<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001434890-12-000022.txt : 20120702
<SEC-HEADER>0001434890-12-000022.hdr.sgml : 20120702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120702090243
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001434890-12-000022
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120625
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120702
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120702

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001038773
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				621175427
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4154 RINGGOLD RD
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37412-416
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4236982454

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4154 RINGGOLD RD
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37412-0416

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EAST RIDGE BANCSHARES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970507

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Vercoe James Robert Jr.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001553406

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30497
		FILM NUMBER:		12938610

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6401 LEE HIGHWAY SUITE 119
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37421
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-06-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001038773</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CSBQ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001553406</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Vercoe James Robert Jr.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6401 LEE HIGHWAY SUITE 119</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHATTANOOGA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37421</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP &amp; Chief Credit Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.7</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2013-03-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2021-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.65</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2014-03-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2022-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nathaniel F. Hughes, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
