Form 8-K Filing

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 15, 2010


City National Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware   1-10521   95-2568550
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)


  City National Plaza
555 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles, California
  90071  
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)  

(213) 673-7700
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)



________________________________________________________________________________
(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 (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 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective December 15, 2010, Alison Davis has been elected as a Member of the Board of Directors of City National Corporation and City National Bank. A copy of the press release announcing Ms. Davis' election is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Press Release, dated December 16, 2010, regarding the election of Alison Davis to the Board of Directors of City National Corporation and City National Bank.


SIGNATURE

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

    City National Corporation


December 16, 2010   /s/ MICHAEL B. CAHILL
Michael B. Cahill
Executive Vice President and
General Counsel