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Valley National Bancorp

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Employees 1001-5000
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FY2009 Annual Report · Valley National Bancorp
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2009 ANNUAL REPORT
2009 ANNUAL REPORT

198 BRANCH LOCATIONS

HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA 1989 - 2009

Sussex

NEW JERSEY

Passaic

287

Bergen

Warren

80

80

Morris

Manhattan

NEW YORK

Essex

Hudson

Queens

287

Union

Brooklyn

Hunterdon

Somerset

e
pik
urn
NJ T

Year
End

Total
Assets

Net
Income

Diluted Earnings 
Per Common 
Share (1)

Return on
Average
Assets

Return on
Average
Equity

Dividends 
Per Common
Share

Common Stock 
Splits and 
Dividends

2009  $14,284 

$116.1 (2)  $0.67 

0.81% 

8.64% 

$0.76 

5/09 - 5% 

Stock Dividend

Dollars in millions, except for share data.  

2008 

14,718 

93.6 (2) 

0.67 

2007 

12,749 

153.2 (2) 

1.15 

2006 

12,395 

163.7 (2) 

1.21 

2005 

12,436 

163.4 

2004 

10,763 

154.4 

2003 

9,873 

153.4 

2002 

9,148 

154.6   

2001 

8,590 

135.2   

2000 

6,426 

106.8 

1999 

6,360 

106.3   

1998 

5,541 

97.3   

1997 

5,091 

85.0 

1996 

4,687 

67.5   

1995 

4,586 

62.6   

1994 

3,744 

1993 

3,605 

1992 

3,357 

1991 

3,055 

1990 

2,149 

1989 

1,975 

59.0 

56.4 

43.4 

31.7 

28.6 

36.0 

1.23 

1.22 

1.21 

1.17 

0.99 

0.95 

0.89 

0.86 

0.78 

0.69 

0.63 

0.70 

0.68 

0.53 

0.39 

0.35 

0.44 

0.69 

1.25 

1.33 

1.39 

1.51 

1.63 

1.78 

1.68 

1.72 

1.75 

1.82 

1.67 

1.47 

1.40 

1.60 

1.62 

1.36 

1.29 

1.44 

1.92 

8.74 

16.43 

17.24 

19.17 

22.77 

24.21 

23.59 

19.70 

20.28 

18.35 

18.47 

18.88 

17.23 

16.60 

20.03 

21.42 

19.17 

15.40 

14.54 

19.93 

0.76 

0.76 

0.74 

0.72 

0.70 

0.66 

0.63 

0.59 

0.56 

0.53 

0.48 

0.41 

0.37 

0.35 

0.34 

0.27 

0.24 

0.23 

0.23 

0.22 

5/08 - 5% 

Stock Dividend

5/07 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/06 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/05 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/04 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/03 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/02 -  5:4 

Stock Split

5/01 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/00 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/99 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/98 -  5:4 

Stock Split

5/97 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/96 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/95 -  5% 

Stock Dividend

5/94 -  10% 

Stock Dividend

4/93 -  5:4 

Stock Split

4/92 -  3:2 

Stock Split

Middlesex

Mercer

N J T urn pik e

Monmouth

y
a
w
k
ar
e P
t
a
t

en S
rd
a
G

CURRENT 
LOCATIONS

See the complete branch 
listing on inside back cover.

All per share amounts have been adjusted retroactively for stock splits and stock dividends during the periods presented. 
Data for the years prior to 2001 in the table above exclude certain prior year results for merger transactions accounted for 
using the pooling-of-interests method. 
(1)  Beginning in 1997, earnings per common share is presented on a diluted basis. 
(2)  Net income includes other-than-temporary impairment charges on investment securities totaling $4.0 million, $49.9 million, 

$10.4 million and $3.0 million, net of tax benefi t, for 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. 

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP       3
VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP       1

 
 
 
 
 
forward. Banks with strong capital ratios, 
such as ours, will be those that can both thrive 
and weather diffi cult times in the future. The 
additional shares outstanding will be dilutive to 
our future earnings per share, but those shares 
and capital will strengthen Valley.  

As a further consequence of the economic 
meltdown and the failure of so many banks, the 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), 
the government agency that insures deposits, 
has substantially increased our cost to insure 
those deposits. During 2009, our cost for FDIC 
Insurance was $20.1 million compared with 
$2.0 million in 2008. A portion of that cost 
was a special assessment of $6.5 million, as 
of June 30, 2009, needed to help recapitalize 
the FDIC’s insurance fund. In addition, on 
December 31, 2009 Valley was required to 
prepay, without interest, to the FDIC the next 
three years of premiums. There may be further 
charges in the future, but these are not possible 
for us to predict at this time. The above charges 
negatively impacted our net income and 
earnings per share for the current year.

Loans   

As a fi nancial institution with long standing ties 
to the local communities we serve, we have a 
primary objective of meeting the business and 
consumer credit needs within our markets. In 
meeting these goals, we are doing more than 
increasing Valley’s revenue. Our lending efforts 
are stimulating economic growth by addressing 
the credit needs of our customers. During 2009, 
there was growth in both commercial mortgage 
loans and commercial loans, but no growth in 
our residential loans or consumer loans. While 
we were able to make a signifi cant amount of 
residential mortgage loans in 2009, we chose to 
sell a large majority of these into the secondary 
market rather than keep them on our balance 
sheet. Consumer loan activity was also negative-
ly affected by a struggling auto industry causing 
our portfolio to shrink. As the economic recovery 
continues, we believe demand will rise for these 
types of loans and, when it does, Valley will be 
ready to provide affordable lending options for 
our customers. Even in diffi cult times, we are 
fully prepared to service the diverse fi nancial 
needs of our customer base.

Deposits

We operate in a very competitive marketplace 
for deposits. We have countered this aggressive 
competition by offering a suite of deposit 
products designed to offer our customers safety, 
convenience and added features that enhance 
their fi nancial relationship at Valley. Our staff 
continues to work diligently to develop new 
consumer and business relationships.

The Customer Experience

Valley offers a unique customer experience 
at each one of our 198 branches by offering 
unparalleled customer service. Since 1927, 
we have offered traditional banking products 

in a personable, approachable manner. Our 
philosophy is a simple one -- our customers are 
more than account numbers and are fellow 
members of the communities we serve. 

In addition to our traditional lending programs, 
Valley offers a variety of creative lending 
solutions such as aviation fi nancing, healthcare 
fi nancing and equipment leasing programs. 
Our Wealth Management Division continues to 
build long-term relationships with customers by 
offering investment, trust, asset management, 
title and insurance services. The availability 
of these non-traditional banking services 
offers Valley’s customers a complete fi nancial 
relationship with a strong, reliable partner. 

Our customers can be sure that their deposits 
at Valley are fully insured by the FDIC’s basic 
coverage of $250 thousand. Under the FDIC’s 
Transaction Account Guarantee Program of 
2008, Valley can and does offer businesses 
and individual customers, until June 30, 
2010, unlimited insurance coverage on all 
non-interest bearing transactional deposit 
and NOW accounts that earn interest of 0.5 
percent or less. Valley’s decision to participate 
in the Transaction Account Guarantee Program 
cost Valley approximately $853 thousand in 
additional FDIC insurance premiums.

Community Banking

For 83 years, Valley has sustained its focus on 
community involvement in the communities 
we serve, and 2009 was no exception. Our 
approach to community banking is more than 
a tag line in a brochure. Each branch that we 
open strives to establish deep roots in the 
community by supporting local civic, charitable, 
cultural and other non-profi t groups. We know 
that when residents and local businesses 
prosper, Valley benefi ts from the community’s 
economic vitality. We don’t just work here, 
we live here too.

We designated June 6, 2009 as Valley 
Community Service Day. Approximately 75 Valley 
team members volunteered in six New Jersey 
communities to build affordable housing, improve 
neighborhoods, and help several nonprofi t 
organizations. In October, more than 700 staff 
members, family and friends gathered at the 
Wayne Corporate Campus to raise money in 
the fi ght against breast cancer for our “Valley 
Goes Pink!” walkathon event. The proceeds 
of the event benefi ted the Cure Breast Cancer 
Foundation (CBCF), which raises money solely 
for research at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering 
Cancer Center. After the fi nal contributions were 
tallied, Valley and its employees raised over $70 
thousand within a six-week period which enabled 
Memorial Sloan Kettering to hire an additional 
technician to further their extensive research on 
the theory of self-seeding in breast cancer.

One of our most successful community 
campaigns was designed to create greener and 
cleaner neighborhoods. Valley’s “Go Green” 
sweepstakes promotion invited members of the 

local community to stop in and fi ll out an entry 
card to register to win a Valley Visa® Gift Card 
that could be used to purchase energy effi cient 
products. Everyone who fi lled out an entry form 
received a free energy effi cient light bulb. 

As always, Valley employees participated in 
many charity events which included a blood 
drive, a coat drive, a gift drive and even a drive 
to recycle old eye glasses for those who cannot 
afford new ones.  

A Vision for the Future

As Valley continues to expand throughout 
New Jersey and the boroughs of New York City, 
our emphasis on building relationships remains 
foremost. We know that Valley’s long-term 
success depends on the strengths of customer 
relationships and a reputation for integrity 
and service. 

Our strong capital position has sheltered us 
from the fi nancial storm. It has allowed us to 
grow and continue our expansion in Manhattan, 
Brooklyn, Queens and Central New Jersey, with 
seven new branches in 2009. All of these new 
offi ces have been successful and often our 
reputation for exceptional service precedes us 
into new markets.

One of Valley’s core strengths continues to be 
the confi dence we have in our management 
and our sound business plan for growth 
and profi tability well beyond 2010. We have 
appointed Chief Operating Offi cer Peter Crocitto 
and Chief Financial Offi cer Alan Eskow as our 
fi rst two Senior Executive Vice Presidents. 
Mr. Crocitto and Mr. Eskow, both members of 
Valley’s Offi ce of The Chairman Committee, will 
play critical roles in leading Valley into the future 
by working side by side with the Chairman and 
the Board of Directors on the strategic direction 
and operations of Valley.

As we enter 2010, we will face new challenges.  
However, we believe that there are opportunities 
for growth and profi tability in these challenges. 
We want to thank our Board of Directors for its 
support and continued leadership. Finally, we 
want to thank you, our shareholders, for your 
confi dence in Valley’s Board, management, 
and staff. 

Gerald H. Lipkin
Chairman, President & CEO

Letter to our Shareholders 

During 2009 Valley National Bank has 
remained a profi table fi nancial institution 
while operating in one of the most challenging 
economic environments since the Great 
Depression. At a time when many banks 
across the country posted net losses and 
dismal credit quality metrics, we were an 
exception. Many of the challenges we faced in 
2009 were products of a rapidly changing and 
vastly unpredictable economic environment. 
This recent recessionary period has had a 
signifi cant negative impact on the markets 
in which we operate. Despite these obstacles, 
we have remained committed to growing 
the bank in a consistent, prudent manner 
with a highly focused approach centered on 
shareholder returns.  

We are proud to report that regardless of these 
unfavorable market conditions, we were one 
of the few large fi nancial institutions still able 
to maintain our cash dividend. Our historical 
performance speaks for itself, as we were the 
26th most profi table commercial bank in the 
country measured over the last three years.

We reported net income for the year ended 
December 31, 2009 of $116.1 million, $0.67 
per diluted common share. Diluted earnings 
per common share for the 2009 annual 
period were negatively impacted by our cost 
to carry preferred stock under the TARP 
Capital Repurchase Program, increases in the 
provision for credit losses, the increased and 
special FDIC insurance assessment, and net 
trading losses incurred due to non-cash mark-
to-market losses on our junior subordinated 
debentures carried at fair value.

We, like most other banking institutions, 
were affected by the prolonged recession and 
loss of jobs. As a result of our long standing 
conservative lending philosophy, we were 
less impacted than most banks. Our sound 

asset quality, the hallmark and focus of Valley 
profi tability for 2009 remained strong. Our 
loans past due 30 days or more in our entire 
loan portfolio of $9.4 billion was 1.61 percent 
at December 31, 2009. Our commercial real 
estate loan portfolio had loans past due 30 
days or more totaling 0.99 percent at December 
31, 2009. The residential mortgage and home 
equity loan portfolios totaling over 22,000 
individual loans had only 220 loans past due 
30 days or more at December 31, 2009. The 
residential mortgage and home equity loan 
delinquencies totaled $39.2 million, or 1.56 
percent of $2.5 billion in total loans within these 
categories at December 31, 2009.  

We have a longstanding lending culture that 
calls for the protection of our shareholders’ 
interests fi rst and foremost. This sometimes 
leads to slower loan growth or other types 
of expansion that may cause undue or 
unnecessary risk. Your Board of Directors 
and Valley’s management has been criticized 
at times because other banks were growing 
much quicker than Valley. However, that type of 
growth usually comes with losses that can be 
substantial and, as we are seeing with weekly 
bank failures, diffi cult to recover from.

During the late 1980’s and the early 1990’s, 
many institutions failed and were consolidated 
into what are now very large regional, national 
and international banks. At that time we were 
the ninth largest New Jersey Commercial Bank, 
and today we are the largest commercial bank 
remaining in New Jersey. In addition, we are 
the 38th largest U.S. chartered commercial 
bank today. We are proud of our success that 
has been achieved based on normal and 
responsible growth strategies.

We serve businesses and individuals in 
both New Jersey and New York. We believe 
in lending to creditworthy businesses and 

individuals who have the ability to pay back 
the amount borrowed plus interest. We have 
little tolerance for losses, but understand 
that at times losses will occur, as a result of 
unforeseen circumstances, such as the current 
economic environment. It takes a signifi cant 
amount of new loans to make up for just a few 
loans that go bad. 

Because of Valley’s unwavering commitment 
to protecting all of its shareholders, during 
2008 Valley accepted $300 million in TARP 
funds from the federal government through 
its purchase of preferred stock in Valley. Even 
considering how strong Valley was at that 
time, the amount and scope of turmoil in the 
U.S. and global economy persuaded us to 
take the TARP funds as an insurance policy. 
The preferred stock was quite expensive, 
but provided us additional comfort in being 
one of the strongest banks in the nation. 
As the country moved through 2009 and 
Valley started to see signs of recovery, we 
repurchased the preferred shares from the 
federal government in stages. By the end of 
2009, your Board of Directors and Valley’s 
management made the decision to repurchase 
the last of the $100 million in preferred 
shares and exit the TARP program. As stated 
above, the cost of this preferred stock to our 
shareholders was quite high at $19.5 million, 
or $0.14 per share. However, because of 
our concern for the survival of the U.S. and 
global fi nancial system, this cost appeared 
reasonable as a measure to protect our 
institution and your valued investment. 

During the third and fourth quarter of 2009, 
Valley sold common stock in an attempt to 
strengthen its capital position even further.  
This decision was in response to the failure 
of so many fi nancial institutions during 2008 
and 2009, combined with the resulting change 
in the outlook for banks’ capital levels going 

2 

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP       3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SENIOR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Left to right: 

Peter Crocitto
Senior Executive Vice President 
& Chief Operating Offi cer 

Gerald H. Lipkin 
Chairman of the Board, President 
& Chief Executive Officer 

Alan D. Eskow 
Senior Executive Vice President 
& Chief Financial Offi cer

Sitting left to right: 

Robert J. Mulligan 
Executive Vice President 
& Chief Administrative Offi cer

Bernadette M. Mueller 
Executive Vice President 
& Director of Sales and 
Client Development

Robert M. Meyer 
Executive Vice President 
& Chief Commercial 
Lending Offi cer

Standing left to right: 

Robert E. Farrell 
Executive Vice President 
& Chief Credit Offi cer

Albert L. Engel
Executive Vice President 
& Chief Retail Lending Offi cer

James G. Lawrence
Executive Vice President

Left to right: 

Kermit R. Dyke
First Senior Vice President
New York Commercial Lending
Peter T. Jackey
First Senior Vice President
Information Services
Thomas Sparkes
First Senior Vice President
Consumer Lending
Andrea T. Onorato
First Senior Vice President
Retail Banking
Operations/Customer Service
Maureen Zegler
First Senior Vice President
New York Divisional Manager
Barbara Mohrbutter
First Senior Vice President
New Jersey Central
Divisional Manager
Russell C. Murawski
First Senior Vice President
Commercial Loans
Dianne M. Grenz
First Senior Vice President
Marketing/Public Relations
Richard P. Garber
First Senior Vice President
Commercial Mortgage

Left to right: 

John H. Noonan
First Senior Vice President
Risk Management
Eric W. Gould
First Senior Vice President
Investments
Sheila M. Leary
First Senior Vice President
Compliance–AML/BSA
Elizabeth De Laney
First Senior Vice President
Residential Mortgage
Ira Robbins
First Senior Vice President
& Treasurer
Anthony M. Bruno
First Senior Vice President
President, Wealth Management
Carol B. Diesner
First Senior Vice President
Human Resources 
Marianne Potito
First Senior Vice President
Special Assets
Wayne Fritsch
First Senior Vice President
Operations

4 

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP       5

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Valley National Bank has been providing quality banking and financial 

services to retail, commercial and trust customers. We are committed to 

providing the same friendly service when responding to our customers’ 

needs 83 years later. 

With over $14 billion in assets, Valley currently operates 198 branch 

offices in 135 communities throughout 14 counties in northern and 

central New Jersey, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.

Gerald H. Lipkin
Chairman of the Board
President & CEO
Board Member since 1986

Gerald Korde
President
Birch Lumber Company
Board Member since 1989

Michael L. LaRusso
Financial Consultant
Board Member since 2004

Marc J. Lenner
CEO & CFO
Lester M. Entin Associates
Board Member since 2007

Andrew B. Abramson
President/CEO
The Value Companies, Inc.
Board Member since 1994

Pamela R. Bronander
Vice President
KMC Mechanical Inc.
Board Member since 1993

Eric P. Edelstein
Executive Vice President & CFO
Consultant
Board Member since 2003

Robinson Markel
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Board Member since 2001

Richard S. Miller
Williams, Caliri, 
Miller & Otley P.C.
Board Member since 1999

Barnett Rukin
CEO
SLX Capital Management
Board Member since 1991

Mary J. Steele Guilfoile
Chairman
MG Advisors, Inc.
Board Member since 2003

Graham O. Jones 
Partner
Jones & Jones
Board Member since 1997

Walter H. Jones, III
Former Chairman
Hoke, Inc.
Board Member since 1997

Suresh L. Sani
President
First Pioneer Properties, Inc.
Board Member since 2007

Robert C. Soldoveri
Owner
Solan Management, LLC
Board Member since 2008

Jack Kay
Emeritus
Board Member since 2005 

6 

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP       7

Building communities one family at a time.

Valley employees volunteered to help beautify 
neighborhoods in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Staff members generously donated more 
Staff members generously donated more
then 500 coats during our Holiday Coat Drive 
for the Salvation Army in Passaic County. 

Valley and its employees generously donated 
to the Haiti Relief Fund to assist victims of the  
earthquake and their families.

Helping people in the communities we serve.

Partnering with the American Red Cross, 
staff members donated blood that equaled 
the results of drives conducted by most 
mid-sized towns. 

During the holiday season, staff members 
donated gifts for The Salvation Army and 
Lincoln Park Jaycees, which benefi t children 
who are less fortunate. 

Teams of volunteers donated their time 
to help the Morris Habitat for Humanity, 
Housing Partnership and Morris County 
Parks Commission.

Valley National Bank recognizes breast cancer awareness month by raising over $70,000 for research.
On October 25th, Valley hosted a walkathon entitled, “Valley Goes Pink!” to raise money and awareness in the fi ght against breast cancer.  Over 
700 walkers gathered at the Wayne Corporate Campus to participate in this worthy cause. The proceeds of the event benefi ts the Cure Breast 
Cancer Foundation (CBCF), which raises money solely for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Center. As one of the world’s premier cancer centers, 
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center treats more breast cancer patients than any other center in the nation.

Shred-it Events are hosted to promote 
identity theft awareness. Residents within the 
community are invited to bring their personal 
and confi dential documents, which are shredded 
on-site, in a truck provided by Shred-it. 

Teams of Valley staff members volunteered 
at Paterson Habitat for Humanity to help 
build affordable housing.

Children are invited for a tour of our 
branches during Financial Literacy Days 
that are designed to teach children about 
banking and the value of saving.

8 

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP       9

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Valley National Bancorp & Subsidiaries 
(in thousands, except for share data)

Assets 
Cash and due from banks 
Interest bearing deposits with banks 
Investment securities: 

Held to maturity, fair value of $1,548,006 at December 31, 2009 and 
  $1,069,245 at December 31, 2008 
 Available for sale 
 Trading securities 

         Total investment securities 

Loans held for sale, at fair value 

Loans 

Less: Allowance for loan losses 
    Net loans 

Premises and equipment, net 
Bank owned life insurance 
Accrued interest receivable 
Due from customers on acceptances outstanding 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets, net 
Other assets 

Total Assets 

Liabilities 
Deposits: 

Non-interest bearing 
Interest bearing: 
   Savings, NOW and money market 

         Time 

            Total deposits 

Short-term borrowings 
Long-term borrowings 
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts (includes fair value of $155,893 
at December 31, 2009 and $140,065 at December 31, 2008 for VNB Capital Trust I) 

Bank acceptances outstanding 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 

Total Liabilities 

Shareholders' Equity 
Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 300,000 

shares at December 31, 2008 

Common stock, no par value, authorized 200,430,392 shares; issued 154,393,107 
      shares at December 31, 2009 and 143,722,114 shares at December 31, 2008 
Surplus 
Retained earnings 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 
Treasury stock, at cost (1,405,204 common shares at December 31, 2009 and 

1,946,882 common shares at December 31, 2008) 

          Total Shareholders' Equity 
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 

               December 31,

$ 

2009 
305,678  
355,659  

$ 

2008  
237,497 
343,010 

1,584,388  
1,352,481  
32,950  
2,969,819  

25,492  

9,370,071  
  (101,990) 
9,268,081  

266,401  
304,031  
56,245  
6,985  
296,424  
24,305  
405,033  
$    14,284,153  

1,154,737 
1,435,442 
34,236 
2,624,415 

4,542 

10,143,690 
(93,244)
10,050,446 

256,343 
300,058 
57,717 
9,410 
295,146 
25,954 
513,591 
$    14,718,129 

$      2,420,006   

$      2,118,249 

4,044,912  
3,082,367  

9,547,285  

216,147  
2,946,320  

181,150  
6,985  
133,412  
13,031,299  

3,493,415 
3,621,259 

9,232,923 

640,304 
3,008,753 

165,390 
9,410 
297,740 
13,354,520 

--- 

291,539

54,293  
1,178,992  
73,592  
(19,816) 

48,228 
1,047,085 
85,234 
(60,931)

(34,207) 
1,252,854  
$    14,284,153  

(47,546)
1,363,609 
$    14,718,129 

INCOME

Valley National Bancorp & Subsidiaries 
(in thousands, except for share data)

Interest Income
Interest and fees on loans 
Interest and dividends on investment securities: 

Taxable 
Tax-exempt 
Dividends 

Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments 
               Total interest income 
Interest Expense 
Interest on deposits: 

Savings, NOW and money market 
Time 

Interest on short-term borrowings 
Interest on long-term borrowings and junior subordinated debentures 
               Total interest expense 
Net Interest Income 
Provision for credit losses 

Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses 
Non-Interest Income  
Trust and investment services 
Insurance commissions 
Service charges on deposit accounts 
Gains on securities transactions, net 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities 

Portion recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes) 
Net impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings 

Trading (losses) gains, net 
Fees from loan servicing 
Gains on sales of loans, net 
Gains on sales of assets, net 
Bank owned life insurance 
Other 
               Total non-interest income 

Years ended December 31,

2009 
  $         561,252 

2008 
$         572,918  

2007 

$ 

560,066 

 131,792 
 9,682 
 8,513 
945  
712,184  

 24,894 
 93,403 
4,026  
140,547  
262,870  
 449,314 
47,992  

401,322  

 6,906 
10,224  
26,778  
  8,005 
(6,339) 
(13) 
(6,352) 
 (10,434) 
 4,839 
8,937  
605  
5,700  
17,043  
72,251  

137,763  
10,089  
6,734  
2,190  
729,694  

45,961  
117,152  
10,163  
135,619  
308,895  
420,799  
28,282 

392,517  

7,161  
10,053  
28,274  
5,020  
(84,835) 
– 
(84,835) 
3,166  
5,236 
1,274  
518  
10,167  
17,222  
3,256  

134,969 
11,268 
8,002 
10,702 
725,007 

75,695 
134,674 
17,645 
115,308 
343,322 
381,685 
11,875 

369,810 

7,381 
10,711 
26,803 
2.139
(17,949)
–
(17,949)
7,399 
5,494 
4,785 
16,051 
11,545 
14,669 
89,028 

Non-Interest Expense 
128,282  
Salary expense 
 35,464 
Employee benefi t expense 
58,974  
Net occupancy and equipment  expense 
20,128  
FDIC insurance assessment 
 6,887 
Amortization of other intangible assets 
– 
Goodwill impairment 
 7,907 
Professional and legal fees 
 3,372 
Advertising 
45,014  
Other 
306,028  
               Total non-interest expense 
167,545  
Income Before Income Taxes 
Income tax expense 
51,484  
Net Income                                                                                              $          116,061 
19,524  
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion 
96,537  
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders 

$  

126,210  
31,666  
54,042  
1,985 
7,224  
– 
8,241  
2,697  
53,183  
285,248  
110,525  
16,934  
$         93,591  
2,090  
 $         91,501  

116,389 
29,261 
49,570 
1,003
7,491
2,310
5,110 
2,917 
39,861 
253,912 
204,926 
51,698 
$         153,228 
---
$         153,228

Earnings Per Common Share:

Basic 

               Diluted 
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: 

Basic 

               Diluted 

    $               0.67           $ 

0.67 
0.76 

$ 

0.67 
0.67 
0.76 

1.16
1.15
0.76

144,453,039 
144,453,723 

136,957,646 
137,033,031 

132,586,561
132,979,202

See the consolidated fi nancial statements and accompanying notes presented in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

See the consolidated fi nancial statements and accompanying notes presented in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

10  VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP       11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VNB ADVISORY BOARD

Joseph Abergel
Jomark/Satex

Bernie Adler 
Adler Development

Rand Agins
Lasser Hochman, LLC

JoAnn Andriola
Consultant

James Demetrakis, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Charles R. Hockey
Shamrock Stage Coach

Robert Devino
B. Devino Construction Co.

Morris Diamond
The Diamond Agency

Charles B. Hummel
Hummel Machine & Tool Co.

Charles Infusino
Little Falls Shop-Rite, Inc.

Donald N. Dinallo
Terminal Construction Corporation

Terry Ingram
Consultant

Donald Aronson
Donald Aronson Consulting Group

George Dominguez
Sunrise House Foundation, Inc.

Frederick C. Ayers
Ayers Chevrolet 

Carl Bachstadt
Bachstadt Tavern

Peter Baum 
Baum Bros. Imports, Inc.

George Bean
The George Bean Co.

Jeffrey Birnberg
Tappan Zee Capital Corp.

George Blair
Retired/Shrewsbury State Bank

Robin Blair
Kellenyi Johnson Wagner, 
Architects

Stanley Blum
Blum & Fink, Inc.

Edward Blumenfeld
Blumenfeld Development 
Group, Ltd.

Leonard Boxer
Strook & Strook & Lavan, LLP

Linda R. Brenner
Ricciardi Family, LLC

Milton Brown
Accountant

Peter D. Brown
Falcon Management

John R. Bruno
Bruno Associates

Gilbert Buchalter
Pharmaceutical Innovations, Inc.

Bernard Burkhoff
The Real Estate Investment Group

Albert Burlando
Almetek Industries, Inc.

John F. Coffey, II, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Bruce Cohen
Cohen & Frankel, LLP

Melvin Cohen
Handi-Hut, Inc.

M. Scott Coleman
Contemporary Motor Cars, Inc.

John Conti
Shore Haven Mobile Home Park

Anthony Coppola
Alliance Title Agency

David M. Corry
Bruno, DiBello & Co., LLC

Francis J. Costenbader, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Robert D’Alessandro
Welco CGI Gas Tech, LLC

Patrick D’Angola
PMD Consultants, Inc.

Terry Daverio
Lincroft Inn, Inc.

George E. Davey, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law 

Bernard Dorfman, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Douglas H. Douty
Lusty Lobster, Inc.

Gerhardt Drechsel
Eagle American Realty, Inc.

Kenneth Elkin
Summit Stainless Steel, LLC

William T. Ferguson
Retired 

John L. Fette
Fette Ford, Kia, Infiniti

Andrew Fiore, Jr.
AWF Leasing Corporation

George J. Fiore
Real Estate 

Jack Forgash
Tri-Realty Management 
Corporation

Phil Forte
Sandy Hill Building Supply Co.

John E. Garippa, Esq.
Garippa, Lotz & Giannuario

Theodore E. Gast
Gast & Nash, LLP

Andrew Gellert
Atalanta Corp.

Jay Gerish
J. Gerish, Inc.

Alan Golub
Modern Electric Co.

Peter A. Goodman
Goodman Sales Co., Inc.

Donald Gottheimer
Cosmetics Plus

Stanley Lee Gottlieb
The Diamond Agency

Fredric H. Gould
Gould Investors

Judith Greenberg
Heritage Management Co.

Steven R. Gross
Metro Insurance Services, Inc.

Joseph Guttilla
Chopper Express

J. Roger Haftek
J. R. Haftek Co., Inc.

Leonard Haiken
Prestige Imports, Inc.

Jackie Harrison
Center for Humanistic Change

Willard Hedden
Consultant

Jacob Helfrich
R. Helfrich & Son

Guy T. Hembling
Charles B. Hembling & Sons, Inc.

Mitchell Herman
Service Fabrics, Inc.

Robert Israel
Kentshire Galleries, Ltd.

Peter Jakobson, Jr.
Jakobson Properties, LLC

Kenneth Jayson
Jayson Oil Company

Sanford Kalb
Private Investor

Edna Kanter
Passaic-Clifton Driv-Ur-Self 
System, Inc.

Richard Kanter 
Miller Construction 

Jack Kaplowitz
Birch Lumber Company

Steven Katz 
Sterling Properties Group

Carolyn Kessler
Kessler Industries, Inc.

Frank Kobola
Koburn Investments

Jan Kokes
The Kokes Organization

Perry J. Koplik
PFP - NJ, Inc.

Joseph Kubert
Joe Kubert School of Cartoon & 
Graphic Art, Inc.

Robert Kuhl
J. Kuhl Metals, Inc.

Michael Kurzer
The Kurzer Group, LLC

Robert W. Landzettel
Landzettel & Sons

Joseph LaScala
Bell Mill Construction Co., Inc.

Stuart Lasser
Subaru/Kia of Mt. Olive

Herbert Lefkowitz
Consolidated Simon 
Distributors, Inc.

Steven U. Leitner
Attorney-at-Law

Burton Lerner
Tenavision, Inc.

William Lerner
Imperial Parking Systems, Inc.

Donald Lesser
Pine Lesser & Sons

Larry Levy, Esq.
Marcus & Levy

Stewart C. Libes
Consultant

Robert Lieberman
All-Ways Advertising Company

Seymour Litwin
Prudential New Jersey Properties

Joseph A. Lobosco
Lobosco Insurance Group, LLC

Nathan Lubow
Consultant 

Frank Luccarelli
Dearborn Farms, Inc.

Gerald A. Lustig
Acura of Denville & 
Autosport Honda

Samuel A. Magarino
Magarino Ford, 
Lincoln-Mercury LLC

Richard Mandelbaum
Mandelbaum & 
Mandelbaum Investors

Anthony F. Marangi
Marangi Waste

Anthony J. Marino
Century 21 Construction 
Corporation

Stefano A. Masi
Masi, Boyle Associates

Lawrence J. Massaro
Lordina Builders, Inc.

Solomon Masters
Real Estate Consultant

Sara L. Mayes
Gemini Shippers Group

Anthony J. Mazzone
Innovation Data Processing, Inc.

John V. McGrane
McGrane Mortgage Company

Renee P. McGuire
McGuire Auto Group, LLC

Dennis R. McKenna
Home Mark Homes, Inc.

Warren McManus
Boynton Benefits Corp.

William H. McNear
McNear Excavating, Inc.

Joseph Melone
San Carlo Restaurant

Eugene Meyers
Hawthorne Chevrolet, Inc.

Alan Mirken
Aaron Publishing Group

Frank Misischia
FLM Graphics Corporation

Jeffrey Moll
Community Healthcare
Associates LLC

Michael Moskowitz
Catanio, Moskowitz & 
Gutwetter, PC

Barry G. Novin
Barry Novin Associates

Peter Nussbaum, M.D.
Associates in Ophthalmology

Steven Nussbaum
PF Pasbjerg 
Development Company

Dennis C. Oberle
Mahwah Sales & Service, Inc.

David Oostdyk
Royal Pontiac & 
Oldsmobile, Inc.

Larry Pantirer
BNE Associates

Spiro Pappas
Comfort Inn

Hal Parnes
The Parnes Company

Kaiser Pathan
New Horizon Management Co.

Richard Pearson
Fleet Equipment Corporation

Ronald Petillo
Petillo Enterprises, Inc.

Joseph Petito
Sunset Deli & Liquors

Joel I. Picket 
Gotham Organization, Inc.

James R. Poole
Northmarq Capital

George Poydinecz
Developer

Audrey Rabinowitz
Plaza Research

David Rabinowitz
Plaza Research

Joshua Rabinowitz
American Dyestuff Corporation

Mark Rachesky
MHR Fund Management 
Company

Vincent Raine
Rubin & Raine, II, Inc.

Lawrence Rappaport, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Robert Ringley
Ber Plastics, Inc.

Vincent Riviello
Atlantic Coast Fibers, LLC

Robert X. Robertazzi
Liberty Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

Edward J. Rossi
Rossi Chevrolet Pontiac 
Oldsmobile Buick GMC, Inc. 

Charles B. Moss, Jr.
Bow-Tie Building Times Square

Stacey Rudbart
J.B. Hanauer

Patrick Mucci, Jr.
Group Advisory, Inc.

John Nakashian
H. H. Nakashian & Sons

David Nappa
Wayne Ford, Inc./Dayton Toyota

Mitchell Nelson
Flag Luxury Properties

David Newton
Newrent, Inc.

Eric Nielsen
Dover Chrysler Plymount, Inc. 
& Franklin Sussex Hyundai

Vincent Russo
Vincent J. Russo Realty Co.

Anthony Sa
Sa & Sons Construction Co., Inc.

Leonard Schlussel
Welbilt Equipment Corporation

Robert A. Senior 
Three County 
Volkswagen Corporation

Ben Sher
Consultant

Charles I. Silberman
S. Parker Hardware 
Manufacturing Corp.

Alan Lambiase
River Terminal Development Co.

Roy G. Meyer
Consultant

Allan Sockol
Contemporary Motor Cars, Inc.

Fredric F. Azrak, Esq.
Azrak & Associates, LLC

Lee Silva
Silva & Silva, Inc.

Maria Silva
European Travel Agency

Albert Skoglund
Hiller & Skoglund, Inc.

Roy Solondz
Roxbury Mortgage Co., Inc.

Arnold Speert
William Paterson University

Peter A. Spina
Wayne Motors, Inc.

Martin Statfeld
Brown & Brown Insurance

David Stavola
Stavola Companies

Marcia Toledano
990 AvAmericas Associates

Pasquale P. Tremonte
Fulton Building Co., Inc.

Richard Tully
Kearny Shop-Rite

Richard O. Ullman
Benecard, LLC

John Usdan
Midwood Management 
Corporation

Salvatore Valente
Bildisco Door 
Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Marvin Van Dyk
Van Dyk Health Care, Inc.

William Van Ness, Sr.
Van Ness Plastic Molding Co.

Sanford C. Vogel
Retired

J. Robert Warncke
Bob Warncke Associates

Warren Waters
River Development, LLC

Arthur M. Weis
Capintec, Inc.

John V. Werner
Werners Dodge

Michael Wildstein 
Apache Mills 

Stephen Wildstein
Apache Mills 

Eric Witmondt
Woodmont Properties, LLC

Rudolf F. Wobito
Wobito Construction

James Wolff
Chiropractor

Brett Woodward
Woodward Construction Co.

J. Scott Wright
Graphic Management, Inc.

Scott R. Yagoda, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Professional Group 
Advisory Council 
(PGAC–NJ)

Joseph P. Acquavella, CPA
ACSB & Co., LLP

Rand M. Agins, Esq.
Lasser Hochman, L.L.C.

Robert A. Fodera, CPA
Beard Miller Company LLP

Kenneth Lowell Rose, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Victor R. Gerstein, Esq.
Gerstein Strauss & Rinaldi, LLP

Edward J. Albowicz, Esq.
Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, PA

Paul A. Fried, CPA
Smolin, Lupin & Co., PA

Thomas J. Angell, CPA
Rothstein, Kass  & Company, P.C.

Michael A. Gallo, Esq.
Schenck, Price, Smith & 
King, LLP

John A. Giunco, Esq.
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C.

Scott W. Goodman, Esq.
Day Pitney, LLP

Milton E. Kahn, CPA
Amper, Politziner & Mattia, P.A.

Lynne Z. Karinja, CPA
Lynne Karinja & Associates, LLC

Timothy J. King, CPA
Bederson & Company LLP

Herbert C. Klein, Esq.
Nowell Amoroso Klein 
Bierman, PC

Spiros Backos, CPA
Backos & Associates, PC

Khoren M. Bandazian, Esq.
Carella, Byrne, Bain, Gilfi llan, 
Cecchi, Stewart & Olstein

Joseph L. Basralian, Esq.
Winne, Banta, Hetherington, 
Basralian & Kahn, P.C.

Michael R. Belfer, CPA
Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP

Thomas J. Benedetti, Esq.
 Azzolini & Benedetti,  LLC

Michael V. Benedetto, Esq.
Ansell, Zaro, Grimm & Aaron, PC

Michael LaForge, CPA
Sobel & Company, LLC

Gary D. Bennett, Esq.
Koch Koch & Bennett

Saul G. Berkowitz, CPA
McGladrey & Pullen LLP 

Robert J. Blackwell, CPA
Levine Jacobs & Company, L.L.C.

Marc Blumenthal
Sax, Macy, Fromm & Co., PC

Joseph W. Boyle, CPA
Meisel, Tuteur & Lewis, P.C.

Milton Brown, PA
Accountant

Robert Burney, Esq.
Lindabury, McCormick, 
Estabrook, & Cooper, PC

Frank A. Carlet, Esq.
Carlet, Garrison, Klein & 
Zaretsky, L.L.P.

Barry A. Cohen, Esq.
Gelman Gelman Wiskow & 
McCarthy, LLC

Frederick L. Cohen, CPA
Weiser, LLP

Donna M. Conroy, Esq.
Frieri Conroy & Lombardo, LLC

Ralph A. Contini, CPA
Ralph A. Contini, CPA, LLC

Nino A. Coviello, Esq.
Saiber LLC

Robert J. Crigler, CPA
WithumSmith+Brown

Roger J. Desiderio, Esq.
Bendit Weinstock, P.A.

Michael Dunne, Esq.
Day Pitney, LLP

Carol O. Egan, CPA
Cowan, Gunteski & Co., PA

John D. Fanburg, Esq.
Brach Eichler, LLC 

Gary R. Feitlin, Esq.
Feitlin, Youngman, Karas & 
Youngman, LLC

W. Raymond Felton, Esq.
Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & 
Davis, LLP

Wilfredo Fernandez, CPA
Citrin Cooperman 
& Company, LLP

Diane M. Lavenda, Esq.
Sills, Cummis & Gross PC

Larry Leaf, CPA
Leaf, Saltzman, Manganelli, 
Pfeil & Tendler, LLP

Bruce Levinson, CPA
Hertz, Herson & Company LLP

Tom Loikith, Esq.
Harwood Lloyd, LLC

Douglas W. Lubic, Esq.
Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A.

Saul Lupin, CPA
Smolin, Lupin & Co., P.A.

Barry R. Mandelbaum, Esq.
Mandelbaum, Salsburg, Gold, 
Lazris, Discenza & Steinberg, P.C.

Robert C. Masessa, Esq.
Masessa & Cluff

Michael McLafferty, CPA
Amper, Politziner & Mattia, P.A.

William C. McNamara, CPA
Cowan, Gunteski & Co., PA

Alan Merker, CPA
Morris Merker & Co., L.L.C.

Sheila Mints, Esq.
Coughlin Duffy, LLP

John M. Mortenson, CPA
WithumSmith+Brown, PC

Bruce Nadler, CPA
Klingher Nadler, LLP

Michael L. Ostrowsky, Esq.
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C.

Dilip S. Patel, CPA
Dilip Patel & Company, LLP

Jonathan Perelman, CPA
Friedman LLP

Stephen A. Ploscowe, Esq.
Fox Rothschild LLP

Maria Plucinsky, CPA
Hunter Group

Wayne J. Positan, Esq.
Lum, Drasco & Positan, LLC

Patrick J. Power, CPA
WithumSmith+Brown

Richard Puzo, CPA
J.H. Cohn, LLP

Mark S. Rattner, Esq.
Riker Danzig, LLP

Nicholas San Filippo, IV, Esq.
Lowenstein Sandler, PC

Theodore E. Schiller, Esq.
Schiller & Pittenger, P.C.

Barry D. Shapiro, CPA
WithumSmith+Brown

William S. Taylor, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Robert  Traphagen, CPA
Traphagen & 
Traphagen CPAs, LLP

Jeffrey D. Urbach, CPA
Urbach & Avraham, CPAs, LLP

Richard H. Weisinger, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Roberta S. Weisinger, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Peter R. Yarem, Esq.
Genova Burns

Leo J. Zatta, CPA
Wiss & Company, LLP

Professional Group 
Advisory Council for 
New York (PGAC–NY)

Howard D. Bader, Esq.
BallonStollBader&Nadler, P.C.

Daniel M. Bagatta, Esq.
CULLEN and DYKMAN LLP

Maurice Berkower, CPA
ACSB & Co., LLP

Frank J. Candia, CPA
Holtz Rubenstein Reminick

Jonathan S. Caplan, Esq.
Kramer Levin Naftalis &
Frankel LLP

Robert H. Charron, CPA
Marcum LLP

Lance D. Christensen, CPA
Margolin, Winer & Evens, LLP

Jeffrey I. Citron, Esq.
Davidoff, Malito & Hutcher, LLP

Lowell A. Citron, Esq.
Lowenstein Sandler, PC

Michael J. Clain, Esq.
Windels Marx Lane &
Mittendorf, LLP 

Terri A. Coffel, CPA
Citrin Cooperman & Co., LLP

Bruce M. Cohen, Esq
Cohen & Frankel, LLP

Jonathan T.K. Cohen, Esq.
Law Offi ces of 
Jonathan T.K. Cohen

Robert C. Creighton, Esq.
Farrell Fritz, PC

Thomas P. Dobbins, CPA
O’Connor Davies Munns &
Dobbins, llp

Mark B. Feldstein, CPA
Freeman & Davis, a division of
Wiss & Company, LLP

Ted Felix, CPA
ParenteBeard, LLP

Lawrence E. Fenster, Esq.
Bressler Amery & Ross, P.C.

Stan L. Goldberg, Esq.
Platzer Swergold Karlin Levine
Goldberg & Jaslow, LLP

Dennis H. Greenstein, Esq.
Seyfarth Shaw, LLP

Gerri A. Gregor, CPA 
Grassi & Co.

Roy Hoffman, CPA
J.H. Cohn, LLP

Ronald H. Janis, Esq.
Day Pitney, LLP

Harvey M. Katz, Esq.
Fox Rothschild, LLP

David B. Kaufman, CPA
Rothstein Kass & Company, P.C.

Thomas Kesoglou, Esq.
McCarter & English, LLP

Warren D. Kissin, CPA
Hertz Herson & Co., LLP

Bernard Leone, CPA
WithumSmith+Brown, PC

Mark Levenfus, CPA
Marks Paneth & Shron LLP

Donald A. Lipari, CPA
McGladrey & Pullen LLP

H. Michael Lynch, Esq.
Lynch & Associates

Bruce A. Madnick, CPA
Friedman, LLP

Steven J. Mayer, CPA
Amper, Politziner & Mattia

Jonathan L. Mechanic, Esq.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &
Jacobson, LLP

Steven M. Merdinger, CPA
Konigsberg Wolf & Co., P.C.

Joseph Michaels, IV, Esq.
Dunnington Bartholow & Miller LLP

Stephen W. O’Connell, Esq.
Hartman & Craven, LLP

Douglas A. Phillips, CPA
Weiser, LLP

Michael Rosenbaum, CPA
Berdon, LLP

Frank A. Schettino, CPA
Anchin Block & Anchin, LLP

Mark W. Schlussel, Esq.
Zeichner Ellman & Krause, LLP

Alan J. Sellitti, CPA
BDO Seidman, LLP

Fred Shapss, CPA
Rosen Seymour Shapss
Martin & Co., LLP

Paul H. Shur, Esq.
Sills Cummis & Gross, PC

Allan Starr, Esq.
Starr Associates, LLP

Richard L. Sussman, Esq.
Rosenberg & Estis, PC

Marc Taub, CPA
ERE LLP

Natasha Ziabkina, Esq.
Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland &
Perretti LLP

12  VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP       13

 
SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS

Shareholder Inquiries, Dividend 
Reinvestment Plan, and 
Registrar and Transfer Agent
For information regarding share 
accounts of common stock or Valley’s 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, please 
contact the Registrar and Transfer Agent 
or Valley National Bancorp:

American Stock Transfer 
& Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
New York, New York 10038
Attn: Shareholder Relations Dept.
(800) 937-5449
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
(800) 278-4353

Valley National Bancorp
Attn: Shareholder Relations Dept.
(800) 522-4100, ext. 3380
(973) 305-3380

Stock Listing
Valley National Bancorp common 
stock is traded on the New York Stock 
Exchange under the symbol VLY.

Annual Meeting
April 14, 2010
10:00 AM

Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe
100 Frank W. Burr Boulevard
Teaneck, New Jersey  07666
(201) 836-0600

Corporate Address
Valley National Bancorp
1455 Valley Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
(973) 305-8800

Form 10-K
Persons may obtain a copy 
of Valley National Bancorp’s 
2009 Annual Report or Form 10-K 
by submitting a request in writing to:

Dianne M. Grenz
First Senior Vice President
Director of Marketing &
Shareholder Relations
Valley National Bancorp
1455 Valley Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
dgrenz@valleynationalbank.com

Financial Information
Investors, security analysts and 
others seeking fi nancial information 
should submit a request in writing to:

Alan D. Eskow, CPA
Senior Executive Vice President 
Chief Financial Offi cer & 
Corporate Secretary
Valley National Bancorp
1455 Valley Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
aeskow@valleynationalbank.com

Mitchell L. Crandell, CPA
Senior Vice President & Controller 
Principal Accounting Offi cer
Valley National Bancorp
1455 Valley Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
mcrandell@valleynationalbank.com

Dianne M. Grenz
First Senior Vice President
Director of Marketing &
Shareholder Relations

Mitchell L. Crandell, CPA
Senior Vice President & Controller

Wilma Falduto
Assistant Vice President 
Secretary to the Board

14  VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
Í ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE

ACT OF 1934

‘ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from

to
Commission File Number 1-11277

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
1455 Valley Road
Wayne, NJ
(Address of principal executive office)

22-2477875
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

07470
(Zip code)

973-305-8800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock, no par value
VNB Capital Trust I
7.75% Trust Preferred Securities
(and the Guarantee by Valley National Bancorp with
respect thereto)
Warrants to purchase Common Stock

New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange

NASDAQ Capital Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes Í No ‘
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes ‘ No Í
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 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 Í No ‘

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.) Yes ‘ No ‘

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. ‘

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, or a smaller
reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act (check one):
Large accelerated filer Í
Non-accelerated filer ‘ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes ‘ No Í
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1.6 billion on June 30,

Accelerated filer ‘
Smaller reporting company ‘

2009.

There were 153,140,372 shares of Common Stock outstanding at February 23, 2010.
Documents incorporated by reference:

Certain portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement (the “2010 Proxy Statement”) for the 2010 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held April 14, 2010 will be incorporated by reference in Part III. The 2010 proxy statement will be filed within 120 days
of December 31, 2009.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.

Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer

Item 6.
Item 7.

Purchases of Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of

Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8.

Valley National Bancorp and Subsidiaries:

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial

Item 9A.
Item 9B.

Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART III

Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.

Item 13.
Item 14.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related

Shareholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . .
Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Page

3
13
22
22
22
22

23
25

27
73
74

74
75
76
78
80
146

148
148
151

151
151

151
151
151

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

152
157

2

Item 1.

Business

PART I

The disclosures set forth in this item are qualified by Item 1A—Risk Factors and the section captioned
“Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 7—Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this report and other cautionary statements set
forth elsewhere in this report.

Valley National Bancorp, headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, is a New Jersey corporation organized in
1983 and is registered as a bank holding company with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“Holding Company Act”). The words “Valley,”
“the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Valley National Bancorp and its wholly owned subsidiaries, unless
we indicate otherwise. At December 31, 2009, Valley had consolidated total assets of $14.3 billion, total loans of
$9.4 billion, total deposits of $9.5 billion and total shareholders’ equity of $1.3 billion. In addition to its principal
subsidiary, Valley National Bank (commonly referred to as the “Bank” in this report), Valley owns all of the
voting and common shares of VNB Capital Trust I and GCB Capital Trust III, through which trust preferred
securities were issued. VNB Capital Trust I and GCB Capital Trust III are not consolidated subsidiaries. See
Note 12 of the consolidated financial statements.

Valley National Bank is a national banking association chartered in 1927 under the laws of the United
States. Currently, the Bank has 197 full-service banking offices located throughout northern and central New
Jersey and the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. The Bank provides a full range of
commercial and retail banking services. These services include the following: the acceptance of demand, savings
and time deposits; extension of commercial, real estate and consumer loans; equipment leasing; personal and
corporate trust, and pension and fiduciary services.

Valley National Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries are all included in the consolidated financial statements

of Valley (See Exhibit 21 at Part IV, Item 15 for a complete list of subsidiaries). These subsidiaries include:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

a mortgage servicing company;

a title insurance agency;

asset management advisors which are Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registered
investment advisors;

an all-line insurance agency offering property and casualty, life and health insurance;

subsidiaries which hold, maintain and manage investment assets for the Bank;

a subsidiary which owns and services auto loans;

a subsidiary which specializes in asset-based lending;

a subsidiary which offers financing for general aviation aircraft and servicing for existing commercial
equipment leases; and

a subsidiary which specializes in health care equipment and other commercial equipment leases.

The Bank’s subsidiaries also include real estate investment trust subsidiaries (the “REIT” subsidiaries)
which own real estate related investments and a REIT subsidiary which owns some of the real estate utilized by
the Bank and related real estate investments. Except for Valley’s REIT subsidiaries, all subsidiaries mentioned
above are directly or indirectly wholly-owned by the Bank. Because each REIT must have 100 or more
shareholders to qualify as a REIT, each REIT has issued less than 20 percent of their outstanding non-voting
preferred stock to individuals, most of whom are non-senior management Bank employees. The Bank owns the
remaining preferred stock and all the common stock of the REITs.

3

Valley National Bank has four business segments it monitors and reports on to manage its business
operations. These segments are consumer lending, commercial lending, investment management, and corporate
and other adjustments. Valley’s Wealth Management Division comprised of trust, asset management and
insurance services, is included in the consumer lending segment. For financial data on the four business segments
see Note 19 of the consolidated financial statements.

SEC Reports and Corporate Governance

We make our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on
Form 8-K and amendments thereto are available on our website at www.valleynationalbank.com without charge
as soon as reasonably practicable after filing or furnishing them to the SEC. Also available on the website are
Valley’s Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees including our executive officers and
directors, Valley’s Audit and Risk Committee Charter, Valley’s Compensation and Human Resources Committee
Charter, Valley’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, Valley’s Corporate Governance
Guidelines and Valley’s Categorical Standards of Independence.

Additionally, we will provide without charge, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K or the Code of
Conduct and Ethics to any shareholder by mail. Requests should be sent to Valley National Bancorp, Attention:
Shareholder Relations, 1455 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Competition

The market for banking and bank-related services is highly competitive and we face substantial competition
in all phases of our operations. We compete with other providers of financial services such as other bank holding
companies, commercial banks, savings institutions, credit unions, mutual funds, mortgage companies, title
agencies, asset managers, insurance companies and a growing list of other local, regional and national institutions
which offer financial services. De novo branching by several national financial institutions and mergers between
financial institutions within New Jersey and New York City, as well as other neighboring states have heightened
the competitive pressure in our primary markets. We compete by offering quality products and convenient
services at competitive prices (including interest rates paid on deposits, interest rates charged on loans and fees
charged for other non-interest related services). We continually review our pricing, products,
locations,
alternative delivery channels and various acquisition prospects and periodically engage in discussions regarding
possible acquisitions to maintain and enhance our competitive position.

Employees

At December 31, 2009, Valley National Bank and its subsidiaries employed 2,727 full-time equivalent

persons. Management considers relations with its employees to be satisfactory.

4

Executive Officers

Names

Gerald H. Lipkin . . . . . . . .

Peter Crocitto . . . . . . . . . .

Alan D. Eskow . . . . . . . . .

Albert L. Engel . . . . . . . . .

Robert E. Farrell . . . . . . . .

James G. Lawrence . . . . . .

Robert M. Meyer . . . . . . . .

Bernadette M. Mueller . . .

Robert J. Mulligan . . . . . .

Elizabeth E. De Laney . . .
Kermit R. Dyke . . . . . . . . .
Richard P. Garber . . . . . . .
Eric W. Gould . . . . . . . . . .
Russell C. Murawski . . . . .
John H. Noonan . . . . . . . .
Ira D. Robbins . . . . . . . . . .
Stephen P. Davey . . . . . . .
Robert A. Ewing . . . . . . . .

Age at
December 31,
2009

Executive
Officer
Since

Office

68

52

61

61

63

66

63

51

62

45
62
66
41
60
63
35
54
55

1975

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive

Officer of Valley and Valley National Bank

1991

Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

of Valley and Valley National Bank

1993

Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Corporate Secretary of Valley and Valley National
Bank

1998

Executive Vice President of Valley and Valley National

Bank

1990

Executive Vice President of Valley and Valley National

Bank

2001

Executive Vice President of Valley and Valley National

Bank

1997

Executive Vice President of Valley and Valley National

Bank

2009

Executive Vice President of Valley and Valley National

Bank

1991

Executive Vice President of Valley and Valley National

Bank

2007
2001
1992
2001
2007
2006
2009
2002
2007

First Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank
First Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank
First Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank
First Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank
First Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank
First Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank
First Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank
Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank
Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank

All officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

The Banking industry is highly regulated. Statutory and regulatory controls increase a bank holding
company’s cost of doing business and limit the options of its management to deploy assets and maximize
income. The following discussion is not intended to be a complete list of all the activities regulated by the
banking laws or of the impact of such laws and regulations on Valley or Valley National Bank. It is intended only
to briefly summarize some material provisions.

Bank Holding Company Regulation

Valley is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Holding Company Act. As a bank holding
company, Valley is supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) and is
required to file reports with the FRB and provide such additional information as the FRB may require.

The Holding Company Act prohibits Valley, with certain exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect
ownership or control of more than five percent of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank and from

5

engaging in any business other than that of banking, managing and controlling banks or furnishing services to
subsidiary banks, except that it may, upon application, engage in, and may own shares of companies engaged in,
certain businesses found by the FRB to be so closely related to banking “as to be a proper incident thereto.” The
Holding Company Act requires prior approval by the FRB of the acquisition by Valley of more than five percent
of the voting stock of any other bank. Satisfactory capital ratios and Community Reinvestment Act ratings and
anti-money laundering policies are generally prerequisites to obtaining federal regulatory approval to make
acquisitions. The policy of the FRB provides that a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of
financial strength to its subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support the subsidiary bank in circumstances
in which it might not do so absent that policy. Acquisitions through the Bank require approval of the Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States (“OCC”). The Holding Company Act does not place
territorial restrictions on the activities of non-bank subsidiaries of bank holding companies. The Gramm-Leach-
Bliley Act, discussed below, allows Valley to expand into insurance, securities, merchant banking activities, and
other activities that are financial in nature if Valley elects to become a financial holding company.

The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (“Interstate Banking and
Branching Act”) enables bank holding companies to acquire banks in states other than its home state, regardless
of applicable state law. The Interstate Banking and Branching Act also authorizes banks to merge across state
lines, thereby creating interstate banks with branches in more than one state. Under the legislation, each state had
the opportunity to “opt-out” of this provision. Furthermore, a state may “opt-in” with respect to de novo
branching, thereby permitting a bank to open new branches in a state in which the Bank does not already have a
branch. Without de novo branching, an out-of-state commercial bank can enter the state only by acquiring an
existing bank or branch. States generally have not opted out of interstate banking by merger but several states
have not authorized de novo branching.

New Jersey enacted legislation to authorize interstate banking and branching and the entry into New Jersey
of foreign country banks. New Jersey did not authorize de novo branching into the state. However, under federal
law, federal savings banks which meet certain conditions may branch de novo into a state, regardless of state law.

Troubled Asset Relief Capital Purchase Program

In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets and going concern
threats to investment banks and other financial institutions, on October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”) was signed into law. Pursuant to the EESA, the U.S. Department of the
Treasury was given the authority to, among other things, purchase up to $700 billion of mortgages, mortgage-
backed securities and certain other financial instruments from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing
and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets.

On October 14, 2008, the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury announced that the U.S. Treasury will purchase
equity stakes in a wide variety of banks and thrifts. Under the program, known as the Troubled Asset Relief
Program Capital Purchase Program (the “TARP Capital Purchase Program”), from the $700 billion authorized by
the EESA, the U.S. Treasury made $250 billion of capital available to U.S. financial institutions in the form of
preferred stock. In conjunction with the purchase of preferred stock,
the U.S. Treasury received, from
participating financial institutions, warrants to purchase common stock with an aggregate market price equal to
15 percent of the preferred investment. Participating financial institutions were required to adopt the U.S.
Treasury’s standards for executive compensation and corporate governance for the period during which the U.S.
Treasury holds equity issued under the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

In November 2008, we decided to enter into a Securities Purchase Agreement with the U.S. Treasury that
provided for our participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program. On November 14, 2008, Valley issued and
sold to the U.S. Treasury 300,000 shares of Valley Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, with a
liquidation preference of $1 thousand per share, and a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 2.4 million shares of
Valley’s common stock at an exercise price of $18.66 per share (adjusted for our May 2009 stock dividend).

6

Under the terms of the TARP program, the U.S. Treasury’s consent was required for any increase in our
dividends paid to common stockholders or Valley’s redemption, purchase or acquisition of Valley common stock
or any trust preferred securities issued by Valley capital trusts until the third anniversary of the Valley senior
preferred share issuance to the U.S. Treasury.

In addition, participants in the TARP Capital Purchase Program were required to accept several
compensation-related limitations associated with this Program and the subsequent American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Stimulus Act”). The Stimulus Act modified the compensation-related limitations
contained in the TARP Capital Purchase Program and created additional compensation-related limitations.

On December 23, 2009, Valley repurchased from the U.S. Treasury the final 100,000 shares of its Fixed
Rate Perpetual Preferred Stock, thus ending Valley’s participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program.
Valley repurchased the other 200,000 additional shares of preferred stock earlier in 2009. Accordingly, Valley is
no longer subject to the prohibitions against increasing dividends and redeeming its common stock and trust
preferred securities, and the compensation-related limitations associated with the Capital Purchase Program. At
February 26, 2010, the warrant remains outstanding to the U.S. Treasury. We have calculated an internal value
for the warrant, and are currently negotiating the redemption with U.S. Treasury. However, if an agreement can
not be reached with the U.S. Treasury, the warrant will be sold at public auction. We do not currently have a time
frame in which the negotiations will be completed.

Regulation of Bank Subsidiary

Valley National Bank is subject to the supervision of, and to regular examination by, the OCC. Various laws
and the regulations thereunder applicable to Valley and its bank subsidiary impose restrictions and requirements
in many areas, including capital requirements, the maintenance of reserves, establishment of new offices, the
making of loans and investments, consumer protection, employment practices, bank acquisitions and entry into
new types of business. There are various legal limitations, including Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal
Reserve Act, which govern the extent to which a bank subsidiary may finance or otherwise supply funds to its
holding company or its holding company’s non-bank subsidiaries. Under federal law, no bank subsidiary may,
subject to certain limited exceptions, make loans or extensions of credit to, or investments in the securities of, its
parent or the non-bank subsidiaries of its parent (other than direct subsidiaries of such bank which are not
financial subsidiaries) or take their securities as collateral for loans to any borrower. Each bank subsidiary is also
subject to collateral security requirements for any loans or extensions of credit permitted by such exceptions.

Dividend Limitations

Valley is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. Valley’s revenues (on a parent company
only basis) result in substantial part from dividends paid by the Bank. The Bank’s dividend payments, without
prior regulatory approval, are subject to regulatory limitations. Under the National Bank Act, dividends may be
declared only if, after payment thereof, capital would be unimpaired and remaining surplus would equal 100
percent of capital. Moreover, a national bank may declare, in any one year, dividends only in an amount
aggregating not more than the sum of its net profits for such year and its retained net profits for the preceding
two years. However, declared dividends in excess of net profits in either of the preceding two years can be offset
by retained net profits in the third and fourth years preceding the current year when determining the Bank’s
dividend limitation. In addition, the bank regulatory agencies have the authority to prohibit the Bank from paying
dividends or otherwise supplying funds to Valley if the supervising agency determines that such payment would
constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice.

Loans to Related Parties

Valley National Bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10 percent
stockholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of the
National Bank Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Regulation O of the FRB thereunder. Among other things, these

7

provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders (i) be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and
follow credit underwriting procedures that are not
those prevailing for comparable
transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present
other unfavorable features and (ii) not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such
persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the Bank’s capital. In
addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Valley and its subsidiaries, other than the Bank, may not extend or arrange for
any personal loans to its directors and executive officers.

less stringent

than,

Community Reinvestment

Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), as implemented by OCC regulations, a national bank
has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit
needs of its entire community, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish
specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to
develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent
with the CRA. The CRA requires the OCC, in connection with its examination of a national bank, to assess the
association’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its
evaluation of certain applications by such association. The CRA also requires all institutions to make public
disclosure of their CRA ratings. Valley National Bank received a “satisfactory” CRA rating in its most recent
examination.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 added new legal requirements for public companies affecting corporate

governance, accounting and corporate reporting.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 provides for, among other things:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

a prohibition on personal loans made or arranged by the issuer to its directors and executive officers
(except for loans made by a bank subject to Regulation O);

independence requirements for audit committee members;

independence requirements for company outside auditors;

certification of financial statements within the Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer;

the forfeiture by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of bonuses or other incentive-
based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer’s securities by such officers in the twelve
month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement due
to corporate misconduct;

disclosure of off-balance sheet transactions;

two-business day filing requirements for insiders filing on Form 4;

disclosure of a code of ethics for financial officers and filing a Current Report on Form 8-K for a
change in or waiver of such code;

the reporting of securities violations “up the ladder” by both in-house and outside attorneys;

restrictions on the use of non-GAAP financial measures in press releases and SEC filings;

the creation of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”);

various increased criminal penalties for violations of securities laws;

an assertion by management with respect to the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting; and

a report by the company’s external auditor on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting.

8

Each of the national stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) where Valley
common securities are listed and the NASDAQ Capital Market, where certain Valley warrants are listed, have
implemented corporate governance listing standards,
including rules strengthening director independence
requirements for boards, and requiring the adoption of charters for the nominating, corporate governance and
audit committees.

USA PATRIOT Act

As part of the USA PATRIOT Act, Congress adopted the International Money Laundering Abatement and
Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “Anti Money Laundering Act”). The Anti Money Laundering Act
authorizes the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, in consultation with the heads of other government agencies, to
adopt special measures applicable to financial institutions such as banks, bank holding companies, broker-dealers
and insurance companies. Among its other provisions, the Anti Money Laundering Act requires each financial
institution: (i) to establish an anti-money laundering program; (ii) to establish due diligence policies, procedures
and controls that are reasonably designed to detect and report instances of money laundering in United States
private banking accounts and correspondent accounts maintained for non-United States persons or their
representatives; and (iii) to avoid establishing, maintaining, administering, or managing correspondent accounts
in the United States for, or on behalf of, a foreign shell bank that does not have a physical presence in any
country. In addition, the Anti Money Laundering Act expands the circumstances under which funds in a bank
account may be forfeited and requires covered financial institutions to respond under certain circumstances to
requests for information from federal banking agencies within 120 hours.

Regulations implementing the due diligence requirements, require minimum standards to verify customer
identity and maintain accurate records, encourage cooperation among financial institutions, federal banking
agencies, and law enforcement authorities regarding possible money laundering or terrorist activities, prohibit the
anonymous use of “concentration accounts,” and requires all covered financial institutions to have in place an
anti-money laundering compliance program. The OCC, along with other banking agencies, have strictly enforced
various anti-money laundering and suspicious activity reporting requirements using formal and informal
enforcement tools to cause banks to comply with these provisions.

The Anti Money Laundering Act amended the Bank Holding Company Act and the Bank Merger Act to
require the federal banking agencies to consider the effectiveness of any financial institution involved in a
proposed merger transaction in combating money laundering activities when reviewing an application under
these acts.

Regulatory Relief Law

In late 2000, the American Home Ownership and Economic Act of 2000 instituted a number of regulatory
relief provisions applicable to national banks, such as permitting national banks to have classified directors and
to merge their business subsidiaries into the Bank.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 (“Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act”) became

effective in early 2000. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act provides for the following:

•

allows bank holding companies meeting management, capital and Community Reinvestment Act
standards to engage in a substantially broader range of non-banking activities than was previously
permissible,
in
commercial and financial companies;

including insurance underwriting and making merchant banking investments

•

allows insurers and other financial services companies to acquire banks;

9

•

•

removes various restrictions that previously applied to bank holding company ownership of securities
firms and mutual fund advisory companies; and

establishes the overall regulatory structure applicable to bank holding companies that also engage in
insurance and securities operations.

If a bank holding company elects to become a financial holding company, it files a certification, effective in
30 days, and thereafter may engage in certain financial activities without further approvals. Valley has not
elected to become a financial holding company.

The OCC adopted rules to allow national banks to form subsidiaries to engage in financial activities allowed
for financial holding companies. Electing national banks must meet the same management and capital standards
as financial holding companies but may not engage in insurance underwriting, real estate development or
merchant banking. Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act apply to financial subsidiaries and the
capital invested by a bank in its financial subsidiaries will be eliminated from the Bank’s capital in measuring all
capital ratios. Valley National Bank sold its one wholly owned financial subsidiary, Glen Rauch Securities, Inc,
on March 31, 2008.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act modified other financial laws, including laws related to financial privacy and

community reinvestment.

Insurance of Deposit Accounts

The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Deposit Insurance Fund is the successor to the Bank Insurance
Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund, which were merged in 2006. Under the FDIC’s risk-based
system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories based on supervisory evaluations,
regulatory capital levels and certain other factors with less risky institutions paying lower assessments on their
deposits. Due to losses incurred by the Deposit Insurance Fund in 2008 from failed institutions, and anticipated
future losses, the FDIC, pursuant to a restoration plan to replenish the fund, adopted a substantial increase in the
assessment rates applicable to insured institutions. The FDIC also has imposed on all insured institutions a
special emergency assessment of 5 basis points of total assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009 (capped at
10 basis points of the institution’s deposit assessment base on the same date) in order to cover losses to the
Deposit Insurance Fund. The amount of this special assessment for the Bank was $6.5 million. Additional special
assessments may be imposed by the FDIC for future quarters at the same or higher levels. No institution may pay
a dividend if in default of the FDIC assessment.

Due to the recent difficult economic conditions, deposit insurance per account owner has been raised to

$250 thousand for all types of accounts until January 1, 2014.

The FDIC has authority to further increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in insurance
premiums may have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank.
Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.

On November 12, 2009, the FDIC issued a final rule that required insured depository institutions to prepay,
on December 30, 2009, their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all
of 2010, 2011 and 2012, together with their quarterly risk-based assessment for the third quarter 2009. Valley
prepaid approximately $48.5 million, of which approximately $45.5 million was recorded as a prepaid asset, in
assessments as of December 31, 2009.

10

Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program

On November 21, 2008, the Board of Directors of the FDIC adopted a final rule relating to the Temporary
Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLG Program”). Under the TLG Program (as amended on March 17, 2009) the
FDIC has (i) guaranteed, through the earlier of maturity or December 31, 2012, certain newly issued senior
unsecured debt issued by participating institutions on or after October 14, 2008, and before October 31, 2009 and
(ii) provided full FDIC deposit
insurance coverage for non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts,
Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (“NOW”) accounts paying less than or equal to 0.5 percent interest per annum
and Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts held at participating FDIC-insured institutions through June 30, 2010.
Coverage under the TLG Program was available for the first 30 days without charge. The fee assessment for
coverage of senior unsecured debt ranges from 50 basis points to 100 basis points per annum, depending on the
initial maturity of the debt. The fee assessment for deposit insurance coverage ranges from 15 to 25 basis points
(based upon the Bank’s CAMELS rating by the OCC) on amounts in covered accounts exceeding $250,000. We
have elected to participate in both guarantee programs. However, we have not issued debt under the TLG
Program.

FIRREA

Under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”), a depository
institution insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any loss incurred by, or reasonably expected to be incurred
by, the FDIC in connection with (i) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution or
(ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution in danger
of default. These provisions have commonly been referred to as FIRREA’s “cross guarantee” provisions. Further,
under FIRREA, the failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank to a variety of enforcement remedies
available to federal regulatory authorities.

FIRREA also imposes certain independent appraisal requirements upon a bank’s real estate lending
activities and further imposes certain loan-to-value restrictions on a bank’s real estate lending activities. The
Bank regulators have promulgated regulations in these areas.

FDICIA

Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), each federal
banking agency has promulgated regulations, specifying the levels at which a financial institution would be
considered “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” or
“critically undercapitalized,” and to take certain mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions based on the
capital level of the institution. To qualify to engage in financial activities under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, all
depository institutions must be “well capitalized.” The financial holding company of a national bank will be put
under directives to raise its capital levels or divest its activities if the depository institution falls from that level.

The OCC’s regulations implementing these provisions of FDICIA provide that an institution will be
classified as “well capitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1
risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.0 percent, (iii) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0 percent, and
(iv) meets certain other requirements. An institution will be classified as “adequately capitalized” if it (i) has a
total risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 4.0 percent,
(iii) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of (a) at least 4.0 percent or (b) at least 3.0 percent if the institution was rated 1 in
its most recent examination, and (iv) does not meet the definition of “well capitalized.” An institution will be
classified as “undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1
risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0 percent, or (iii) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of (a) less than 4.0 percent or
(b) less than 3.0 percent if the institution was rated 1 in its most recent examination. An institution will be
classified as “significantly undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent,
(ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0 percent, or (iii) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 3.0
percent. An institution will be classified as “critically undercapitalized” if it has a tangible equity to total assets

11

ratio that is equal to or less than 2.0 percent. An insured depository institution may be deemed to be in a lower
capitalization category if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating. Similar categories apply to bank
holding companies. Valley National Bank’s capital ratios were all above the minimum levels required for it to be
considered a “well capitalized” financial institution at December 31, 2008.

In addition, significant provisions of FDICIA required federal banking regulators to impose standards in a
number of other important areas to assure bank safety and soundness, including internal controls, information
systems and internal audit systems, credit underwriting, asset growth, compensation, loan documentation and
interest rate exposure.

Financial Regulatory Reform Proposals

Recent economic and market conditions have led to numerous proposals for changes in the regulation of the
financial industry in an effort to prevent future crises and reform the financial regulatory system. President
Obama’s administration has released a comprehensive plan for regulatory reform in the financial industry. The
Administration’s plan contains significant proposed structural reforms, including heightened powers for the
Federal Reserve to regulate risk across the financial agencies, a Consumer Financial Protection Agency and a
new National Bank Supervisor. The plan also calls for new substantive regulation across the financial industry,
including more heightened scrutiny and regulation for any financial firm whose combination of size, leverage,
and interconnectedness could pose a threat to financial stability if it failed. In furtherance of the Administration’s
plan, legislation enabling the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency has recently been passed by
the U.S House of Representatives. The legislation would subject federally chartered financial institutions to state
consumer protection laws that have historically been preempted.

12

Item 1A. Risk Factors

An investment

in our securities is subject to risks inherent to our business. The material risks and
uncertainties that management believes affect Valley are described below. Before making an investment
decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other
information included or incorporated by reference in this report. The risks and uncertainties described below are
not the only ones facing Valley. Additional risks and uncertainties that management is not aware of or that
management currently believes are immaterial may also impair Valley’s business operations. The value or
market price of our securities could decline due to any of these identified or other risks, and you could lose all or
part of your investment. This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.

A Prolonged Negative Impact of Economic Downturn.

The global and U.S. economic downturn has resulted in uncertainty in the financial markets in general with
the possibility of a slow recovery or a fall back into recession. The Federal Reserve, in an attempt to help the
overall economy, has kept interest rates low through its targeted federal funds rate and the purchase of mortgage-
backed securities. If the Federal Reserve increases the federal funds rate, overall interest rates will likely rise
which may negatively impact the housing markets and the U.S. economic recovery. A prolonged economic
downturn or the return of negative developments in the financial services industry could negatively impact our
operations by causing an increase in our provision for loan losses and a deterioration of our loan portfolio. Such a
downturn may also adversely affect our ability to originate or sell loans. The occurrence of any of these events
could have an adverse impact our financial performance.

Allowance For Loan Losses May Be Insufficient.

We maintain an allowance for loan losses based on, among other things, national and regional economic
conditions, historical
loss experience, and our assumptions regarding delinquency trends and future loss
expectations. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to
cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio. Bank regulators review the classification of our loans in their
examination of us and we may be required in the future to change the classification on certain of our loans, which
may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or loan charge-offs. Valley’s management could also
decide that the allowance for loan losses should be increased. If actual net charge-offs were to exceed Valley’s
allowance, its earnings would be negatively impacted by additional provisions for loan losses. Any increase in
our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by the OCC or otherwise could have an adverse
effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Further Increases in Our Non-performing Assets May Occur and Adversely Affect Our Results of
Operations and Financial Condition.

As a result of the economic downturn, particularly during 2009, we are facing increased delinquencies on
our loans. Our non-performing assets (which consist of non-accrual loans, other real estate owned and other
repossessed assets) increased from 0.45 percent of loans and non-performing assets at December 31, 2008 to 1.04
percent of loans and non-performing assets at December 31, 2009.

Until economic and market conditions improve, we expect to continue to incur charge-offs to our allowance
for loan losses and lost interest income relating to an increase in non-performing loans. Our non-performing
assets adversely affect our net income in various ways. Adverse changes in the value of our non-performing
assets, or the underlying collateral, or in the borrowers’ performance or financial conditions could adversely
affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. There can be no assurance that we will not
experience further increases in non-performing loans in the future, or that our non-performing assets will not
result in lower financial returns in the future.

13

Changes in Interest Rates Can Have an Adverse Effect on Profitability.

Valley’s earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon its net interest income. Net interest income is
the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities,
and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowed funds. Interest rates are
sensitive to many factors that are beyond Valley’s control, including general economic conditions, competition,
and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the policies of the FRB. Changes
in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest Valley receives on
loans and investment securities and the amount of interest it pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes
could also affect (i) Valley’s ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of Valley’s financial
assets and liabilities, including the held to maturity, available for sale, and trading securities portfolios, and
(iii) the average duration of Valley’s interest-earning assets. This also includes the risk that interest-earning
assets may be more responsive to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing liabilities, or vice versa (repricing
risk), the risk that the individual interest rates or rate indices underlying various interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities may not change in the same degree over a given time period (basis risk), and the risk of
changing interest rate relationships across the spectrum of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability
maturities (yield curve risk).

Although management believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to
reduce the potential effects of changes in interest rates on Valley’s results of operations, any substantial,
unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on Valley’s financial
condition and results of operations.

A Prolonged or Worsened Downturn Affecting the Economy and/or the Real Estate Market in Our Primary
Market Area Would Adversely Affect Our Loan Portfolio and Our Growth Potential.

Much of Valley’s lending is in northern and central New Jersey, and Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, New
York. As a result of this geographic concentration, a further significant broad-based deterioration in economic
conditions in New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area could have a material adverse impact on the
quality of Valley’s loan portfolio, results of operations and future growth potential. A prolonged decline in
economic conditions in our market area could restrict borrowers’ ability to pay outstanding principal and interest
on loans when due, and, consequently, adversely affect the cash flows and results of operation of Valley’s
business.

Valley’s loan portfolio is largely secured by real estate collateral. A substantial portion of the real and
personal property securing the loans in Valley’s portfolio is located in New Jersey and the New York City
metropolitan area. Conditions in the real estate markets in which the collateral for Valley’s loans are located
strongly influence the level of Valley’s non-performing loans and results of operations. A continued decline in
the New Jersey and New York City metropolitan area real estate markets could adversely affect Valley’s loan
portfolio.

Declines in Value May Adversely Impact the Investment Portfolio.

As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately $1.6 billion and $1.4 billion in held to maturity and
available for sale investment securities, respectively. We may be required to record impairment charges in
earnings related to credit losses on our investment securities if they suffer a decline in value that is considered
other-than-temporary. Additionally, (a) if we intend to sell a security or (b) it is more likely than not that we will
be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, we will be required to recognize an
other-than-temporary impairment charge in the statement of income equal to the full amount of the decline in fair
value below amortized cost. Numerous factors, including lack of liquidity for re-sales of certain investment
securities, absence of reliable pricing information for investment securities, adverse changes in business climate,
adverse actions by regulators, or unanticipated changes in the competitive environment could have a negative
effect on our investment portfolio and may result in other-than-temporary impairment on our investment
securities in future periods.

14

Among other securities, our investment portfolio includes private label mortgage-backed securities, trust
preferred securities principally issued by bank holding companies (“bank issuers”) (including three pooled
securities), perpetual preferred securities issued by banks, and bank issued corporate bonds. These investments
pose a risk of future impairment charges by us as a result of the current downturn in the U.S. economy and its
negative effect on the performance of these bank issuers and/or the underlying mortgage loan collateral. In
addition, some of the bank issuers of trust preferred securities within our investment portfolio are participants in
the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program. For TARP participants, dividend payments to trust
preferred security holders are currently senior to and payable before dividends can be paid on the preferred stock
issued under the TARP Capital Purchase Program. Some bank trust preferred issuers may elect to defer future
payments of interest on such securities either based upon recommendations by banking regulators or
management decisions driven by potential liquidity needs. Such elections by issuers of securities within our
investment portfolio could adversely affect securities valuations and result in future impairment charges if
collection of deferred and accrued interest (or principal upon maturity) is deemed unlikely by management.

If an impairment charge is significant enough it could affect the ability of the Bank to upstream dividends to
us, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to pay dividends to shareholders
and could also negatively impact our regulatory capital ratios and result in the Bank not being classified as “well-
capitalized” for regulatory purposes.

Currently, we own $55.0 million in trust preferred securities (with unrealized losses totaling $33.6 million at
December 31, 2009) of one issuer who has elected to defer interest payments based upon the conditions of an
agreement with its bank regulator. At this time, we are uncertain whether in future periods we will be required to
take impairment charges with regard to these securities.

An Increased Valuation of Our Junior Subordinated Debentures Issued to VNB Capital Trust I May
Adversely Impact Our Net Income and Earnings Per Share.

Effective January 1, 2007, we elected to carry the junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital
Trust I at fair value. We measure the fair value of these junior subordinated debentures using exchange quoted
prices in active markets for similar assets (Level 1 inputs as defined in the Financial Accounting Standards
Board’s (the “FASB”) Accounting Standard Update No. 2009-05 under Accounting Standards Codification
(“ASC”) Topic 820, which we elected to early adopt on September 30, 2009), specifically the trust preferred
securities issued by VNB Capital Trust I, which contain identical terms as our junior subordinated debentures
(see Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements). As a result, any increase in the market quoted price, or fair
market value, of our trust preferred securities will result in a commensurate increase in the liability required to be
recorded for the junior subordinated debentures with an offsetting non-cash charge against our earnings. During
2009, we recognized a $15.8 million ($10.3 million after taxes) non-cash charge due to the change in the fair
value of the junior subordinated debentures caused by an increase in the market price of the trust preferred
securities. The non-cash charge against our earnings does not impact our liquidity or our regulatory capital. We
cannot predict whether or to what extent we would be required to take a non-cash charge against earnings related
to the change in fair value of our junior subordinated debentures in future periods. Furthermore, changes in the
law and regulations or other factors could require us to redeem the junior subordinated debentures at par value. If
we are carrying the junior subordinated debentures at a fair value below par value when such redemption occurs,
we will be required to record a charge against earnings in the period in which the redemption occurred.

Higher FDIC Deposit Insurance Premiums and Assessments Could Adversely Affect Our Financial
Condition.

FDIC insurance premiums have increased substantially in 2009 and we may have to pay significantly higher
FDIC premiums in the future and prepay insurance premiums. Market developments during 2009 significantly
depleted the insurance fund of the FDIC and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured deposits. The FDIC adopted
a revised risk-based deposit insurance assessment schedule during the first quarter of 2009, which raised regular

15

deposit insurance premiums. In May 2009, the FDIC also implemented a five basis point special assessment of
each insured depository institution’s total assets minus Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, but no more than 10
basis points times the institution’s assessment base for the second quarter of 2009, collected by the FDIC on
September 30, 2009. The amount of this special assessment for the Bank was $6.5 million. In December 2009 the
FDIC required us to prepay our assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012,
together with their quarterly risk-based assessment for the third quarter 2009. Notwithstanding this prepayment,
the FDIC may impose additional special assessments for future quarters or may increase the FDIC standard
assessments. We cannot provide you with any assurances that we will not be required to pay additional FDIC
insurance assessments, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We May be Adversely Affected by the Soundness of Other Financial Institutions.

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other
relationships. We have exposure to many different
industries and counterparties, and routinely execute
transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including the Federal Home Loan Bank of
New York, commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks, and other institutional clients. Many of
these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, our
credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not
sufficient to recover the full amount due to us. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations.

Liquidity Risk.

Liquidity risk is the potential that Valley will be unable to meet its obligations as they come due, capitalize
on growth opportunities as they arise, or pay regular dividends because of an inability to liquidate assets or
obtain adequate funding in a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances.

Liquidity is required to fund various obligations, including credit commitments to borrowers, mortgage and
other loan originations, withdrawals by depositors, repayment of borrowings, dividends to shareholders,
operating expenses and capital expenditures.

Liquidity is derived primarily from retail deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on
loans; principal and interest payments on investment securities; sale, maturity and prepayment of investment
securities; net cash provided from operations and access to other funding sources.

Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities could be impaired by factors
that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact our
access to liquidity sources include a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a prolonged economic
downturn or adverse regulatory action against us. Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are
not necessarily specific to us, such as a severe disruption of the financial markets or negative views and
expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole.

Our Deposit Base May Be Adversely Affected by the Loss of Lower-Cost Funding Sources.

Checking and savings, NOW, and money market deposit account balances and other forms of customer
deposits can decrease when customers perceive alternative investments, such as the stock market or money
market or fixed income mutual funds, as providing a better risk/return tradeoff. If customers move money out of
bank deposits and into other investments, Valley could lose a relatively low cost source of funds, increasing its
funding costs and reducing Valley’s net interest income and net income.

16

We Are a Holding Company and Depend on Our Subsidiaries for Dividends, Distributions and Other
Payments.

We are a separate and distinct legal entity from our banking and non-banking subsidiaries and depend on
dividends, distributions, and other payments from the Bank and its non-banking subsidiaries to fund cash
dividend payments on our common stock and to fund most payments on our other obligations. Regulations
relating to capital requirements affect the ability of the Bank to pay dividends and other distributions to us and to
make loans to us. Additionally, if our subsidiaries’ earnings are not sufficient to make dividend payments to us
while maintaining adequate capital levels, we may not be able to make dividend payments to our common
shareholders or interest payments on our junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts. Furthermore, our
right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the
prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors.

We May Reduce or Eliminate the Cash Dividend on Our Common Stock.

Our common cash dividend pay-out per common share was greater than our earnings per share for the year
ended December 31, 2009, thereby causing our earnings retention to be zero for the same period. Our zero
retention rate resulted from earnings being negatively impacted by dividends on our senior preferred stock and
the accretion of the discount on our senior preferred stock (fully repurchased during 2009), as well as net trading
losses caused primarily by to mark-to-market losses on the fair value of our junior subordinated debentures and
net impairment losses on private label mortgage-backed securities. The retention ratio for the comparable year
ended December 31, 2008 was also negative primarily due to other-than-temporary charges and realized losses
on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred securities classified as available for sale. While our earnings retention
rate may improve in the future due to the elimination of dividends and accretion due to our redemption of the
senior preferred stock, other factors, including those resulting from the economic recession, may negatively
impact our future earnings and ability to maintain our dividend at current levels.

At this time, and subsequent to our first quarter of 2010 cash dividend payment, we have approximately
$100 million in liquid assets, consisting of cash, investments and accrued interest receivable, at the holding
company level available to pay dividends, which could provide for quarterly dividends up to three consecutive
quarters at the current dividend rate per share based upon the number of our common shares outstanding at
February 23, 2010 and projected operating expenses for 2010.

Holders of our common stock are only entitled to receive such cash dividends as our Board of Directors may
declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Although we have historically declared cash dividends
on our common stock, we are not required to do so and may reduce or eliminate our common stock cash dividend
in the future. This could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Also, as a bank holding
company, our ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on federal regulatory considerations including the
guidelines of OCC and the FRB regarding capital adequacy and dividends.

Competition in the Financial Services Industry.

Valley faces substantial competition in all areas of its operations from a variety of different competitors,
many of which are larger and may have more financial resources than Valley. Valley competes with other
providers of financial services such as commercial and savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit
unions, money market and mutual funds, mortgage companies,
insurance
companies and a large list of other local, regional and national institutions which offer financial services.
Mergers between financial institutions within New Jersey and in neighboring states have added competitive
pressure. If Valley is unable to compete effectively, it will lose market share and its income generated from
loans, deposits, and other financial products will decline.

title agencies, asset managers,

17

Future Offerings of Common Stock, Debt or Other Securities May Adversely Affect the Market Price of Our
Stock.

In the future, we may increase our capital resources or, if our or the Bank’s capital ratios fall below the
prevailing regulatory required minimums, we or the Bank could be forced to raise additional capital by making
additional offerings of common stock, preferred stock, trust preferred securities and debt securities. Upon
liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other
borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional
equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our common
stock, or both. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against
dilution.

Potential Acquisitions May Disrupt Valley’s Business and Dilute Shareholder Value.

Valley regularly evaluates merger and acquisition opportunities, including FDIC assisted transactions, and
conducts due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions and financial
services companies. As a result, merger or acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations may take
place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur at any time.
Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, and, therefore, some
dilution of Valley’s tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any
future transaction. Furthermore, failure to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in
geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits from an acquisition could have a material adverse
effect on Valley’s financial condition and results of operations.

Implementation of Growth Strategies.

Valley has a strategic branch expansion initiative to expand its physical presence in Brooklyn and Queens,
as well as add locations within its New Jersey and Manhattan markets. We may also expand our branch network
into markets outside of these areas based upon changes in management strategy and/or bank acquisition
opportunities that may become available in the future. Valley has opened a combined total of 12 branch locations
within Brooklyn and Queens since starting its initiative in these new markets during 2007. Valley’s ability to
successfully execute in these markets depends upon a variety of factors, including its ability to attract and retain
experienced personnel,
the
competitive responses from other financial institutions in the new market areas, and the ability to manage growth.
These initiatives could cause Valley’s expenses to increase faster than revenues. Valley can provide no
assurances that it will successfully implement or continue these initiatives.

the continued availability of desirable business opportunities and locations,

There are considerable initial and on-going costs involved in opening branches, growing loans in new
markets, and attracting new deposit relationships. These expenses could negatively impact future earnings. For
example, it takes time for new branches and relationships to achieve profitability. Expenses could be further
increased if there are delays in the opening of new branches or if attraction strategies are more costly than
expected. Delays in opening new branches can be caused by a number of factors such as the inability to find
suitable locations, zoning and construction delays, and the inability to attract qualified personnel to staff the new
branch. In addition, there is no assurance that a new branch will be successful even after it has been established.

From time to time, Valley may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within
existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly
in instances where the markets are not fully developed. Valley may invest significant time and resources to
develop and market new lines of business and/or products and services. Initial timetables for the introduction and
development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and
profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive
alternatives, and shifting customer preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of

18

business or a new product or service. Additionally, any new line of business and/or new product or service could
have a significant impact on the effectiveness of Valley’s system of internal controls. Failure to successfully
manage these risks could have a material adverse effect on Valley’s business, results of operations and financial
condition.

Extensive Regulation and Supervision.

Valley, primarily through its principal subsidiary and certain non-bank subsidiaries, is subject to extensive
federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’
funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole. Such laws are not designed to protect
Valley shareholders. These regulations affect Valley’s lending practices, capital structure, investment practices,
dividend policy and growth, among other things. Valley is also subject to a number of federal laws, which,
among other things, require it to lend to various sectors of the economy and population, and establish and
maintain comprehensive programs relating to anti-money laundering and customer identification. Congress and
federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes.
Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of
statutes, regulations or policies, could affect Valley in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could
subject Valley to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products it may offer and/or increase
the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to
comply with laws, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties
and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on Valley’s business, financial condition
and results of operations. Valley’s compliance with certain of these laws will be considered by banking
regulators when reviewing bank merger and bank holding company acquisitions.

Market Reform Efforts May Result in Our Businesses Becoming Subject to Extensive and Pervasive
Additional Regulations.

Recent economic and market conditions have led to numerous proposals for changes in the regulation of the
financial industry in an effort to prevent future crises and reform the financial regulatory system. President
Obama’s administration has released a comprehensive plan for regulatory reform in the financial industry. The
Administration’s plan contains significant proposed structural reforms, including heightened powers for the
Federal Reserve to regulate risk across the financial system; a new Financial Services Oversight Council chaired
by the U.S. Treasury; and two new federal agencies, a Consumer Financial Protection Agency and a new
National Bank Supervisor. The plan also calls for new substantive regulation across the financial industry,
including more heightened scrutiny and regulation for any financial firm whose combination of size, leverage,
and interconnectedness could pose a threat to financial stability if it failed.

There can be no assurance as to whether or when any of the parts of the Administration’s plan or other
proposals will be enacted into legislation, and if adopted, what the final provisions of such legislation will be.
The financial services industry is highly regulated, and we are subject to regulation by several government
agencies, including the OCC, the FRB and the FDIC. Legislative and regulatory changes, as well as changes in
governmental economic and monetary policy, not only can affect our ability to attract deposits and make loans,
but can also affect the demand for business and personal lending and for real estate mortgages. Government
regulations affect virtually all areas of our operations, including our range of permissible activities, products and
services, the amount of service fees or the ability to assess such fees, the geographic locations in which our
services can be offered, the amount of capital required to be maintained to support operations, the right to pay
dividends and the amount which we can pay to obtain deposits. New legislation and regulatory changes could
require us to change certain of our business practices, impose additional costs on us, or otherwise adversely
affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

19

Changes in Accounting Policies or Accounting Standards.

Valley’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding its financial results and condition. Some of
these policies require use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of Valley’s assets or liabilities
and financial results. Valley identified its accounting policies regarding the allowance for loan losses, security
valuations, goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes to be critical because they require
management to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain.
Under each of these policies, it is possible that materially different amounts would be reported under different
conditions, using different assumptions, or as new information becomes available.

From time to time the FASB and the SEC change their guidance governing the form and content of Valley’s
external financial statements. In addition, accounting standard setters and those who interpret U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), such as the FASB, SEC, banking regulators and Valley’s outside
auditors, may change or even reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how these standards should be
applied. Such changes are expected to continue, and may accelerate as the FASB and International Accounting
Standards Board have reaffirmed their commitment
to achieving convergence between U.S. GAAP and
International Financial Reporting Standards. Changes in U.S. GAAP and changes in current interpretations are
beyond Valley’s control, can be hard to predict and could materially impact how Valley reports its financial
results and condition. In certain cases, Valley could be required to apply a new or revised guidance retroactively
or apply existing guidance differently (also retroactively) which may result in Valley restating prior period
financial statements for material amounts. Additionally, significant changes to U.S. GAAP may require costly
technology changes, additional training and personnel, and other expenses that will negatively impact our results
of operations.

The Price of Our Common Stock May Fluctuate.

The price of our common stock on the NYSE constantly changes and recently, given the uncertainty in the
financial markets, has fluctuated widely. The market price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate.
Holders of our common stock will be subject to the risk of volatility and changes in prices.

Our common stock price can fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our

control. These factors include:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

quarterly fluctuations in our operating and financial results;

operating results that vary from the expectations of management, securities analysts and investors;

changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates by
securities analysts and investors;

events negatively impacting the financial services industry which result in a general decline in the
market valuation of our common stock;

announcements of material developments affecting our operations or our dividend policy;

future sales of our equity securities;

new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our
business;

changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; and

general domestic economic and market conditions.

In addition, recently the stock market generally has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations, and
industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or
recessions, interest rate changes or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of
our operating results.

20

Encountering Continuous Technological Change.

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent
introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases
efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Valley’s future success
depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products
and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in Valley’s
operations. Many of Valley’s competitors have substantially greater resources to invest
in technological
improvements. Valley may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or
be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with
technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on Valley’s
business and, in turn, Valley’s financial condition and results of operations.

Operational Risk.

We face the risk that the design of our controls and procedures, including those to mitigate the risk of fraud
by employees or outsiders, may prove to be inadequate or are circumvented, thereby causing delays in detection
of errors or inaccuracies in data and information. We regularly review and update our internal controls,
disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls,
however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not
absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of our controls and
procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may also be subject to disruptions of our systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond
our control (including, for example, computer viruses or electrical or telecommunications outages), which may
give rise to losses in service to customers and to financial loss or liability. We are further exposed to the risk that
our external vendors may be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations (or will be subject to the same risk of
fraud or operational errors by their respective employees as us) and to the risk that our (or our vendors’) business
continuity and data security systems prove to be inadequate. We maintain a system of comprehensive policies
and a control framework designed to monitor vendor risks including, among other things, (i) changes in the
(ii) changes in the vendor’s financial condition,
vendor’s organizational structure or
(iii) changes in the vendor’s support for existing products and services and (iv) changes in the vendor’s strategic
focus. While we believe these policies and procedures help to mitigate risk, the failure of an external vendor to
perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements under service level agreements could be disruptive to
our operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business and, in turn, our financial condition
and results of operations.

internal controls,

Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. There is
intense competition in the financial services industry for qualified employees. In addition, we face increasing
competition with businesses outside the financial services industry for the most highly skilled individuals. Our
business operations could be adversely affected if we are unable to attract new employees and retain and
motivate our existing employees.

Severe Weather, Acts of Terrorism and Other External Events Could Significantly Impact Our Business.

A significant portion of our primary markets are located near coastal waters which could generate naturally
occurring severe weather, or in response to climate change, that could have a significant impact on our ability to
conduct business. Additionally, New York City and New Jersey remain central targets for potential acts of
terrorism against the United States. Such events could affect the stability of our deposit base, impair the ability of
borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property
damage, result in loss of revenue and/or cause us to incur additional expenses. Although we have established
disaster recovery policies and procedures, the occurrence of any such event in the future could have a material
adverse effect on our business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.

21

We Are Subject to Environmental Liability Risk Associated With Lending Activities.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of
business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that
hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, we
may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may
require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit our
interpretations or
ability to use or sell
enforcement policies with respect
liability.
Although we have policies and procedures to perform an environmental review prior to originating certain
commercial real estate loans, as well as before initiating any foreclosure action on real property, these reviews
may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial
liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations.

the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent

to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental

Claims and Litigation Pertaining to Fiduciary Responsibility.

From time to time as part of Valley’s normal course of business, customers make claims and take legal
action against Valley based on actions or inactions of Valley. If such claims and legal actions are not resolved in
a manner favorable to Valley, they may result in financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception
of Valley and its products and services. This may also impact customer demand for Valley’s products and
services. Any financial liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on Valley’s business,
which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.

Properties

We conduct our business at 197 retail banking center locations, with 171 in northern and central New Jersey
and 26 in the New York City metropolitan area. We own 93 of our banking center facilities. The other facilities
are leased for various terms. Additionally, we have 7 other properties located in New Jersey and New York City
that were either owned or under contract to purchase or lease. We intend to develop these properties into new
retail branch locations during 2010 and 2011.

Our principal business office is located at 1455 Valley Road, Wayne, New Jersey. Including our principal
business office, we own four office buildings in Wayne, New Jersey and one building in Chestnut Ridge, New
York which are used for various operations of Valley National Bank and its subsidiaries.

The total net book value of our premises and equipment (including land, buildings, leasehold improvements
and furniture and equipment) was $266.4 million at December 31, 2009. We believe that all of our properties and
equipment are well maintained, in good condition and adequate for all of our present and anticipated needs.

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, we may be a party to various outstanding legal proceedings and claims. In
the opinion of management, our consolidated statements of financial condition or results of operations should not
be materially affected by the outcome of such legal proceedings and claims.

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

22

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of

Equity Securities

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “VLY”. The following table sets forth
for each quarter period indicated the high and low sales prices for our common stock, as reported by the NYSE,
and the cash dividends declared per common share for each quarter. The amounts shown in the table below have
been adjusted for all stock dividends and stock splits.

First Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Second Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$19.29
15.47
13.89
14.33

$ 8.04
10.81
10.87
11.61

$0.19
0.19
0.19
0.19

$18.76
18.64
23.57
22.76

$15.02
14.84
12.98
13.33

$0.19
0.19
0.19
0.19

Year 2009

Year 2008

High

Low

Dividend

High

Low

Dividend

There were 8,915 shareholders of record as of December 31, 2009.

Restrictions on Dividends

The timing and amount of cash dividends paid depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial
condition and other relevant factors. The primary source for dividends paid to our common stockholders is
dividends paid to us from Valley National Bank. Federal laws and regulations contain restrictions on the ability
of national banks, like Valley National Bank, to pay dividends. For more information regarding the restrictions
on the Bank’s dividends, see “Item 1. Business—Supervision and Regulation—Dividend Limitations” and
“Item 1A. Risk Factors—We May Reduce or Eliminate the Cash Dividend on Our Common Stock” above, and
Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this report. In addition, under the terms of
the trust preferred securities issued by VNB Capital Trust I and GCB Capital Trust III, we cannot pay dividends
on our common stock if we defer payments on the junior subordinated debentures which provide the cash flow
for the payments on the trust preferred securities.

In November 2008, we issued 300,000 shares of senior preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury under the TARP
Capital Purchase Program. We incrementally repurchased the 300,000 from the U.S. Treasury during 2009 and
effectively ended our participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program on December 23, 2009. While the
shares were outstanding to the U.S. Treasury, with limited exceptions, the U.S. Treasury’s consent was required
for: (i) any increase in dividends paid on our common stock above a quarterly dividend of $0.19 per common
share, (ii) the repurchase of our common stock in any way, or (iii) the repurchase or redemption of any trust
preferred securities issued by us.

23

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total return on a hypothetical $100 investment made on
December 31, 2004 in: (a) Valley’s common stock; (b) the Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Stock Index; and
(c) the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods’ KBW50 Bank Index. The graph is calculated assuming that all dividends are
reinvested during the relevant periods. The graph shows how a $100 investment would increase or decrease in
value over time based on dividends (stock or cash) and increases or decreases in the market price of the stock.

Index of Total Returns

Valley

KBW 50

S&P 500

12/04

12/05

12/06

12/07

12/08

12/09

12/04 

12/05 

12/06 

12/07 

12/08 

12/09

$  100.00  $  94.88  $  113.30  $  88.86  $  103.46  $  80.63
  100.00 
47.62
  102.10
  100.00 

  106.15   
80.22 
  121.46    128.13 

  100.51 
  104.91 

62.84 
80.73 

s
r
a
l
l

o
D

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

Valley 
KBW 50 
S&P 500 

Issuer Repurchase of Equity Securities

There were no purchases of equity securities by the issuer or affiliated purchasers during the three months

ended December 31, 2009.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The information set forth in Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report under the heading “Equity

Compensation Plan Information” is incorporated by reference herein.

24

 
 
 
Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Valley’s consolidated financial

statements and the accompanying notes thereto presented herein in response to Item 8.

As of or for the Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

(in thousands, except for share data)

Summary of Operations:
Interest income—tax equivalent basis (1) . . . . . . . . . . . $
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

717,411 $
262,870

735,153 $
308,895

731,188 $
343,322

713,930 $
316,250

Net interest income—tax equivalent basis (1)
. . . . . . .
Less: tax equivalent adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

454,541
5,227

449,314
47,992

426,258
5,459

420,799
28,282

387,866
6,181

381,685
11,875

397,680
6,559

391,121
9,270

631,893
226,659

405,234
6,809

398,425
4,340

Net interest income after provisions for credit

losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

401,322

392,517

369,810

381,851

394,085

Non-interest income:

Net impairment losses on securities recognized in
earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on sale of assets, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total non-interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Non-interest expense:

Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FDIC insurance assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion . . . . . . . . .

(6,352)
605
77,998

72,251

—
20,128
285,900

306,028

167,545
51,484

116,061
19,524

(84,835)
518
87,573

3,256

—
1,985
283,263

285,248

110,525
16,934

93,591
2,090

(17,949)
16,051
90,926

89,028

2,310
1,003
250,599

253,912

204,926
51,698

153,228
—

(4,722)
3,849
72,937

72,064

—
1,085
249,255

250,340

203,575
39,884

163,691
—

Net income available to common stockholders . . . . . . . $

96,537 $

91,501 $

153,228 $

163,691 $

(835)
25
74,543

73,733

—
1,135
236,456

237,591

230,227
66,778

163,449
—

163,449

Per Common Share (2):
Earnings per share:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends declared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Book value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tangible book value (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average shares outstanding:

0.67 $
0.67
0.76
8.19
6.09

0.67 $
0.67
0.76
7.56
5.30

1.16 $
1.15
0.76
7.18
5.63

1.21 $
1.21
0.74
7.11
5.53

1.23
1.23
0.72
6.89
5.28

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144,453,039 136,957,646 132,586,561 134,912,276 132,428,163
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144,453,723 137,033,031 132,979,202 135,462,682 132,917,645

Ratios:
Return on average assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Return on average shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . .
Return on average tangible shareholders’ equity (4)
. .
Average shareholders’ equity to average assets . . . . . .
Dividend payout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risked-based capital:
Tier 1 capital
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leverage capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Condition:
Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 14,284,153 $ 14,718,129 $ 12,748,959 $ 12,395,027 $ 12,436,102
8,055,269
9,268,081
Net loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8,570,001
9,547,285
Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
931,910
1,252,854
Shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

0.81%
8.64
11.34
9.40
113.43

0.69%
8.74
11.57
7.94
114.29

10,050,446
9,232,923
1,363,609

8,256,967
8,487,651
949,590

8,423,557
8,091,004
949,060

10.56%
12.44
8.10

10.64%
12.54
8.14

11.44%
13.18
9.10

17.24
22.26
7.72
60.71

16.43
21.17
7.58
65.35

19.17
23.61
7.25
58.00

11.35
7.62

9.55%

1.25%

1.33%

10.28%
12.16
7.82

1.39%

See Notes to the Selected Financial Data that follows.

25

Notes to Selected Financial Data

(1)

In this report a number of amounts related to net interest income and net interest margin are presented on a
tax equivalent basis using a 35 percent federal tax rate. Valley believes that this presentation provides
comparability of net interest income and net interest margin arising from both taxable and tax-exempt
sources and is consistent with industry practice and SEC rules.

(2) All per common share amounts reflect a five percent common stock dividend issued May 22, 2009, and all

prior stock splits and dividends.

(3) This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains supplemental financial information which has been determined
by methods other than U.S. GAAP that management uses in its analysis of our performance. Management
believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information useful to investors in understanding our
underlying operational performance, our business and performance trends, and facilitates comparisons with
the performance of others in the financial services industry. These non-GAAP financial measures should not
be considered in isolation or as a substitute for or superior to financial measures calculated in accordance
with U.S. GAAP.

Tangible book value per common share, which is a non-GAAP measure,

is computed by dividing

shareholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangible assets by common shares outstanding as follows:

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

At Years Ended December 31,

Common shares outstanding . . . . . . . .

152,987,903

(in thousands, except for share data)
132,136,278

141,775,232

133,540,457

135,318,321

Shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Less: Preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: Goodwill and other intangible

1,252,854 $
—

1,363,609 $
291,539

949,060 $
—

949,590 $
—

931,910

—

assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

320,729

321,100

204,547

211,355

217,354

Tangible shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . $

932,125 $

750,970 $

744,513 $

738,235 $

714,556

Tangible book value per common

share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

6.09 $

5.30 $

5.63 $

5.53 $

5.28

(4) Return on average tangible shareholders’ equity, which is a non-GAAP measure, is computed by dividing
net income by average shareholders’ equity less average goodwill and average other intangible assets, as
follows:

At Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 116,061

$

($ in thousands)
$153,228

93,591

$163,691

$163,449

Average shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: Average goodwill and other intangible

1,342,790

1,071,358

932,637

949,613

852,834

assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

319,756

262,613

208,797

214,338

160,607

Average tangible shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . .

$1,023,034

$ 808,745

$723,840

$735,275

$692,227

Return on average tangible shareholders’

equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11.34%

11.57%

21.17%

22.26%

23.61%

26

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of

Operations

The purpose of this analysis is to provide the reader with information relevant to understanding and
assessing Valley’s results of operations for each of the past three years and financial condition for each of the
past two years. In order to fully appreciate this analysis the reader is encouraged to review the consolidated
financial statements and accompanying notes thereto appearing under Item 8 of this report, and statistical data
presented in this document.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, both in the MD&A and elsewhere, contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical
facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations
about new and existing programs and products, acquisitions, relationships, opportunities, taxation, technology,
market conditions and economic expectations. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking
terminology as “expect,” “anticipate,” “look,” “view,” “opportunities,” “allow,” “continues,” “reflects,”
“believe,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “estimates” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Such forward-
looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such
forward-looking statements. Valley assumes no obligation for updating any such forward-looking statement at
any time. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-
looking statements include, but are not limited to the factors listed under the “Risk Factor” section of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K and:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

unanticipated changes in interest rates;

increased or unexpected competition from banks, other financial institutions and other companies;

changes in loan, investment and mortgage prepayment assumptions;

insufficient allowance for credit losses;

a higher level of net loan charge-offs, nonperforming assets, and delinquencies than anticipated;

a continued or unexpected decline in the economy in our primary market areas, mainly in New Jersey
and New York;

a continued or unexpected decline in real estate values within our market areas;

the occurrence of an other-than-temporary impairment to investment securities classified as available
for sale or held to maturity;

volatility in earnings due to certain financial assets and liabilities held at fair value;

higher than expected FDIC insurance premiums;

the failure of other financial institutions with whom we have trading, clearing, counterparty and other
financial relationships;

a reduction in dividend payments, distributions and other payments from our banking subsidiary;

possible reduction or elimination of the dividend on our common stock;

changes in relationships with major customers;

further offerings of our equity securities may result in dilution of our common stock and a reduction in
the price of our common stock;

potential acquisitions may disrupt our business and dilute shareholder value;

additional regulatory oversight which may require us to change our business model;

27

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

our failure or inability to raise additional capital, if it is necessary or advisable to do so;

changes in income tax rates;

higher or lower cash flow levels than anticipated;

inability to hire or retain qualified employees;

a decline in the levels of deposits or loss of alternate funding sources;

a decrease in loan origination volume;

a change in legal and regulatory barriers including issues related to compliance with anti-money
laundering and bank secrecy act laws;

adoption, interpretation and implementation of new or pre-existing accounting pronouncements;

the development of new tax strategies or the disallowance of prior tax strategies;

operational risks, including the risk of fraud by employees or outsiders and unanticipated litigation
pertaining to Valley’s fiduciary responsibility; and

the inability to successfully implement new lines of business or new products and services.

Any public statements or disclosures by Valley following this report that modify or impact any of the
forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this report will be deemed to modify or supercede
such forward-looking statements in or accompanying this report.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our accounting and reporting policies conform, in all material respects, to U.S. GAAP. In preparing the
consolidated financial statements, management has made estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated statements of condition and results of
operations for the periods indicated. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Valley’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of its
financial condition and results of operations. Our significant accounting policies are presented in Note 1 to the
consolidated financial statements. We identified our policies on the allowance for loan losses, security
valuations, goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes to be critical as management is required to
make subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and could be most subject
to revision as new information becomes available. Management has reviewed the application of these policies
with the Audit and Risk Committee of Valley’s Board of Directors.

The judgments used by management in applying the critical accounting policies discussed below may be
affected by a further and prolonged deterioration in the economic environment, which may result in changes to
future financial results. Specifically, subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio, in light of the factors then
prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for loan losses in future periods, and the inability to
collect on outstanding loans could result in increased loan losses. In addition, the valuation of certain securities in
our investment portfolio could be negatively impacted by illiquidity or dislocation in marketplaces resulting in
significantly depressed market prices thus leading to further impairment losses.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable
loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio and is the largest component of the allowance for credit losses which
also includes management’s estimated reserve for unfunded commercial letters of credit. Determining the amount
of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant
judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired
loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of

28

current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. Various banking
regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, also review the allowance for loan losses. Such
regulators may require, based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their
examination, that certain loan balances be charged off or require that adjustments be made to the allowance for
loan losses when their credit evaluations differ from those of management. Additionally, the allowance for loan
losses is determined, in part, by the composition and size of the loan portfolio which represents the largest asset
type on the consolidated statement of financial condition.

The allowance for loan losses consists of four elements: (1) specific reserves for individually impaired
credits, (2) reserves for classified, or higher risk rated, loans, (3) reserves for non-classified loans based on
historical loss factors, and (4) reserves based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors
both internal and external
the composition and
concentrations of credit, new market initiatives, and the impact of competition on loan structuring and pricing.
Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements describes the methodology used to determine the allowance for
loan losses and a discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses is
included in this MD&A.

including changes in loan portfolio volume,

to Valley,

Valley considers it difficult to quantify the impact of changes in forecast on its allowance for loan losses.
However, management believes the following discussion may enable investors to better understand the variables
that drive the allowance for loan losses.

For impaired credits, if the fair value of the loans were ten percent higher or lower, the allowance would

have increased or decreased by approximately $6.7 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009.

If classified loan balances were ten percent higher or lower, the allowance would have increased or

decreased by approximately $2.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009.

The credit rating assigned to each non-classified credit

is a significant variable in determining the
allowance. If each non-classified credit were rated one grade worse, the allowance would have increased by
$7.7 million, while if each non-classified credit were rated one grade better there would be no change in the level
of the allowance as of December 31, 2009. Additionally, if the historical loss factors used to calculate the reserve
for non-classified loans were ten percent higher or lower, the allowance would have increased or decreased by
$6.0 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009.

A key variable in determining the allowance is management’s judgment in determining the size of the
reserves based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors. At December 31, 2009, these
reserves were 6.1 percent of the total allowance. If the reserves were ten percent higher or lower, the allowance
would have increased or decreased by $633 thousand, respectively, at December 31, 2009.

Security Valuations and Impairments. Management utilizes various inputs to determine the fair value of
its investment portfolio. To the extent they exist, unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets (level 1) or
quoted prices on similar assets (level 2) are utilized to determine the fair value of each investment in the
portfolio. In the absence of quoted prices and illiquid markets, valuation techniques would be used to determine
fair value of any investments that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and
unobservable (level 3). Valuation techniques are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to cash
flows, discount rates, rate of return, adjustments for nonperformance and liquidity, and liquidation values. A
significant degree of judgment is involved in valuing investments using level 3 inputs. The use of different
assumptions could have a positive or negative effect on consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
See Note 3 for more details on our security valuation techniques.

Management must periodically evaluate if unrealized losses (as determined based on the securities valuation
methodologies discussed above) on individual securities classified as held to maturity or available for sale in the
investment portfolio are considered to be other-than-temporary. The analysis of other-than-temporary impairment

29

requires the use of various assumptions, including, but not limited to, the length of time an investment’s book
value is greater than fair value, the severity of the investment’s decline, any credit deterioration of the
investment, whether management intends to sell the security, and whether it is more likely than not that we will
be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. As a result of our adoption of new
authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities” on January 1, 2009,
debt investment securities deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired are written down by the impairment
related to the estimated credit loss and the non-credit related impairment is recognized in other comprehensive
income. Prior to the adoption of the new authoritative guidance and unchanged for equity securities, if the
decline in value of an investment was deemed to be other-than-temporary, the investment was written down to
fair value and a non-cash impairment charge was recognized in the period of such evaluation. We recognized
other-than-temporary impairment charges on securities of $6.4 million, $84.8 million, and $17.9 million in 2009,
2008, and 2007, respectively, within the net impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings category of
the other-than-temporary
total non-interest
impairment charges relate mainly to estimated credit losses on private label mortgage-backed securities while the
other-than-temporary impairment charges recognized in 2008 and 2007 primarily relate to perpetual preferred
securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. See the “Investment Securities” section below and Note 4 to
the consolidated financial statements for additional analysis of our other-than-temporary charges.

income on the consolidated statements of income. For 2009,

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We record all assets, liabilities, and non-controlling interests in the
acquiree in purchase acquisitions,
including goodwill and other intangible assets, at fair value as of the
acquisition date, and expense all acquisition related costs as incurred as required by ASC Topic 805, “Business
Combination.” Goodwill totaling $296.4 million at December 31, 2009 is not amortized but is subject to annual
tests for impairment or more often if events or circumstances indicate it may be impaired. Other intangible assets
are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are subject to impairment tests if events or circumstances
indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount. The initial recording of goodwill and other intangible
assets requires subjective judgments concerning estimates of the fair value of the acquired assets.

The goodwill impairment test is performed in two phases. The first step compares the fair value of the
reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its
carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired; however, if the carrying amount of
the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an additional procedure must be performed. That additional procedure
compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. An
impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

Other intangible assets totaling $24.3 million at December 31, 2009 are evaluated for impairment if events
and circumstances indicate a possible impairment. Such evaluation of other intangible assets is based on
undiscounted cash flow projections.

Fair value may be determined using: market prices, comparison to similar assets, market multiples,
discounted cash flow analysis and other determinants. Estimated cash flows may extend far into the future and,
by their nature, are difficult to determine over an extended timeframe. Factors that may significantly affect the
estimates include, among others, competitive forces, customer behaviors and attrition, changes in revenue growth
trends, cost structures and technology, and changes in discount rates, terminal values, and specific industry or
market sector conditions.

Other key judgments in accounting for intangibles include useful life and classification between goodwill
and other intangible assets which require amortization. See Note 9 to consolidated financial statements for
additional information regarding goodwill and other intangible assets.

To assist in assessing the impact of potential goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charges at
December 31, 2009, the impact of a five percent impairment charge would result in a reduction in pre-tax income
of approximately $16.0 million. During the fourth quarter of 2007, Valley recognized a $2.3 million goodwill

30

impairment charge due to its decision to sell its broker-dealer subsidiary (See discussion at Note 9). No
impairment was recognized on goodwill or other intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008.

Income Taxes. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable
or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events
that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Judgment is required in assessing the
future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax
returns. Fluctuations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could impact our consolidated
financial condition or results of operations.

In connection with determining our income tax provision, we maintain a reserve related to certain tax
positions and strategies that management believes contain an element of uncertainty. Periodically, we evaluate
each of our tax positions and strategies to determine whether the reserve continues to be appropriate. Notes 1 and
14 to the consolidated financial statements and the “Income Taxes” section below include additional discussion
on the accounting for income taxes.

New Authoritative Accounting Guidance. On July 1, 2009, the ASC became the FASB’s officially
recognized source of authoritative U.S. GAAP applicable to all public and non-public non-governmental entities,
superseding all existing FASB, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”), Emerging Issues
Task Force (“EITF”) and related literature. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal
securities laws are also sources of authoritative guidance for SEC registrants. All other accounting literature is
considered non-authoritative. The issuance of the ASC affects the way companies refer to U.S. GAAP in
financial statements and other disclosures. See Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements for a description
of recent accounting pronouncements including the dates of adoption and the effect on the results of operations
and financial condition.

Executive Summary

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $116.1 million compared to $93.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was largely due to (i) a $28.5 million increase in net interest
income resulting from higher average interest earning assets and a decline in our cost of funds, (ii) a
$78.5 million decrease in net impairment losses on securities mainly due to other-than-temporary impairment
charges in 2008 relating to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac perpetual preferred securities resulting from the
government’s decision to place these issuers into conservatorship, and (iii) a $7.7 million increase in net gains on
sales of loans, partially offset by (iv) a $19.7 million increase in the provision for credit losses due to higher net
charge-offs and non-performing loans caused by deterioration in economic conditions, (v) a $18.1 million
increase in the FDIC insurance assessment due to a $6.5 million one-time special assessment in the second
quarter of 2009, depletion of our prior period credit, higher normal assessment rates in 2009 and our election to
participate in the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program in the fourth quarter of 2008, (vi) a $13.6
million increase in net trading losses mainly due to non-cash mark to market losses on our junior subordinated
debentures carried at fair value during 2009, and (vii) higher federal and state income tax expense. Diluted
earnings per common share was $0.67 for the year ended December 31, 2009, unchanged as compared to the
same period of 2008. However, accrued preferred stock dividends and accretion of the discount on our senior
preferred stock reduced net income available to common stockholders and diluted earnings per common share by
$19.5 million ($0.14 per common share) and $2.1 million ($0.02 per common share) for the years ended
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. All common share data is adjusted to reflect a five percent common
stock dividend issued on May 22, 2009.

Our commercial real estate loans grew by $176.3 million, or 5.3 percent during 2009 mainly due to our
ability to find new quality lending opportunities made available by the tight credit markets, as well as some
increased demand from existing customers in the fourth quarter of 2009. The majority of the other loan

31

categories experienced year over year declines contributing to a $773.6 million, or 7.6 percent decrease in our
total loan portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2009. The majority of the decrease was due to declines
in our automobile and residential mortgage loan portfolios caused by several factors, including our high credit
standards and lower consumer demand resulting from the economic recession. Additionally, we elected to sell or
hold for sale approximately $380 million in residential mortgage loan originations with low fixed interest rates
during 2009. We may experience further declines in the loan portfolio during 2010 due to a slow economic
recovery cycle or we maintain certain asset/liability management strategies, including the sale of new residential
mortgage loan originations. See more details in the “Loan Portfolio” section below.

loans increased $58.9 million to $92.0 million, or 0.98 percent of total

Mindful of the poor operating environment and the higher delinquency rates reported throughout the
banking industry, we believe our loan portfolio’s performance remained at an acceptable level as of
December 31, 2009. Total loans past due in excess of 30 days increased 0.55 percent to 1.61 percent of our total
loan portfolio of $9.4 billion as of December 31, 2009 compared to 1.06 percent of total loans at December 31,
loans at
2008. Our non-accrual
December 31, 2009 as compared to $33.1 million, or 0.33 percent of total loans at December 31, 2008. The
increased amount of non-accrual loans was mainly due to the economic recession. Although the timing of
collection is uncertain, we believe most of our non-accrual loans are well secured and, ultimately, collectible.
Our lending strategy is based on underwriting standards designed to maintain high credit quality; however, due to
the potential for future credit deterioration caused by a prolonged economic downturn, management cannot
provide assurance that our loan portfolio will not continue to decline from the levels reported as of December 31,
2009. See “Non-performing Assets” section below for further analysis of our credit quality.

Lack of loan growth and the low level of interest rates has proved challenging, from an asset and liability
management perspective, for Valley and many other financial institutions during 2009. However, net interest
income, the primary driver of our earnings, grew to $449.3 million, a 6.8 percent increase from the prior year.
Much of the increase came from the solid foundation set by organic loan growth in 2008, a full year of interest
earnings on loans acquired in the Greater Community Bancorp (“Greater Community”) merger during in the third
quarter of 2008, and a 78 basis point decline in our costs of interest bearing deposits caused, in part, by the
Federal Reserve’s efforts to maintain the low level of interest rates in 2009. Our net interest margin and net
interest income continued to increase during each of the first three quarters of 2009 primarily due to repricing of
time deposits at lower rates. However, our net interest margin began to show signs of interest rate pressures
during the fourth quarter of 2009 as it declined 14 basis points to 3.47 percent (on a fully tax equivalent basis)
from the third quarter of 2009, and net interest income declined $3.4 million (on a fully tax equivalent basis)
during the same period. The declines were mainly due to our continued short-term positioning of the balance
sheet to benefit from a potential future rise in interest rates, while attempting to mitigate the levels of credit and
capital losses that could result from such an increase in interest rates. See more details in the “Net Interest
Income” section below.

Our non-interest income was positively impacted by a $78.5 million decrease in net impairment losses on
securities, which totaled only $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $84.8 million
for the same period of 2008. The decrease was mainly due to other-than-temporary impairment charges of
$69.8 million on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac perpetual preferred stocks whose market values drastically
declined subsequent to the U.S. Government’s decision to place these companies into conservatorship and
suspend their preferred stock dividends in the third quarter of 2008. Although our impairment charges declined
substantially in 2009, our investment portfolio still contains a large amount of private label mortgage-backed
securities, trust preferred securities, and other bank issued investment securities with a higher than normal risk of
future impairment charges due to the current downturn in the U.S. economy and its potential negative effect on
the future performance of these bank issuers and/or the underlying mortgage loan collateral. See the “Investment
Securities” section below and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for further analysis of our
investment portfolio.

Our non-interest expense was negatively impacted by a $18.1 million increase in the FDIC insurance
assessment during 2009. Bank failures, totaling 140 institutions in 2009, led to the depletion of the FDIC’s

32

insurance fund and resulted in a large increase in our FDIC insurance assessment expense for 2009. Additionally,
the FDIC required us to prepay our quarterly assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 through 2012 during
December 2009. The current economic downturn has continued to adversely influence the operating results of
many financial institutions, and the FDIC has continued to report numerous additional bank failures during 2010.
Notwithstanding the prepayment in 2009, the FDIC may impose additional special assessments for future
quarters or may increase the FDIC standard assessments, which could adversely affect our non-interest expense
in 2010 and beyond.

During 2009, we continually assessed the expected impact of the recession on our operations and our ability
to maintain a well-capitalized position. Based on these assessments, we incrementally repurchased all 300,000
shares of our Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock from the U.S. Department of the
Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $300 million (excluding accrued and unpaid dividends paid at the
date of redemption) during 2009. The repurchase eliminated the requirement to pay costly preferred dividends in
the future to the U.S. Treasury and should have a positive impact on our net income available to common
stockholders in future periods.

While not a condition to the repurchase of our senior preferred shares, we raised net proceeds of
approximately $71.6 million from an “at-the-market” common equity offering, consisting of the sale of
5.67 million shares of newly issued common stock completed in the third quarter of 2009, and net proceeds of
$63.7 million through an additional registered direct offering, consisting of the sale of 5 million shares of newly
issued common stock to several institutional investors in the fourth quarter of 2009. Weighing the costs, both
from an earnings and public relations prospective, and restrictions that the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital
Purchase Program had placed on our business operations, we view the equity raise as a more cost effective way
to protect our stockholders’ interests in the current economic downturn.

As previously noted in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” above, the global and U.S. economic downturn has resulted
in uncertainty in the financial markets in general with the possibility of a slow recovery or a fall back into
recession. We believe our balance sheet is well positioned to take advantage of a rise in interest rates, although
an increase in interest rates may negatively impact loan demand in the housing markets and slow the speed of the
U.S. economic recovery. Additionally, the financial markets are in the midst of unprecedented change due to the
economic crisis, which we expect to result in regulatory and market reform that will have an impact on the way
we do business in the future. However, we believe our current capital position and conservative balance sheet
will afford us the chance to move quickly on market expansion opportunities as they may arise, through possible
acquisitions of failed banks or other institutions within New Jersey and the New York City Metropolitan area, at
a time when many of our competitors are focused on correcting problems created from their past lending
practices.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income consists of interest income and dividends earned on interest earning assets less interest
expense paid on interest bearing liabilities and represents the main source of income for Valley. The net interest
margin on a fully tax equivalent basis is calculated by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by average
interest earning assets and is a key measurement used in the banking industry to measure income from interest
earning assets. The net interest margin was 3.49 percent for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 5
basis points compared to the same period of 2008. For 2009, our continuous efforts to control our funding costs
coupled with a low interest rate environment allowed us to decrease the interest rates paid on savings, NOW, and
money market accounts, while maturing high cost certificates of deposit also repriced at lower interest rates.
Additionally, $300 million in higher cost short-term FHLB advances (that were part of our short-term liquidity
strategies deployed in the fourth quarter of 2008 due to the illiquid credit markets) matured in the first half of
2009 and partly contributed to a $6.1 million decline in our interest expense on short-term borrowings as
compared to 2008. Higher average earning asset balances driven by mainly prior year loan growth, including
loans acquired from Greater Community in the third quarter of 2008, and investment purchases in 2009, also

33

contributed to our net interest margin expansion, despite the negative impact of a 43 basis point decline in the
yield on average earning assets. Both the declines in cost and yield resulted mainly from the Federal Reserve’s
efforts to maintain a low level of interest rates in 2009 which began with their cut of the target federal funds rate
to a historical low rate range of between zero to 0.25 percent during the fourth quarter of 2008. However, our
fourth quarter net interest income and net interest margin declined significantly from the third quarter of 2009 as
we actively worked to shorten the duration of interest earning assets and attempted to reduce the credit risk of our
balance sheet by (i) reinvesting normal principal paydowns on higher yield investments in shorter term and lower
yielding securities, including U.S. Treasury securities and residential mortgage-backed securities issued by
Ginnie Mae and (ii) continued to sell most refinanced and new residential mortgage loan originations with low
fixed interest rates in the secondary market. Management expects the short-term positioning of our balance sheet
to enhance our ability to benefit from the economic recovery and a potential increase in future interest rates.
However, management cannot guarantee that its asset/liability management strategies will prevent future declines
in the net interest margin or net interest income, even if an economy recovery or a rise in interest rates were to
occur.

Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis increased $28.2 million to $454.5 million for 2009 compared
with $426.3 million for 2008. During 2009, a 50 basis point decline in interest rates paid on average interest
bearing liabilities and higher average interest earning assets positively impacted our net interest income, but were
partially offset by a 32 basis point decline in the yield on average loans, a 46 basis point decline in the yield on
average investments, and higher average interest bearing liabilities as compared to 2008. Market interest rates on
interest bearing deposits were lower in 2009 as the average target federal funds rate decreased approximately 208
basis points as compared to 2008. Most of the decline in short-term interest rates came in the fourth quarter of
2008 due to the Federal Reserve actions previously noted, and had a positive impact on our cost of funds and net
interest margin in 2009 as our higher cost time deposits matured or, if renewed, repriced at lower interest rates.

Our earning asset portfolio is comprised of both fixed rate and adjustable rate loans and investments. Many
of our earning assets are priced based upon the prevailing treasury rates, the Valley prime rate (set by Valley
management based on various internal and external factors) or on the U.S. prime interest rate as published in The
Wall Street Journal. Valley’s prime rate and the New York prime rate remained at 4.50 percent and 3.25 percent,
respectively, since the fourth quarter of 2008, however, the average of each rate for the year ended December 31,
2009 declined 76 basis points and 183 basis points, respectively, as compared to the same period of 2008
negatively impacting our interest income on loans and net interest margin. On average, the 10 year treasury rate
decreased from 3.64 percent in 2008 to 3.24 percent in 2009 also negatively impacting our yield on average loans
as new and renewed fixed rate loans were originated at lower interest rates in 2009. Our New York prime rate
based loan portfolio should have an immediate positive impact on the yield of our average earning assets if the
prime rate begins to move upward in 2010, while an increase in treasury rates should also have a positive, but
more gradual, effect on our interest income based on our ability to originate new and renewed fixed rate loans.
We do not expect our Valley prime rate portfolio to have an immediate benefit to our interest income in a rising
interest rate environment due to its current level above the New York prime rate. We also expect interest income
on many of our residential mortgage-backed securities with unamortized purchase premiums to improve if
interest rates were to move upward and prepayment speeds on the underlying mortgages decline. The decline in
prepayments will lengthen the expected life of each security and reduce the amount of premium amortization
expense recognized against interest income each period.

Average loans totaling $9.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009 increased $318.9 million as
compared to the same period for 2008 mainly due to higher loan balances in the 2009 period related to solid
organic loan growth in the second half of 2008 and loans acquired in the Greater Community merger on July 1,
2008. Average investment securities increased $158.4 million, or 5.6 percent in 2009 as compared to the year
ended December 31, 2008. Despite the higher average loan balances during 2009, interest income on a tax
equivalent basis for loans decreased $11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared with the
same period in 2008 due to a 32 basis point decrease in the yield on average loans. Interest income on a tax
equivalent basis for investment securities also decreased $4.8 million due to a 46 basis point decline in yield

34

caused by normal principal paydowns of higher yield securities which were mainly reinvested in shorter term and
lower yield securities as we reduced our repricing risk and positioned the balance sheet to be more asset sensitive
in the current low interest rate environment. The decline in yield on investment securities was partially mitigated
by the increase in average investment securities during 2009 as we reallocated some of our excess liquidity from
loan principal paydowns and growth in deposits to investment securities. A 93 basis point decline in the yield on
average federal funds sold and other interest bearing deposits, partially offset by a $170.0 million increase in
average balances within the category, resulted in a decrease of $1.2 million in interest income on such
investments in 2009 compared to the same twelve month period in 2008.

Average interest bearing liabilities increased $230 million to $10.6 billion for the year ended December 31,
2009 from the same period in 2008 mainly due to additional deposits generated from 17 de novo branches
opened over the last 24 month period and our other existing branches (assisted by the nominal level of long-term
interest rates on other investment alternatives available to customers during 2009) and deposits assumed from
Greater Community in the latter half of 2008, partially offset by the maturity of $300 million in short-term FHLB
advances during the first and second quarters of 2009. The cost of savings, NOW, and money market accounts,
time deposits, and short-term borrowings decreased 65, 88, and 34 basis points, respectively, during 2009 due to
a sharp decline in short-term interest rates since the fourth quarter of 2008, while the cost of long-term borrowing
increased by 7 basis points during the 2009 period. Average savings, NOW, and money market deposits
increased $300.1 million as compared to 2008 due to several factors, including new deposits from de novo
branches, deposits assumed in the 2008 acquisition, some migration of customer repo balances caused by our
decision to reduce collateral positions to support the repo product during the first quarter of 2009, as well as
potential general increases from a higher U.S. household savings rate in 2009 caused by the economic downturn.
Average time deposits increased $154.7 million mainly due to deposit initiatives during the fourth quarter of
2008 and the first quarter of 2009, as well as time deposits assumed in the Greater Community merger during
2008. Although average time deposits increased from 2008 due to the aforementioned factors, the actual time
deposits balance at December 31, 2009 declined almost 15 percent as compared to December 31, 2008 as we
have not actively pursued the retention of higher cost interest bearing deposits since the first quarter of 2009 due
to lower loan volumes and the level of interest rates available to us on other investment alternatives for such
funds. We anticipate that maturing time deposits will continue to have some benefit to our interest margin in the
first quarter of 2010. Average long-term borrowings (including junior subordinated debentures issued to capital
trusts) increased $60.0 million from 2008 due to new long-term positions in FHLB advances mainly entered into
during the second quarter of 2008 that remained outstanding during 2009, as well as approximately $25 million
in junior subordinated debentures assumed from Greater Community in 2008. Average short-term borrowings
decreased $284.7 million mainly due to the maturity of $300 million in short-term FHLB advances in the first
half of 2009 and lower customer repo balances during 2009 as the low level of interest rates reduced customers’
incentive to overnight sweep their demand deposit balance and we reduced our support of the product.

The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was 3.49 percent for the year ended December 31, 2009
compared with 3.44 percent for the year ended December 31, 2008. The change was mainly attributable to a
decrease in interest rates paid on all interest bearing liabilities and higher average loan balances, partially offset
by a lower yield on average loans and higher average interest bearing liabilities. Average interest rates earned on
interest earning assets decreased 43 basis points while average interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities
decreased 50 basis points causing a 5 basis point increase in the net interest margin for Valley as compared to the
year ended December 31, 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, net interest income on a tax equivalent basis decreased $3.4 million and
the net interest margin declined 14 basis points when compared with the third quarter of 2009. The linked quarter
decreases were partly due to a $3.4 million decline in interest income on investments, on a tax equivalent basis.
The decline in interest on investments was primarily caused by normal principal paydowns of higher yield
securities over the last six months of 2009 replaced by purchases of shorter term and lower yielding securities,
including U.S. Treasury securities and residential mortgage-backed securities issued by Ginnie Mae. Interest
income on loans, on a tax equivalent basis, also declined $3.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 due to a

35

$117.1 million decline in average loans and a 5 basis point decrease in the yield on average loans. The declines
were due, in part, to mortgage refinancing activity at lower rates and management’s decision to sell most of its
refinanced and new mortgage loan originations in the secondary market. The yield on average loans was also
negatively impacted by the reversal of interest income on $18.0 million in loans classified as non-accrual during
the fourth quarter of 2009. The negative impact of these items on our net interest income was partially offset by a
$2.8 million decrease in interest expense mainly caused by maturing high cost time deposits during the fourth
quarter of 2009. The low level of interest rates combined with the continued short-term positioning of interest
earning assets is expected to put pressure on our net interest margin results during 2010. To mitigate these
factors, management may deploy several asset/liability management strategies, including a reduction in the sales
of mortgage loan originations, a tiered duration investment strategy to enhance the yield of our investment
portfolio, or an increase the competitive pricing of certain targeted loan products without compromising our high
underwriting standards. A continued decline in the average rate of our time deposits due to the maturity of higher
rate certificates of deposit is also expected to have a positive impact on our net interest margin.

36

The following table reflects the components of net interest income for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009,

2008 and 2007:

ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND
NET INTEREST INCOME ON A TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS

2009

2008

2007

Average
Balance

Interest

Average
Rate

Average
Balance

Interest

Average
Rate

Average
Balance

Interest

Average
Rate

($ in thousands)

Assets
Interest earning assets:
Loans (1)(2)
Taxable investments (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax-exempt investments (1)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal funds sold and other interest bearing

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,705,909 $561,265
140,305
14,896

2,700,744
272,520

5.78% $ 9,386,987 $572,944
144,497
2,561,299
5.20
15,522
253,560
5.47

6.10% $ 8,261,111 $560,180
142,971
2,576,336
5.64
17,335
269,631
6.12

6.78%
5.55
6.43

deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

352,473

945

Total interest earning assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13,031,646

717,411

0.27

5.51

182,779

2,190

12,384,625

735,153

1.20

5.94

205,175

10,702

11,312,253

731,188

5.22

6.46

Allowance for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and due from banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized losses on securities available for sale,

(99,716)
249,877
1,113,420

net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(17,270)

(80,436)
228,216
988,040

(31,982)

(73,546)
209,939
868,575

(12,407)

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14,277,957

$13,488,463

$12,304,814

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Interest bearing liabilities:

Savings, NOW and money market deposits . . . . . . $ 3,836,709 $ 24,894
93,403
Time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,325,800

0.65% $ 3,536,655 $ 45,961
117,152
3,171,057
2.81

1.30% $ 3,474,558 $ 75,695
134,674
2,954,930
3.69

2.18%
4.56

Total interest bearing deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term borrowings (4)

7,162,509
270,776
3,152,515

118,297
4,026
140,547

Total interest bearing liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10,585,800

262,870

1.65
1.49
4.46

2.48

6,707,712
555,524
3,092,524

163,113
10,163
135,619

10,355,760

308,895

2.43
1.83
4.39

2.98

6,429,488
430,580
2,493,228

210,369
17,645
115,308

9,353,296

343,322

3.27
4.10
4.62

3.67

Non-interest bearing deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shareholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,251,784
97,583
1,342,790

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity . . . . . . $14,277,957

1,981,744
79,601
1,071,358

$13,488,463

1,923,785
95,096
932,637

$12,304,814

Net interest income/interest rate spread (5)

. . . . . .

454,541

3.03%

426,258

2.96%

387,866

2.79%

Tax equivalent adjustment

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net interest income, as reported . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5,227)

$449,314

(5,459)

$420,799

(6,181)

$381,685

Net interest margin (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax equivalent effect

Net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent

basis (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.45%
0.04

3.49%

3.40%
0.04

3.44%

3.37%
0.06

3.43%

Interest income is presented on a tax equivalent basis using a 35 percent federal tax rate.

(1)
(2) Loans are stated net of unearned income and include non-accrual loans.
(3) The yield for securities that are classified as available for sale is based on the average historical amortized cost.
(4)
(5)

Includes junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts which are presented separately on the consolidated statements of condition.
Interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average cost of interest bearing liabilities and is
presented on a fully tax equivalent basis.

(6) Net interest income as a percentage of total average interest earning assets.

37

The following table demonstrates the relative impact on net interest income of changes in the volume of
interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and changes in rates earned and paid by Valley on such
assets and liabilities. Variances resulting from a combination of changes in volume and rates are allocated to the
categories in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each category.

CHANGE IN NET INTEREST INCOME ON A TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS

Interest income:

Years Ended December 31,

2009 Compared to 2008

2008 Compared to 2007

Change
Due to
Volume

Change
Due to
Rate

Total
Change

Change
Due to
Volume

Change
Due to
Rate

Total
Change

(in thousands)

Loans* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,064 $(30,743) $(11,679) $71,944 $(59,180) $ 12,764
1,526
Taxable investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax-exempt investments* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1,813)
Federal funds sold and other interest bearing

(11,805)
(1,736)

(4,192)
(626)

(838)
(1,006)

2,364
(807)

7,613
1,110

deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,174

(2,419)

(1,245)

(1,056)

(7,456)

(8,512)

Total increase (decrease) in interest income . . . .

28,961

(46,703)

(17,742) 69,044

(65,079)

3,965

Interest expense:

Savings, NOW and money market deposits . . . .
Time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term borrowings and junior subordinated

3,616
5,485
(4,495)

(24,683)
(29,234)
(1,642)

(21,067)
(23,749)
(6,137)

1,330
9,330
4,145

(31,064)
(26,852)
(11,627)

(29,734)
(17,522)
(7,482)

debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,654

2,274

4,928

26,536

(6,225)

20,311

Total increase (decrease) in interest expense . . . .

7,260

(53,285)

(46,025) 41,341

(75,768)

(34,427)

Increase in net interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,701 $ 6,582 $ 28,283 $27,703 $ 10,689 $ 38,392

* Interest income is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis using a 35 percent federal tax rate.

38

Non-Interest Income

The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the years ended December 31, 2009,

2008 and 2007:

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Trust and investment services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Insurance commissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service charges on deposit accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on securities transactions, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trading (losses) gains, net

Trading securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Junior subordinated debentures carried at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FHLB advances carried at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total trading (losses) gains, net

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fees from loan servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on sales of loans, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on sales of assets, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

$ 6,906
10,224
26,778
8,005
(6,352)

(in thousands)
$ 7,161
10,053
28,274
5,020
(84,835)

$ 7,381
10,711
26,803
2,139
(17,949)

5,394
(15,828)
—

(10,434)
4,839
8,937
605
5,700
17,043

(10,883)
15,243
(1,194)

3,166
5,236
1,274
518
10,167
17,222

4,651
4,107
(1,359)

7,399
5,494
4,785
16,051
11,545
14,669

Total non-interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 72,251

$ 3,256

$ 89,028

Non-interest income represented 9.2 percent and 0.4 percent of total interest income plus non-interest
income for 2009 and 2008, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2009, non-interest income increased
$69.0 million, compared with the same period in 2008, mainly due to a decrease in net impairment losses on
securities recognized in earnings and an increase in net gains on sales of loans, partially offset by an increase in
net trading losses and a decrease in BOLI income.

Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $1.5 million, or 5.3 percent to $26.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period of 2008 mainly due to a decrease in overdraft fees and
non-sufficient funds charges. The decline in these fees resulted from better account management by customers,
reflective of both a higher savings rate amongst customers due, in part, to the economic recession, as well as a
lack of safe higher yield investment alternatives during 2009. However, fees on checking accounts increased
approximately $1.0 million as compared to 2008 due to our de novo branch expansion activity and deposit
accounts assumed in the Greater Community merger during the second half of 2008.

Net gains on securities transactions increased $3.0 million to $8.0 million for the year ended December 31,
2009 compared to $5.0 million in the same period in 2008. The majority of the net gains in 2009 were recognized
during the fourth quarter as we sold certain corporate debt and residential mortgage-backed securities classified
as available for sale to reduce both the overall credit and repricing risk exposures of our investment portfolio.
During 2008, gains of $10.4 million were primarily due to the sales of certain residential mortgage-backed
securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and gains recognized on securities called before their maturity
date. These gains were partially offset by $5.4 million in realized losses on the sale of certain impaired Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac preferred securities. See the “Investment Securities” section below and Note 4 to the
consolidated financial statements for further analysis of our investment portfolio.

39

Net

impairment

losses on securities decreased $78.5 million to $6.4 million for

the year ended
December 31, 2009 compared to $84.8 million for the same period in 2008. The 2009 period includes estimated
credit losses on four private label mortgage-backed securities, one pooled trust preferred security, and one equity
security issued by a financial institution. The other-than-temporary impairment charges incurred during 2008
were mainly due to a decline in the value of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae perpetual preferred securities, one
private label mortgage-backed security, and two pooled trust preferred securities. During the fourth quarter of
2007, we recognized impairment charges of $17.9 million on the same Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac perpetual
preferred securities impaired during 2008.

Net trading losses increased $13.6 million to a net loss of $10.4 million for the year ended December 31,
2009 compared to a net gain of $3.2 million for the same period in 2008. The increase was mainly due to a
$15.8 million non-cash loss related to the change in the fair value our junior subordinated debentures carried at
fair value during the 2009 period compared to $15.2 million gain recorded on the same debentures in the
comparable 2008 period. The negative impact of the change in the fair value of the junior subordinated
debentures from 2008 was partially offset by a $16.3 million increase in mark to market gains on our trading
securities and realized gains on sales of trading securities which had a combined total net gain of $5.4 million for
2009 as compared to a net loss of $10.9 million for 2008. The 2008 period also includes a $1.2 million loss
realized on one fixed FHLB advance carried at fair value, which was redeemed prior to its contractual maturity
date during the second quarter of 2008. No FHLB advances were held at fair value at December 31, 2009.

Net gains on sales of loans increased $7.7 million to $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009
compared to $1.3 million for the prior year. This increase was mainly due to the gains realized on conforming
residential mortgage loans originated for sale totaling approximately $380 million during 2009, as we sold most
conforming refinanced and new residential mortgage loans in the secondary market due to the historical low level
of current interest rates. Under U.S. GAAP, we elect to carry all of our loans held for sale at fair value.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, net gains on sales of assets mainly consisted of amortization of a
deferred gain on the sale of a Manhattan office building in the first quarter of 2007. Valley sold a nine-story
building for approximately $37.5 million while simultaneously entering into a long-term lease for its branch
office located on the first floor of the same building. The transaction resulted in a $32.3 million pre-tax gain, of
which $16.4 million was immediately recognized in earnings in 2007 pursuant to the sale-leaseback accounting
rules. The remaining deferred gain of $15.9 million is being amortized into earnings over the 20 year term of the
lease, of which $604 thousand, $650 thousand, and $594 thousand was amortized to net gains on sales of assets
during 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

BOLI income decreased $4.5 million, or 43.9 percent for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared with
the same period of 2008 primarily due to severe downturn in the financial markets during 2009 and its negative
impact on the performance of the underlying investment securities of the BOLI asset. BOLI income is exempt
from federal and state income taxes. The BOLI asset is invested primarily in U.S Treasury securities and
residential mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government sponsored agencies, and the majority of the
underlying portfolio is managed by one independent investment firm.

40

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the years ended December 31,

2009, 2008 and 2007:

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Salary expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee benefit expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net occupancy and equipment expense . . . . . . . . . . . .
FDIC insurance assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Professional and legal fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

$128,282
35,464
58,974
20,128
6,887
—
7,907
3,372
45,014

(in thousands)
$126,210
31,666
54,042
1,985
7,224
—
8,241
2,697
53,183

$116,389
29,261
49,570
1,003
7,491
2,310
5,110
2,917
39,861

Total non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$306,028

$285,248

$253,912

Non-interest expense increased $20.8 million to $306.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from
$285.2 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in the 2009 period was mainly due to an $18.1 million
increase in the FDIC insurance assessment. Additionally, increases in salary expense, employee benefit expense,
and net occupancy and equipment expense from 2008 were partially offset by a decrease in other expense during
2009. The largest component of non-interest expense is salary and employee benefit expense which totaled
$163.7 million in 2009 compared with $157.9 million in 2008. The increases in most categories from 2007 and
2008 relate mainly to de novo branch expansion and the acquisition of Greater Community on July 1, 2008. See
the “Results of Operation-2008 Compared to 2007” section below for more details.

Over the last several years, we have maintained a branch expansion plan which focuses on expanding our
presence in the New Jersey counties and towns neighboring our current office locations, as well as in New York
City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. We opened 7 and 10 de novo branches during 2009 and
2008, respectively. Generally, new branches add future franchise value; however, the additional operating costs
and capital requirements normally have a negative impact on non-interest expense and net income for several
years until the branch operations become individually profitable. Additionally, we experienced increases in most
categories of non-interest expense due to our acquisition of Greater Community on July 1, 2008.

The efficiency ratio measures total non-interest expense as a percentage of net interest income plus
non-interest income. Our efficiency ratio for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 58.67 percent compared to
67.27 percent for the same period of 2008. The decrease in the efficiency ratio is primarily due to higher
non-interest income in 2009 compared to 2008 mainly attributable to a $78.4 million decrease in other-than-
temporary impairment charges on investment securities as compared to 2008, partially offset by an increase in
the FDIC insurance assessment during the 2009 period. We strive to maintain a low efficiency ratio through
diligent management of our operating expenses and balance sheet. However, even exclusive of the other-than-
temporary impairment losses on securities, our current and past de novo branch expansion efforts may continue
to negatively impact the ratio until these new branches become profitable operations.

Salary and employee benefit expense increased a combined $5.9 million, or 3.7 percent for the year ended
December 31, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008. The increase from 2008 was mainly due to
additional operating expenses related to the acquired branches and de novo branches opened during 2008 and
2009, including increases in payroll taxes, health care insurance, and pension costs, partially offset by a decrease
in stock-based incentive compensation and lower annual bonus incentive accruals.

41

Net occupancy and equipment expense increased $4.9 million, or 9.1 percent during 2009 in comparison to
2008. This increase was also largely due to our de novo branching efforts and 16 full-service branch offices
acquired from Greater Community, which caused us to incur, among other things, additional rents, real estate
taxes, depreciation, cleaning and maintenance, and utilities charges in connection with investments in technology
and facilities. Rent, real estate taxes, depreciation, cleaning and maintenance, and utilities expenses increased by
approximately $2.7 million, $857 thousand, $671 thousand, $618 thousand, and $401 thousand, respectively,
during 2009 compared with the prior year.

The FDIC insurance assessment increased $18.1 million to $20.1 million for the year ended December 31,
2009 compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2008 mainly due to the depletion of our prior period FDIC
acquisition credits during the first quarter of 2009, higher normal assessment rates and our election to participate
in the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program starting in the latter half of the fourth quarter of 2008.
Additionally, the 2009 period includes a $6.5 million special assessment which was imposed on all depository
institutions (equal to 5 basis points of total assets minus tier 1 capital as on June 30, 2009) due to depletion of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Fund.

Other non-interest expense decreased $8.2 million, or 15.4 percent for the year ended December 31, 2009
compared with the same period in 2008 mostly due to (i) a $4.6 million loss recorded on the discovery of a check
fraud scheme perpetrated by a long-time commercial customer of Valley National Bank in the fourth quarter of
2008, (ii) a $3.1 million expense which was accelerated from future periods during the fourth quarter of 2008 due
to a hedging relationship terminated in November 2008 for two interest rate cap hedging relationships based on
the effective federal funds rate, and (iii) a $1.2 million prepayment penalty on $25.0 million in Federal Home
Loan Bank advances redeemed in the third quarter of 2008. Partially offsetting the decreases above, other real
estate owned expense increased $1.0 million during 2009 due to a $1.4 million writedown of the carrying value
of a repossessed aircraft at December 31, 2009. Significant components of other non-interest expense include
data processing, telephone, service fees, debit card fees, postage, stationery, insurance, and title search fees.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $51.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, reflecting an effective tax rate
of 30.7 percent, compared with $16.9 million for the same period of 2008, reflecting an effective tax rate of
15.3 percent. The increase was due to several factors, including the lower level of 2008 pre-tax income and a
$6.5 million reduction in Valley’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance in 2008. Additionally, the effective tax
rate in 2009 was negatively impacted by lower tax advantaged income and higher state and local tax expense.

Management expects that our adherence to the income tax guidelines under U.S. GAAP will continue to
result in increased volatility in our future quarterly and annual effective income tax rates because U.S. GAAP
requires that any change in judgment or change in measurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period
be recognized as a discrete event in the period in which it occurs. Factors that could impact management’s
judgment include changes in income, tax laws and regulations, and tax planning strategies. For 2010, we
anticipate that our effective tax rate will approximate 31 percent.

Business Segments

We have four business segments that we monitor and report on to manage our business operations. These
segments are consumer lending, commercial
investment management, and corporate and other
adjustments. Lines of business and actual structure of operations determine each segment. Each is reviewed
routinely for its asset growth, contribution to income before income taxes and return on average interest earning
assets and impairment (if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount).
Expenses related to the branch network, all other components of retail banking, along with the back office
departments of our subsidiary bank are allocated from the corporate and other adjustments segment to each of the
other three business segments. Interest expense and internal transfer expense (for general corporate expenses) are

lending,

42

allocated to each business segment utilizing a “pool funding” methodology, whereas each segment is allocated a
uniform funding cost based on each segments’ average earning assets outstanding for the period. The Wealth
Management Division, comprised of trust, asset management, insurance services, and broker-dealer (our broker-
dealer subsidiary was sold on March 31, 2008) is included in the consumer lending segment. The financial
reporting for each segment contains allocations and reporting in line with our operations, which may not
necessarily be comparable to any other financial institution. The accounting for each segment includes internal
accounting policies designed to measure consistent and reasonable financial reporting, and may not necessarily
conform to U.S. GAAP.

Consumer lending. The consumer lending segment is mainly comprised of residential mortgages, home
equity loans and automobile loans. The duration of the loan portfolio is subject to movements in the market level
of interest rates and forecasted residential mortgage prepayment speeds. The average weighted life of the
automobile loans within the portfolio is relatively unaffected by movements in the market level of interest rates.
However, the average life may be impacted by the availability of credit within the automobile marketplace.

Average assets for 2009 decreased year over year by $437.8 million to $3.8 billion, as U.S. auto sales
remain at low levels and the bank continues to sell a large portion of newly booked residential mortgages into the
secondary market. Income before income taxes decreased $7.0 million to $65.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The return on average interest earning assets
before income taxes remained relatively flat at 1.72 percent compared with 1.71 percent for the comparable 2008
period. The lack of change was a result of proportional decreases in average assets and income before taxes. The
net interest spread increased by 18 basis points to 3.77 percent as a result of a sharper decline in the bank’s cost
of funds when compared to the yield on consumer lending average earning assets. Net interest income decreased
$8.6 million to $142.5 million when compared to $151.1 million for the same period last year. Non-interest
income increased year over year by $9 million, and increased as a percentage of average assets by 35 basis
points, mainly due to the increased gains on the sale of residential mortgage loans sold into the secondary market.
The provision for loan losses increased in 2009 by approximately $6 million to $21 million when compared to
2008 mainly due to higher charge-offs and delinquencies for both residential mortgage and automobile loans.

Commercial lending. The commercial lending segment is mainly comprised of floating rate and adjustable
rate commercial and industrial loans, as well as fixed rate owner occupied and commercial real estate loans. Due
to the portfolio’s interest rate characteristics, commercial lending is Valley’s most sensitive business segment to
movements in market interest rates.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, income before income taxes decreased $3.8 million to $81.5 million
compared with the year ended December 31, 2008, primarily due to an increase in the provision for credit losses
of $18.8 million which mitigated an increase in the segment’s net interest spread of 12 basis points. The higher
provision for credit losses is mainly attributable to the deterioration of economic conditions which began in the
latter half of 2008. Commercial and industrial loan charge-offs increased $10.2 million from 2008 reflecting a
higher level of partial loan charge-offs related to collateral dependent impaired loans and one fraud loan
charge-off totaling $3.8 million. Construction loan charge-offs increased $1.2 million and commercial real estate
loan charge-offs increased $2.6 million. In addition, the provision for credit losses includes an increase in the
specific allocation for impaired loans. The return on average interest earning assets before income taxes was 1.37
percent compared with 1.65 percent for the prior year period. The increase in net interest income was primarily
due to an increase in average interest earning assets by $756.8 thousand to $5.9 billion while the yield on average
loans fell by 35 basis points to 5.74 percent as loans continued to reprice at the lower level of current interest
rates. The decrease in the interest yield was offset by a greater decrease in the costs associated with our funding
sources which lead to a gain in the margin of 12 basis points.

Investment management. The investment management segment

is mainly comprised of fixed rate
investments, trading securities, and depending on our liquid cash position, federal funds sold and interest-bearing
deposits with banks (primarily the Federal Reserve Bank of New York). The fixed rate investments are one of

43

Valley’s least sensitive assets to changes in market interest rates. However, as we continue to shift the
composition of the investment portfolio to shorter-duration securities, the sensitivity to market interest rates will
increase. Net gains and losses due to the change in fair value of trading securities and net impairment losses on
securities are reflected in the corporate and other adjustments segment.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, income before income taxes decreased $13.8 million to $55.4 million
compared with the year ended December 31, 2008, primarily due to a 77 basis point decrease in the yield on average
investments. The decline in investment yields is mainly attributable to the current interest environment, coupled
with management’s desire to reduce the duration of the portfolio while simultaneously reducing the regulatory
capital required for the portfolio. As a result of the new directive, coupled with the current interest rate environment,
investments purchased in 2009 were typically lower yielding than investments held or purchased in 2008. The
return on average interest earning assets before income taxes decreased to 1.67 percent compared with 2.31 percent
for the prior year period. Average investments increased $328.1 million to $3.3 billion in 2009, mainly a result of
increased liquidity.

Corporate segment. The corporate and other adjustments segment represents income and expense items not
directly attributable to a specific segment, including trading and securities gains (losses), and net impairment
losses on securities not reported in the investment management segment above, interest expense related to the
junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts, the change in fair value of Valley’s junior subordinated
debentures carried at fair value, interest expense related to $100 million in subordinated notes issued in July
2005, as well as income and expense from derivative financial instruments.

The loss before income taxes for the corporate segment was $34.4 million for the year ended December 31,
2009 compared with a $116.0 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2008. Net impairment losses on
securities decreased $78.5 million to $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to
$84.8 million for the same period in 2008, which accounted for the majority of the decline in loss before income
taxes. Partially mitigating the change in impairment losses on securities was an increase in FDIC insurance
assessment of $18.1 million from 2008. The FDIC insurance assessment
includes a $6.5 million special
assessment which was imposed on all depository institutions (equal to 5 basis points of total assets minus tier 1
capital as on June 30, 2009) due to depletion of the Federal Deposit Insurance Fund. In addition, the assessment
includes the expense associated with the Bank’s participation in the FDIC’s Transaction Guarantee Program and
an increase in the normal assessment rate as compared to 2008.

ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Our success is largely dependent upon our ability to manage interest rate risk. Interest rate risk can be
defined as the exposure of our interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities to the movement in interest rates. Our
Asset/Liability Management Committee is responsible for managing such risks and establishing policies that
monitor and coordinate our sources, uses and pricing of funds. Asset/Liability management is a continuous
process due to the constant change in interest rate risk factors. In assessing the appropriate interest rate risk levels
for us, management weighs the potential benefit of each risk management activity within the desired parameters
of liquidity, capital levels and management’s tolerance for exposure to income fluctuations. Many of the actions
undertaken by management utilize fair value analysis and attempts to achieve consistent accounting and
economic benefits for financial assets and their related funding sources. We have predominately focused on
managing our interest rate risk by attempting to match the inherent risk of financial assets and liabilities.
Specifically, management employs multiple risk management activities such as the sale of lower yielding new
residential mortgage originations, change in product pricing levels, change in desired maturity levels for new
originations, change in balance sheet composition levels as well as several other risk management activities.

44

We use a simulation model to analyze net interest income sensitivity to movements in interest rates. The
simulation model projects net interest income based on various interest rate scenarios over a twelve and twenty-
four month period. The model is based on the actual maturity and re-pricing characteristics of rate sensitive
assets and liabilities. The model incorporates certain assumptions which management believes to be reasonable
regarding the impact of changing interest rates, prepayment assumptions, and pricing sensitivity of certain assets
and liabilities as of December 31, 2009. The model assumes changes in interest rates without any proactive
change in the composition or size of the balance sheet by management. In the model, the forecasted shape of the
yield curve remains static as of December 31, 2009. The impact of interest rate derivatives, such as interest rate
swaps and caps, is also included in the model.

Our simulation model is based on market interest rates and prepayment speeds prevalent in the market as of
December 31, 2009. Although the size of Valley’s balance sheet is forecasted to remain constant as of
December 31, 2009 in our model, the composition is adjusted to reflect new interest earning assets and interest
bearing liability originations and rate spreads utilizing our actual originations during the fourth quarter of 2009.
The model utilizes an immediate parallel shift in the market interest rates at December 31, 2009.

The following table reflects management’s expectations of the change in our net interest income over a

one-year period in light of the aforementioned assumptions:

Immediate Changes in
Levels of Interest Rates

+3.00%
+2.00
+1.00
(1.00)

Change in Net Interest Income Over One Year Horizon

At December 31, 2009

Dollar Change

Percentage Change

($ in thousands)

$11,617
12,323
1,354
(19,776)

2.46%
2.61
0.29
(4.19)

Overall, our net interest income is affected by changes in interest rates and cash flows from our loan and
investment portfolios. We actively manage these cash flows in conjunction with our liability mix, duration and
rates to optimize the net interest income, while prudently structuring the balance sheet to manage changes in
interest rates. Additionally, our net
income is impacted by the level of competition within our
marketplace. Competition can increase the cost of deposits and negatively impact the level of interest rates
attainable on loans, which may result in downward pressure on our net interest margin in future periods.

interest

Convexity is a measure of how the duration of a financial instrument changes as market interest rates
change. Potential movements in the convexity of bonds held in our investment portfolio, as well as the duration
of the loan portfolio may have a positive or negative impact to our net interest income in varying interest rate
environments. As a result, the increase or decrease in forecasted net interest income may not have a linear
relationship to the results reflected in the table above. Management cannot provide any assurance about the
actual effect of changes in interest rates on our net interest income.

As noted in the table above, we are more susceptible to a decrease in interest rates under a scenario with an
immediate parallel change in the level of market interest rates than an increase in interest rates under the same
assumptions. However, we believe that a 100 basis point decrease in interest rates as of December 31, 2009 is
unlikely given current interest rate levels. A 100 basis point immediate increase in interest is projected to
increase net interest income over the next twelve months by only 0.29 percent. The lack of balance sheet
sensitivity to such a move in interest rates, is due, in part, to the fact that many of our adjustable rate loans are
tied to the Valley prime rate (set by management) which currently exceeds the New York prime rate by 125 basis
points. Additional information regarding our use of these prime rates is located under the “Net Interest Income”
section above. Other factors, including, but not limited to, the slope of the yield curve and projected cash flows
will impact our net interest income results and may increase or decrease the level of asset sensitivity of our
balance sheet.

45

Although, we do not expect our Valley prime rate loan portfolio to have an immediate benefit to our interest
income in a rising interest rate environment, we’ve positioned a large portion of our investment portfolio in
short-term securities and residential mortgage-backed securities that will allow us to benefit from a potential rise
in interest rates. Specifically, we expect interest income on many of our residential mortgage-backed securities
with unamortized purchase premiums to improve if interest rates were to move upward and prepayment speeds
on the underlying mortgages decline. The decline in prepayments will lengthen the expected life of each security
and reduce the amount of premium amortization expense recognized against interest income each period.
Additionally, we have cash flow interest rate caps with a $200 million notional value, which protect us from
upward increases in interest rates on certain deposits and short-term borrowings. All of these actions have
expanded the expected net interest income benefits in rising interest rate environments.

Our interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedging relationships, which are the majority of the derivative
financial instruments entered into by Valley, are designed to protect us from upward movements in interest rates
on certain deposits and short-term borrowings based on the prime and effective federal funds rates. Due to the
current low level of interest rates and the strike rate of these instruments, they are expected to have little impact
over the next twelve month period on our net interest income under the scenarios outlined above. As of
December 31, 2009, the effect of a 300 basis point increase in interest rates on our derivative holdings would
result in an annual $880 thousand positive variance in net interest income. The effect of a 100 basis point
decrease in interest rates on our derivative holdings would result in an annual $499 thousand negative variance in
net interest income. See Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies for further information on our derivative
transactions.

46

The following table sets forth the amounts of interest earning assets and bearing liabilities, outstanding on December 31,
2009 and their associated fair values. The expected cash flows are categorized based on each financial instruments
anticipated maturity or interest rate reset date. The amount of assets and liabilities shown, which reprice or mature during a
particular period, were determined based on the earlier of the term to repricing or the term to repayment, inclusive of the
impact of market level prepayment speeds.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Rate

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Thereafter Total Balance Fair Value

($ in thousands)

Interest sensitive

assets:

Interest bearing deposits

with banks . . . . . . . . . 0.25% $ 355,659 $

— $

— $

— $ — $

— $

355,659 $

355,659

Investment securities

held to maturity . . . . . 3.84

550,296

205,120

182,610

99,293

87,124

459,945

1,584,388

1,548,006

Investment securities

available for sale . . . . 4.69
Trading securities . . . . . 7.79
Loans held for sale . . . . 4.67
Loans:

286,127
—
25,492

Commercial . . . . . . 5.44
Mortgage . . . . . . . . 5.80
. . . . . . . 5.51
Consumer

1,272,927
1,803,514
995,805

Total interest sensitive

325,691
—
—

214,935
876,159
331,652

224,544
—
—

151,033
738,641
184,482

85,211
—
—

78,110
—
—

352,798
32,950
—

1,352,481
32,950
25,492

1,352,481
32,950
25,492

76,506
29,402
696,444 652,623
33,187
89,244

56,448
1,116,333
50,736

1,801,251
5,883,714
1,685,106

1,777,543
5,762,203
1,795,737

assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.20% $5,289,820 $1,953,557 $1,481,310 $1,046,698 $880,446 $ 2,069,210 $12,721,041 $12,650,071

Interest sensitive
liabilities:

Deposits:

Savings, NOW and

money market . . 0.51% $1,321,773 $ 804,825 $ 804,825 $ 371,163 $185,581 $

Time . . . . . . . . . . . 2.08

2,219,622

323,001

205,249

80,279 120,739

556,745 $ 4,044,912 $ 4,044,912
3,135,611
3,082,367
133,477

Short-term

borrowings . . . . . . . . 0.64

216,147

—

—

—

—

—

216,147

206,296

Long-term

borrowings . . . . . . . . 4.25

212,275

207,269

53,069

1,001

— 2,472,706

2,946,320

3,115,285

Junior subordinated

debentures . . . . . . . . . 7.65

—

—

—

—

—

181,150

181,150

180,639

Total interest sensitive

liabilities . . . . . . . . . . 2.15% $3,969,817 $1,335,095 $1,063,143 $ 452,443 $306,320 $ 3,344,078 $10,470,896 $10,682,743

Interest sensitivity

gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,320,003 $ 618,462 $ 418,167 $ 594,255 $574,126 $(1,274,868)$ 2,250,145 $ 1,967,328

Ratio of interest

sensitive assets to
interest sensitive
liabilities . . . . . . . . . .

1.33:1

1.46:1

1.39:1

2.31:1

2.87:1

0.62:1

1.21:1

1.18:1

Expected maturities are contractual maturities adjusted for all projected payments of principal. For investment
securities, loans, long-term borrowings and junior subordinated debentures, expected maturities are based upon contractual
maturity or call dates, projected repayments and prepayments of principal. The prepayment experience reflected herein is
based on historical experience combined with market consensus expectations derived from independent external sources. The
actual maturities of these instruments could vary substantially if future prepayments differ from historical experience or
interest rate/reset date. For
current market expectations. Repricing data for each instrument reflects the contractual
non-maturity deposit liabilities, in accordance with standard industry practice and our historical experience, “decay factors”

47

were used to estimate deposit runoff. Our cash flow derivatives are designed to protect us from upward
movement in interest rates on certain deposits and short-term borrowings. The interest rate sensitivity table
reflects the sensitivity at current interest rates. As a result, the notional amount of our derivatives is not included
in the table. We use various assumptions to estimate fair values. See Note 3 of the consolidated financial
statements for further discussion of fair value measurements.

The total gap re-pricing within one year as of December 31, 2009 was a positive $1.3 billion, representing a
ratio of interest sensitive assets to interest sensitive liabilities of 1.33:1. Current market prepayment speeds and
balance sheet management strategies implemented throughout 2009 have allowed us to maintain our asset
sensitivity level reported in the table above comparable to December 31, 2008. The total gap re-pricing position,
as reported in the table above, reflects the projected interest rate sensitivity of our principal cash flows based on
market conditions as of December 31, 2009. As the market level of interest rates and associated prepayment
speeds move, the total gap re-pricing position will change accordingly, but not likely in a linear relationship.
Management does not view our one year gap position as of December 31, 2009 as presenting an unusually high
risk potential, although no assurances can be given that we are not at risk from interest rate increases or
decreases.

Liquidity

Bank Liquidity. Liquidity measures the ability to satisfy current and future cash flow needs as they become
due. A bank’s liquidity reflects its ability to meet loan demand, to accommodate possible outflows in deposits
and to take advantage of interest rate opportunities in the marketplace. Liquidity management is monitored by
our Asset/Liability Management Committee and the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors of Valley
National Bank, which review historical funding requirements, current liquidity position, sources and stability of
funding, marketability of assets, options for attracting additional funds, and anticipated future funding needs,
including the level of unfunded commitments.

Valley National Bank has no required regulatory liquidity ratios to maintain; however, it adheres to an
internal liquidity policy. The current policy maintains that we may not have a ratio of loans to deposits in excess
of 120 percent and non-core funding (which generally includes certificates of deposits $100 thousand and over,
federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and Federal Home Loan Bank advances) greater than 50 percent
of total assets. At December 31, 2009, we were in compliance with the foregoing policies.

On the asset side of the balance sheet, we have numerous sources of liquid funds in the form of cash and due
from banks, interest bearing deposits with banks (including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York), investment
securities held to maturity maturing within one year, investment securities available for sale, trading securities,
loans held for sale, and, from time to time, federal funds sold. These liquid assets totaled approximately
$2.2 billion and $2.1 billion at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, representing 17.4 percent and
16.4 percent of earning assets, and 15.5 percent and 14.2 percent of total assets at December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. Of the $2.2 billion of liquid assets at December 31, 2009, approximately $1.1 billion of various
investment securities were pledged to counter parties to support our earning asset funding strategies.

Additional

liquidity is derived from scheduled loan payments of principal and interest, as well as
prepayments received. Loan principal payments are projected to be approximately $3.6 billion over the next
twelve months. As a contingency plan for significant funding needs, liquidity could also be derived from the sale
of conforming residential mortgages from our existing loan portfolio, or from the temporary curtailment of
lending activities.

On the liability side of the balance sheet, we utilize multiple sources of funds to meet liquidity needs. Our
core deposit base, which generally excludes certificates of deposit over $100 thousand as well as brokered
certificates of deposit, represents the largest of these sources. Core deposits averaged approximately $8.0 billion
and $7.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, representing 61.7 percent and 59.7 percent of
average earning assets at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The level of interest bearing deposits is

48

affected by interest rates offered, which is often influenced by our need for funds and the need to match the
maturities of assets and liabilities. Brokered certificates of deposit totaled $2.9 million at December 31, 2009 and
2008.

In the event

that additional short-term liquidity is needed, Valley National Bank has established
relationships with several correspondent banks to provide short-term borrowings in the form of federal funds
purchased. While, at December 31, 2009, there were no firm lending commitments in place, management
believes that we could borrow approximately $1.0 billion for a short time from these banks on a collective basis.
The Bank is also a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and has the ability to borrow from
them in the form of FHLB advances secured by pledges of residential mortgage-backed securities and a blanket
assignment of qualifying residential mortgage loans. Additionally, funds could be borrowed overnight from the
Federal Reserve Bank via the discount window as a contingency for additional liquidity. During the second
quarter 2009, we expanded our ability to borrow from the discount window as we provided additional collateral
loans consisting primarily of automobile loans. At December 31, 2009, our borrowing capacity under the Fed’s
discount window was approximately $390 million.

The following table lists, by maturity, all certificates of deposit of $100 thousand and over at December 31,

2009 (in thousands):

Less than three months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Three to six months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Six to twelve months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
More than twelve months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 555,727
219,759
313,384
315,001

$1,403,871

We have access to a variety of short-term and long-term borrowing sources to support our asset base. Short-
term borrowings include federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repos”),
treasury tax and loan accounts, and FHLB advances. Short-term borrowings decreased by $424.2 million to
$216.1 million at December 31, 2009 compared to $640.3 million at December 31, 2008 primarily due to
maturity of $300.0 million short-term FHLB advances and a $132.7 million decrease in short-term repos, partly
offset by a $4.8 million increase in treasury tax and loan accounts. At December 31, 2009, all short-term repos
represent customer deposit balances being swept into this vehicle overnight.

The following table sets forth information regarding Valley’s short-term repos at the dates and for the

periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

($ in thousands)

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

Average balance outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximum outstanding at any month-end during the period . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance outstanding at end of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average interest rate during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average interest rate at the end of the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$203,585
215,182
206,542

$418,518
437,272
335,510

$412,035
449,595
394,512

0.91%
0.67%

1.51%
0.81%

4.08%
2.92%

Corporation Liquidity. Valley’s current recurring cash requirements primarily consist of dividends to
common shareholders and interest expense on junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts. These cash
needs are routinely satisfied by dividends collected from Valley National Bank, along with cash flows from
investment securities held at the holding company. See Note 16 – Shareholders’ Equity in the accompanying
notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report regarding restrictions to such
subsidiary bank dividends. Projected cash flows from these sources are expected to be adequate to pay common

49

dividends, if declared, and interest expense payable to capital trusts, given the current capital levels and current
profitable operations of the bank subsidiary. As part of our on-going asset/liability management strategies, Valley
could use cash to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock under its share repurchase program, call for
early redemption all, or part, of its junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I, purchase
preferred securities issued by VNB Capital Trust I (and extinguish the corresponding junior subordinated
debentures), or repurchase its warrant outstanding to the U.S. Treasury (see discussion below). The cash required
for these activities may be met by using Valley’s own funds, dividends received from the Bank, as well as new
borrowed funds.

On November 14, 2008, Valley issued $300 million in nonvoting senior preferred shares to the U.S.
Treasury under its TARP Capital Purchase Program mainly to support growth in our lending operations and
better position Valley for a potentially extended downturn in the U.S. economy. During 2009, we incrementally
repurchased all 300,000 shares of our senior preferred shares from the U.S. Treasury for an aggregate purchase
price of $300 million (excluding accrued and unpaid dividends paid at the date of redemption) during 2009. The
repurchase eliminated our future requirement to pay costly preferred dividends which totaled $13.0 million in
cash payments during the year ended December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2009, a ten-year warrant to purchase
2.4 million of our common shares (at $18.66 per share) remains outstanding to the U.S. Treasury. We have
calculated an internal value for the warrant, and are currently negotiating the redemption with U.S. Treasury.
However, if an agreement can not be reached with the U.S. Treasury, the warrant will be sold at public auction.
We do not currently have a time frame in which the negotiations will be completed; however, we anticipate
Valley will have adequate cash available for the repurchase based upon our internal valuation.

While not a condition to the repurchase of our senior preferred shares, we raised net proceeds of approximately
$71.6 million from an “at-the-market” common equity offering, consisting of the sale of 5.67 million shares of
newly issued common stock completed in the third quarter of 2009, and net proceeds of $63.7 million through an
additional registered direct offering, consisting of the sale of 5 million shares of newly issued common stock to
several institutional investors in the fourth quarter of 2009. Valley may use the net proceeds for a variety of possible
uses, including, in part, the repurchase of the warrant held by the U.S. Treasury.

Investment Securities Portfolio

Securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when Valley has the positive intent
and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before
maturity, and are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive
income, net of tax. Securities classified as trading are held primarily for sale in the short term or as part of our
balance sheet management strategies and are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included
immediately in the net trading (losses) gains category of non-interest income. Valley determines the appropriate
classification of securities at the time of purchase. The decision to purchase or sell securities is based upon the
including the interest rate
current assessment of long and short-term economic and financial conditions,
environment and other statement of financial condition components. Securities with limited marketability and/or
restrictions, such as Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stocks, are carried at cost in other
assets.

At December 31, 2009, our investment portfolio was comprised of U.S Treasury securities, tax-exempt
issues of states and political subdivisions, residential mortgage-backed securities (including 20 private label
mortgage-backed securities), single-issuer trust preferred securities principally issued by bank holding companies
(“bank issuers”) (including three pooled securities), corporate bonds primarily issued by banks, and perpetual
preferred and common equity securities issued by banks. There were no securities in the name of any one issuer
exceeding 10 percent of shareholders’ equity, except for residential mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S.
government sponsored agencies, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae.

Among other securities, our investments in the private label mortgage-backed securities, trust preferred
securities, perpetual preferred securities, equity securities, and bank issued corporate bonds may pose a higher

50

risk of future impairment charges by us as a result of the current downturn in the U.S. economy and its potential
negative effect on the future performance of these bank issuers and/or the underlying mortgage loan collateral.
Many of the bank issuers of trust preferred securities within our investment portfolio remain participants in the
U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program. For TARP participants, dividend payments to trust preferred
security holders are currently senior to and payable before dividends can be paid on the preferred stock issued
under the TARP Capital Purchase Program. Some bank trust preferred issuers may elect to defer future payments
of interest on such securities either based upon recommendations by the U.S. Government and the banking
regulators or management decisions driven by potential liquidity needs. Such elections by issuers of securities
within our investment portfolio could adversely affect securities valuations and result in future impairment
charges if collection of deferred and accrued interest (or principal upon maturity) is deemed unlikely by
management. See the “Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Analysis” section below for further details.

Investment securities at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Held to maturity:
U.S. government agency securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Obligations of states and political subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate and other debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

— $

313,360
936,385
281,836
52,807

24,958
201,858
593,275
281,824
52,822

$

—
230,201
52,073
241,329
32,510

Total investment securities held to maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,584,388

$1,154,737

$ 556,113

Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. government agency securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Obligations of states and political subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate and other debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 276,285
—
33,411
940,505
36,412
19,042

Total debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,305,655
46,826

$

— $

102,564
48,191
1,215,386
29,347
5,157

1,400,645
34,797

5,133
326,086
43,828
1,049,596
64,467
20,821

1,509,931
96,479

Total investment securities available for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,352,481

$1,435,442

$1,606,410

Trading:
U.S. government agency securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Obligations of states and political subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate and other debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

— $
—
—
32,950
—

— $ 224,945
2,803
—
28,959
—
66,366
34,236
399,504
—

Total trading securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

32,950

$

34,236

$ 722,577

Total investment securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2,969,819

$2,624,415

$2,885,100

As of December 31, 2009, we had $1.4 billion of securities classified as available for sale, a decrease of
$83.0 million from December 31, 2008 due, in part, to our reinvestment of normal principal paydowns into
residential mortgage-backed securities primarily issued by Ginnie Mae that were classified as held to maturity
during 2009. We increased our holdings of government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
classified as held to maturity and U.S. Treasury securities classified as available for sale during 2009 to help
reduce credit risk and potential volatility in our balance sheet. As of December 31, 2009, the available for sale
securities had a net unrealized loss of $2.8 million, net of deferred taxes, compared to a net unrealized loss of
$32.7 million, net of deferred taxes, at December 31, 2008. Available for sale securities are not considered
trading account securities, but rather are securities which may be sold on a non-routine basis.

51

Our trading securities portfolio consisted of $33.0 million in trust preferred securities at December 31, 2009. These
securities were originally transferred to trading securities on January 1, 2007 upon our election to carry these securities at fair
value under new authoritative guidance under U.S. GAAP. The decline in trading securities from 2007 to 2008 was mainly
due to the maturity and sale of short-term investment securities and the reallocation of such proceeds to new loan
originations during 2008.

The following table presents the maturity distribution schedule with its corresponding weighted-average yields of held

to maturity and available for sale securities at December 31, 2009:

U.S. Treasury
Securities

Obligations of
States and
Political
Subdivisions

Residential
Mortgage-
Backed
Securities (5)

Trust Preferred
Securities

Corporate and
Other Debt
Securities

Total (4)

Amount
(1)

Yield
(2)

Amount
(1)

Yield
(2)(3)

Amount
(1)

Yield
(2)

Amount
(1)

Yield
(2)

Amount
(1)

Yield
(2)

Amount
(1)

Yield
(2)

($ in thousands)

Held to maturity:

0-1 year . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-5 years . . . . . . . . . . . .
5-10 years . . . . . . . . . . .
Over 10 years . . . . . . . .

$ —
—
—
—

— % $136,514
47,606
—
53,614
—
75,626
—

1.98% $ —
5.97
6.20
5.94

1
23,650
912,734

— % $ —
—
7.88
—
2.06
281,836
2.61

— % $
—
—
6.92

100
18,449
25,276
8,982

2.33% $ 136,614
66,056
5.30
102,540
7.87
1,279,178
7.39

1.98%
5.78
5.66
3.79

Total securities . . . . . . .

$ —

— % $313,360

4.26% $936,385

2.60% $281,836

6.92% $52,807

6.88% $1,584,388

3.84%

Available for sale:

0-1 year . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-5 years . . . . . . . . . . . .
5-10 years . . . . . . . . . . .
Over 10 years . . . . . . . .

$ —
276,285
—
—

— % $ 12,417
13,009
1.16
5,006
—
2,979
—

7.11% $
6.98
6.34
6.62

328
5,760
59,169
875,248

7.89% $ —
—
6.59
—
5.01
36,412
5.60

— % $ —
—
—
3.62

6,779
5,967
6,296

— % $
3.80
3.35
1.51

12,745
301,833
70,142
920,935

7.13%
1.57
4.96
5.49

Total securities . . . . . . .

$276,285

1.16% $ 33,411

6.90% $940,505

5.57% $ 36,412

3.62% $19,042

2.90% $1,305,655

4.57%

(1) Held to maturity amounts are presented at amortized costs, stated at cost less principal reductions, if any, and adjusted for accretion of discounts and

amortization of premiums. Available for sale amounts are presented at fair value.

(2) Average yields are calculated on a yield-to-maturity basis.
(3) Average yields on obligations of states and political subdivisions are generally tax-exempt and calculated on a tax-equivalent basis using a statutory

federal income tax rate of 35 percent.

(4) Excludes equity securities which have indefinite maturities.
(5) Mortgage-backed securities are shown using stated final maturity.

At December 31, 2009, we had $936.4 million and $940.5 million of residential mortgage-backed securities classified as
held to maturity and available for sale securities, respectively. The majority of these residential mortgage-backed securities
held by us are guaranteed by federal agencies. Approximately $9.2 million and $133.7 million of the residential mortgage-
backed securities classified as held to maturity and available for sale securities, respectively, were private label mortgage-
backed securities. The private label mortgage-backed securities classified as held to maturity and available for sale securities
had gross unrealized losses of $10 thousand and $10.0 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009. The residential
mortgage-backed securities portfolio is a significant source of our liquidity through the monthly cash flow of principal and
interest. Mortgage-backed securities, like all securities, are sensitive to change in the interest rate environment, increasing
and decreasing in value as interest rates fall and rise. As interest rates fall, the increase in prepayments can reduce the yield
on the mortgage-backed securities portfolio, and reinvestment of the proceeds will be at lower yields. Conversely, rising
interest rates will reduce cash flows from prepayments and extend anticipated duration of these assets. We monitor the
changes in interest rates, cash flows and duration, in accordance with our investment policies. Management seeks out
investment securities with an attractive spread over our cost of funds.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Analysis

We may be required to record impairment charges on our investment securities if they suffer a decline in value that is
considered other-than-temporary. Numerous factors, including lack of liquidity for re-sales of certain investment securities,
absence of reliable pricing information for investment securities, adverse changes in business climate, adverse actions by

52

regulators, or unanticipated changes in the competitive environment could have a negative effect on our
investment portfolio and may result in other-than-temporary impairment on our investment securities in future
periods. Effective January 1, 2009, management early adopted and now evaluates the held to maturity and
available for sale investment securities portfolios quarterly for other-than-temporary impairment in accordance
with new authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities.” Among
other things, this guidance requires declines in the fair value of debt securities, considered to be other-than-
temporary, to be reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses,
but only if management has no intent to sell the security, and it is not more likely than not management will be
required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. The amount of the impairment related to
non-credit factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Other-than-temporary impairment means we believe the security’s impairment is due to factors that could
include its inability to pay interest or dividends, its potential for default, and/or other factors. As a result of the
adoption of the new authoritative guidance, when a held to maturity or available for sale debt security is assessed
for other-than-temporary impairment, we have to first consider (a) whether we intend to sell the security, and
(b) whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized
cost basis. If one of these circumstances applies to a security, an other-than-temporary impairment loss is
recognized in the statement of income equal to the full amount of the decline in fair value below amortized cost.
If neither of these circumstances applies to a security, but we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost
basis, an other-than-temporary impairment loss has occurred that must be separated into two categories: (a) the
amount related to credit loss, and (b) the amount related to other factors. In assessing the level of other-than-
temporary impairment attributable to credit loss, we compare the present value of cash flows expected to be
collected with the amortized cost basis of the security. As discussed above, the portion of the total other-than-
temporary impairment related to credit loss is recognized in earnings, while the amount related to other factors is
recognized in other comprehensive income. The total other-than-temporary impairment loss is presented in the
statement of income, less the portion recognized in other comprehensive income. When a debt security becomes
other-than-temporarily impaired, its amortized cost basis is reduced to reflect the portion of the total impairment
related to credit loss. Prior to our adoption of the new authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 320 on January 1,
2009, total other-than-temporary impairment losses (i.e., both credit and non-credit losses) on debt securities
were recognized through earnings with an offset to reduce the amortized cost basis of the applicable debt
securities by their entire impairment amount.

To determine whether a security’s impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider factors that include:

• The causes of the decline in fair value, such as credit problems, interest rate fluctuations, or market

volatility.

• The severity and duration of the decline.

• Our ability and intent to hold equity security investments until they recover in value, as well as the

likelihood of such a recovery in the near term.

• Our intent to sell security investments, or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell
such securities before recovery of their individual amortized cost basis less any current-period credit
loss.

For debt securities, the primary consideration in determining whether impairment is other-than-temporary is

whether or not it is probable that current or future contractual cash flows have or may be impaired.

The investment grades in the table below reflect multiple third parties independent analysis of each security.
For many securities, the rating agencies may not have performed an independent analysis of the tranches owned
by us, but rather an analysis of the entire investment pool. For this and other reasons, we believe the assigned
investment grades may not accurately reflect the actual credit quality of each investment and should not be
viewed in isolation as a measure of the quality of our investment portfolio.

53

The following table presents the held to maturity and available for sale investment securities portfolios by

investment grades at December 31, 2009:

Amortized
Cost

December 31, 2009

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

(in thousands)

Fair Value

Held to maturity:

Investment grades*

AAA Rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AA Rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A Rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BBB Rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-investment grade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 976,641
117,811
160,459
115,259
514
213,704

$18,558
2,287
3,649
1,318
—
327

$

(441) $ 994,758
119,979
(119)
163,053
(1,055)
100,225
(16,352)
338
(176)
169,653
(44,378)

Total investment securities held to maturity . . .

$1,584,388

$26,139

$(62,521) $1,548,006

Available for sale:

Investment grades*

AAA Rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AA Rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A Rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BBB Rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-investment grade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not rated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,081,442
53,823
54,383
38,345
108,256
13,416

$39,700
389
528
40
1,797
76

$ (2,790) $1,118,352
50,945
45,020
29,657
95,151
13,356

(3,267)
(9,891)
(8,728)
(14,902)
(136)

Total investment securities available for

sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,349,665

$42,530

$(39,714) $1,352,481

* Rated using external rating agencies (primarily S&P and Moody’s). Ratings categories include entire range.
For example, “A rated” includes A+, A, and A-. Split rated securities with two ratings are categorized at the
higher of the rating levels.

The held to maturity portfolio includes $213.7 million in investments not rated by the rating agencies with
aggregate unrealized losses of $44.4 million at December 31, 2009. The unrealized losses for this category relate
to 11 single-issuer bank trust preferred securities, of which $33.6 million in unrealized losses relate to securities
issued by one bank holding company with a combined amortized cost of $55.0 million. Valley privately
negotiated the purchase of the $55.0 million in trust preferred securities from the bank issuer and holds all of the
securities of two issuances. Typical of most trust preferred issuances, the bank issuer may defer interest payments
for up to five years with interest payable on the deferred balance. Beginning in August and October of 2009, the
bank issuer has elected to defer its scheduled interest payments on both of the security issuances. The bank issuer
is currently operating under an agreement with its bank regulators which requires, among other things, the issuer
to receive permission from the regulators prior to resuming its regularly scheduled payments on both security
issuances. However, the issuer’s principal subsidiary bank reported, in its most recent regulatory filing, that it
meets the regulatory minimum requirements to be considered a “well-capitalized institution” as of December 31,
2009. Based on this information, management believes that we will receive all principal and interest
contractually due on both security issuances. We will continue to closely monitor the credit risk of this issuer and
may be required to recognize other-than-temporary impairment on such securities in future periods. All other
single-issuer bank trust preferred securities classified as held to maturity or available for sale are paying in
accordance with their terms and have no deferrals of interest or defaults. Additionally, we analyze the
performance of each issuer on a quarterly basis, including a review of performance data from the issuer’s most
recent bank regulatory report to assess the company’s credit risk and the probability of impairment of the
contractual cash flows of the applicable security. Based upon our quarterly review, all of the issuers appear to
meet the regulatory minimum requirements to be considered a “well-capitalized” financial institution.

54

Although the majority of these financial institutions were performing at the end of this year, there can be no
assurance that the current economic conditions or bank regulatory actions will not impair the institutions’ future
ability to repay our investment in the trust preferred securities, which may result in significant other-than-
temporary impairment charges to our future earnings. In this volatile environment a growing number of banking
institutions have been required to defer trust preferred payments and a growing number of banking institutions
have been put in receivership by the FDIC during this year. A deferral event by a bank holding company for
which we hold trust preferred securities may require us to recognize an other-than-temporary impairment charge
if it is determined that repayment of contractual interest or principal is unlikely, and an FDIC receivership for
any single-issuer would result in a significant loss. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for further
details on our trust preferred securities portfolios.

The available for sale portfolio includes investments with non-investment grade ratings with amortized cost
and fair values totaling $108.3 million and $95.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009. The $14.9 million
in unrealized losses for this category relate to nine private label mortgage-backed securities and two pooled trust
preferred securities, of which approximately $12.2 million in unrealized losses relate to non-credit losses
(recognized in other comprehensive income) on other-than-temporarily impaired securities at December 31,
2009. See the section below and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on
management’s assessment of potential or additional other-than-temporary impairment for these securities.

Other-than-Temporarily Impaired Securities

Other-than-temporary impairment is a non-cash charge and not necessarily an indicator of a permanent
decline in value. Security valuations require significant estimates, judgments and assumptions by management
and are considered a critical accounting policy of Valley. See the “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
section above for further discussion of this policy. The following table provides information regarding our other-
than-temporary impairment charges on securities recognized in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2009,
2008, and 2007:

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Held to maturity:

Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ —

$ 7,846

$ —

Available for sale:

Residential mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,735
183
434

6,435
—
70,554

—
—
17,949

Net impairment losses on securities recognized in

earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$6,352

$84,835

$17,949

Within the residential mortgage-backed securities category of the available for sale portfolio, Valley owns
20 individual private label mortgage-backed securities. We estimate loss projections for each security by
stressing the individual loans collateralizing the security and determining a range of expected default rates, loss
severities, and prepayment speeds, in conjunction with the underlying credit enhancement (if applicable) for each
security. Based on collateral and origination vintage specific assumptions, a range of possible cash flows was
identified to determine whether other-than-temporary impairment existed at each quarter end during the year.
Generally, the range of expected constant default rates (“CDR”), loss severity rates and constant prepayment
rates (“CPR”) used in the modeling scenarios for the 20 private label mortgage-backed securities were as
follows: a CDR of 0 percent to 11.9 percent, a loss severity rate of 12.9 percent to 56.6 percent, and a CPR of 0.8
percent to 26.4 percent.

During 2009, 4 of the 20 private label mortgage-backed securities classified as available for sale, with an
amortized cost and fair value of $41.2 million and $36.7 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009 were

55

deemed to have estimated credit losses totaling $5.7 million (one of the securities was originally found to be
other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008 resulting in an $6.4 million charge to earnings). In
evaluating the range of likely future cash flows for each of the four securities, we applied security as well as
market specific assumptions, based on the credit characteristics of each security to multiple cash flow models.
Multiple present value cash flow analyses were utilized in determining future expected cash flows, in part due to
the vast array of assumptions prevalent in the current market and used by market participants in valuing similar
type securities. Under certain stress scenarios estimated future losses may arise. For the 4 securities in which we
recorded an other-than-temporary impairment, the range of expected default rates, loss severities, prepayment
speeds, loan-to-value ratios at origination and FICO scores used in modeling scenarios for the four impaired
securities were generally the following: a CDR of 4.9 percent to 11.9 percent, a loss severity rate of 51.2 percent
to 56.6 percent, a CPR of 10.2 percent to 26.4 percent, weighted average loan to value ratios at origination
between 59.0 percent to 72.3 percent, and the average portfolio FICO score ranged between 713 and 727 at
December 31, 2009. Each security’s cash flows were discounted at the security’s effective interest rate. Although
we recognized other-than-temporary impairment charges on the securities, each security is currently performing
in accordance with its contractual obligations.

Within the trust preferred securities category of the available for sale portfolio, Valley owns three pooled
trust preferred securities, principally collateralized by securities issued by banks, with a combined amortized cost
and fair value of $25.8 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Two of the three securities were other-than-
temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008, and resulted in an impairment charge of $7.8 million, as each of
Valley’s tranches in the securities had projected cash flows below their future contractual principal and interest
payments. After the impairment, management no longer had a positive intent to hold the pooled trust preferred
securities to their maturity dates due to the significant deterioration in both issuers’ creditworthiness, and as a
result, we were required to transfer these securities, with a total adjusted carrying value of $1.1 million at the
time of transfer, from the held to maturity portfolio to the available for sale portfolio at December 31, 2008.
Additionally, effective January 1, 2009, the amortized cost amounts for these impaired securities were increased
by a total of $7.5 million (with offsetting entry to other comprehensive income) for the non-credit portion of the
$7.8 million impairment charge taken during 2008 due to our early adoption of the new authoritative accounting
guidance included in ASC Topic 320. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we recognized additional
estimated credit losses of $183 thousand (reclassified from other comprehensive income to earnings) for one of
the three pooled trust preferred securities as higher default rates decreased the expected cash flows from the
security. After all impairment charges, the two pooled trust preferred securities had a combined amortized cost
and fair value of $8.4 million and $705 thousand, respectively, at December 31, 2009.

For the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we recognized other-than-temporary impairment charges
of $434 thousand and $70.6 million, respectively, on equity securities classified as available for sale. The 2009
impairment charge relates to one common equity security issued by a bank with an adjusted carrying value of
$723 thousand at December 31, 2009. The impairment was recognized based on the length of time and the
severity of the difference between the security’s book value and its observable market price and the security’s
near term prospects for recovery. For the year-ended December 31, 2008, the majority of the impairment charges
related to perpetual preferred equity securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as a significant decline in
market value of these securities was caused by the U.S. Government placing these entities into conservatorship
and suspending their preferred stock dividends during the third quarter of 2008. We also recorded a total of
$733 thousand in other-than-temporary impairment charges on three common equity securities and one preferred
equity security issued by banks during 2008.

56

Loan Portfolio

The following table reflects the composition of the loan portfolio for the five years ended December 31,

2009:

LOAN PORTFOLIO

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

At December 31,

Commercial and industrial loans . . . . . . . . .

$1,801,251

$ 1,965,372

($ in thousands)
$1,563,150

$1,466,862

$1,449,919

Mortgage:

Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial real estate . . . . . . . . . . . .

440,046
1,943,249
3,500,419

510,519
2,269,935
3,324,082

402,806
2,063,242
2,370,345

526,318
2,106,306
2,309,217

471,560
2,083,004
2,234,950

Total mortgage loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumer:

5,883,714

6,104,536

4,836,393

4,941,841

4,789,514

Home equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Credit card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

566,303
10,025
1,029,958
78,820

607,700
9,916
1,364,343
91,823

554,830
10,077
1,447,838
83,933

571,138
8,764
1,238,145
104,935

565,960
9,044
1,221,525
94,495

Total consumer loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,685,106

2,073,782

2,096,678

1,922,982

1,891,024

Total loans* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,370,071

$10,143,690

$8,496,221

$8,331,685

$8,130,457

As a percent of total loans:
Commercial and industrial loans . . . . . . . . .
Mortgage loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumer loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19.2%
62.8
18.0

19.4%
60.2
20.4

18.4%
56.9
24.7

17.6%
59.3
23.1

17.8%
58.9
23.3

Total

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Total loans are net of unearned discount and deferred loan fees totaling $8.7 million, $4.8 million, $3.5 million,

$5.1 million and $6.3 million at December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

During 2009, we extended approximately $1.8 billion in new and renewed credit to quality existing and new
customers while maintaining our conservative underwriting standards. However, the overall loan portfolio
declined $774 million, or 7.6 percent, to $9.4 billion at December 31, 2009 from $10.1 billion at December 31,
2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower volumes in most loan types, including declines due to lack of
consumer demand for automobile loans, business loan contraction during the economic recession, our strict
underwriting standards, approximately $382 million in conforming refinanced and new residential mortgage loan
originations that were held for sale or sold in the secondary market due to the historically low level of interest
rates in 2009, and competition from other financial institutions. We may experience further declines in the loan
portfolio during 2010 due to a slow economic recovery cycle or we may maintain certain asset/liability
management strategies, including the sale of new residential mortgage loan originations with low fixed interest
rates should the yield curve not widen in the near term.

Commercial and industrial loans decreased $164.1 million or 8.4 percent to approximately $1.8 billion in
2009, mainly due to a slowdown in new commercial and industrial loan activity and a moderate decline in usage
of lines of credit by our commercial customers. We continue to be very selective in our underwriting of new
commercial customers, as well as careful in expanding some current commercial customer relationships due to
the economic downturn. Until the economy clearly signals a recovery in our primary markets, we expect nominal
growth in our commercial and industrial loan portfolio.

57

Total mortgage loans, comprised of construction, residential and commercial real estate loans, decreased
$220.8 million, or 3.6 percent during 2009 to $5.9 billion at December 31, 2009, mainly due to decreases in the
residential mortgage and construction loan portfolios of $326.7 million and $70.5 million, respectively, partially
offset by a $176.3 million increase in commercial real estate loans. The decline in the residential mortgage loan
portfolio since the fourth quarter of 2008 continued throughout 2009, as expected by management, based on our
secondary market sales of most refinanced loans and new loan originations with low fixed interest rates.
Construction loans have also declined since the fourth quarter of 2008 due to normal paydowns on existing loans
coupled with lower new loan volume caused by the slowdown in the new and existing housing markets.
However, commercial real estate loans increased 5.4 percent during 2009 mainly due to our ability to find new
quality lending opportunities made available by the tight credit markets, as well as an uptick in loan demand
from existing customers during the fourth quarter of 2009. We believe the growth in commercial real estate loans
is well controlled, in large part, due to our conservative underwriting standards which typically require a
combination of strong cash flow, substantial equity on the part of the borrower, and personal guarantees.

Consumer loans decreased $388.7 million to approximately $1.7 billion at December 31, 2009 compared to
the same period in 2008 primarily due to the declines in the automobile and home equity loan portfolios of
$334.4 million and $41.4 million, respectively. We have reported declines in our automobile loan portfolio every
quarter since June 30, 2008 mainly due to low consumer demand for new and used vehicles, as well as our move
to strengthen our already conservative auto loan underwriting standards in light of the weakened economy. Based
on these same underwriting standards, we may choose to be more competitive on interest rates offered for auto
loans during 2010 as a measure to reduce excess liquidity derived from maturities in all loan types, while
maintaining an acceptable level of interest rate risk for the overall loan portfolio. The decrease in home equity
loans is mainly a by-product of refinancing within our residential mortgage portfolio caused by the low level of
interest rates during the year ended December 31, 2009. Home equity loans are mainly provided as a convenience
to our existing residential mortgage customers and are expected to fluctuate based upon the level of loan volumes
within the residential mortgage portfolio.

Much of our lending is in northern and central New Jersey and New York City, with the exception of
smaller auto and residential mortgage loan portfolios derived mainly from the neighboring states of Pennsylvania
and Connecticut, a portion of our health care equipment leases, other commercial equipment leases and general
aviation loans, and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans which totaled only $44.0 million at
December 31, 2009. However, efforts are made to maintain a diversified portfolio as to type of borrower and loan
to guard against a potential downward turn in any one economic sector. As a result of our lending, this could
present a geographic and credit risk if there was a significant broad based downturn of the economy within the
region. Although, our primary lending markets have experienced unemployment figures slightly below the
national average during 2009, its impact is reflected in our inability to grow the loan portfolio and the portfolio’s
decline in performance (see the “Non-performing Assets” section below). We can provide no assurance that our
markets will not deteriorate beyond their current levels in the future and cause an increase in the credit risk of our
loan portfolio.

The following table reflects the contractual maturity distribution of the commercial and construction loan

portfolios as of December 31, 2009:

One Year
or Less

One to
Five Years

Over Five
Years

Total

Commercial—fixed rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial—adjustable rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction—fixed rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction—adjustable rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 483,439
657,874
27,078
272,479

(in thousands)

$235,642
320,667
11,271
113,424

$ 43,895
59,734
1,428
14,366

$ 762,976
1,038,275
39,777
400,269

$1,440,870

$681,004

$119,423

$2,241,297

58

We may renew loans at maturity when requested by a customer. In such instances, we generally conduct a
review which includes an analysis of the borrower’s financial condition and, if applicable, a review of the
adequacy of collateral. A rollover of the loan at maturity may require a principal reduction or other modified
terms.

Non-performing Assets

Non-performing assets include non-accrual loans, other real estate owned (“OREO”), and other repossessed
assets which consist of automobiles, as well as one aircraft at December 31, 2009. Loans are generally placed on
non-accrual status when they become past due in excess of 90 days as to payment of principal or interest.
Exceptions to the non-accrual policy may be permitted if the loan is sufficiently collateralized and in the process
of collection. OREO is acquired through foreclosure on loans secured by land or real estate. OREO and other
repossessed assets are reported at the lower of cost or fair value at the time of acquisition and at the lower of fair
value, less estimated costs to sell, or cost thereafter. Mindful of the poor operating environment and the higher
delinquency rates reported throughout the banking industry, we believe non-performing assets remained at
acceptable levels as a percentage of the total loan portfolio as shown in the table below. Although total
delinquent loans remained stable in the fourth quarter of 2009, management cannot provide assurance that the
levels of non-performing assets will not continue to increase in relation to the U.S. economy.

59

The following tables set forth by loan category, non-performing assets and accruing loans on the dates

indicated in conjunction with asset quality ratios for Valley:

CREDIT QUALITY

At December 31,

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

($ in thousands)

Accruing past due loans:
30 to 89 days past due:

Commercial and industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial real estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$11,949
1,834
12,462
4,539
22,835

$13,299
5,456
12,189
5,005
23,275

$ 5,839
12,047
6,486
5,233
16,210

$ 3,346
8,402
5,530
8,537
13,166

$ 2,747
15,460
8,573
3,258
11,951

Total 30 to 89 days past due . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

53,619

59,224

45,815

38,981

41,989

90 or more days past due:

Commercial and industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial real estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total 90 or more days past due . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,191
—
1,421
250
1,263

5,125

864
3,156
5,323
4,257
1,957

15,557

814
3,154
1,592
1,407
1,495

8,462

321
683
625
1,381
765

3,775

1,432
519
757
894
840

4,442

Total accruing past due loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$58,744

$74,781

$54,277

$42,756

$46,431

Non-accrual loans:

Commercial and industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial real estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$17,424
19,905
22,922
29,844
1,869

$10,511
877
6,195
14,895
595

$10,931
833
2,693
15,940
226

$ 8,989
—
1,727
16,198
330

$12,585
—
1,389
11,274
546

Total non-accrual loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

91,964

33,073

30,623

27,244

25,794

Other real estate owned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other repossessed assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,869
2,565

8,278
4,317

609
1,466

779
844

2,023
608

Total non-performing assets (“NPAs”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$98,398

$45,668

$32,698

$28,867

$28,425

Troubled debt restructured loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total non-performing loans as a % of loans . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total NPAs as a % of loans and NPAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total accruing past due and non-accrual loans as a % of

$19,072

$ 7,628

$ 8,363

$

0.98%
1.04%

0.33%
0.45%

0.36%
0.38%

$

713
0.33%
0.35%

821
0.32%
0.35%

total loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.61%

1.06%

1.00%

0.84%

0.89%

Allowance for loans losses as a % of non-performing

loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

110.90% 281.93% 237.29% 274.25% 291.49%

Non-accrual loans increased $58.9 million to $92.0 million compared to $33.1 million at December 31,
2008. In general, the increasing trend in non-accrual loans is reflective of the current weak economic conditions.
The increase in non-accrual commercial loans was partly related to the addition of five credit relationships with
an aggregate total of $5.0 million. At December 31, 2009, non-accrual construction loans mainly consist of seven
credit relationships with an aggregate total of $17.3 million which have been negatively impacted by the
slowdown in the housing markets. The increase in non-accrual commercial real estate loans was mostly related to
the addition of five credit relationships with an aggregate total of $14.8 million, or 0.85 percent of the total

60

commercial real estate portfolio. We believe our commercial real estate delinquencies (which include accruing
past due loans and non-accrual loans in the table above) totaling 0.99 percent at December 31, 2009 compared to
1.05 percent at September 30, 2009 currently remain well controlled mainly due to our underwriting standards.
Non-accrual residential mortgage loans increased to 1.18 percent of the residential mortgage loan portfolio at
December 31, 2009 mainly due to higher unemployment caused by the economic downturn. Although the timing
of collection is uncertain, management believes most of the non-accrual loans are well secured and, ultimately,
collectible based on, in part, our quarterly valuation of impaired loans. See “Asset Quality and Risk Elements”
section below and Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further analysis of the impaired loan
portfolio.

If interest on non-accrual loans had been accrued in accordance with the original contractual terms, such
interest income would have amounted to approximately $6.5 million, $2.7 million and $2.8 million for the years
ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively; none of these amounts were included in interest income
during these periods. Interest
loans totaled
$3 thousand, $9 thousand and $45 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007,
respectively. No mortgage loans classified as loans held for sale and carried at fair value were on non-accrual
status at December 31, 2009.

income recognized on loans once classified as non-accrual

OREO decreased $4.4 million to $3.9 million at December 31, 2009 as compared to $8.3 million at
December 31, 2008. The decrease was mainly due to the transfer of one office property to fixed assets during the
first quarter of 2009, as Valley is currently preparing the property to be used as an additional bank lending and
retail service location. Other repossessed assets decreased approximately $1.8 million to $2.6 million at
December 31, 2009 from $4.3 million at December 31, 2008, mainly due to a $1.4 million write down of the
carrying value of a repossessed aircraft based on our quarterly valuation analysis and the sale of another
repossessed aircraft for an immaterial gain during 2009. Other repossessed assets are comprised of automobiles
and one aircraft at December 31, 2009.

Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing, which were not included in the non-performing category,
are presented in the above table. These loans ranged from 0.05 percent to 0.15 percent of total loans for the last
five years and decreased $10.4 million to $5.1 million, or 0.05 percent of total loans at December 31, 2009
compared to $15.6 million or 0.15 percent at December 31, 2008. The majority of the decrease in loans past due
in excess of 90 days and still accruing as compared to December 31, 2008 was due to the migration of several
commercial real estate and residential mortgage loans to non-accrual loans. Loans past due 90 days or more and
still accruing represent most loan types and are considered to be well secured and in the process of collection. At
December 31, 2009, no mortgage loans classified loans held for sale were 90 days or more past due and still
accruing interest.

Troubled debt restructured loans, with modified terms and not reported as loans 90 days or more past due
and still accruing or non-accrual, are presented in the table above. Restructured loans are loans on which, due to
deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition, the original terms have been modified in favor of the
borrower or either principal or interest has been forgiven. These restructured loans totaled $19.1 million and
$7.6 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Restructured loans consist of five commercial loan
relationships and two commercial lease relationships at December 31, 2009. These restructured loans are
presently performing under the modified terms, but there can be no assurance that Valley will not incur a loss
related to these loans in the future. There were no unfunded loan commitments related to these restructured loans
at December 31, 2009.

Total accruing past due loans and non-accrual loans were 1.61 percent of all loans at December 31, 2009
compared with 1.06 percent at December 31, 2008 and include matured loans in the normal process of renewal

61

totaling approximately $1.2 million and $6.9 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We strive to
keep loan delinquencies at low levels, however, there is no guarantee that our delinquency levels will not
continue to increase due to the current economic conditions.

Although we believe that substantially all risk elements at December 31, 2009 have been disclosed in the
categories presented above, it is possible that for a variety of reasons, including economic conditions, certain
borrowers may be unable to comply with the contractual repayment terms on certain real estate and commercial
loans. As part of the analysis of the loan portfolio, management determined that there were approximately
$56.9 million and $26.8 million in potential problem loans at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which
were not classified as non-accrual loans in the non-performing asset table above. Potential problem loans are
defined as performing loans for which management has serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to
comply with the present loan repayment terms and which may result in a non-performing loan. Our decision to
include performing loans in potential problem loans does not necessarily mean that management expects losses
to occur, but that management recognizes potential problem loans carry a higher probability of default. Of the
$56.9 million in potential problem loans as of December 31, 2009, approximately $21.3 million is considered at
risk after collateral values and guarantees are taken into consideration. At December 31, 2009, the potential
problem loans consist of various types of credits, including commercial mortgages, revolving commercial lines
of credit and commercial leases.

There can be no assurance that Valley has identified all of its potential problem loans at December 31, 2009.

Asset Quality and Risk Elements

Lending is one of the most important functions performed by Valley and, by its very nature, lending is also
the most complicated, risky and profitable part of our business. For commercial loans, construction loans and
commercial mortgage loans, a separate credit department is responsible for risk assessment and periodically
evaluating overall creditworthiness of a borrower. Additionally, efforts are made to limit concentrations of credit
so as to minimize the impact of a downturn in any one economic sector. Our loan portfolio is diversified as to
type of borrower and loan. However, loans collateralized by real estate represent approximately 63 percent of
total loans at December 31, 2009. Most of the loans collateralized by real estate are in northern and central
New Jersey and New York City, presenting a geographical and credit risk if there was a further significant broad-
based deterioration in economic conditions within the region. Residential mortgage loans are secured by
1-4 family properties generally located in counties where we have branch presence and counties contiguous
thereto (including Pennsylvania). We do provide mortgage loans secured by homes beyond this primary
geographic area; however, lending outside this primary area is generally made in support of existing customer
relationships. Underwriting policies that are based on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines are adhered to for
loan requests of conforming and non-conforming amounts. The weighted average loan-to-value ratio of all
residential mortgage originations in 2009 was 51 percent while FICO® (independent objective criteria measuring
the creditworthiness of a borrower) scores averaged 765.

Consumer loans are comprised of home equity loans, credit card loans, automobile loans and other
consumer loans. Home equity and automobile loans are secured loans and are made based on an evaluation of the
collateral and the borrower’s creditworthiness. In addition to New Jersey, automobile loans are primarily
originated in several other states. Due to the level of our underwriting standards applied to all loans, management
believes the out of state loans generally present no more risk than those made within New Jersey. However, each
loan or group of loans made outside of our primary markets poses some additional geographic risk based upon
the economy of that particular region.

Management realizes that some degree of risk must be expected in the normal course of lending activities.
Allowances are maintained to absorb such loan losses inherent in the portfolio. The allowance for credit losses
and related provision are an expression of management’s evaluation of the credit portfolio and economic climate.

62

The following table summarizes the relationship among loans, loans charged-off, loan recoveries, the

provision for credit losses and the allowance for credit losses on the years indicated:

Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

($ in thousands)

Average loans outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,705,909 $9,386,987 $8,261,111 $8,262,739 $7,637,973

Beginning balance—Allowance for credit losses . . $

94,738 $

74,935 $

74,718 $

75,188 $

65,699

Loans charged-off:

Commercial and industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial real estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(16,981)
(1,197)
(3,488)
(3,110)
(17,689)

(6,760)
—
(501)
(500)
(14,902)

(5,808)
—
(103)
(1,596)
(7,628)

(6,078)
—
(644)
(448)
(4,918)

(42,465)

(22,663)

(15,135)

(12,088)

Charged-off loans recovered:

Commercial and industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial real estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

449
—
36
75
2,830

3,390

627
—
—

6
2,141

2,774

1,427
—
17
254
1,779

3,477

Net charge-offs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision charged for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additions from acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(39,075)
47,992
—

(19,889)
28,282
11,410

(11,658)
11,875
—

528
—
54
181
1,585

2,348

(9,740)
9,270
—

(1,921)
—
(108)
(307)
(5,265)

(7,601)

1,474
—
130
129
1,765

3,498

(4,103)
4,340
9,252

Ending balance—Allowance for credit losses . . . . . $ 103,655 $

94,738 $

74,935 $

74,718 $

75,188

Components of allowance for credit losses:

Allowance for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 101,990 $
Reserve for unfunded letters of credit* . . . . . .

1,665

93,244 $
1,494

72,664 $
2,271

74,718 $
—

75,188
—

Allowance for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 103,655 $

94,738 $

74,935 $

74,718 $

75,188

Components of provision for credit losses:

Provision for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Provision for unfunded letters of credit . . . . . .

47,821 $
171

29,059 $
(777)

12,751 $
(876)

9,270 $
—

Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

47,992 $

28,282 $

11,875 $

9,270 $

4,340
—

4,340

Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to

average loans outstanding during the period . . . .
Allowance for loan losses as a % of loans . . . . . . . .
Allowance for credit losses as a % of loans . . . . . . .

0.40%
1.09%
1.11%

0.21%
0.92%
0.93%

0.14%
0.86%
0.88%

0.12%
0.90%
0.90%

0.05%
0.92%
0.92%

* Effective January 1, 2007, Valley transferred $3.1 million of the allowance for loan losses related to

commercial lending letters of credit to other liabilities.

63

The allowance for credit losses consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded letters
of credit. Management maintains the allowance for credit losses at a level estimated to absorb probable loan
losses of the loan portfolio and unfunded letter of credit commitments at the balance sheet date. The allowance is
based on ongoing evaluations of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Our methodology
for evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance includes segmentation of the loan portfolio into its various
components, tracking the historical levels of classified loans and delinquencies, applying economic outlook
factors, assigning specific incremental reserves where necessary, providing specific reserves on impaired loans,
and assessing the nature and trend of loan charge-offs. Additionally, the volume of non-performing loans,
type, and geography, new markets, collateral adequacy, credit policies and
concentration risks by size,
procedures, staffing, underwriting consistency, and economic conditions are taken into consideration.

The allowances established for probable losses on specific loans are based on a regular analysis and
evaluation of classified loans. Loans are classified based on an internal credit risk grading process that evaluates,
among other things: (i) the obligor’s ability to repay; (ii) the underlying collateral, if any; and (iii) the economic
environment and industry in which the borrower operates. This analysis is performed at the relationship manager
level for all commercial loans and evaluated by our Loan Review Department on a test basis. Loans with a grade
that is below a predetermined grade are adversely classified. Any change in the credit risk grade of performing
and/or non-performing loans affects the amount of the related allowance. Once a loan is classified, the assigned
relationship manager and/or a special assets officer in conjunction with the Credit Risk Management Department
analyze the loan to determine whether the loan is impaired and, if impaired, the need to specifically allocate a
portion of the allowance for loan losses to the loan. Specific valuation allowances are determined by analyzing
the borrower’s ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies, the relative risk grade of the loan and
economic conditions affecting the borrower’s industry, among other things.

Additionally, we individually evaluate non-accrual (non-homogeneous) loans over a specific dollar amount
and all troubled debt restructured loans for impairment based on the underlying anticipated method of payment
consisting of either the expected future cash flows or the related collateral. If payment is expected solely based
on the underlying collateral, an appraisal is completed to assess the fair value of the collateral. As required by
regulatory guidance, collateral dependent impaired loan balances are written down to the current fair value of
each loan’s underlying collateral resulting in an immediate charge-off to the allowance, excluding any
consideration for personal guarantees that may be pursued in our collection process. If repayment is based upon
future expected cash flows, the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original
effective interest rate is compared to the carrying value of the loan, and any shortfall is recorded as a specific
valuation allowance in the allowance for credit losses. At December 31, 2009, a $7.3 million specific valuation
allowance was included in the allowance for credit losses related to $46.0 million in impaired loans. See Note 5
for more details regarding impaired loans.

The allowance allocations for non-classified loans are calculated by applying historical loss factors by
specific loan types to the applicable outstanding loans and unfunded commitments. Loss factors are based on the
Bank’s historical loss experience and may be adjusted for significant changes in the current loan portfolio quality
that, in management’s judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date.

The allowance contains reserves identified as the unallocated portion in the table below to cover inherent
losses within a given loan category which have not been otherwise reviewed or measured on an individual basis.
Such reserves include management’s evaluation of the national and local economy, loan portfolio volumes, the
composition and concentrations of credit, credit quality and delinquency trends. These reserves reflect
management’s attempt to ensure that the overall allowance reflects a margin for imprecision and the uncertainty
that is inherent in estimates of probable credit losses.

Net charge-off levels have remained relatively low in the last five years, but have increased to a high of 0.40
percent of average loans in 2009 from a low of 0.05 percent in 2005. The increase in net charge-offs in 2009 is
related to the deterioration of economic conditions which began in 2008. The $10.2 million increase in
commercial and industrial loan charge-offs during 2009 reflect a higher level of partial loan charge-offs related to

64

collateral dependent impaired loans and one fraud loan charge-off totaling $3.8 million. Consumer loan net
charge-offs continued to rise during 2009 mostly due to higher automobile loan charge-offs which began to
escalate in 2008 due to the financial crisis. We believe the impact of the economic recession on the automobile
loan portfolio’s performance in 2009 was somewhat lessened by our move to tighten our already high credit
standards in the second half of 2008. Despite these efforts, there can be no guarantee that our net charge-off
levels for our generally well secured loan categories will not continue to rise during 2010 given the continued
downturn in the U.S. economy, the high level of unemployment in our primary markets, and the potential effect
of both on the future performance of our loan portfolio.

The provision for credit losses was $48.0 million in 2009 compared to $28.3 million in 2008. The
$19.7 million increase reflects the weaker economic conditions during 2009 which have resulted in, among other
things, a higher level of net charge-offs and delinquencies, increased specific reserves for criticized loans, an
increased historical loss allocation factor for automobile loans, and a $5.2 million increase in specific reserves for
impaired credits (consisting mainly of non-accrual commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate
loans).

The following table summarizes the allocation of the allowance for credit losses to specific loan categories

for the past five years:

Years ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

Percent
of Loan
Category
to Total
Loans

Allowance
Allocation

Allowance
Allocation

Percent
of Loan
Category
to Total
Loans

($ in thousands)

Percent
of Loan
Category
to Total
Loans

Allowance
Allocation

Percent
of Loan
Category
to Total
Loans

Allowance
Allocation

Percent
of Loan
Category
to Total
Loans

Allowance
Allocation

Loan category:

Commercial and

industrial* . . . $ 50,932
30,913
15,480
6,330

Mortgage . . . . . .
Consumer . . . . .
Unallocated . . . .

19.2% $44,163
30,354
62.8
14,318
18.0
5,903
N/A

19.4% $31,638
23,660
60.2
10,815
20.4
8,822
N/A

18.4% $31,888
27,942
56.9
8,189
24.7
6,699
N/A

17.6% $34,828
28,200
59.3
8,174
23.1
3,986
N/A

17.8%
58.9
23.3
N/A

$103,655

100.0% $94,738

100.0% $74,935

100.0% $74,718

100.0% $75,188

100.0%

* Includes the reserve for unfunded letters of credit totaling $1.7 million, $1.5 million, and $2.3 million at December 31,

2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

At December 31, 2009, the allowance for credit losses amounted to $103.7 million or 1.11 percent of loans,
as compared to $94.7 million or 0.93 percent at December 31, 2008. The provision for credit losses and loan
recoveries increase the allowance, while loan charge-offs decrease the allowance. The 18 basis point increase in
the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans from 2008 was mainly due to an increase in the
allowance attributable to commercial and industrial loans due to an increase in specific reserves for impaired
credits and an increase in classified loans, higher loss factors applied to the automobile loan portfolio due to an
increase in historical loss rates, management’s outlook on the U.S. economy, as well as other factors identified
by management. In general, the increase in classified loans during the 2009 period is reflective of the continued
economic downturn which began in 2008 and has caused weakness in some borrowers’ ability to repay, as well
as declines in the underlying collateral values of certain loans.

Impaired loans and their related specific allocations to the allowance for loan losses totaled $74.5 million
and $7.3 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009 and $22.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively, at
December 31, 2008. Specific reserves for impaired loans increased $5.2 million from 2008 mainly due an
increase in non-accrual commercial and industrial
loans and commercial real estate loans caused by the
deterioration in economic conditions. The average balance of impaired loans during 2009, 2008 and 2007 was
approximately $49.8 million, $25.3 million and $23.8 million, respectively. The amount of interest that would

65

have been recorded under the original terms for impaired loans was $3.1 million for 2009, $984 thousand for
2008, and $1.3 million for 2007. Interest was not collected on these impaired loans during these periods. See
Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further analysis of the impaired loan portfolio.

Management believes that the unallocated allowance is appropriate given the current weakened economic

climate, the size of the loan portfolio and delinquency trends at December 31, 2009.

Capital Adequacy

A significant measure of the strength of a financial institution is its shareholders’ equity. At December 31,
2009 and December 31, 2008, shareholders’ equity totaled approximately $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion,
respectively, or 8.8 percent and 9.3 percent of total assets, respectively. The decrease in total shareholders’ equity
during the year ended December 31, 2009 was mainly the result of our repurchase of our senior preferred stock
from the U.S. Treasury, dividends declared to common shareholders of $109.0 million, and dividends and
accretion of the discount on our preferred stock of $19.5 million, partially offset by net income of $96.5 million,
the sale of 10.67 million shares of newly issued common stock for net proceeds totaling $135.3 million, a
$41.1 million decrease in our accumulated other comprehensive loss, and 370 thousand shares of treasury stock
reissued under our dividend reinvestment plan for net proceeds totaling $4.5 million.

Included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31,
2009 was a $2.0 million net unrealized gain on investment securities available for sale, net of deferred tax
compared to a $32.7 million net unrealized loss, net of deferred tax at December 31, 2008. Also, included as a
component of accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2009 was $19.1 million, representing the
unfunded portion of Valley’s various pension obligations and a $2.7 million unrealized loss on derivatives, net of
deferred tax used in cash flow hedging relationships.

On November 14, 2008, Valley issued $300 million in nonvoting senior preferred shares to the U.S.
Treasury under its TARP Capital Purchase Program mainly to support growth in our lending operations and
better position Valley for a potentially extended downturn in the U.S. economy. During 2009, we incrementally
repurchased all 300,000 shares of our senior preferred shares from the U.S. Treasury for an aggregate purchase
price of $300 million (excluding accrued and unpaid dividends paid at the date of redemption) during 2009.
Accordingly, Valley is no longer subject to the prohibitions against increasing dividends and redeeming its
common stock and trust preferred securities, and the compensation-related limitations associated with the Capital
Purchase Program.

In conjunction with the purchase of our senior preferred shares, the U.S. Treasury received a ten year
warrant to purchase up to approximately 2.4 million of Valley common shares with an aggregate market price
equal to $45 million or 15 percent of the original senior preferred investment. Our common stock underlying the
warrant represents approximately 1.6 percent of our outstanding common shares at December 31, 2009. The
warrant is exercisable on a net exercise basis, and has an exercise price of $18.66 per share that was calculated
based on the average of closing prices of Valley’s common stock on the 20 trading days ending on the last
trading day prior to the date of the U.S. Treasury’s approval of our application under the program. At
December 31, 2009, the warrant remains outstanding to the U.S. Treasury. We have calculated an internal value
for the warrants, and are currently negotiating the redemption with U.S. Treasury. However, if an agreement can
not be reached with the U.S. Treasury, the warrants will be sold at public auction. We do not currently have a
time frame in which the negotiations will be completed.

While outstanding, our senior preferred shares and the warrant issued under the TARP program qualified
and were accounted for as permanent equity on our balance sheet. Of the $300 million in issuance proceeds,
$291.4 million and $8.6 million were allocated to the senior preferred shares and the warrant, respectively, based
upon their estimated relative fair values as of November 14, 2008. The discount of $8.6 million recorded for the
senior preferred shares was being amortized to retained earnings over a five year estimated life of the securities
based on the likelihood of their redemption by us within that timeframe. For the years ended December 31, 2009

66

and 2008, $8.4 million and $216 thousand, respectively, were amortized to retained earnings. At December 31,
2009, the discount was fully amortized and, as a result, will not be deducted from net income in calculating net
income available to common stockholders in future periods.

While not a condition to the repurchase of our senior preferred shares, we raised net proceeds of
approximately $71.6 million from an “at-the-market” common equity offering, consisting of the sale of
5.67 million shares of newly issued common stock completed in the third quarter of 2009, and net proceeds of
$63.7 million through an additional registered direct offering, consisting of the sale of 5 million shares of newly
issued common stock to several institutional investors in the fourth quarter of 2009. Valley may use the net
proceeds for a variety of possible uses, including, in part, the repurchase of the warrant held by the U.S.
Treasury. Additional equity offerings,
including shares issued under Valley’s dividend reinvestment plan
(“DRIP”) discussed below may dilute the holdings of our existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our
common stock, or both. Such offerings may be necessary in the future due to several factors beyond
management’s control, including potential increases to the regulatory minimum levels of capital required to be
considered a well capitalized bank and the impact of a prolonged or worsened downturn in the economy.

Effective June 29, 2009, Valley may issue up to 10.0 million authorized and previously unissued or treasury
shares of Valley common stock for purchases under Valley’s DRIP. Under the DRIP, a shareholder may choose
to have future cash dividends automatically invested in Valley common stock and make voluntary optional cash
payments of up to $100 thousand per quarter to purchase shares of Valley common stock. Shares purchased
under this plan will be issued directly from Valley or in open market transactions. During 2009, 370 thousand
common shares were reissued from treasury stock under the DRIP for net proceeds totaling $4.5 million.

On January 17, 2007, Valley’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 4.1 million common
shares. Purchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions
generally not exceeding prevailing market prices. Repurchased shares are held in treasury and are expected to be
used for general corporate purposes or issued under the dividend reinvestment plan. Valley made no purchases of
its outstanding shares during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Risk-based capital guidelines define a two-tier capital framework. Tier 1 capital consists of common
shareholders’ equity and eligible long-term borrowing related to VNB Capital Trust I and GCB Capital Trust III,
less disallowed intangibles and adjusted to exclude unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred tax. Total risk-
based capital consists of Tier 1 capital, Valley National Bank’s subordinated borrowings and the allowance for
credit losses up to 1.25 percent of risk-adjusted assets. Risk-adjusted assets are determined by assigning various
levels of risk to different categories of assets and off-balance sheet activities.

Valley’s regulatory capital position included $176.3 million of its outstanding trust preferred securities
issued by capital trusts as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. In compliance with U.S. GAAP, Valley does not
trusts. Including these securities, Valley’s capital position under risk-based capital
consolidate its capital
guidelines was $1.1 billion, or 10.6 percent of risk-weighted assets for Tier 1 capital and $1.3 billion or 12.5
percent for total risk-based capital at December 31, 2009. The comparable ratios at December 31, 2008
(including our senior preferred shares) were 11.4 percent for Tier 1 capital and 13.2 percent for total risk-based
capital. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, Valley was in compliance with the leverage requirement having Tier 1
leverage ratios of 8.1 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively. The Bank’s ratios at December 31, 2009 were all
above the minimum levels required for Valley to be considered “well capitalized”, which require Tier I capital to
risk-adjusted assets of at least 6 percent, total risk-based capital to risk-adjusted assets of 10 percent and a
minimum leverage ratio of 5 percent.

In March 2005, the Federal Reserve Board issued a final rule that would continue to allow the inclusion of
trust preferred securities in Tier I capital, but with stricter quantitative limits. The new quantitative limits are
scheduled to become effective on March 31, 2011. The aggregate amount of trust preferred securities and certain
other capital elements would be limited to 25 percent of Tier I capital elements, net of goodwill. The amount of
trust preferred securities and certain other elements in excess of the limit could be included in total capital,

67

subject to restrictions. Based on the final rule, Valley included all of its outstanding trust preferred securities in
Tier I capital at December 31, 2009 and 2008. See Note 12 of the consolidated financial statements for additional
information.

Book value per common share amounted to $8.19 at December 31, 2009 compared with $7.56 per common

share at December 31, 2008.

Typically, our primary source of capital growth is through retention of earnings. Our rate of earnings
retention is derived by dividing undistributed earnings per common share by earnings (or net income available to
common stockholders) per common share. Our common stock cash dividend pay-out per common share was
greater than our earnings during the year ended December 31, 2009, thereby causing our earnings retention to be
zero for the same period, as earnings were negatively impacted by preferred dividends and accretion of the
discount on preferred stock, as well as net trading losses caused primarily by mark to market losses on the fair
value of junior subordinated debentures and net impairment losses on securities. The retention ratio for the
comparable year ended December 31, 2008 was also negative primarily due to other-than-temporary charges and
realized losses on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred securities. While we expect that our rate of earnings
retention will improve in future periods due to the elimination of dividends and accretion of the discount on our
repurchased senior preferred stock, potential future mark to market losses on trading securities and our junior
subordinated debentures, net impairment losses on securities, and other deterioration in earnings and our balance
sheet resulting from the continued recessionary economic conditions may negatively impact our future earnings
and ability to maintain our dividend at current levels.

Cash dividends declared amounted to $0.76 per common share for both years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008. The Board continued the cash dividend unchanged during 2009 but, consistent with its conservative
philosophy, the Board is committed to examine and weigh relevant facts and considerations, including its
commitment to shareholder value, each time it makes a cash dividend decision in this economic environment.
Under Bank Interagency Guidance, the Office of the Controller of the Currency has cautioned banks to look at
the dividend payout ratio to ensure that banks are able to lend to credit worthy borrowers.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Contractual Obligations. In the ordinary course of operations, Valley enters into various financial
obligations, including contractual obligations that may require future cash payments. The following table
presents significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations to third parties by payment date as of
December 31, 2009:

Note to Financial
Statements

One Year
or Less

One to
Three Years

Three to
Five Years

Over Five
Years

Total

Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term borrowings . . . . . . . .
Junior subordinated debentures

issued to capital trusts* . . . . .
Operating leases . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . .

10
11

12
15

$5,961,401 $2,137,900
235,931

62,761

(in thousands)
$757,762
1,410

$ 690,222 $ 9,547,285
2,946,320
2,646,218

—
14,229
2,065

—
26,290
—

—
26,971
—

181,150
171,614
—

181,150
239,104
2,065

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$6,040,456 $2,400,121

$786,143

$3,689,204 $12,915,924

* Amount presented are the contractual principal balances. The junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB
Capital Trust I are carried at fair value of $155.9 million on the consolidated statement of condition at
December 31, 2009.

Valley also has obligations under its pension benefit plans, not included in the above table, as further

described in Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements.

68

Commitments. As a financial services provider, we routinely enter into commitments to extend credit,
including loan commitments, standby and commercial letters of credit. While these contractual obligations
represent our future cash requirements, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without
being drawn on based upon our historical experience. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies
and approval process accorded to loans made by the Bank. For additional information, see Note 15 of the
consolidated financial statements.

The following table shows the amounts and expected maturities of significant commitments as of

December 31, 2009:

One Year
or Less

One to
Three Years

Three to
Five Years

Over Five
Years

Total

(in thousands)

Commitments under commercial loans and lines of

credit

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,733,306 $172,692

$19,854

585,977

—

—

$147,151 $2,073,003
585,977

—

Home equity and other revolving lines of credit . . . .
Outstanding commercial mortgage loan

commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Standby letters of credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outstanding residential mortgage loan

154,201
122,788

95,449
15,552

1,000
8,646

—
30,782

250,650
177,768

commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100,977

—

Commitments under unused lines of credit—credit

card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial letters of credit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commitments to sell loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commitments to fund civic and community

investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27,460
6,547
96,611

12,495
11,516

49,040
—
—

—
2,422

—

—
—
—

—
769

—

—
—
—

—
—

100,977

76,500
6,547
96,611

12,495
14,707

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,851,878 $335,155

$30,269

$177,933 $3,395,235

* This category primarily consists of contractual communication and technology costs.

Derivative Financial Instruments. Valley is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business
operations and economic conditions. Valley principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and
operational risks through management of its core business activities. Valley manages economic risks, including
interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and
liabilities and, from time to time, the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, Valley enters into
derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the payment
of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Valley’s
derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of Valley’s
known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to certain variable-
rate borrowings and fixed-rate loan assets.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

Valley’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its
exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, Valley primarily uses interest rate caps as part
of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt
of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange
for an up front premium.

In the second quarter of 2008, Valley purchased two interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges to
protect against movements in interest rates above the caps’ strike rate based on the effective federal funds rate.

69

The interest rate caps have an aggregate notional amount of $100.0 million, strike rates of 2.50 percent and 2.75
percent, and a maturity date of May 1, 2013. Through November of 2008, the caps were used to hedge the
variable cash flows associated with customer repurchase agreements (included in short-term borrowings) and
money market deposit accounts that had variable interest rates based on an effective federal funds rate less 25
basis points. During November of 2008, the hedging relationship was terminated since the rates paid on the
customer repurchase agreements and money market deposit accounts did not trend with the effective federal
funds rate (this was caused by historically unprecedented low level of the effective federal funds rate thereby
causing Valley to modify the benchmark used to pay interest on these accounts). On February 20, 2009, Valley
re-designated the caps to hedge the variable cash flows associated with customer repurchase agreements and
money market deposit accounts products that have variable interest rates based on the federal funds rate. The
change in fair value of these derivatives while not designated as hedges (from January 1, 2009 through
February 20, 2009) totaled a $369 thousand gain and is included in other income for the year ended
December 31, 2009.

In the third quarter of 2008, Valley purchased two interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges, to
reduce its exposure to movements in interest rates above the caps’ strike rate based on the U.S. prime interest rate
(as published in The Wall Street Journal). The interest rate caps have an aggregate notional amount of $100.0
million, strike rates of 6.00 percent and 6.25 percent, and a maturity date of July 15, 2015. The caps are used to
hedge the total change in cash flows associated with prime-rate-indexed deposits, consisting of consumer and
commercial money market deposit accounts, which have variable interest rates of 2.75 percent below the prime
rate.

Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

Valley is exposed to changes in the fair value of certain of its fixed rate assets due to changes in benchmark
interest rates based on one month-LIBOR. From time to time, Valley uses interest rate swaps to manage its
exposure to changes in fair value. Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges involve the receipt of
variable rate payments from a counterparty in exchange for Valley making fixed rate payments over the life of
the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amount. As of December 31, 2009, Valley had
one interest rate swap with a notional amount of $9.2 million.

For derivatives designated and that qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as
the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. Valley
includes the gain or loss on the hedged items in the same line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the related
derivatives.

Non-designated Hedges. Valley does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. Derivatives not
designated as hedges are used to manage Valley’s exposure to interest rate movements and other identified risks
but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements under U.S. GAAP. Below is a summary of Valley’s
non-designated hedge activities:

• During the first quarter of 2009, Valley entered into and terminated three interest rate swaps not
designated as hedges to potentially offset the change in market fair value of certain trading securities.

• During the fourth quarter 2008, as previously mentioned above,

two interest rate caps (due to
mismatches in index) did not qualify for hedge accounting and were subsequently re-designated during
February 2009.

• During the second quarter of 2007, Valley executed and subsequently terminated a series of interest
rate derivative transactions with a notional amount of approximately $1.0 billion. The intended purpose
of the derivative transactions was to offset volatility in changes in the market value of over
$800 million in trading securities consisting primarily of mortgage-backed securities transferred from
the available for sale portfolio at January 1, 2007. These hedged securities were sold during the second
quarter of 2007 in conjunction with the termination of the derivative transactions.

70

Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in
earnings. As of December 31, 2009, Valley had no outstanding derivatives that were not designated in hedging
relationships.

Credit Risk Related Contingent Features. By using derivatives, Valley is exposed to credit risk if
counterparties to the derivative contracts do not perform as expected. Management attempts to minimize
counterparty credit risk through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures and obtaining collateral where
appropriate. Credit risk exposure associated with derivative contracts is managed at Valley in conjunction with
Valley’s consolidated counterparty risk management process. Valley’s counterparties and the risk limits
monitored by management are periodically reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. See Note 15 to the
consolidated financial statements for more information on our derivative financial instruments.

Trust Preferred Securities. In addition to the commitments and derivative financial instruments of the
types described above, our off balance sheet arrangements include a $5.5 million ownership interest in the
common securities of our statutory trusts to issue trust preferred securities. See “Capital Adequacy” section
above in this Item 7 and Note 12 of the consolidated financial statements.

Results of Operations—2008 Compared to 2007

Net income was $91.5 million or $0.67 per diluted share, return on average assets was 0.69 percent and return
on average shareholders’ equity was 8.74 percent for 2008. This compares with net income of $153.2 million or
$1.15 per diluted share in 2007, return on average assets of 1.25 percent and return on average shareholders’ equity
of 16.43 percent in 2007.

Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis increased $38.4 million to $426.3 million for 2008 compared
with $387.9 million for 2007. During 2008, a 69 basis point decline in interest rates paid on average interest
bearing liabilities and higher average loan balances positively impacted our net interest income, but were
partially offset by a 68 basis point decline in the yield on average loans and higher average interest bearing
liabilities as compared to 2007.

The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was 3.44 percent for the year ended December 31, 2008
compared with 3.43 percent for the same period in 2007. The change was mainly attributable to the increase in
average loans and a decrease in interest rates paid on all interest bearing liabilities, partially offset by a lower
yield on average loans and higher average balances for all categories of interest bearing liabilities. Average
interest rates earned on interest earning assets decreased 53 basis points while average interest rates paid on
interest bearing liabilities decreased 69 basis points causing a 1 basis point increase in the net interest margin for
Valley as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.

Average loans totaling $9.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased $1.1 billion as
compared to the same period for 2007 due to organic loan growth and loans acquired in the Greater Community
merger. Average investment securities declined $31.1 million, or 1.1 percent in 2008 as compared to the year
ended December 31, 2007. Due to the higher loan volumes, interest income on a tax equivalent basis for loans
increased $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared with the same period in 2007, despite a
68 basis point decrease in the yield on average loans. Interest income on a tax equivalent basis for investment
securities decreased $287 thousand mainly due to the decrease in average investment securities and a 31 basis
point decline in yield on non-taxable securities for the twelve months in 2008 compared to the same period in
2007, partially mitigated by better yields on taxable securities. The decrease in average investment securities was
mainly due to a portion of the investment cash flows reallocated to new loans as the illiquid and volatile financial
markets made it increasingly difficult to identify and reinvest in investment securities with acceptable risk
profiles and yields. The loss of interest on impaired Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred securities and the
reduction in dividends from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York also contributed to the decrease in
interest income on investment securities from 2007.

71

Average interest bearing liabilities totaled $10.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008 increasing
$1.0 billion from the same period in 2007 primarily due to higher long-term borrowings (mainly comprised of
FHLB advances), $714.9 million in deposits assumed in the acquisition of Greater Community, and new deposit
initiatives at ten de novo branches and our other existing branches. The cost of savings, NOW, and money market
accounts, time deposits, short-term borrowings, and long-term borrowings decreased 88, 87, 227, and 23 basis
points, respectively, from 2007 due to the sharp decline in short-term interest rates. Average long-term
borrowings increased $599.3 million from 2007 as we increased our long-term positions in FHLB advances
mainly during the fourth quarter of 2007 and carried the higher position for all of 2008. Average time deposits
increased $216.1 million due to deposit initiatives implemented, in part, to offset fluctuations in money market
and non-interest bearing account balances experienced in the fourth quarter of 2008, and time deposits totaling
$216.2 million assumed in the acquisition of Greater Community on July 1, 2008. Average short-term
borrowings increased $124.9 million partially due to $400 million in additional borrowings initiated near the end
of the third quarter of 2008 to provide additional liquidity during a turbulent market period. These short-term
borrowings, consisting of FHLB advances, were reduced to $300 million as of December 31, 2008 and had
maturity dates between February and April 2009. Average savings, NOW, and money market deposits increased
$62.1 million as compared to 2007 mainly due to $332.4 million in such deposits assumed from Greater
Community, partially offset by some customer movement to U.S. Treasury securities during the financial crisis.

Non-interest income represented 0.4 percent and 10.9 percent of total interest income plus non-interest
income for 2008 and 2007, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2008, non-interest income decreased
$85.8 million or 96.3 percent, compared with the same period in 2007.

Service charges on deposit accounts increased $1.5 million, or 5.5 percent in 2008 compared with 2007
mainly due to an increase in checking fees and overdraft fees partially caused by additional deposits assumed in
the acquisition of Greater Community.

Net gains on securities transactions increased $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 mainly
due larger gains recognized on the sales of securities classified as available for sale during the 2008 period,
partially offset by $1.9 million in realized losses on the sale of certain Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred
securities during the 2008 period.

Net trading gains decreased $4.2 million to $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared
$7.4 million in the same period in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to a $15.5 million decrease in mark to
market adjustments on our trading portfolio from a $4.7 million net gain recorded during 2007 compared to a
$10.8 million net loss recorded for 2008. Partially offsetting the decrease, the change in fair value of our junior
subordinated debentures carried at fair value increased $11.1 million to a gain of $15.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2008 compared to $4.1 million gain in the same period of 2007.

Net gains on sales of loans decreased $3.5 million to $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008
compared to $4.8 million for the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to the gains realized on the sale of
approximately $240 million of residential mortgage loans held for sale during 2007 that Valley elected to carry at
fair value effective as of January 1, 2007.

Net gains on sales of assets decreased $15.5 million to $518 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2008
compared to approximately $16.1 million for the same period in 2007 mainly due to a $16.4 million immediate
gain recognized on the sale of a Manhattan office building in the first quarter of 2007. Valley sold a nine-story
building for approximately $37.5 million while simultaneously entering into a long-term lease for its branch
office located on the first floor of the same building. The transaction resulted in a $32.3 million pre-tax gain, of
which $16.4 million was immediately recognized in earnings in 2007 pursuant to the sale-leaseback accounting
rules. The remaining deferred gain of $15.9 million is being amortized into earnings over the 20 year term of the
lease, of which $650 thousand and $594 thousand was amortized to net gains on sales of assets during 2008 and
2007, respectively.

72

BOLI income decreased $1.4 million, or 11.9 percent for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared with
the same period of 2007 primarily due to the 2008 financial market’s losses which had a negative impact on the
performance of the underlying securities of the BOLI asset.

Other non-interest income increased $2.6 million or 17.4 percent in the year ended December 31, 2008
compared with the same period in 2007 mainly due to a $1.6 million gain resulting from the mandatory
redemption of a portion of Valley’s Class B Visa (member bank) common stock as part of Visa’s initial public
offering in March of 2008 and a $417 thousand gain on the redemption of a portion of Valley’s junior
subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I during the third quarter of 2008. The remaining increase
was mainly due to general increases in other income associated with the Greater Community acquisition.

Non-interest expense increased $31.3 million to $285.2 million for the year-ended December 31, 2008 from
$253.9 million for the same period in 2007. Increases in salary expense, employee benefit expense, net
occupancy, equipment expense, FDIC insurance assessment, professional and legal fees and other non-interest
expense were partially offset with decreases in amortization of other intangible assets, goodwill impairment, and
advertising expense. Valley incurred additional expenses due to de novo expansion efforts in 2008 and 2007 in
its target expansion areas of northern and central New Jersey, New York City, Brooklyn and Queens. De novo
expansion efforts will negatively impact non-interest expense until these new branches become profitable or
breakeven, typically over a period of three years. Additionally, we experienced increases in most categories of
non-interest expense due to our acquisition of Greater Community on July 1, 2008. The largest component of
non-interest expense is salary and employee benefit expense which totaled $157.9 million in 2008 compared with
$145.7 million in 2007.

Income tax expense was $16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, reflecting an effective tax rate
of 15.3 percent, compared with $51.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, reflecting an effective tax
rate of 25.2 percent. The reduction in taxes compared to 2007 was due to the lower income for the 2008 period
and the reversal of the $6.5 million valuation allowance attributable to the capital loss carryforward of the prior
year.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For information regarding Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, see Part II, Item 7,
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Interest Rate
Sensitivity.”

73

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Assets
Cash and due from banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest bearing deposits with banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment securities:

Held to maturity, fair value of $1,548,006 at December 31, 2009 and $1,069,245 at

December 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Available for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trading securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total investment securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Loans held for sale, at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: Allowance for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

December 31,

2009

2008

(in thousands except for
share data)

$

305,678
355,659

$

237,497
343,010

1,584,388
1,352,481
32,950
2,969,819

25,492
9,370,071
(101,990)
9,268,081

1,154,737
1,435,442
34,236
2,624,415

4,542
10,143,690
(93,244)
10,050,446

Premises and equipment, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bank owned life insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued interest receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due from customers on acceptances outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other intangible assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

266,401
304,031
56,245
6,985
296,424
24,305
405,033
$14,284,153

256,343
300,058
57,717
9,410
295,146
25,954
513,591
$14,718,129

Liabilities
Deposits:

Non-interest bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest bearing:

Savings, NOW and money market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts (includes fair value of $155,893 at

December 31, 2009 and $140,065 at December 31, 2008 for VNB Capital Trust I) . . . . . . . . .
Bank acceptances outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued expenses and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 300,000 shares at

December 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Common stock, no par value, authorized 200,430,392 shares; issued 154,393,107 shares at

December 31, 2009 and 143,722,114 shares at December 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treasury stock, at cost (1,405,204 common shares at December 31, 2009 and 1,946,882

common shares at December 31, 2008) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Shareholders’ Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 2,420,006

$ 2,118,249

4,044,912
3,082,367
9,547,285

216,147
2,946,320

3,493,415
3,621,259
9,232,923

640,304
3,008,753

181,150
6,985
133,412
13,031,299

165,390
9,410
297,740
13,354,520

—

291,539

54,293
1,178,992
73,592
(19,816)

48,228
1,047,085
85,234
(60,931)

(34,207)
1,252,854

(47,546)
1,363,609

$14,284,153

$14,718,129

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

74

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Interest Income
Interest and fees on loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and dividends on investment securities:

Taxable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax-exempt
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interest Expense
Interest on deposits:

Savings, NOW and money market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest on short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest on long-term borrowings and junior subordinated debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net Interest Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Non-Interest Income
Trust and investment services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Insurance commissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service charges on deposit accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on securities transactions, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trading (losses) gains, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fees from loan servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on sales of loans, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on sales of assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bank owned life insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other

Total non-interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Non-Interest Expense
Salary expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee benefit expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net occupancy and equipment expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FDIC insurance assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Professional and legal fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other

Total non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income Before Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Earnings Per Common Share:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:

Years ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands, except for share data)

$

561,252

$

572,918

$

560,066

131,792
9,682
8,513
945

712,184

24,894
93,403
4,026
140,547

262,870

449,314
47,992

401,322

6,906
10,224
26,778
8,005
(6,339)
(13)

(6,352)
(10,434)
4,839
8,937
605
5,700
17,043

72,251

128,282
35,464
58,974
20,128
6,887
—
7,907
3,372
45,014

306,028

167,545
51,484

116,061
19,524

96,537

0.67
0.67
0.76

$

$

137,763
10,089
6,734
2,190

729,694

45,961
117,152
10,163
135,619

308,895

420,799
28,282

392,517

7,161
10,053
28,274
5,020
(84,835)
—

(84,835)
3,166
5,236
1,274
518
10,167
17,222

3,256

126,210
31,666
54,042
1,985
7,224
—
8,241
2,697
53,183

285,248

110,525
16,934

93,591
2,090

91,501

0.67
0.67
0.76

$

$

134,969
11,268
8,002
10,702

725,007

75,695
134,674
17,645
115,308

343,322

381,685
11,875

369,810

7,381
10,711
26,803
2,139
(17,949)
—

(17,949)
7,399
5,494
4,785
16,051
11,545
14,669

89,028

116,389
29,261
49,570
1,003
7,491
2,310
5,110
2,917
39,861

253,912

204,926
51,698

153,228
—

153,228

1.16
1.15
0.76

$

$

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

144,453,039
144,453,723

136,957,646
137,033,031

132,586,561
132,979,202

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

75

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Number
of Common
Shares

Preferred
Stock

Common
Stock

Surplus

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Treasury
Stock

Total
Shareholders'
Equity

Balance—December 31, 2006 . . . . . . . . .
Cumulative effect of adoption of a new
accounting principle (election of fair
value option) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cumulative effect of adoption of a new

accounting principle (bank owned life
insurance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance—January 1, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comprehensive income:
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive gains, net of tax:

Net change in unrealized gains and
losses on securities available for
sale, net of tax benefit of $5,043 . .

Less reclassification adjustment for
losses included in net income, net
of tax benefit of $6,731 . . . . . . . . .
Change in net actuarial loss, net of tax
benefit of $573 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Change in prior service cost, net of

tax of $340 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other comprehensive gains . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends declared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of stock incentive plan, net
. . . . . . .
Stock dividend declared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock dividend paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fair value of stock options granted . . . . . .
Tax benefit from stock-based

compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of treasury stock . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance—December 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . .
Comprehensive income:
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive losses, net of tax:
Net change in unrealized gains and
losses on securities available for
sale, net of tax benefit of
$53,603 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less reclassification adjustment for
losses included in net income, net
of tax benefit of $33,084 . . . . . . . .

Net change in unrealized gains and

losses on derivatives, net of tax of $
3,928 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less reclassification adjustment for
derivative losses included in net
income, net of tax benefit of
$313 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension benefit adjustment, net of tax
benefit of $7,946 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other comprehensive losses . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

and warrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Accretion of discount on preferred

stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cash dividends declared on common

stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cash dividends accrued on preferred

stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
Effect of stock incentive plan, net
Stock dividend declared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock dividend paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock and warrants issued in

acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fair value of stock options granted . . . . . .
Tax benefit from stock-based

compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance—December 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . .

133,540

—

—
133,540

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—
257
—
—
—

—
(1,661)

132,136

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
501
—
—

9,138
—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

291,365

174

—

—
—
—
—

—
—

—

41,212

(in thousands)
97,639

881,022

(30,873)

(39,410)

949,590

—

—

(42,940)

—

—

(42,940)

—
41,212

—

881,022

(319)
54,380

—
(30,873)

—
(39,410)

— 153,228

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—
(30)
—
2,003
—

—
—

—

—
— (100,325)
(3,058)
(687)
—
(140,837)
—
138,634
—
1,637

12 3
—

—
—

9,150

9,079

474

(812)

17,891

—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

(319)
906,331

153,228

—

—

—

—

17,891

171,119
(100,325)
5,853
(140,837)
140,637
1,637

123
(35,478)

949,060

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—
9,628
—
—
—

—
(35,478)

(65,260)

43,185

879,892

104,225

(12,982)

—

93,591

—

—

93,591

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

8,635

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(174)

— (104,352)

—
(106)
—
2,097

3,052
—

—
(5,296)
(108,124)
105,869

165,018
985

—

10 6

(1,916)
(6,140)
—
—

—
—

—

(78,678)

46,731

(5,434)

434

(11,002)

(47,949)

—

—

—

—

—
—
—
—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
17,991
—
—

(277)
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(47,949)

45,642

300,000

—

(104,352)

(1,916)
6,449
(108,124)
107,966

167,793
985

106

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

141,775

$291,539

$48,228 $1,047,085 $ 85,234

$(60,931)

$(47,546)

$1,363,609

76

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued)

Balance—December 31, 2008 . . . .
Cumulative effect of adoption of a

new accounting principle
(securities impairment) . . . . . . . . .
Balance—January 1, 2009 . . . . . . .
Comprehensive income:
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive gains, net of

tax:

Net change in unrealized gains
and losses on securities AFS,
net of tax of $23,518 . . . . . .

Less reclassification of
adjustment for gains
included in net income, net
of tax of $3,002 . . . . . . . . . .

Net change in non-credit
impairment losses on
securities, net of tax benefit
of $1,337 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less reclassification of
adjustment for credit
impairment losses on
securities included in net
income, net of tax benefit of
$2,237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net change in unrealized gains
and losses on derivatives, net
of tax of $1,458 . . . . . . . . . .

Less reclassification of

adjustment for derivative
losses included in net
income, net of tax benefit of
$193 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pension benefits adjustment,

net of tax of $2,957 . . . . . . .

Other comprehensive gains . . . . . . .

Total comprehensive income . . . . . .
Preferred stock redemption . . . . . . .
Accretion of discount on preferred

stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends declared on common
stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cash dividends declared on

preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of stock incentive plan, net . .
Common stock dividend declared . .
Common stock dividend paid . . . . .
Common stock issued . . . . . . . . . . .
Fair value of stock options

granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Number
of
Common
Shares

Preferred
Stock

Common
Stock

Surplus

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Treasury
Stock

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

$141,775

$ 291,539

$48,228

$1,047,085

(in thousands)
$ 85,234

$(60,931)

$(47,546)

$1,363,609

—
141,775

—

291,539

—
48,228

—
1,047,085

8,605
93,839

(8,605)
(69,536)

—
(47,546)

—

1,363,609

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—
173
—
—
11,040

—

—

—

—

116,061

—

—

116,061

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(300,000)

8,461

—

—
—
—
—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

(8,461)

— (110,101)

—
(32)
—
2,363
3,734

—
1,725
(101,051)
98,650
131,562

(11,063)
(2,121)
—
—
(4,562)

—

1,021

—

47,351

(5,003)

(2,774)

3,767

2,017

267

4,095

49,720

—
—

—

—

—
—
—
—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—
4,319
—
—
9,020

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

49,720

165,781
(300,000)

—

(110,101)

(11,063)
3,891
(101,051)
101,013
139,754

1,021

54,293

1,178,992

73,592

(19,816)

(34,207)

1,252,854

Balance—December 31, 2009 . . . .

152,988

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

77

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

$ 116,061

$

93,591

$

153,228

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on securities and

borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on securities transactions, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on loans held for sale, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Originations of loans held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gains on sales of assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net deferred income tax benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net change in:

Trading securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fair value of borrowings carried at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued interest receivable and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued expenses and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15,316
5,049
47,992

9,592
6,887
(8,005)
6,352
369,917
(8,937)
(381,930)
(605)
(10,898)

1,286
15,828
(5,700)
93,116
(166,768)

14,662
5,531
28,282

(3,013)
7,224
(5,020)
84,835
55,598
(1,274)
(55,882)
(518)
(33,956)

688,341
(14,049)
(10,167)
82,339
(1,155)

935,369

15,287
5,138
11,875

389
7,491
(2,139)
17,949
286,299
(4,785)
(34,152)
(16,051)
(20,338)

583,402
(2,748)
(11,545)
(36,384)
28,350

981,266

Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

104,553

Cash flows from investing activities:

Investment securities held to maturity:

Purchases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maturities, calls and principal repayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(967,904)
526,637

(574,991)
118,673

(167,372)
113,810

Investment securities available for sale:

Purchases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maturities, calls and principal repayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net change in loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net change in bank owned life insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from sales of real estate property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases of real estate property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents (paid) acquired in acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(503,483)
326,096
333,041
734,544
1,727
3,713
(25,282)
(285)

(722,640)
262,796
456,871
(854,870)

—
2,209
(29,877)
35,376

(1,006,987)
9,959
221,732
(435,166)
(73,231)
41,091
(58,482)
—

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

428,804

(1,306,453)

(1,354,646)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Net change in deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net change in short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advances of long-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repayments of long-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redemption of junior subordinated debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and a warrant
Redemption of preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends paid to common shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases of common shares to treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock issued, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

314,362
(424,157)

—
(60,755)
—
—

(300,000)
(12,980)
(109,005)

—
—
140,008

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(452,527)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

80,830
580,507

426,977
19,735
391,001
(315,480)
(7,689)
300,000
—
—

(102,517)

—
106
1,993

714,126

343,042
237,465

(396,647)
242,539
1,185,000
(666,036)
(40,000)
—
—
—
(99,956)
(35,478)
123
2,151

191,696

(181,684)
419,149

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 661,337

$

580,507

$

237,465

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

78

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

Years ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash payments for:

Interest on deposits and borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal and state income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$288,858
63,021

$ 305,216
46,971

$347,964
59,208

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:

Transfer of investment securities held to maturity to available for sale (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer of investment securities available for sale to trading securities (2) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer of investment securities held to maturity to trading securities (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer of loans to loans held for sale (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acquisitions:
Non-cash assets acquired:

Investment securities available for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Allowance for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Premises and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bank owned life insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued interest receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other intangible assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total non-cash assets acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Liabilities assumed:

Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued expenses and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total liabilities assumed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net non-cash assets acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—
—
726
224
—

950

—
—
—
—
665

665

285

1,059
—
—
—

—
820,532
498,949
254,356

67,411
812,489
(11,410)
15,266
16,284
3,834
115,318
7,476
9,969

1,036,637

714,942
15,415
133,574
25,359
14,927

904,217

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—

—

$ 132,420

$ —

Cash and cash equivalents (paid) acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock issued in acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(285) $

$
35,376
$ — $ 167,796

$ —
$ —

(1) Valley changed its intent to hold two pooled trust preferred securities to maturity after significant deterioration in the issuers’
creditworthiness resulting in other-than-temporary impairment charges of $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

(2) Classification of items changed due to Valley’s election of the fair value option upon adoption of a new accounting principle

issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

79

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Note 1)

Business

Valley National Bancorp, a New Jersey Corporation (“Valley”), is a bank holding company whose principal
wholly-owned subsidiary is Valley National Bank (the “Bank”), a national banking association providing a full
range of commercial, retail and trust and investment services through its branch and ATM network throughout
northern and central New Jersey, as well as in New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.
The Bank also lends to borrowers outside its branch network. The Bank is subject to intense competition from
other financial services companies and is subject to the regulation of certain federal and state agencies and
undergoes periodic examinations by certain regulatory authorities.

Valley National Bank’s subsidiaries are all included in the consolidated financial statements of Valley.

These subsidiaries include:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

a mortgage servicing company;

a title insurance agency;

asset management advisors which are Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registered
investment advisors;

an all-line insurance agency offering property and casualty, life and health insurance;

subsidiaries which hold, maintain and manage investment assets for the Bank;

a subsidiary which owns and services auto loans;

a subsidiary which specializes in asset-based lending;

a subsidiary which offers financing for general aviation aircraft and servicing for existing commercial
equipment leases; and

a subsidiary which specializes in health care equipment and other commercial equipment leases.

The Bank’s subsidiaries also include real estate investment trust subsidiaries (the “REIT” subsidiaries)
which own real estate related investments and a REIT subsidiary which owns some of the real estate utilized by
the Bank and related real estate investments. Except for Valley’s REIT subsidiaries, all subsidiaries mentioned
above are directly or indirectly wholly-owned by the Bank. Because each REIT must have 100 or more
shareholders to qualify as a REIT, each REIT has issued less than 20 percent of their outstanding non-voting
preferred stock to individuals, most of whom are non-senior management Bank employees. The Bank owns the
remaining preferred stock and all the common stock of the REITs.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements of Valley include the accounts of its commercial bank subsidiary,
Valley National Bank and all of Valley’s direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company
transactions and balances have been eliminated. The accounting and reporting policies of Valley conform to U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and general practices within the financial services industry.
In accordance with applicable accounting standards, Valley does not consolidate statutory trusts established for
the sole purpose of issuing trust preferred securities and related trust common securities. See Note 12 below for
more detail. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Valley
has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure in the consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management has made estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated statements of condition and
results of operations for the periods indicated. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change are the allowance for loan losses, income taxes,
security valuations and the review of goodwill, loan servicing rights and investment securities for impairment.
The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these material estimates.

On July 1, 2009, the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) became the Financial Accounting
Standards Board’s (the “FASB”) officially recognized source of authoritative U.S. GAAP applicable to all public
and non-public non-governmental entities, superseding all existing FASB, American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (“AICPA”), Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) and related literature. Rules and interpretive
releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative guidance for SEC
registrants. All other accounting literature is considered non-authoritative. The issuance of the ASC affects the
way companies refer to U.S. GAAP in financial statements and other disclosures. See “New Authoritative
Accounting Guidance” section below for a description of recent accounting pronouncements including the dates
of adoption and the effect on the results of operations and financial condition.

On March 31, 2008, the Bank sold its registered broker-dealer subsidiary. The divesture was not accounted
for in the accompanying audited financial statements as discontinued operations due to the immaterial nature of
this subsidiary’s financial position and results of operations for the periods presented in this report. See Note 2
below for additional disclosures of this transaction.

Valley issued a five percent common stock dividend on May 22, 2009. All common share and per common
share data presented in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes below were adjusted to
reflect the dividend.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from
banks, interest bearing deposits in other banks (including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) and, from time
to time, overnight federal funds sold.

The Bank is required to maintain reserve balances in cash or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank
based on a percentage of deposits. The total of those reserve balances was approximately $22.9 million and
$30.6 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Investment Securities

At the time of purchase, management elects to classify investment securities into one of three categories:
held to maturity, available for sale or trading. Investment securities are classified as held to maturity and carried
at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. Investment securities
to be held for indefinite periods are classified as available for sale and carried at fair value, with unrealized
holding gains and losses reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax. Securities that may
be sold and reinvested over short durations as part of management’s asset/liability management strategies are
classified as trading and are carried at fair value, with changes in unrealized holding gains and losses included in
non-interest income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income as a component of trading (losses)
gains, net. Realized gains or losses on the sale of trading securities are recognized by the specific identification
method and are included in trading (losses) gains, net. Investments in Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal
Reserve Bank stock, which have limited marketability, are carried at cost in other assets and totaled $139.9
million and $150.5 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Management noted no indicators of
impairment for the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York during 2009.

81

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Quarterly, Valley evaluates its investment securities classified as held to maturity or available for sale for
other-than-temporary impairment. Other-than-temporary impairment means Valley believes the security’s
impairment is due to factors that could include its inability to pay interest or dividends, its potential for default,
and/or other factors. As a result of Valley’s adoption of new authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 320,
“Investments—Debt and Equity Securities” on January 1, 2009, when a held to maturity or available for sale debt
security is assessed for other-than-temporary impairment, Valley has to first consider (a) whether it intends to
sell the security, and (b) whether it is more likely than not that Valley will be required to sell the security prior to
recovery of its amortized cost basis. If one of these circumstances applies to a security, an other-than-temporary
impairment loss is recognized in the statement of income equal to the full amount of the decline in fair value
below amortized cost. If neither of these circumstances applies to a security, but Valley does not expect to
recover the entire amortized cost basis, an other-than-temporary impairment loss has occurred that must be
separated into two categories: (a) the amount related to credit loss, and (b) the amount related to other factors. In
assessing the level of other-than-temporary impairment attributable to credit loss, Valley compares the present
value of cash flows expected to be collected with the amortized cost basis of the security. The portion of the total
other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss is recognized in earnings, while the amount related to
other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. The total other-than-temporary impairment loss is
presented in the statement of income, less the portion recognized in other comprehensive income. When a debt
security becomes other-than-temporarily impaired, its amortized cost basis is reduced to reflect the portion of the
total impairment related to credit loss. Prior to Valley’s adoption of the new authoritative guidance, total other-
than-temporary impairment losses (i.e., both credit and non-credit losses) on debt securities were recognized
through earnings with an offset to reduce the amortized cost basis of the applicable debt securities by their entire
impairment amount.

To determine whether a security’s impairment

is other-than-temporary, Valley considers factors that
include, the causes of the decline in fair value, such as credit problems, interest rate fluctuations, or market
volatility, the severity and duration of the decline, its ability and intent to hold equity security investments until
they recover in value (as well as the likelihood of such a recovery in the near term), Valley’s intent to sell
security investments, or if it is more likely than not that Valley will be required to sell such securities before
recovery of their individual amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss. For debt securities, the
primary consideration in determining whether impairment is other-than-temporary is whether or not it is probable
that current or future contractual cash flows have been or may be impaired.

Interest income on investments includes amortization of purchase premiums and discounts. Realized gains

and losses are derived based on the amortized cost of the security sold.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale consist of conforming residential mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the
secondary market and are carried at their estimated fair value on an instrument by instrument basis as permitted
by the fair value option election under U.S. GAAP. Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings as a
component of gains on sales of loans, net. Origination fees and costs related to loans held for sale are recognized
as earned and as incurred. Loans held for sale are generally sold with loan servicing rights retained by Valley.
Gains recognized on loan sales include the value assigned to the rights to service the loan. See “Loan Servicing
Rights” section below.

Loans and Loan Fees

Loan origination and commitment fees, net of related costs, are deferred and amortized as an adjustment of

loan yield over the estimated life of the loans approximating the effective interest method.

82

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Interest income is not accrued on loans where interest or principal is 90 days or more past due or if in
management’s judgment the ultimate collectibility of the interest is doubtful. Exceptions may be made if the loan
is well secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, interest accruals
cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income. Payments received on
non-accrual loans are applied against principal. A loan may only be restored to an accruing basis when it
becomes well secured and in the process of collection and all past due amounts have been collected.

The value of an impaired loan is measured based upon the present value of expected future cash flows
discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent
and its payment is expected solely based on the underlying collateral. Smaller balance homogeneous loans that
loans, are
are collectively evaluated for impairment, such as residential mortgage loans and installment
specifically excluded from the impaired loan portfolio, except where the loan is classified as a troubled debt
restructured loan. Valley has defined the population of impaired loans to be non-accrual loans and other loans
considered to be impaired as to principal and interest, consisting primarily of commercial and commercial
mortgage loans, with principal amounts outstanding over a specific dollar amount. Impaired loans are
individually assessed to determine that each loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the related
collateral or the present value of the expected future cash flows. Collateral dependant impaired loan balances are
charged down to the underlying collateral’s fair value, if such fair value is less than the book balance of the loan
at the time of the appraisal.

Valley’s lending is primarily in northern and central New Jersey and New York City with the exception of
out-of-state auto lending. Valley may also lend outside its primary lending area to accommodate existing
customers.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses (the “allowance”) is increased through provisions charged against current
earnings and additionally by crediting amounts of recoveries received, if any, on previously charged-off loans.
The allowance is reduced by charge-offs on loans or unfunded letters of credit which are determined to be a loss,
in accordance with established policies, when all efforts of collection have been exhausted.

The allowance is maintained at a level estimated to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the loan
portfolio as well as other credit risk related charge-offs. The allowance is based on ongoing evaluations of the
probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio and off balance sheet unfunded letters of credits. The
Bank’s methodology for evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance includes segmentation of the loan
portfolio into its various components, tracking the historical levels of classified loans and delinquencies, applying
economic outlook factors, assigning specific incremental reserves where necessary, providing specific reserves
on impaired loans, and assessing the nature and trend of loan charge-offs. Additionally,
the volume of
non-performing loans, concentration risks by size, type, and geography, new markets, collateral adequacy, credit
policies and procedures,
staffing, underwriting consistency, and economic conditions are taken into
consideration.

The allowances established for probable losses on specific loans are based on a regular analysis and
evaluation of classified loans. Loans are classified based on an internal credit risk grading process that evaluates,
among other things: (i) the obligor’s ability to repay; (ii) the underlying collateral, if any; and (iii) the economic
environment and industry in which the borrower operates. This analysis is performed at the relationship manager
level for all commercial loans and evaluated by the Loan Review Department on a test basis. Loans with a grade
that is below a predetermined grade are adversely classified. Any change in the credit risk grade of performing
and/or non-performing loans affects the amount of the related allowance. Once a loan is classified, the assigned
relationship manager and/or a special assets officer in conjunction with the Credit Risk Management Department

83

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

analyze the loan to determine whether the loan is impaired and, if impaired, the need to specifically allocate a
portion of the allowance for loan losses to the loan. Specific valuation allowances are determined by analyzing
the borrower’s ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies, the relative risk grade of the loan and
economic conditions affecting the borrower’s industry, among other things.

Additionally,

individually evaluates non-accrual

the Credit Risk Management Department

(non-
homogeneous) loans over a specific dollar amount and all troubled debt restructured loans for impairment based
on the underlying anticipated method of payment consisting of either the expected future cash flows or the
related collateral. If payment is expected solely based on the underlying collateral, an appraisal is completed to
assess the fair value of the collateral. As required by regulatory guidance, collateral dependent impaired loan
balances are written down to the current fair value of each loan’s underlying collateral resulting in an immediate
charge-off to the allowance, excluding any consideration for personal guarantees that may be pursued in the
Bank’s collection process. If repayment is based upon future expected cash flows, the present value of the
expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate is compared to the carrying
value of the loan, and any shortfall is recorded as a specific valuation allowance in the allowance for credit
losses.

The allowance also contains reserves to cover inherent losses within a given loan category which have not
been otherwise reviewed or measured on an individual basis. Such reserves include management’s evaluation of
national and local economic and business conditions, loan portfolio volumes, the composition and concentrations
of credit, credit quality and delinquency trends. These reserves reflect management’s attempt to ensure that the
overall allowance reflects a margin for imprecision and the uncertainty that is inherent in estimates of probable
credit losses.

Premises and Equipment, Net

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation computed using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Generally, these useful lives range from three to
forty years. Leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated amortization computed on a straight-line
basis over the term of the lease or estimated useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter. Generally, these useful
lives range from seven to forty years. Major improvements are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance costs
are charged to operations as incurred. Upon retirement or disposition, any gain or loss is credited or charged to
operations.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Valley owns bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) to help offset the cost of employee benefits. BOLI is
recorded at its cash surrender value. Valley’s BOLI is invested in U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. agency
mortgage-backed securities and the majority of the underlying investment portfolio is managed by one
independent investment firm. The change in the cash surrender value is included as a component of non-interest
income and is exempt from federal and state income taxes as long as the policies are held until the death of the
insured individuals.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned (“OREO”), acquired through foreclosure on loans secured by real estate, is reported
at the lower of cost or fair value, as established by a current appraisal, less estimated costs to sell, and is included
in other assets. Any write-downs at the date of foreclosure are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Expenses
incurred to maintain these properties, unrealized losses resulting from write-downs after the date of foreclosure,
and realized gains and losses upon sale of the properties are included in other non-interest expense and other
non-interest income, as appropriate.

84

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Goodwill

Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting consist of goodwill
and other intangible assets (see “Other Intangible Assets” section below). Goodwill is not amortized and is
subject to an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test. Valley reviews goodwill
annually, or more frequently if a triggering event indicates impairment may have occurred, to determine potential
impairment by determining if the fair value of the reporting unit has fallen below the carrying value. If
impairment is deemed to exist, an adjustment is posted to earnings in the current period for the difference
between the fair value and the carrying amount of the goodwill. Additional fair value assessments of goodwill are
required if certain indicators of potential impairment arise after the annual test date.

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets consist of loan servicing rights, core deposits, customer lists and covenants not to
compete obtained through acquisitions. Other intangible assets are amortized using various methods over their
estimated lives and are periodically evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If
impairment is deemed to exist, an adjustment is recorded to earnings in the current period for the difference
between the fair value and the carrying amount.

Loan Servicing Rights

Loan servicing rights are recorded when purchased or when originated loans are sold, with servicing rights
retained. The cost of each originated loan is allocated between the servicing right and the loan (without the
servicing right) based on their relative fair values. The fair value of the purchased mortgage servicing rights
(“PMSRs”) and internally originated mortgage servicing rights (“OMSRs”) are determined using a method which
utilizes servicing income, discount rates, prepayment speeds and default rates specifically relative to Valley’s
portfolio for OMSRs.

The unamortized costs associated with acquiring loan servicing rights are included in other intangible assets
in the consolidated statements of financial condition and are accounted for using the amortization method. Under
this method, Valley amortizes the loan servicing assets in proportion to and over the period of estimated net
servicing revenues. On a quarterly basis, Valley stratifies its loan servicing assets into groupings based on risk
characteristics and assesses each group for impairment based on fair value. Impairment charges on loan servicing
rights are recognized in earnings when the book value of a stratified group of loan servicing rights exceeds its
estimated fair value.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock awards (i.e., non-vested stock awards) is based
on the fair value of the award on the date of the grant and is recognized ratably over the service period of the
award. Under Valley’s long-term incentive compensation plans, award grantees that are eligible for retirement do
not have a service period requirement. Compensation expense for these awards is recognized immediately in
earnings. The fair value of each option granted is estimated using a binomial option pricing model. The fair value
of restricted stock awards is generally the market price of Valley’s stock on the date of grant. For stock options
granted prior to November 1, 2005, Valley estimated the fair value of each option granted on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

Fair Value Measurements

In general, fair values of financial instruments are based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such
quoted market prices are not available due to inactive or illiquid markets, fair value is based upon third party

85

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

models that primarily use as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuations adjustments may be made
to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value, including adjustments based on internal cash flow
to those incorporated by market participants. Other
model projections that utilize assumptions similar
adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and Valley’s creditworthiness, among
other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over
time. See Note 3—Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities.

Income Taxes

Valley accounts for income taxes by recognizing the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current
year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in
Valley’s financial statements or tax returns.

Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the
financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

Valley maintains a reserve related to certain tax positions and strategies that management believes contain
an element of uncertainty. Periodically, Valley evaluates each of its tax positions and strategies to determine
whether the reserve continues to be appropriate. See Note 14 for further analysis of Valley’s accounting for
income taxes.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Valley’s components of other comprehensive income, net of deferred tax, include unrealized gains (losses)
on securities available for sale (including the non-credit portion of any other-than-temporary impairment charges
relating to these securities effective January 1, 2009); unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives used in cash flow
hedging relationships; and the unfunded portion of its various employee, officer and director pension plans.
Valley reports comprehensive income and its components in the consolidated statements of changes in
shareholders’ equity.

Earnings Per Common Share

For Valley, the numerator of both the basic and diluted earnings per common share is net income available
to common stockholders (which is equal to net income less dividends on preferred stock and related discount
accretion). The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in the denominator for basic
earnings per common share is increased to determine the denominator used for diluted earnings per common
share by the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents utilizing the treasury stock method. For
Valley, common stock equivalents are outstanding common stock options and warrants to purchase Valley’s
common shares.

86

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table shows the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years

ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

Years ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands, except for share data)

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net income available to common stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

$

116,061
19,524

96,537

$

$

93,591
2,090

91,501

$

$

153,228
—

153,228

Basic weighted-average number of common stock

outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Plus: Common stock equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

144,453,039
684

136,957,646
75,385

132,586,561
392,641

Diluted weighted-average number of common shares

outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

144,453,723

137,033,031

132,979,202

Earnings per common share:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$
$

0.67
0.67

$
$

0.67
0.67

$
$

1.16
1.15

Common stock equivalents, in the table above, exclude common stock options and warrants with exercise
prices that exceed the average market price of Valley’s common stock during the periods presented. Inclusion of
these common stock options and warrants would be anti-dilutive to the diluted earnings per common share
calculation. Anti-dilutive common stock options and warrants equaled approximately 6.5 million, 5.6 million,
and 1.3 million common shares for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Preferred and Common Dividends

On November 14, 2008, Valley issued 300,000 shares of fixed rate cumulative perpetual preferred stock (the
“senior preferred shares”), with a liquidation preference of $1 thousand per share, to the U.S. Department of
Treasury. Subsequently, Valley incrementally repurchased all 300,000 shares back from the U.S. Treasury during
2009 and effectively ended our participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program on December 23, 2009.
While the senior preferred shares were outstanding to the U.S. Treasury, the shares paid dividends at a rate of
five percent per annum. Valley accrued the obligation for the preferred dividends as earned over the period the
senior preferred shares were outstanding.

Cash dividends to common stockholders are payable and accrued when declared by Valley’s Board of

Directors.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is recorded using the cost method and accordingly is presented as a reduction of

shareholders’ equity.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

As part of its asset/liability management strategies and to accommodate commercial borrowers, Valley has
used interest rate swaps and caps to hedge variability in future fair values or cash flows caused by changes in
interest rates. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm
commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted
transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Valley records all derivatives as assets or liabilities at fair value on
the consolidated statements of financial condition.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged
item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the
effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income
(outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and
the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. On a
quarterly basis, Valley assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in fair
value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the
designated hedged item or transaction. If a hedging relationship is terminated due to ineffectiveness, and the
derivative instrument is not redesignated to a new hedging relationship, the change in fair value of such
instrument is charged directly to earnings.

New Authoritative Accounting Guidance

FASB ASC Topic 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities.” Effectively January 1, 2009, Valley
early adopted new authoritative accounting guidance issued under ASC Topic 320 that requires an entity to
(a) separately present, in the financial statement where the components of accumulated other comprehensive
income are reported, amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income related to held-to-maturity
and available-for-sale debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized and
(b) recognize in earnings only the portion of the impairment related to a credit loss. This new guidance also
requires that management assert (a) it does not have the intent to sell the security, and (b) if the entity does not
intend to sell the security, it is not more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of
its amortized cost basis. Valley’s adoption of the new guidance under ASC Topic 320 resulted in an $8.6 million
cumulative-effect adjustment, net of taxes to increase retained earnings with an offset to accumulated other
comprehensive loss as of January 1, 2009 for the non-credit component of losses on debt securities for which
other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized.

FASB ASC Topic 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits.” New authoritative accounting guidance
issued under ASC Topic 715 provides guidance on employers’ disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit
pension or other postretirement plan. The new guidance requires employers of public and nonpublic entities to
disclose more information about (a) how investment allocation decisions are made, (b) major categories of plan
assets, including concentrations of risk and fair-value measurements, and the fair-value techniques and (c) inputs
used to measure plan assets. These new disclosure requirements under ASC Topic 715 became effective for
Valley’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009 and are reported in Note 13 to Valley’s
consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” New authoritative accounting guidance issued under ASC
Topic 805 applies to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other
businesses. The new guidance requires an acquirer, upon initially obtaining control of another entity, to recognize
the assets, liabilities and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value as of the acquisition date.
Contingent consideration is required to be recognized and measured at fair value on the date of acquisition rather
than at a later date when the amount of that consideration may be determinable beyond a reasonable doubt. This
fair value approach replaces the cost-allocation process previously required whereby the cost of an acquisition
was allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value. The
new guidance requires acquirers to expense acquisition-related costs as incurred rather than allocating such costs
to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as was previously the case. Specific requirements must be met in
order to accrue for a restructuring plan in purchase accounting. Pre-acquisition contingencies are to be

88

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

recognized at fair value, unless it is a non-contractual contingency that is not likely to materialize, in which case,
nothing should be recognized in purchase accounting and, instead, that contingency would be subject to the
probable and estimable recognition criteria of contingencies. The new guidance is effective for all business
combinations closing after January 1, 2009 and could have a significant impact on Valley’s accounting for
business combinations on or after such date.

Additional new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 805, requires that assets acquired and
liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies be recognized at fair value if fair
value can be reasonably estimated. If fair value of such an asset or liability cannot be reasonably estimated, the
asset or liability would generally be recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” This new
guidance removes subsequent accounting guidance for assets and liabilities arising from contingencies and
requires entities to develop a systematic and rational basis for subsequently measuring and accounting for assets
and liabilities arising from contingencies. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to disclose an estimate of
the range of outcomes of recognized contingencies at the acquisition date. For unrecognized contingencies,
entities are required to include only the disclosures required under ASC Topic 450. The new guidance also
requires that contingent consideration arrangements of an acquiree assumed by the acquirer in a business
combination be treated as contingent consideration of the acquirer and should be initially and subsequently
measured at fair value. ASC Topic 805 is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business
combinations after January 1, 2009.

FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810
establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the
deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The new guidance clarifies that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, which
is sometimes referred to as minority interest, is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be
reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements. Among other requirements, the new
guidance requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both
the parent and the non-controlling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated income
statement, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest.
Valley’s adoption of the new consolidation guidance under ASC Topic 810 on January 1, 2009 did not have a
significant impact on Valley’s financial condition or results of operations.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-17 under ASC Topic 810 amends previously issued U.S. GAAP for
is
consolidation of variable interest entities to change how a company determines when an entity that
insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting or similar rights should be consolidated. The
determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an
entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly
impact the entity’s economic performance. The new guidance requires additional disclosures about the reporting
entity’s involvement with variable-interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that
involvement as well as its effect on the entity’s financial statements. The new guidance under ASC Topic 810 is
effective on January 1, 2010 and is not expected to have a significant impact on Valley’s financial statements.

FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC
Topic 815, establishes enhanced disclosure requirements about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative
instruments; (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under ASC Topic 815;
and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial
performance, and cash flows. Valley adopted the new guidance under ASC Topic 815 on January 1, 2009 and has
included the applicable financial statement disclosures in Note 15 below.

FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” Effective January 1, 2009, Valley
early adopted new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 820 for determining fair value when the
volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased, and identifying transactions

89

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

that are not orderly. The new provision provides additional guidance for estimating fair value and includes
additional factors for identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not in an orderly market. The model
includes evaluating the significance and relevance of the factors to determine whether, based on the weight of the
evidence, there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability. If the
reporting entity concludes there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or
liability, further analysis of the transaction or the quoted prices is needed, and a significant adjustment to the
transactions or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value. The new guidance also requires an entity to
disclose a change in valuation technique (and the related inputs) resulting from the application of the new
provisions and to quantify its effects. See Note 3 below for discussion of the impact on valuation of certain
investment securities due to the adoption of the new guidance under ASC Topic 820 and the impact to the
consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-05 under ASC Topic 820 provides clarification for circumstances in
which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available. In such circumstances, a
reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following techniques: (i) a valuation
technique that uses: (a) the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset; or (b) quoted prices for
similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets; or (ii) another valuation technique that is consistent
with the principles of ASC Topic 820, such as an income approach or a market approach. The update clarifies
that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate adjustment
relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. The new authoritative
accounting guidance also clarifies that the quoted price for an identical liability traded as an asset in an active
market would also be a Level 1 measurement, provided that the quoted price does not need to be adjusted to
reflect factors specific to the asset that do no apply to the fair value measurement of the liability. Effective
September 30, 2009, Valley early adopted the new guidance and it did not have a significant impact on Valley’s
consolidated financial statements. However, under the new guidance, the fair value measurement of Valley’s
junior subordinated debentures carried at fair value now qualifies as a Level 1 measurement. See Notes 3 and 12
below for further information regarding the valuation technique used for the debentures carried at fair value.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 under ASC Topic 820 requires new disclosures and clarifies
certain existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement. Specifically, the update requires an entity
to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value
measurements and describe the reasons for such transfers. A reporting entity is required to present separately
information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the reconciliation for fair value measurements
using Level 3 inputs. In addition, the update clarifies the following requirements of the existing disclosure: (i) for
the purposes of reporting fair value measurement for each class of assets and liabilities, a reporting entity needs
to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets; and (ii) a reporting entity is required to include
disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and
nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments are effective for interim and annual reporting periods
beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the separate disclosures of purchases, sales, issuances, and
settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The new
guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on Valley’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-12 under ASC Topic 820 amends Subtopic 820-10 to permit a
reporting entity to measure the fair value of certain investments on the basis of net asset value per share of the
investment (or its equivalent). This Update also requires new disclosure, by major category of investments, about
the attributes of investments within the scope of this amendment to the Codification. The new guidance under
ASC Topic 820 became effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 2009.
Valley’s adoption of this new authoritative guidance did not have a significant impact on Valley’s financial
statements or its disclosures at December 31, 2009.

90

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

FASB ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 855,
establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but
before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. These new guidelines define (i) the period after
the balance sheet date during which a reporting entity’s management should evaluate events or transactions that
may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, (ii) the circumstances under which
an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements,
and (iii) the disclosures an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet
date. The new guidance under ASC Topic 855 became effective for financial statements issued for periods
ending after June 15, 2009 and did not have a significant impact on Valley’s financial statements.

ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 860,
(i) enhances reporting about transfers of financial assets, including securitizations, where companies have
continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets, (ii) eliminates the concept of a “qualifying
special-purpose entity” and changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and (iii) requires
additional disclosures about all continuing involvements with transferred financial assets including information
about gains and losses resulting from transfers during the period. The new guidance under ASC Topic 860 is
effective on January 1, 2010 and is not expected to have a significant impact on Valley’s financial statements.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND DISPOSITIONS (Note 2)

Acquisitions

On November 30, 2009, Masters Coverage Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, acquired the
assets of Samuel M. Berman Company, Inc., an independent insurance agency. Samuel M. Berman Company,
Inc. is a retail insurance agency offering property and casualty, and health insurance. The purchase price totaled
$950 thousand, consisting of $285 thousand in cash and a $665 thousand note payable, subject to certain
customer retention levels and payable over the next four years. The transaction generated approximately
$726 thousand in goodwill and $224 thousand in other intangible assets. Other intangible assets consist of a
customer list and covenants not to compete with a weighted average amortization period of seven years.

Pro forma results of operations for Samuel M. Berman Company, Inc. for the years ended December 31,
2009, 2008, and 2007 are excluded as the acquisition did not have a material impact on Valley’s financial
statements.

On July 1, 2008, Valley completed the acquisition of Greater Community Bancorp (“Greater Community”),
the holding company of Greater Community Bank, a commercial bank with approximately $1.0 billion in assets
and 16 full-service branches in northern New Jersey. The purchase price of $167.8 million was paid through a
combination of Valley’s common stock (9.1 million shares) and warrants (described below). The transaction
generated approximately $115.8 million in goodwill and $7.5 million in core deposit intangibles subject to
amortization beginning July 1, 2008. Of the $115.8 million in goodwill, $485 thousand was recorded during the
second quarter of 2009 relating to the valuation of certain deferred tax assets acquired from Greater Community.
Greater Community Bank was merged into Valley National Bank as of the acquisition date.

Valley issued approximately 964 thousand warrants to purchase Valley’s common stock at $18.10 per share
which is exercisable beginning July 1, 2010 and expire on June 30, 2015. The Valley warrants, which have been
determined to qualify as permanent equity, are publicly traded and listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under
the ticker symbol “VLYWW.”

Pro forma results of operations including Greater Community for the years ended December 31, 2008 and

2007 have not been presented, as the acquisition did not have a material impact on Valley’s operating results.

91

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Disposition

On March 31, 2008, Valley sold its wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary, Glen Rauch Securities, Inc., for
$1.9 million, consisting of cash and a note receivable. During the fourth quarter of 2007, Valley recorded a
$2.3 million ($1.5 million after-taxes) goodwill impairment loss due to its decision to sell the broker-dealer
subsidiary. The subsidiary’s operations and the disposition did not materially impact Valley’s consolidated
financial position or results of operations during 2008 and 2007 and therefore has not been presented as
discontinued operations in Valley’s consolidated financial statements.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Note 3)

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received to sell that asset or paid to transfer
that liability in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market or, in the absence of a principal market,
the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. In estimating fair value, Valley uses valuation techniques
that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and /or the cost approach. Such valuations
techniques are consistently applied. ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” establishes a
fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy
gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1
measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the
fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 Unadjusted exchange quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, or
identical liabilities traded as assets that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the
measurement date;

Level 2 Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or
indirectly (i.e., quoted prices on similar assets), for substantially the full term of the asset or
liability;

Level 3 Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value

measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

92

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following tables present the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by
level within the fair value hierarchy as reported on the consolidated statements of financial condition at
December 31, 2009 and 2008. As required by ASC Topic 820, financial assets and liabilities are classified in
their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:

Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

December 31,
2009

(in thousands)

Assets:
Investment securities:

Available for Sale:

U.S. Treasury securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 276,285
Obligations of states and political

subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . . . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate and other debt securities . . . . . . .
Equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33,411
940,505
36,412
19,042
46,826

Total available for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trading securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loans held for sale (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets (2)

1,352,481
32,950
25,492
7,124

$276,285

$ —

$ —

—
—
16,320
—
28,098

320,703

—
—
—

33,411
820,652
—
10,868
10,235

875,166

—
25,492
7,124

—
119,853
20,092
8,174
8,493

156,612
32,950
—
—

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,418,047

$320,703

$907,782

$189,562

Liabilities:
Junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB

Capital Trust I (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 155,893
1,018

Other liabilities (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$155,893
—

Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 156,911

$155,893

$ —

1,018

$

1,018

$ —
—

$ —

(1) The loans held for sale had contractual unpaid principal balances totaling approximately $25.3 million at

December 31, 2009.

(2) Derivative financial instruments are included in this category.
(3) The junior subordinated debentures had contractual unpaid principal obligations totaling $157.0 million at

December 31, 2009.

93

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:

Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

December 31,
2008

(in thousands)

Assets:
Investment securities:

Available for Sale:

U.S. government agency securities . . . . . . . . .$ 102,564
Obligations of states and political

subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

48,191
Residential mortgage-backed securities . . . . . 1,215,386
29,347
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,157
Corporate and other debt securities . . . . . . . . .
34,797
Equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total available for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,435,442
34,236
Trading securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,542
Loans held for sale (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,334
Other assets (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ —

$ 102,564

$—

—
—
—
—
13,483

13,483
—
—
—

48,191
1,215,386
29,347
5,157
21,314

1,421,959
34,236
4,542
3,334

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,477,554

$13,483

$1,464,071

$—

Liabilities:
Junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital

Trust I (3)

Other liabilities (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 140,065
2,008

Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 142,073

$ —
—

$ —

$ 140,065
2,008

$ 142,073

$—
—

$—

(1) The loans held for sale had contractual unpaid principal balances totaling approximately $4.47 million at

December 31, 2008.

(2) Derivative financial instruments are included in this category.
(3) The junior subordinated debentures had contractual unpaid principal obligations totaling $157.0 million at

December 31, 2008.

The following valuation techniques were used to measure the fair value of financial instruments in the table
above on a recurring basis during years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. All the valuation techniques
described below are based upon the unpaid principal balance only for each item selected to be carried at fair
value and excludes any accrued interest or dividends at the measurement date. Interest income and expense and
dividend income are recorded within the consolidated statements of income depending on the nature of the
instrument using the effective interest method based on acquired discount or premium.

Available for sale and trading securities. Certain common and preferred equity securities are reported at
fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs (exchange quoted prices). The majority of the other investment securities are
reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The prices for these instruments are obtained through an
independent pricing service or dealer market participants with whom Valley has historically transacted both
purchases and sales of investment securities. Prices obtained from these sources include prices derived from
market quotations and matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include
dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data,
market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other
things. Management reviews the data and assumptions used in pricing the securities by its third party providers to
ensure the highest level of significant inputs are derived from market observable data. For certain securities, the

94

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

inputs used by either dealer market participants or independent pricing service, may be derived from
unobservable market information. In these instances, Valley evaluated the appropriateness and quality of each
price. In accordance with Valley’s early adoption of the new authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 820 on
January 1, 2009, Valley reviewed the volume and level of activity for all available for sale and trading securities
and attempted to identify transactions which may not be orderly or reflective of a significant level of activity and
volume. For securities meeting these criteria, the quoted prices received from either market participants or an
independent pricing service may be adjusted, as necessary, to estimate fair value and this results in fair values
based on Level 3 inputs. In determining fair value, Valley utilized unobservable inputs which reflect Valley’s
own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing each security. In developing its
assertion of market participant assumptions, Valley utilized the best information that is both reasonable and
available without undue cost and effort.

In calculating the fair value for certain trading securities, consisting of trust preferred securities, under Level
3, Valley prepared present value cash flow models incorporating the contractual cash flow of each security
adjusted, if necessary, for potential changes in the amount or timing of cash flows due to the underlying credit
worthiness of each issuer. The resulting estimated future cash flows were discounted at a yield determined by
reference to similarly structured securities for which observable orderly transactions occurred. For a majority of
the securities valued under Level 3, the discount rate actually utilized reflected orderly transactions of similar
issued securities by the same obligor. The discount rate is further adjusted to reflect a market premium which
incorporates, among other variables, illiquidity premiums and variances in the instruments structure. The quoted
prices received from either market participants or independent pricing services are weighted with the internal
price estimate to determine the fair value of each instrument.

In calculating the fair value for the available for sale securities under Level 3, Valley prepared present value
cash flow models for certain trust preferred securities (including three pooled trust preferred securities),
corporate debt securities, and private label mortgage-backed securities. The cash flows for the mortgage-backed
securities incorporated the expected cash flow of each security adjusted for default rates, loss severities and
prepayments of the individual loans collateralizing the security. The cash flows for trust preferred securities and
corporate debt securities reflected the contractual cash flow, adjusted if necessary for potential changes in the
amount or timing of cash flows due to the underlying credit worthiness of each issuer.

For available for sale trust preferred securities and corporate debt securities, the resulting estimated future
cash flows were discounted at a yield determined by reference to similarly structured securities for which
observable orderly transactions occurred. The discount rate for each security was applied using a pricing matrix
based on credit, security type and maturity characteristics to determine the fair value. The quoted prices received
from either market participants or independent pricing services are weighted with the internal price estimate to
determine the fair value of each instrument.

For available for sale private label mortgage-backed securities, cash flow assumptions incorporated
independent third party market participant data based on vintage year for each security. The discount rate utilized
in determining the present value of cash flows for the mortgage-backed securities was arrived at by combining
the yield on orderly transactions for similar maturity government sponsored mortgage-backed securities with
(a) the historical average risk premium of similar structured private label securities, (b) a risk premium reflecting
current market conditions, including liquidity risk and (c) if applicable, a forecasted loss premium derived from
the expected cash flows of each security. The estimated cash flows for each private label mortgage-backed
security were then discounted at the aforementioned effective rate to determine the fair value. The quoted prices
received from either market participants or independent pricing services are weighted with the internal price
estimate to determine the fair value of each instrument.

Loans held for sale. These conforming residential mortgage loans are reported at fair value using Level 2
(significant other observable) inputs. The fair values were calculated utilizing quoted prices for similar assets in

95

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

active markets. To determine these fair values, the mortgages held for sale are put into multiple tranches, or
pools, based on the coupon rate of each mortgage. If the mortgages held for sale are material, the market prices
for each tranche are obtained from both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The market prices represent a delivery
price which reflects the underlying price each institution would pay Valley for an immediate sale of an aggregate
pool of mortgages. The market prices received from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are then averaged and
interpolated or extrapolated, where required, to calculate the fair value of each tranche. Depending upon the time
elapsed since the origination of each loan held for sale, non-performance risk and changes therein were addressed
in the estimate of fair value based upon the delinquency data provided to both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for
market pricing and changes in market credit spreads. Non-performance risk did not materially impact the fair
value of mortgage loans held for sale during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 based on the short
duration these assets were held, and the high credit quality of these loans.

Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts. At December 31, 2009, the junior subordinated
debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I are reported at fair value using Level 1 inputs, as clarified by the
Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-5 under ASC Topic 820 (See Note 1 for more details). The fair value
was estimated using quoted prices in active markets for similar assets, specifically the quoted price of the VNB
Capital Trust I preferred stock traded under ticker symbol “VLYPRA” on the New York Stock Exchange. Prior
to Valley’s adoption of the new authoritative accounting guidance, this valuation technique was considered to
have Level 2 inputs based on pre-existing guidance under ASC Topic 820. The preferred stock and Valley’s
junior subordinated debentures issued to the Trust have identical financial terms (see details at Note 12) and
therefore, the preferred stock’s quoted price moves in a similar manner to the estimated fair value and current
settlement price of the junior subordinated debentures. The preferred stock’s quoted price includes market
considerations for Valley’s credit and non-performance risk and is deemed to represent the transfer price that
would be used if the junior subordinated debenture were assumed by a third party. Valley’s potential credit risk
and changes in such risk did not materially impact the fair value measurement of the junior subordinated
debentures during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Derivatives. Derivatives are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The fair value of Valley’s
interest rate caps and interest rate swap are determined using third party prices that are based on discounted cash
flow analyses. The fair value measurement of the interest caps is calculated by discounting the future expected
cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates rise above the strike rate of the caps. The variable interest
rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the caps are based on an expectation of future interest rates
derived from observed market interest rate curves and volatilities. The fair value measurement of the interest rate
swap is determined by netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable
cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on the expectation of future interest rates derived from
observed market interest rate curves. The fair values of the derivatives incorporate credit valuation adjustments,
which consider the impact of any credit enhancements to the contracts, to account for potential nonperformance
risk of Valley and its counterparties. The credit valuation adjustments were not significant to the overall
valuation of Valley’s derivatives at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

96

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31,

2009 are summarized below:

Balance, beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfers into Level 3 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total net gains (losses) for the period included in:

2009

Trading
Securities

Available
For Sale
Securities

(in thousands)

$ —
34,236

$ —
156,820

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales and settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4,414
—
(5,700)

—
22,867
(23,075)

Balance, end of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$32,950

$ 156,612

Net unrealized gains (losses) included in net income for the period relating to assets

held at December 31, 2009 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$7,303(3)

$(6,352)(4)

(1) The amounts presented as transfers into Level 3 represent the fair value as of the beginning of the periods
presented. Amounts represent transfers from Level 2 of trust preferred securities, corporate debt securities
and private label mortgage-backed securities for which significant
inputs to the valuation became
unobservable, largely due to reduced levels of market liquidity. Related gains and losses for the period are
included in the above table.

(2) Represents net gains (losses) that are due to changes in economic conditions and management's estimates of

(3)

fair value.
Included in trading (losses) gains, net within the non-interest
statements of income.

income category on the consolidated

(4) Represents the net impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings for the period.

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the
instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain
circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The application of ASC Topic 820 also applies
to certain non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, including
other real estate owned and other repossessed assets (upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment), goodwill
measured at fair value in the second step of a goodwill impairment test, and loan servicing rights, core deposits,
other intangible assets, and other long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment. The following
nonrecurring items were adjusted by such fair value measurements during the periods noted.

Impaired loans. Certain impaired loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if
repayment is expected solely from the collateral and are commonly referred to as “collateral dependent impaired
loans.” Collateral values are typically estimated using Level 3 inputs, consisting of individual appraisals that are
significantly adjusted based on customized discounting criteria. During the year ended December 31, 2009,
collateral dependent impaired loans were individually remeasured and reported at fair value through direct loan
charge-offs to the allowance for loan losses and/or a specific valuation allowance allocation based on the fair
value of the underlying collateral. During 2009, impaired loans with a carrying value of $22.5 million were
reduced by direct loan charge-offs totaling $4.1 million and specific valuation allowance allocations totaling
$1.6 million to a reported fair value of $16.8 million based on collateral values utilizing Level 3 valuation inputs.
During 2008, impaired loans with a carrying value of $973 thousand were reduced by specific valuation
allowance allocations totaling $252 thousand to a reported fair value of $721 thousand based on collateral values
utilizing Level 3 valuation inputs.

97

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Loan servicing rights. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, Valley recognized impairment
charges on its loan servicing rights totaling $80 thousand and $532 thousand, respectively, through a valuation
allowance. Impairment charges are recognized on loan servicing rights when the book value of a risk-stratified
group of loan servicing rights exceeds the estimated fair value. Fair values for each group are calculated using a
fair value model from a third party vendor that requires inputs that are both significant to the fair value
measurement and unobservable (Level 3). The fair value model is based on various assumptions, including but
not limited to, servicing cost, prepayment speed, internal rate of return, ancillary income, float rate, tax rate, and
inflation. A significant degree of judgment is involved in valuing the loan servicing rights using Level 3 inputs.
The use of different assumptions could have a significant positive or negative effect on the fair value estimate.
Valley’s loan servicing rights had a carrying value of $11.1 million (net of a $612 thousand valuation allowance)
at December 31, 2009. See Notes 8 and 9 for further information.

Foreclosed assets. During 2009, certain foreclosed assets (consisting of other real estate owned and other
repossessed assets), were remeasured and reported at fair value through a charge-off to the allowance for loan
losses based upon the fair value of the foreclosed assets. The fair value of a foreclosed asset, upon initial
recognition, is typically estimated using Level 3 inputs, consisting of an appraisal that is significantly adjusted
based on customized discounting criteria. Other real estate owned and other repossessed assets (consisting
entirely of automobiles) measured at fair value upon initial recognition totaled $552 thousand and $11.9 million,
respectively, (utilizing Level 3 valuation inputs) during 2009. In connection with the measurement and initial
recognition of the aforementioned foreclosed assets, Valley recognized charge-offs of the allowance for loan
losses totaling $436 thousand and $11.2 million, respectively. An other repossessed asset, consisting of one
aircraft totaling $854 thousand at December 31, 2009, was remeasured at fair value subsequent to initial
recognition during 2009. In connection with the remeasurement of the asset, Valley recognized a loss totaling
$1.4 million included in non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2009.

There were no other material fair value adjustments incurred for financial or non-financial assets and

liabilities carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

The following table presents the amount of gains and losses from fair value changes included in income
before income taxes for financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value for the years ended December 31,
2009, 2008 and 2007:

Reported in
Consolidated Statements
of Condition at:

Reported in
Consolidated Statements
of Income at:

Gains (Losses) on Change in Fair Value
Years ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Assets:
Held to maturity securities

Non-Interest Income:
Net impairment losses on securities

Available for sale securities

Trading securities
Loans held for sale

recognized in earnings . . . . . . . . .

$ — $ (7,846) $ —

Net impairment losses on securities

recognized in earnings . . . . . . . . .
Trading (losses) gains, net (1)
. . . . .
Gains on sales of loans, net (2) . . . . .

(6,352)
5,394
8,937

(76,989)
(10,883)
1,274

(17,949)
4,651
4,378

Liabilities:
Long-term borrowings (3)
Junior subordinated debentures issued

Non-Interest Expense:
Trading (losses) gains, net (4)

. . . . .

—

(1,194)

(1,359)

to capital trusts

Trading (losses) gains, net (4)

. . . . .

(15,828)

15,243

4,107

$ (7,849) $(80,395) $ (6,172)

98

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(1) For the year ended December 31, 2007, the gains on change in fair value of trading securities include
$4.3 million in gains on the change in fair value of interest rate derivative transactions entered into and
terminated during the second quarter of 2007.

(2) For the year ended December 31, 2007, the gains on change in fair value of loans held for sale presented
exclude net gains of $407 thousand on loans held for sale that were carried at their contractual principal
balance during the first quarter of 2007 (i.e., loans excluded from the adoption of the fair value option under
ASC Topic 825). At December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, all loans held for sale were carried at fair value.
(3) During the second quarter of 2008, Valley prepaid one fixed rate Federal Home Loan Bank advance elected
to be carried at fair value which had a $40.0 million contractual principal obligation. No long-term
borrowings were carried at fair value at December 31, 2009 or 2008.

(4) For the year ended December 31, 2007, the gains on change in fair value of long-term borrowings excludes
$276 thousand in prepayment gains for Valley’s early redemption of two fixed rate Federal Home Loan
Bank advances carried at fair value during the first quarter of 2007. The prepayment gains were recognized
as a reduction in interest on long-term borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2007.

ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and
financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at
fair value on a recurring basis or non-recurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial
assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis are discussed
above. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial instruments which were carried on the
consolidated statements of financial condition at cost or amortized cost are described below.

The fair value estimates below made at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were based on pertinent market data
and relevant information on the financial instruments at that time. These estimates do not reflect any premium or
discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the entire portfolio of financial instruments. Because
no market exists for a portion of the financial instruments, fair value estimates may be based on judgments
regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial
instruments and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of
significant
judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could
significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate
the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial
instruments. For instance, Valley has certain fee-generating business lines (e.g., its mortgage servicing operation,
trust and investment management departments) that were not considered in these estimates since these activities
are not financial instruments. In addition, the tax implications related to the realization of the unrealized gains
and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in many of the
estimates.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of other financial assets and

financial liabilities not already discussed above:

Cash and due from banks and interest bearing deposits with banks: The carrying amount is considered

to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Investment securities held to maturity: Fair values are based on prices obtained through an independent
pricing service or dealer market participants which Valley has historically transacted both purchases and sales of
investment securities. Prices obtained from these sources include prices derived from market quotations and
matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market

99

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus
prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. For certain
securities, for which the inputs used by either dealer market participants or independent pricing service were
derived from unobservable market information, Valley evaluated the appropriateness and quality of each price. In
accordance with Valley’s early adoption of the new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 820,
Valley reviewed the volume and level of activity for all classes of held to maturity securities and attempted to
identify transactions which may not be orderly or reflective of a significant level of activity and volume. For
securities meeting these criteria, the quoted prices received from either market participants or an independent
pricing service may be adjusted, as necessary, to estimate fair value (fair values based on Level 3 inputs). If
applicable, the adjustment to fair value was derived based on present value cash flow model projections prepared
by Valley utilizing assumptions similar to those incorporated by market participants.

Loans: Fair values are estimated by discounting the projected future cash flows using market discount rates
that reflect the credit and interest-rate risk inherent in the loan. Projected future cash flows are calculated based
upon contractual maturity or call dates, projected repayments and prepayments of principal. Fair values estimated
in this manner do not fully incorporate an exit-price approach to fair value, but instead are based on a comparison
to current market rates for comparable loans.

Accrued interest receivable and payable: The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate their fair

value.

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock: The redeemable carrying amount of these
securities with limited marketability approximates their fair value. These securities are recorded in other assets
on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Deposits: Current carrying amounts approximate estimated fair value of demand deposits and savings
accounts. The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows using
estimated rates currently offered for alternative funding sources of similar remaining maturity.

Short-term and long-term borrowings: The fair value is estimated by obtaining quoted market prices of
the identical or similar financial instruments when available. The fair value of other long-term borrowings is
estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using market discount rates of financial instruments
with similar characteristics, terms and remaining maturity.

Junior subordinated debentures issued to GCB Capital Trust III: There is no active market for the trust
preferred securities issued by GCB Capital Trust III. Therefore, the fair value is estimated utilizing the income
approach, whereby the expected cash flows, over the remaining estimated life of the security, are discounted
using Valley’s credit spread over the current yield on a similar maturity U.S. Treasury security. Valley’s credit
spread was calculated based on Valley’s trust preferred securities issued by VNB Capital Trust I, which are
publicly traded in an active market.

100

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments were as follows at December 31,

2009 and 2008:

Financial assets:

2009

2008

Carrying
Amount

Fair Value

Carrying
Amount

Fair Value

(in thousands)

Cash and due from banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest bearing deposits with banks . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment securities held to maturity . . . . . . . . . .
Investment securities available for sale . . . . . . . . . .
Trading securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loans held for sale, at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued interest receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan

Bank stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 305,678
355,659
1,584,388
1,352,481
32,950
25,492
9,268,081
56,245

$ 305,678
355,659
1,548,006
1,352,481
32,950
25,492
9,233,493
56,245

$

237,497
343,010
1,154,737
1,435,442
34,236
4,542
10,050,446
57,717

$

237,497
343,010
1,069,245
1,435,442
34,236
4,542
10,169,298
57,717

139,911
7,124

139,911
7,124

150,476
3,334

150,476
3,334

Financial liabilities:

Deposits without stated maturities . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deposits with stated maturities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital
trusts (carrying amount includes fair value of
$155,893 at December 31, 2009 and $140,065 at
December 31, 2008 for VNB Capital Trust I) . . .
Accrued interest payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other liabilities* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6,464,918
3,082,367
216,147
2,946,320

6,464,918
3,135,611
206,296
3,115,285

5,611,664
3,621,259
640,304
3,008,753

5,611,664
3,681,279
635,767
3,455,381

181,150
7,081
1,018

180,639
7,081
1,018

165,390
32,802
2,008

162,936
32,802
2,008

* Derivative financial instruments are included in this category.

Financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk, consisting of loan commitments and standby letters of

credit, had immaterial estimated fair values at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Under ASC Topic 825, entities may choose to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value at
specified election dates. On January 1, 2007, Valley early adopted the fair value measurement option under ASC
Topic 825 to measure residential mortgage loans held for sale and the junior subordinated debentures issued to
VNB Capital Trust I at fair value as part of its on-going asset/liability management strategy. Valley also elected
the fair value option for a small amount of FHLB advances and transferred certain investment securities
classified as held to maturity and available for sale to the trading securities portfolio as part of an overall hedging
strategy, which also included a series of interest rate derivative transactions totaling $1.0 billion in April 2007.
The hedging strategy was terminated in the latter part of the second quarter of 2007 as the derivative transactions
did not offset the volatility in the trading securities to the extent expected by Valley. During 2008 and continuing
throughout 2009, significant deterioration in the financial markets, including illiquid pricing of several types of
investment securities historically traded in by Valley, limited management’s use of the trading securities
portfolio.

101

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table presents information about the eligible financial assets and liabilities for which Valley
elected the fair value measurement option and for which a cumulative effect adjustment was recorded to retained
earnings as of January 1, 2007:

Assets:
Investment securities:
Held to maturity (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Available for sale, cost of $842,229 (1)(2)

Carrying Value
Prior to
Election at
January 1,
2007

ASC 825
Transition
Adjustment
to Retained
Earnings

Carrying Value
at Fair Value
After Adoption
at January 1,
2007

(in thousands)

$ 498,949
820,532

$ 18,157
21,697

$ 480,792
820,532

Total investment securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,319,481

Loans (3)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

254,356

39,854

8,684

1,301,324

245,672

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liabilities:
Long-term borrowings (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I (5) . . .

$1,573,837

$ 48,538

$1,546,996

$

40,000
206,186

$ 2,145
2,391

$

42,145
208,577

Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 246,186

$ 4,536

$ 250,722

Pre-tax cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting principle

under ASC Topic 825 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net unamortized debt issuance costs and loan fees (3)(5) . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax benefit

Cumulative effect of adoption of a new accounting principle . . . . . . .

$ 53,074
5,579
(15,713)

$ 42,940

(1) Selected held to maturity and available for sale securities transferred to the trading securities portfolio at

January 1, 2007.

(2) The $21.7 million pre-tax charge to retained earnings was reclassified from unrealized losses on securities
available for sale included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a $8.3 million tax benefit at
December 31, 2006.

(3) Selected mortgage loans were transferred to loans held for sale, effectively, on January 1, 2007. The $8.7
million pre-tax charge to retained earnings excludes $95 thousand in unamortized loan origination fees
credited to retained earnings at January 1, 2007.

(4) Represents two fixed rate Federal Home Loan Bank advances redeemed on March 19, 2007.
(5) The $2.4 million pre-tax charge to retained earnings excludes $5.7 million in unamortized debt issuance

costs charged to retained earnings at January 1, 2007.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Note 4)

As of December 31, 2009, Valley had approximately $1.6 billion and $1.4 billion in held to maturity and
available for sale investment securities, respectively. Valley may be required to record impairment charges on its
investment securities if they suffer a decline in value that is considered other-than-temporary. Numerous factors,
including lack of liquidity for re-sales of certain investment securities, absence of reliable pricing information for
investment securities, adverse changes in business climate, adverse actions by regulators, or unanticipated
changes in the competitive environment could have a negative effect on Valley’s investment portfolio and may
result in other-than-temporary impairment on certain investment securities in future periods. Valley’s investment
portfolios include private mortgage-backed securities, trust preferred securities principally issued by banks
(including three pooled securities), perpetual preferred securities issued by banks, equity securities, and bank
issued corporate bonds. These investments may pose a higher risk of future impairment charges by Valley as a

102

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

result of the current downturn in the U.S. economy and its potential negative effect on the future performance of
these bank issuers and/or the underlying mortgage loan collateral. In addition, many of the bank issuers of trust
preferred securities within Valley’s investment portfolio remain participants in the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital
Purchase Program. For TARP participants, dividend payments to trust preferred security holders are currently
senior to and payable before dividends can be paid on the preferred stock issued under the Capital Purchase
Program. Some bank trust preferred issuers may elect to defer future payments of interest on such securities
either based upon recommendations by the U.S. Government and the banking regulators or management
decisions driven by potential liquidity needs. Such elections by issuers of securities within Valley’s investment
portfolio could adversely affect securities valuations and result in future impairment charges. Approximately
$9.2 million and $133.7 million of the mortgage-backed securities classified as held to maturity and available for
sale securities, respectively, were private label mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2009, while the
remainder of the mortgage-backed securities are issued by U.S. government sponsored agencies. The private
mortgage-backed securities classified as held to maturity and available for sale securities had gross unrealized
losses of $10 thousand and $10.0 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009.

Held to Maturity

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of securities held to maturity at

December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

December 31, 2009

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Amortized
Cost

December 31, 2008

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Fair Value

Amortized
Cost

(in thousands)

U.S. government

agency securities . . . . $

— $ — $ — $

— $

24,958 $

65 $ — $

25,023

Obligations of states

and political
subdivisions . . . . . . .

Residential mortgage-

313,360

3,430

(227)

316,563

201,858

2,428

(701)

203,585

backed securities . . . .

936,385

17,970

(413)

953,942

593,275

7,076

(785)

599,566

Trust preferred

securities . . . . . . . . . .

281,836

3,832

(59,516)

226,152

281,824

229

(91,151)

190,902

Corporate and other

debt securities . . . . . .

52,807

907

(2,365)

51,349

52,822

2,547

(5,200)

50,169

Total investment

securities held to
maturity . . . . . . $1,584,388 $26,139 $(62,521) $1,548,006 $1,154,737 $12,345 $(97,837) $1,069,245

103

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities held to maturity at December 31, 2009 and

2008 were as follows:

Less than
Twelve Months

December 31, 2009

More than
Twelve Months

Total

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

(in thousands)

Obligations of states and political

subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate and other debt securities . . . . . .

$ 42,507
120,101
10,702
7,206

$

(219) $
(404)
(89)
(338)

1,305
2,450
121,197
17,926

$

(8) $ 43,812
122,551
(9)
131,899
(59,427)
25,132
(2,027)

$

(227)
(413)
(59,516)
(2,365)

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$180,516

$ (1,050) $142,878

$(61,471) $323,394

$(62,521)

Less than
Twelve Months

December 31, 2008

More than
Twelve Months

Total

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

(in thousands)

Obligations of states and political

subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate and other debt securities . . . . . .

$ 27,346
36,985
89,816
29,389

$

(661) $
(785)
(24,111)
(4,677)

3,853
—
88,642
3,000

$

(40) $ 31,199
36,985
—
178,458
(67,040)
32,389
(523)

$

(701)
(785)
(91,151)
(5,200)

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$183,536

$(30,234) $ 95,495

$(67,603) $279,031

$(97,837)

The unrealized losses on investment securities held to maturity are primarily due to changes in interest rates
(including, in certain cases, changes in credit spreads) and lack of liquidity in the marketplace. The total number
of security positions in the securities held to maturity portfolio in an unrealized loss position at December 31,
2009 was 79 compared to 87 at December 31, 2008.

At December 31, 2009, the unrealized losses reported for trust preferred securities relate to 24 single-issuer
securities, mainly issued by bank holding companies. Of the 24 trust preferred securities, 12 are investment
grade, 1 was non-investment grade, and 11 are not rated as of December 31, 2009. Additionally, $33.6 million of
the $59.5 million in unrealized losses at December 31, 2009 relate to securities issued by one bank holding
company with a combined amortized cost of $55.0 million. Valley privately negotiated the purchase of the
$55.0 million in trust preferred securities from the bank issuer and holds all of the securities of the two issuances.

Typical of most trust preferred issuances, the bank issuer may defer interest payments for up to five years
with interest payable on the deferred balance. Beginning in August and October of 2009, the bank issuer elected
to defer its scheduled interest payments on both of the security issuances. The bank issuer is currently operating
under an agreement with its bank regulators which require, among other things, the issuer to receive permission
from the regulators prior to resuming its regularly scheduled payments on both security issuances. However, the
issuer’s principal subsidiary bank reported, in its most recent regulatory filing, that it meets the regulatory
minimum requirements to be considered a “well-capitalized institution” as of December 31, 2009. Based on this
information, management believes that we will receive all principal and interest contractually due on both
security issuances. Valley will continue to closely monitor the credit risk of this issuer and we may be required to

104

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

recognize other-than-temporary impairment on such securities in future periods. All other single-issuer bank trust
preferred securities classified as held to maturity are paying in accordance with their terms and have no deferrals
of interest or defaults.

Unrealized losses reported for corporate and other debt securities as of December 31, 2009 relate mainly to
one investment rated bank issued corporate bond with a $9.0 million amortized cost and a $1.5 million unrealized
loss. The security is paying in accordance with its terms. Additionally, management analyzes the performance of
the corporate and other debt issuers on a quarterly basis, including a review of performance data from the issuer’s
most recent bank regulatory filings, if applicable, to assess credit risk and the probability of impairment of the
contractual cash flows of the applicable security. Based upon management’s quarterly review, all of the issuers
have maintained performance levels adequate to support the contractual cash flows of the securities and, if
applicable, appear to meet the regulatory minimum requirements to be considered a “well-capitalized” financial
institution. Due to an illiquid and inactive market during 2009, Valley used Level 3 fair value measurements for
30 and 7 individual trust preferred securities and corporate bonds, respectively, out of a total of 40 and 12 of such
instruments, respectively, classified as held to maturity at December 31, 2009. See Note 3 for further details
regarding the valuation techniques used for investment securities.

Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of December 31, 2009 included in the
table above represents an other-than-temporary impairment as management mainly attributes the declines in
value to changes in interest rates and lack of liquidity in the market place, not credit quality or other factors.
Based on a comparison of the present value of expected cash flows to the amortized cost, management believes
there are no credit losses on these securities. Valley has no intent to sell, nor is it more likely than not that Valley
will be required to sell, the securities contained in the table above before the recovery of their amortized cost
basis or maturity.

At December 31, 2008, Valley recorded $7.8 million of other-than-temporary impairment charges on two of
the three pooled trust preferred securities owned by Valley, principally collateralized by securities issued by
banks,
included in trust preferred securities within the held to maturity portfolio. After the impairment,
management no longer had a positive intent to hold the pooled securities to their maturity dates due to the
significant deterioration in both issuers’ creditworthiness. As a result and in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we
were required to transfer these securities, with a total adjusted carrying value of $1.1 million at the time of
transfer, from the held to maturity portfolio to the available for sale portfolio at December 31, 2008. See the
“Available for Sale” section below for further discussion of these pooled trust preferred securities.

As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of investments held to maturity that were pledged to secure public

deposits, repurchase agreements, lines of credit, and for other purposes required by law, was $423.2 million.

The contractual maturities of investments in debt securities held to maturity at December 31, 2009 are set
forth in the table below. Maturities may differ from contractual maturities in residential mortgage-backed
securities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be prepaid without any penalties. Therefore,
residential mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following summary.

December 31, 2009

Amortized
Cost

Fair
Value

(in thousands)

Due in one year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due after one year through five years . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due after five years through ten years . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due after ten years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 136,614
66,055
78,890
366,444
936,385

$ 136,681
66,867
80,530
309,986
953,942

Total investment securities held to maturity . . . .

$1,584,388

$1,548,006

105

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Actual maturities of debt securities may differ from those presented above since certain obligations provide

the issuer the right to call or prepay the obligation prior to scheduled maturity without penalty.

The weighted-average remaining expected life for residential mortgage-backed securities held to maturity

was 1.7 years at December 31, 2009 and 16.6 years at December 31, 2008.

Available for Sale

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of securities available for sale at

December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

December 31, 2009

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Amortized
Cost

Fair Value

Amortized
Cost

(in thousands)

December 31, 2008

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

U.S. Treasury

securities . . . . . . . . . . $ 277,429 $ — $ (1,144)$ 276,285 $

— $ — $ — $

—

U.S. government agency
securities . . . . . . . . . .
Obligations of states and

political
subdivisions . . . . . . . .

Residential mortgage-

—

—

—

—

101,787

785

(8)

102,564

32,724

722

(35)

33,411

47,371

930

(110)

48,191

backed securities . . . .

911,186

39,537

(10,218)

940,505 1,229,248

21,692

(35,554) 1,215,386

Trust preferred

securities* . . . . . . . . .
Corporate and other debt
securities . . . . . . . . . .
Equity securities . . . . . . .

56,636

117

(20,341)

36,412

49,621

25

(20,299)

29,347

22,578
49,112

198
1,956

(3,734)
(4,242)

19,042
46,826

11,919
49,383

—
31

(6,762)
(14,617)

5,157
34,797

Total investment
securities
available for
sale . . . . . . . . . . . $1,349,665 $42,530 $(39,714)$1,352,481 $1,489,329 $23,463 $(77,350)$1,435,442

* Includes three pooled trust preferred securities, principally collateralized by securities issued by banks and

insurance companies.

106

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities available for sale at December 31, 2009 and

2008 were as follows:

Less than
Twelve Months

December 31, 2009

More than
Twelve Months

Total

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

$276,285

(in thousands)
$ (1,144) $ — $ — $276,285

$ (1,144)

395
11,318
—
1,878
—

(4)
(245)
—
(57)
—

1,688
122,031
34,622
6,296
35,901

(31)
(9,973)
(20,341)
(3,677)
(4,242)

2,083
133,349
34,622
8,174
35,901

(35)
(10,218)
(20,341)
(3,734)
(4,242)

U.S. Treasury securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Obligations of states and political

subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate and other debt securities . . . . . .
Equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$289,876

$ (1,450) $200,538

$(38,264) $490,414

$(39,714)

Less than
Twelve Months

December 31, 2008

More than
Twelve Months

Total

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

$

1,004

$

(in thousands)
(8) $ — $ — $

1,004

$

(8)

3,515
191,002
18,334
1,656
19,815

(109)
(24,902)
(8,159)
(290)
(11,092)

856
55,948
8,948
3,500
8,802

(1)
(10,652)
(12,140)
(6,472)
(3,525)

4,371
246,950
27,282
5,156
28,617

(110)
(35,554)
(20,299)
(6,762)
(14,617)

U.S. government agency securities . . . . . .
Obligations of states and political

subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate and other debt securities . . . . . .
Equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$235,326

$(44,560) $ 78,054

$(32,790) $313,380

$(77,350)

The total number of security positions in the securities available for sale portfolio in an unrealized loss
position at December 31, 2009 was 82 compared to 190 at December 31, 2008. The unrealized losses for
residential mortgage-backed securities relate primarily to 20 individual private label mortgage-backed securities.
Of these securities, 11 securities had investment grade ratings and 9 had a non-investment grade rating at
December 31, 2009. Four of the nine non-investment grade securities were found to be other-than-temporarily
impaired during 2009 (one security was previously impaired at December 31, 2008) based on management’s
impairment analysis. See discussion below for more details regarding our unrealized loss positions at
December 31, 2009 and our impairment analysis.

Within the residential mortgage-backed securities category of the available for sale portfolio, Valley owns a
total of 20 individual private label mortgage-backed securities with a combined amortized cost of $133.7 million
and unrealized losses totaling $10.0 million. Valley estimates loss projections for each security by stressing the
individual loans collateralizing the security and determining a range of expected default rates, loss severities, and
prepayment speeds, in conjunction with the underlying credit enhancement (if applicable) for each security.
Based on collateral and origination vintage specific assumptions, a range of possible cash flows was identified to
determine whether other-than-temporary impairment existed at December 31, 2009. Generally, the range of
expected constant default rates (“CDR”), loss severity rates and constant prepayment rates (“CPR”) used in the
modeling scenarios for the 20 private label mortgage-backed securities were as follows: a CDR of 0 percent to
11.9 percent, a loss severity rate of 12.9 percent to 56.6 percent, and a CPR of 0.8 percent to 26.4 percent.

107

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

During 2009, Valley recognized net impairment losses on securities in earnings totaling $5.7 million due to
estimated credit losses for other-than-temporarily impaired private label mortgage-backed securities. The net
impairment losses recorded during 2009 relate to four private label mortgage-backed securities. One of the four
securities was originally found to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008. Due to Valley’s
early adoption of the new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 320 on January 1, 2009, the
amortized cost for this security was increased by a total of $6.2 million at January 1, 2009 for the non-credit
portion of the $6.4 million impairment charge taken during the fourth quarter of 2008. In evaluating the range of
likely future cash flows for each of the four securities, Valley applied security as well as market specific
assumptions, based on the credit characteristics of each security to multiple cash flow models. Multiple present
value cash flow analyses were utilized in determining future expected cash flows, in part due to the vast array of
assumptions prevalent in the current market and used by market participants in valuing similar type securities.
Under certain stress scenarios estimated future losses may arise. For the four securities in which Valley recorded
an other-than-temporary impairment, the range of expected default rates, loss severities, prepayment speeds,
loan-to-value ratios at origination and FICO scores used in modeling scenarios for the four impaired securities
were generally as follows: a CDR of 4.9 percent to 11.9 percent, a loss severity rate of 51.2 percent to 56.6
percent, a CPR of 10.2 percent to 26.4 percent, weighted average loan to value ratios at origination between 59.0
percent to 72.3 percent, and the average portfolio FICO score ranged between 713 and 727 at December 31,
2009. Each security’s cash flows were discounted at the security’s effective interest rate. Although Valley
recognized other-than-temporary impairment charges on the securities, each security is currently performing in
accordance with its contractual obligations.

At December 31, 2009, the unrealized losses for trust preferred securities in the tables above relate to 16
single-issuer bank trust preferred securities and 3 pooled trust preferred securities. All the single-issuer trust
preferred securities classified as available for sale had investment grade ratings at December 31, 2009. These
single-issuer securities are all paying in accordance with their terms and have no deferrals of interest or defaults.
Additionally, as previously noted above, management analyzes the performance of the bank issuers on a
quarterly basis, including a review of performance data from the issuer’s most recent bank regulatory report to
assess their credit risk and the probability of impairment of the contractual cash flows of the applicable security.
Based upon management’s quarterly review, all of the issuers appear to meet
the regulatory minimum
requirements to be considered a “well-capitalized” financial institution and have maintained performance levels
adequate to support the contractual cash flows of the securities.

Valley owns three pooled trust preferred securities, collateralized by securities principally issued by banks,
with a combined amortized cost and fair value of $25.8 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Two of the three
securities were other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008 (and transferred to the available for sale
portfolio as previously mentioned above), and resulted in an impairment charge of $7.8 million to earnings, as
each of Valley’s tranches in the two securities had projected cash flows below their future contractual principal
and interest payments. Due to Valley’s early adoption of the new authoritative accounting guidance included in
ASC Topic 320 on January 1, 2009, the amortized cost amounts for these securities were increased by a total of
$7.5 million at January 1, 2009 for the non-credit portion of the $7.8 million impairment charge taken during the
fourth quarter of 2008. At December 31, 2009, we recognized additional estimated credit losses of $183 thousand
(reclassified from other comprehensive income to earnings) for one of the two previously impaired pooled trust
preferred securities as higher default rates decreased the expected future cash flows from the security. This
pooled trust preferred security has 66 total issuers, out of which there were 3 banks in default and 15 banks that
deferred interest payments. These issuers’ securities collectively amounted to 19.9 percent of the total value of
the pooled securities. An additional eight percent of the overall collateral would need to default before Valley’s
tranche would experience a break in yield. The other previously impaired pooled trust preferred security has 60
total issuers, out of which there were 7 banks in default and 7 banks that deferred interest payments. These
issuers’ securities collectively amounted to 16.4 percent of the total value of the pooled securities. An additional
12 percent of the overall collateral would need to default before the tranche would experience a break in yield.

108

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

After all impairment charges, the two pooled trust preferred securities had a combined amortized cost and fair
value of $8.4 million and $705 thousand, respectively, at December 31, 2009. Based upon management’s
assessment, the total unrealized loss of $7.7 million on the two securities at December 31, 2009 is solely
attributable to factors other than credit.

The one other pooled trust preferred security’s rating was downgraded from BBB- to BB- by S&P in March
2009 and from a rating equivalent of AA to A by Moody’s in August 2009 with a stable outlook. The security is
performing in accordance with its contractual terms and management has no present intent to sell, nor is it more
likely than not that Valley will be required to sell such security before market price recovery, which could be
maturity. The overall issuance of approximately $183 million and 40 total issuers includes five banks that
deferred interest payments and two banks in default of payment. These issuers’ securities collectively amounted
to 14.2 percent of the total value of the pooled securities. An additional 47.5 percent of the overall collateral
would need to default before the tranche would experience a break in yield. As part of its impairment analysis,
management reviewed the underlying banks’ current financial performance, as well as their participation in the
U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program, if applicable, to assist management in applying the appropriate
constant default rate to its cash flow projections for the security. At December 31, 2009, no other-than-temporary
impairment was recorded for the security, as Valley’s super senior tranche of this security had projected cash
flows no less than their future contractual principal and interest payments. The S&P and Moody’s downgrades to
the security’s ratings in March and August 2009, respectively, did not change management’s assessment that the
security is temporarily impaired.

Unrealized losses reported for corporate and other debt securities relate mostly to one investment rated bank
issued corporate bond with a $10.0 million amortized cost and a $3.7 million unrealized loss. The security is
paying in accordance with its contractual terms. Additionally, management analyzes the performance of the
corporate and other debt issuers on a quarterly basis, including a review of performance data from the issuer’s
most recent bank regulatory filings, if applicable, to assess credit risk and the probability of impairment of the
contractual cash flows of the applicable security. Based upon management’s quarterly review, all of the issuers
have maintained performance levels adequate to support the contractual cash flows of the securities and, if
applicable, appear to meet the regulatory minimum requirements to be considered a “well-capitalized” financial
institution.

The unrealized losses on equity securities, including those more than twelve months, are related primarily to
perpetual preferred securities. As allowed under the guidance issued by the Office of the Chief Accountant of the
SEC in October 2008, these hybrid investments are assessed for impairment by Valley as if they were debt
securities. Therefore, Valley assessed the creditworthiness of each security issuer, as well as any potential change
in the anticipated cash flows of the securities as of December 31, 2009. Based on this analysis, management
believes the declines in fair value are attributable to a lack of liquidity in the marketplace and are not reflective of
any deterioration in the credit worthiness of the issuers. All of the perpetual preferred securities with unrealized
losses at December 31, 2009 have investment grade ratings and are currently performing and paying quarterly
dividends.

For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, Valley recognized other-than-temporary impairment
charges of $434 thousand and $70.6 million, respectively, on equity securities classified as available for sale. The
2009 impairment charge relates to one common equity security issued by a bank with an adjusted carrying value
of $723 thousand at December 31, 2009. The impairment was recognized based on the length of time and the
severity of the difference between the security’s book value and its observable market price. For the year-ended
December 31, 2008, the majority of the impairment charges related to perpetual preferred equity securities issued
by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as a significant decline in market value of these securities was caused by the
U.S. government placing these entities into conservatorship and suspending their preferred stock dividends
during the third quarter of 2008. We also recorded a total of $733 thousand in other-than-temporary impairment
charges on three common equity securities and one preferred equity security issued by banks during 2008.

109

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of December 31, 2009 represents an
other-than-temporary impairment, except for the four private label mortgage-backed securities, one pooled trust
preferred security and one equity security discussed above, as management mainly attributes the declines in value
to changes in interest rates and recent market volatility, not credit quality or other factors. Based on a comparison
of the present value of expected cash flows to the amortized cost, management believes there are no credit losses
on these securities. Valley has no intent to sell, nor is it more likely than not that Valley will be required to sell,
the securities contained in the table above before the recovery of their amortized cost basis or, if necessary,
maturity.

As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of securities available for sale that were pledged to secure public

deposits, repurchase agreements, lines of credit, and for other purposes required by law, was $662.4 million.

The contractual maturities of investments in debt securities available for sale at December 31, 2009, are set
forth in the following table. Maturities may differ from contractual maturities in residential mortgage-backed
securities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be prepaid without any penalties. Therefore,
residential mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following summary.

December 31, 2009

Amortized
Cost

Fair
Value

(in thousands)

Due in one year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due after one year through five years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due after five years through ten years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due after ten years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

12,270
296,728
10,818
69,551
911,186
49,112

$

12,417
296,073
10,973
45,687
940,505
46,826

Total investment securities available for sale . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,349,665

$1,352,481

Actual maturities of debt securities may differ from those presented above since certain obligations provide

the issuer the right to call or prepay the obligation prior to scheduled maturity without penalty.

The weighted-average remaining expected life for residential mortgage-backed securities available for sale

at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was 4.6 years and 9.1 years, respectively.

Net impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008,

2007 are set forth in the following table:

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Held to Maturity:

Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ — $ 7,846

$ —

Available for sale:

Residential mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,735
183
434

6,435
—
70,554

—
—
17,949

Net impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$6,352

$84,835

$17,949

110

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Gross gains (losses) realized on sales, maturities and other securities transactions related to investment

securities included in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

Sales transactions:

Gross gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$8,006
(36)

$10,326
(5,599)

$2,171
(123)

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Maturities and other securities transactions:

Gross gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$7,970

$ 4,727

$2,048

$

$

79
(44)

35

$

$

317
(24)

293

$

$

91
—

91

Gains on securities transactions, net

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$8,005

$ 5,020

$2,139

During September of 2008, prior to the recognition of the 2008 impairment charges on Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac perpetual preferred securities (discussed above), Valley sold 50 percent of its position in one of the
Fannie Mae perpetual preferred stocks classified as available for sale and realized a gross loss of $5.4 million
included in the table above. This security had a total book value of $9.2 million prior to the date of sale.

The following table presents the changes in the credit loss component of the amortized cost of debt
securities classified as either held to maturity or available for sale that Valley has written down for such loss as
an other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings. The credit loss component of the amortized cost
represents the difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of
the security prior to considering credit losses. The beginning balance represents the credit loss component for
debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairment occurred prior to the period presented. Other-than-
temporary impairment recognized in earnings in the year ended December 31, 2009, for credit impaired debt
securities are presented as additions in two components based upon whether the current period is the first time
the debt security was credit impaired (initial credit impairment) or is not the first time the debt security was credit
impaired (subsequent credit impairments). The credit loss component is reduced if Valley sells, intends to sell or
believes it will be required to sell previously credit impaired debt securities. Additionally, the credit loss
component is reduced if (i) Valley receives the cash flows in excess of what it expected to receive over the
remaining life of the credit impaired debt security, (ii) the security matures or (iii) the security is fully written
down.

Changes in the credit loss component of credit impaired debt securities during the year ended December 31,

2009 were as follows:

Balance, beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additions:

2009

(in thousands)
$ 549

Initial credit impairments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subsequent credit impairments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,605
3,747

Reductions:

Accretion of credit loss impairment due to an

increase in expected cash flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(348)

Balance, end of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$6,553

111

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Trading Securities

The fair value of trading securities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$32,950

$34,236

Total trading securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$32,950

$34,236

2009

2008

(in thousands)

Interest income on trading securities totaled $3.8 million, $8.3 million, and $52.8 million for years ended

December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

LOANS (Note 5)

The detail of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was as follows:

2009

2008

(in thousands)

Commercial and industrial loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,801,251

$ 1,965,372

Mortgage:

Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Residential mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial real estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

440,046
1,943,249
3,500,419

Total mortgage loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,883,714

Consumer:

Home equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Credit card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

566,303
10,025
1,029,958
78,820

Total consumer loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,685,106

510,519
2,269,935
3,324,082

6,104,536

607,700
9,916
1,364,343
91,823

2,073,782

Total loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,370,071

$10,143,690

Total loans are net of unearned discount and deferred loan fees totaling $8.7 million and $4.8 million at

December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Much of Valley’s lending activity occurs within the State of New Jersey and the New York City
metropolitan area. The majority of Valley’s loan portfolio consists of commercial and industrial, commercial real
estate, and residential mortgage loans. A prolonged broad-based deterioration in economic conditions within
these markets, including a continued decline in real estate values, higher unemployment, and an increase in
commercial property vacancies, could have a material adverse impact on the quality of Valley’s loan portfolio.

Related Party Loans

The Bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors and executive officers, as well as to entities controlled
by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of the National Bank Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act and
Regulation O of the FRB thereunder. Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to
insiders (i) be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that
are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not

112

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features and (ii) not exceed certain
limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are
based, in part, on the amount of the Bank’s capital. In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits
must be approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Valley and its subsidiaries,
other than the Bank, may not extend or arrange for any personal loans to its directors and executive officers.

The following table summarizes the change in the total amounts of loans and advances to directors,
executive officers, and their affiliates during the year ended December 31, 2009, adjusted for changes in
directors, executive officers and their affiliates:

Outstanding at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New loans and advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales of loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

(in thousands)
$133,015
55,496
(20,733)
(842)

Outstanding at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$166,936

All loans to related parties are performing as of December 31, 2009.

Asset Quality

The outstanding balances of loans that are 90 days or more past due as to principal or interest payments and
still accruing, non-performing assets, and troubled debt restructured loans at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were
as follows:

2009

2008

(in thousands)

Loans past due in excess of 90 days and still accruing . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 5,125

$15,557

Non-accrual loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other real estate owned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other repossessed assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$91,964
3,869
2,565

$33,073
8,278
4,317

Total non-performing assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$98,398

$45,668

Troubled debt restructured loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$19,072

$ 7,628

If interest on non-accrual loans had been accrued in accordance with the original contractual terms, such
interest income would have amounted to approximately $6.5 million, $2.7 million and $2.8 million for the years
ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively; none of these amounts were included in interest income
during these periods. Interest income recognized on loans once classified as non-accrual loans totaled $3 thousand,
$9 thousand and $45 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Information about impaired loans as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 follows:

Impaired loans for which there was a specific related allowance for loan

losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other impaired loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$45,986
28,554

$10,491
11,882

Total impaired loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$74,540

$22,373

Related allowance for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 7,314

$ 2,104

2009

2008

(in thousands)

113

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The average balance of impaired loans during 2009, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $49.8 million,
$25.3 million and $23.8 million, respectively. The amount of interest that would have been recorded under the
original terms for impaired loans was $3.1 million for 2009, $984 thousand for 2008, and $1.3 million for 2007.
Interest was not collected on these impaired loans during these periods.

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Note 6)

Transactions recorded in the allowance for credit losses during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008

and 2007 were as follows:

Beginning balance—Allowance for credit losses . . . . . . . . . .
Less net charge-offs:

Loans charged-off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charged-off loans recovered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net charge-offs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additions from acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision charged for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

2008

2007

$ 94,738

(in thousands)
$ 74,935

$ 74,718

(42,465)
3,390

(39,075)
—
47,992

(22,663)
2,774

(19,889)
11,410
28,282

(15,135)
3,477

(11,658)
—
11,875

Ending balance—Allowance for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$103,655

$ 94,738

$ 74,935

Components of allowance for credit losses:

Allowance for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reserve for unfunded letters of credit

101,990
1,665

93,244
1,494

72,664
2,271

Allowance for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$103,655

$ 94,738

$ 74,935

Components of provision for credit losses:

Provision for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for unfunded letters of credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

47,821
171

29,059
(777)

12,751
(876)

Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 47,992

$ 28,282

$ 11,875

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Note 7)

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, premises and equipment, net consisted of:

2009

2008

(in thousands)

Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leasehold improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Furniture and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 56,304
180,609
58,215
163,109

$ 58,398
176,630
48,885
151,706

Accumulated depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

458,237
(191,836)

435,619
(179,276)

Total premises and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 266,401

$ 256,343

Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment included in non-interest expense for the years ended
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 amounted to approximately $15.3 million, $14.7 million and $15.3 million,
respectively.

114

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

LOAN SERVICING (Note 8)

VNB Mortgage Services, Inc. (“MSI”), a subsidiary of the Bank, is a servicer of residential mortgage loan
portfolios. MSI is compensated for loan administrative services performed for mortgage servicing rights
purchased in the secondary market and loans originated and sold by the Bank. The aggregate principal balances
of mortgage loans serviced by MSI for others approximated $1.3 billion, $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion at
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The outstanding balance of loans serviced for others is not
included in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

The Bank is a servicer of SBA loans, and is compensated for loan administrative services performed for
SBA loans originated and sold by the Bank. The Bank serviced a total of $37.8 million, $47.4 million and
$52.6 million of SBA loans at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for third-party investors. The
outstanding balance of SBA loans serviced for others is not included in the consolidated statements of financial
condition.

The unamortized costs associated with acquiring loan servicing rights are included in other intangible assets
in the consolidated statements of financial condition. The following table summarizes the change in loan
servicing rights during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Loan servicing rights:

Balance at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase and origination of loan servicing rights . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 9,824
5,012
(3,114)

$12,191
990
(3,357)

$13,810
2,345
(3,964)

Balance at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$11,722

$ 9,824

$12,191

Valuation allowance:

Balance at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ (532)
(80)

$ —

(532)

$ —
—

Balance at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ (612)

$ (532)

$ —

Balance at end of year net of valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . .

$11,110

$ 9,292

$12,191

Loan servicing rights are accounted for using the amortization method. See the “Loan Servicing Rights”
sections of Notes 1 and 3 above for further details. Based on market conditions at December 31, 2009,
amortization expense related to the loan servicing rights is expected to aggregate approximately $9.1 million
through 2014.

115

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Note 9)

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill as allocated to our business segments, or reporting units

thereof, for goodwill impairment analysis were:

Business Segment / Reporting Unit*:

Wealth
Management

Consumer
Lending

Commercial
Lending

Investment
Management

Total

Balance at December 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill related to bank subsidiary sold . . . . . .
Goodwill from business combinations . . . . . . . .

Balance at December 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill from business combinations . . . . . . . .

$18,192
(100)
93

18,185
793

$54,537
—
39,103

93,640
165

(in thousands)
$ 57,020
—
50,736

107,756
213

$50,086
—
25,479

75,565
107

$179,835
(100)
115,411

295,146
1,278

Balance at December 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$18,978

$93,805

$107,969

$75,672

$296,424

*

Valley’s Wealth Management Division is comprised of trust, asset management, and insurance services.
This reporting unit is included in the Consumer Lending segment for financial reporting purposes.

During 2009, Valley recorded $726 thousand in goodwill in connection with the acquisition of Samuel M.
Berman Company, Inc by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, $485 thousand in goodwill related to a
valuation adjustment of certain deferred tax assets acquired from Greater Community on July 1, 2008, and
$67 thousand in goodwill from an earn-out payment resulting from an acquisition by Valley in 2006. The
earn-out payment was based upon predetermined profitability targets in accordance with the merger agreement.

During 2008, we recorded $115.3 million in goodwill in connection with the acquisition of Greater
Community and $93 thousand in goodwill from an earn-out payment resulting from the acquisition by Valley in
2006.

During 2007, Valley recorded a $2.3 million goodwill impairment charge due to its decision to sell its
broker-dealer subsidiary, Glen Rauch Securities, Inc. On March 31, 2008, Valley sold the broker-dealer
subsidiary resulting in $100 thousand reduction in goodwill during the first quarter of 2008. See Note 2 for
further details on this transaction.

No impairment losses on goodwill or intangibles, except for loan servicing rights, were incurred in the years

ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

116

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table summarizes other intangible assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

Gross
Intangible
Assets

Accumulated
Amortization

Valuation
Allowance

(in thousands)

Net
Intangible
Assets

December 31, 2009
Loan servicing rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Core deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other

$ 70,885
25,584
4,057

$(59,163)
(13,859)
(2,587)

$(612)
—
—

$11,110
11,725
1,470

Total other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$100,526

$(75,609)

$(612)

$24,305

December 31, 2008
Loan servicing rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Core deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other

$ 66,624
38,177
5,792

$(56,800)
(23,028)
(4,279)

$(532)
—
—

$ 9,292
15,149
1,513

Total other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$110,593

$(84,107)

$(532)

$25,954

Core deposits are amortized using an accelerated method and have a weighted average amortization period
of 10 years. The column labeled “Other” included in the table below consists of customer lists and covenants not
to compete, which are amortized over their expected life using a straight line method and have a weighted
average amortization period of 13 years. We recognized amortization expense on other intangible assets,
including net impairment charges on loan servicing rights, of $6.9 million, $7.2 million, and $7.5 million for the
years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

The following presents the estimated amortization expense of other intangible assets over the next five year

period:

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Loan
Servicing
Rights

Core
Deposits

(in thousands)
$2,985
2,544
2,104
1,663
1,223

$2,907
2,298
1,659
1,278
940

Other

$303
268
251
148
84

DEPOSITS (Note 10)

Included in time deposits at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are certificates of deposit over $100 thousand of
$1.4 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. Interest expense on time deposits of $100 thousand or more totaled
approximately $15.3 million, $37.8 million and $57.8 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The scheduled maturities of time deposits as of December 31, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter

$2,226,149
326,530
196,869
79,957
120,741
132,121

Total time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$3,082,367

117

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Deposits from certain directors, executive officers and their affiliates totaled $68.9 million and $57.4 million at

December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

BORROWED FUNDS (Note 11)

Short-term borrowings at December 31, 2009 and 2008 consisted of the following:

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FHLB advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treasury tax and loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$206,542
—
9,605

$335,510
300,000
4,794

Total short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$216,147

$640,304

2009

2008

(in thousands)

The weighted average interest rate for short-term borrowings at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was 0.64

percent and 1.99 percent, respectively.

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, long-term borrowings consisted of the following:

FHLB advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subordinated debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2,189,358
655,000
100,000
1,962

$2,214,784
689,000
100,000
4,969

Total long-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2,946,320

$3,008,753

2009

2008

(in thousands)

The FHLB advances included in long-term debt had a weighted average interest rate of 4.20 percent at
December 31, 2009 and 4.21 percent at December 31, 2008. These advances are secured by pledges of FHLB
stock, mortgage-backed securities and a blanket assignment of qualifying residential mortgage loans. Interest
expense of $93.7 million, $92.8 million, and $69.9 million was recorded on FHLB advances during the years
ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The FHLB advances are scheduled for repayment as follows (in thousands):

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter

$

62,693
122,475
28,320
1,102
102
1,974,666

Total long-term FHLB advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2,189,358

The majority of the long-term FHLB advances are callable by the issuer for redemption prior to their
scheduled maturity date. Advances with scheduled maturities beyond 2014 reported in the table above include
$1.6 billion in advances which are callable during 2010 and have interest rates ranging from 2.27 percent to 4.99
percent.

118

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The securities sold under repurchase agreements to FHLB and other counterparties included in long-term
debt totaled $655.0 million and $689.0 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The weighted
average interest rate for this debt was 4.27 percent and 4.21 percent at December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. Interest expense of $28.9 million, $28.0 million, and $26.6 million was recorded during the years
ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The schedule for repayment is as follows (in thousands):

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ —
85,000
—
—
—
570,000

Total long-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase . . . . . . . . . .

$655,000

On July 13, 2005, the Bank issued $100 million of 5.0 percent subordinated notes due July 15, 2015 with no
call dates or prepayments allowed. Interest on the subordinated notes is payable semi-annually in arrears at an
annual rate of 5.0 percent on January 15 and July 15 of each year.

The fair market value of securities pledged to secure public deposits, treasury tax and loan deposits,
repurchase agreements, lines of credit, FHLB advances and for other purposes required by law approximated
$1.1 billion and $1.4 billion at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES ISSUED TO CAPITAL TRUSTS (Note 12)

Valley established VNB Capital Trust I, a statutory trust, for the sole purpose of issuing trust preferred
securities and related trust common securities. The proceeds from such issuances were used by the trust to
purchase an equivalent amount of junior subordinated debentures of Valley. GCB Capital Trust III was
established by Greater Community prior to Valley’s acquisition of Greater Community, and the junior
subordinated notes issued by Greater Community to GCB Capital Trust III were assumed by Valley upon
completion of the acquisition on July 1, 2008. The junior subordinated debentures, the sole assets of the trusts,
are unsecured obligations of Valley, and are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present and future
senior and subordinated indebtedness and certain other financial obligations of Valley. Valley wholly owns all of
the common securities of each trust. The trust preferred securities, qualify, and are treated by Valley as Tier I
regulatory capital.

Valley elected to measure the junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I at fair value on
January 1, 2007. Net trading gains (losses) included non-cash losses of $15.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2009 and non-cash gains of $15.2 million and $4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2008
and 2007, respectively, for the change in the fair value of the junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB
Capital Trust I.

119

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The table below summarizes the outstanding junior subordinated debentures and the related trust preferred

securities issued by each trust as of December 31, 2009:

Junior Subordinated Debentures:
Carrying value (1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contractual principal balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annual interest rate (2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stated maturity date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Initial call date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trust Preferred Securities:
Face value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annual distribution rate (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issuance date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Distribution dates (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

December 31, 2009

VNB Capital
Trust I

GCB Capital
Trust III

$
$

($ in thousands)

155,893
157,024

$
$

7.75%

25,257
24,743

6.96%

December 15, 2031
November 7, 2006

July 30, 2037
July 30, 2017

$

152,313

$

7.75%

November 2001
Quarterly

24,000

6.96%

July 2007
Quarterly

(1) The carrying value for GCB Capital Trust III includes an unamortized purchase accounting premium of

(2)

$514 thousand.
Interest on GCB Capital Trust III is fixed until July 30, 2017, then resets to 3-month LIBOR plus 1.4
percent. The annual interest rate excludes the effect of the purchase accounting adjustments.

(3) All cash distributions are cumulative.

The junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I and GCB Capital Trust III had total
carrying values of $140.1 million and $25.3 million, respectively, and total contractual principal balances of
$157.0 million and $24.7 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008. The trust preferred securities issued by
VNB Capital Trust I and GCB Capital Trust III had total face values of $152.3 million and $24.0 million,
respectively, at December 31, 2008.

The trusts’ ability to pay amounts due on the trust preferred securities is solely dependent upon Valley
the junior
making payments on the related junior subordinated debentures. Valley’s obligation under
subordinated debentures and other relevant trust agreements, in aggregate, constitutes a full and unconditional
guarantee by Valley of the trusts’ obligations under the trust preferred securities issued. Under the junior
subordinated debenture agreements, Valley has the right to defer payment of interest on the debentures and,
therefore, distributions on the trust preferred securities, for up to five years, but not beyond the stated maturity
date in the table above. Currently, Valley has no intention to exercise its right to defer interest payments on the
debentures.

The trust preferred securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of
the junior subordinated debentures at the stated maturity date or upon an earlier call date for redemption at par.
The junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I are currently callable by Valley. Valley’s
Board of Directors has granted management authorization to call, from time to time, all or part of the remaining
junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I for redemption prior to their stated maturity date of
December 15, 2031.

During the third quarter of 2008, Valley purchased,

transactions, approximately
307 thousand trust preferred securities issued by VNB Capital Trust I for $7.3 million at an average cost of
$23.64 per share. These 307 thousand preferred securities and approximately 10 thousand of the trust’s common

in open market

120

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

securities held by Valley were surrendered to and cancelled by the trust in exchange for the redemption of
317 thousand junior subordinated debentures with a total par value of $7.9 million. As a result of the redemption,
Valley recognized a $417 thousand gain within the other non-interest income category of the consolidated
statements of income during the third quarter of 2008.

The trust preferred securities described above are included in Valley’s consolidated Tier 1 capital and total
capital at December 31, 2009 and 2008. In March 2005, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
issued a final rule allowing bank holding companies to continue to include qualifying trust preferred capital
securities in their Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes, subject to a 25 percent limitation to all core
(Tier 1) capital elements, net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability. The amount of trust preferred
securities and certain other elements in excess of the limit could be included in total capital, subject to
restrictions. The final rule originally provided a five-year transition period, ending March 31, 2009, for
application of the aforementioned quantitative limitation, however, in March 2009, the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve Board voted to delay the effective date until March 2011. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
100 percent of the trust preferred securities qualified as Tier I capital under the final rule adopted in March 2005.

BENEFIT PLANS (Note 13)

Pension Plan

Valley National Bank has a non-contributory defined benefit plan (“qualified plan”) covering substantially
all of its employees. The benefits are based upon years of credited service and the employee’s highest average
compensation as defined. It is the Bank’s funding policy to contribute annually an amount that can be deducted
for federal income tax purposes. Additionally, the Bank has a supplemental non-qualified, non-funded retirement
plan (“non-qualified plan”) which is designed to supplement the pension plan for key officers.

The following table sets forth the change in projected benefit obligation, the change in fair value of plan
assets and the funded status and amounts recognized in Valley’s financial statements for the qualified and
non-qualified plans at December 31, 2009 and 2008:

Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Plan amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actuarial (gain) loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

2008

(in thousands)

$ 90,429
5,216
5,059
221
(440)
(2,953)

$ 80,855
4,590
4,794
301
2,594
(2,705)

Projected benefit obligation at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 97,532

$ 90,429

Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actual return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 60,673
11,172
5,113
(2,953)

$ 69,676
(11,403)
5,105
(2,705)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 74,005

$ 60,673

Funded Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(23,527)

$(29,756)

Liability recognized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(23,527)

$(29,756)

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 86,377

$ 79,731

121

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Amounts recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss as of year-end that have not
been recognized as a component of net periodic pension expense of Valley’s qualified and non-qualified plans
are presented in the following table. Valley expects to recognize approximately $1.1 million of the net actuarial
loss and $641 thousand of prior service cost reported in the following table as of December 31, 2009 as a
component of net periodic pension expense during 2010.

Net actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prior service cost
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax benefit

$ 26,176
2,981
(12,224)

$ 32,608
3,399
(15,107)

Total

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 16,933

$ 20,900

2009

2008

(in thousands)

The Bank’s non-qualified plan has an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as follows:

Projected benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fair value of plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$10,090
9,702
—

$9,739
9,396
—

2009

2008

(in thousands)

In determining rate assumptions, management looks to current rates on fixed-income corporate debt
securities that receive a rating of Aa3 or higher from Moody’s. The weighted average discount rate and rate of
increase in future compensation levels used in determining the actuarial present value of benefit obligations for
the qualified and non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were:

Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Future compensation increase rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.00% 5.75%
3.50

3.50

2009

2008

Components of net periodic pension expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 are as

follows:

Service cost
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recognized prior service cost
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recognized actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

2008

2007

$ 5,216
5,059
(6,040)
640
858

(in thousands)
$ 4,590
4,794
(5,900)
597
371

$ 4,393
4,383
(5,370)
546
268

Total net periodic pension expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 5,733

$ 4,452

$ 4,220

122

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income are as

follows:

Net actuarial (gain) loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prior service cost
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

2008

(in thousands)

$(5,572)
221
(640)
(858)

$19,897
301
(597)
(371)

Total recognized in other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(6,849)

$19,230

Total recognized in net periodic pension expense and other

comprehensive income (before tax) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(1,116)

$23,682

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be

paid:

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015 to 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

(in thousands)
$ 4,179
4,580
4,963
5,207
5,841
34,209

The weighted average discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on assets and rate of compensation
increase used in determining Valley’s pension expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007
were:

Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected long-term return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rate of compensation increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.75% 6.00% 6.00%
8.50
8.00
3.75
3.50

8.50
3.75

2009

2008

2007

The expected rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on the concept that it is a long-term
assumption independent of the current economic environment and changes would be made in the expected return
only when long-term inflation expectations change, asset allocations change or when asset class returns are
expected to change for the long-term. The 2009 expected return was adjusted downward in light of the severe
negative impact of the financial crisis beginning in 2008 on the fair value of the qualified plan assets and the
asset classes available for investment and the expectation of future increases in inflationary pressure.

123

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Valley’s qualified plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2009 and 2008, by asset

category were as follows:

Common stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. Treasury securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mutual Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. government agency securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

2008

43% 34%
17
19
10
5
4
2

19
18
8
15
4
2

Total investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100% 100%

In accordance with Section 402 (c) of ERISA, the qualified plan’s investment managers are granted full
discretion to buy, sell, invest and reinvest the portions of the portfolio assigned to them consistent with Valley’s
Pension Committee’s policy and guidelines. The target asset allocation set for the qualified plan are in equity
securities ranging from 25 percent to 65 percent and fixed income securities ranging from 35 percent to 75
percent. The absolute investment objective for the equity portion is to earn at least 7 percent cumulative annual
real return, after adjustment by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), over rolling five-year periods, while the relative
objective is to be above the S&P 500 Index over rolling three-year periods. For the fixed income portion, the
absolute objective is to earn at least a 3 percent cumulative annual real return, after adjustment by the CPI over
rolling five-year periods with a relative objective of above the Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government/
Corporate Index over rolling three-year periods. Cash equivalents will be invested in money market funds or in
other high quality instruments approved by the Trustees of the qualified plan.

In general, the plan assets of the qualified plan are investment securities that are well-diversified in terms of
industry, capitalization and asset class. The plan assets are mostly a conservative mix of U.S. Treasury securities,
U.S. government agency securities, mutual funds primarily indexed to the performance of Fortune 500 U.S.
companies, high quality corporate bonds, various types of domestic and foreign common equity securities, trust
preferred securities (mainly issued by VNB Capital Trust I—see Note 12), and a U.S. Treasury based money
market fund. The qualified plan’s exposure to a concentration of credit risk is limited by the Bank’s Pension
Committee’s diversification of the investments into various investment options with multiple asset managers.
The Pension Committee engages an investment management advisory firm that regularly monitors the
performance of the asset managers and ensures they are within compliance of the policies adopted by the
Trustees. If the risk profile and overall return of assets managed are not in line with the risk objectives or
expected return benchmarks for the qualified plan, the advisory firm may recommend the termination of an asset
manager to the Pension Committee.

124

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table presents the qualified plan assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by
level within the fair value hierarchy under ASC Topic 820. Financial assets are classified in their entirety based
on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. See Note 3 for further details
regarding the fair value hierarchy.

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:

Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

December 31,
2009

(in thousands)

Assets:
Investments:

Common stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. Treasury securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mutual Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. government agency securities . . . . . . . . . .
Trust preferred securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$31,760
12,818
13,889
7,463
3,323
3,095
1,657

Total investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$74,005

$31,760
12,818
—
7,463
3,323
—
1,657

$57,021

$ —
—
13,889
—
—
3,095
—

$16,984

$—
—
—
—
—
—
—

$—

Common stocks, U.S. Treasury securities, mutual funds, money market funds, and trust preferred securities
are reported at fair value in the table above utilizing exchange quoted prices in active markets for identical
instruments (Level 1 inputs). Bond and U.S. government agency securities are reported at fair value utilizing
Level 2 inputs. The prices for these instruments are derived from market quotations and matrix pricing obtained
through an independent pricing service. Such fair value measurements consider observable data that may include
dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data,
market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other
things.

The qualified plan held 62,752 shares of VNB Capital Trust I preferred securities at December 31, 2009 and
2008. These shares had fair values of approximately $1.6 million and $1.4 million at December 31, 2009 and
2008, respectively. Dividends received on Valley trust preferred shares were $122 thousand for each of the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Valley expects to contribute approximately $5.0 million to the qualified plan during 2010 based upon

actuarial estimates.

Director Plans

Valley maintains a non-qualified, non-funded directors’ retirement plan. The projected benefit obligation
and discount rate used to compute the obligation was approximately $1.8 million and 6.00 percent, respectively,
at December 31, 2009, and $1.8 million and 5.75 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2008. As of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, the entire obligation was included in other liabilities and $434 thousand (net of a
$234 thousand tax benefit) and $454 thousand (net of a $245 thousand tax benefit), respectively, were recorded
in accumulated other comprehensive loss. An expense of $250 thousand, $225 thousand and $240 thousand has
been recognized for the Directors’ retirement plan in the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.

Valley also maintains non-qualified plans for former directors of banks acquired, as well as a non-qualified
plan for former senior management of Merchants Bank of New York acquired in January of 2001. Valley did not

125

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

merge these plans into its existing non-qualified plans. Collectively, at December 31, 2009 and 2008, the
remaining obligations under these plans were $8.5 million and $10.3 million, respectively, of which $5.5 million
and $7.1 million, respectively, were funded. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the entire obligations were
included in other liabilities and $1.8 million (net of a $1.3 million tax benefit) and $1.9 million (net of a
$1.3 million tax benefit), respectively, were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The $1.8 million
in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified to expense on a straight-line basis over the
remaining benefit periods of these non-qualified plans.

Bonus Plan

Valley National Bank and its subsidiaries award incentive and merit bonuses to its officers and employees
based upon a percentage of the covered employees’ compensation as determined by the achievement of certain
performance objectives. Amounts charged to salary expense were $2.4 million, $6.4 million and $6.3 million
during 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This
Act and the regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury under the Act, among other things, prohibited the payment or
accrual of any bonus, retention award or incentive compensation to any of the five highest paid executive officers
of Valley named in Valley’s most recent Proxy Statement and its next 10 most highly compensated employees
during the period when the U.S. Treasury owned any debt or equity securities (excluding warrants) issued by
Valley under the TARP Capital Purchase Program. The prohibition exempted awards of long-term restricted
stock that did not exceed one-third of the total annual compensation of the executive and were subject to certain
vesting restrictions and clawback provisions. The prohibition ceased to apply to Valley on December 23, 2009
after Valley repurchased the remaining senior preferred shares issued to U.S. Treasury under the Capital
Purchase Program.

Savings Plan

Valley National Bank maintains a KSOP defined as a 401(k) plan with an employee stock ownership
feature. This plan covers eligible employees of the Bank and its subsidiaries and allows employees to contribute
a percentage of their salary, with the Bank matching a certain percentage of the employee contribution in cash
and invested in accordance with each participants’ investment elections. The Bank recorded $1.4 million in
expense for contributions to the plan for the year ended December 31, 2009 and $1.3 million for each of the years
ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.

Stock-Based Compensation

Valley currently has one active employee stock option plan, the 2009 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the
“2009 LTSIP”), adopted by Valley’s Board of Directors on November 17, 2008 and was approved by its
shareholders on April 14, 2009. The 2009 LTSIP replaced the 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan which
expired on January 19, 2009, with approximately 1.7 million unissued shares remaining. The 2009 LTSIP is
administered by the Compensation and Human Resources Committee (the “Committee”) appointed by Valley’s
Board of Directors. The Committee can grant awards to officers and key employees of Valley. The purpose of
the 2009 LTSIP is to provide additional incentive to officers and key employees of Valley and its subsidiaries
whose substantial contributions are essential to the continued growth and success of Valley, and to attract and
retain competent and dedicated officers and other key employees whose efforts will result in the continued and
long-term growth of Valley’s business.

Under the 2009 LTSIP, Valley may award shares to its employees for up to 6.4 million shares of common
stock in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted

126

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

stock awards. The essential features of each award are described in the award agreement relating to that award.
The grant, exercise, vesting, settlement or payment of an award may be based upon the fair value of Valley’s
common stock on the last sale price reported for Valley’s common stock on such date or on the last date
proceeding such date on which a sale was reported. An incentive stock option’s maximum term to exercise is 10
years from the date of grant and is subject to a vesting schedule.

Valley recorded stock-based employee compensation expense for incentive stock options and restricted
stock awards of $4.9 million, $5.4 million and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and
2007, respectively. These expenses included $599 thousand, $1.1 million and $143 thousand, respectively, which
was immediately recognized for stock awards granted to retirement eligible employees. The fair values of all
the unrecognized
other stock awards are expensed over the vesting period. As of December 31, 2009,
amortization expense for all stock-based employee compensation totaled approximately $7.1 million and will be
recognized over an average remaining vesting period of approximately 2.4 years.

Stock Options. The fair value of each option granted on the date of grant is estimated using a binomial
option pricing model. The results are based on assumptions for dividend yield based on the annual dividend rate;
stock volatility, based on Valley’s historical and implied stock price volatility; risk free interest rates, based on
the U.S. Treasury constant maturity bonds,
in effect on the actual grant dates, with remaining term of
approximately the same as the expected term of the options; and expected exercise term calculated based on
Valley’s historical exercise experience.

Stock-based employee compensation cost under the fair value method was measured using the following

weighted-average assumptions for stock options granted in 2009, 2008, and 2007:

2009

2008

2007

Risk-free interest rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividend yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Volatility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected term (in years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1 - 4.0% 1.1 - 4.0% 3.4 - 5.1%
4.3%
21.0%
7.3

4.5%
24.0%
6.7

4.5%
24.0%
6.7

A summary of stock options activity as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and changes during the years

ended on those dates is presented below:

2009

2008

2007

Stock Options

Outstanding at beginning of year . . . . . .
Granted* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited or expired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shares

3,353,305
7,575
(5,000)
(193,148)

Outstanding at end of year . . . . . . . . . . .

3,162,732

Exercisable at year-end . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,574,162

Weighted-average fair value of options

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$19
12
12
16

20

20

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$19
17
15
18

19

19

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$19
18
14
20

19

18

Shares

3,828,690
274,605
(307,616)
(55,536)

3,740,143

2,570,435

Shares

3,740,143
217,565
(498,640)
(105,763)

3,353,305

2,396,913

granted during the year

. . . . . . . . . . .

$

2.63

$

2.63

$

2.90

* During 2009, all stock options granted were to non-executive officers and employees.

127

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The total intrinsic values of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
were $9 thousand, $2.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, there was $1.3 million
of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options to be amortized over an average
remaining vesting period of approximately 2.2 years. Cash received from stock options exercised during the
years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $61 thousand, $7.3 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
Treasury stock and available authorized common shares were issued for stock options exercised.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2009:

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

Range of
Exercise
Prices

$ 11 - 16
16 - 18
18 - 20
20 - 22
22 - 24

11 - 24

Number
Outstanding

82,084
442,681
915,887
506,654
1,215,426

3,162,732

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years

1.6
4.5
3.7
5.7
5.3

4.7

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$14
16
18
20
22

20

Number
Exercisable

73,932
274,114
784,038
409,948
1,032,130

2,574,162

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$14
16
18
20
22

20

As of December 31, 2009, the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable was $27 thousand, with a
weighted average remaining contractual term of 4.1 years. As of December 31, 2009, the aggregate intrinsic
value of options outstanding was $43 thousand.

Restricted Stock. Restricted stock is awarded to key employees providing for the immediate award of our
common stock subject to certain vesting and restrictions under the 2009 LTSIP. Compensation expense is
measured based on the grant-date fair value of the shares and is amortized into salary expense on a straight-line
basis over the vesting period.

The following table sets forth the changes in restricted stock awards outstanding for the years ended

December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

Restricted Stock Awards Outstanding

2009

2008

2007

Outstanding at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

516,759
158,405
(184,550)
(10,872)

424,985
257,419
(152,969)
(12,676)

471,975
108,199
(147,248)
(7,941)

Outstanding at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

479,742

516,759

424,985

The amount of compensation costs related to restricted stock awards included in salary expense amounted to
$3.9 million, $4.0 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
As of December 31, 2009, there was $5.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested
restricted shares to be amortized over the weighted average remaining vesting period of approximately 2.4 years.

In 2005, Valley’s shareholders approved the 2004 Director Restricted Stock Plan. The plan provides the
non-employee members of the Board of Directors with the opportunity to forego some or all of their annual cash
retainer and meeting fees in exchange for shares of Valley restricted stock. There were 20,479 shares, 23,072
shares, and 21,870 shares granted for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of
December 31, 2009, there were 103,178 shares outstanding under this plan.

128

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

INCOME TAXES (Note 14)

Income tax expense consists of the following for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007:

Current expense:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

$ 49,790
12,592

$ 38,876
12,014

$ 63,445
8,591

62,382

50,890

72,036

Deferred benefit:

Federal and State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10,898)

(33,956)

(20,338)

Total income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 51,484

$ 16,934

$ 51,698

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to the significant portions of the deferred tax assets

and liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

2009

2008

(in thousands)

Deferred tax assets:

Allowance for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State net operating loss carryforwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 42,466
4,056
8,368
8,270
40,863
45,228
23,090

$ 39,070
5,455
11,560
7,606
62,296
36,573
26,533

Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

172,341

189,093

Deferred tax liabilities:

Purchase accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4,562
33,300

37,862

5,774
33,164

38,938

Net deferred tax asset (included in other assets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$134,479

$150,155

Valley’s state net operating loss carryforwards totaled approximately $773 million at December 31, 2009
and expire during the period from 2012 through 2029. Valley’s capital loss carryforwards totaled approximately
$7.7 million at December 31, 2009 and expire during the period from 2010 through 2014.

Based upon taxes paid and projections of future taxable income, both capital and ordinary, over the periods
in which the net deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes that it is more likely than not that
Valley will realize the benefits of these deductible differences and loss carryforwards.

129

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Reconciliation between the reported income tax expense and the amount computed by multiplying

consolidated income before taxes by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35 percent follows:

Federal income tax at expected statutory rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Decrease) increase due to:

Tax-exempt interest, net of interest incurred to carry

tax-exempt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bank owned life insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State income tax benefit, net of federal tax effect . . . . . . . . . . .
Low-income housing tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reduction of valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other, net

2009

2008

2007

$58,641

(in thousands)
$38,684

$71,724

(3,257)
(1,995)
(4)
(2,632)
—
731

(3,359)
(3,558)
(6,586)
(2,389)
(6,538)
680

(3,808)
(4,041)
(7,676)
(2,242)
—
(2,259)

Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$51,484

$16,934

$51,698

A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets of $6.5 million at December 31, 2007 was reduced to zero (as
reflected in the table above) during the year ended December 31, 2008. The $6.5 million decrease in the
valuation allowance during 2008 resulted from management’s identification of a qualifying tax-planning strategy
allowing the use of Valley’s capital loss carryforwards. The qualifying tax planning strategy identified by
management is 1) prudent and feasible, 2) a strategy that Valley has the intent and ability to implement, and 3) a
strategy that would result in the future realization of the capital loss carryforwards.

A reconciliation of Valley’s gross unrecognized tax benefits for 2009 and 2008 is presented in the table

below:

Beginning Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
. . . . . . . .
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reductions due to expiration of statute of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

2008

(In thousands)

$21,261
484
762
(542)

$19,256
79
2,473
(547)

Ending Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$21,965

$21,261

The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2009 that, if recognized, would affect the

tax provision and the effective income tax rate is $16 million.

Valley’s policy is to report interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax
expense. Valley has accrued approximately $1.4 million and $958 thousand of interest associated with Valley’s
uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Valley files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions,
Valley is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before
2005. In 2007, the Internal Revenue Service completed an examination of the 2002 and 2003 tax years and there
were no material adjustments. In addition, the statutes of limitations could expire for certain tax returns over the
next 12 months, which could result in decreases to Valley’s unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain
tax positions. Such adjustments are not expected to have a material impact on Valley’s effective tax rate.

130

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 15)

Lease Commitments

Certain bank facilities are occupied under non-cancelable long-term operating leases which expire at various
dates through 2042. Certain lease agreements provide for renewal options and increases in rental payments based
upon increases in the consumer price index or the lessors’ cost of operating the facility. Minimum aggregate
lease payments for the remainder of the lease terms are as follows:

Year

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter

Gross
Rents

Sublease
Rents

Net Rents

$ 15,398
14,035
13,710
13,961
13,763
172,634

(in thousands)
$1,169
890
565
447
306
1,020

$ 14,229
13,145
13,145
13,514
13,457
171,614

Total lease commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$243,501

$4,397

$239,104

During the first quarter of 2007, Valley sold a nine-story building for approximately $37.5 million while
simultaneously entering into a long-term lease for its branch office located on the first floor of the same building.
The transaction resulted in a $32.3 million pre-tax gain, of which $16.4 million was immediately recognized in
earnings in 2007 and $15.9 million was deferred and is being amortized into earnings over the 20 year term of the
lease pursuant to the sale-leaseback accounting rules. Approximately $604 thousand, $650 thousand, and
$594 thousand were amortized to net gains on sales of assets during 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The
remaining minimum lease payments totaling $23.1 million for this lease are included in the table above.

Net occupancy expense for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 included net rental expense of
approximately $20.0 million, $15.9 million and $12.1 million, respectively, net of rental income of $2.3 million,
$2.0 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for leased bank facilities.

Financial Instruments With Off-balance Sheet Risk

In the ordinary course of business of meeting the financial needs of its customers, Valley, through its
subsidiary Valley National Bank, is a party to various financial instruments which are not reflected in the
consolidated financial statements. These financial instruments include standby and commercial letters of credit,
unused portions of lines of credit and commitments to extend various types of credit. These instruments involve,
to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial
statements. The commitment or contract amount of these instruments is an indicator of the Bank’s level of
involvement in each type of instrument as well as the exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by
the other party to the financial instrument. The Bank seeks to limit any exposure of credit loss by applying the
same credit underwriting standards, including credit review, interest rates and collateral requirements or personal
guarantees, as for on-balance sheet lending facilities.

131

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table provides a summary of

financial

instruments with off-balance sheet

risk at

December 31, 2009 and 2008:

2009

2008

(in thousands)

Commitments under commercial loans and lines of credit . . . . .
Home equity and other revolving lines of credit . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outstanding commercial mortgage loan commitments . . . . . . . .
Standby letters of credit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outstanding residential mortgage loan commitments . . . . . . . . .
Commitments under unused lines of credit—credit card . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial letters of credit
Commitments to sell loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2,073,003
585,977
250,650
177,768
100,977
76,500
6,547
96,611

$2,024,625
646,482
324,961
176,601
34,703
82,487
9,918
15,750

Standby letters of credit represent the guarantee by the Bank of the obligations or performance of a
customer in the event the customer is unable to meet or perform its obligations to a third party. Obligations to
advance funds under commitments to extend credit, including commitments under unused lines of credit, are
agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.
Commitments generally have specified expiration dates, which may be extended upon request, or other
termination clauses and generally require payment of a fee. These commitments do not necessarily represent
future cash requirements as it is anticipated that many of these commitments will expire without being fully
drawn upon. The Bank’s lending activity for outstanding loan commitments is primarily to customers within the
states of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Loan sale commitments represent contracts for the sale of
residential mortgage loans to third parties in the ordinary course of the Bank’s business. These commitments
require the Bank to deliver loans within a specific time frame to the third party. The risk to the Bank is its
non-delivery of loans required by the commitment which could lead to financial penalties. The Bank has not
defaulted on its loan sale commitments.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Valley is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. Valley
principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its
core business activities. Valley manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk,
primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and, from time to time, the
use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, Valley enters into derivative financial instruments to
manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the payment of future known and uncertain
cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Valley’s derivative financial instruments are
used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of Valley’s known or expected cash receipts and
its known or expected cash payments principally related to certain variable-rate borrowings and fixed-rate loan
assets.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk. Valley’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add
stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective,
Valley primarily uses interest rate caps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate caps
designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates
rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium.

In the second quarter of 2008, Valley purchased two interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges to
protect against movements in interest rates above the caps’ strike rate based on the effective federal funds rate.
The interest rate caps have an aggregate notional amount of $100.0 million, strike rates of 2.50 percent and

132

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

2.75 percent, and a maturity date of May 1, 2013. Through November of 2008, the caps were used to hedge the
variable cash flows associated with customer repurchase agreements (included in short-term borrowings) and
money market deposit accounts that had variable interest rates based on an effective federal funds rate less 25
basis points. During November of 2008, the hedging relationship was terminated since the rates paid on the
customer repurchase agreements and money market deposit accounts did not trend with the effective federal
funds rate (this was caused by historically unprecedented low level of the effective federal funds rate thereby
causing Valley to modify the benchmark used to pay interest on these accounts). On February 20, 2009, Valley
re-designated the caps to hedge the variable cash flows associated with customer repurchase agreements and
money market deposit accounts products that have variable interest rates based on the federal funds rate. The
change in fair value of these derivatives while not designated as hedges totaled a $369 thousand gain included in
other income for the year ended December 31, 2009 and a $2.4 million loss included in other expense for the
year ended December 31, 2008.

In the third quarter of 2008, Valley purchased two interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges, to
reduce its exposure to movements in interest rates above the caps’ strike rate based on the U.S. prime interest rate
(as published in The Wall Street Journal). The interest rate caps have an aggregate notional amount of
$100.0 million, strike rates of 6.00 percent and 6.25 percent, and a maturity date of July 15, 2015. The caps are
used to hedge the total change in cash flows associated with prime-rate-indexed deposits, consisting of consumer
and commercial money market deposit accounts, which have variable interest rates of 2.75 percent below the
prime rate.

Fair Value Hedge of a Fixed Rate Asset. Valley is exposed to changes in the fair value of certain of its
fixed rate assets due to changes in benchmark interest rates based on one month-LIBOR. From time to time,
Valley uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in fair value. Interest rate swaps designated as
fair value hedges involve the receipt of variable rate payments from a counterparty in exchange for Valley
making fixed rate payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional
amount. As of December 31, 2009, Valley had one interest rate swap with a notional amount of $9.2 million.

For derivatives designated and that qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as
the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. Valley
includes the gain or loss on the hedged items in the same line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the related
derivatives.

Non-designated Hedges. Valley does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. Derivatives not
designated as hedges are used to manage Valley’s exposure to interest rate movements and other identified risks
but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements under U.S. GAAP. Below is a summary of Valley’s
non-designated hedge activities:

• During the first quarter of 2009, Valley entered into and terminated three interest rate swaps not
designated as hedges to potentially offset the change in market fair value of certain trading securities.

• During the fourth quarter 2008, as previously mentioned above,

two interest rate caps (due to
mismatches in index) did not qualify for hedge accounting and were subsequently re-designated during
February 2009.

• During the second quarter of 2007, Valley executed and subsequently terminated a series of interest
rate derivative transactions with a notional amount of approximately $1.0 billion. The intended purpose
of the derivative transactions was to offset volatility in changes in the market value of over
$800 million in trading securities consisting primarily of mortgage-backed securities transferred from
the available for sale portfolio at January 1, 2007. These hedged securities were sold during the second
quarter of 2007 in conjunction with the termination of the derivative transactions.

133

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in
earnings. As of December 31, 2009, Valley had no outstanding derivatives that were not designated in hedging
relationships.

Amounts included in the consolidated statements of financial condition related to the fair value of Valley’s

derivative financial instruments were as follows:

Fair Value

Balance Sheet
Location

December 31,
2009

December 31,
2008

(in thousands)

Asset Derivatives

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Cash flow hedge interest rate caps on short-term borrowings and

deposit accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other Assets

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments . . . . . . . . . . .

$7,124

$7,124

$2,090

$2,090

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Cash flow hedge interest rate caps on short-term borrowings and

deposit accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other Assets

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments . . . . . . . .

$ —

$ —

$1,244

$1,244

Liability Derivatives

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Fair value hedge commercial loan interest rate swap . . . . . . . . . . . Other Liabilities

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,018

$1,018

$2,008

$2,008

Gains (losses) included in the consolidated statements of income and in other comprehensive income (loss),
on a pre-tax basis, for the period related to interest rate derivatives designated as hedges of cash flows were as
follows:

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Interest rate caps on short-term borrowings and deposit accounts:

Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) to interest on short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) to other non-interest expense* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) . . .

$ (460)

$ (105)

$—

—
3,475

(642) —
(8,512) —

*

Represent accelerated amounts related to the total forecasted changes in cash flows that were deemed not
probable to occur at December 31, 2008.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, Valley recognized a net gain of $155 thousand in other expense for
hedge ineffectiveness on the cash flow hedge interest rate caps, as compared to a net loss of $21 thousand for the
same period of 2008. The accumulated net after-tax loss related to effective cash flow hedges included in
accumulated other comprehensive loss totaled $2.7 million and $5.0 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.

134

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow interest rate derivatives are
reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the hedged variable interest rate liabilities.
During the next twelve months, Valley estimates that approximately $2.0 million will be reclassified as an
increase to interest expense.

Gains (losses) included in the consolidated statements of income related to interest rate derivatives

designated as hedges of fair value were as followings:

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Derivative
Commercial loan interest rate swap:

Interest income—Interest and fees on loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 991

$(1,582)

$(405)

Hedged item
Commercial loan:

Interest income—Interest and fees on loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(991)

1,582

(405)

Gains (losses) included in the consolidated statements of income related to derivative instruments not

designated as hedging instruments were as follows:

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Non-designated hedge interest rate derivatives:

Trading gains (losses), net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,984
369
—

$ —
—
(2,422)

$4,310
—
—

Credit Risk Related Contingent Features. By using derivatives, Valley is exposed to credit risk if
counterparties to the derivative contracts do not perform as expected. Management attempts to minimize
counterparty credit risk through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures and obtaining collateral where
appropriate. Credit risk exposure associated with derivative contracts is managed at Valley in conjunction with
Valley’s consolidated counterparty risk management process. Valley’s counterparties and the risk limits
monitored by management are periodically reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.

Valley has agreements with its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if Valley defaults on
any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the
lender, then Valley could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. As of December 31, 2009,
Valley was in compliance with the provisions of its derivative counterparty agreements.

As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued
interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was approximately
$1.1 million. Valley has derivative counterparty agreements that require minimum collateral posting thresholds
for certain counterparties. At December 31, 2009, neither Valley nor its counterparties have exceeded such
minimum thresholds and no collateral has been assigned or posted.

Litigation

In the normal course of business, Valley may be a party to various outstanding legal proceedings and claims.
In the opinion of management the consolidated statements of financial condition or results of operations of
Valley should not be materially affected by the outcome of such legal proceedings and claims.

135

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Note 16)

Capital Requirements

Valley and Valley National Bank are subject to the regulatory capital requirements administered by the
Federal Reserve Bank and the OCC. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain
mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct
material effect on Valley’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines Valley and
Valley National Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of Valley’s assets,
liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital
amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk
weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Valley and Valley
National Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets, and of
Tier I capital to average assets, as defined in the regulations. As of December 31, 2009, Valley exceeded all
capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject.

At December 31, 2009, all of Valley National Bank’s ratios were above the minimum levels required for
Valley to be considered “well capitalized”, which require Tier I capital to risk adjusted assets of at least 6
percent, total risk based capital to risk adjusted assets of 10 percent and a minimum leverage ratio of 5 percent.
To be categorized as well capitalized, Valley and Valley National Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based,
Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table below.

Valley’s and Valley National Bank’s actual capital positions and ratios as of December 31, 2009 and 2008

are presented in the following table:

Actual

Minimum Capital
Requirements

To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provision

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

($ in thousands)

As of December 31, 2009

Total Risk-based Capital

Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valley National Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,341,943
1,231,429

12.5% $856,178
854,648
11.5

8.0% $
8.0

N/A N/A%

1,068,310

10.0

Tier I Risk-based Capital

Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valley National Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,138,288
1,027,774

10.6
9.6

Tier I Leverage Capital

Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valley National Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,138,288
1,027,774

8.1
7.4

428,089
427,324

559,483
558,367

4.0
4.0

4.0
4.0

N/A N/A
6.0

640,986

N/A N/A
5.0

697,959

As of December 31, 2008

Total Risk-based Capital

Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valley National Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,475,776
1,190,129

13.2% $895,751
894,556
10.6

8.0% $
8.0

N/A N/A%

1,118,196

10.0

Tier I Risk-based Capital

Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valley National Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,281,038
995,391

11.4
8.9

Tier I Leverage Capital

Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valley National Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,281,038
995,391

9.1
7.1

447,876
447,278

563,256
562,346

4.0
4.0

4.0
4.0

N/A N/A
6.0

670,917

N/A N/A
5.0

702,932

N/A—not applicable

136

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Dividend Restrictions

Valley National Bank, a national banking association, is subject to a limitation on the amount of dividends it
may pay to Valley, the Bank’s only shareholder. The prior approval of the OCC is required to the extent that the
total of all dividends to be declared by the Bank in any calendar year exceeds net profits, as defined, for that year
combined with its retained net profits from the preceding two calendar years, less any transfers to capital surplus.
However, declared dividends in excess of net profits in either of the preceding two years can be offset by retained
net profits in the third and fourth years preceding the current year when determining the Bank’s dividend
limitation. Under the foregoing dividend restrictions, and without adversely affecting the Bank’s ability to
maintain ratios above the minimum levels for the Bank to be considered “well capitalized”, the Bank could pay
aggregate dividends of approximately $39.2 million to Valley, without obtaining affirmative governmental
approvals, at December 31, 2009. In addition to dividends received from the Bank, Valley can satisfy its cash
requirements by utilizing its own funds, cash and sale of investments, as well as potential borrowed funds from
outside sources. If Valley were to defer payments on the junior subordinated debentures used to fund payments
on its trust preferred securities, it would be unable to pay dividends on its common stock until the deferred
payments were made.

Treasury Stock

On January 17, 2007, Valley’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 4.1 million common
shares. Purchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions
generally not exceeding prevailing market prices. Repurchased shares are held in treasury and are expected to be
used for general corporate purposes or issued under the dividend reinvestment plan. Valley made no purchases of
its outstanding shares during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Preferred Stock

On November 14, 2008, Valley issued 300,000 senior preferred shares, with a liquidation preference of
$1 thousand per share, to the U.S. Department of Treasury under the TARP Capital Purchase Program. During
2009, Valley incrementally repurchased all 300,000 shares of its senior preferred shares from the U.S. Treasury
for an aggregate purchase price of $300 million (excluding accrued and unpaid dividends paid at the date of
redemption), and effectively ended Valley’s participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program on
December 23, 2009. Accordingly, Valley is no longer subject to the terms of the Program which, among other
things, required Valley to receive consent from the U.S. Treasury to increase Valley’s quarterly dividend above
$0.19 per common share, and for any redemption or purchase of Valley’s common stock or trust preferred
securities issued by Valley. The senior preferred shares were 100 percent allowable in Tier I Risk-based Capital
for regulatory purposes and included in Valley’s capital position and ratios reported for December 31, 2008 in
the table above.

In conjunction with the purchase of Valley’s senior preferred shares in November 2008, the U.S. Treasury
received a ten year warrant to purchase up to approximately 2.4 million of Valley common shares with an
aggregate market price equal to $45 million or 15 percent of the original senior preferred investment. Valley’s
common stock underlying the warrant represents approximately 1.6 percent of our outstanding common shares at
December 31, 2009. The warrant is exercisable on a net exercise basis, and has an exercise price of $18.66 per
share that was calculated based on the average of closing prices of Valley’s common stock on the 20 trading days
ending on the last trading day prior to the date of the U.S. Treasury’s approval of Valley’s application under the
program. At December 31, 2009, the warrant remains outstanding to the U.S. Treasury. Valley has calculated an
internal value for the warrants, and is currently negotiating the redemption with U.S. Treasury. However, if an
agreement can not be reached with the U.S. Treasury, the warrants will be sold at public auction and remain
outstanding.

137

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Valley’s senior preferred shares, while outstanding, and the warrant issued under the TARP Capital Purchase
Program qualified and were accounted for as permanent equity on our balance sheet. Of the $300 million in
issuance proceeds, $291.4 million and $8.6 million were allocated to the senior preferred shares and the warrant,
respectively, based upon their estimated relative fair values as of November 14, 2008. The discount of $8.6 million
recorded for the senior preferred shares was being amortized to retained earnings over a five year estimated life of
the securities based on the likelihood of their redemption by Valley within that timeframe. During 2009, the
amortization of the entire unamortized discount was accelerated to retained earnings as a result of Valley’s
redemption of the senior preferred shares. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, approximately
$8.5 million and $174 thousand, respectively, of the discount were amortized to retained earnings.

Common Stock Issuances

Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Effective June 29, 2009, Valley may issue up to 10.0 million authorized and
previously unissued or treasury shares of Valley common stock for purchases under Valley’s dividend
reinvestment plan (“DRIP”). Under the DRIP, a shareholder may choose to have future cash dividends
automatically invested in Valley common stock and make voluntary optional cash payments of up to
$100 thousand per quarter to purchase shares of Valley common stock. Shares purchased under this plan will be
issued directly from Valley or in open market transactions. During 2009, 370 thousand common shares were
reissued from treasury stock under the DRIP for net proceeds totaling $4.5 million.

Common Equity Offerings. Valley raised net proceeds of approximately $71.6 million from an
“at-the-market” common equity offering, consisting of the sale of 5.67 million shares of newly issued common
stock completed in the third quarter of 2009, and net proceeds of $63.7 million through an additional registered
direct offering, consisting of the sale of 5 million shares of newly issued common stock to several institutional
investors in the fourth quarter of 2009.

138

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Note 17)

Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest income (loss):

(Losses) gains on securities transactions, net
Net impairment losses on securities recognized

. . .

in earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trading gains (losses), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion . . . . . . . . .
Net income available to common stockholders . . . . . .
Earnings per common share:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends declared per common share . . . . . . . .
Average common shares outstanding:

Quarters ended 2009

March 31

June 30

Sept 30

Dec 31

(in thousands, except for share data)

$

$

183,075
73,511
109,564
9,981

$

180,821
67,708
113,113
13,064

$

177,281
62,213
115,068
12,722

171,007
59,438
111,569
12,225

(37)

288

(5)

7,759

(2,171)
13,219
19,974
76,946
53,622
16,238
37,384
4,224
33,160

0.23
0.23
0.19

(2,434)
(18,631)
20,388
78,106
21,554
6,557
14,997
5,789
9,208

0.06
0.06
0.19

(743)
(3,474)
21,300
73,892
45,532
13,950
31,582
5,983
25,599

0.18
0.18
0.19

(1,004)
(1,548)
19,370
77,084
46,837
14,739
32,098
3,528
28,570

0.19
0.19
0.19

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

141,775,444
141,775,452

141,804,034
141,804,908

145,052,655
145,053,020

149,093,021
149,094,403

Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest income (loss):

Gains (losses) on securities transactions, net . . . .
Net impairment losses on securities recognized

in earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trading (losses) gains, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense (benefit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion . . . . . . . . .
Net income available to common stockholders . . . . . .
Earnings per common share:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends declared per common share . . . . . . . .
Average common shares outstanding:

Quarters ended 2008

March 31

June 30

Sept 30

Dec 31

(in thousands, except for share data)

$

$

176,184
80,602
95,582
4,000

$

175,899
73,321
102,578
5,800

$

191,000
75,768
115,232
6,850

186,611
79,204
107,407
11,632

499

425

(1,907)

6,003

(354)
(3,191)
22,273
67,478
43,331
11,748
31,583
—
31,583

0.24
0.24
0.19

(1,383)
(301)
19,213
63,959
50,773
9,290
41,483
—
41,483

0.31
0.31
0.19

(65,549)
14,747
20,605
73,842
2,436
(1,159)
3,595
—
3,595

0.03
0.03
0.19

(17,549)
(8,089)
17,814
79,969
13,985
(2,945)
16,930
2,090
14,840

0.10
0.10
0.19

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

132,185,730
132,323,016

132,252,624
132,371,581

141,568,980
141,717,842

141,720,238
141,783,649

139

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

PARENT COMPANY INFORMATION (Note 18)

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

December 31,

2009

2008

(in thousands)

Assets

Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest bearing deposits with banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment securities available for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment in subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

2,824
125,133
6,887
1,319,683
13,394

$

32,002
260,133
6,568
1,255,369
10,371

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,467,921

$1,564,443

Liabilities

Dividends payable to shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts (includes fair value of

$155,893 at December 31, 2009 and $140,065 at December 31, 2008 for VNB
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital Trust I)
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

28,116

$

28,919

181,150
5,801

215,067

165,390
6,525

200,834

Stockholders’ equity

Preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treasury stock, at cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
54,293
1,178,992
73,592
(19,816)
(34,207)

291,539
48,228
1,047,085
85,234
(60,931)
(47,546)

Total shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,252,854

1,363,609

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,467,921

$1,564,443

140

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Condensed Statements of Income

Years ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

Income

Dividends from subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Losses) gains on securities transactions, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trading (losses) gains, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other interest and dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$120,000
2,069
(434)
(15,828)
437

$110,000
1,192
(757)
15,243
429

$120,000
1,405
115
4,107
275

Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income before income tax (benefit) expense and equity in undistributed

106,244
16,267

126,107
15,875

125,902
16,902

(over distributed) earnings of subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax (benefit) expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

89,977
(10,541)

110,232
14

109,000
(3,951)

Income before equity in undistributed (over distributed) earnings of

subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity in undistributed (over distributed) earnings of subsidiary . . . . . . .

Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100,518
15,543

116,061
19,524

110,218
(16,627)

93,591
2,090

112,951
40,277

153,228
—

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 96,537

$ 91,501

$153,228

141

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

$ 116,061

$ 93,591

$ 153,228

Years ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands)

operating activities:

Equity in (undistributed) over distributed earnings of

subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on

securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain (losses) on securities transactions, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings . . . . .
Net change in:

(15,543)
30
5,049

16,627
43
5,531

(40,277)
49
5,138

(54)
—
434

(17)
836
(79)

4
(115)
—

(4,107)
(139)
1,164

Fair value of borrowings carried at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15,828
(3,052)
(954)

(15,243)
1,448
4,560

Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . .

117,799

107,297

114,945

Cash flows from investing activities:

Investment securities available for sale:

Purchases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents acquired in acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital contributions to subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net cash used in by investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cash flows from financing activities:

Redemption of junior subordinated debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and a warrant
. . . . . . .
Redemption of preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends paid to common shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases of common shares to treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock issued, net of cancellations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
—
—
—

—

—
—

(300,000)
(12,980)
(109,005)

—
—
140,008

(68)
8,756
1,621
(50,000)

(39,691)

(7,689)
300,000
—
—

(102,517)

—
106
1,993

(5,418)
2,543
—
—

(2,875)

(40,000)
—
—
—
(99,956)
(35,478)
123
2,151

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities . . . .

(281,977)

191,893

(173,160)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(164,178)
292,135

259,499
32,636

(61,090)
93,726

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 127,957

$ 292,135

$ 32,636

142

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Note 19)

lending,

We have four business segments that we monitor and report on to manage our business operations. These
investment management, and corporate and other
segments are consumer lending, commercial
adjustments. Lines of business and actual structure of operations determine each segment. Each is reviewed
routinely for its asset growth, contribution to income before income taxes and return on average interest earning
assets and impairment (if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount).
Expenses related to the branch network, all other components of retail banking, along with the back office
departments of our subsidiary bank are allocated from the corporate and other adjustments segment to each of the
other three business segments. Interest expense and internal transfer expense (for general corporate expenses) are
allocated to each business segment utilizing a “pool funding” methodology, whereas each segment is allocated a
uniform funding cost based on each segments’ average earning assets outstanding for the period. The Wealth
Management Division, comprised of trust, asset management, insurance services, and broker-dealer (our broker-
dealer subsidiary was sold on March 31, 2008) is included in the consumer lending segment. The financial
reporting for each segment contains allocations and reporting in line with our operations, which may not
necessarily be comparable to any other financial institution. The accounting for each segment includes internal
accounting policies designed to measure consistent and reasonable financial reporting, and may not necessarily
conform to U.S. GAAP.

The consumer lending segment is mainly comprised of residential mortgages, home equity loans and
automobile loans. The duration of the loan portfolio is subject to movements in the market level of interest rates
and forecasted residential mortgage prepayment speeds. The average weighted life of the automobile loans
within the portfolio is relatively unaffected by movements in the market level of interest rates. However, the
average life may be impacted by the availability of credit within the automobile marketplace.

The commercial lending segment is mainly comprised of floating rate and adjustable rate commercial and
industrial loans, as well as fixed rate owner occupied and commercial real estate loans. Due to the portfolio’s
interest rate characteristics, commercial lending is Valley’s most sensitive business segment to movements in
market interest rates.

The investment management segment is mainly comprised of fixed rate investments, trading securities, and,
depending on our liquid cash position, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks (primarily the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York). The fixed rate investments are one of Valley’s least sensitive assets to
changes in market interest rates. However, as we continue to shift the composition of the investment portfolio to
shorter-duration securities, the sensitivity to market interest rate will increase. Net gains and losses on the change
in fair value of trading securities and net impairment losses on securities are reflected in the corporate and other
adjustments segment.

The corporate and other adjustments segment represents income and expense items not directly attributable
to a specific segment, including trading and securities gains (losses), and net impairment losses on securities not
reported in the investment management segment above, interest expense related to the junior subordinated
debentures issued to capital trusts, the change in fair value of Valley’s junior subordinated debentures carried at
fair value, interest expense related to $100 million in subordinated notes issued in July 2005, as well as income
and expense from derivative financial instruments.

143

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following tables represent the financial data for Valley’s four business segments for the years ended

December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

Year ended December 31, 2009

Consumer
Lending

Commercial
Lending

Investment
Management

Corporate and
Other
Adjustments

Total

Average interest earning assets . . . . . . . . .

$3,775,689

$5,930,220

($ in thousands)
$3,325,737

$

— $13,031,646

Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net interest income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net interest income (loss) after provision

for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internal expense transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

213,310
70,822

142,488
21,176

121,312
48,233
47,916
56,575

340,358
111,235

229,123
26,816

202,307
7,465
40,190
88,043

162,834
62,382

100,452
—

100,452
5,699
675
50,102

(4,318)
18,431

(22,749)
—

(22,749)
10,854
217,247
(194,720)

712,184
262,870

449,314
47,992

401,322
72,251
306,028
—

Income (loss) before income taxes . . . . . .

$

65,054

$

81,539

$

55,374

$ (34,422)

$

167,545

Return on average interest earning assets

(pre-tax) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.72%

1.37%

1.67%

1.29%

Year ended December 31, 2008

Consumer
Lending

Commercial
Lending

Investment
Management

Corporate and
Other
Adjustments

Total

Average interest earning assets . . . . . . . . .

$4,213,524

$5,173,463

($ in thousands)
$2,997,638

$

— $12,384,625

Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net interest income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net interest income (loss) after provision

for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internal expense transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

250,108
99,017

151,091
15,156

135,935
39,122
45,538
57,472

315,194
121,575

193,619
8,061

185,558
7,818
38,074
70,008

170,060
70,444

99,616
—

99,616
10,270
827
39,878

(5,668)
17,859

(23,527)
5,065

(28,592)
(53,954)
200,809
(167,358)

729,694
308,895

420,799
28,282

392,517
3,256
285,248
—

Income (loss) before income taxes . . . . . .

$

72,047

$

85,294

$

69,181

$(115,997)

$

110,525

Return on average interest earning assets

(pre-tax) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.71%

1.65%

2.31%

0.89%

144

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Year ended December 31, 2007

Consumer
Lending

Commercial
Lending

Investment
Management

Corporate and
Other
Adjustments

Total

Average interest earning assets . . . . . . . . .

$3,868,559

$4,392,552

($ in thousands)
$3,051,142

$

— $11,312,253

Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net interest income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net interest income (loss) after provision

for credit losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internal expense transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

236,322
110,624

125,698
6,129

119,569
41,133
48,825
52,768

315,527
125,608

189,919
5,746

184,173
9,616
29,438
59,567

179,326
87,250

92,076
—

92,076
11,544
709
40,532

(6,168)
19,840

(26,008)
—

(26,008)
26,735
174,940
(152,867)

725,007
343,322

381,685
11,875

369,810
89,028
253,912
—

Income (loss) before income taxes . . . . . .

$

59,109

$ 104,784

$

62,379

$ (21,346)

$

204,926

Return on average interest earning assets

(pre-tax) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.53%

2.39%

2.04%

1.81%

145

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Valley National Bancorp:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Valley National
Bancorp and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated
statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Valley National Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its
method of evaluating other-than-temporary impairments of debt securities due to the adoption of new accounting
requirements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, as of January 1, 2009.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on
criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Short Hills, New Jersey
February 26, 2010

146

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and
Shareholders of Valley National Bancorp:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and
cash flows of Valley National Bancorp and subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2007.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
consolidated results of Valley National Bancorp’s operations and cash flows for the year ended December 31,
2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

New York, New York
February 26, 2008

147

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Valley maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” which, consistent with Rule 13a-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is defined to mean controls and other procedures that are designed
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that Valley files or submits under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is
accumulated and communicated to Valley’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Valley’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has
evaluated the effectiveness of Valley’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, Valley’s
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures
were effective as of December 31, 2009 (the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K).

Valley’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect
that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control
system, no matter how well conceived and operated, provides reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the
objectives of the control system are met. The design of a control system reflects resource constraints and the
benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because there are inherent limitations in all control
systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if
any, within Valley have been or will be detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments
in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can be
circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management
override of the control. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the
likelihood of future events. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals
under all future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or
deterioration in the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a
cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in Valley’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended
December 31, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Valley’s internal
control over financial reporting.

148

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Valley’s management

is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting. Valley’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable
assurance to Valley’s management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance
with respect
to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As of December 31, 2009 management assessed the effectiveness of Valley’s internal control over financial
reporting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in Internal
Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (“COSO”) of the
Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of Valley’s internal
control over financial reporting and testing of the operating effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit and Risk Committee.

Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2009 Valley’s internal control
over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.

KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited Valley’s December 31, 2009
consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an audit report on the
effectiveness of Valley’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 The report, which
expresses an opinion on the effectiveness of Valley’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2009 is included in this item under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

149

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Valley National Bancorp:

We have audited Valley National Bancorp and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management of
the Company is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our
audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a
material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control
based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary
in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable
detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of
the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Valley National Bancorp and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal
Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the consolidated statement of financial condition of Valley National Bancorp and subsidiaries as
of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and
cash flows for the year then ended, and our report dated February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on
those consolidated financial statements.

Short Hills, New Jersey
February 26, 2010

150

Item 9B. Other Information

Not applicable.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Certain information regarding executive officers is included under the section captioned “Executive
Officers” in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The information set forth under the captions “Director
Information”, “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the
2010 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation” in the 2010 Proxy Statement is

incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder

Matters

The information set forth under the captions “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and “Stock
Ownership of Management and Principal Shareholders” in the 2010 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information set

the captions “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation”, “Certain Transactions with Management” and “Corporate Governance” in the 2010 Proxy
Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

forth under

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information set forth under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the 2010

Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

151

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Financial Statements and Schedules:

PART IV

The following Financial Statements and Supplementary Data are filed as part of this annual report:

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
Consolidated Statements of Income
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are either inapplicable or not required, or because
the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

(b) Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

(3) Articles of Incorporation and By-laws:

A. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, incorporated herein by

reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report filed on August 10, 2009.

B. By-laws of the Registrant, as amended, incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s

Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

(4)

Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders:

A. First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 1, 2008, by and among Wilmington Trust
Company, as Trustee, Valley National Bancorp and Greater Community Bancorp, incorporated
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 1, 2008.

B. Warrant Agreement between Valley and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC,
incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B of the Registrant’s Form S-4/A Registration
Statement filed on May 20, 2008.

C. Form of Warrant Certificate for the purchase of Valley Common Stock, incorporated herein by

reference to the Registrant’s Form S-3 Registration Statement filed on July 2, 2008.

D. Warrant to purchase up to 2,297,090 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, incorporated
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on November 17, 2008.

E.

Junior Subordinated Indenture between Greater Community Bancorp and Wilmington Trust
Company, as Trustee, dated July 2, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to
Greater Community Bancorp’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report filed on August 9, 2007.

F. Amended and Restated Trust Agreement among Greater Community Bancorp, as Depositor,
Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware
Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein, dated July 2, 2007, incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Greater Community Bancorp’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report filed on
August 9, 2007.

G. Guarantee Agreement between Greater Community Bancorp, as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust
Company, as Guarantee Trustee, dated July 2, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9
to Greater Community Bancorp’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report filed on August 9, 2007.

152

(10) Material Contracts:

A. Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreements among Valley National Bank, Valley and
Gerald H. Lipkin, Peter Crocitto, Albert L. Engel, Alan D. Eskow, Robert M. Meyer, dated
January 22, 2008, incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report
filed on January 28, 2008.+

B. Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreements among Valley National Bank, Valley and
Stephen P. Davey, Elizabeth E. DeLaney, Kermit R. Dyke, Robert A. Ewing, Richard P. Garber,
Eric W. Gould, and Russell Murawski, dated February 11, 2008, incorporated herein by reference
to the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2007.+

C.

D.

“The Valley National Bancorp 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan” dated January 19, 1999, as
amended.*+

“Severance Agreement” dated January 22, 2008 between Valley, Valley National Bank and
Gerald H. Lipkin, Peter Crocitto, Albert L. Engel, Alan D. Eskow, Robert M. Meyer is
incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on January 28,
2008.+

E. Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of VNB Capital Trust I, dated as of November 7,
2001, is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the
year ended December 31, 2006.

F.

Indenture among VNB Capital Trust I, The Bank of New York as Debenture Trustee, and Valley,
dated November 7, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-K
Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.

G. Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement among VNB Capital Trust I, The Bank of New York,
as Guarantee Trustee, and Valley, dated November 7, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference to
the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.

H. Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, dated June 1, 2004., as amended*+

I.

J.

Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement between Valley National Bank and Wilmington Trust
Company, as fiscal and paying agent, dated July 13, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to
the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

The Valley National Bancorp, Benefit Equalization Plan, as Amended and Restated, dated
January 1, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report
for the year ended December 31, 2008.+

K. Participant Agreement for the Benefit Equalization Plan are incorporated herein by reference to

the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.+

L. The Valley National Bancorp 2004 Director Restricted Stock Plan, as amended, incorporated by

reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report filed on May 11, 2009.+

M. The Valley National Bancorp Executive Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix B

to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed on March 7, 2005.+

N. Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement used in connection with Valley National Bancorp
2004 Director Restricted Stock Plan is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K Current Report on April 12, 2005.

O. Amended and Restated Trust Agreement among Greater Community Bancorp, as Depositor,
Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware
Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein, dated July 2, 2007, is incorporated herein
by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 1, 2008.

153

P. Guarantee Agreement between Greater Community Bancorp, as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust
Company, as Guarantee Trustee, dated July 2, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to the
Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 1, 2008.

Q. Letter Agreement, dated November 14, 2008,

including Securities Purchase Agreement—
Standard Terms, between Valley National Bancorp and the United States Department of the
Treasury, incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on
November 17, 2008.

R. Amendment No. 1 to the Valley National Bank Benefit Equalization Plan dated February 20,
2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on
February 26, 2009.+

S. Amendment to the Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement between Valley, Valley
National bank and Peter Crocitto, dated February 20, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to
the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on February 26, 2009.+

T. Valley National Bancorp 2009 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference

to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on April 24, 2009.+

U. Form of Valley National Bancorp Incentive Stock Option Agreement, incorporated herein by

reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on May 27, 2009.

V. Form of Valley National Bancorp Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, incorporated herein by

reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on May 27, 2009.

W. Form of Valley National Bancorp Restricted Stock Award Agreement, incorporated herein by

reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on May 27, 2009.

X. Form of Valley National Bancorp Escrow Agreement for Restricted Stock Award, incorporated

herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on May 27, 2009.

Y. Equity Distribution Agreement, dated June 8, 2009, by and among Valley National Bancorp,
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company and RBC Capital Markets Corporation, incorporated herein by
reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on June 9, 2009.

Z.

Form of Purchase Agreement between Valley National Bancorp and each Purchaser, dated
December 7, 2009, incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report
filed on December 7, 2009.

AA. Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreements among Valley National Bank, Valley and

Bernadette Mueller, Robert E. Farrell and Robert J. Mulligan, dated January 20, 2010.*+

BB. Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreements among Valley National Bank, Valley and

Ira D. Robbins.*+

(12) Computation of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*

(16) Letter of Ernst & Young LLP regarding change in certifying accountant, dated March 7, 2008,

incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on March 7, 2008.

154

(21) List of Subsidiaries:

Name

(a) Subsidiaries of Valley:
Valley National Bank
VNB Capital Trust I
GCB Capital Trust III

(b) Subsidiaries of Valley National Bank:
BNV Realty Incorporated (BNV)
Greater Community Redevelopment LLC
Hallmark Capital Management, Inc.
Highland Capital Corp.
Masters Coverage Corp.
New Century Asset Management, Inc.
Shrewsbury State Investment Co., Inc.
Valley 747 Acquisition, LLC
Valley Commercial Capital, LLC
Valley National Title Services, Inc.
VN Investments, Inc. (VNI)
VNB Loan Services, Inc.
VNB Mortgage Services, Inc.
VNB Route 23 Realty, LLC
18th & 8th LLC
VNB New York Corp.

(c) Subsidiaries of BNV:

SAR I, Inc.
SAR II, Inc.

(d) Subsidiaries of Masters Coverage Corp.:

RISC One, Inc.
Life Line Planning, Inc.

(e) Subsidiary of VNI:

VNB Realty, Inc.

(f) Subsidiary of VNB Realty, Inc.:

VNB Capital Corp.

(g) Subsidiary of Shrewsbury State

Investment

Co., Inc.:
Shrewsbury Capital Corporation
GCB Realty, LLC

(h) Subsidiary

of

Greater

Community

Redevelopment LLC:
Thirteen Van Houten LLC

(i) Subsidiary of Thirteen Van Houten LLC:

Congdon Mill Realty LLC

(23.1) Consent of KPMG LLP.*

(23.2) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.*

155

Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

United States
Delaware
Delaware

New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey
New York
New Jersey
New Jersey
New York
New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey
New York
New Jersey
New Jersey
New York
New York

New Jersey
New Jersey

New York
New York

New Jersey

New York

New Jersey
New Jersey

New Jersey

New Jersey

Percentage of Voting
Securities Owned by the
Parent
Directly or Indirectly

100%
100%
100%

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

100%
100%

100%
100%

100%

100%

100%
100%

80%

25%

(24) Power of Attorney of Certain Directors and Officers of Valley.*

(31.1) Certification of Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,

pursuant to Securities Exchange Rule 13a-14(a).*

(31.2) Certification of Alan D. Eskow, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the

Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Rule 13a-14(a).*

(32) Certification, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and Alan D. Eskow, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company.*

Filed herewith

*
+ Management contract and compensatory plan or arrangement

156

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.

SIGNATURES

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

By:

/s/ GERALD H. LIPKIN

Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer

By:

/s/ ALAN D. ESKOW

Alan D. Eskow,
Senior Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: February 26, 2010

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 indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ GERALD H. LIPKIN

Gerald H. Lipkin

/s/ ALAN D. ESKOW

Alan D. Eskow

Chairman of the Board, President

February 26, 2010

and Chief Executive Officer and
Director

Senior Executive Vice President,

February 26, 2010

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer), and
Corporate Secretary

/s/ MITCHELL L. CRANDELL

Senior Vice President and

February 26, 2010

Mitchell L. Crandell

ANDREW B. ABRAMSON*
Andrew B. Abramson

PAMELA R. BRONANDER*
Pamela R. Bronander

ERIC P. EDELSTEIN*
Eric P. Edelstein

MARY J. STEELE GUILFOILE*
Mary J. Steele Guilfoile

GRAHAM O. JONES*
Graham O. Jones

WALTER H. JONES, III*
Walter H. Jones, III

Controller (Principal Accounting
Officer)

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

157

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

Signature

Title

Date

GERALD KORDE*
Gerald Korde

MICHAEL L. LARUSSO*
Michael L. LaRusso

MARC J. LENNER*
Marc J. Lenner

ROBINSON MARKEL*
Robinson Markel

RICHARD S. MILLER*
Richard S. Miller

BARNETT RUKIN*
Barnett Rukin

SURESH L. SANI*
Suresh L. Sani

ROBERT C. SOLDOVERI*
Robert C. Soldoveri

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

* By Gerald H. Lipkin and Alan D. Eskow, as attorneys-in-fact.

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

158

Printed on Recycled Paper
for a quality environment.

BRANCH LOCATIONS

NEW JERSEY

BERGEN
Bogota, 325 Palisade Avenue 
Edgewater, 46 Promenade, The City Place
Elmwood Park, 80 Broadway 
Englewood, 145 South Dean Street
Englewood, 80 West Street 
Fair Lawn, 20-24 Fair Lawn Avenue  
Fair Lawn, 139 Lincoln Avenue 
Fair Lawn, 31-00 Broadway 
Fort Lee, 1372 Palisade Avenue  
Fort Lee, 2160 Lemoine Avenue 
Glen Rock, 175 Rock Road
Hackensack, 20 Court Street
Hackensack, 111 Hackensack Avenue
Hasbrouck Heights, 284 Boulevard
Hillsdale, 24 Broadway
Ho-Ho-Kus, 18 Sycamore Avenue 
Little Ferry, 100 Washington Avenue
Lodi, 147 Main Street  
Lyndhurst, 456 Valley Brook Avenue    
Midland Park, 207 Franklin Avenue
Montvale, 24 South Kinderkamack Road
Moonachie, 199 Moonachie Road
New Milford, 243 Main Street
North Arlington, 629 Ridge Road
Northvale, 151 Paris Avenue
Oakland, 350 Ramapo Valley Road     
Oradell, 350 Kinderkamack Road
Paramus, 80 East Ridgewood Avenue
Paramus, 410 Bergen Town Center
Paramus, East 58 Midland Avenue
Ramsey, 10 South Franklin Turnpike
Ridgefi eld, 868 Broad Avenue 
Ridgewood, 103 Franklin Avenue  
River Vale, 670 Westwood Avenue 
Rochelle Park, 405 Rochelle Avenue 
Tenafl y, 85 County Road   
Waldwick, 67 Franklin Turnpike
Wallington, 100 Midland Avenue
Wood Ridge, 271 Valley Boulevard
Wyckoff, 356 Franklin Avenue

ESSEX
Belleville, 22 Bloomfi eld Avenue    
Belleville, 237 Washington Avenue
Belleville, 381 Franklin Avenue  
Bloomfi eld, 548 Broad Street   
Bloomfi eld, 1422 Broad Street
Caldwell, 15 Roseland Avenue
Cedar Grove, 491 Pompton Avenue
Fairfi eld, One Passaic Avenue
Fairfi eld, 167 Fairfi eld Road
Livingston, 66 West Mount Pleasant Avenue 
Livingston, 73 South Livingston Avenue
Livingston, 270 South Livingston Avenue
Livingston, 531 South Livingston Avenue
Maplewood, 142 Maplewood Avenue 
Maplewood, 740 Irvington Avenue 
Millburn, 181 Millburn Avenue
Newark, 167 Bloomfi eld Avenue
Newark, 289 Ferry Street 
Newark, 784 Mount Prospect Avenue
Nutley, 171 River Road
Nutley, 371 Franklin Avenue
South Orange, 115 Valley Street
Upper Montclair, 539 Valley Road
West Caldwell, 1059 Bloomfi eld Avenue  
West Orange, 637 Eagle Rock Avenue

HUDSON
Bayonne, 522 Broadway    
East Newark, 710 Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard North
Harrison, 433 Harrison Avenue    
Hoboken, 305 River Street
Jersey City, 46 Essex Street   
Jersey City, 311 Marin Boulevard
Kearny, 72-80 Midland Avenue
Kearny, 110 Central Avenue, Suite 100

Kearny, 256 Kearny Avenue
North Bergen, 8901 Kennedy Boulevard
Secaucus, 40 Meadowlands Parkway
Union City, 4405 Bergenline Avenue   
West New York, 5712 Bergenline Avenue 

MIDDLESEX
Edison, 2084 Route 27/Lincoln Highway
North Brunswick, 1100 Livingston Avenue
North Brunswick, 2818 Route 27 North
Piscataway, 501 Stelton Road
South Plainfi eld, 100 Durham Avenue
Woodbridge, 540 Rahway Avenue

MONMOUTH
Atlantic Highlands, 1 Bayshore Plaza
Freehold, 3495 Route 9
Highlands, 301 Shore Drive
Holmdel, 2124 Highway 35 South
Keansburg, 201 Main Street
Keyport, 416 Main Street & Route 36 East
Little Silver, 140 Markham Place
Manalapan, 801 Tennent Road 
Middletown, 760 Highway 35 & Twinbrooks Avenue
Oakhurst, 777 West Park Avenue
Red Bank, 74 Broad Street
Red Bank, 362 Broad Street
Sea Bright, 1173 Ocean Avenue
Shrewsbury, 465 Broad Street

MORRIS
Budd Lake, 202 Route 46 West & Mount Olive Road
Butler, 1481 Route 23 South 
Chatham, 375 Main Street
Chester, 2 Main Street 
Denville, 6 Bloomfi eld Avenue
Dover, 100 East Blackwell Street
East Hanover, 240 Route 10 West & Murray Road
Florham Park, 30 Columbia Turnpike 
Florham Park, 187 Columbia Turnpike
Jefferson Township, 715 Route 15 South
Landing, 115 Center Street
Lincoln Park, 31 Beaverbrook Road
Mine Hill, 271-273 Route 46 West
Morris Plains, 51 Gibraltar Drive
Morristown, 10 Madison Avenue
Mount Olive, 342 Route 46
Parsippany, Arlington Plaza, 800 Route 46 West 
Parsippany, 120 Baldwin Avenue
Parsippany, 320 New Road
Succasunna, 250 Route 10 West
Whippany, 54 Whippany Road

PASSAIC
Clifton, 6 Main Avenue 
Clifton, 505 Allwood Road
Clifton, 925 Allwood Road
Clifton, 535 Getty Avenue
Clifton, 1006 Route 46 West
Little Falls, 171 Browertown Road
Little Falls, 115 Main Street 
Little Falls, 126 Newark Pompton Turnpike
North Haledon, 5 Sicomac Road
North Haledon, 475 High Mountain Road
Passaic, 128 Market Street  
Passaic, 211 Main Avenue
Passaic, 506 Van Houten Avenue
Passaic, 545 Paulison Avenue 
Passaic, 615 Main Avenue
Paterson, 490 Chamberlain Avenue
Pompton Lakes, 516 Wanaque Avenue
Totowa, 100 Furler Street
Totowa, 55 Union Boulevard
Wayne, 64 Mountain View Boulevard 
Wayne, 200 Black Oak Ridge Road
Wayne, 1200 Preakness Avenue
Wayne, 1345 Willowbrook Mall - main entrance 
Wayne, 1400 Valley Road

Wayne, 1445 Valley Road
Wayne, 1445 Route 23 South 
Wayne, 1501 Hamburg Turnpike 
Wayne, 1504 Route 23 North   

SOMERSET
Bound Brook, 466 West Union Avenue 
Green Brook, 302-306 Route 22 West
Hillsborough, 323 Route 206 North
North Plainfi eld, 1334 Route 22 East 
North Plainfi eld, 672-6 Somerset Street

SUSSEX
Branchville, Branchville Square, 1 Wantage Avenue
Franklin, 288 Route 23 North 
Fredon, 410 Route 94 at Willows Road
Sparta, 7 Woodport Road
Tranquility, Route 517 at Kennedy Road
Vernon, Vernon Plaza, 538 Route 515

UNION
Clark, 76 Central Avenue
Cranford, 117 South Avenue West 
Hillside, 1300 Liberty Avenue
Mountainside, 882 Mountain Avenue
Roselle Park, 1 West Westfi eld Avenue
Scotch Plains, 1922 Westfi eld Avenue
Springfi eld, 223 Mountain Avenue
Union, 1432 Morris Avenue
Union, 2784 Morris Avenue
Westfi eld, 801 Central Avenue

WARREN
Belvidere, 540 County Route 519, Suite 9
Blairstown, 152 Route 94 South
Hackettstown, 105 Mill Street

NEW YORK

BROOKLYN
207 Brighton Beach Avenue near Ocean Parkway
1212 Avenue M between 12th & 13th Street
1505 Avenue J at East 15th Street
1633 Sheepshead Bay Road at Jerome Avenue
61-17 18th Avenue at 61st Street
4501 13th Avenue at 45th Street
2902 Avenue U at East 29th Street, Homecrest
7726 Third Avenue at 77th Street 

MANHATTAN
62 West 47th Street between 5th & 6th Avenue
90 Franklin Street at Church Street 
93 Canal Street between Christie & Eldridge 
111 Fourth Avenue corner of 12th Street
159 Eighth Avenue at 18th Street
170 Hudson at Laight Street 
275 Madison Avenue at 40th Street
295 Fifth Avenue at 30th Street
434 Broadway at Howard Street
776 Avenue of the Americas at 26th Street
924 Broadway between 21st & 22nd Street
1040 Sixth Avenue at 39th Street
1328 Second Avenue at 71st Street
1569 Third Avenue at 88th Street  

QUEENS
64-01 Grand Avenue at 64th Street, Maspeth
69-20 80th Street, Middle Village
76-09 Main Street, Flushing  
94-05 63rd Drive at Booth Street, Rego Park
107-01 Liberty Avenue at 107th Street, Ozone Park

     
1455 Valley Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-305-3380
www.valleynationalbank.com

© 2010 Valley National Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.