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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000939057-03-000192.txt : 20030729
<SEC-HEADER>0000939057-03-000192.hdr.sgml : 20030729
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030729110242
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000939057-03-000192
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030728
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030729

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001010470
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6035]
		IRS NUMBER:				330704889
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3756 CENTRAL AVE
		CITY:			RIVERSIDE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92506
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9096866060

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3756 CENTRAL AVENUE
		CITY:			RIVERSIDE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92506

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THOMAS WILLIAM E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001180383

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-28304
		FILM NUMBER:		03807508

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3756 CENTRAL AVENUE
		CITY:			RIVERSIDE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92506
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9097826188

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3756 CENTRAL AVENUE
		CITY:			RIVERSIDE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92506
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-28</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001010470</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PROV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001180383</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>THOMAS WILLIAM E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3756 CENTRAL AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RIVERSIDE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92506</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, Par Value $0.01</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-07-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>30.02</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2935</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, Par Value $0.01</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-07-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>750</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>30.06</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2185</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The amount of securities beneficially owned includes the restricted common stock award(s) under Provident's Management Recognition Plan.  The award(s) vests ratably over a five-year period.  Additionally, the securities beneficially owned includes shares owned by Mr. Thomas' Profit Sharing Plan (William E. Thomas, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan).  Mr. Thomas is a trustee of the Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Mr. Thomas was granted 31,750 options to acquire 31,750 shares of common stock under Provident's 1996 Stock Option Plan.  The grants vest ratably over a five-year period.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>William E. Thomas</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
