SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

              _X_ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997

             _____ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                          Commission file number 0-9426

                          NATIONAL CITY BANCORPORATION
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


               Iowa                                   42-0316731
-----------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
 (State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
  incorporation of organization)

        651 Nicollet Mall
      Minneapolis, Minnesota                          55402-1611
-----------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
      (Address of principal                           (Zip Code)
        executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number (including area code):  612-904-8500


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:


                          $1.25 Par Value Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                               Yes __X__ No _____

As of February 20, 1998, the aggregate market value of 6,764,301 shares of
voting common stock, $1.25 par value, held by non-affiliates of the registrant
was approximately $213,075,500 based upon the reported closing price on the
NASDAQ Stock Market(SM). As of February 20, 1998, 8,057,478 shares of $1.25 par
value common stock of the registrant were outstanding.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
Incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]

<PAGE>


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(1)  Portions of National City Bancorporation's Annual Report to Stockholders
     for the year ended December 31, 1997 are incorporated by reference into
     Parts I, II, and IV.

(2)  Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement of National City Bancorporation
     for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 22, 1998 are
     incorporated by reference into Part III.

<PAGE>


NATIONAL CITY BANCORPORATION

FORM 10-K
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART I

ITEM 1 - BUSINESS

         National City Bancorporation (NCBC) was incorporated in 1937 under the
         laws of the State of Iowa. NCBC is a bank holding company which owns
         99.9% of the capital stock of National City Bank of Minneapolis (NCB),
         which is a commercial bank. NCBC owns 100% of the capital stock of
         Diversified Business Credit, Inc. (DBCI), a commercial finance company.
         NCBC also owns 100% of the capital stock of National City Development &
         Realty, Inc. an inactive subsidiary.

         NCB has its main banking office in the business district of downtown
         Minneapolis and also serves customers from two detached facilities. One
         of these facilities provides a drive-up location in downtown
         Minneapolis, and the other is a full service branch location in Edina,
         Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis.

         NCBC provides its subsidiaries advice and specialized services in
         various fields of financial and banking policy. The responsibility for
         the management of each subsidiary remains with the Board of Directors
         of each subsidiary and with the officers elected by the subsidiary
         Boards of Directors. NCB provides usual and customary banking services
         including without limitation: business, personal and real estate loans;
         a full range of deposit services; correspondent banking and safe
         deposit facilities. In addition to the services generally provided by a
         full-service bank, NCBC's subsidiaries offer specialized services as
         described below:

         TRUST SERVICES - NCB offers clients a wide variety of fiduciary
         services ranging from the management of funds for individuals to the
         administration of estates and trusts. For corporations, governmental
         bodies, and public authorities, NCB acts as fiscal and paying agent,
         registrar, and trustee under corporate indentures and pension and
         profit sharing agreements. NCB also provides record keeping and
         reporting for 401-K retirement savings plans.

         INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS - NCB provides a wide range of services in the
         area of international banking including trade service products, such as
         letters of credit, bankers acceptances, international collections and
         foreign exchange.

         ASSET-BASED FINANCING - DBCI specializes in providing working capital
         loans secured by accounts receivable, inventory, and other marketable
         assets. All loans are made on a full recourse basis to the borrower.
         Personal guarantees from the owners of the borrower are normally
         obtained. Loans are made on a demand basis with no fixed repayment
         schedule. Compared to equity-based loans made by banks and others,
         asset-based loans usually require closer monitoring which results in
         higher loan servicing costs. Typically, interest rates earned on these
         loans are higher than rates earned on equity-based loans.

         OTHER SERVICES - NCBC and subsidiaries do not have more than one line
         of business or class of service. All income is derived from commercial
         banking and bank-related services. It is not dependent on a single
         customer or a single industry for any material part of its business.

         COMPETITION - Banking in Minnesota, as elsewhere, is highly competitive
         and NCB competes with other banks, both independent and those
         affiliated with other bank holding companies. Additional competitors
         are able to enter the Minnesota market following the June, 1997 change
         in banking regulations (See Supervision & Regulation). In addition, in
         lending funds and obtaining deposits, NCB competes with other types of
         institutions, such as savings and loan associations, credit unions,
         insurance companies, finance companies, and various institutions
         offering money market and mutual funds.

         EMPLOYEES - NCBC and its subsidiaries have approximately 272 employees,
         none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining organization.

<PAGE>


         GOVERNMENT POLICIES - The earnings of NCBC's various operating units,
         as lenders of money, are affected by state and federal legislative
         changes and by policies of various regulatory authorities, including
         those of the State of Minnesota and the United States and, to a lesser
         extent, by those of foreign governments, and international agencies.
         These policies include, for example, statutory maximum legal interest
         rates, domestic monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the
         Federal Reserve System, United States fiscal policy, international
         currency regulations and monetary policies, and capital adequacy and
         liquidity constraints imposed by bank regulatory agencies.

         SUPERVISION AND REGULATION - NCBC is a registered bank holding company
         under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the Act) and is subject to
         the supervision of and regulation by the Board of Governors of the
         Federal Reserve System (the Board).

         Under the Act, a bank holding company may engage in banking, managing
         or controlling banks, furnishing and performing services for banks
         which it controls, and activities which the Board has determined to be
         closely related to banking. NCBC must obtain approval of the Board
         before acquiring control of a bank or acquiring more than 5% of the
         outstanding voting shares of a company engaged in a bank-related
         business.

         In general, effective June 1, 1997, federal law permits the merger of
         insured banks within different home states, without regard to whether
         such transaction is prohibited under the law of any state.

         Under state law, a bank subsidiary of an out-of state bank holding
         company may establish branch offices in Minnesota if the bank
         subsidiary's principal place of business is within the state. An
         acquiring out-of-state bank may maintain and operate branches within
         Minnesota provided the in-state acquired bank has been in continuous
         operation for at least five years.

         NCBC's subsidiary bank is a national bank and is, accordingly, subject
         to the supervision of and examination by the Comptroller of the
         Currency and the Federal Reserve System. The subsidiary bank is a
         member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and, accordingly,
         is subject to examination thereby.

         Areas subject to regulation by federal and state authorities include
         deposit reserves, investments, loans, mergers, issuance of securities,
         payment of dividends, establishment of branches, and other aspects of
         operations.

         STATISTICAL DATA - Statistical data is presented on pages 25 through 31
         of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31,
         1997, and such statistical data is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES

         NCB currently leases 95,200 square feet of space for its downtown main
         office under a lease which expires in 2006.

         NCB leases 3,380 square feet of record storage space at a downtown
         location under a lease that expires in the year 2000.

         NCB maintains a drive-up detached banking facility in downtown
         Minneapolis on leased land. The lease expires in the year 2000.

         NCB also owns an 8,500 square foot banking facility and land in Edina,
         Minnesota.

         DBCI leases 14,067 square feet of space in downtown Minneapolis. This
         lease expires in the year 2002.

         The aggregate net rentals for all of the above described facilities
         were approximately $2,478,000 in 1997.

         NCB relocated its banking offices to Gaviidae Common at 651 Nicollet
         Mall in March 1996. NCB entered into a ten year lease commencing March
         16, 1996, to occupy approximately 95,200 square feet in the new
         location.

<PAGE>


         The effective annual base rent per square foot is $4.98 for the first
         five years and $6.98 for the second five years of the lease term. These
         rents are based upon NCB advancing $3,346,608 to the landlord, which
         amount was used to pay for certain base building improvements, real
         estate commissions, design fees and reimbursement for moving expenses.
         The annual cost for the first five years will be approximately $1.7
         million and for the last five years will be approximately $1.8 million
         per year. In addition, NCB paid for all its leasehold improvements,
         which cost approximately $2,000,000. NCB has two options of five years
         each to extend the lease term at the then current fair market rents for
         office and retail space. NCB has the right to terminate the lease in
         its entirety or to give back substantial portions of the leased
         premises on the sixth anniversary of the lease term. NCB has expansion
         rights on all space on the third and fourth levels of the premises,
         subject to the rights of existing tenants. Rent for expansion space
         taken on or before March 31, 1999, would be $8.00 net per square foot.
         Rent for expansion space taken after March 31, 1999, would be at the
         lower of (i) $8.00 per square foot plus any increase in the Minneapolis
         CPI from March 16, 1996, or (ii) the fair market value of the space.
         NCB will pay its pro rata share of taxes when due. NCB has the right to
         contest real estate taxes against the premises if the landlord fails to
         do so. NCB pays normal operating expenses which includes a cap on
         management fees and exclusions that are generally consistent with other
         large office tenant leases.

         DBCI relocated its offices to the Dain Bosworth Plaza, at 60 South
         Sixth Street in September, 1997. DBCI entered into a five year lease
         commencing September, 1, 1997, to occupy 14,067 square feet in the new
         location. The effective annual base rent per square foot is $21.31 for
         the five years. The annual cost for the five years will be
         approximately $242,000 per year. In addition, DBCI paid all leasehold
         improvements which cost approximately $108,000. DBCI has two options of
         five years each to extend the lease term at the then current fair
         market rents for office space. DBCI will pay its pro rata share of
         taxes when due. DBCI will have the right to contest real estate taxes
         against the premises if the landlord fails to do so. DBCI will pay
         normal operating expenses which will include exclusions that are
         generally consistent with other office tenant leases.

ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         NCBC is party to various legal proceedings incidental to its business.
         Certain claims, suits, and complaints arising in the ordinary course of
         business have been filed or are pending against NCBC. In the opinion of
         management, the resulting liability, if any, arising from all such
         actions will not have a material impact on NCBC's consolidated
         financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year
         covered by this report to a vote of security holders through the
         solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS

         The market for National City Bancorporation's common stock and related
         stockholder matters is presented on pages 1 and 31 of the Annual Report
         to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997, and is
         incorporated herein by reference.

<PAGE>


PART II


ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

         Selected financial data is presented on page 30 of the Annual Report to
         Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997 and is incorporated
         herein by reference.

ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

         Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results
         of operations is presented on pages 18 through 24 of the Annual Report
         to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997 and is
         incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

         The consolidated financial statements and supplementary financial
         information of National City Bancorporation and subsidiaries are
         presented on pages 3 through 17 and 30 through 31 of the Annual Report
         to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997 and are
         incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

         None.

<PAGE>


PART III

ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

         The directors and executive officers of National City Bancorporation
         are presented on pages 4 through 7 of the Proxy Statement for the
         Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 22, 1998, and said
         presentation is incorporated herein by reference.

         The executive officers referred to in this Item 10 are as follows:

                  Mr. David L. Andreas has been a director since 1980 and was
                  elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
                  effective November 1, 1987. Mr. Andreas had been a Vice
                  President and Senior Vice President of NCBC during the last
                  five years prior to being elected Chairman. Mr. Andreas was
                  elected President and Chief Executive Officer of NCB in 1994.
                  Mr. Andreas is also a director of NCB and Chairman of DBCI and
                  NCDR.

                  Mr. Thomas J. Freed was elected Secretary and Controller of
                  NCBC effective January 1, 1982 and Secretary and Chief
                  Financial Officer effective July, 16, 1997. Mr. Freed was
                  elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
                  NCB in 1986. Previous to 1986, Mr. Freed served as an officer
                  of NCB for seventeen years.

                  Mr. Robert L. Olson has been President, Chief Executive
                  Officer and director of Diversified Business Credit, Inc.
                  since 1985.

ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         Executive compensation is set forth on pages 7 through 10 of the Proxy
         Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 22,
         1998 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

         The security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is
         presented on pages 2 through 6 of the Proxy Statement for the Annual
         Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 22, 1998 and is incorporated
         herein by reference.

ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         Certain relationships and related transactions are presented on page 9
         through 10 of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
         Stockholders to be held April 22, 1998 and is incorporated herein by
         reference.


PART IV

ITEM 14 - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      (1) Financial Statements

         The Following consolidated financial statements and report of
         independent auditors of National City Bancorporation and subsidiaries,
         included in the annual report of the registrant to its stockholders for
         the year ended December 31, 1997, are incorporated by reference in Item
         8:

                  Independent Auditors' Report
                  Consolidated balance sheets - December 31, 1997 and 1996
                  Consolidated statements of earnings - years ended December 31,
                  1997, 1996 and 1995
                  Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity - years ended
                  December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                  Consolidated statements of cash flows - years ended December
                  31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                  Notes to consolidated financial statements

<PAGE>


         (2) Financial Statement Schedules

         All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not
         required, or the required information is included in the consolidated
         financial statements or notes thereto.

         (3) Exhibits

                  3(a) - Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein
                  by reference to Exhibit 3.01 of the Registrant's Registration
                  Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 269057).

                  3(b) - Restated By-laws [incorporated herein by reference to
                  Exhibit 3(ii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the year ended December 31, 1985].

                  10(c) - Salary Continuation Agreement between NCB and Walter
                  E. Meadley, Jr. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                  10(c) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                  ended December 31, 1990).

                  10(d) - Salary Continuation Agreement, as amended, between NCB
                  and Thomas J. Freed (incorporated herein by reference to
                  Exhibit 10(d) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
                  for the year ended December 31, 1994).

                  10(f) - Fourth Amendment to Executive Salary Continuation
                  Agreement by and between NCB and Thomas J. Freed dated
                  November 31, 1995. [Incorporated herein by reference to
                  Exhibit 10(f) to the 1995 Form 10-K.]

                  10(g) - Fourth Amendment to Executive Salary Continuation
                  Agreement by and between NCB and Walter E. Meadley, Jr. dated
                  November 31, 1995. [Incorporated herein by reference to
                  Exhibit 10(g) to the 1995 Form 10-K.]

                  10(h) - Fourth Amendment to Executive Salary Continuation
                  Agreement by and between NCB and David L. Andreas dated
                  December 31, 1995. [Incorporated herein by reference to
                  Exhibit 10(h) to the 1995 Form 10-K.]

                  10(i) - Change in Control Agreement by and between NCBC, NCB,
                  and Thomas J. Freed dated as of November 19, 1996.
                  [Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the 1996
                  Form 10-K.]

                  10(j) - Employment Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, by and
                  between DBCI and Robert L. Olson.

                  11 - Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share.

                  13 - Annual Report to Stockholders (only those portions
                  incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed filed with
                  the Commission).

                  22 - Subsidiaries of Registrant are listed and described in
                  PART I, Item 1.

                  23 - Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP.

                  27 - Financial Data Schedule

                  Copies of the exhibits will be furnished upon request and
                  payment of registrant's reasonable expenses in furnishing the
                  exhibits.

                  (b) Reports on Form 8-K

                  No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended
                  December 31, 1997.

<PAGE>


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

                           NATIONAL CITY BANCORPORATION

Date: March 18, 1998      /S/David L. Andreas
                          ---------------------------------------
                          David L. Andreas, Chairman

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date: March 18, 1998      /S/David L. Andreas
                          ---------------------------------------
                          David L. Andreas, Chairman of the Board of Directors
                          (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 18, 1998      /S/Thomas J. Freed
                          ---------------------------------------
                          Thomas J. Freed, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
                          (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Date: March 18, 1998      /S/Wendell R. Anderson
                          ---------------------------------------
                          Wendell R. Anderson, Director

Date: March 18, 1998
                          ---------------------------------------
                          L.W. Andreas, Director

Date: March 18, 1998
                          ---------------------------------------
                          Terry L. Andreas, Director

Date: March 18, 1998      /S/Marvin Borman
                          ---------------------------------------
                          Marvin Borman, Director

Date: March 18, 1998
                          ---------------------------------------
                          Kenneth H. Dahlberg, Director

Date: March 18, 1998
                          ---------------------------------------
                          John H. Daniels, Jr., Director

Date: March 18, 1998      /S/Thomas E. Holloran
                          ---------------------------------------
                          Thomas E. Holloran, Director

Date: March 18, 1998
                          ---------------------------------------
                          C. Bernard Jacobs, Director

Date: March 18, 1998      /S/David C. Malmberg
                          ---------------------------------------
                          David C. Malmberg, Director

Date: March 18, 1998      /S/Walter E. Meadley, Jr.
                          ---------------------------------------
                          Walter E. Meadley, Jr., Director

Date: March 18, 1998      /S/Roger H. Scherer
                          ---------------------------------------
                          Roger H. Scherer, Director

<PAGE>


NATIONAL CITY BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                    SUBSEQUENTLY
EXHIBIT                                                               NUMBERED
NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION                                 PAGE

3(a)   Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by
       reference to Exhibit 3.01 of the Registrant's Registration
       Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 2-69057

3(b)   Restated By-laws [incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
       3(ii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
       ended December 31, 1985].

10(b)  Salary Continuation Agreement between NCB and David L.
       Andreas (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's
       Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
       1987).

10(c)  Salary Continuation Agreement between NCB and Walter E.
       Meadley, Jr. [incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
       10(c) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
       ended December 31, 1990].

10(d)  Salary Continuation Agreement, as amended, between NCB and
       Thomas J. Freed (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
       10(d) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
       year ended December 31, 1994).

10(f)  Fourth Amendment to Executive Salary Continuation Agreement
       by and between NCB and Thomas J. Freed dated November 31,
       1995. [Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to
       the 1995 Form 10-K.]

10(g)  Fourth Amendment to Executive Salary Continuation Agreement by
       and between NCB and Walter E. Meadley, Jr. dated November 31,
       1995. [Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to
       the 1995 Form 10-K.]

10(h)  Fourth Amendment to Executive Salary Continuation Agreement
       by and between NCB and David L. Andreas dated December 31,
       1995. [Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to
       the 1995 Form 10-K.]

10(i)  Change in Control Agreement by and between NCBC, NCB, and
       Thomas J. Freed dated as of November 19, 1996. [Incorporated
       herein by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the 1996 Form 10-K.]

10(j)  Employment Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, by and between
       DBCI and Robert L. Olson.

 11    Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share.

 13    Annual Report to Stockholders (only those portions
       incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed filed with
       the Commission).

 22    Subsidiaries of Registrant are listed and described in PART I,
       Item 1.

 23    Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP.

 27    Financial Data Schedule