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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,
 FAmM7/KXoIf29zl4CI2vVQfjRsb6QwaUU3svQFgFK/bObZGAFCzGXC5rHEJ9osy5
 hGzklFVWr8Ez4tKz61/I7A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001169699-04-000002.txt : 20040121
<SEC-HEADER>0001169699-04-000002.hdr.sgml : 20040121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040121084058
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001169699-04-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ESKOW ALAN D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001169699

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11277
		FILM NUMBER:		04533824

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1455 VALLEY RD
		CITY:			WAYNE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07470

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000714310
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				222477875
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1455 VALLEY RD
		CITY:			WAYNE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07470
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9733053380

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1455 VALLEY RD
		CITY:			WAYNE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07470
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
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<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
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Title><value>Stock Option</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>29.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2004-11-17</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-11-17</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>12000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>12000</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>STOCK OPTION/NQ</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>23.97</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2002-11-27</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2011-11-27</value></expira
tionDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>9005</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>9005</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Includes restricted shares granted under VNB 1999 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan, vesting in five equal installments beginning one year from the grant date.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Includes Dividend Reinvestment Plan</footnote><footnote id="F3">Incentive stock options, granted under VNB 1999 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan, exercisable in five equal installments beginning one year from the grant date.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>
ALAN D ESKOW</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-21</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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