Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Note 12. Stock–Based Compensation

Valley currently has one active employee stock option plan, the 2009 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the "Employee Stock Incentive Plan"), 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 Employee Stock Incentive Plan 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 Employee Stock Incentive Plan, Valley may award shares to its employees for up to 7.4 million shares of common stock in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted 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 the last sale price reported preceding such date. An incentive stock option's maximum term to exercise is ten years from the date of grant and is subject to a vesting schedule. There were no stock options granted by Valley during the first quarter of 2012. Valley awarded restricted stock totaling 540 thousand shares and 165 shares during the first quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of March 31, 2012, 6.3 million shares of common stock were available for issuance under the Employee Stock Incentive Plan.

Valley recorded stock-based employee compensation expense for incentive stock options and restricted stock awards of $1.4 million and $701 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The fair values of stock awards are expensed over the vesting period. As of March 31, 2012, the unrecognized amortization expense for all stock-based employee compensation totaled approximately $7.0 million and will be recognized over an average remaining vesting period of approximately 2 years.

On January 1, 2012, Valley assumed 356 thousand shares of outstanding and vested incentive stock options under State Bancorp's long-term stock incentive plans, of which 321 thousand shares were outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2012. These outstanding stock options have an aggregate weighted average exercise price of $17.41 and weighted average remaining term of 3 years.