<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0704</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>D</submissionType>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

    <primaryIssuer>
        <cik>0000700733</cik>
        <entityName>NATIONAL PENN BANCSHARES INC</entityName>
        <issuerAddress>
            <street1>PHILADELPHIA AND READING AVENUES</street1>
            <city>BOYERTOWN</city>
            <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
            <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
            <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
        </issuerAddress>
        <issuerPhoneNumber>1-800-822-3321</issuerPhoneNumber>
        <jurisdictionOfInc>PENNSYLVANIA</jurisdictionOfInc>
        <issuerPreviousNameList>
            <value>None</value>
        </issuerPreviousNameList>
        <edgarPreviousNameList>
            <value>None</value>
        </edgarPreviousNameList>
        <entityType>Corporation</entityType>
        <yearOfInc>
            <overFiveYears>true</overFiveYears>
        </yearOfInc>
    </primaryIssuer>

    <relatedPersonsList>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Scott</firstName>
                <middleName>V.</middleName>
                <lastName>Fainor</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Executive Officer</relationship>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Michael</firstName>
                <middleName>J.</middleName>
                <lastName>Hughes</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Executive Officer</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Sandra</firstName>
                <middleName>L.</middleName>
                <lastName>Bodnyk</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Executive Officer</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Michelle</firstName>
                <middleName>H.</middleName>
                <lastName>Debkowski</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Executive Officer</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Thomas</firstName>
                <middleName>A.</middleName>
                <lastName>Beaver</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Robert</firstName>
                <middleName>L.</middleName>
                <lastName>Byers</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Jeffrey</firstName>
                <middleName>P.</middleName>
                <lastName>Feather</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Thomas</firstName>
                <middleName>L.</middleName>
                <lastName>Kennedy</lastName>
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            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Patricia</firstName>
                <middleName>L.</middleName>
                <lastName>Langiotti</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Natalye</firstName>
                <lastName>Paquin</lastName>
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            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
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            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Robert</firstName>
                <middleName>E.</middleName>
                <lastName>Rigg</lastName>
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            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Wayne</firstName>
                <middleName>R.</middleName>
                <lastName>Weidner</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>J.</firstName>
                <middleName>Ralph</middleName>
                <lastName>Borneman, Jr.</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Donna</firstName>
                <middleName>D.</middleName>
                <lastName>Holton</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Albert</firstName>
                <middleName>H.</middleName>
                <lastName>Kramer</lastName>
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            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>Philadelphia and Reading Avenues</street1>
                <city>Boyertown</city>
                <stateOrCountry>PA</stateOrCountry>
                <stateOrCountryDescription>PENNSYLVANIA</stateOrCountryDescription>
                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
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                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
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        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Christian</firstName>
                <middleName>F.</middleName>
                <lastName>Martin IV</lastName>
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                <zipCode>19512</zipCode>
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        <relatedPersonInfo>
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        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>C.</firstName>
                <middleName>Robert</middleName>
                <lastName>Roth</lastName>
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    <offeringData>
        <industryGroup>
            <industryGroupType>Other Banking and Financial Services</industryGroupType>
        </industryGroup>
        <issuerSize>
            <revenueRange>Decline to Disclose</revenueRange>
        </issuerSize>
        <federalExemptionsExclusions>
            <item>06</item>
        </federalExemptionsExclusions>
        <typeOfFiling>
            <newOrAmendment>
                <isAmendment>false</isAmendment>
            </newOrAmendment>
            <dateOfFirstSale>
                <value>2010-10-05</value>
            </dateOfFirstSale>
        </typeOfFiling>
        <durationOfOffering>
            <moreThanOneYear>false</moreThanOneYear>
        </durationOfOffering>
        <typesOfSecuritiesOffered>
            <isEquityType>true</isEquityType>
        </typesOfSecuritiesOffered>
        <businessCombinationTransaction>
            <isBusinessCombinationTransaction>false</isBusinessCombinationTransaction>
            <clarificationOfResponse></clarificationOfResponse>
        </businessCombinationTransaction>
        <minimumInvestmentAccepted>0</minimumInvestmentAccepted>
        <salesCompensationList></salesCompensationList>
        <offeringSalesAmounts>
            <totalOfferingAmount>150000000</totalOfferingAmount>
            <totalAmountSold>150000000</totalAmountSold>
            <totalRemaining>0</totalRemaining>
            <clarificationOfResponse></clarificationOfResponse>
        </offeringSalesAmounts>
        <investors>
            <hasNonAccreditedInvestors>false</hasNonAccreditedInvestors>
            <totalNumberAlreadyInvested>2</totalNumberAlreadyInvested>
        </investors>
        <salesCommissionsFindersFees>
            <salesCommissions>
                <dollarAmount>0</dollarAmount>
            </salesCommissions>
            <findersFees>
                <dollarAmount>0</dollarAmount>
            </findersFees>
            <clarificationOfResponse></clarificationOfResponse>
        </salesCommissionsFindersFees>
        <useOfProceeds>
            <grossProceedsUsed>
                <dollarAmount>0</dollarAmount>
            </grossProceedsUsed>
            <clarificationOfResponse></clarificationOfResponse>
        </useOfProceeds>
        <signatureBlock>
            <authorizedRepresentative>false</authorizedRepresentative>
            <signature>
                <issuerName>NATIONAL PENN BANCSHARES INC</issuerName>
                <signatureName>/s/ Scott V. Fainor</signatureName>
                <nameOfSigner>Scott V. Fainor</nameOfSigner>
                <signatureTitle>President and CEO</signatureTitle>
                <signatureDate>2010-10-20</signatureDate>
            </signature>
        </signatureBlock>
    </offeringData>
</edgarSubmission>
