the Trust, all of
which are owned by the Company (the trust preferred and common securities
collectively the "Trust Securities") were used by the Trust to purchase from the
Company an aggregate of $25,774,000 of junior subordinated deferrable interest
debentures (the "Debentures"). The Debentures have been issued pursuant to an
Indenture dated as of December 20, 2005 between the Company and Wilmington Trust
Company, as trustee, mature on February 23, 2036, and are redeemable at par, at
the Company's option, at any time on or after February 23, 2011, subject to
regulatory approval. The Debentures are redeemable prior to February 23, 2011 at
a premium ranging up to 104% of the principal amount thereof, upon the
occurrence of certain regulatory or legal events. The Debentures bear interest
on a quarterly basis, at a 6.19% fixed rate until February 23, 2011, at which
time the interest rate becomes a variable rate, adjusted quarterly, equal to 142
basis points over three month LIBOR.

         The Trust Securities are issued pursuant to an Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust dated as of December 20, 2005 among the Company, Wilmington
Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee and Institutional Trustee, and the
administrators of the Trust, and represent guaranteed beneficial interests in a
like amount of Debentures, and are intended to qualify as Tier 1 capital,
subject to applicable regulatory limits. Interest payments on the Debentures
will be used to pay quarterly distributions on the Trust Securities. The
Debentures will constitute the sole asset of the Trust. Payment of distributions
on, and the liquidation or redemption price of, the trust preferred securities
are guaranteed by the Company, to the extent the Trust has funds available
therefore, pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 20, 2005
between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Guarantee").

         Payment of interest on the Debentures and distributions on the trust
preferred securities may be deferred for up to twenty consecutive quarterly
periods, at the option of the Company. If the Company elects to defer payments
on the Debentures, it will generally not be able to (A) declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock or (B)
make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay,
repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu in
all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures, or (C) make any
payment under any guarantees of the Company that rank pari passu in all respects
with or junior in interest to the Guarantee. The principal amount of the
Debentures is subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy
or insolvency related events, or if the Company defaults in the payment of any
interest upon any Debenture when it becomes due and payable following the
nonpayment of any such interest for 20 or more consecutive quarterly periods.

         The proceeds of the issuance will be used by the Company for general
corporate purposes, including contribution to its subsidiary bank.

         The trust preferred securities have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws, and
unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States, except
pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. This
report shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy the trust preferred securities.

ITEM 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired. Not applicable.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information. Not Applicable.

<PAGE>

(c) Exhibits.

4.1  Indenture, dated as of December 20, 2005 between Virginia Commerce Bancorp,
     Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, (1)

4.2  Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as December 20, 2005,
     between Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as
     Delaware Trustee and Institutional Trustee, and Peter A. Converse, William
     K. Beauchesne and Marcia J. Hopkins as Administrators (1)

4.3  Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 20, 2005, between Virginia
     Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee
     (1)
------------------

(1) Not filed in accordance with the provisions of Item 601(b)(4)(v) of
Regulation SK. The Company agrees to provide a copy of these documents to the
Commission upon request.

<PAGE>

                                   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.


                                 VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.



                                 By:  /s/ Peter A. Converse
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    Peter A. Converse, Chief Executive Officer

Dated: December 20, 2005
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "b410763_8k.txt", "description": "8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 7687}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP INC", "cik": "0001099305", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "541964895"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-28635", "film-number": "051275868"}, "business-address": {"street1": "5350 LEE HIGHWAY", "city": "ARLINGTON", "state": "VA", "zip": "22207", "phone": "7035340700"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "5350 LEE HIGHWAY", "city": "BETHARLINGTON", "state": "VA", "zip": "22207"}}
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington, DC 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 20, 2005

                         Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  Virginia                                 0-28635                   54-1964895
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission file number)        (IRS Employer
 of incorporation)                                                     Number)

                   5350 Lee Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22207
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 703.534.0700

         Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

|_|  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 1.01         ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT
ITEM 2.03         CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION
                  UNDER AN OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT
ITEM 3.03         MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
ITEM 7.01         REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

         On December 20, 2005, Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"),
the parent company of Virginia Commerce Bank, Arlington, Virginia, completed its
previously announced private placement of an aggregate of $25 million of trust
preferred securities through VCBI Capital Trust III, a newly formed trust
subsidiary organized under Delaware law (the "Trust").

         The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities, along
with the proceeds of the sale of the common securities of the Trust, all of
which are owned by the Company (the trust preferred and common securities
collectively the "Trust Securities") were used by the Trust to purchase from the
Company an aggregate of $25,774,000 of junior subordinated deferrable interest
debentures (the "Debentures"). The Debentures have been issued pursuant to an
Indenture dated as of December 20, 2005 between the Company and Wilmington Trust
Company, as trustee, mature on February 23, 2036, and are redeemable at par, at
the Company's option, at any time on or after February 23, 2011, subject to
regulatory approval. The Debentures are redeemable prior to February 23, 2011 at
a premium ranging up to 104% of the principal amount thereof, upon the
occurrence of certain regulatory or legal events. The Debentures bear interest
on a quarterly basis, at a 6.19% fixed rate until February 23, 2011, at which
time the interest rate becomes a variable rate, adjusted quarterly, equal to 142
basis points over three month LIBOR.

         The Trust Securities are issued pursuant to an Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust dated as of December 20, 2005 among the Company, Wilmington
Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee and Institutional Trustee, and the
administrators of the Trust, and represent guaranteed beneficial interests in a
like amount of Debentures, and are intended to qualify as Tier 1 capital,
subject to applicable regulatory limits. Interest payments on the Debentures
will be used to pay quarterly distributions on the Trust Securities. The
Debentures will constitute the sole asset of the Trust. Payment of distributions
on, and the liquidation or redemption price of, the trust preferred securities
are guaranteed by the Company, to the extent the Trust has funds available
therefore, pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 20, 2005
between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Guarantee").

         Payment of interest on the Debentures and distributions on the trust
preferred securities may be deferred for up to twenty consecutive quarterly
periods, at the option of the Company. If the Company elects to defer payments
on the Debentures, it will generally not be able to (A) declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock or (B)
make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay,
repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu in
all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures, or (C) make any
payment under any guarantees of the Company that rank pari passu in all respects
with or junior in interest to the Guarantee. The principal amount of the
Debentures is subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy
or insolvency related events, or if the Company defaults in the payment of any
interest upon any Debenture when it becomes due and payable following the
nonpayment of any such interest for 20 or more consecutive quarterly periods.

         The proceeds of the issuance will be used by the Company for general
corporate purposes, including contribution to its subsidiary bank.

         The trust preferred securities have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws, and
unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States, except
pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. This
report shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy the trust preferred securities.

ITEM 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired. Not applicable.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information. Not Applicable.
(c) Exhibits.

4.1  Indenture, dated as of December 20, 2005 between Virginia Commerce Bancorp,
     Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, (1)

4.2  Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as December 20, 2005,
     between Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as
     Delaware Trustee and Institutional Trustee, and Peter A. Converse, William
     K. Beauchesne and Marcia J. Hopkins as Administrators (1)

4.3  Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 20, 2005, between Virginia
     Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee
     (1)
------------------

(1) Not filed in accordance with the provisions of Item 601(b)(4)(v) of
Regulation SK. The Company agrees to provide a copy of these documents to the
Commission upon request.
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.

                                 VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.

                                 By:  /s/ Peter A. Converse
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    Peter A. Converse, Chief Executive Officer

Dated: December 20, 2005