<PAGE>
 
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 1994
                                                      Registration No. 33-______

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                           Washington, D.C.  20549

                        ____________________________

                                  Form S-8

           REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                        _____________________________

                         RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)

                        _____________________________

                Delaware                        52-1217953
   (State or other jurisdiction of             (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)              Identification No.)

           1503 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20005
        (Address, including zip code, of Principal Executive Offices)

                           THE RIGGS NATIONAL BANK
                           EMPLOYEES' SAVINGS PLAN
                          (Full title of the Plan)

                             DAVID LESSER, ESQ.
                               General Counsel
                         Riggs National Corporation
                            800 17th Street, N.W.
                           Washington, D.C.  20006
          (Name, address, including zip code, of agent for service)

                                202/835-5345
        Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                       Calculation of Registration Fee

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title of                     
securities                 Proposed maximum    Proposed maximum    Amount of    
to be       Amount to be   aggregate offering  aggregate offering  registration
registered  registered        per unit                price           fee      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>                <C>            <C>                 <C> 

Common Stock 100,000 shs.(1)   $9.62(2)       $962,000.00(2)      $331.73
$2.50 par
value per
 share

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

(1)  This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of
     Common Stock which become issuable by reason of any stock dividend, stock
     split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the
     receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of
     the issuer's outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, pursuant to
     Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement
     also covers an indefinite amount of interests to be offered or sold
     pursuant to the employee benefit plan described above.


(2)  Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee.
     Pursuant to Rule 457(c), the calculation of the registration fee is based
     on the average of the high and low sales prices of the Registrant's
     Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on February 24, 1994 as
     reported by NASDAQ.
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II


Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference

     The following documents concerning Registrant and the Plan are incorporated
herein by reference and made a part hereof:

     (a)  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1992, as amended by Forms 10-KA dated July 2, 1993, September 21, 1993, 
October 4, 1993, and October 26, 1993;

     (b)  Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended 
March 31, 1993, as amended by Forms 10-QA dated July 2, 1993, September 21, 
1993, and October 27, 1993;

     (c)  Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders 
dated April 19, 1993;

     (d)  Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 
30, 1993, as amended by Forms 10-QA dated September 21, 1993 and October 27, 
1993; Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 27, 1993, December
21, 1993 and January 18, 1994;

     (e)  Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended 
September 30, 1993, as amended by Form 10-QA dated December 7, 1993; and

     (f)  The description of Registrant's Common Stock contained in Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to 4,000,000 shares of 
Registrant's 10.75% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B and 
2,924,000 shares of Registrant's Common Stock, as amended by Amendment No. 3
dated December 15, 1993.

     (g)  All reports and other documents filed by Registrant pursuant to 
Sections 13(a), 13(b), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities
offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a
part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.


Item 4.  Description of Securities

     Not applicable, as Registrant's Common Stock is registered under Section
12.
<PAGE>
 
Item 5.  Interests of Experts and Counsel

     The consolidated financial statements of the Registrant contained in
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 1992 and 1991 and for
the years ended December 31, 1992, 1991, and 1990, incorporated herein by
reference, have been audited by Arthur Andersen & Co., independent public
accountants, as stated in their report with respect thereto which is
incorporated by reference herein upon the authority of said firm as experts in
giving said reports.  With respect to the financial statements of Riggs AP, an
indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant, as of December 31, 1992 and
1991 and for the years ended December 31, 1992, 1991 and 1990, Arthur Andersen &
Co. has based its report referred to above, as stated in such report, solely on
the report of Ernst & Young, independent auditors, with respect to such
financial statements of Riggs AP.  The report of Ernst & Young with respect to
such financial statements is incorporated herein by reference upon the authority
of said firm as experts in giving said reports.

     The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Corporation by David Lesser, General Counsel of the Corporation.
As of the date of this Prospectus, Mr. Lesser owned 1,000 shares of Common Stock
directly and 1,000 shares as custodian for his minor son. Mr. Lesser also owned
350 shares of Class B Preferred Stock. In addition, Mr. Lesser held outstanding
stock options for 20,000 shares of Common Stock.


Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
Article Eleventh of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation and Section
14.1 of the Corporation's Bylaws provide for indemnification of the
Corporation's directors and officers in a variety of circumstances which may
include liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

     The general effect of the provisions in the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation and Delaware General Corporation Law is to provide that the
Corporation shall indemnify its directors and officers against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with the defense or
settlement of any judicial or administrative proceedings in which they become
involved by reason of their status as directors or officers of the Corporation,
if they acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
<PAGE>
 
conduct was unlawful.  With respect to legal proceedings by or in the right of
the Corporation in which a director or officer is adjudged liable for improper
performance of his duty to the Corporation or another enterprise which he served
in a similar capacity at the request of the Corporation, indemnification is
limited by such provisions to that amount which is permitted by the court.  In
addition, the Corporation has purchased insurance as permitted by Delaware law
on behalf of directors, officers, employees or agents, which may cover
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

     In addition, Article Eleventh of the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation provides that no director of the Corporation will be personally
liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director.  This provision does not eliminate or limit the
liability of a director for; (i) breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or
that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) willful
or negligent conduct in paying illegal dividends or improperly purchasing or
redeeming the Corporation's own stock; or (iv) any transaction in which the
director obtains an improper personal benefit.


Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed

     None.


Item 8.  Exhibits

     Item Number as per Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

     4(A)  The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, contained
in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1989, is
incorporated by reference.

     4(B)  The Registrant's By-Laws, as amended, contained in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, are incorporated by
reference.

     5(A)  Opinion of David Lesser, Esquire, General Counsel of the Registrant,
with respect to validity of the Common Stock of the Registrant registered
hereunder (filed herewith).

     (B)  Registrant undertakes to submit The Riggs National Bank Employees'
Savings Plan and any amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
in a timely manner and will make
<PAGE>
 
all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify The Riggs National Bank
Employees' Savings Plan.

     24(A)  Consent of Arthur Andersen & Co. (filed herewith).
            Consent of Ernst & Young (filed herewith).

     25.  Power of Attorney (filed herewith).


Item 9.  Undertakings

     Item 512(a).  Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement;

                (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of 
          the Securities Act of 1933;

                (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
          after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
          recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
          the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
          forth in the registration statement;

                (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the
          plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
          statement or any material change to such information in the
          registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
- --------  -------                                                              
registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.

     (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
<PAGE>
 
     (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     Item 512(b).  Registrant undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of Registrant's annual
report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     Item 512(e).  Registrant undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered
with the prospectus to each employee to whom the prospectus is sent or given, a
copy of Registrant's latest annual report to stockholders that is incorporated
by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the
requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and, where interim financial information required to be presented by
Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or
cause to be delivered to each employee to whom the prospectus is sent or given,
the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in
the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

     Item 512(h).  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>
 
                                 SIGNATURES

     The Registrant.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, on this 9th
day of February, 1994.


                                 RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION,
                                 a Delaware corporation (Registrant)



                                 By:  /s/ Joe L. Allbritton
                                    -----------------------
                                     Joe L. Allbritton
                                     Chairman of the Board and
                                     Chief Executive Officer



     The Plan.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Plan administrators have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on
the Plan's behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of
Washington, District of Columbia, on this 9th day of February, 1994.


                                 THE RIGGS NATIONAL BANK
                                 EMPLOYEES' SAVINGS PLAN



                                 By:  /s/ Joe L. Allbritton
                                    -----------------------
<PAGE>
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
Signature                       Title             Date
- ---------                       -----             ----
 
<S>                             <C>                   <C>
/s/ Joe L. Allbritton           Chairman of the       02/09/1994
- ------------------------------  Board and Chief
Joe L. Allbritton               Executive Officer


/s/ Paul M. Homan               Vice Chairman of      02/09/1994
- ------------------------------  the Board
Paul M. Homan


/s/ Timothy C. Coughlin         President             02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Timothy C. Coughlin


/s/ John L. Davis               Chief Financial       02/28/1994
- ------------------------------  Officer (Principal
John L. Davis                   Financial and
                                Accounting Officer)


/s/ Barbara B. Allbritton       Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Barbara B. Allbritton
 
 
                                Director              
- ------------------------------
Norman R. Augustine
 
 
/s/ Calvin Cafritz              Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Calvin Cafritz
 
 
/s/ Charles A. Camalier, III    Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Charles A. Camalier, III
 
 
/s/ Ronald E. Cuneo             Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Ronald E. Cuneo
 
 
/s/ Floyd E. Davis, III         Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Floyd E. Davis, III
 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

Signature                       Title                 Date
- ---------                       -----                 ----
<S>                             <C>                   <C>

/s/ Jacqueline C. Duchange      Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Jacqueline C. Duchange
 
 
/s/ Michela A. English          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Michela A. English
 
 
/s/ James E. Fitzgerald         Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
James E. Fitzgerald
 
 
/s/ David J. Gladstone          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
David J. Gladstone
 
 
/s/ Lawrence I. Hebert          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Lawrence I. Hebert
 
 
/s/ Michael J. Jackson          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Michael J. Jackson
 
 
/s/ Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J.      Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J.
 
 
/s/ Steven B. Pfeiffer          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Steven B. Pfeiffer
 
 
                                Director              
- ------------------------------
John A. Sargent
 
 
/s/ James R. Schlesinger        Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
James R. Schlesinger
 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>

Signature                       Title                 Date
- ---------                       -----                 ----
<S>                             <C>                   <C>
 
/s/ Robert L. Sloan             Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Robert L. Sloan
 
 
/s/ James W. Symington          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
James W. Symington
 
 
                                Director              
- ------------------------------
Jack Valenti
 
 
/s/ Eddie N. Williams           Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Eddie N. Williams
 
</TABLE>

*    David Lesser, by signing his name hereto, signs this document on behalf
     of each of the persons indicated by an asterisk above pursuant to powers
     of attorney duly executed by such persons and filed herewith with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission.


                             /s/ David Lesser
                             ------------------------------
                             David Lesser, Attorney-in-Fact
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 20913}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "RIGGS NATIONAL CORP", "cik": "0000350847", "assigned-sic": "6021", "irs-number": "521217953", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "033-52451", "film-number": "94513909"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1503 PENNSYLVANIA AVE N W", "city": "WASHINGTON", "state": "DC", "zip": "20005", "phone": "2028356000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "DAVID LESSER", "street2": "808 17TH ST, N W - C-9003", "city": "WASHINGTON", "state": "DC", "zip": "20006"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 1994
                                                      Registration No. 33-______

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                           Washington, D.C.  20549

                        ____________________________

                                  Form S-8

           REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                        _____________________________

                         RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)

                        _____________________________

                Delaware                        52-1217953
   (State or other jurisdiction of             (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)              Identification No.)

           1503 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20005
        (Address, including zip code, of Principal Executive Offices)

                           THE RIGGS NATIONAL BANK
                           EMPLOYEES' SAVINGS PLAN
                          (Full title of the Plan)

                             DAVID LESSER, ESQ.
                               General Counsel
                         Riggs National Corporation
                            800 17th Street, N.W.
                           Washington, D.C.  20006
          (Name, address, including zip code, of agent for service)

                                202/835-5345
        Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                       Calculation of Registration Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title of                     
securities                 Proposed maximum    Proposed maximum    Amount of    
to be       Amount to be   aggregate offering  aggregate offering  registration
registered  registered        per unit                price           fee      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock 100,000 shs.(1)   $9.62(2)       $962,000.00(2)      $331.73
$2.50 par
value per
 share

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of
     Common Stock which become issuable by reason of any stock dividend, stock
     split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the
     receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of
     the issuer's outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, pursuant to
     Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement
     also covers an indefinite amount of interests to be offered or sold
     pursuant to the employee benefit plan described above.

(2)  Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee.
     Pursuant to Rule 457(c), the calculation of the registration fee is based
     on the average of the high and low sales prices of the Registrant's
     Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on February 24, 1994 as
     reported by NASDAQ.
PART II

Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference

     The following documents concerning Registrant and the Plan are incorporated
herein by reference and made a part hereof:

     (a)  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1992, as amended by Forms 10-KA dated July 2, 1993, September 21, 1993, 
October 4, 1993, and October 26, 1993;

     (b)  Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended 
March 31, 1993, as amended by Forms 10-QA dated July 2, 1993, September 21, 
1993, and October 27, 1993;

     (c)  Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders 
dated April 19, 1993;

     (d)  Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 
30, 1993, as amended by Forms 10-QA dated September 21, 1993 and October 27, 
1993; Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 27, 1993, December
21, 1993 and January 18, 1994;

     (e)  Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended 
September 30, 1993, as amended by Form 10-QA dated December 7, 1993; and

     (f)  The description of Registrant's Common Stock contained in Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to 4,000,000 shares of 
Registrant's 10.75% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B and 
2,924,000 shares of Registrant's Common Stock, as amended by Amendment No. 3
dated December 15, 1993.

     (g)  All reports and other documents filed by Registrant pursuant to 
Sections 13(a), 13(b), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities
offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a
part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

Item 4.  Description of Securities

     Not applicable, as Registrant's Common Stock is registered under Section
12.
Item 5.  Interests of Experts and Counsel

     The consolidated financial statements of the Registrant contained in
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 1992 and 1991 and for
the years ended December 31, 1992, 1991, and 1990, incorporated herein by
reference, have been audited by Arthur Andersen & Co., independent public
accountants, as stated in their report with respect thereto which is
incorporated by reference herein upon the authority of said firm as experts in
giving said reports.  With respect to the financial statements of Riggs AP, an
indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant, as of December 31, 1992 and
1991 and for the years ended December 31, 1992, 1991 and 1990, Arthur Andersen &
Co. has based its report referred to above, as stated in such report, solely on
the report of Ernst & Young, independent auditors, with respect to such
financial statements of Riggs AP.  The report of Ernst & Young with respect to
such financial statements is incorporated herein by reference upon the authority
of said firm as experts in giving said reports.

     The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Corporation by David Lesser, General Counsel of the Corporation.
As of the date of this Prospectus, Mr. Lesser owned 1,000 shares of Common Stock
directly and 1,000 shares as custodian for his minor son. Mr. Lesser also owned
350 shares of Class B Preferred Stock. In addition, Mr. Lesser held outstanding
stock options for 20,000 shares of Common Stock.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
Article Eleventh of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation and Section
14.1 of the Corporation's Bylaws provide for indemnification of the
Corporation's directors and officers in a variety of circumstances which may
include liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

     The general effect of the provisions in the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation and Delaware General Corporation Law is to provide that the
Corporation shall indemnify its directors and officers against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with the defense or
settlement of any judicial or administrative proceedings in which they become
involved by reason of their status as directors or officers of the Corporation,
if they acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful.  With respect to legal proceedings by or in the right of
the Corporation in which a director or officer is adjudged liable for improper
performance of his duty to the Corporation or another enterprise which he served
in a similar capacity at the request of the Corporation, indemnification is
limited by such provisions to that amount which is permitted by the court.  In
addition, the Corporation has purchased insurance as permitted by Delaware law
on behalf of directors, officers, employees or agents, which may cover
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

     In addition, Article Eleventh of the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation provides that no director of the Corporation will be personally
liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director.  This provision does not eliminate or limit the
liability of a director for; (i) breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or
that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) willful
or negligent conduct in paying illegal dividends or improperly purchasing or
redeeming the Corporation's own stock; or (iv) any transaction in which the
director obtains an improper personal benefit.

Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed

     None.

Item 8.  Exhibits

     Item Number as per Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

     4(A)  The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, contained
in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1989, is
incorporated by reference.

     4(B)  The Registrant's By-Laws, as amended, contained in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, are incorporated by
reference.

     5(A)  Opinion of David Lesser, Esquire, General Counsel of the Registrant,
with respect to validity of the Common Stock of the Registrant registered
hereunder (filed herewith).

     (B)  Registrant undertakes to submit The Riggs National Bank Employees'
Savings Plan and any amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
in a timely manner and will make
all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify The Riggs National Bank
Employees' Savings Plan.

     24(A)  Consent of Arthur Andersen & Co. (filed herewith).
            Consent of Ernst & Young (filed herewith).

     25.  Power of Attorney (filed herewith).

Item 9.  Undertakings

     Item 512(a).  Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement;

                (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of 
          the Securities Act of 1933;

                (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
          after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
          recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
          the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
          forth in the registration statement;

                (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the
          plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
          statement or any material change to such information in the
          registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
- --------  -------                                                              
registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.

     (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     Item 512(b).  Registrant undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of Registrant's annual
report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     Item 512(e).  Registrant undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered
with the prospectus to each employee to whom the prospectus is sent or given, a
copy of Registrant's latest annual report to stockholders that is incorporated
by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the
requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and, where interim financial information required to be presented by
Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or
cause to be delivered to each employee to whom the prospectus is sent or given,
the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in
the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

     Item 512(h).  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES

     The Registrant.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, on this 9th
day of February, 1994.

                                 RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION,
                                 a Delaware corporation (Registrant)

                                 By:  /s/ Joe L. Allbritton
                                    -----------------------
                                     Joe L. Allbritton
                                     Chairman of the Board and
                                     Chief Executive Officer

     The Plan.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Plan administrators have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on
the Plan's behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of
Washington, District of Columbia, on this 9th day of February, 1994.

                                 THE RIGGS NATIONAL BANK
                                 EMPLOYEES' SAVINGS PLAN

                                 By:  /s/ Joe L. Allbritton
                                    -----------------------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature                       Title             Date
- ---------                       -----             ----
/s/ Joe L. Allbritton           Chairman of the       02/09/1994
- ------------------------------  Board and Chief
Joe L. Allbritton               Executive Officer

/s/ Paul M. Homan               Vice Chairman of      02/09/1994
- ------------------------------  the Board
Paul M. Homan

/s/ Timothy C. Coughlin         President             02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Timothy C. Coughlin

/s/ John L. Davis               Chief Financial       02/28/1994
- ------------------------------  Officer (Principal
John L. Davis                   Financial and
                                Accounting Officer)

/s/ Barbara B. Allbritton       Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Barbara B. Allbritton
 
 
                                Director              
- ------------------------------
Norman R. Augustine
 
 
/s/ Calvin Cafritz              Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Calvin Cafritz
 
 
/s/ Charles A. Camalier, III    Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Charles A. Camalier, III
 
 
/s/ Ronald E. Cuneo             Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Ronald E. Cuneo
 
 
/s/ Floyd E. Davis, III         Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Floyd E. Davis, III
Signature                       Title                 Date
- ---------                       -----                 ----
/s/ Jacqueline C. Duchange      Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Jacqueline C. Duchange
 
 
/s/ Michela A. English          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Michela A. English
 
 
/s/ James E. Fitzgerald         Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
James E. Fitzgerald
 
 
/s/ David J. Gladstone          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
David J. Gladstone
 
 
/s/ Lawrence I. Hebert          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Lawrence I. Hebert
 
 
/s/ Michael J. Jackson          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Michael J. Jackson
 
 
/s/ Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J.      Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J.
 
 
/s/ Steven B. Pfeiffer          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Steven B. Pfeiffer
 
 
                                Director              
- ------------------------------
John A. Sargent
 
 
/s/ James R. Schlesinger        Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
James R. Schlesinger
Signature                       Title                 Date
- ---------                       -----                 ----
/s/ Robert L. Sloan             Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Robert L. Sloan
 
 
/s/ James W. Symington          Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
James W. Symington
 
 
                                Director              
- ------------------------------
Jack Valenti
 
 
/s/ Eddie N. Williams           Director              02/09/1994
- ------------------------------
Eddie N. Williams
*    David Lesser, by signing his name hereto, signs this document on behalf
     of each of the persons indicated by an asterisk above pursuant to powers
     of attorney duly executed by such persons and filed herewith with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission.

                             /s/ David Lesser
                             ------------------------------
                             David Lesser, Attorney-in-Fact