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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MSd8JT6xnsDE8DJX0rD4CBdw9OK42rVzjdqyPegjkikRFv53/1hzw3c9YuiHvBdM
 UcAGm5d0ZnakXtJWWq0CVA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-003344.txt : 20100203
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-003344.hdr.sgml : 20100203
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100203161727
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-003344
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100201
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100203
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100203

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HUGHES MICHAEL J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001470524

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22537-01
		FILM NUMBER:		10570894

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 547
		CITY:			BOYERTOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19512

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL PENN BANCSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000700733
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				232215075
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PHILADELPHIA AND READING AVES
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 547
		CITY:			BOYERTOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19512
		BUSINESS PHONE:		1-800-822-3321

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PHILADELPHIA AND READING AVES
		STREET 2:		P. O. BOX 547
		CITY:			BOYERTOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19512
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-02-01</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000700733</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL PENN BANCSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NPBC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001470524</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HUGHES MICHAEL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>READING AND PHILADELPHIA AVES.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P. O. BOX 547</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOYERTOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19512</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-02-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>26000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>51000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock issued under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.  Restricted periods from dates of award:  20%-one year; 20%-two years; 20%-three years; 20%-four years; and 20%-five years.  To the extent the tie restrictions are met, the restricted stock will vest.  To the extent the time restrictions are not met, the award will lapse.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no shares shall vest prior to the time when neither National Penn nor any of its affiliates has any obligation under the Troubled Asset Relief Program, other than an obligation arising soley from the issuance of warrants.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michelle H. Debkowski, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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