<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-16</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000790183</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PROGRESS FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PFNC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203411</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HIGH MICHAEL B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>COO/CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock (acquired through stock dividend)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>496</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>14.3</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>10254</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock (acquired through ESOP and ESPP)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>531</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>14.3</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>10988</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>11.34</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>662</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>11.34</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>1998-10-01</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2008-10-01</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>662</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>13890</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>11.34</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>164</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>11.34</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2003-10-01</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2008-10-01</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>164</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>3473</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>11.34</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>262</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>11.34</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2000-02-01</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2010-02-01</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>262</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>5512</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>7.38</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>252</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>7.38</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2001-02-27</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2011-02-27</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>252</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>5276</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>7.38</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>123</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>7.38</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-02-27</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2011-02-27</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>123</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2599</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>7.67</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>102</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>7.67</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2002-02-15</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2012-02-15</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>102</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2142</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>7.67</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>99</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>7.67</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-02-15</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2012-02-15</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>99</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2079</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>7.67</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>99</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>7.67</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2005-02-15</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2012-02-15</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>99</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2079</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>12.38</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>128</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>12.38</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-02-26</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-02-26</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>128</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2677</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>12.38</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>124</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>12.38</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2005-02-26</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-02-26</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>124</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2599</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>PFNC Common Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>12.38</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>123</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>12.38</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2006-02-26</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-02-26</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>123</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2599</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">shares acquired through 5% stock dividend payment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">exercise price adjusted for 5% stock dividend payment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">option acquired as a result of 5% stock dividend payment.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael B. High</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

