VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP
10-K, 2000-03-01
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    ---------
                                    FORM 10-K
                                    ---------

  (Mark One)      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
    [x]              OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999

                                       OR

    [ ]         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

            For the transition period from___________ to_____________

                         Commission File Number 0-11179

                                 -------------

                             VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               New Jersey                               22-2477875
    (State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

          1455 Valley Road                               07470
         Wayne, New Jersey                             (Zip code)

                    (Address of principal executive office)

                                 -------------

                                  973-305-8800
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                      None

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

   Title of each class              Name of each exchange on which registered
- --------------------------          -----------------------------------------
Common Stock, no par value                 New York Stock Exchange

     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 [X]   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. [x]

     The aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of
the Registrant was approximately $1.6 billion on December 31, 1999.

     There were  59,331,278  shares of Common Stock  outstanding  at February 1,
2000.

Documents incorporated by reference:

     Certain portions of the Registrant's  Definitive Proxy Statement (the "2000
Proxy  Statement")  for the 2000 Annual Meeting of shareholders to be held April
6, 2000 will be incorporated by reference in Part III.
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<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            Page

PART I
 Item 1.    Business .......................................................   3
 Item 2.    Properties .....................................................   8
 Item 3.    Legal Proceedings ..............................................   8
 Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders ............   8
 Item 4A.   Executive Officers of the Registrant ...........................   8

PART II
 Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Shareholder
 Item 6.    Matters ........................................................   9
 Item 7.    Selected Financial Data ........................................  10
            Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
            and Results of Operations ......................................  11
 Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk .....  31
 Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:
            Valley National Bancorp and Subsidiaries:
            Consolidated Statements of Income ..............................  32
            Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition .................  33
            Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity .....  34
            Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ..........................  35
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .....................  36
            Independent Auditors' Report ...................................  63
 Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
             Accounting and Financial Disclosure ...........................  64

PART III
 Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant .............  64
 Item 11.   Executive Compensation .........................................  64
 Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management .  64
 Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions .................  64

PART IV
 Item 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K   65
 Signatures ................................................................  67


                                       2
<PAGE>


                                     PART I

Item 1. Business

     Valley National Bancorp ("Valley") is a New Jersey  corporation  registered
as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended
("Holding  Company Act"). At December 31, 1999,  Valley had  consolidated  total
assets of $6.4 billion,  total deposits of $5.1 billion, and total shareholders'
equity of $553.5  million.  Its  principal  subsidiary  is Valley  National Bank
("VNB").

     VNB is a national banking  association  chartered in 1927 under the laws of
the United  States.  VNB provides a full range of commercial  and retail banking
services  through  117 branch  offices  located in northern  New  Jersey.  These
services  include the  following:  the  acceptance  of demand,  savings and time
deposits;  extension of consumer,  real estate,  Small  Business  Administration
("SBA") and other commercial credits; title insurance;  investment services; and
full personal and corporate trust, as well as pension and fiduciary services.

     VNB  has  several  wholly-owned   subsidiaries  which  include  a  mortgage
servicing  company,  a company  which holds,  maintains  and manages  investment
assets for VNB, a subsidiary  which owns and services  auto loans,  a subsidiary
which owns and services commercial mortgage loans, a title insurance company, an
asset management  company which is an SEC registered  investment  company and an
Edge Act  Corporation  which is the holding  company for a wholly-owned  finance
company located in Toronto,  Canada.  The mortgage  servicing  company  services
loans for others as well as VNB.

Recent Developments

     On June 11, 1999, Valley acquired Ramapo Financial Corporation  ("Ramapo"),
parent of The Ramapo Bank  headquartered  in Wayne,  New Jersey.  At the date of
acquisition,  Ramapo had total  assets of $344.0  million and deposits of $299.5
million,  with eight branch offices. The transaction was accounted for using the
pooling of  interests  method of  accounting  and  resulted  in the  issuance of
approximately  4.0 million  shares of Valley common stock.  Each share of common
stock of Ramapo was  exchanged for 0.44625  shares of Valley  common stock.  The
consolidated financial statements of Valley have been restated to include Ramapo
for all periods presented.

     During the second quarter of 1999,  Valley received  approval and a license
from the New Jersey  Department of Banking and Insurance to sell title insurance
through a separate subsidiary, known as Wayne Title, Inc. ("Wayne Title"). After
the close of the second quarter,  Valley acquired the assets of an agency office
of Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company for $784 thousand and began to sell
both commercial and residential  title insurance  policies.  The transaction was
accounted for as a purchase and resulted in goodwill of $728 thousand.

     On July 30, 1999, Valley acquired New Century Asset Management,  Inc. ("New
Century"),  a  registered  investment  advisor and NJ-based  money  manager with
approximately $120 million of assets under management.  At closing,  Valley paid
an initial  consideration  of $640 thousand.  The balance due will be paid on an
earn-out basis over a five-year period, based upon a pre-determined formula. New
Century will  continue its  operation as a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of VNB. The
transaction  was  accounted  for as a purchase  and resulted in goodwill of $1.3
million.

Competition

     The market for banking  and  bank-related  services is highly  competitive.
Valley and its  subsidiary  compete with other  providers of financial  services
such as other bank holding companies,  commercial and savings banks, savings and
loan  associations,  credit  unions,  money  market and mutual  funds,  mortgage
companies,  title  agencies,  asset  managers and a growing 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.   Competition  is  expected  to  intensify  as  a
consequence  of the  Gramm-Leach-Bliley  Act  (discussed  below) and  interstate
banking  laws now in effect or that may be in effect in the  future.  Valley and
its subsidiary  compete by offering quality products and convenient  services at
competitive  prices. In order to maintain and enhance its competitive  position,
Valley  regularly  reviews  its  products,


                                       3
<PAGE>


locations  and  various  acquisition   prospects  and  periodically  engages  in
discussions regarding such possible acquisitions.

Employees

     At December 31, 1999, VNB and its  subsidiaries  employed  1,863  full-time
equivalent  persons.   Management  considers  relations  with  employees  to  be
satisfactory.

                           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 the 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  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
additional  bank.  Satisfactory  capital ratios and Community  Reinvestment  Act
ratings 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 VNB require approval 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.

     The  Riegle-Neal  Interstate  Banking and Branching  Efficiency Act of 1994
(the "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  branches.  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.  The vast
majority  of states  have  allowed  interstate  banking  by merger  but 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.

Recent Legislation

     On November 12, 1999, the President signed the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial
Modernization Act of 1999 into law. The Modernization Act will:


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<PAGE>


     o    allow bank holding companies meeting management, capital and Community
          Reinvestment Act standards to engage in a substantially  broader range
          of nonbanking  activities  than  currently is  permissible,  including
          insurance  underwriting  and making  merchant  banking  investments in
          commercial and financial  companies;  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;

     o    allow  insurers  and other  financial  services  companies  to acquire
          banks;

     o    remove  various  restrictions  that  currently  apply to bank  holding
          company  ownership  of  securities  firms  and  mutual  fund  advisory
          companies; and

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

     This part of the Modernization Act will become effective on March 13, 2000.

     On January 19, 2000,  the FRB adopted an interim rule allowing bank holding
companies to submit  certifications  by February 15 to become financial  holding
companies on March 13, 2000.  The FRB also  provided  regulations  on procedures
which would be used against  financial  holding  companies which have depository
institutions  which  fall out of  compliance  with  the  management  or  capital
criteria.  Only  financial  holding  companies can own  insurance  companies and
engage in merchant banking.

     On January 14, 2000, the OCC proposed 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 will 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.  These rules may be used by
national banks effective March 13, 2000.

     The Modernization Act also modifies other current financial laws, including
laws related to financial privacy and community reinvestment.

     Additional  proposals  to change  the laws and  regulations  governing  the
banking and financial  services industry are frequently  introduced in Congress,
in the state legislatures and before the various bank regulatory  agencies.  The
likelihood and timing of any such changes and the impact such changes might have
on Valley cannot be determined at this time.

Regulation of Bank Subsidiary

     VNB 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
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 to Valley by VNB.  Payment of  dividends  to Valley by its
subsidiary  bank,  without prior regulatory  approval,  is subject to regulatory
limitations.  Under the National  Bank Act,  dividends  may be declared only if,
after payment thereof,  capital would be


                                       5
<PAGE>


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.  Under this  limitation,  VNB
could declare  dividends in 2000 to Valley  without prior approval of the OCC of
up to $13.3  million  plus an amount  equal to VNB's net profits for 2000 to the
date of such dividend  declaration.  In addition,  the bank regulatory  agencies
have the  authority  to  prohibit a bank  subsidiary  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

     VNB'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 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 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.

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.  VNB
received a "satisfactory" CRA rating in its most recent examination.

Restrictions on Activities Outside the United States

     Valley's  activities in Canada are conducted  through VNB and in the United
States are subject to Section 25 and 25A of the  Federal  Reserve  Act,  certain
regulations under the National Bank Act and, primarily, Regulation K promulgated
by the FRB.  Under these  provisions,  VNB may invest no more than 10 percent of
its capital in foreign banking operations.  In addition to investments,  VNB may
extend credit or guarantee loans for these entities and such loans or guarantees
are generally not subject to the loans to one person  limitation,  although they
are subject to prudent banking  limitations.  The foreign banking  operations of
VNB are subject to supervision by the FRB, as well as the OCC. In Canada,  VNB's
activities  also are  subject  to the  laws and  regulations  of  Canada  and to
regulation by Canadian  banking  authorities.  Regulation K generally  restricts
activities  by United  States banks  outside of the United  States to activities
that are  permitted  for banks  within  the  United  States.  As a  consequence,
activities  by VNB through its  subsidiaries  outside of the United States would
generally be limited to banking and activities  closely  related to banking with
certain significant exceptions.

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.


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<PAGE>


     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

     The  Federal  Deposit  Insurance   Corporation   Improvement  Act  of  1991
("FDICIA") required each federal banking agency to revise its risk-based capital
standards to ensure that those standards take adequate  account of interest rate
risk, concentration of credit risk and the risks of non-traditional  activities.
In addition,  pursuant to 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 quality to engage in  financial  activities,  all
depository  institutions  must be well  capitalized  and 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 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  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.

     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.

BIF Premiums and Recapitalization of SAIF

     VNB is a member of the Bank  Insurance  Fund ("BIF") of the FDIC.  The FDIC
also maintains  another insurance fund, the Savings  Association  Insurance Fund
("SAIF"),  which primarily covers savings and loan association deposits but also
covers  deposits that are acquired by a BIF-insured  institution  from a savings
and loan association ("Oakar  deposits").  VNB had approximately $1.4 billion of
deposits at December  31, 1999,  with  respect to which VNB pays SAIF  insurance
premiums.

     The Economic  Growth and Regulatory  Reduction Act of 1996 (the "1996 Act")
signed into law on September 30, 1996,  included the Deposit Insurance Funds Act
of 1996 (the "Funds  Act") under which the FDIC was required to impose a special
assessment on SAIF-assessable deposits to recapitalize the SAIF. Under the Funds
Act, the FDIC charged assessments for SAIF and BIF deposits in a 5 to 1 ratio to
pay  Financing  Corp.  ("FICO")  bonds until  January 1, 2000, at which time the
assessment  became equal.  During 1999 a FICO rate of  approximately  1.19 basis
points was charged on BIF  deposits,  and  approximately  5.93 basis  points was
charged on SAIF  deposits.  Oaker  deposits  are  treated as SAIF  deposits  for
purposes  of the  FICO  bond  assessment.  After  the  1996  Act,  SAIF  deposit
assessments were lowered to the BIF assessment  level,  except for the FICO bond
assessment.  The  1996  Act  instituted  a number  of  other  regulatory  relief
provisions.


                                       7
<PAGE>


Item 2. Properties

     VNB's  corporate  headquarters  consist of three office  buildings  located
adjacent  to each  other in Wayne,  New  Jersey.  These  headquarters  encompass
commercial,  mortgage and consumer  lending,  the operations and data processing
center,  and the  executive  offices of both  Valley  and VNB.  Two of the three
buildings are owned by VNB, the other building is leased.

     VNB provides  banking  services at 117  locations of which 51 locations are
owned and 66 locations are leased.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

     There were no material pending legal  proceedings to which Valley or any of
its direct or indirect subsidiaries were a party, or to which their property was
subject,  other than  ordinary  routine  litigations  incidental to business and
which had no material  effect on the  presentation  of the financial  statements
contained in this report.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     None

Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant

                        Age at     Executive
                      December 31,  Officer
          Names          1999        Since             Office
          -----          ----        -----             ------

Gerald H. Lipkin .....     58        1975     Chairman of the Board, President
                                               and Chief Executive Officer of
                                               Valley and VNB

Peter Southway .......     65        1965     Vice Chairman of Valley and VNB
Peter Crocitto .......     42        1991     Executive Vice President of
                                               Valley and VNB
Robert M. Meyer ......     53        1997     Executive Vice President of
                                               Valley and VNB
Peter John Southway ..     39        1989     Executive Vice President of
                                               Valley and VNB
Alan D. Eskow ........     51        1993     Corporate Secretary, Senior Vice
                                               President and  Controller of
                                               Valley and VNB

Albert L. Engel ......     51        1998     First Senior Vice President of VNB
Robert J. Farnon .....     61        1998     First Senior Vice President of VNB
Robert E. Farrell ....     53        1990     First Senior Vice President of VNB
Richard P. Garber ....     56        1992     First Senior Vice President of VNB
D. Franklin Larsen ...     65        1999     First Senior Vice President of VNB
Alan D. Lipsky .......     55        1994     First Senior Vice President of VNB
Robert Mulligan ......     52        1991     First Senior Vice President of VNB
John H. Prol .........     62        1992     First Senior Vice President of VNB
Jack M. Blackin ......     57        1993     Senior Vice President of Valley
                                               and VNB


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


                                       8
<PAGE>


                                    PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Shareholder Matters

     Valley's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange  ("NYSE") under
the symbol VLY. The following table sets forth for each quarter period indicated
the high and low sales prices for the common stock of Valley, as reported by the
NYSE,  and the dividends  paid per share for each quarter.  The amounts shown in
the table below have been adjusted for all stock dividends and stock splits.

                          Year 1999                          Year 1998

                ------------------------------    ------------------------------
                    High      Low    Dividend       High        Low     Dividend
                ---------  --------- ---------    ---------  ---------  --------
First Quarter .. $28 3/32  $23 21/64     $0.24    $32 3/8    $26 55/64     $0.21
Second Quarter .  29 3/8    23 29/64      0.26     32 15/32   27 7/16       0.24
Third Quarter ..  29 1/2    24 5/16       0.26     34 9/32    24 17/32      0.24
Fourth Quarter .  28        23 15/16      0.26     28 37/64   22 5/8        0.24

     Federal laws and regulations contain  restrictions on the ability of Valley
and VNB to pay dividends.  For information regarding  restrictions on dividends,
see Part I, Item 1,  "Business  --  Dividend  Limitations"  and Part II, Item 8,
"Financial  Statements  and  Supplementary  Data  --  Note  15 of the  Notes  to
Consolidated Financial Statements."

     There were 8,460 shareholders of record as of December 31, 1999.


                                       9
<PAGE>


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 presented
elsewhere herein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Years ended December  31,
                                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1999           1998           1997           1996           1995
                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                      (in thousands, except for share data)

<S>                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Summary of Operations:
Interest income (taxable equivalent) ..............   $   431,945    $   416,261    $   413,206    $   394,554    $   385,397
Interest expense ..................................       169,177        167,658        172,182        168,595        166,382
                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

Net interest income (taxable equivalent) ..........       262,768        248,603        241,024        225,959        219,015
Less: tax equivalent adjustment ...................         4,410          4,968          6,388          7,710          8,570
                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

Net interest income ...............................       258,358        243,635        234,636        218,249        210,445
Provision for loan losses .........................         9,120         12,645         13,130          3,956          3,821
                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

Net interest income after provision for loan losses       249,238        230,990        221,506        214,293        206,624
Gains on securities transactions, net .............         2,532          1,419          2,136            765          1,142
Non-interest income ...............................        44,720         43,955         43,058         31,845         26,026
Non-interest expense ..............................       137,946        144,713        139,246        134,586        121,822
                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

Income before income taxes ........................       158,544        131,651        127,454        112,317        111,970
Income tax expense ................................        52,220         30,380         37,303         37,757         37,818
                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

 Net income .......................................   $   106,324    $   101,271    $    90,151    $    74,560    $    74,152
                                                      ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========

Per Common Share(1)(2):
Earnings per share:
 Basic ............................................   $      1.75    $      1.65    $      1.47    $      1.26    $      1.23
 Diluted ..........................................          1.73           1.63           1.46           1.25           1.22
Dividends .........................................          1.02           0.93           0.81           0.72           0.69
Book value ........................................          9.27           9.57           8.78           7.79           7.94
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 Basic ............................................    60,697,186     61,360,325     61,266,111     59,341,414     60,367,087
 Diluted ..........................................    61,305,673     62,185,100     61,812,546     59,791,261     60,561,514
Ratios:
Return on average assets ..........................          1.75%          1.79%          1.60%          1.36%          1.40%
Return on average shareholders' equity ............         18.35          18.10          17.51          15.47          16.58
Average shareholders' equity to average assets ....          9.56           9.89           9.16           8.82           8.43
Dividend payout ...................................         56.45          52.60          50.30          51.83          50.92
Risk-based capital:
 Tier 1 capital ...................................         11.62          13.39          13.43          12.68          14.08
 Total capital ....................................         12.75          14.61          14.54          13.96          15.28
 Leverage capital .................................          9.11          10.12           9.40           8.60           8.48
Financial Condition at Year-End:
Assets ............................................   $ 6,360,394    $ 5,878,969    $ 5,646,425    $ 5,631,152    $ 5,464,416
Loans, net of allowance ...........................     4,499,632      4,093,008      3,919,370      3,730,606      3,275,564
Deposits ..........................................     5,051,255      4,970,149      4,852,081      4,985,901      4,863,017
Shareholders' equity ..............................       553,500        589,809        540,600        496,331        476,986
</TABLE>
- -------------

(1)  All per share  amounts  have been  restated to reflect the 5 percent  stock
     dividend issued May 18, 1999, and all prior stock splits and dividends.

(2)  Share and  earnings  per share  data for the years  1996 and prior have not
     been restated for the acquisition of Wayne Bancorp, Inc. as the issuance of
     capital stock in connection  with the  conversion  from the mutual to stock
     form of Wayne Savings Bank occurred on June 27, 1996.


                                       10
<PAGE>


Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis 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 statistical  data presented in this
document.

Cautionary Statement Concerning  Forward-Looking Statements

     This 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, relationships, opportunities, technology and
market  conditions.  These  statements may be identified by an "asterisk" (*) or
such forward-looking  terminology as "expect," "look," "believe,"  "anticipate,"
"may,"  "will,"  or  similar  statements  or  variations  of  such  terms.  Such
forward-looking  statements  involve  certain  risks  and  uncertainties.  These
include,  but are not limited to, the  direction  of interest  rates,  continued
levels of loan quality and  origination  volume,  continued  relationships  with
major customers  including sources for loans, as well as the effects of economic
conditions and legal and regulatory  barriers and structure.  Actual results may
differ  materially  from such  forward-looking  statements.  Valley  assumes  no
obligation for updating any such forward-looking statement at any time.

Recent Developments

     On June 11, 1999, Valley acquired Ramapo Financial  Corporation,  parent of
The Ramapo Bank  headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. At the date of acquisition,
Ramapo had total assets of $344.0 million and deposits of $299.5  million,  with
eight branch  offices.  The  transaction  was accounted for using the pooling of
interests method of accounting and resulted in the issuance of approximately 4.0
million shares of Valley common stock.  Each share of common stock of Ramapo was
exchanged for 0.44625 shares of Valley common stock. The consolidated  financial
statements  of Valley  have been  restated  to include  Ramapo  for all  periods
presented.

     During the second quarter of 1999,  Valley received  approval and a license
from the New Jersey  Department of Banking and Insurance to sell title insurance
through a separate subsidiary, known as Wayne Title, Inc. After the close of the
second  quarter,  Valley acquired the assets of an agency office of Commonwealth
Land Title  Insurance  Company and began to sell both commercial and residential
title insurance policies. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase.

     On July 30, 1999,  Valley  acquired New Century Asset  Management,  Inc., a
registered  investment  advisor and a NJ-based money manager with  approximately
$120  million of assets  under  management.  New  Century  was  purchased  on an
earn-out basis and will continue its operation as a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of
VNB. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase.

Earnings Summary

     Net income was $106.3 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, in 1999 compared
with $101.3  million,  or $1.63 per diluted  share,  in 1998.  Return on average
assets for 1999 was 1.75 percent  compared with 1.79 percent in 1998,  while the
return on  average  equity  rose to 18.35  percent in 1999  compared  with 18.10
percent in 1998.

     The increase in net income for the year ended  December  31,  1999,  can be
primarily  attributed to an increase in net interest income of $14.7 million,  a
reduction  in the  provision  for loan  losses,  and a decrease  in credit  card
expense, offset by an increase in income tax expense.

Net Interest Income

     Net  interest  income  continues  to be  the  largest  source  of  Valley's
operating  income.  Net interest  income on a tax equivalent  basis increased to
$262.8  million for 1999 as compared to $248.6 million for 1998. The increase in
net interest income is due to higher average  balances of total interest earning
assets,  primarily  loans and  taxable  investments,  partially  offset by lower
average interest rates for these interest earning assets


                                       11
<PAGE>


and an increase in the average balances of total interest  bearing  liabilities.
Also  contributing  to the increase was a decline in average  interest  rates on
average balances of total interest bearing liabilities.  The net interest margin
decreased to 4.53% for 1999 compared to 4.61% for 1998.

     Average  interest earning assets increased $402.4 million or 7.5 percent in
1999 over the 1998 amount. This was mainly the result of the increase in average
balance of loans of $270.8  million or 6.8 percent  and the  increase in average
balance of taxable  investments of $196.9  million or 18.3 percent.  Included in
taxable  investments  is Valley's  portfolio of trust  preferred  securities  of
$249.7 million,  at December 31, 1999.  Valley began purchasing these securities
in the latter part of the fourth quarter of 1998 as part of a leverage  strategy
to increase  interest earning assets and net interest  income.  These securities
are funded by  borrowings  from the Federal  Home Loan Bank  ("FHLB")  which are
included in long-term debt.

     Average interest  bearing  liabilities for 1999 increased $316.7 million or
7.5 percent from 1998. Average demand deposits increased by $68.4 million or 8.3
percent over 1998 balances.  Average savings deposits increased $40.7 million or
2.0 percent and average time deposits remained  relatively  unchanged from 1998.
Average long-term debt, which includes primarily FHLB advances, increased $245.5
million, or 172.8 percent.

     Average  interest  rates,  in all  categories of interest  earning  assets,
declined  during 1999  compared to 1998.  The  average  interest  rate for loans
declined  32 basis  points  to 7.94  percent.  Average  interest  rates on total
interest  earning  assets  declined  27 basis  points to 7.45  percent.  Average
interest rates also declined on total interest  bearing  liabilities by 24 basis
points to 3.72 percent from 3.96  percent.  Average  interest  rates on deposits
declined by 37 basis  points to 3.50  percent.  The decline in the net  interest
margin from 4.61 percent in 1998 to 4.53 percent in 1999 resulted from a smaller
increase  in net  interest  income in  relationship  to the  growth  in  average
interest earning assets.


                                       12
<PAGE>


     The following table reflects the components of net interest income for each
of the three years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1999                               1998                               1997
                              ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------  -------------------------------
                                Average                 Average    Average                 Average    Average                Average
                                Balance     Interest     Rate      Balance     Interest     Rate      Balance     Interest    Rate
                              -----------  -----------  -------  -----------  -----------  -------  -----------  ----------- ------
                                                                            (in thousands)
<S>                           <C>          <C>             <C>   <C>          <C>             <C>   <C>          <C>           <C>
Assets
Interest earning assets
Loans(1)(2) ................  $ 4,280,426  $   339,882     7.94% $ 4,009,604  $   331,219     8.26% $ 3,817,092  $   318,305   8.34%
Taxable investments(3) .....    1,270,737       76,784     6.04    1,073,794       65,376     6.09    1,188,334       74,178   6.24
Tax-exempt
  investments (1)(3) .......      166,963       11,330     6.79      182,686       12,731     6.97      235,615       16,241   6.89
Federal funds sold and
  other short-term
  investments ..............       78,661        3,949     5.02      128,329        6,935     5.40       84,770        4,482   5.29
                              -----------  -----------  -------  -----------  -----------  -------   ----------- ----------- ------

Total interest earning
 assets ....................    5,796,787  $   431,945     7.45    5,394,413  $   416,261     7.72    5,325,811  $   413,206   7.76
                                           -----------  -------               -----------  -------               ----------- ------

Allowance for loan losses ..      (55,154)                           (53,909)                           (52,169)
Cash and due from bank .....      152,770                            143,489                            163,491
Other assets ...............      172,123                            169,446                            182,662
Unrealized (loss)gain on
 securities available for
  sale .....................       (6,886)                             7,789                               (381)
                              -----------                        -----------                        -----------
Total assets ...............  $ 6,059,640                        $ 5,661,228                        $ 5,619,414
                              ===========                        ===========                        ===========

Liabilities and
   Shareholders' Equity

Interest bearing liabilities
Savings deposits ...........  $ 2,026,367  $    41,358     2.04% $ 1,985,675  $    46,833     2.36% $ 1,977,238  $    47,328   2.39%
Time deposits ..............    2,070,416      102,154     4.93    2,050,383      109,228     5.33    2,174,057      117,051   5.38
                              -----------  -----------  -------  -----------  -----------  -------  -----------  ----------- ------
Total interest bearing
  deposits .................    4,096,783      143,512     3.50    4,036,058      156,061     3.87    4,151,295      164,379   3.96
Short-term borrowings ......       69,317        2,968     4.28       58,831        2,791     4.74       46,718        2,332   4.99
Long-term debt .............      387,571       22,697     5.86      142,087        8,806     6.20       87,611        5,471   6.24
                              -----------  -----------  -------  -----------  -----------  -------  -----------  ----------- ------
Total interest bearing
  liabilities ..............    4,553,671      169,177     3.72    4,236,976      167,658     3.96    4,285,624      172,182   4.02
                                           -----------  -------               -----------  -------               ----------- ------
Demand deposits ............      896,911                            828,555                            770,125
Other liabilities ..........       29,588                             36,080                             48,685
Shareholders' equity .......      579,470                            559,617                            514,980
                              -----------                        -----------                        -----------
Total liabilities and
  shareholders' equity .....  $ 6,059,640                        $ 5,661,228                        $ 5,619,414
                              ===========                        ===========                        ===========
Net interest income (tax
  equivalent basis) ........                   262,768                            248,603                            241,024
Tax equivalent adjustment ..                    (4,410)                            (4,968)                            (6,388)
                                           -----------                        -----------                        -----------
Net interest income ........               $   258,358                        $   243,635                        $   234,636
                                           ===========                        ===========                        ===========
Net interest rate
  differential .............                               3.73%                              3.76%                            3.74%
                                                        =======                            =======                           ======
Net interest margin(4) .....                               4.53%                              4.61%                            4.53%
                                                        =======                            =======                           ======
</TABLE>
- ---------------

(1)  Interest  income is presented on a tax equivalent  basis using a 35 percent
     tax rate.

(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) Net interest income on a tax
     equivalent basis as a percentage of earning assets.


                                       13
<PAGE>


     The following table demonstrates the relative impact on net interest income
of changes in volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities
and changes in rates earned and paid by Valley on such assets and liabilities.

      CHANGE IN NET INTEREST INCOME ON A TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    1999 Compared to 1998               1998 Compared to 1997
                                     Increase (Decrease)(2)             Increase (Decrease)(2)
                                --------------------------------    --------------------------------
                                Interest     Volume       Rate      Interest     Volume       Rate
                                --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                                            (in thousands)

<S>                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Interest income:
 Loans(1) ...................   $  8,663    $ 21,821    $(13,158)   $ 12,914    $ 15,897    $ (2,983)
 Taxable investments ........     11,408      11,904        (496)     (8,802)     (7,126)     (1,676)
 Tax-exempt investments(1) ..     (1,401)     (1,074)       (327)     (3,510)     (3,702)        192
 Federal funds sold and other
   short-term investments ...     (2,986)     (2,523)       (463)      2,453       2,373          80
                                --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                  15,684      30,128     (14,444)      3,055       7,442      (4,387)
                                --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

Interest expense:
 Savings deposits ...........     (5,475)        943      (6,418)       (495)        186        (681)
 Time deposits ..............     (7,074)      1,058      (8,132)     (7,823)     (6,600)     (1,223)
 Short-term borrowings ......        177         466        (289)        459         537         (78)
 Long-term debt .............     13,891      14,402        (511)      3,335       3,377         (42)
                                --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                   1,519      16,869     (15,350)     (4,524)     (2,500)     (2,024)
                                --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

Net interest income
 (tax equivalent basis) .....   $ 14,165    $ 13,259    $    906    $  7,579    $  9,942    $ (2,363)
                                ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>

- -------------

(1)  Interest  income is adjusted to a tax  equivalent  basis using a 35 percent
     tax rate.

(2)  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.

Non-Interest Income

     The following table presents the components of non-interest  income for the
years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

                 NON-INTEREST INCOME

                                                      Years ended December  31,
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                   1999        1998        1997
                                                 -------     -------     -------
                                                         (in  thousands)
Trust and investment services ..............     $ 2,414     $ 1,813     $ 1,538
Service charges on deposit accounts ........      14,468      14,019      13,431
Gains on securities transactions, net ......       2,532       1,419       2,136
Fees from loan servicing ...................       8,387       7,382       5,576
Credit card fee income .....................       8,655      10,153      12,643
Gains on sales of loans, net ...............       2,491       4,863       3,634
Other ......................................       8,305       5,725       6,236
                                                 -------     -------     -------

 Total non-interest income .................     $47,252     $45,374     $45,194
                                                 =======     =======     =======


                                       14
<PAGE>


     Non-interest  income continues to represent a considerable source of income
for Valley.  Excluding  gains on  securities  transactions,  total  non-interest
income amounted to $44.7 million for 1999 compared with $44.0 million for 1998.

     Trust and  investment  services  includes  income  from  trust  operations,
brokerage commissions, and asset management fees. On July 30, 1999, VNB acquired
New Century Asset  Management,  Inc. ("New  Century"),  a NJ-based money manager
with approximately $120 million of assets under management.  At closing,  Valley
paid an initial consideration of $640 thousand.  The balance due will be paid on
an earn-out basis over a five-year period, based upon a pre-determined  formula.
New Century will continue its operation as a wholly owned subsidiary of VNB. The
transaction  was  accounted  for as a purchase  and resulted in goodwill of $1.3
million.  New Century  contributed  additional  fee income to the  operations of
Valley of $326  thousand  in 1999  which is  included  in trust  and  investment
services.

     Included in fees from loan  servicing  are fees for  servicing  residential
mortgage loans and SBA loans. Fees from loan servicing increased by 13.6 percent
from $7.4  million  for 1998 to $8.4  million for 1999 due to an increase in the
size of the servicing portfolio. The increase in the servicing portfolio was due
to the acquisition of servicing of several residential mortgage portfolios,  the
origination  of new  loans  by VNB and  their  subsequent  sale  with  servicing
retained,  offset by principal  paydowns and prepayments.  Residential  mortgage
servicing  portfolios,  with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $668.2
million,  were  acquired at the end of 1999 which are expected to increase  loan
servicing revenue during 2000.*

     Credit  card fee income  declined by $1.5  million or 14.8  percent in 1999
compared with 1998. The decrease can be attributed to a change in the co-branded
credit card program which reduced cardmember rebates, and continues to result in
a decline in outstanding credit card balances. The decline in balances and usage
of the  card  caused  a  reduction  in the  volume  of  co-branded  credit  card
transactions.  The decline in cardmember  rebates is mainly  responsible for the
decline in credit card expense, included in non-interest expense.

     Gains on the sales of loans  were $2.5  million  in 1999  compared  to $4.9
million  in 1998.  Gains are  recorded  primarily  from the sale of  residential
mortgage  loans and SBA loans into the  secondary  market.  The decrease of $2.4
million  resulted  from a decline in the volume of  residential  mortgage  loans
being sold by Valley into the secondary market during 1999.

     Other non-interest income increased $2.6 million to $8.3 million in 1999 as
compared to 1998. This increase is primarily  attributed to the gain on the sale
of one OREO  property and the earnings  resulting  from an agreement  during the
fourth  quarter of 1998 with a third party  vendor  whereby  all the  processing
related to official  checks and money orders were  outsourced.  This increase is
also the result of $946 thousand of  commission  revenues from the sale of title
insurance  policies from a new title insurance  business  acquired by VNB in the
second quarter of 1999. VNB received  approval and a license from the New Jersey
Department of Banking and Insurance to sell title  insurance  through a separate
subsidiary,  known as Wayne Title,  Inc. After the close of the second  quarter,
VNB acquired the assets of an agency office of Commonwealth Land Title Insurance
Company  and began to sell  both  commercial  and  residential  title  insurance
policies.  The  transaction  was  accounted  for as a purchase  and  resulted in
goodwill of $728 thousand.


                                       15
<PAGE>

(in  thousands)
Non-Interest Expense

     The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the
years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

                              NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

                                                      Years ended December  31,
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                 1999         1998         1997
                                              --------     --------     --------
                                                        (in thousands)
Salary expense ..........................     $ 58,339     $ 56,717     $ 51,441
Employee benefit expense ................       13,645       13,143       12,306
FDIC insurance premiums .................        1,239        1,301        1,234
Net occupancy expense ...................       11,943       13,740       12,536
Furniture and equipment expense .........        8,370        9,037        8,723
Credit card expense .....................        5,070        9,066       17,520
Amortization of intangible assets .......        5,255        5,666        3,699
Advertising .............................        5,178        4,677        5,374
Merger-related charges ..................        3,005        4,539           --
Other ...................................       25,902       26,827       26,413
                                              --------     --------     --------

 Total non-interest expense .............     $137,946     $144,713     $139,246
                                              ========     ========     ========

     Excluding  merger-related  charges,  non-interest  expense  totaled  $134.9
million for 1999, a decrease of $5.2 million or 3.7 percent from the 1998 level.
The largest components of non-interest expense are salaries and employee benefit
expense  which  totaled $72.0 million in 1999 compared to $69.9 million in 1998.
At December 31, 1999,  full-time equivalent staff was 1,863 compared to 1,867 at
the end of 1998.

     The  efficiency  ratio  measures  a bank's  gross  operating  expense  as a
percentage  of   fully-taxable   equivalent   net  interest   income  and  other
non-interest  income without  taking into account  security gains and losses and
other non-recurring items. Valley's efficiency ratio for the year ended December
31, 1999 was 43.9 percent,  one of the lowest in the industry,  compared with an
efficiency  ratio  for 1998 of 46.7  percent.  Valley  strives  to  control  its
efficiency ratio and expenses as a means of producing increased earnings for its
shareholders.

     Both net occupancy  expense and furniture and equipment  expense  decreased
during 1999 in  comparison  to 1998.  The  reduction  in these  expenses  can be
attributed to cost savings resulting from restructuring  activities conducted in
connection with recent mergers.

     Credit card expense includes  cardmember  rebates,  processing expenses and
fraud losses.  The decrease in credit card expenses is directly  attributable to
an  amendment  made to the  co-branded  credit  card  program  during the fourth
quarter of 1997, which has continued to reduce the amount of cardmember  rebates
paid by Valley.

     Amortization  of intangible  assets  decreased to $5.3 million in 1999 from
$5.7 million in 1998,  representing  a decrease of $411 thousand or 7.3 percent.
The majority of this  expense  resulted  from the  amortization  of  residential
mortgage servicing rights totaling $3.6 million during 1999,  compared with $4.2
million for 1998. An increase in interest rates is responsible  for the decrease
in amortization  expense to maintain the unamortized balance of servicing rights
in line with the  portfolio  balance and the  expected  future  cash  flows.  An
impairment  analysis is completed  quarterly  to  determine  the adequacy of the
mortgage servicing asset valuation allowance.

     During 1999, Valley recorded merger-related charges of $3.0 million related
to the acquisition of Ramapo.  The major components of  merger-related  charges,
consisting of real estate  dispositions,  professional fees,  personnel expenses
and other expenses totaling $300 thousand,  $1.1 million,  $1.1 million and $500
thousand,  respectively.  During 1998, Valley recorded merger-related charges of
$4.5  million  related  to the  acquisition  of Wayne  Bancorp,  Inc.  The major
components of merger-related charges were for real


                                       16
<PAGE>


estate  dispositions,  professional fees,  personnel expenses and other expenses
that  totaled  $1.5  million,  $1.4  million,  $1.0  million and $600  thousand,
respectively.  All amounts expensed as merger-related charges were paid with the
exception of contracts which will be paid over their remaining terms.

     The  significant  components  of other  non-interest  expense  include data
processing,  professional fees, postage,  telephone and stationery expense which
totaled approximately $13.6 million for 1999.

Income Taxes

     Income tax expense as a percentage  of pre-tax  income was 32.9 percent for
the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to 23.1 percent in 1998. The reduction
in the effective tax rate from 1996 through 1999 is attributable to tax benefits
realized  that are no longer  available  after 1999.  Valley  implemented  a tax
strategy  during  the  second  quarter  of 1999 to  minimize  tax  expense.  The
effective tax rate for 2000 is expected to approximate 34 percent.*

Year 2000

     VNB has  completed  its Year  2000  ("Y2K")  upgrade  for  compliance  with
computer  hardware  and  software  systems,  which  has  resulted  in  a  smooth
transition for its computer  systems.  Since  implementing the assessment of Y2K
issues,  Valley's  costs  to  external  sources  have  been  approximately  $146
thousand.

Business Segments

     VNB has four  business  segments it  monitors  and reports on to manage its
business  operations.  These segments are commercial lending,  consumer lending,
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 pretax net income and return on
assets.  Expenses related to the branch network,  all other components of retail
banking,  along with the back office  departments of the bank are allocated from
the corporate and other adjustments  segment to each of the other three business
segments.  The financial  reporting for each segment  contains  allocations  and
reporting in line with VNB's  operations,  which may not necessarily be compared
to any other  financial  institution.  The accounting for each segment  includes
internal  accounting  policies  designed to measure  consistent  and  reasonable
financial  reporting.  For financial data on the four business segments see Part
II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 19 of the Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements."

     The  consumer  lending  segment  had a return on  average  interest-earning
assets  before  taxes of 2.54  percent  for the year  ended  December  31,  1999
compared  to  2.37  percent  for the  year  ended  December  31,  1998.  Average
interest-earning  assets increased  $252.7 million,  which is attributable to an
increase in home equity and  residential  mortgage  lending.  Interest  rates on
consumer  loans  declined by 49 basis  points.  This decrease was mitigated by a
decrease in the cost of funds by 19 basis  points.  Income  before  income taxes
increased  $10.6  million  primarily  as a  result  of an  increase  in  average
interest-earning  assets.  Also  contributing  to the increase in income  before
taxes was a $2.8  million  decrease  in the  provision  for loan losses due to a
decrease in net  charge-offs  and a decline in  non-interest  expense due to the
change in credit card rebates.

     The  return  on  average  interest-earning  assets  before  taxes  for  the
commercial  lending  segment,  increased 16 basis points to 3.81 percent for the
year ended December 31, 1999. Average  interest-earning  assets increased $123.2
million  as a  result  of an  increased  volume  of  loans.  Interest  rates  on
commercial  loans  declined by 16 basis points,  offset by a decrease in cost of
funds by 19 basis  points.  Income before  income taxes  increased  $7.2 million
primarily as a result of an increase in average  interest-earning assets, offset
by a decline in fee income during the period.

     The investment management segment had a return on average  interest-earning
assets,  before taxes,  of 2.07 percent for the year ended December 31, 1999, 15
basis  points   greater  than  the  year  ended   December  31,  1998.   Average
interest-earning  assets  increased  by $34.5  million.  The  yield on  interest
earning assets decreased by 26 basis points to 6.29 percent, and was offset by a
smaller  decrease of 19 basis points in the cost of funds.  Income before income
taxes  increased  10.6 percent to $29.1  million  principally  reflecting  lower
internal expense transfer amounts.


                                       17
<PAGE>


     The corporate  segment  represents  assets and income and expense items not
directly  attributable to a specific segment including  merger-related  charges,
gains on sales of securities,  service charges on deposit accounts,  and certain
revenues and expenses  recorded by acquired banks that could not be allocated to
a line of business. The loss before taxes decreased to $6.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 1999, mainly due to more non-interest income.

                           ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

Interest Rate Sensitivity

     Valley's  success is largely  dependent upon its ability to manage interest
rate risk.  Interest  rate risk can be defined as the  exposure of Valley's  net
interest income to the movement in interest rates. Valley does not currently use
derivatives  to manage  market and interest rate risks.  Valley's  interest rate
risk  management  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Asset/Liability   Management
Committee  ("ALCO"),  which reports to the Board of Directors.  ALCO establishes
policies  that  monitor and  coordinate  Valley's  sources,  uses and pricing of
funds.

     Valley uses 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  repricing
characteristics of rate sensitive assets and liabilities. The model incorporates
assumptions  regarding the impact of changing  interest  rates on the prepayment
rates of certain assets and liabilities.  According to the model,  over a twelve
month  period,  an interest  rate  increase of 100 basis  points  resulted in an
increase  in net  interest  income of  approximately  $289.3  thousand  while an
interest  rate  decrease  of 100 basis  points  resulted  in a  decrease  in net
interest income of approximately $287.6 thousand.  Management cannot provide any
assurance  about the actual effect of changes in interest  rates on Valley's net
interest income.


                                       18
<PAGE>

     The following table shows the financial  instruments  that are sensitive to
changes  in  interest  rates,   categorized  by  expected   maturity,   and  the
instruments' fair value at December 31, 1999. Market risk sensitive  instruments
are generally defined as on-and-off balance sheet financial instruments.

                       INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                             Total
                                  Rate        2000          2001          2002         2003         2004     Thereafter     Balance
                               ----------  ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                                           (in thousands)
<S>                                <C>     <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Interest sensitive assets:
Federal funds sold ............    4.63%   $  123,000   $       --    $       --    $      --   $       --   $       --   $  123,000
Investment securities held
 to  maturity .................    7.89        33,687       12,784         6,318        5,300        4,475      288,937      351,501
Investment securities
  available for sale ..........    6.44       454,134      112,863        77,160       83,342       68,233      209,687    1,005,419
Loans:
 Commercial ...................    8.51       362,967       11,936         7,907       39,836       26,557       62,961      512,164
 Mortgage .....................    7.66       553,728      187,253       124,835      439,895      293,263      936,343    2,535,317
 Consumer .....................    7.93       567,469      202,075       134,403      290,424      193,616      119,284    1,507,271
                               ----------  ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Total interest sensitive
 assets........................    7.55%   $2,094,985   $  526,911    $  350,623   $  858,797   $  586,144   $1,617,212   $6,034,672
                               ----------  ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Interest sensitive liabilities:
Deposits:
 Savings ......................   2.18%    $  390,448   $  814,040    $  496,340   $  105,892   $  105,892   $  105,918   $2,018,530
 Time .........................    5.03      1,628,209     314,370        86,353       30,074        9,255       33,448    2,101,709
Short-term borrowings .........    3.75        129,065          --            --           --           --           --      129,065
Long-term debt ................    5.98        103,074      27,080       117,086       82,060      102,016      133,565      564,881
                               ----------   ----------  ----------    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Total interest
sensitive liabilities .........    3.91%   $2,250,796   $1,155,490    $  699,779   $  218,026   $  217,163   $  272,931   $4,814,185
                               ----------  ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Interest sensitivity gap ......            $ (155,811)  $ (628,579)   $ (349,156)  $  640,771   $  368,981   $1,344,281   $1,220,487
                                           ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------

Ratio of interes sensitive
assets to interest sensitive
liabilities ...................               (0.93:1)     (0.46:1)      (0.50:1)      3.94:1       2.70:1       5.93:1       1.25:1
                                           ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
</TABLE>

                                      Fair
                                     Value
                                  ----------
                                (in thousands)
Interest sensitive assets:
Federal funds sold ............   $  123,000
Investment securities held
 to  maturity .................      318,329
Investment securities
  available for sale ..........    1,005,419
Loans:
 Commercial ...................      508,648
 Mortgage .....................    2,484,101
 Consumer .....................    1,505,298
                                  ----------
Total interest sensitive
 assets........................   $5,944,795
                                  ----------
Interest sensitive liabilities:
Deposits:
 Savings ......................   $2,018,530
 Time .........................    2,102,149
Short-term borrowings .........      129,065
Long-term debt ................      548,043
                                  ----------
Total interest
sensitive liabilities .........   $4,797,787
                                  ----------
Interest sensitivity gap ......   $1,147,008
                                  ----------

Ratio of interes sensitive
assets to interest sensitive
liabilities ...................       1.24:1
                                  ----------

     Expected maturities are contractual maturities adjusted for all payments of
principal.  Valley uses certain assumptions to estimate fair values and expected
maturities.  For investment  securities and loans, expected maturities are based
upon contractual  maturity,  projected  repayments and prepayments of principal.
The prepayment  experience  reflected herein is based on historical  experience.
The actual maturities of these  instruments  could vary  substantially if future
prepayments  differ from  historical  experience.  For deposit  liabilities,  in
accordance  with  standard   industry   practice  and  Valley's  own  historical
experience,  "decay  factors" were used to estimate  deposit runoff for savings.
Off-balance sheet items are not considered material.

     The total negative gap repricing  within 1 year as of December 31, 1999 was
$155.8 million,  representing a ratio of interest  sensitive  assets to interest
sensitive  liabilities  of  (0.93:1).  Management  does not view this  amount as
presenting an unusually high risk potential, although no assurances can be given
that Valley is not at risk from interest rate increases or decreases.*

Liquidity

     Liquidity  measures  the  ability to satisfy  current  and future cash flow
needs  as  they  become  due.  Maintaining  a  level  of  liquid  funds  through
asset/liability  management  seeks  to  ensure  that  these  needs  are met at a
reasonable  cost. On the asset side,  liquid funds are maintained in the form of
cash and due from banks,  federal  funds sold,  investments  securities  held to
maturity maturing within one year,  securities available for sale and loans held
for sale.  Liquid assets  amounted to $1.3 billion at both December 31, 1999 and
1998. This represents 22.0 percent and 24.2 percent of earning assets,  and 20.9
percent  and 22.9  percent  of total  assets  at  December  31,  1999 and  1998,
respectively.

     On the  liability  side,  the  primary  source of funds  available  to meet
liquidity  needs  is  Valley's  core  deposit  base,  which  generally  excludes
certificates of deposit over $100 thousand. Core deposits averaged approximately
$3.5 billion for the year ended  December 31, 1999 and $3.6 billion for the year
ended December 31, 1998,  representing  60.9 percent and 66.8 percent of average
earning assets. Short-term and

                                       19
<PAGE>


long-term borrowings through Federal funds lines, repurchase agreements, Federal
Home Loan Bank  ("FHLB")  advances  and large  dollar  certificates  of deposit,
generally those over $100 thousand,  are used as supplemental  funding  sources.
Valley borrowed from the FHLB as part of a leverage strategy and matched funding
to increase  earning assets and net interest  income.  Continued  growth in this
strategy  is under  review to  determine  if it will be expanded in 2000.* As of
December 31, 1999,  Valley had  outstanding  advances of $464.5 million with the
FHLB and  repurchase  agreements  of $159.4  million.  Additional  liquidity  is
derived from scheduled  loan and investment  payments of principal and interest,
as well as prepayments  received.  In 1999 proceeds from the sales of investment
securities available for sale were $28.3 million, and proceeds of $466.3 million
were generated from investment maturities. Purchases of investment securities in
1999 were $578.3 million. Short-term borrowings and certificates of deposit over
$100 thousand amounted to $637.1 million and $503.6 million, on average, for the
years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

     During  1999  a  substantial  amount  of  loan  growth  was  funded  from a
combination of deposit growth,  maturities and normal payments of the investment
portfolio,  normal  loan  payments  and  prepayments,  and  borrowings.   Valley
anticipates using funds from all of the above sources to fund loan growth during
2000.*

     The following table lists, by maturity, all certificates of deposit of $100
thousand  and over at  December  31,  1999.  These  certificates  of deposit are
generated primarily from core deposit customers and are not brokered funds.

                                                                  (in thousands)

Less than three months ...................................            $515,791
Three to six months ......................................              49,993
Six to twelve months .....................................              21,998
More than twelve months ..................................              59,494
                                                                      --------

                                                                      $647,276
                                                                      ========

     Valley's cash requirements  consist primarily of dividends to shareholders.
This cash need is routinely satisfied by dividends collected from its subsidiary
bank.  Projected  cash flows from this source are expected to be adequate to pay
dividends, given the current capital levels and current profitable operations of
its subsidiary.


                                       20
<PAGE>


Investment Securities

     The  amortized  cost of  securities  held to maturity at December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997 were as follows:

              INVESTMENT SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1999       1998       1997
                                                             --------   --------   --------
                                                                    (in  thousands)
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and other government agencies and
corporations .............................................   $     --   $ 34,451   $ 28,265
Obligations of states and political subdivisions .........     28,729     45,550     62,832
Mortgage-backed securities ...............................     46,599     67,561     91,581
Other debt securities ....................................    249,936    115,148        195
                                                             --------   --------   --------

Total debt securities ....................................    325,264    262,710    182,873
FRB & FHLB stock .........................................     26,237     24,180     24,180
                                                             --------   --------   --------

Total investment securities held to maturity .............   $351,501   $286,890   $207,053
                                                             ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

     The fair value of securities  available for sale at December 31, 1999, 1998
and 1997 were as follows:

                    INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1999         1998         1997
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                                       (in  thousands)
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and other government agencies and
corporations .............................................   $  112,650   $  154,025   $  224,647
Obligations of states and political subdivisions .........      133,564      118,295      144,333
Mortgage-backed securities ...............................      730,131      719,790      759,529
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

Total debt securities ....................................      976,345      992,110    1,128,509
Equity securities ........................................       29,074       31,078       10,685
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

Total investment securities available for sale ...........   $1,005,419   $1,023,188   $1,139,194
                                                             ==========   ==========   ==========
</TABLE>


                                       21
<PAGE>




         MATURITY DISTRIBUTION OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY
                              AT DECEMBER 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Obligations of States and      Mortgage-Backed       Other Debt Securities       Total(4)
                                     Political Subdivisions          Securities
                                     ---------------------      ----------------------    -------------------    ------------------
                                      Amortized    Yield        Amortized                 Amortized              Amortized
                                       Cost(1)     (2)(3)        Cost(1)      Yield(2)     Cost(1)   Yield(2)     Cost(1)   Yield(2)
                                      --------    --------       --------     --------    --------   --------    --------   -------
                                                                                  (in  thousands)
<S>                                   <C>             <C>        <C>              <C>     <C>            <C>     <C>           <C>
0-1 years ......................      $ 23,270        5.09%      $  1,784         5.81%   $    110       7.72%   $ 25,164      5.15%
1-5 years ......................         4,829        8.54         44,304         7.53          60       7.23      49,193      7.63
5-10 years .....................            --          --            511         7.46          50       7.30         561      7.45
Over 10 years ..................           630        9.49             --           --     249,716       7.47     250,346      7.48
                                      --------        ----       --------         ----    --------       ----    --------      ----
Total securities ...............      $ 28,729        5.77%      $ 46,599         7.46%   $249,936       7.47%   $325,264      7.32%
                                      ========        ====       ========         ====    ========       ====    ========      ====
</TABLE>


        MATURITY DISTRIBUTION OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE
                              AT DECEMBER 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     US Treasury Securities
                                     and Other Government       Obligations of States
                                          Agencies and               and Political         Mortgage-Backed
                                           Corporations              Subdivisions             Securities               Total(4)
                                     ---------------------      ----------------------    -------------------   ------------------
                                      Amortized                 Amortized      Yield      Amortized              Amortized
                                       Cost(1)     Yield(2)      Cost(1)       (2)(3)      Cost(1)   Yield(2)     Cost(1)   Yield(2)
                                      --------    --------      --------     --------    --------   --------    --------    -------
                                                                                     (in  thousands)
<S>                                  <C>              <C>      <C>               <C>    <C>             <C>     <C>            <C>
0-1 years ......................     $   14,327       5.81%    $   25,229        6.74%  $  325,124      7.23%   $  364,680     7.14%
1-5 years ......................        101,423       5.61         45,238        6.70      269,738      6.18       416,399     6.10
5-10 years .....................             --         --         29,563        6.22      119,364      6.61       148,927     6.53
Over 10 years ..................             --         --         35,629        7.58       37,036      6.53        72,665     7.04
                                     ----------       ----     ----------        ----   ----------      ----    ----------     ----
Total securities ...............     $  115,750       5.63%    $  135,659        6.83%  $  751,262      6.72%   $1,002,671     6.61%
                                     ==========       ====     ==========        ====   ==========      ====    ==========     ====
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  Maturities  are  stated  at cost less  principal  reductions,  if any,  and
     adjusted for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

(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.


                                       22
<PAGE>


     Valley's  investment  portfolio is comprised of U.S. government and federal
agency  securities,  tax-exempt  issues of states  and  political  subdivisions,
mortgage-backed  securities,   equity  and  other  securities.   There  were  no
securities in the name of any one issuer  exceeding 10 percent of  shareholders'
equity,  except for  securities  issued by the United  States and its  political
subdivisions and agencies.  The portfolio  generates  substantial cash flow. The
decision to purchase or sell securities is based upon the current  assessment of
long and short term  economic and financial  conditions,  including the interest
rate environment and other statement of financial condition components.

     At  December  31,  1999,  Valley  had  $46.6  million  of  mortgaged-backed
securities  classified as held to maturity and $730.1 million of mortgage-backed
securities   classified   as   available   for  sale.   Substantially   all  the
mortgage-backed  securities  held by Valley  are  issued  or  backed by  Federal
agencies.  The mortgage-backed  securities  portfolio is a source of significant
liquidity to Valley  through the monthly cash flow of  principal  and  interest.
Mortgage-backed securities, like all securities, are sensitive to changes 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 interest rates.

     Included in the mortgage-backed  securities  portfolio at December 31, 1999
were $206.9  million of  collateralized  mortgage  obligations  ("CMO") of which
$19.5 million were  privately  issued.  CMO's had a yield of 6.53 percent and an
unrealized loss of $8.7 million at December 31, 1999.  Substantially  all of the
CMO portfolio was classified as available for sale.

     As of December 31, 1999,  Valley had $1.0 billion of  securities  available
for sale,  unchanged  from December 31, 1998.  Those  securities are recorded at
their fair value. As of December 31, 1999, the investment  securities  available
for sale  had an  unrealized  loss of  $16.3  million,  net of  deferred  taxes,
compared  to an  unrealized  gain of $4.9  million,  net of deferred  taxes,  at
December  31,  1998.  This  change was  primarily  due to an  decrease in prices
resulting from an increasing interest rate environment. These securities are not
considered trading account securities,  which may be sold on a continuous basis,
but rather are  securities  which may be sold to meet the various  liquidity and
interest rate requirements of Valley. In connection with the Ramapo acquisition,
Valley reassessed the  classification of securities held in the Ramapo portfolio
and  transferred  $42.4  million of  securities  held to maturity to  securities
available for sale to conform with Valley's investment  objectives.  In 1998, in
connection with the Wayne  acquisition,  Valley reassessed the classification of
securities  held  in  the  Wayne  portfolio  and  transferred  $1.6  million  of
securities  held to maturity to  securities  available  for sale to conform with
Valley's  investment  objectives.  In  1997,  in  connection  with  the  Midland
acquisition,  Valley  reassessed the  classification  of securities  held in the
Midland investment portfolio and transferred $39.8 million of securities held to
maturity to  securities  available  for sale to conform to  Valley's  investment
objectives.

     During 1999 and 1998,  Valley  purchased  approximately  $138.6 million and
$111.8  million,  respectively,  of  trust  preferred  securities,  as part of a
leveraging strategy to increase interest earning assets and net interest income.

Loan Portfolio

     As of December 31, 1999,  total loans were $4.6  billion,  compared to $4.1
billion at December 31, 1998, an increase of 9.8 percent.  The  following  table
reflects the composition of the loan portfolio for the five years ended December
31, 1999.


                                       23
<PAGE>


                                 LOAN PORTFOLIO
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    1999           1998           1997            1996            1995
                               -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                             (in thousands)
<S>                            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>
Commercial .................   $   512,164    $   477,231    $   468,947     $   480,240     $   426,887
                               -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------

  Total commercial loans ...       512,164        477,231        468,947         480,240         426,887
                               -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------

Construction ...............       123,531        112,819         94,162          98,435          91,097
Residential mortgage .......     1,247,721      1,055,278      1,056,436       1,060,526       1,029,551
Commercial mortgage ........     1,164,065      1,050,420        955,052         877,617         780,099
                               -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------

  Total mortgage loans .....     2,535,317      2,218,517      2,105,650       2,036,578       1,900,747
                               -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------

Home equity ................       276,261        226,231        225,899         230,265         235,742
Credit card ................        92,097        108,180        146,151         150,233          23,098
Automobile .................     1,053,457      1,033,938        931,579         813,058         673,597
Other consumer .............        85,456         83,552         94,370          73,714          67,216
                               -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------

  Total consumer loans .....     1,507,271      1,451,901      1,397,999       1,267,270         999,653
                               -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------

Less: unearned income ......            --             --            (56)           (556)         (1,290)
                               -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------

Total loans ................   $ 4,554,752    $ 4,147,649    $ 3,972,540     $ 3,783,532     $ 3,325,997
                               ===========    ===========    ===========     ===========     ===========

As a percent of total loans:

 Commercial loans ..........          11.2%          11.5%          11.8%           12.7%           12.8%
 Mortgage loans ............          55.7           53.5           53.0            53.8            57.1
 Consumer loans ............          33.1           35.0           35.2            33.5            30.1
                               -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------

  Total loans ..............         100.0%         100.0%         100.0%          100.0%          100.0%
                               ===========    ===========    ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

     The  majority  of the  increase  in  loans  for 1999  was  divided  between
residential  and  commercial  mortgage  loans.  It is not  known if the trend of
increased  lending in these loan types will  continue,  especially  if  interest
rates continue to increase.

     The commercial  mortgage loan portfolio has continued its steady  increase.
Valley targets  small-to-medium  size  businesses  within the market area of the
bank for this type of lending.

     During 1996,  Valley issued a co-branded  credit card. Of the $92.1 million
of credit card loans  outstanding  at December  31,  1999,  approximately  $77.1
million were the result of this co-branded credit card program.  The decrease in
the credit card portfolio is primarily  attributable to an amendment made to the
co-branded  credit card program  during the fourth  quarter of 1997,  which also
reduced the amount of cardmember rebates paid by Valley. It is expected that the
decline in the co-branded credit card loans will continue.*

     Automobile  loans  comprised  23.1  percent of total loans at December  31,
1999.  Approximately  66.2 percent of the  automobile  loan  portfolio  and 15.3
percent of the total loan  portfolio  at  December  31, 1999  represented  loans
originated by VNB through a program with a major insurance company.  These loans
are subject to Valley's normal underwriting criteria.  During the fourth quarter
of 1997, Valley began closing loans in Florida under this program.  Valley began
an identical  program in the State of Pennsylvania in January 1998. The addition
of Florida and  Pennsylvania  resulted in a greater than 60 percent  increase in
the number of agents under this  program.  This  expanded  Valley's over 40 year
relationship  with the company to 11 states  from Maine to  Florida,  as well as
Canada.  Valley expects to begin lending in Connecticut  during early 2000 under
this program with the insurance company.*

     VNB extended this program during the first quarter of 1996 by  establishing
a  finance  company  in  Toronto,  Canada  to make  auto  loans.  This  Canadian
subsidiary had interest income of approximately  $2.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 1999,  and auto loans of $26.8 million at December 31, 1999.  These
loans are funded by a capital investment by VNB of $7.4 million, with additional
funding requirements


                                       24
<PAGE>


satisfied by lines of credit in Canadian  funds.  Any foreign  exchange  risk is
limited to the capital investment by VNB.

     Much of Valley's  lending is in northern New Jersey,  with the exception of
the out-of-state auto lending program.  However,  efforts are made to maintain a
diversified  portfolio  as to type of  borrower  and  loan to  guard  against  a
downward turn in any one economic sector.*

     The following table reflects the contractual  maturity  distribution of the
commercial and construction loan portfolios as of December 31, 1999:

                                        1 Yr.      Over 1      Over
                                       or less    to 5 Yrs.    5 Yrs.    Total
                                       --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                     (in thousands)
Commercial--fixed rate .............   $  8,435   $ 89,971   $ 51,083   $149,489
Commercial--adjustable rate ........    276,938     41,182     44,555    362,675
Construction--fixed rate ...........     16,927      6,429         --     23,356
Construction--adjustable rate ......     55,035     45,140         --    100,175
                                       --------   --------   --------   --------

                                       $357,335   $182,722   $ 95,638   $635,695
                                       ========   ========   ========   ========

     Prior to maturity of each loan with a balloon  payment and if the  borrower
requests  an  extension,  Valley  generally  conducts  a review  which  normally
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 paydown.

     VNB is a preferred U.S. Small Business  Administration  ("SBA") lender with
authority to make loans without the prior approval of the SBA. VNB currently has
approval  to make SBA loans in New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  New York,  Delaware,
Maryland, the District of Columbia and sections of Virginia.  Between 75 percent
and 80  percent of each loan is  guaranteed  by the SBA and may be sold into the
secondary market,  with the balance retained in VNB's portfolio.  VNB intends to
continue expanding this area of lending because it provides a good source of fee
income and loans with floating interest rates tied to the prime lending rate.*

     During 1999 and 1998, VNB originated  approximately $34.8 million and $25.8
million of SBA loans,  respectively  and sold $24.8  million and $22.1  million,
respectively.  At December 31, 1999 and 1998,  $37.5 million and $31.4  million,
respectively,  of SBA loans were held in VNB's  portfolio  and VNB  serviced for
others  approximately  $89.0  million and $78.1  million,  respectively,  of SBA
loans.

Non-performing Assets

     Non-performing assets include non-accrual loans and other real estate owned
("OREO").  Loans are generally  placed on a 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 is 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.

     Non-performing  assets  continued to decrease,  and totaled $5.7 million at
December 31, 1999,  compared with $11.8 million at December 31, 1998, a decrease
of $6.0 million or 51.2 percent.  Non-performing assets at December 31, 1999 and
1998, respectively, amounted to 0.13 percent and 0.28 percent of loans and OREO.
Non-performing  assets have declined  steadily over the past five years.  Valley
cannot predict whether or for how long that this trend will continue.*

     Loans  90 days or more  past  due and not  included  in the  non-performing
category totaled $11.7 million at December 31, 1999, compared to $7.4 million at
December  31,  1998.  These  loans are  primarily  residential  mortgage  loans,
commercial mortgage loans and commercial loans which are generally  well-secured
and in the process of collection.  Also included are matured commercial mortgage
loans in the  process of being  renewed,  which  totaled  $1.5  million and $175
thousand at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.


                                       25
<PAGE>


     The  allowance  for loan  losses as a percent of loans has  declined  since
1995. Valley provides additions to the allowance based upon net charge-offs.

     The following  table sets forth  non-performing  assets and accruing  loans
which were 90 days or more past due as to principal or interest  payments on the
dates indicated, in conjunction with asset quality ratios for Valley.

                                  LOAN QUALITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         1999       1998       1997       1996       1995
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                        (in  thousands)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Loans past due in excess of 90 days
  and still accruing ...............   $11,698    $ 7,418    $16,463    $10,318    $ 8,266
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

Non-accrual loans ..................   $ 3,482    $ 7,507    $10,380    $16,311    $20,817
Other real estate owned ............     2,256      4,261      4,450      6,077     12,020
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

Total non-performing assets ........   $ 5,738    $11,768    $14,830    $22,388    $32,837
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

Troubled debt restructured loans ...   $ 4,852    $ 6,387    $ 6,723    $ 7,116    $ 6,911
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

Non-performing loans as a % of loans      0.08%      0.18%      0.26%      0.43%      0.63%
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

Non-performing assets as a % of
  loans plus other real estate owned      0.13%      0.28%      0.37%      0.59%      0.98%
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

Allowance as a % of loans ..........      1.21%      1.32%      1.34%      1.40%      1.52%
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
</TABLE>

     During  1999,  recovered  interest on  non-accrual  loans  amounted to $720
thousand, compared with lost interest of $1.0 million in 1998.

     Although  substantially  all risk  elements at December  31, 1999 have been
disclosed in the  categories  presented  above,  management  believes 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 by management,
it has been  determined that there are  approximately  $2.0 million in potential
problem  loans  at  December  31,  1999,  which  have  not  been  classified  as
non-accrual,  past due or restructured.*  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.  Approximately $585 thousand has been provided
for in the allowance for loan losses for these  potential  problem loans.  There
can be no assurance  that Valley has  identified  all of its problem  loans.  At
December 31, 1998, Valley had identified approximately $2.7 million of potential
problem  loans  which  were  not   classified  as   non-accrual,   past  due  or
restructured.

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 Valley's  business.  For commercial loans,  construction loans and commercial
mortgage loans, a separate credit department is responsible for risk assessment,
credit file maintenance 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.  These loans
are  diversified as to type of borrower and loan.  However,  most of these loans
are in northern New Jersey,  presenting a geographical  and credit risk if there
was a significant downturn of the economy within the region.

     Residential  mortgage loans are secured  primarily by 1-4 family properties
located mainly within northern New Jersey.  Conservative  underwriting  policies
are adhered to and loan to value ratios are generally less than 80 percent.


                                       26
<PAGE>


     Consumer  loans are comprised of home equity  loans,  credit card loans and
automobile  loans.  Home equity and  automobile  loans are secured loans and are
made   based  on  an   evaluation   of  the   collateral   and  the   borrower's
creditworthiness.  The majority of  automobile  loans are  originated  through a
program with a major insurance company, whose customer base generally has a good
credit profile and generally  result in delinquencies  and charge-offs  equal to
that typically experienced from traditional sources.  These automobile loans are
from 11 states,  including  New Jersey and  generally  present no more risk than
those made  within New Jersey.  All loans are  subject to Valley's  underwriting
criteria;  therefore,  each loan or group of loans presents a geographical  risk
and credit risk based upon the economy of the region.

     The co-branded credit card portfolio was substantially  generated through a
pre-approved  mailing during 1996 utilizing  automated credit scoring techniques
and additional underwriting standards.

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


                                       27
<PAGE>


     The  following  table  sets  forth  the  relationship  among  loans,  loans
charged-off and loan recoveries, the provision for loan losses and the allowance
for loan losses for the past five years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Years ended December  31,
                                                         ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             1999          1998          1997          1996          1995
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                                   (in  thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Average loans outstanding ............................   $4,280,426    $4,009,604    $3,817,092    $3,494,950    $3,244,586
                                                         ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========

Beginning balance--Allowance for

loan losses ..........................................   $   54,641    $   53,170    $   52,926    $   50,433    $   53,949
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Loans charged-off:
 Commercial ..........................................          337           216         4,650           493         1,346
 Construction ........................................           --            --            --           110         3,092
 Mortgage-Commercial .................................          983         2,166         1,440         1,214         2,976
 Mortgage-Residential ................................          761         1,274           522           932         1,255
 Consumer ............................................       10,050        11,307         8,394         4,110         2,992
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

                                                             12,131        14,963        15,006         6,859        11,661
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Charged-off loans recovered:
 Commercial ..........................................          702           484           562         2,669         1,534
 Construction ........................................          218           222            89            58            --
 Mortgage-Commercial .................................          268         1,074           227         1,462         1,303
 Mortgage-Residential ................................          133           329           167           222            87
 Consumer ............................................        2,169         1,680         1,075           985         1,400
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

                                                              3,490         3,789         2,120         5,396         4,324
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Net charge-offs ......................................        8,641        11,174        12,886         1,463         7,337
Provision charged to operations ......................        9,120        12,645        13,130         3,956         3,821
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Ending balance--Allowance for loan losses ............   $   55,120    $   54,641    $   53,170    $   52,926    $   50,433
                                                         ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========

Ratio of net charge-offs during the
 period to average loans outstanding during the period         0.20%         0.28%         0.34%         0.04%         0.23%
</TABLE>

     The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level  estimated to absorb
loan 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 unused  commitments  to
provide financing.  VNB's methodology for evaluating the  appropriateness of the
allowance consists of several significant elements,  which include the allocated
allowance,  specific  allowances  for  identified  problem  loans and  portfolio
segments and the  unallocated  allowance.  The allowance also  incorporates  the
results of  measuring  impaired  loans as called for in  Statement  of Financial
Accounting  Standards  No. 114,  "Accounting  by Creditors  for  Impairment of a
Loan."

     VNB's  allocated  allowance  is  calculated  by  applying  loss  factors to
outstanding loans as well as certain unused commitments. The formula is based on
the internal risk grade of loans, pools of loans, or commitments.  Any change in
the risk grade of performing and/or  non-performing  loans affects the amount of
the  related  allowance.  Loss  factors  are  based  on  VNB's  historical  loss
experience  and  may  be  adjusted  for  significant   circumstances   that,  in
management's  judgment,  affect the  collectibility  of the  portfolio as of the
evaluation date.

     Management  determines the  unallocated  portion of the allowance  based on
factors that cannot be associated with a specific credit or loan category. These
factors  include  management's  evaluation  of local and  national  economic and
business conditions, changes in portfolio composition, portfolio concentrations,
credit quality and delinquency  trends. The unallocated portion of the allowance
reflects management's


                                       28
<PAGE>


attempt  to  ensure  that  the  overall  allowance  reflects  a  margin  for the
uncertainty that is inherent in estimates of expected credit losses.

     The  underwriting,  growth and  delinquency  experience  in the credit card
portfolio  will  substantially  influence the level of the  allowance  needed to
absorb credit losses  inherent in the portfolio.  Although credit card loans are
generally  considered more risky than other types of lending,  a higher interest
rate is charged to compensate for this increased  risk. VNB continues to monitor
the need for additions to the allowance.

     During 1999,  continued emphasis was placed on the current economic climate
and the  condition  of the real estate  market in the  northern New Jersey area.
Management  addressed these economic  conditions and applied that information to
changes in the composition of the loan portfolio and net charge-off  levels. The
provision  charged to  operations  was $9.1  million in 1999  compared  to $12.6
million in 1998.

     The following  table  summarizes  the  allocation of the allowance for loan
losses to specific loan categories for the past five years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Years ended December  31,
                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1999                      1998                    1997
                                  -----------------------  -----------------------  ------------------------
                                               Percent of               Percent of                Percent of
                                                 Loan                     Loan                       Loan
                                               Category                 Category                   Category
                                  Allowance    to Total    Allowance    to Total    Allowance      to Total
                                  Allocation     Loans     Allocation    Loans      Allocation      Loans
                                  ----------   ---------   ----------   ----------  ----------    ----------
                                                                (in  thousands)
<S>                                  <C>            <C>       <C>           <C>        <C>              <C>
Loan category:
 Commercial ....................     $15,501        11.2%     $14,491       11.5%      $13,525          11.8%
 Mortgage ......................      13,282        55.7       14,363       53.5        16,861          53.0
 Consumer ......................      12,813        33.1       12,417       35.0        11,625          35.2
 Unallocated ...................      13,524         N/A       13,370        N/A        11,159           N/A
                                  ----------   ---------   ----------   ----------  ----------    ----------
                                     $55,120       100.0%     $54,641      100.0%      $53,170         100.0%
                                  ==========   =========   ==========   ==========  ==========    ==========
<CAPTION>

                                                 Years ended December  31,
                                  ----------------------------------------------------
                                              1996                      1995
                                  ------------------------   -------------------------
                                                Percent of                  Percent of
                                                  Loan                        Loan
                                                Category                    Category
                                   Allowance     to Total     Allowance     to Total
                                   Allocation     Loans       Allocation     Loans
                                   ----------   ----------    ----------    ---------
                                                     (in  thousands)
<S>                                   <C>             <C>        <C>             <C>
Loan category:
 Commercial ....................      $19,097         12.7%      $16,006         12.8%
 Mortgage ......................       13,743         53.8        13,428         57.1
 Consumer ......................        7,667         33.5         7,893         30.1
 Unallocated ...................       12,419          N/A        13,106          N/A
                                   ----------   ----------    ----------    ---------
                                      $52,926        100.0%      $50,433        100.0%
                                   ==========   ==========    ==========    =========
</TABLE>

     At  December  31,  1999 the  allowance  for loan  losses  amounted to $55.1
million or 1.21 percent of loans,  as compared to $54.6  million or 1.32 percent
at December 31, 1998.

     The allowance is adjusted by provisions  charged  against  income and loans
charged-off,  net of recoveries.  Net loan charge-offs were $8.6 million for the
year ended  December  31, 1999  compared  with $11.2  million for the year ended
December 31, 1998. The ratio of net  charge-offs  to average loans  decreased to
0.20 percent for 1999 compared with 0.28 percent for 1998.  While  consumer loan
charge-offs  decreased  during  1999,  they were at a level  less than the level
reported  throughout  the  industry  on  a  national  basis.  Non-accrual  loans
decreased in 1999 in comparison to 1998,  while loans past due 90 days and still
accruing in 1999 were higher than during 1998.

     The impaired loan  portfolio is primarily  collateral  dependent.  Impaired
loans and their related  specific and general  allocations  to the allowance for
loan losses  totaled $13.4 million and $1.8 million,  respectively,  at December
31, 1999 and $13.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 1998.
The average  balance of impaired  loans  during 1999 and 1998 was  approximately
$13.2 million and $15.1 million, respectively. The amount of cash basis interest
income that was  recognized on impaired loans during both 1999 and 1998 was $559
thousand and $1.1 million, respectively.

Capital Adequacy

     A  significant  measure of the strength of a financial  institution  is its
shareholders' equity. At December 31, 1999,  shareholders' equity totaled $553.5
million or 8.7 percent of total  assets,  compared  with $589.8  million or 10.0
percent at year-end 1998.

     On December 14, 1999 Valley's Board of Directors  authorized the repurchase
of up to 3,000,000  shares of the  company's  outstanding  common  stock.  As of
December 31, 1999 Valley had repurchased  800,300 shares of its stock under this
plan.  Reacquired  shares are held in treasury  and are  expected to be used for
employee benefit programs, stock dividends and other corporate purposes.


                                       29
<PAGE>


     On June 10, 1999 Valley's Board of Directors rescinded the stock repurchase
program it had  announced  on April 28, 1999 after 1.6 million  shares of Valley
common stock had been  repurchased.  Approximately  1.5 million  treasury shares
were issued in  conjunction  with the 5 percent  stock  dividend  issued May 18,
1999.  Rescinding the remaining  authorization was undertaken in connection with
Valley's acquisition of Ramapo.

     On May 26,  1998  Valley's  Board of  Directors  rescinded  its  previously
announced stock  repurchase  program after 220,125 shares of Valley common stock
had been  repurchased.  Rescinding the remaining  authorization was necessary to
comply with certain accounting rules in connection with Valley's  acquisition of
Wayne.

     Included  in  shareholders'  equity  as  components  of  accumulated  other
comprehensive income at December 31, 1999 was a $16.3 million unrealized loss on
investment  securities  available  for  sale,  net  of  tax,  and a  translation
adjustment  loss of $418  thousand  related to the Canadian  subsidiary  of VNB,
compared to an unrealized gain of $4.9 million and an $852 thousand  translation
adjustment loss at December 31, 1998.

     Risk-based  guidelines define a two-tier capital framework.  Tier 1 capital
consists of common shareholders' equity less disallowed intangibles, while Total
risk-based  capital consists of Tier 1 capital and the allowance for loan 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  capital  position at December 31, 1999 under  risk-based  capital
guidelines was $565.4 million, or 11.6 percent of risk-weighted assets, for Tier
1 capital and $620.5 million, or 12.8 percent for Total risk-based capital.  The
comparable  ratios at December 31, 1998 were 13.4 percent for Tier 1 capital and
14.6 percent for Total risk-based capital. At December 31, 1999 and 1998, Valley
was in compliance with the leverage requirement having Tier 1 leverage ratios of
9.1 percent and 10.1 percent, respectively. Valley's ratios at December 31, 1999
were above the "well capitalized" requirements,  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.

     Book value per share  amounted to $9.27 at December 31, 1999  compared with
$9.57 per share at December 31, 1998.

     The primary  source of capital  growth is through  retention  of  earnings.
Valley's rate of earnings retention,  derived by dividing undistributed earnings
by net income,  was 43.6 percent at December 31, 1999,  compared to 47.4 percent
at December  31,  1998.  Cash  dividends  declared  amounted to $1.02 per share,
equivalent to a dividend payout ratio of 56.4 percent for 1999, compared to 52.6
percent for the year 1998.  The  current  quarterly  dividend  rate of $0.26 per
share  provides  for an  annual  rate of  $1.04  per  share.  Valley's  Board of
Directors continues to believe that cash dividends are an important component of
shareholder  value and that,  at its current level of  performance  and capital,
Valley  expects  to  continue  its  current   dividend  policy  of  a  quarterly
distribution of earnings to its shareholders.*

Results of Operations--1998 Compared to 1997

     Valley reported net income for 1998 of $101.3 million or $1.63 earnings per
diluted  share,  compared to the $90.2  million,  or $1.46  earnings per diluted
share earned in 1997.

     Net interest income on a tax equivalent  basis  increased $7.6 million,  or
3.1%,  to $248.6  million in 1998.  The increase in 1998 was due  primarily to a
small  increase in the average  balance of interest  bearing assets and a slight
decrease in the average balance of interest bearing  liabilities.  Average rates
on interest  earning assets and interest bearing  liabilities  decreased 4 basis
points and 6 basis points, respectively.

     Non-interest income in 1998 amounted to $45.4 million, relatively unchanged
compared with 1997. Fees from loan servicing, which includes both servicing fees
from  residential  mortgage loans and SBA loans,  increased $1.8 million or 32.4
percent.  This  increase  can  be  attributed  to  the  acquisition  of  several
residential mortgage portfolios, and the origination of both SBA and residential
mortgage  loans by VNB which were sold to  third-party  investors with servicing
retained.  Credit  card income  declined by $2.5  million due to a change in the
rebate program decreasing card usage and related fee income.


                                       30
<PAGE>


     Non-interest  expense  totaled  $144.7 million in 1998, an increase of $5.5
million.  Non-interest  expense for 1998 includes a $4.5 million  merger-related
charge  from the  acquisition  of Wayne.  Salary and  benefit  expense  for 1998
increased $6.1 million or 9.6 percent and amortization of intangibles  increased
$2.0 million or 53.2  percent  resulting  from  increased  amortization  of loan
servicing  rights  due to a larger  portfolio  of  loans  being  serviced  and a
declining rate environment.  These increases were offset by a decrease in credit
card expense of $8.5  million,  directly  attributable  to an amendment  made to
Valley's  co- branded  credit card  program  during the fourth  quarter of 1997,
which reduced the amount of cardmember rebates paid by Valley.

     Income tax expense as a percentage  of pre-tax  income was 23.1 percent for
the year ended  December 31, 1998 compared to 29.3 percent in 1997.  The reduced
effective tax rate during 1997 and 1998 is attributable to tax benefits realized
from a realignment of corporate entities.

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."


                                       31
<PAGE>


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Years ended December  31,
                                                      ---------------------------------------
                                                          1999          1998          1997
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                       (in  thousands, except for share data)
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>           <C>
Interest Income
Interest and fees on loans (Note 5) ...............   $   339,438   $   330,701   $   317,598
Interest and dividends on investment securities:
 Taxable ..........................................        74,381        63,430        72,489
 Tax-exempt .......................................         7,364         8,281        10,560
 Dividends ........................................         2,403         1,946         1,689
Interest on federal funds sold and other
 short-term investments ...........................         3,949         6,935         4,482
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------
  Total interest income ...........................       427,535       411,293       406,818
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------

Interest Expense
Interest on deposits:
 Savings deposits .................................        41,358        46,833        47,328
 Time deposits (Note 10) ..........................       102,154       109,228       117,051
Interest on short-term borrowings .................         2,968         2,791         2,332
Interest on long-term debt (Note 11) ..............        22,697         8,806         5,471
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------
 Total interest expense ...........................       169,177       167,658       172,182
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------

Net Interest Income ...............................       258,358       243,635       234,636
Provision for loan losses (Note 6) ................         9,120        12,645        13,130
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses       249,238       230,990       221,506
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------

Non-Interest Income

Trust and investment services .....................         2,414         1,813         1,538
Service charges on deposit accounts ...............        14,468        14,019        13,431
Gains on securities transactions, net (Note 4) ....         2,532         1,419         2,136
Fees from loan servicing (Note 7) .................         8,387         7,382         5,576
Credit card fee income ............................         8,655        10,153        12,643
Gains on sales of loans, net ......................         2,491         4,863         3,634
Other .............................................         8,305         5,725         6,236
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------
 Total non-interest income ........................        47,252        45,374        45,194
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------

Non-Interest Expense

Salary expense (Note 12) ..........................        58,339        56,717        51,441
Employee benefit expense (Note 12) ................        13,645        13,143        12,306
FDIC insurance premiums ...........................         1,239         1,301         1,234
Net occupancy expense (Notes 8 and 14) ............        11,943        13,740        12,536
Furniture and equipment expense (Note 8) ..........         8,370         9,037         8,723
Credit card expense ...............................         5,070         9,066        17,520
Amortization of intangible assets (Note 7) ........         5,255         5,666         3,699
Advertising .......................................         5,178         4,677         5,374
Merger-related charges (Note 2) ...................         3,005         4,539            --
Other .............................................        25,902        26,827        26,413
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------
Total non-interest expense ........................       137,946       144,713       139,246
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------

Income Before Income Taxes ........................       158,544       131,651       127,454
Income tax expense (Note 13) ......................        52,220        30,380        37,303
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------

Net Income ........................................   $   106,324   $   101,271   $    90,151
                                                      ===========   ===========   ===========

Earnings Per Share:
 Basic ............................................   $      1.75   $      1.65   $      1.47
 Diluted ..........................................          1.73          1.63          1.46
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding:
 Basic ............................................    60,697,186    61,360,325    61,266,111
 Diluted ..........................................    61,305,673    62,185,100    61,812,546
</TABLE>

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       32
<PAGE>


                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     December  31,
                                                                                               --------------------------------
                                                                                                  1999                 1998
                                                                                               -----------          -----------
                                                                                            (in  thousands, except for share data)
<S>                                                                                            <C>                  <C>
Assets
Cash and due from banks ..............................................................         $   161,561          $   185,921
Federal funds sold ...................................................................             123,000              108,100
Investment securities held to maturity,
 fair value of $318,329 and $288,312 in
 1999 and 1998, respectively (Notes 3 and 11) ........................................             351,501              286,890
Investment securities available for sale (Notes 4 and 11) ............................           1,005,419            1,023,188
Trading account securities (Note 4) ..................................................                  --                1,592
Loans (Notes 5 and 11) ...............................................................           4,542,567            4,124,194
Loans held for sale (Note 5) .........................................................              12,185               23,455
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

Total loans ..........................................................................           4,554,752            4,147,649
  Less: Allowance for loan losses (Note 6) ...........................................             (55,120)             (54,641)
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

  Net loans ..........................................................................           4,499,632            4,093,008
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

Premises and equipment, net (Note 8) .................................................              84,790               82,808
Accrued interest receivable ..........................................................              35,504               32,197
Other assets (Notes 7, 9 and 13) .....................................................              98,987               65,265
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

   Total assets ......................................................................         $ 6,360,394          $ 5,878,969
                                                                                               ===========          ===========

Liabilities
Deposits:
  Non-interest bearing ...............................................................         $   931,016          $   924,217
  Interest bearing:
   Savings ...........................................................................           2,018,530            2,037,200
   Time (Note 10) ....................................................................           2,101,709            2,008,732
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

    Total deposits ...................................................................           5,051,255            4,970,149
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

Short-term borrowings (Notes 3 and 11) ...............................................             129,065               57,617
Long-term debt (Note 11) .............................................................             564,881              212,949
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (Note 12) .....................................              61,693               48,445
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

    Total liabilities ................................................................           5,806,894            5,289,160
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders' Equity (Notes 2, 12 and 15)
Common stock, no par value, authorized 103,359,375 shares; ...........................              25,943               26,079
issued 60,621,040 shares in 1999 and 58,951,593 shares in 1998
Surplus ..............................................................................             325,147              331,337
Retained earnings ....................................................................             244,605              235,879
Unallocated common stock held by employee benefit plan ...............................                (965)              (1,331)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income ........................................             (16,733)               4,031
                                                                                               -----------          -----------
                                                                                                   577,997              595,995
Treasury stock, at cost (927,750 shares in 1999 and 236,735 shares in 1998) ..........             (24,497)              (6,186)
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

  Total shareholders' equity .........................................................             553,500              589,809
                                                                                               -----------          -----------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity .......................................         $ 6,360,394          $ 5,878,969
                                                                                               ===========          ===========
</TABLE>

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       33
<PAGE>


           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Unallocated  Accumulated
                                                                                       Common       Other
                                                                                      Stock Held  Comprehensive           Total
                                                    Common                Retained   by Employee    (Loss)    Treasury Shareholders'
                                                     Stock      Surplus   Earnings   Benefit Plan   Income      Stock      Stock
                                                   ---------   ---------  ---------  ------------ ---------   --------- -----------
                                                                                    (in  thousands)

<S>                                                <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>
Balance-December  31, 1996 ....................... $  25,091   $ 278,096  $ 203,018   $  (1,785)   $    (206) $  (7,883)  $ 496,331
Comprehensive income:
Net income .......................................        --          --     90,151          --           --         --      90,151
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
  Unrealized gains on securities available for sale,
  net of tax of $3,081 ...........................        --          --         --          --        5,446         --
  Less reclassification adjustment for gains
  included in net income, net of tax of $(767) ...        --          --         --          --       (1,369)        --
Foreign currency translation adjustment ..........        --          --         --          --         (307)        --
                                                                                                   ---------

Other comprehensive income .......................        --          --         --          --        3,770         --       3,770
                                                                                                   ---------              ---------

Total comprehensive income .......................        --          --         --          --           --         --      93,921
Cash dividends ...................................        --          --    (45,350)         --           --         --     (45,350)
Effect of stock incentive plan, net ..............         8      (1,705)    (2,655)         --           --      5,311         959
Stock dividend ...................................       964      55,041    (56,086)         --           --         --         (81)
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options .......        --         329         --          --           --         --         329
Allocation of employee benefit plan ..............        --         177         --         181           --         --         358
Retirement of treasury stock .....................       (64)       (230)        --          --           --        294
Common stock acquired for stock incentive plan ...        --      (1,450)        --          --           --         --      (1,450)
Purchase of treasury stock .......................        --          --         --          --           --     (4,417)     (4,417)
                                                   ---------   ---------  ---------   ---------    ---------  ---------   ---------

Balance-December  31, 1997 .......................    25,999     330,258    189,078      (1,604)       3,564     (6,695)    540,600
Comprehensive income:
Net income .......................................        --          --    101,271          --           --         --     101,271
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
  Unrealized gains on securities
  available for sale, net of tax of $1,052 .......        --          --         --          --        1,871         --
  Less reclassification adjustment for gains
  included in net income, net of tax of $(524) ...        --          --         --          --         (895)        --
Foreign currency translation adjustment ..........        --          --         --          --         (509)        --
                                                                                                   ---------

Other comprehensive income .......................        --          --         --          --          467         --         467
                                                                                                   ---------              ---------

Total comprehensive income .......................        --          --         --          --           --         --     101,738
Cash dividends ...................................        --          --    (53,271)         --           --         --     (53,271)
Effect of stock incentive plan, net ..............        56        (392)      (850)         --           --      3,713       2,527
Common stock repurchased and retired .............       (65)         --       (349)         --           --         --        (414)
Allocation of employee benefit plan shares .......        --         381         --         273           --         --         654
Issuance of shares from treasury .................        89       1,090         --          --           --      3,454       4,633
Purchase of treasury stock .......................        --          --         --          --           --     (6,658)     (6,658)
                                                   ---------   ---------  ---------   ---------    ---------  ---------   ---------

Balance-December  31, 1998 .......................    26,079     331,337    235,879      (1,331)       4,031     (6,186)    589,809
Comprehensive income:
Net income .......................................        --          --    106,324          --           --         --     106,324
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
  Unrealized (losses) on securities
  available for sale, net of tax of $(13,095) ....        --          --         --          --      (19,591)        --
  Less reclassification adjustment for gains
  included in net income, net of tax of $(925) ...        --          --         --          --       (1,607)        --
Foreign currency translation adjustment ..........        --          --         --          --          434         --
                                                                                                                          ---------

Other comprehensive loss .........................        --          --         --          --      (20,764)        --     (20,764)
                                                                                                   ---------              ---------

Total comprehensive income .......................        --          --         --          --           --         --      85,560
Cash dividends ...................................        --          --    (60,019)         --           --         --     (60,019)
Effect of stock incentive plan, net ..............        (8)       (151)    (1,522)         --           --      4,067       2,386
Stock dividend ...................................      (128)     (7,164)   (36,057)         --           --     44,207         858
Allocation of employee benefit plan shares .......        --       1,125         --         366           --        370       1,861
Purchase of treasury stock .......................        --          --         --          --           --    (66,955)    (66,955)
                                                   ---------   ---------  ---------   ---------    ---------  ---------   ---------

Balance-December  31, 1999 ....................... $  25,943   $ 325,147  $ 244,605   $    (965)   $ (16,733) $ (24,497)  $ 553,500
                                                   =========   =========  =========   =========    =========  =========   =========
</TABLE>

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       34
<PAGE>


               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Years ended December  31,
                                                                                          -----------------------------------------
                                                                                               1999            1998            1997
                                                                                          ---------       ---------       ---------
                                                                                                        (in  thousands)
<S>                                                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income ........................................................................      $ 106,324       $ 101,271       $  90,151
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
   operating activities:
 Depreciation and amortization .....................................................         12,877          14,897          12,934
 Amortization of compensation costs pursuant to long-term
   stock incentive plan ............................................................          1,091           1,036             898
 Provision for loan losses .........................................................          9,120          12,645          13,130
 Net amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts ...........................          4,187           3,312           1,105
 Net deferred income tax (benefit) expense .........................................           (255)         (2,540)          3,238
 Net gains on securities transactions ..............................................         (2,532)         (1,419)         (2,136)
 Proceeds from sales of loans ......................................................         76,113         181,020          49,972
 Gain on sales of loans ............................................................         (2,491)         (4,863)         (3,634)
 Proceeds from recoveries of previously charged-off loans ..........................          3,490           3,789           2,120
 Net (increase)decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets ............        (19,960)          4,864           8,754
 Net increase(decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities ..................         25,475          (3,334)           (496)
                                                                                          ---------       ---------       ---------
 Net cash provided by operating activities .........................................        213,439         310,678         176,036
                                                                                          ---------       ---------       ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
 Purchases and originations of mortgage servicing rights ...........................        (20,419)        (12,101)         (3,905)
 Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale ...................         28,317         113,597         186,383
 Proceeds from maturing investment securities available for sale ...................        412,335         418,068         236,888
 Purchases of investment securities available for sale .............................       (416,297)       (416,359)       (401,394)
 Purchases of investment securities held to maturity ...............................       (161,986)       (153,486)        (39,402)
 Proceeds from maturing investment securities held to maturity .....................         53,993          71,734          78,549
 Proceeds from sales of trading account securities .................................          1,415              --              --
 Net (increase) decrease in federal funds sold and other short- term
  investments ......................................................................        (14,900)        (63,975)         61,255
 Net increase in loans made to customers ...........................................       (492,856)       (365,798)       (250,239)
 Purchases of premises and equipment, net of sales .................................         (9,577)        (10,698)        (12,753)
                                                                                          ---------       ---------       ---------
 Net cash used in investing activities .............................................       (619,975)       (419,018)       (144,618)
                                                                                          ---------       ---------       ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
 Net increase(decrease) in deposits ................................................         81,106         118,068        (134,660)
 Net increase(decrease) in short-term borrowings ...................................         71,448            (998)         18,074
 Advances of long-term debt ........................................................        402,000         120,000          92,500
 Repayments of long-term debt ......................................................        (50,068)        (53,063)         (8,559)
 Dividends paid to common shareholders .............................................        (58,126)        (51,189)        (43,696)
 Addition of common shares to treasury .............................................        (66,955)         (6,658)         (4,417)
 Purchase of shares for stock incentive plan .......................................             --              --          (1,450)
 Common stock issued, net of cancellations .........................................          2,771           6,931           1,194
                                                                                          ---------       ---------       ---------
 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ...............................        382,176         133,091         (81,014)
                                                                                          ---------       ---------       ---------
 Net (decrease)increase in cash and cash equivalents ...............................        (24,360)         24,751         (49,596)
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year ....................................        185,921         161,170         210,766
                                                                                          ---------       ---------       ---------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ..........................................      $ 161,561       $ 185,921       $ 161,170
                                                                                          =========       =========       =========

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 Cash paid during the year for interest on deposits and borrowings                        $ 168,146       $ 169,081       $ 173,197
 Cash paid during the year for federal and state income taxes                                55,047          32,516          30,094
 Transfer of securities from held to maturity to available for sale                          42,387           1,592          39,833
</TABLE>

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       35
<PAGE>


                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Note 1)

Business

     Valley  National  Bancorp  ("Valley")  is  a  bank  holding  company  whose
principal  wholly-owned  subsidiary is Valley National Bank ("VNB"),  a national
banking association  providing a full range of commercial,  retail and trust and
investment  services through its branch and ATM network throughout  northern New
Jersey.  VNB also  lends  through  its  consumer  division  and SBA  program  to
borrowers covering territories outside of its branch network and New Jersey. VNB
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.

     VNB  has  several  wholly-owned   subsidiaries  which  include  a  mortgage
servicing  company,  a company  which holds,  maintains  and manages  investment
assets for VNB, a subsidiary  which owns and services  auto loans,  a subsidiary
which owns and services commercial mortgage loans, a title insurance company, an
asset management  company which is an SEC registered  investment  advisor and an
Edge Act  Corporation  which is the holding  company for a wholly-owned  finance
company located in Toronto,  Canada.  The mortgage  servicing  company  services
loans for others as well as VNB.

Basis of Presentation

     The consolidated financial statements of Valley include the accounts of its
principal commercial bank subsidiary, VNB and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All
material  intercompany  transactions  and  balances  have been  eliminated.  The
financial  statements  of prior  years  have been  restated  to  include  Ramapo
Financial  Corporation,  which was acquired on June 11, 1999,  in a  transaction
accounted for as a pooling of  interests.  Certain  reclassifications  have been
made in the  consolidated  financial  statements for 1998 and 1997 to conform to
the classifications presented for 1999.

     In preparing the  consolidated  financial  statements,  management has made
estimates  and  assumptions  that  effect  the  reported  amounts  of assets and
liabilities  as of the  date of the  statements  of  condition  and  results  of
operations for the periods indicated.  Actual results could differ significantly
from those estimates.

Investment Securities

     Investments  are  classified  into  three  categories:  held  to  maturity;
available for sale; and trading.  Valley's investment portfolio consists of each
of these three categories.

     Investment securities held to maturity,  except for equity securities,  are
carried at cost and  adjusted  for  amortization  of premiums  and  accretion of
discounts by using the interest method over the term of the investment.

     Management has identified  those  investment  securities  which may be sold
prior to maturity.  These investment  securities are classified as available for
sale in the accompanying  consolidated statements of financial condition and are
recorded  at fair value on an  aggregate  basis.  Unrealized  holding  gains and
losses on such  securities  are excluded  from  earnings,  but are included as a
component  of  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  which is  included  in
shareholders'  equity, net of deferred tax. Realized gains or losses on the sale
of  investment  securities  available  for sale are  recognized  by the specific
identification method and shown as a separate component of non-interest income.

     Trading  securities are recorded at market value.  Included in non-interest
income are unrealized gains (losses) resulting from market value adjustments.

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.

     Loans held for sale consist of  residential  mortgage  loans and SBA loans,
and are carried at the lower of cost or  estimated  fair market  value using the
aggregate method.


                                       36
<PAGE>


            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   judgement   the  ultimate
collectibility  of the interest is doubtful.  Exceptions may be made if the loan
is sufficiently  collateralized 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.  Smaller
balance homogeneous loans that are collectively  evaluated for impairment,  such
as residential  mortgage loans and installment loans, are specifically  excluded
from the impaired loan portfolio.  Valley has defined the population of impaired
loans to be all non-accrual  loans and other loans  considered to be impaired as
to principal and interest, consisting primarily of commercial real estate loans.
The impaired loan portfolio is primarily  collateral  dependent.  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.

     Valley  originates  loans  guaranteed by the SBA. The  principal  amount of
these loans is guaranteed between 75 percent and 80 percent,  subject to certain
dollar  limitations.  Valley  generally  sells the guaranteed  portions of these
loans and retains the unguaranteed portions as well as the rights to service the
loans.  Gains are recorded on loan sales based on the cash proceeds in excess of
the assigned  value of the loan, as well as the value  assigned to the rights to
service the loan.

     Credit card loans  primarily  represent  revolving  MasterCard  credit card
loans.  Interest  on  credit  card  loans is  recognized  based on the  balances
outstanding according to the related card member agreements.  Direct origination
costs are deferred  and  amortized  over 24 months,  the term of the card member
agreement,  on a straight-line basis. Net direct origination costs include costs
associated with credit card  originations that are incurred in transactions with
independent  third  parties  and  certain  costs  relating  to loan  origination
programs and the  preparation  and  processing  of loan  documents,  net of fees
received. Ineligible direct origination costs are expensed as incurred.

     Valley's lending is primarily in northern New Jersey, with the exception of
an out-of-state auto lending program.

Allowance for Loan Losses

     The allowance for loan losses ("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 which are determined to be a loss, in accordance
with established policies, when all efforts of collection have been exhausted.

     The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level  estimated to absorb
loan 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 unused  commitments  to
provide financing.  VNB's methodology for evaluating the  appropriateness of the
allowance consists of several significant elements,  which include the allocated
allowance,  specific  allowances  for  identified  problem  loans and  portfolio
segments and the  unallocated  allowance.  The allowance also  incorporates  the
results of  measuring  impaired  loans as called for in  Statement  of Financial
Accounting  Standards  No. 114,  "Accounting  by Creditors  for  Impairment of a
Loan."

     VNB's  allocated  allowance  is  calculated  by  applying  loss  factors to
outstanding loans as well as certain unused commitments. The formula is based on
the internal risk grade of loans, pools of loans, or commitments.  Any change in
the risk grade of performing and/or  non-performing  loans affects the amount of
the  related  allowance.  Loss  factors  are  based  on  VNB's  historical  loss
experience and may be adjusted for


                                       37
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

significant   circumstances   that,  in   management's   judgment,   affect  the
collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date.

     Management  determines the  unallocated  portion of the allowance  based on
factors that cannot be associated with a specific credit or loan category. These
factors  include  management's  evaluation  of local and  national  economic and
business conditions, changes in portfolio composition, portfolio concentrations,
credit quality and delinquency  trends. The unallocated portion of the allowance
reflects  management's  attempt to ensure that the overall allowance  reflects a
margin for the  uncertainty  that is inherent in  estimates  of expected  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.  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. 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.

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.

     An allowance for OREO has been established to record subsequent declines in
estimated net realizable  value.  Expenses incurred to maintain these properties
and realized  gains and losses upon sale of the properties are included in other
non-interest expense and other non-interest income, as appropriate.

Intangible Assets

     Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions  under the purchase method of
accounting consist of goodwill and core deposit  intangibles.  Goodwill recorded
prior  to 1987 is  being  amortized  on a  straight-line  basis  over 25  years.
Goodwill  recorded in 1999 is being amortized on a  straight-line  basis over 10
years.  Core deposit  intangibles are amortized on accelerated  methods over the
estimated  lives of the  assets.  Goodwill  and  core  deposit  intangibles  are
included in other assets.

Loan Servicing Rights

     Loan servicing  rights are generally  recorded when purchased or originated
loans  are  sold,  with  servicing  rights  retained.  The cost of each  loan is
allocated between the servicing right and the loan (without the servicing right)
based on their relative fair values. Loan servicing rights, which are classified
in other  assets,  are amortized  over the estimated net servicing  life and are
evaluated on a quarterly  basis for  impairment  based on their fair value.  The
fair value is estimated  using the present  value of expected  future cash flows
along with numerous  assumptions  including servicing income, cost of servicing,
discount rates, prepayment speeds, and default rates. Impairment adjustments, if
any, are recognized through the use of a valuation allowance.

Stock-Based Compensation

     Valley  accounts for its stock option plan in  accordance  with  Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB
25"). In accordance with APB 25, no compensation expense is recognized for stock
options  issued to employees  since the options have an exercise  price equal to
the market  value of the common stock on the day of the grant.  Valley  provides
the fair  market  disclosure  required  by  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-based Compensation."


                                       38
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

Income Taxes

     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 in the period that includes the enactment date.

Comprehensive Income

     SFAS No. 130, "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income" established  standards for
the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components  (revenues,
expenses,  gains  and  losses)  in  a  full  set  of  general-purpose  financial
statements. Valley's components of other comprehensive income include unrealized
gains  (losses)  on  securities  available  for sale,  net of tax,  and  foreign
currency translation adjustment.  Valley provides the required disclosure in the
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity.

Earnings Per Share

     For Valley,  the  numerator of both the Basic and Diluted EPS is equivalent
to net income.  The weighted  average number of shares  outstanding  used in the
denominator for Diluted EPS is increased over the denominator used for Basic EPS
by the effect of potentially  dilutive  common stock  equivalents  utilizing the
treasury stock method.  For Valley,  common stock  equivalents  are common stock
options outstanding.

     All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 5 percent
stock dividend issued May 18, 1999, and all prior stock dividends and splits.

     The  following  table  shows the  calculation  of both  Basic  and  Diluted
earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Years ended December  31,
                                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                             1999          1998          1997
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                          (in thousands, except for share data)

<S>                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
Net income ..........................................   $   106,324   $   101,271   $    90,151
                                                        ===========   ===========   ===========

Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding .    60,697,186    61,360,325    61,266,111
Plus: Common stock equivalents ......................       608,487       824,775       546,435
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------

Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding    61,305,673    62,185,100    61,812,546
                                                        ===========   ===========   ===========

Earnings per share:
 Basic ..............................................   $      1.75   $      1.65   $      1.47
 Diluted ............................................          1.73          1.63          1.46
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1999 there were 259 thousand  stock options not included as
common stock equivalents because the exercise prices exceeded the average market
value.

Treasury Stock

     Treasury  stock is  recorded  using  the cost  method  and  accordingly  is
presented as an unallocated reduction of shareholders' equity.

Impact of Future Accounting Changes

     Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 133,  "Accounting  for
Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities" ("SFAS No. 133"), was issued by
the FASB in June 1998. SFAS No. 133  standardizes  the accounting for derivative
instruments,   including  certain  derivative   instruments  embedded  in  other
contracts.  Under the  standard,  entities are required to carry all  derivative
instruments in the statement of financial  condition at fair value. Valley would
have had to adopt  SFAS No.  133 by  January  1,  2000.

                                       39
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

However, SFAS No. 137 extended the adoption of SFAS No. 133 to periods beginning
after June 15,  2000.  Upon  adoption,  the  provisions  of SFAS No. 133 must be
applied prospectively. Valley anticipates that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will
not have a material impact in the financial statements.

ACQUISITIONS (Note 2)

     On June 11, 1999, Valley acquired Ramapo Financial Corporation  ("Ramapo"),
parent of The Ramapo Bank  headquartered  in Wayne,  New Jersey.  At the date of
acquisition,  Ramapo had total  assets of $344.0  million and deposits of $299.5
million,  with eight branch offices. The transaction was accounted for using the
pooling of  interests  method of  accounting  and  resulted  in the  issuance of
approximately  4.0 million  shares of Valley common stock.  Each share of common
stock of Ramapo was  exchanged for 0.44625  shares of Valley  common stock.  The
consolidated financial statements of Valley have been restated to include Ramapo
for all period  presented.  Separate results of the combining  companies for the
years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:

                                                               1998       1997
                                                            --------    --------
                                                              (in  thousands)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses:

 Valley ................................................    $217,182    $208,549
 Ramapo ................................................      13,808      12,957
                                                            --------    --------
                                                            $230,990    $221,506
                                                            ========    ========

Net income:
 Valley ................................................    $ 97,348    $ 86,946
 Ramapo ................................................       3,923       3,205
                                                            --------    --------
                                                            $101,271    $ 90,151
                                                            ========    ========

     During the second quarter of 1999, Valley recorded a merger-related  charge
of $3.0 million related to the acquisition of Ramapo. On an after tax basis, the
charge totaled $2.2 million or $0.04 per diluted share. The charge includes only
identified direct and incremental costs associated with this acquisition.  Items
included in the charge include the following:  personnel  expenses which include
severance  payments and  benefits for  terminated  employees,  principally,  two
senior  executives of Ramapo;  real estate expenses  related to the closing of a
duplicate branch; professional fees which include investment banking, accounting
and legal fees; and other expenses which include  termination of data processing
service  contracts and the write-off of supplies and other assets not considered
useful in the  operation of the combined  entity.  The major  components  of the
merger-related  charge,  consisting  of real estate  dispositions,  professional
fees,  personnel  expenses  and other  expenses,  totaled  $300  thousand,  $1.1
million,   $1.1  million  and  $500   thousand,   respectively.   Of  the  total
merger-related  charge $2.6 million,  or 89.6 percent was paid through  December
31, 1999. The remaining liability  represents  contracts which will be paid over
their remaining terms.

     During the second quarter of 1999,  Valley National Bank received  approval
and a license from the New Jersey  Department  of Banking and  Insurance to sell
title insurance through a separate subsidiary,  known as Wayne Title, Inc. After
the close of the second quarter,  Valley acquired the assets of an agency office
of Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company for $784 thousand and began to sell
both commercial and residential  title insurance  policies.  The transaction was
accounted for as a purchase and resulted in goodwill of $728 thousand.

     On July 30, 1999,  Valley  acquired New Century Asset  Management,  Inc., a
registered investment advisor and NJ-based money manager with approximately $120
million  of  assets  under  management.  At  closing,  Valley  paid  an  initial
consideration  of $640  thousand.  The  balance  due will be paid on an earn-out
basis over a five-year period, based upon a pre-determined  formula. New Century
will continue its  operations as a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of Valley  National
Bank. The  transaction  was accounted for as a purchase and resulted in goodwill
of $1.3 million.


                                       40
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

     On October 16, 1998, Valley acquired Wayne Bancorp, Inc. ("Wayne"),  parent
of Wayne Savings Bank,  F.S.B.,  headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. At the date
of acquisition,  Wayne had total assets of $272.0 million and deposits of $206.0
million,  with six branch  offices.  The transaction was accounted for using the
pooling of  interests  method of  accounting  and  resulted  in the  issuance of
approximately  2.4 million  shares of Valley common stock.  Each share of common
stock of Wayne  was  exchanged  for 1.1  shares  of  Valley  common  stock.  The
consolidated  financial statements of Valley have been restated to include Wayne
for all periods presented.

     During  1998,  Valley  recorded a  merger-related  charge of $4.5  million,
related to the acquisition of Wayne.  On an after tax basis,  the charge totaled
$3.2 million or $0.05 per diluted  share.  The charge  includes only  identified
direct and incremental costs associated with this acquisition. Items included in
the charge include the  following:  personnel  expenses which include  severance
payments  and  benefits  for  terminated  employees,   principally,  ten  senior
executives and directors at Wayne;  real estate expenses  related to the closing
of duplicate  facilities,  professional fees which include  investment  banking,
accounting and legal fees; and other expenses which include  termination of data
processing  service contracts and the write-off of supplies and other assets not
considered useful in the operation of the combined entity.  The major components
of the  merger-related  charge are for real  estate  dispositions,  professional
fees,  personnel  expenses and other expenses total $1.5 million,  $1.4 million,
$1.0  million  and $600  thousand,  respectively.  Of the  total  merger-related
charge,  $3.8 million or 83.9 percent was paid  through  December 31, 1999.  The
remaining liability represents contracts which will be paid over their remaining
terms.

     On  February  28,  1997,  Valley  acquired  Midland  Bancorporation,   Inc.
("Midland"),  parent of The Midland  Bank and Trust  Company  ("Midland  Bank"),
headquartered in Paramus,  New Jersey.  On February 28, 1997,  Midland had total
assets of $418.6  million  and  deposits  of $380.6  million,  with 13  branches
located in Bergen County,  New Jersey.  The  transaction was accounted for using
the pooling of interests  method of  accounting  and resulted in the issuance of
approximately  5.0 million  shares of Valley common stock.  Each share of common
stock of Midland was  exchanged  for 37.5  shares of Valley  common  stock.  The
consolidated  financial  statements  of Valley  have been  restated  to  include
Midland for all periods presented.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY (Note 3)

     The amortized  cost,  fair value and gross  unrealized  gains and losses of
securities held to maturity at December 31, 1999 and 1998 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              December  31, 1999
                                                   -------------------------------------------
                                                                Gross       Gross
                                                   Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized    Fair
                                                     Cost       Gains       Losses     Value
                                                   --------    --------   --------    --------
                                                                (in  thousands)
<S>                                                <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   $ 28,729   $    141   $     (4)   $ 28,866
Mortgage-backed securities .....................     46,599        174       (300)     46,473
Other debt securities ..........................    249,936         --    (33,183)    216,753
                                                   --------    --------   --------    --------

 Total debt securities .........................    325,264        315    (33,487)    292,092
FRB & FHLB stock ...............................     26,237         --         --      26,237
                                                   --------    --------   --------    --------

 Total investment securities held to maturity ..   $351,501   $    315   $(33,487)   $318,329
                                                   ========   ========   ========    ========
</TABLE>


                                       41
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              December  31, 1998
                                                   -------------------------------------------
                                                                Gross       Gross
                                                   Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized    Fair
                                                     Cost       Gains       Losses     Value
                                                   --------    --------   --------    --------
                                                                (in  thousands)
<S>                                                <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and other government
  agencies and corporations ....................   $ 34,451   $    281   $   (130)   $ 34,602
Obligations of states and political subdivisions     45,550        641        (15)     46,176
Mortgage-backed securities .....................     67,561      1,404        (40)     68,925
Other debt securities ..........................    115,148         86       (805)    114,429
                                                   --------   --------   --------    --------

 Total debt securities .........................    262,710      2,412       (990)    264,132
FRB & FHLB stock ...............................     24,180         --         --      24,180
                                                                         --------    --------

 Total investment securities held to maturity ..   $286,890   $  2,412   $   (990)   $288,312
                                                   ========   ========   ========    ========
</TABLE>

     The  contractual  maturities  of  investments  in debt  securities  held to
maturity at December 31, 1999, are set forth in the following table:

                                                            December  31, 1999
                                                          ----------------------
                                                          Amortized        Fair
                                                           Cost           Value
                                                          --------      --------
                                                              (in  thousands)

Due in one year ......................................     $ 23,380     $ 23,428
Due after one year through five years ................        4,889        4,975
Due after five years through ten years ...............           50           50
Due after ten years ..................................      250,346      217,166
                                                           --------     --------

                                                            278,665      245,619
Mortgage-backed securities ...........................       46,599       46,473
                                                           --------     --------

  Total debt securities ..............................      325,264      292,092
FRB & FHLB stock .....................................       26,237       26,237

  Total investment securities held to maturity .......     $351,501     $318,329
                                                           ========     ========

     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.  FRB and FHLB stock do
not have contractual maturities.

     The weighted-average  remaining life for mortgage-backed securities held to
maturity was 3.0 years at December 31, 1999, and 2.2 years at December 31, 1998.

     The  amortized  cost of  securities  pledged  to  secure  public  deposits,
treasury tax and loan  deposits,  repurchase  agreements  and for other purposes
required by law  approximated  $289.2 million and $133.0 million at December 31,
1999 and 1998, respectively.

     In  connection  with  the  Ramapo   acquisition,   Valley   reassessed  the
classification  of  securities  held  in the  Ramapo  investment  portfolio  and
transferred $42.4 million of securities held to maturity to securities available
for sale to conform to Valley's  investment  objectives.  In 1998, in connection
with the Wayne  acquisition,  Valley reassessed the classification of securities
held in the Wayne portfolio and  transferred  $1.6 million of securities held to
maturity to securities  available  for sale to conform with Valley's  investment
objectives.  In  1997,  in  connection  with  the  Midland  acquisition,  Valley
reassessed  the  classification  of  securities  held in the Midland  investment
portfolio  and  transferred  $39.8  million of  securities  held to  maturity to
securities available for sale to conform to Valley's investment objectives.


                                       42
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE (Note 4)

     The amortized  cost,  fair value and gross  unrealized  gains and losses of
securities available for sale at December 31, 1999 and 1998 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  December  31, 1999
                                                               ------------------------
                                                                   Gross
                                                   Amortized    Unrealized   Unrealized
                                                      Cost        Gains       Losses       Fair Value
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------
                                                                      (in  thousands)
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and other government
agencies and corporations ......................   $  115,750   $        2   $   (3,102)   $  112,650
Obligations of states and political subdivisions      135,659          505       (2,600)      133,564
Mortgage-backed securities .....................      751,262          227      (21,358)      730,131
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------

  Total debt securities ........................    1,002,671          734      (27,060)      976,345
Equity securities ..............................       30,172        1,252       (2,350)       29,074
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------
  Total investment securities available for sale   $1,032,843   $    1,986   $  (29,410)   $1,005,419
                                                   ==========   ==========   ==========    ==========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      December  31, 1998
                                                                      ------------------
                                                                   Gross        Gross
                                                    Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized
                                                      Cost         Gains       Losses      Fair Value
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------
                                                                    (in  thousands)
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and other government
agencies and corporations ......................   $  153,767   $      505   $     (247)   $  154,025
Obligations of states and political subdivisions      116,326        1,980          (11)      118,295
Mortgage-backed securities .....................      718,926        4,242       (3,378)      719,790
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------

  Total debt securities ........................      989,019        6,727       (3,636)      992,110
Equity securities ..............................       26,284        4,976         (182)       31,078
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------

  Total investment securities available for sale   $1,015,303   $   11,703   $   (3,818)   $1,023,188
                                                   ==========   ==========   ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

     The contractual  maturities of investments in debt securities available for
sale at December 31, 1999, are set forth in the following table:


                                                            December  31, 1999
                                                        ------------------------
                                                         Amortized        Fair
                                                           Cost          Value
                                                        ----------    ----------
                                                           (in  thousands)
Due in one year ....................................    $   39,556    $   39,509
Due after one year through five years ..............       146,661       143,600
Due after five years through ten years .............        29,563        28,363
Due after ten years ................................        35,629        34,742
                                                        ----------    ----------

                                                           251,409       246,214
Mortgage-backed securities .........................       751,262       730,131
                                                        ----------    ----------

  Total debt securities ............................     1,002,671       976,345
Equity securities ..................................        30,172        29,074
                                                        ----------    ----------

  Total investment securities available for sale ...    $1,032,843    $1,005,419
                                                        ==========    ==========



                                       43
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


     Actual  maturities on 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. Equity securities do not
have contractual maturities.

     The   weighted-average   remaining  life  for  mortgage-backed   securities
available  for sale at  December  31, 1999 and 1998 was 5.7 years and 2.3 years,
respectively.

     Gross gains (losses)  realized on sales,  maturities  and other  securities
transactions,  related to securities  available for sale,  and (losses) gains on
trading account securities included in earnings for the years ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:


                                                    1999       1998       1997
                                                  -------    -------    -------
                                                         (in  thousands)

Sales transactions:
 Gross gains ..................................   $ 2,870    $   724    $ 2,375
 Gross losses .................................      (138)       (21)      (224)
                                                  -------    -------    -------

                                                    2,732        703      2,151
                                                  -------    -------    -------

Maturities and other securities transactions:

 Gross gains ..................................        --        124         10
 Gross losses .................................       (23)        --        (25)
                                                  -------    -------    -------

                                                      (23)       124        (15)
                                                  -------    -------    -------

(Losses)gains on trading account securities ...      (177)       592         --
                                                  -------    -------    -------

 Gains on securities transactions, net ........   $ 2,532    $ 1,419    $ 2,136
                                                  =======    =======    =======

     Cash proceeds from sales  transactions  were $29.7 million,  $113.6 million
and $186.4 million for the years ended 1999,  1998 and 1997,  respectively.  For
1999  cash  proceeds   include  $1.4  million  from  sales  of  trading  account
securities.

LOANS (Note 5)

     The detail of the loan  portfolio  as of December  31, 1999 and 1998 was as
follows:

                                                       1999               1998
                                                   ----------         ----------
                                                          (in  thousands)

Commercial ...............................         $  512,164         $  477,231
                                                   ----------         ----------

  Total commercial loans .................            512,164            477,231
                                                   ----------         ----------

Construction .............................            123,531            112,819
Residential mortgage .....................          1,247,721          1,055,278
Commercial mortgage ......................          1,164,065          1,050,420
                                                   ----------         ----------

  Total mortgage loans ...................          2,535,317          2,218,517
                                                   ----------         ----------

Home equity ..............................            276,261            226,231
Credit card ..............................             92,097            108,180
Automobile ...............................          1,053,457          1,033,938
Other consumer ...........................             85,456             83,552
                                                   ----------         ----------

  Total consumer loans ...................          1,507,271          1,451,901
                                                   ----------         ----------

 Total loans .............................         $4,554,752         $4,147,649
                                                   ==========         ==========

     Included  in the table above are loans held for sale in the amount of $12.2
million and $23.5 million at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.


                                       44
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


     VNB grants  loans in the  ordinary  course of  business  to its  directors,
executive  officers and their  affiliates,  on the same terms and under the same
risk  conditions as those  prevailing for comparable  transactions  with outside
borrowers.

     The following table summarizes the change in the total amounts of loans and
advances to directors,  executive officers, and their affiliates during the year
1999:

                                                                     1999
                                                                   --------
                                                                (in  thousands)

Outstanding at beginning of year ......................            $ 24,904
New loans and advances ................................              11,329
Repayments ............................................             (10,440)
                                                                   --------

Outstanding at end of year ............................            $ 25,793
                                                                   ========

     The outstanding  balances of loans which are 90 days or more past due as to
principal or interest payments and still accruing and  non-performing  assets at
December 31, 1999 and 1998 were as follows:



                                                                1999       1998
                                                              -------    -------
                                                                 (in  thousands)

Loans past due in excess of 90 days and still accruing ...    $11,968    $ 7,418
                                                              =======    =======

Non-accrual loans ........................................    $ 3,482    $ 7,507
Other real estate owned ..................................      2,256      4,261
                                                              -------    -------

  Total non-performing assets ............................    $ 5,738    $11,768
                                                              =======    =======

Troubled debt restructured loans .........................    $ 4,852    $ 6,387
                                                              =======    =======

     The amount of interest  income that would have been recorded on non-accrual
loans in  1999,  1998 and 1997 had  payments  remained  in  accordance  with the
original  contractual terms  approximated  $619 thousand,  $1.4 million and $2.0
million,  while the actual amount of interest  income recorded on these types of
assets in 1999,  1998 and 1997  totalled  $1.3  million,  $375 thousand and $454
thousand, resulting in (recovered) lost interest income of ($720) thousand, $1.0
million, and $1.6 million, respectively.

     At December 31, 1999, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to
borrowers whose loans were non-accrual or contractually past due in excess of 90
days and still accruing interest.

     The impaired loan  portfolio is primarily  collateral  dependent.  Impaired
loans and their related  specific and general  allocations  to the allowance for
loan losses totalled $13.4 million and $1.8 million,  respectively,  at December
31, 1999 and $13.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 1998.
The average  balance of impaired  loans  during 1999 and 1998 was  approximately
$13.2 million and $15.1 million, respectively. The amount of cash basis interest
income  that was  recognized  on  impaired  loans  during 1999 and 1998 was $559
thousand and $1.1 million, respectively.


                                       45
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Note 6)


     Transactions  in the allowance  for loan losses during 1999,  1998 and 1997
were as follows:

                                                 1999        1998        1997
                                               --------    --------    --------
                                                       (in  thousands)
Balance at beginning of year ...............   $ 54,641    $ 53,170    $ 52,926
Provision charged to operating expense .....      9,120      12,645      13,130
                                               --------    --------    --------

                                                 63,761      65,815      66,056
                                               --------    --------    --------

Less net loan charge-offs:
 Loans charged-off .........................    (12,131)    (14,963)    (15,006)
 Less recoveries on loan charge-offs .......      3,490       3,789       2,120
                                               --------    --------    --------

Net loan charge-offs .......................     (8,641)    (11,174)    (12,886)
                                               --------    --------    --------

Balance at end of year .....................   $ 55,120    $ 54,641    $ 53,170
                                               ========    ========    ========

LOAN SERVICING (Note 7)

     VNB Mortgage Services,  Inc. ("MSI"), a subsidiary of VNB, 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 originated by VNB. The aggregate principal balances of mortgage loans
serviced by MSI for others  approximated  $2.2  billion,  $1.6  billion and $1.2
billion at December  31,  1999,  1998 and 1997,  respectively.  The  outstanding
balance  of loans  serviced  for  others  is not  included  in the  consolidated
statements of financial condition.

     VNB is a servicer of SBA loans, and is compensated for loan  administrative
services  performed  for SBA loans  originated  and sold by VNB.  VNB serviced a
total of $89.0  million and $78.1  million of SBA loans as of December  31, 1999
and 1998, respectively, for third-party investors.

     The costs  associated with acquiring loan servicing  rights are included in
other assets in the  consolidated  financial  statements and are being amortized
over the estimated net servicing income.

     The following table  summarizes the change in loan servicing  rights during
the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1999        1998        1997
                                                    --------    --------    --------
                                                             (in  thousands)
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>
Balance at beginning of year ....................   $ 20,765    $ 13,514    $ 12,270
Purchase and origination of loan servicing rights     20,419      11,986       3,905
Amortization expense ............................     (4,375)     (4,735)     (2,661)
                                                    --------    --------    --------

Balance at end of year ..........................   $ 36,809    $ 20,765    $ 13,514
                                                    ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>

     Amortization  expense is included in amortization of intangible assets. The
table above  includes $9.6 million of servicing  rights  purchased at the end of
1999.


                                       46
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Note 8)

     At December 31, 1999 and 1998, premises and equipment, net consisted of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1999          1998
                                                        ---------     ---------
                                                             (in  thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>
Land ...............................................    $  19,531     $  18,583
Buildings ..........................................       56,147        54,273
Leasehold improvements .............................       16,639        14,871
Furniture and equipment ............................       72,770        66,714
                                                        ---------     ---------

                                                          165,087       154,441
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization ....      (80,297)      (71,633)
                                                        ---------     ---------

Premises and equipment, net ........................    $  84,790     $  82,808
                                                        =========     =========
</TABLE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

     Depreciation  and  amortization  included in  non-interest  expense for the
years ended  December 31, 1999,  1998 and 1997  amounted to  approximately  $7.6
million, $9.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively.

OTHER ASSETS (Note 9)

     At December 31, 1999 and 1998, other assets consisted of the following:



                                                         1999              1998
                                                       -------           -------
                                                            (in  thousands)
Loan servicing rights ......................           $36,809           $20,765
Goodwill ...................................             4,393             2,673
Core deposit intangible ....................             1,142             1,711
Other real estate owned ....................             2,256             4,261
Deferred tax asset .........................            31,757            17,482
Other ......................................            22,630            18,373
                                                       -------           -------

Total other assets .........................           $98,987           $65,265
                                                       =======           =======

DEPOSITS (Note 10)

     Included in time deposits at December 31, 1999 and 1998 are certificates of
deposit over $100 thousand of $647.3 million and $419.4 million, respectively.

     Interest  expense  on time  deposits  of  $100  thousand  or more  totalled
approximately  $27.9 million,  $20.2 million and $27.2 million in 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively.

     The  scheduled  maturities  of time deposits as of December 31, 1999 are as
follows:

                                                            (in  thousands)

2000 ............................................             $1,628,209
2001 ............................................                314,370
2002 ............................................                 86,353
2003 ............................................                 30,074
2004 ............................................                  9,255
Thereafter ......................................                 33,448
                                                              ----------
                                                              $2,101,709
                                                              ==========


                                       47
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


BORROWED FUNDS (Note 11)

     Short-term  borrowings  at  December  31,  1999 and 1998  consisted  of the
following:

                                                              1999         1998
                                                           --------     --------
                                                              (in  thousands)

Federal funds purchased ..............................     $  9,990     $     --
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase .......       59,436       34,950
Treasury tax and loan ................................       40,000        9,990
Bankers acceptances ..................................       19,639       12,677
                                                           --------     --------

  Total short-term borrowings ........................     $129,065     $ 57,617
                                                           ========     ========

     At December 31, 1999 and 1998, long-term debt consisted of the following:

                                                             1999         1998
                                                           --------     --------
                                                              (in  thousands)
FHLB advances ........................................     $464,500     $212,500
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase .......      100,000           --
Other ................................................          381          449
                                                           --------     --------

  Total long-term debt ...............................     $564,881     $212,949
                                                           ========     ========

     The Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances had a weighted  average interest
rate of 5.93 percent at December 31, 1999 and 5.89 percent at December 31, 1998.
These advances are secured by pledges of FHLB stock,  mortgage-backed securities
and a  blanket  assignment  of  qualifying  mortgage  loans.  The  advances  are
scheduled for repayment as follows:

                                                        (in  thousands)
2000 ............................................           $103,000
2001 ............................................             27,000
2002 ............................................             17,000
2003 ............................................             82,000
2004 ............................................            102,000
Thereafter ......................................            133,500
                                                            --------
                                                            $464,500
                                                            ========

     Interest  expense of $21.7  million,  $8.8  million  and $5.4  million  was
recorded on FHLB  advances  during the years ended  December 31, 1999,  1998 and
1997, respectively.

     The securities  sold under  agreements to repurchase  included in long-term
debt had a weighted  average  interest rate of 6.22 percent at December 31, 1999
and are scheduled for repayment in 2002.  Interest  expense of $942 thousand was
recorded on this debt during the year ended December 31, 1999.

     At December 31, 1999,  Valley  maintained a floating rate revolving line of
credit in the  amount of $25  million,  none of which  was  drawn.  This line is
available for general corporate  purposes and expires June 15, 2000.  Borrowings
under this facility are collateralized by mortgage-backed  securities of no less
than 120 percent of the loan balance.

BENEFIT PLANS (Note 12)

Pension Plan

     VNB has a non-contributory  benefit plan covering  substantially all of its
employees. The benefits are based upon years of credited service, primary social
security benefits and the employee's highest average compensation as defined. It
is VNB's funding  policy to contribute  annually the maximum  amount that can be
deducted for federal  income tax purposes.  In addition,  VNB has a supplemental
non-qualified,  non-funded  retirement  plan which is designed to supplement the
pension plan for key officers.


                                       48
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

     The  following  table sets forth  change in projected  benefit  obligation,
change in fair value of plan assets,  funded  status and amounts  recognized  in
Valley's  financial  statements  for the pension  plans at December 31, 1999 and
1998:

                                                            1999         1998
                                                          --------     --------
                                                             (in  thousands)
Change in projected benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year ....    $ 19,973     $ 18,236
 Service cost ........................................       1,590        1,346
 Interest cost .......................................       1,353        1,212
 Actuarial (gain) loss ...............................      (2,626)         145
 Benefits paid .......................................      (1,083)        (966)
                                                          --------     --------
Projected benefit obligation at end of year ..........    $ 19,207     $ 19,973
                                                          ========     ========

Change in fair value of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year .......    $ 23,430     $ 21,638
 Actual return on plan assets ........................       1,504        2,758
 Employer contributions ..............................         468           --
 Benefits paid .......................................      (1,083)        (966)
                                                          --------     --------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year .............    $ 24,319     $ 23,430
                                                          ========     ========

Funded status ........................................    $  5,112     $  3,457
Unrecognized net asset ...............................        (308)        (365)
Unrecognized prior service cost ......................         262          367
Unrecognized net actuarial gain ......................      (9,158)      (7,677)
Intangible asset .....................................          --          (79)
                                                          --------     --------
Accrued benefit cost .................................    $ (4,092)    $ (4,297)
                                                          ========     ========

     Net periodic pension expense for 1999, 1998 and 1997 included the following
components:

                                                1999         1998         1997
                                              -------      -------      -------
                                                        (in  thousands)

Service cost ............................     $ 1,590      $ 1,346      $ 1,095
Interest cost ...........................       1,353        1,212        1,191
Expected return on plan assets ..........      (1,982)      (1,673)      (1,320)
Net amortization and deferral ...........         (12)         (56)          71
Recognized prior service cost ...........          38          105          118
Recognized net gains ....................        (631)        (191)         (33)
                                              -------      -------      -------
Total net periodic pension expense ......     $   356      $   743      $ 1,122
                                              =======      =======      =======

     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 plan were 7.75 percent and 4.50 percent,  respectively,  for
1999 and 6.75 percent and 5.00 percent for 1998. The expected  long-term rate of
return on assets was 9.50  percent  for 1999 and 9.00  percent  for 1998 and the
weighted average  discount rate used in computing  pension cost was 6.75 percent
and 7.00 percent for 1999 and 1998,  respectively.  The pension plan held 52,333
shares of Valley National Bancorp stock at both December 31, 1999 and 1998.

Bonus Plan

     VNB and its subsidiaries  award incentive and merit bonuses to its officers
and employees based upon a percentage of the covered employees' compensation and
determined by the achievement of certain performance objectives. Amounts charged
to salaries  expense during 1999, 1998 and 1997 were $3.1 million,  $2.6 million
and $2.2 million, respectively.


                                       49
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

Savings Plan

     Effective May 1, 1999,  VNB's 401(k) Plan was amended to merge the Employee
Stock  Ownership Plan ("ESOP") from the acquisition of Wayne into the VNB 401(k)
Plan,  creating a KSOP (a 401(k) plan with an employee stock ownership feature).
This plan  covers  eligible  employees  of VNB and its  subsidiaries  and allows
employees  to  contribute  1 percent  to 15 percent  of their  salary,  with VNB
matching a certain  percentage  of the employee  contribution.  Beginning in May
1999, the VNB match is in shares of Valley stock. In 1999, VNB matched  employee
contributions with 29,260 shares, of which 15,292 shares were allocated from the
former Wayne ESOP Plan and 13,968  shares were issued from treasury  stock.  VNB
charged expense for  contributions  to the plan, net of  forfeitures,  for 1999,
1998 and 1997  amounting to $944  thousand,  $746  thousand  and $887  thousand,
respectively. At December 31, 1999 the KSOP had 112,488 unallocated shares.

     In 1999,  1998 and 1997,  32,117  shares,  25,428 shares and 20,856 shares,
respectively, were allocated to participants of the former Wayne ESOP Plan. ESOP
expense  for  1999,  1998 and 1997 was $865  thousand,  $607  thousand  and $357
thousand, respectively.

Stock Option Plan

     At December  31,  1999,  Valley had a stock  option plan which is described
below.  Valley  applies  APB  Opinion  No.  25 and  related  Interpretations  in
accounting  for its plan.  Had  compensation  cost for the plan been  determined
consistent  with FASB Statement No. 123, net income and earnings per share would
have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1999             1998             1997
                                    -----------      -----------      -----------
                                         (in  thousands except for share data)
<S>                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Net income
 As Reported .................      $   106,324      $   101,271      $    90,151
 Pro forma ...................          105,279          100,246           89,383
Earnings per share
 As Reported:

  Basic ......................      $      1.75      $      1.65      $      1.47
  Diluted ....................             1.73             1.63             1.46
 Pro forma:
  Basic ......................      $      1.73      $      1.63      $      1.46
  Diluted ....................             1.72             1.61             1.45
</TABLE>

     Under the  Employee  Stock  Option  Plan,  Valley may grant  options to its
employees  for up to 2.6  million  shares of  common  stock in the form of stock
options,  stock  appreciation  rights and restricted stock awards.  The exercise
price of options equal 100 percent of the market price of Valley's  stock on the
date of grant,  and an option's  maximum term is ten years.  The options granted
under  this plan are  exercisable  not  earlier  than one year after the date of
grant,  expire  not more than ten years  after  the date of the  grant,  and are
subject to a vesting  schedule.  Non-qualified  options  granted by Midland  and
assumed by Valley have no vesting period and a maximum term of fifteen years.

     The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model  with the  following  weighted-average
assumptions  used for  grants  in 1999,  1998 and 1997:  dividend  yield of 3.71
percent for 1999 and 3.50 percent for 1998 and 1997;  weighted-average risk-free
interest  rate of 6.44 percent for 1999,  5.00 percent for 1998 and 5.75 percent
for 1997;  and expected  volatility  of 21.8 percent for 1999,  18.5 percent for
1998 and 23.9 percent for 1997.  The effects of applying SFAS No. 123 on the pro
forma net  income  may not be  representative  of the  effects  on pro forma net
income for future years.


                                       50
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


     A summary of the status of qualified and non-qualified  stock options as of
December  31,  1999,  1998 and 1997 and changes  during the years ended on those
dates is presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1999                        1998                        1997
                                  -------------------------  ------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                   Weighted-                 Weighted-                    Weighted-
                                                    Average                   Average                      Average
                                                   Exercise                  Exercise                     Exercise
Stock Options                       Shares          Price       Shares        Price        Shares           Price
- -------------------------------   ----------       --------  ----------      --------   ----------       -----------
<S>                                <C>                 <C>    <C>                 <C>    <C>                 <C>
Outstanding at beginning of
   year .......................    2,021,597           $15    1,910,513           $14    1,541,421           $11
Granted .......................      252,264            27      264,323            26      611,848            19
Exercised .....................     (448,599)           10     (131,755)           12     (219,687)           10
Forfeited .....................      (20,475)           24      (21,484)           21      (23,069)           17
                                  ----------                 ----------                 ----------

Outstanding at end of year ....    1,804,787            18    2,021,597            15    1,910,513            14
                                  ==========                 ==========                 ==========

Options exercisable at year-end      988,304            14    1,105,217            12      918,115            11
                                  ==========                 ==========                 ==========

Weighted-average fair value of
   options granted during the
   year .......................        $6.40                      $5.34                      $5.24
</TABLE>

     The following table summarizes  information about stock options outstanding
at December 31, 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Options Outstanding                                Options Exercisable
                                    --------------------------------------------------------     --------------------------------
                                                         Weighted-
                                                         Average
                                                         Remaining              Weighted-                           Weighted-
                                      Number            Contractual              Average           Number            Average
Range of Exercise Prices            Outstanding             Life              Exercise Price     Exercisable      Exercise Price
- ------------------------            -----------         -----------           --------------     -----------      --------------
<S>                                    <C>                  <C>                     <C>             <C>                 <C>
$ 4-12 ....................              348,222            9.7 years               $7              348,222             $7
 12-19 ....................              701,927            5.8                     16              487,902             16
 19-24 ....................              225,836            7.8                     23               86,742             23
 24-29 ....................              528,802            9.2                     26               65,438             26
                                       ---------                                                    -------

  4-29 ....................            1,804,787            7.8                     18              988,304             14
                                       =========                                                    =======
</TABLE>

     During  1998 and 1997,  stock  appreciation  rights  granted in tandem with
stock options were 10,894 and 11,439,  respectively.  There were 48,151,  48,151
and 37,257 stock  appreciation  rights outstanding as of December 31, 1999, 1998
and 1997, respectively.

     Restricted  stock is awarded to key  employees  providing for the immediate
award of Valley's common stock subject to certain vesting and restrictions.  The
awards are recorded at fair market value and amortized  into salary expense over
the vesting  period.  The  following  table sets forth the changes in restricted
stock awards outstanding for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

Restricted Stock Awards                       1999          1998          1997
- --------------------------------------      --------      --------      --------
Outstanding at beginning of year .....      207,578       203,342       109,145
Granted ..............................       58,477        58,299       133,965
Vested ...............................      (55,788)      (51,977)      (33,180)
Forfeited ............................       (3,185)       (2,086)       (6,588)
                                           --------      --------      --------

Outstanding at end of year ...........      207,082       207,578       203,342
                                           ========      ========      ========

     The  amount of  compensation  costs  related  to  restricted  stock  awards
included in salary expense in 1999, 1998 and 1997 amounted to $1.1 million, $1.0
million and $717 thousand, respectively.


                                       51
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

INCOME TAXES (Note 13)


     Income tax expense (benefit) included in the financial statements consisted
of the following:

                                            1999           1998           1997
                                          --------       --------       --------
                                                     (in  thousands)
Income tax from operations:
 Current:
 Federal ...........................      $ 50,434       $ 29,520       $ 32,292
  State ............................         2,041          3,400          1,773
                                          --------       --------       --------

                                            52,475         32,920         34,065
 Deferred:

 Federal and State .................          (255)        (2,540)         3,238
                                          --------       --------       --------

  Total income tax expense .........      $ 52,220       $ 30,380       $ 37,303
                                          ========       ========       ========

     The tax effects of  temporary  differences  that gave rise to deferred  tax
assets and liabilities as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:

                                                             1999          1998
                                                           -------       -------
                                                              (in  thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses ..........................       $22,270       $21,970
 Investment securities available for sale ..........        11,017            --
 State privilege year taxes ........................           277           472
 Non-accrual loan interest .........................           317           506
 Other .............................................         7,054         6,099
                                                           -------       -------

  Total deferred tax assets ........................        40,935        29,047
                                                           -------       -------

Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax over book depreciation .........................         2,969         3,102
 Purchase accounting adjustments ...................           443           496
 Unearned discount on investments ..................           428           502
 Investment securities available for sale ..........            --         3,003
 Other .............................................         5,338         4,462
                                                           -------       -------

  Total deferred tax liabilities ...................         9,178        11,565
                                                           -------       -------

  Net deferred tax assets ..........................       $31,757       $17,482
                                                           =======       =======

     A  reconciliation  between the  reported  income tax expense and the amount
computed by multiplying  income before taxes by the statutory federal income tax
rate is as follows:

                                                 1999        1998        1997
                                               --------    --------    --------
                                                      (in  thousands)
Tax at statutory federal income tax rate ....  $ 55,490    $ 46,078    $ 44,609
Increases (decreases) resulted from:
Tax-exempt interest, net of interest
   incurred to carry tax-exempts ............    (2,693)     (2,903)     (3,707)
 State income tax, net of federal tax benefit     1,985       1,916       1,729
 Realignment of corporate entities ..........    (2,615)    (15,406)     (6,215)
 Other, net .................................        53         695         887
                                               --------    --------    --------

Income tax expense ..........................  $ 52,220    $ 30,380    $ 37,303
                                               --------    --------    --------


                                       52
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)

Lease Commitments

     Certain  bank  facilities  are  occupied  under  non-cancelable   long-term
operating  leases which expire at various  dates  through  2047.  Certain  lease
agreements  provide for renewal  options and increases in rental  payments based
upon increases in the consumer price index or the lessor's cost of operating the
facility.  Minimum aggregate lease payments for the remainder of the lease terms
are as follows:

                                                             (in  thousands)
2000 ..............................................              $ 5,418
2001 ..............................................                5,080
2002 ..............................................                4,592
2003 ..............................................                4,319
2004 ..............................................                3,695
Thereafter ........................................               14,013
                                                                 -------
Total lease commitments ...........................              $37,117
                                                                 =======

     Net occupancy expense for 1999, 1998 and 1997 included  approximately  $2.3
million,  $3.2 million and $2.7 million,  respectively,  of rental  expenses 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 VNB, is a party to various financial
instruments  which are properly  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 VNB'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.  VNB 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.

     The  following  table  provides a summary  of  financial  instruments  with
off-balance sheet risk at December 31, 1999 and 1998:

                                                               1999       1998
                                                           ---------- ----------
                                                               (in  thousands)
Standby and commercial letters of credit ...............   $   85,430 $   66,168
Commitments under unused lines of credit-credit card ...      867,230    808,760
Commitments under unused lines of credit-other .........      549,405    501,931
Outstanding loan commitments ...........................      460,607    351,350
                                                           ---------- ----------

 Total financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk   $1,962,672 $1,728,209
                                                           ========== ==========

     Standby letters of credit represent the guarantee by VNB 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.

     At December 31, 1999,  VNB had  commitments  to sell  residential  mortgage
loans and SBA loans totaling $3.9 million.


                                       53
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


     The  amounts  set forth  above do not  necessarily  represent  future  cash
requirements  as it is anticipated  that many of these  commitments  will expire
without being fully drawn upon.  Most of VNB's lending  activity is to customers
within  the state of New  Jersey,  except  for  automobile  loans,  which are to
customers from 11 states, including New Jersey, and Canada.

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  financial  position or results of operations of Valley will not be
materially affected by the outcome of such legal proceedings and claims.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Note 15)

Capital Requirements

     Valley is subject to the regulatory  capital  requirements  administered by
the Federal  Reserve  Bank.  Failure to meet minimum  capital  requirements  can
initiate  certain  mandatory and possibly  additional  discretionary  actions by
regulators that, if undertaken,  could have a direct material effect on Valley's
financial  statements.  Under capital  adequacy  guidelines  and the  regulatory
framework  for prompt  corrective  action,  Valley  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  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, 1999, Valley exceeded all capital
adequacy requirements to which it was subject.

     The most  recent  notification  received  from  the  Federal  Reserve  Bank
categorized  the Bank as well  capitalized  under the  regulatory  framework for
prompt  corrective  action.  To be categorized as well  capitalized  Valley must
maintain minimum total risk-based,  Tier I risk-based, Tier I leverage ratios as
set  forth  in  the  table.  There  are  no  conditions  or  events  since  that
notification that management believes have changed the institution's category.

     Valley's actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 1999 and 1998
are presented in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           To Be Well Capitalized
                                                                                                                Under Prompt
                                                                                Minimum Capital              Corrective Action
                                                       Actual                     Requirements                   Provisions
                                              ----------------------         ---------------------         ---------------------
                                                Amount         Ratio          Amount         Ratio          Amount         Ratio
                                              --------         -----         --------        -----         --------        -----
                                                                                  (in  thousands)
<S>                                           <C>              <C>           <C>              <C>          <C>              <C>
As of December  31, 1999
Total Risk-based Capital ...............      $620,514         12.7%         $389,421         8.0%         $486,776         10.0%
 Tier I Risk-based Capital .............       565,394         11.6           194,710         4.0           292,065          6.0
 Tier I Leverage Capital ...............       565,394          9.1           248,126         4.0           310,158          5.0
As of December  31, 1998

Total Risk-based Capital ...............       632,278         14.6           346,297         8.0           432,872         10.0
 Tier I Risk-based Capital .............       579,627         13.4           173,170         4.0           259,755          6.0
 Tier I Leverage Capital ...............       579,627         10.1           229,162         4.0           286,452          5.0
</TABLE>

Dividend Restrictions

     VNB, a national  banking  association,  is subject to a  limitation  in the
amount of dividends it may pay to Valley, VNB's only shareholder. Prior approval
by the  Comptroller  of the Currency  ("OCC") is required to the extent that the
total of all  dividends to be declared by VNB 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



                                       54
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

transfers to capital surplus. Under this limitation, VNB could declare dividends
in 2000 to Valley  without prior approval of the OCC of up to $13.3 million plus
an  amount  equal to VNB's  net  profits  for 2000 to the date of such  dividend
declaration.

Shares of Common Stock

     The following table  summarizes the share  transactions for the three years
ended December 31, 1999:

                                                                      Shares in
                                                 Shares Issued        Treasury
                                                 -------------      -----------
Balance, December  31, 1996 ................       56,484,867          (343,461)
Stock dividend (5  percent) ................        2,511,465                --
Effect of stock incentive plan, net ........          (30,132)          226,695
Purchase of treasury stock .................               --          (239,316)
                                                  -----------       -----------

Balance, December  31, 1997 ................       58,966,200          (356,082)
Effect of stock incentive plan, net ........          (14,607)          152,472
Purchase of treasury stock .................               --          (220,125)
Issuance of stock from treasury ............               --           187,000
                                                  -----------       -----------

Balance, December  31, 1998 ................       58,951,593          (236,735)
Stock dividend (5  percent) ................        1,236,450         1,537,876
Effect of stock incentive plan, net ........          432,997           168,366
Purchase of treasury stock .................               --        (2,397,257)
                                                  -----------       -----------

Balance, December  31, 1999 ................       60,621,040          (927,750)
                                                  ===========       ===========

Treasury Stock

     On December 14, 1999 Valley's Board of Directors  authorized the repurchase
of up to 3,000,000 shares of the company's outstanding common stock.  Reacquired
shares are held in treasury  and are  expected to be used for  employee  benefit
programs, stock dividends and other corporate purposes.

     On June 10, 1999 Valley's Board of Directors rescinded the stock repurchase
program it had  announced  on April 28, 1999 after 1.6 million  shares of Valley
common stock had been  repurchased.  Approximately  1.5 million  treasury shares
were issued in  conjunction  with the 5 percent  dividend  issued May 18,  1999.
Rescinding  the  remaining  authorization  was  undertaken  in  connection  with
Valley's acquisition of Ramapo.

     On May 26,  1998  Valley's  Board of  Directors  rescinded  its  previously
announced stock  repurchase  program after 220,125 shares of Valley common stock
had been repurchased.  Rescinding the remaining  authorization was undertaken in
connection with Valley's acquisition of Wayne.


                                       55
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Note 16)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Quarters ended 1999
                              -----------------------------------------------------
                               March  31      June  30      Sept 30       Dec 31
                              -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                    (in  thousands, except for share data)
<S>                           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Interest income ...........   $   103,145   $   105,794   $   107,906   $   110,690
Interest expense ..........        39,561        41,537        42,434        45,645
Net interest income .......        63,584        64,257        65,472        65,045
Provision for loan losses .         2,000         1,775         2,320         3,025
Non-interest income .......        12,723        11,799        11,331        11,399
Non-interest expense ......        32,265        35,236        33,923        36,522
Income before income taxes         42,042        39,045        40,560        36,897
Income tax expense ........        15,553        13,648        13,281         9,738
Net income ................        26,489        25,397        27,279        27,159
Earnings per share:
 Basic ....................          0.43          0.42          0.45          0.45
 Diluted ..................          0.43          0.41          0.45          0.45
Cash dividends per share ..          0.24          0.26          0.26          0.26
Average shares outstanding:
 Basic ....................    61,486,501    60,885,740    60,229,700    60,206,005
 Diluted ..................    62,266,050    61,558,760    60,864,460    60,796,087
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Quarters ended 1998
                              -----------------------------------------------------
                               March 31       June 30       Sept 30       Dec 31
                              -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                       (in  thousands, except for share data)
<S>                           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Interest income ...........   $   102,413   $   102,828   $   103,671   $   102,381
Interest expense ..........        42,193        42,043        42,219        41,203
Net interest income .......        60,220        60,785        61,452        61,178
Provision for loan losses .         2,645         3,460         3,145         3,395
Non-interest income .......        10,974        11,619        11,365        11,416
Non-interest expense ......        33,711        33,761        36,199        41,042
Income before income taxes         34,838        35,183        33,473        28,157
Income tax expense ........        10,359         9,313         7,577         3,131
Net income ................        24,479        25,870        25,896        25,026
Earnings per share:
 Basic ....................          0.40          0.42          0.42          0.41
 Diluted ..................          0.39          0.42          0.42          0.40
Cash dividends per share ..          0.21          0.24          0.24          0.24
Average shares outstanding:
 Basic ....................    61,400,145    61,341,156    61,353,791    61,346,306
 Diluted ..................    62,239,892    62,218,153    62,179,568    62,102,890
</TABLE>


                                       56



<PAGE>

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

PARENT COMPANY INFORMATION (Note 17)
Condensed Statements of Income

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Years ended December  31,
                                                                    ----------------------------------
                                                                       1999        1998        1997
                                                                    ---------    ---------   ---------
                                                                             (in  thousands)
<S>                                                                 <C>          <C>         <C>
Income
Dividends from subsidiary .......................................   $ 120,326    $  89,320   $  50,471
 Income from subsidiary .........................................       1,313        1,291         854
 Gains on securities transactions, net ..........................       2,591          743       1,849
 Other interest and dividends ...................................       2,741          683       1,475
                                                                    ---------    ---------   ---------
                                                                      126,971       92,037      54,649
Expenses ........................................................       3,271        3,976       3,135
                                                                    ---------    ---------   ---------
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings
 of subsidiary ..................................................     123,700       88,061      51,514
Income tax expense ..............................................       1,580          118         201
                                                                    ---------    ---------   ---------
Income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary ....     122,120       87,943      51,313
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary (excess dividends)     (15,796)      13,328      38,838
                                                                    ---------    ---------   ---------
Net income ......................................................   $ 106,324    $ 101,271   $  90,151
                                                                    =========    =========   =========

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

                                                               December  31,
                                                          ----------------------
                                                              1999      1998
                                                          ---------    ---------
                                                              (in  thousands)
Assets
Cash ..................................................   $   3,242    $   1,359
 Interest bearing deposits with banks .................      36,127       21,682
 Investment securities available for sale .............      55,909       71,174
 Trading account securities ...........................          --        1,592
 Investment in subsidiary .............................     474,462      505,110
 Loan to subsidiary bank employee benefit plan ........       1,071        1,250
 Other assets .........................................       4,195        4,930
                                                          ---------    ---------
  Total assets ........................................   $ 575,006    $ 607,097
                                                          =========    =========

Liabilities

Dividends payable to shareholders .....................   $  15,724    $  13,831
 Other liabilities ....................................       5,782        3,457
                                                          ---------    ---------
  Total liabilities ...................................      21,506       17,288
                                                          ---------    ---------

Shareholders' Equity

Common stock ..........................................      25,943       26,079
 Surplus ..............................................     325,147      331,337
 Retained earnings ....................................     244,605      235,879
 Unallocated common stock held by employee benefit plan        (965)      (1,331)
 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income ........     (16,733)       4,031
                                                          ---------    ---------
                                                            577,997      595,995
 Treasury stock, at cost ..............................     (24,497)      (6,186)
                                                          ---------    ---------
  Total shareholders' equity ..........................     553,500      589,809
                                                          ---------    ---------
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ..........   $ 575,006    $ 607,097
                                                          =========    =========
</TABLE>


                                       57
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Years ended December  31,
                                                                      1999         1998        1997
                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                                             (in  thousands)
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income ....................................................   $ 106,324    $ 101,271    $  90,151
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
   operating activities:
 Excess dividends (equity in undistributed earnings) of
  subsidiary ...................................................      15,796      (13,328)     (38,838)
 Depreciation and amortization .................................         365          479          618
 Amortization of compensation costs pursuant to long-term
   stock incentive plan ........................................       1,091        1,036          898
 Net accretion of discounts ....................................         (49)        (360)        (838)
 Net gains on securities transactions ..........................      (2,591)        (743)      (1,849)
 Net decrease(increase) in other assets ........................         317         (342)         490
 Net increase(decrease) in other liabilities ...................       4,576       (1,250)      (1,155)
                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------
 Net cash provided by operating activities .....................     125,829       86,763       49,477
                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:

 Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale       8,735       16,918        6,050
 Proceeds from maturing investment securities available for sale      81,146       15,000           --
 Purchases of investment securities available for sale .........     (78,666)     (71,809)     (22,264)
 Proceeds from sales of trading account securities .............       1,415           --           --
 Net (increase)decrease in short-term investments ..............     (14,445)       1,422        6,865
 Decrease in advance to subsidiary .............................          --        3,409        5,204
 Payment of employee benefit plan loan .........................         179          178          181
 Purchases of premises and equipment ...........................          --         (141)          --
                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------
 Net cash used in investing activities .........................      (1,636)     (35,023)      (3,964)
                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:

 Purchases of common shares added to treasury ..................     (66,955)      (6,658)      (4,417)
 Dividends paid to common shareholders .........................     (58,126)     (51,189)     (43,696)
 Common stock issued, net of cancellations .....................       2,771        6,931        1,194
                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------
 Net cash used in financing activities .........................    (122,310)     (50,916)     (46,919)
                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------

 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ..........       1,883          824       (1,406)
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year ................       1,359          535        1,941
                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ......................   $   3,242    $   1,359    $     535
                                                                   =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>


                                       58
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Note 18)

     Limitations:  The fair value  estimates  made at December 31, 1999 and 1998
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  on and  off-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  and  trust  and  investment
department)  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 each class of financial instruments and mortgage servicing rights:

     Cash and  short-term  investments:  For such  short-term  investments,  the
carrying amount is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

     Investment securities held to maturity, investment securities available for
sale,  and trading  account  securities:  Fair values are based on quoted market
prices.

     Loans:  Fair values are estimated by obtaining  quoted market prices,  when
available.  The fair value of other loans is estimated by discounting the future
cash flows using market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest-rate
risk inherent in the loan.

     Deposit  liabilities:  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 deposits of similar remaining maturity.

     Short-term borrowings:  Current carrying amounts approximate estimated fair
value.

     Long-term  debt:  The fair value is  estimated by  discounting  future cash
flows  based on rates  currently  available  for debt  with  similar  terms  and
remaining maturity.


                                       59
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

     The carrying  amounts and  estimated  fair values of financial  instruments
were as follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1999                      1998
                                            -----------------------   -----------------------
                                             Carrying       Fair       Carrying        Fair
                                               Amount      Value        Amount        Value
                                            ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                             (in  thousands)
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Financial assets:
 Cash and due from banks ................   $  161,561   $  161,561   $  185,921   $  185,921
 Federal funds sold .....................      123,000      123,000      108,100      108,100
 Investment securities held to maturity .      351,501      318,329      286,890      288,312
 Investment securities available for sale    1,005,419    1,005,419    1,023,188    1,023,188
 Trading account securities .............           --           --        1,592        1,592
 Net loans ..............................    4,499,632    4,442,927    4,093,008    4,135,216
Financial liabilities:
 Deposits with no stated maturity .......    2,949,546    2,949,546    2,961,417    2,961,417
 Deposits with stated maturities ........    2,101,709    2,102,149    2,008,732    2,019,371
 Short-term borrowings ..................      129,065      129,065       57,617       57,617
 Long-term debt .........................      564,881      548,043      212,949      214,958
</TABLE>

     The estimated fair value of financial  instruments with  off-balance  sheet
risk,  consisting of unamortized fee income at December 31, 1999 and 1998 is not
material.

Business Segments (Note 19)

     VNB has four major  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.  Lines of
business and actual  structure of operations  determine  each  segment.  Each is
reviewed  routinely for its asset growth,  contribution to pretax net income and
return on assets.  Expenses related to the branch network,  all other components
of  retail  banking,  along  with the back  office  departments  of the bank are
allocated from the corporate and other adjustments  segment to each of the other
three  business  segments.  The financial  reporting  for each segment  contains
allocations  and  reporting  in  line  with  VNB's  operations,  which  may  not
necessarily be compared to any other financial  institution.  The accounting for
each  segment  includes  internal   accounting   policies  designed  to  measure
consistent and reasonable financial reporting.

     Consumer  lending delivers loan and banking products and services mainly to
individuals and small businesses through its branches,  ATM machines, PC banking
and sales,  service and  collection  force within each lending  department.  The
products  and  services  include  residential  mortgages,   home  equity  loans,
automobile loans,  credit card loans, trust and investment services and mortgage
servicing for investors.  Automobile lending is generally  available  throughout
New Jersey, but is also currently  available in eleven states and Canada as part
of a referral program with a major insurance company.

     The  commercial  lending  division  provides  loan products and services to
small and medium commercial establishments throughout northern New Jersey. These
include lines of credit,  term loans,  letters of credit,  asset-based  lending,
construction, development and permanent real estate financing for owner occupied
and leased properties and Small Business  Administration  ("SBA") loans. The SBA
loans are  offered  through a sales  force  covering  New Jersey and a number of
surrounding  states and  territories.  The commercial  lending  division  serves
numerous  businesses  through  departments  organized  into  product or specific
geographic divisions.

     The investment function handles the management of the investment portfolio,
asset/liability  management  and  government  banking for VNB. The objectives of
this department are production of income and liquidity through the investment of
VNB's funds. The bank purchases and holds a mix of bonds,  notes, U.S. and other
governmental securities and other investments.


                                       60
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

     The corporate and other  adjustments  segment  represents assets and income
and expense items not directly attributable to a specific segment.

     The following  table  represents  the financial  data for the four business
segments for the years ended 1999, 1998 and 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year ended December  31, 1999
                                                                                                        Corporate
                                                              Consumer     Commercial    Investment     and Other
                                                              Lending       Lending      Management    Adjustments      Total
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                                      (in  thousands)
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>                  <C>    <C>
Average interest-earning assets ..........................   $2,696,100    $1,696,582    $1,404,105           $--    $5,796,787
                                                             ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========

Interest income ..........................................   $  199,484    $  142,725    $   88,316    $   (2,990)   $  427,535
Interest expense .........................................       78,685        49,514        40,978            --       169,177
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Net interest income (loss) ...............................      120,799        93,211        47,338        (2,990)      258,358
Provision for loan losses ................................        7,826         1,294            --            --         9,120
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses      112,973        91,917        47,338        (2,990)      249,238
Non-interest income ......................................       13,992         4,751            28        28,481        47,252
Non-interest expense .....................................       27,019         9,679           113       101,135       137,946
Internal expense transfer ................................       31,360        22,300        18,176       (71,836)           --
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Income (loss) before income taxes ........................   $   68,586    $   64,689    $   29,077    $   (3,808)   $  158,544
                                                             ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========

Return on average interest-bearing assets (pre-tax) ......         2.54%         3.81%         2.07%           --          2.74%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year ended December  31, 1998
                                                                                                        Corporate
                                                              Consumer     Commercial    Investment     and Other
                                                              Lending       Lending      Management    Adjustments      Total
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                                     (in  thousands)
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>                  <C>    <C>
Average interest-earning assets ..........................   $2,443,388    $1,573,351    $1,369,640    $    8,034    $5,394,413
                                                             ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========

Interest income ..........................................   $  192,830    $  134,899    $   89,761    $   (6,197)   $  411,293
Interest expense .........................................       75,940        48,900        42,568           250       167,658
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Net interest income (loss) ...............................      116,890        85,999        47,193        (6,447)      243,635
Provision for loan losses ................................       10,586         1,939            --           120        12,645
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
Net interest income (loss) after
 provision for loan losses ...............................      106,304        84,060        47,193        (6,567)      230,990
Non-interest income ......................................       16,310         6,040            20        23,004        45,374
Non-interest expense .....................................       29,973         9,208           111       105,421       144,713
Internal expense transfer ................................       34,650        23,424        20,820       (78,894)           --
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes ........................   $   57,991    $   57,468    $   26,282    $  (10,090)   $  131,651
                                                             ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========
Return on average interest-bearing
 assets (pre-tax) ........................................         2.37%         3.65%         1.92%           --          2.44%
</TABLE>


                                       61
<PAGE>


            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                        Corporate
                                                              Consumer     Commercial    Investment     and Other
                                                              Lending       Lending      Management    Adjustments      Total
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                                     (in  thousands)
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>                  <C>    <C>
Average interest-earning assets ..........................   $2,321,381    $1,478,624    $1,496,088    $   29,718    $5,325,811
                                                             ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========
Interest income ..........................................   $  185,396    $  129,636    $   98,994    $   (7,208)   $  406,818
Interest expense .........................................       75,050        47,804        48,368           960       172,182
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
Net interest income (loss) ...............................      110,346        81,832        50,626        (8,168)      234,636

Provision for loan losses ................................       11,162         1,693            --           275        13,130
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses       99,184        80,139        50,626        (8,443)      221,506

Non-interest income ......................................       19,737         6,092            --        19,365        45,194
Non-interest expense .....................................       39,588         8,248            --        91,410       139,246
Internal expense transfer ................................       24,900        20,805        19,122       (64,827)           --
                                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes ........................   $   54,433    $   57,178    $   31,504    $  (15,661)   $  127,454
                                                             ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========

Return on average interest-bearing assets (pre-tax) ......         2.34%         3.87%         2.11%           --          2.39%
</TABLE>



                                       62
<PAGE>


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
KPMG


KPMG LLP
Certified Public Accountants

New Jersey Headquarters
150 John F. Kennedy Parkway
Short Hills, NJ 07078

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Valley National Bancorp:

     We have  audited the  accompanying  consolidated  statements  of  financial
condition of Valley  National  Bancorp and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999
and  1998,  and the  related  consolidated  statements  of  income,  changes  in
shareholders'  equity,  and cash  flows for each of the years in the  three-year
period ended December 31, 1999. 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  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  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, 1999 and 1998,  and the
results  of their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1999 in conformity with generally  accepted
accounting principles.


                                  /s/ KPMG LLP

January  19, 2000



                                       63
<PAGE>


Item 9.  Changes  in  and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
         Financial Disclosure

     None

                                    PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

     The  information  which  will be set  forth  under  the  caption  "Director
Information" in the 2000 Proxy  Statement is  incorporated  herein by reference.
Certain  information on Executive Officers of the registrant is included in Part
I, Item 4A of this report, which is also incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

     The  information  which  will be set  forth  under the  caption  "Executive
Compensation" in the 2000 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

     The information  which will be set forth under the caption "Stock Ownership
of  Management  and  Principal  Shareholders"  in the 2000  Proxy  Statement  is
incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     The  information  which  will be set  forth  under  the  captions  "Certain
Transactions  with  Management" and "Human Resource and  Compensation  Committee
Interlocks  and  Insider   Participation"   in  the  2000  Proxy   Statement  is
incorporated herein by reference.








                                       64
<PAGE>


                                     PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  Financial Statements and Schedules:

     The financial  statements listed on the index of this Annual Report on Form
     10-K are filed as part of this Annual Report.

     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)  Reports on Form 8-K:

     On January 3, 2000 to report the authorization by the Board of Directors to
     purchase up to 3,000,000 shares of outstanding  common stock to be used for
     employee benefit programs, stock dividends and other corporate purposes.

(c)  Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

(3)  Articles of Incorporation and By-laws:

     A.   Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation of the Registrant as in effect
          on  May  11,  1999  is   incorporated   herein  by  reference  to  the
          Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
          31, 1999.

     B.   By-laws of the  Registrant  adopted as of March 14,  1989 and  amended
          March 19, 1991 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's
          Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.

(10) Material Contracts:

     A.   Restated and amended "Change in Control  Agreements"  dated January 1,
          1999 between Valley, VNB and Gerald H. Lipkin,  Peter Southway,  Peter
          John Southway, Robert Meyer, and Peter Crocitto is incorporated herein
          by reference to the Registrant's  Form 10-K Annual Report for the year
          ended December 31, 1998.

     B.   "Change in Control  Agreements"  dated January 1, 1995 between Valley,
          VNB and Robert Farrell, Richard Garber and Robert Mulligan.

     C.   "Change in Control  Agreement"  dated February 1, 1996 between Valley,
          VNB and Jack  Blackin  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  to the
          Registrant's  Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended  December 31,
          1996.

     D.   "Change in Control Agreement" dated April 15, 1996 between Valley, VNB
          and John Prol is incorporated  herein by reference to the Registrant's
          Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1996.

     E.   "The Valley  National  Bancorp  Long-term  Stock Incentive Plan" dated
          January 19, 1999.

     F.   "Severance  Agreements" dated August 17, 1994 between Valley,  VNB and
          Gerald H. Lipkin and Peter Southway are  incorporated  by reference to
          Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form S-4 (No. 33-55765) filed
          with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 1994.

     G.   "Stock  Option  Agreement"  dated  April 1, 1992  between  Valley  and
          Michael Guilfoile.

     H.   "Split-Dollar  Agreement" dated July 7, 1995 between Valley,  VNB, and
          Gerald H. Lipkin is incorporated  by reference to Registrant's  Report
          on Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995.

     I.   "Employment  Arrangement"  dated June 6, 1996 between Valley,  VNB and
          Peter Southway is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's
          Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1996.



                                       65
<PAGE>


     J.   "Severance  Agreements" as of January 1, 1998 between Valley,  VNB and
          Peter   Crocitto,   Robert  M.  Meyer  and  Peter  John  Southway  are
          incorporated  herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual
          Report for the year ended December 31, 1997.

     K.   "Change in Control  Agreement"  dated January 1, 1998 between  Valley,
          VNB  and  Alan  Lipsky  is   incorporated   herein  by   reference  to
          Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
          31, 1998.

     L.   "Change in Control  Agreements"  dated January 1, 1999 between Valley,
          VNB and Alan D. Eskow and Robert J. Farnon are incorporated  herein by
          reference  to the  Registrant's  Form 10-K Annual  Report for the year
          ended December 31, 1998.

     M.   "Change in Control  Agreement"  dated January 3, 2000 between  Valley,
          VNB and Albert L. Engel.

(21) List of Subsidiaries:

(a)  Subsidiary of Valley:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Percentage of Voting Securities
                     Name                       Jurisdiction of Incorporation                Owned by the Parent
                  ---------                    --------------------------------         --------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                                          <C>
Valley National Bank (VNB)                               United States                                100%

(b) Subsidiaries of VNB:
VNB Mortgage Services, Inc.                              New Jersey                                   100%
BNV Realty Incorporated (BNV)                            New Jersey                                   100%
VNB Financial Advisors, Inc.                             New Jersey                                   100%
VNB Loan Services, Inc.                                    New York                                   100%
VNB RSI, Inc.                                            New Jersey                                   100%
Wayne Ventures, Inc.                                     New Jersey                                   100%
Wayne Title, Inc.                                        New Jersey                                   100%
VNB International Services, Inc. (ISI)                   New Jersey                                   100%
New Century Asset Management, Inc.                       New Jersey                                   100%
Valley CMC, Inc. (CMC)                                   New Jersey                                   100%

(c) Subsidiary of ISI:
VNB Financial Services, Inc.                                 Canada                                   100%

(d) Subsidiaries of BNV
SAR I, Inc.                                              New Jersey                                   100%
SAR II, Inc.                                             New Jersey                                   100%

(e) Subsidiary of CMC:
VN Investments, Inc.                                     New Jersey                                   100%

(23) Consents of Experts and Counsel

Consent of KPMG LLP

(24) Power of Attorney of Certain Directors and Officers of Valley

(27) Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>


                                       66
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

     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.


                                      VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP


                                      By:       /s/ GERALD H. LIPKIN
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman of the Board,
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: February 25, 2000

     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.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Signature                  Title                                      Date
          ---------                  -----                                      ----
<S>                                  <C>                                        <C>
     /s/ GERALD H. LIPKIN            Chairman of the Board, President and
- -------------------------------      Chief Executive Officer and Director
         Gerald H. Lipkin                                                       February 25, 2000

     /s/ PETER SOUTHWAY              Vice Chairman (Principal Financial         February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------      Officer) and Director
         Peter Southway

     /s/ ALAN D. ESKOW               Corporate Secretary, Senior Vice           February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------      President and Controller
         Alan D. Eskow               (Principal Accounting Officer)

         ANDREW B. ABRAMSON*         Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Andrew B. Abramson

         PAMELA BRONANDER*           Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Pamela Bronander

         JOSEPH COCCIA, JR.*         Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Joseph Coccia, Jr.

         HAROLD P. COOK, III*        Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Harold P. Cook, III

         AUSTIN C. DRUKKER*          Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Austin C. Drukker

         WILLARD L. HEDDEN*          Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Willard L. Hedden

         GRAHAM O. JONES*            Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Graham O. Jones

         WALTER H. JONES, III*       Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Walter H. Jones, III
</TABLE>



                                       67
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Signature                  Title                                      Date
          ---------                  -----                                      ----
<S>                                  <C>                                        <C>
         GERALD KORDE*               Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Gerald Korde

         JOLEEN J. MARTIN*           Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Joleen J. Martin

         ROBERT E. MCENTEE*          Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Robert E. McEntee

         RICHARD S. MILLER*          Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Richard S. Miller

         SAM P. PINYUH*              Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Sam P. Pinyuh

         ROBERT RACHESKY*            Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Robert Rachesky

         BARNETT RUKIN*              Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Barnett Rukin

         RICHARD F. TICE*            Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Richard F. Tice

         LEONARD J. VORCHEIMER*      Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Leonard J. Vorcheimer

         JOSEPH L. VOZZA*            Director                                   February 25, 2000
- -------------------------------
         Joseph L. Vozza
</TABLE>

     *By Gerald H. Lipkin, as attorney-in-fact.


                                       68
<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT
NUMBER    EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
- ------    -------------------

(10)B     Change in Control Agreements - Robert Farrell,  Richard Garber, Robert
          Mulligan

(10)E     The Valley National Bancorp Long-term Stock Incentive Plan

(10)G     Stock Option Agreement - Michael Guilfoile

(10)M     Change in Control Agreement - Albert L. Engel

(23)      Consent of KPMG LLP

(24)      Power of Attorney

(27)      Financial Data Schedule





                                                               Exhibit (10) B(1)

                           CHANGE-IN-CONTROL AGREEMENT
                          (First Senior Vice President)


     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"),  is made as of this 1st day of
January,   1995,  among  VALLEY  NATIONAL  BANK  ("Bank"),  a  national  banking
association with its principal office at 615 Main Avenue,  Passaic,  New Jersey,
VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP ("Valley"), a New Jersey Corporation which maintains its
principal  office at 1445 Valley Road,  Wayne,  New Jersey  (Valley and the Bank
collectively are the "Company") and ROBERT FARRELL (the "Executive").

                                   BACKGROUND

     WHEREAS,  the Executive has been  continuously  employed by the Bank for at
least three full years;

     WHEREAS,  the Executive  throughout his tenure has worked diligently in his
position in the business of the Bank and Valley;

     WHEREAS,  the Board of  Directors  of the Bank and Valley  believe that the
future  services of the  Executive are of great value to the Bank and Valley and
that it is  important  for the  growth  and  development  of the  Bank  that the
Executive continue in his position;

     WHEREAS,  if  the  Company  receives  any  proposal  from  a  third  person
concerning a possible  business  combination  with, or  acquisition  of equities
securities of, the Company,  the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
believes  it is  imperative  that the Company and the Board be able to rely upon
the Executive to continue in his position,  and that they be able to receive and
rely  upon his  advice,  if they  request  it, as to the best  interests  of the
Company and its

                                       1

<PAGE>

shareholders,  without  concern that the  Executive  might be  distracted by the
personal uncertainties and risks created by such a proposal;

     WHEREAS, to achieve that goal, and to retain the Executive's services prior
to any such  activity,  the Board of Directors and the Executive  have agreed to
enter into this Agreement to govern the Executive's  termination benefits in the
event of a Change in Control of the Company, as hereinafter defined.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  to assure  the  Company  that it will have the  continued
dedication  of the  Executive  and the  availability  of his advice and  counsel
notwithstanding  the  possibility,  threat or  occurrence  of a bid to take over
control of the Company,  and to induce the  Executive to remain in the employ of
the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration,  the Company and the
Executive, each intending to be legally bound hereby agree as follows:

     1. Definitions

     a. Base  Salary.  "Base  Salary",  as used in  Section 9 hereof,  means the
annual  cash base  salary  (excluding  any  bonus  and the  value of any  fringe
benefits)  paid to the  Executive at the time of the  termination  of employment
unless such  amount has been  reduced  after a Change in Control,  in which case
such  amount  shall be the highest  base  salary in effect  during the 18 months
prior to the Change in Control.

     b.  Cause.  For  purposes of this  Agreement  "Cause"  with  respect to the
termination by the Company of Executive's  employment shall mean (i) willful and
continued  failure by the  Executive to perform his duties for the Company under
this Agreement after at least


                                       2
<PAGE>

one  warning  in  writing  from the  Company's  Board of  Directors  identifying
specifically  any such  failure;  (ii) the willful  engaging by the Executive in
misconduct which causes material injury to the Company as specified in a written
notice to the Executive  from the Board of Directors;  or (iii)  conviction of a
crime,  other than a traffic  violation,  habitual  drunkenness,  drug abuse, or
excessive  absenteeism other than for illness,  after a warning (with respect to
drunkenness  or  absenteeism  only) in writing  from the Board of  Directors  to
refrain  from  such  behavior.  No act or  failure  to  act on the  part  of the
Executive shall be considered willful unless done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive  not in good faith and  without  reasonable  belief that the action or
omission was in the best interest of the Company.

     c.  Change in  Control.  "Change  in  Control"  means any of the  following
events:  (i) when Valley or a  Subsidiary  acquires  actual  knowledge  that any
person (as such term is used in  Sections  13(d) and  14(d)(2)  of the  Exchange
Act),  other than an affiliate of Valley or a Subsidiary or an employee  benefit
plan  established  or  maintained  by  Valley,  a  Subsidiary  or any  of  their
respective  affiliates,  is or becomes the beneficial  owner (as defined in Rule
13d-3 of the Exchange  Act)  directly or  indirectly,  of  securities  of Valley
representing more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the combined voting power of
Valley's then outstanding  securities (a "Control Person"),  (ii) upon the first
purchase of Valley's  common stock pursuant to a tender or exchange offer (other
than a tender or  exchange  offer made by Valley,  a  Subsidiary  or an employee
benefit plan  established or maintained by Valley,  a Subsidiary or any of their
respective affiliates),  (iii) upon the approval by Valley's stockholders of (A)
a merger or consolidation of Valley with or into


                                       3
<PAGE>

another  corporation (other than a merger or consolidation  which is approved by
at least two-thirds of the Continuing  Directors (as hereinafter defined) or the
definitive  agreement  for  which  provides  that  at  least  two-thirds  of the
directors  of the  surviving  or  resulting  corporation  immediately  after the
transaction   are   Continuing   Directors  (in  either  case,  a   "Non-Control
Transaction")),  (B) a  sale  or  disposition  of all  or  substantially  all of
Valley's  assets or (C) a plan of liquidation or dissolution of Valley,  (iv) if
during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning
of such period  constitute the Board (the "Continuing  Directors") cease for any
reason to constitute  at least  two-thirds  thereof or,  following a Non-Control
Transaction,  two-thirds of the board of directors of the surviving or resulting
corporation;  provided that any  individual  whose  election or  nomination  for
election as a member of the Board (or, following a Non-Control Transaction,  the
board of directors of the surviving or resulting  corporation) was approved by a
vote of at least two-thirds of the Continuing  Directors then in office shall be
considered a Continuing Director,  or (v) upon a sale of (A) common stock of the
Bank if after such sale any  person  (as such term is used in Section  13(d) and
14(d)(2)  of the  Exchange  Act) other than  Valley,  an employee  benefit  plan
established  or maintained by Valley or a Subsidiary,  or an affiliate of Valley
or a  Subsidiary,  owns a  majority  of the  Bank's  common  stock or (B) all or
substantially  all of the Bank's  assets  (other than in the ordinary  course of
business). No person shall be considered a Control Person for purposes of clause
(i) above if (A) such person is or becomes  the  beneficial  owner,  directly or
indirectly,  of more than ten percent  (10%) but less than  twenty-five  percent
(25%) of the combined  voting power of Valley's then  outstanding  securities if
the acquisition of all voting securities in excess of ten


                                       4
<PAGE>

percent (10%) was approved in advance by a majority of the Continuing  Directors
then in office or (B) such person acquires in excess of ten percent (10%) of the
combined  voting  power  of  Valley's  then  outstanding  voting  securities  in
violation of law and by order of a court of competent  jurisdiction,  settlement
or otherwise,  disposes or is required to dispose of all securities  acquired in
violation of law.

     d. Continuously Employed.  "Continuously  employed",  as used in Section 9,
means continuously employed by the Bank but excludes any period of employment by
a bank or financial institution acquired by or merged into the Bank and excludes
any  period  of  employment  by the Bank if such  period is  separated  from the
current employment with the Bank by a break in service (other a break in service
resulting solely from illness, disability or family leave).

     e. Contract Period.  "Contract Period" shall mean the period commencing the
day  immediately  preceding a Change in Control and ending on the earlier of (i)
the first  anniversary  of the Change in Control or (ii) the date the  Executive
would attain age 65 or (iii) the death of the Executive. For the purpose of this
Agreement,  a Change in  Control  shall be deemed to have  occurred  at the date
specified in the definition of Change-in-Control.

     f. Exchange Act. "Exchange Act" means the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

     g. Good  Reason.  When used with  reference to a voluntary  termination  by
Executive of his  employment  with the Company,  "Good Reason" shall mean any of
the following, if taken without Executive's express written consent:



                                       5
<PAGE>

     (1) The  assignment  to Executive of any duties  inconsistent  with, or the
reduction of powers or functions associated with, Executive's position,  duties,
responsibilities  and status with the Company  immediately  prior to a Change in
Control.  A change in title or positions  resulting  merely from a merger of the
Company into or with another bank or company which does not downgrade in any way
the  Executive's  powers,  duties  and  responsibilities   shall  not  meet  the
requirements of this paragraph;

     (2) A reduction by the Company in Executive's  annual base  compensation as
in effect  immediately  prior to a Change in  Control  or the  failure  to award
Executive annual increases in accordance herewith;

     (3) A failure by the Company to continue any bonus plan in which  Executive
participated  immediately  prior to the  Change in  control  or a failure by the
Company to continue Executive as a participant in such plan on at least the same
basis as Executive participated in such plan prior to the Change in Control;

     (4) The Company's transfer of Executive to another geographic location more
than 35 miles from his present office  location,  except for required  travel on
the Company's  business to an extent  substantially  consistent with Executive's
business travel obligations immediately prior to such Change in Control;

     (5) The failure by the Company to continue in effect any  employee  benefit
plan,  program or  arrangement  (including,  without  limitation  the  Company's
retirement  plan,  benefit  equalization  plan, life insurance plan,  health and
accident plan, disability


                                       6
<PAGE>

plan,  deferred  compensation  plan or long term stock  incentive plan) in which
Executive is participating immediately prior to a Change in Control (except that
the Company may institute or continue plans, programs or arrangements  providing
Executive with substantially similar benefits);  the taking of any action by the
Company which would adversely affect Executive's  participation in or materially
reduce Executive's benefits under, any of such plans,  programs or arrangements;
the  failure  to  continue,  or the  taking of any action  which  would  deprive
Executive, of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Executive immediately prior
to such  Change in Control;  or the failure by the Company to provide  Executive
with  the  number  of  paid  vacation  days  to  which  Executive  was  entitled
immediately prior to such Change in Control;

     (6) The  failure by the Company to obtain an  assumption  in writing of the
obligations  of the Company to perform this  Agreement  by any  successor to the
Company and to provide such  assumption to the Executive  prior to any Change in
Control;  or

     (7) Any  purported  termination  of  Executive's  employment by the Company
during the term of this Agreement  which is not effected  pursuant to all of the
requirements  of this Agreement;  and, for purposes of this  Agreement,  no such
purported termination shall be effective.

     h. Pro-rata Bonus Amount.  "Pro-rata  Bonus Amount",  as used in Section 9,
means an amount  equal to a  "portion"  of the  highest  cash  bonus paid to the
Executive  in the  three  calendar  years  immediately  prior to the  Change  in
Control. The "portion" of such cash bonus shall be a fraction,  the numerator of
which is the number of calendar  months or part thereof  which the


                                       7
<PAGE>

Executive  has worked in the calendar year in which the  termination  occurs and
the denominator of which is 12.

     i. Subsidiary.  "Subsidiary"  means any corporation in an unbroken chain of
corporations,  beginning with Valley, if each of the corporations other than the
last  corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the
total  combined  voting  power  of all  classes  of  stock  in one of the  other
corporations in such chain.

     2. Employment.  The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive,  and the
Executive hereby accepts  employment,  during the Contract Period upon the terms
and conditions set forth herein.

     3. Position.  During the Contract Period the Executive shall be employed by
the bank as a Senior  Officer,  or such other  corporate  or  divisional  profit
center as shall then be the  principal  successor  to the  business,  assets and
properties of the Company, with substantially the same title and the same duties
and responsibilities as before the Change in Control. The Executive shall devote
his full time and attention to the business of the Company, and shall not during
the Contract  Period be engaged in any other business  activity.  This paragraph
shall not be construed as preventing the Executive from managing any investments
of his which do not  require any  service on his part in the  operation  of such
investments.

     4. Cash Compensation.  The Company shall pay to the Executive  compensation
for his services during the Contract Period as follows:

          a. Base Salary.  A base annual  salary  equal to the annual  salary in


                                       8
<PAGE>

     effect as of the Change in Control.  The annual  salary shall be payable in
     installments in accordance with the Company's usual payroll method.

          b. Annual Bonus. An annual cash bonus equal to at least the average of
     the bonuses paid to the Executive in the three years prior to the Change in
     Control. The bonus shall be payable at the time and in the manner which the
     Company paid such bonuses prior to the Change in Control.

          c. Annual  Review.  The Board of Directors  of the Company  during the
     Contract Period shall review annually,  or at more frequent intervals which
     the Board determines is appropriate, the Executive's compensation and shall
     award him additional  compensation to reflect the Executive's  performance,
     the performance of the Company and competitive  compensation levels, all as
     determined in the discretion of the Board of Directors.

     5. Expenses and Fringe Benefits.

     a. Expenses. During the Contract Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
reimbursement  for all  business  expenses  incurred by him with  respect to the
business  of the  Company  in the same  manner  and to the same  extent  as such
expenses were previously  reimbursed to him  immediately  prior to the Change in
Control.

     b. Benefit  Equalization Plan. During the Contract Period, if the Executive
was entitled to benefits under the Company's  Benefit  Equalization Plan ("BEP")
prior to the Change in Control,  the  Executive  shall be entitled to  continued
benefits  under  the BEP after the  Change  in  Control  and such BEP may not be
modified to reduce or eliminate such benefits during


                                       9
<PAGE>

the Contract Period.

     c. Club Membership and Automobile.  If prior to the Change in Control,  the
Executive  was  entitled to  membership  in a country  club and/or the use of an
automobile,  he  shall  be  entitled  to the same  membership  and/or  use of an
automobile at least  comparable to the  automobile  provided to him prior to the
Change in Control.

     d. Other  Benefits.  The Executive  also shall be entitled to vacations and
sick days, in accordance  with the practices and  procedures of the Company,  as
such  existed  immediately  prior to the Change in Control.  During the Contract
Period,  the Executive also shall be entitled to hospital,  health,  medical and
life  insurance,  and any other benefits  enjoyed,  from time to time, by senior
officers of the Company,  all upon terms as favorable as those  enjoyed by other
senior officers of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph 5(d)
to the contrary,  if the Company adopts any change in the benefits  provided for
senior  officers of the  Company,  and such policy is  uniformly  applied to all
officers of the Company (and any successor or acquiror of the Company,  if any),
then no such change shall be deemed to be contrary to this paragraph.

     6. Termination for Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate the
Executive for Cause,  upon written notice to him of the termination which notice
shall specify the reasons for the  termination.  In the event of termination for
Cause the  Executive  shall not be entitled to any further  benefits  under this
Agreement.

     7.  Disability.  During  the  Contract  Period  if  the  Executive  becomes
permanently  disabled,  or is unable  to  perform  his  duties  hereunder  for 4
consecutive  months  in any


                                       10
<PAGE>

12 month period,  the Company may terminate the employment of the Executive.  In
such event,  the Executive  shall not be entitled to any further  benefits under
this Agreement.

     8. Death Benefits.  Upon the Executive's  death during the Contract Period,
his estate shall not be entitled to any further benefits under this Agreement.

     9.  Termination  Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason.  The Company
may terminate the Executive  without Cause during the Contract Period by written
notice to the Executive  providing  four weeks notice.  The Executive may resign
for Good Reason during the Contract  Period upon four weeks'  written  notice to
the  Company  specifying  facts and  circumstances  claimed to support  the Good
Reason. The Executive shall be entitled to give a Notice of Termination that his
or her  employment  is being  terminated  for Good Reason at any time during the
Contract  Period,  not later than twelve months after any occurrence of an event
stated to constitute  Good Reason.  If the Company  terminates  the  Executive's
employment  during the Contract Period without Cause or if the Executive Resigns
for Good Reason, the Company shall, subject to section 12 hereof:

          a. Within 20 business days of the  termination  of employment  pay the
     Executive a lump sum equal to: (i), if the Executive has been  continuously
     employed by the Bank for 6 full years or more, two (2) years of Base Salary
     plus  a  Pro-rata   Bonus  Amount  or  (ii),  if  the  Executive  has  been
     continuously  employed by the Bank for less than 6 full years but more than
     three years, then one (1) year of Base Salary plus a Pro-rata Bonus Amount;
     and

          b.  Continue to provide the Executive  with  medical,  dental and life
     insurance


                                       11
<PAGE>

     for the period equal to the equivalent lump sum payment (e.g. 1 or 2 years)
     as were  provided at the time of  termination  of his  employment  with the
     Company, at the Company's cost. Upon expiration of benefit coverages,  full
     COBRA benefits (18 months) will be made available to Executive.

     The Executive shall not have a duty to mitigate the damages suffered by him
in connection  with the  termination  by the Company of his  employment  without
Cause or a  resignation  for Good  Reason  during the  Contract  Period.  If the
Company  fails to pay the  Executive the lump sum amount due him hereunder or to
provide him with the health,  hospitalization  and insurance  benefits due under
this section, the Executive, after giving 10 days' written notice to the Company
identifying the Company's failure, shall be entitled to recover from the Company
all of his reasonable  legal fees and expenses  incurred in connection  with his
enforcement  against the Company of the terms of this  Agreement.  The Executive
shall be denied  payment of his legal fees and  expenses  only if a court  finds
that the Executive sought payment of such fees without reasonable cause.

     10.  Resignation  Without Good Reason.  The Executive  shall be entitled to
resign from the  employment of the Company at any time during the Contact Period
without  Good  Reason,  but upon such  resignation  the  Executive  shall not be
entitled to any additional compensation for the time after which he ceases to be
employed by the Company,  and shall not be entitled to any of the other benefits
provided  hereunder.  No such  resignation  shall be effective unless in writing
with four weeks' notice thereof.

     11. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

     a. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.  Except in the course of


                                       12
<PAGE>

his  employment  with the  Company  and in the  pursuit of the  business  of the
Company or any of its  subsidiaries  or affiliates,  the Executive shall not, at
any  time  during  or  following  the  Contract  Period,  disclose  or use,  any
confidential  information  or  proprietary  data  of the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates.  The Executive agrees that, among other things,  all
information  concerning  the identity of and the  Company's  relations  with its
customers is confidential information.

     b. Specific Performance. Executive agrees that the Company does not have an
adequate  remedy at law for the breach of this  section and agrees that he shall
be subject to injunctive relief and equitable remedies as a result of the breach
of this section.  The  invalidity or  unenforceability  of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the force and effect of the remaining valid portions.

     c. Survival.  This section shall survive the termination of the Executive's
employment hereunder and the expiration of this Agreement.

     12. Certain Reduction of Payments by the Company.

     a. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, prior to the
payment  of  any  lump  sum  amount  payable  hereunder,  the  certified  public
accountants  of the  Company  immediately  prior to a  Change  of  Control  (the
"Certified Public  Accountants)  shall determine as promptly as practical and in
any event within 20 business  days  following the  termination  of employment of
Executive  whether  any  payment or  distribution  by the  Company to or for the
benefit  of  the  Executive   (whether  paid  or  payable  or   distributed   or
distributable  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  this  Agreement  or  otherwise)  (a
"Payment") would more likely than not be


                                       13
<PAGE>

nondeductible by the Company for Federal income purposes because of Section 280G
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and if it is then
the aggregate  present value of amounts payable or  distributable  to or for the
benefit of Executive  pursuant to this Agreement (such payments or distributions
pursuant to this Agreement are thereinafter referred to as "Agreement Payments")
shall be reduced  (but not below zero) to the reduced  Amount.  For  purposes of
this  paragraph,  the "Reduced  Amount" shall be an amount  expressed in present
value which maximizes the aggregate present value of Agreement  Payments without
causing any Payment to be  nondeductible  by the Company because of said Section
280G of the Code.

     b. If under paragraph (a) of this section the Certified Public  Accountants
determine  that any Payment would more likely than not be  nondeductible  by the
Company because of Section 280G of the Code, the Company shall promptly give the
Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed  calculation  thereof
and of the  Reduced  Amount,  and the  Executive  may  then  elect,  in his sole
discretion,  which and how much of the Agreement Payments shall be eliminated or
reduced  (as long as after such  election  the  aggregate  present  value of the
Agreement  Payments equals the Reduced Amount),  and shall advise the Company in
writing of his election within 20 business days of his receipt of notice.  If no
such election is made by the Executive  within such 20-day  period,  the Company
may elect which and how much of the  Agreement  Payments  shall be eliminated or
reduced  (as long as after such  election  the  Aggregate  present  Value of the
Agreement  Payments  equals the Reduced  Amount) and shall notify the  Executive
promptly of such election.  For purposes of this paragraph,  present Value shall
be  determined  in  accordance   with  Section   280G(d)(4)  of  the  Code.  All
determinations made by the Certified Public Accountants


                                       14
<PAGE>

shall be binding upon the Company and Executive shall be made within 20 business
days of a  termination  of  employment  of  Executive.  With the  consent of the
Executive, the Company may suspend part or all of the lump sum payment due under
Section 9 hereof and any other payments due to the Executive hereunder until the
Certified Public  Accountants finish the determination and the Executive (or the
Company,  as the case may be) elect how to reduce  the  Agreement  Payments,  if
necessary.  As promptly as  practicable  following  such  determination  and the
elections  hereunder,  the  Company  shall  pay to or  distribute  to or for the
benefit  of  Executive  such  amounts  as are then due to  Executive  under this
Agreement and shall  promptly pay to or distribute  for the benefit of Executive
in the future such amounts as become due to Executive under this Agreement.

     c. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 280G of the
Code, it is possible that  Agreement  Payments may have been made by the Company
which should not have been made  ("Overpayment")  or that  additional  Agreement
Payments  which  will have not been  made by the  Company  could  have been made
("Underpayment"),  in each case,  consistent with the calculation of the Reduced
Amount hereunder. In the event that the Certified Public Accountants, based upon
the  assertion  of a  deficiency  by the Internal  Revenue  Service  against the
Company or Executive which said Certified Public Accountants  believe has a high
probability of success,  determines  that an Overpayment has been made, any such
Overpayment  shall be treated  for all  purposes  as a loan to  Executive  which
Executive  shall repay to the Company  together with interest at the  applicable
Federal  rate  provided  for in  Section  7872(f)(2)(A)  of the Code;  provided,
however,  that no amount shall be payable by Executive to the Company in and for
the extent such payment would not reduce the amount which is subject to taxation
under  Section  4999  of the  Code.


                                       15
<PAGE>

In the event that the  Certified  Public  Accountants,  based  upon  controlling
precedent,  determine that an Underpayment has occurred,  any such  Underpayment
shall be promptly  paid by the  Company to or for the  benefit of the  Executive
together  with interest at the  applicable  Federal rate provided for in Section
7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.

     13. Term and Effect Prior to Change in Control.

     a. Term. Except as otherwise  provided for hereunder,  this Agreement shall
commence on the date  hereof and shall  remain in effect for a period of 3 years
from the date  hereof  (the  "Initial  Term") or until  the end of the  Contract
Period, whichever is later. The Initial Term shall be automatically extended for
an  additional  one year  period on the  anniversary  date  hereof  (so that the
Initial  Term is  always 3 years)  unless,  prior to a Change  in  Control,  the
Personnel  and  Compensation  Committee of the Bank  notifies  the  Executive in
writing  at any time that the  Contract  is not so  extended,  in which case the
Initial Term shall end upon the later of (i) 3 years after the date  hereof,  or
(ii) twenty-four  months after the date of such written notice.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Initial Term shall cease when the
Executive attains age 65.

     b. No Effect Prior to Change in Control.  This  Agreement  shall not effect
any  rights of the  Company  to  terminate  the  Executive  prior to a Change in
Control  or any  rights  of the  Executive  granted  in any other  agreement  or
contract or plan with the  Company.  The rights,  duties and  benefits  provided
hereunder shall only become effective upon and after a Change in Control. If the
full-time  employment  of the  Executive  by the Company is ended for any reason
prior to a Change in Control,  this Agreement shall  thereafter be of no further
force and effect.



                                       16
<PAGE>

     14.  Severance  Compensation  and  Benefits  Not  in  Derogation  of  Other
Benefits. Anything to the contrary herein contained notwithstanding, the payment
or  obligation  to pay any  monies,  or  granting  of any  benefits,  rights  or
privileges  to Executive as provided in this  Agreement  shall not be in lieu or
derogation of the rights and privileges  that the Executive now has or will have
under any plans or programs of or  agreements  with the Company,  except that if
the Executive  received any payment  hereunder,  he shall not be entitled to any
payment under the Company's severance policy for officers and directors.

     15.  Miscellaneous.  This Agreement is the joint and several  obligation of
the Bank and  Valley.  The terms of this  Agreement  shall be  governed  by, and
interpreted  and construed in accordance with the provisions of, the laws of New
Jersey.  This Agreement  supersedes all prior agreements and understandings with
respect to the matters covered hereby,  including  expressly any prior agreement
with the  Company  concerning  change in  control  benefits.  The  amendment  or
termination  of this  Agreement  may be made only in a writing  executed  by the
Company and the  Executive,  and no amendment or  termination  of this Agreement
shall be effective unless and until made in such a writing. This Agreement shall
be binding upon any successor (whether direct or indirect,  by purchase,  merge,
consolidation,  liquidation  or  otherwise) to all or  substantially  all of the
assets of the  Company.  This  Agreement  is personal to the  Executive  and the
Executive  may not  assign  any of his  rights  or  duties  hereunder  but  this
Agreement  shall  be  enforceable  by  the  Executive's  legal  representatives,
executors  or  administrators.  This  Agreement  may be  executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed an  original,  and it shall not be
necessary in making proof of this  Agreement to produce or account for more than
one such counterpart.



                                       17
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Valley National Bank and Valley National Bancorp each
have caused this Agreement to be signed by their duly authorized representatives
pursuant to the  authority of their Boards of  Directors,  and the Executive has
personally  executed  this  Agreement,  all as of the day and year first written
above.

ATTEST:                                          VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

/s/ Alan D. Eskow                                By: /s/ Gerald H. Lipkin
- -------------------------------                      ---------------------------
Alan D. Eskow, Secretary                             Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman
                                                     and Chief Executive Officer

ATTEST:                                          VALLEY NATIONAL BANK

/s/ Alan D. Eskow                                By: /s/ Gerald H. Lipkin
- -------------------------------                      ---------------------------
Alan Eskow, Secretary                                Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman
                                                     and Chief Executive Officer

WITNESS:

/s/ Peter Verbout                                /s/ Robert Farrell
- -------------------------------                  -------------------------------
                                                 Robert Farrell, Executive


December 17, 1990
- -------------------------------
"Executive" Valley
 National Bank
 Service Date


                                       18



                                                               EXHIBIT (10) B(2)

                           CHANGE-IN-CONTROL AGREEMENT
                          (First Senior Vice President)

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"),  is made as of this 1st day of
January,   1995,  among  VALLEY  NATIONAL  BANK  ("Bank"),  a  national  banking
association with its principal office at 615 Main Avenue,  Passaic,  New Jersey,
VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP ("Valley"), a New Jersey Corporation which maintains its
principal  office at 1445 Valley Road,  Wayne,  New Jersey  (Valley and the Bank
collectively are the "Company") and RICHARD GARBER (the "Executive").

                                   BACKGROUND

     WHEREAS,  the Executive has been  continuously  employed by the Bank for at
least three full years;

     WHEREAS,  the Executive  throughout his tenure has worked diligently in his
position in the business of the Bank and Valley;

     WHEREAS,  the Board of  Directors  of the Bank and Valley  believe that the
future  services of the  Executive are of great value to the Bank and Valley and
that it is  important  for the  growth  and  development  of the  Bank  that the
Executive continue in his position;

     WHEREAS,  if  the  Company  receives  any  proposal  from  a  third  person
concerning a possible  business  combination  with, or  acquisition  of equities
securities of, the Company,  the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
believes  it is  imperative  that the Company and the Board be able to rely upon
the Executive to continue in his position,  and that they be able to receive and
rely  upon his  advice,  if they  request  it, as to the best  interests  of the
Company  and its


                                        1
<PAGE>

shareholders,  without  concern that the  Executive  might be  distracted by the
personal uncertainties and risks created by such a proposal;

     WHEREAS, to achieve that goal, and to retain the Executive's services prior
to any such  activity,  the Board of Directors and the Executive  have agreed to
enter into this Agreement to govern the Executive's  termination benefits in the
event of a Change in Control of the Company, as hereinafter defined.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  to assure  the  Company  that it will have the  continued
dedication  of the  Executive  and the  availability  of his advice and  counsel
notwithstanding  the  possibility,  threat or  occurrence  of a bid to take over
control of the Company,  and to induce the  Executive to remain in the employ of
the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration,  the Company and the
Executive, each intending to be legally bound hereby agree as follows:

     1. Definitions

     a. Base  Salary.  "Base  Salary",  as used in  Section 9 hereof,  means the
annual  cash base  salary  (excluding  any  bonus  and the  value of any  fringe
benefits)  paid to the  Executive at the time of the  termination  of employment
unless such  amount has been  reduced  after a Change in Control,  in which case
such  amount  shall be the highest  base  salary in effect  during the 18 months
prior to the Change in Control.

     b.  Cause.  For  purposes of this  Agreement  "Cause"  with  respect to the
termination by the Company of Executive's  employment shall mean (i) willful and
continued  failure by the  Executive to perform his duties for the Company under
this Agreement after at least


                                       2
<PAGE>

one  warning  in  writing  from the  Company's  Board of  Directors  identifying
specifically  any such  failure;  (ii) the willful  engaging by the Executive in
misconduct which causes material injury to the Company as specified in a written
notice to the Executive  from the Board of Directors;  or (iii)  conviction of a
crime,  other than a traffic  violation,  habitual  drunkenness,  drug abuse, or
excessive  absenteeism other than for illness,  after a warning (with respect to
drunkenness  or  absenteeism  only) in writing  from the Board of  Directors  to
refrain  from  such  behavior.  No act or  failure  to  act on the  part  of the
Executive shall be considered willful unless done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive  not in good faith and  without  reasonable  belief that the action or
omission was in the best interest of the Company.

     c.  Change in  Control.  "Change  in  Control"  means any of the  following
events:  (i) when Valley or a  Subsidiary  acquires  actual  knowledge  that any
person (as such term is used in  Sections  13(d) and  14(d)(2)  of the  Exchange
Act),  other than an affiliate of Valley or a Subsidiary or an employee  benefit
plan  established  or  maintained  by  Valley,  a  Subsidiary  or any  of  their
respective  affiliates,  is or becomes the beneficial  owner (as defined in Rule
13d-3 of the Exchange  Act)  directly or  indirectly,  of  securities  of Valley
representing more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the combined voting power of
Valley's then outstanding  securities (a "Control Person"),  (ii) upon the first
purchase of Valley's  common stock pursuant to a tender or exchange offer (other
than a tender or  exchange  offer made by Valley,  a  Subsidiary  or an employee
benefit plan  established or maintained by Valley,  a Subsidiary or any of their
respective affiliates),  (iii) upon the approval by Valley's stockholders of (A)
a merger or consolidation of Valley with or into


                                       3
<PAGE>

another  corporation (other than a merger or consolidation  which is approved by
at least two-thirds of the Continuing  Directors (as hereinafter defined) or the
definitive  agreement  for  which  provides  that  at  least  two-thirds  of the
directors  of the  surviving  or  resulting  corporation  immediately  after the
transaction   are   Continuing   Directors  (in  either  case,  a   "Non-Control
Transaction")),  (B) a  sale  or  disposition  of all  or  substantially  all of
Valley's  assets or (C) a plan of liquidation or dissolution of Valley,  (iv) if
during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning
of such period  constitute the Board (the "Continuing  Directors") cease for any
reason to constitute  at least  two-thirds  thereof or,  following a Non-Control
Transaction,  two-thirds of the board of directors of the surviving or resulting
corporation;  provided that any  individual  whose  election or  nomination  for
election as a member of the Board (or, following a Non-Control Transaction,  the
board of directors of the surviving or resulting  corporation) was approved by a
vote of at least two-thirds of the Continuing  Directors then in office shall be
considered a Continuing Director,  or (v) upon a sale of (A) common stock of the
Bank if after such sale any  person  (as such term is used in Section  13(d) and
14(d)(2)  of the  Exchange  Act) other than  Valley,  an employee  benefit  plan
established  or maintained by Valley or a Subsidiary,  or an affiliate of Valley
or a  Subsidiary,  owns a  majority  of the  Bank's  common  stock or (B) all or
substantially  all of the Bank's  assets  (other than in the ordinary  course of
business). No person shall be considered a Control Person for purposes of clause
(i) above if (A) such person is or becomes  the  beneficial  owner,  directly or
indirectly,  of more than ten percent  (10%) but less than  twenty-five  percent
(25%) of the combined  voting power of Valley's then  outstanding  securities if
the acquisition of all voting securities in excess of ten


                                       4
<PAGE>

percent (10%) was approved in advance by a majority of the Continuing  Directors
then in office or (B) such person acquires in excess of ten percent (10%) of the
combined  voting  power  of  Valley's  then  outstanding  voting  securities  in
violation of law and by order of a court of competent  jurisdiction,  settlement
or otherwise,  disposes or is required to dispose of all securities  acquired in
violation of law.

     d. Continuously Employed.  "Continuously  employed",  as used in Section 9,
means continuously employed by the Bank but excludes any period of employment by
a bank or financial institution acquired by or merged into the Bank and excludes
any  period  of  employment  by the Bank if such  period is  separated  from the
current employment with the Bank by a break in service (other a break in service
resulting solely from illness, disability or family leave).

     e. Contract Period.  "Contract Period" shall mean the period commencing the
day  immediately  preceding a Change in Control and ending on the earlier of (i)
the first  anniversary  of the Change in Control or (ii) the date the  Executive
would attain age 65 or (iii) the death of the Executive. For the purpose of this
Agreement,  a Change in  Control  shall be deemed to have  occurred  at the date
specified in the definition of Change-in-Control.

     f. Exchange Act. "Exchange Act" means the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

     g. Good  Reason.  When used with  reference to a voluntary  termination  by
Executive of his  employment  with the Company,  "Good Reason" shall mean any of
the following, if taken without Executive's express written consent:



                                       5
<PAGE>

          (1) The  assignment to Executive of any duties  inconsistent  with, or
     the reduction of powers or functions associated with, Executive's position,
     duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to a
     Change in Control.  A change in title or positions  resulting merely from a
     merger of the Company into or with  another bank or company  which does not
     downgrade in any way the Executive's  powers,  duties and  responsibilities
     shall not meet the requirements of this paragraph;

          (2) A reduction by the Company in Executive's annual base compensation
     as in effect  immediately  prior to a Change in Control  or the  failure to
     award Executive annual increases in accordance herewith;

          (3) A failure  by the  Company  to  continue  any bonus  plan in which
     Executive  participated  immediately  prior to the  Change in  control or a
     failure by the Company to continue  Executive as a participant in such plan
     on at least the same basis as Executive  participated in such plan prior to
     the Change in Control;

          (4) The Company's transfer of Executive to another geographic location
     more than 35 miles from his present  office  location,  except for required
     travel on the Company's business to an extent substantially consistent with
     Executive's business travel obligations immediately prior to such Change in
     Control;

          (5) The  failure by the  Company to  continue  in effect any  employee
     benefit plan,  program or arrangement  (including,  without  limitation the
     Company's  retirement plan, benefit equalization plan, life insurance plan,
     health and accident plan,  disability


                                       6
<PAGE>

     plan,  deferred  compensation  plan or long term stock  incentive  plan) in
     which Executive is participating  immediately  prior to a Change in Control
     (except  that the Company may  institute  or  continue  plans,  programs or
     arrangements providing Executive with substantially similar benefits);  the
     taking  of  any  action  by  the  Company  which  would  adversely   affect
     Executive's  participation  in or materially  reduce  Executive's  benefits
     under,  any of  such  plans,  programs  or  arrangements;  the  failure  to
     continue, or the taking of any action which would deprive Executive, of any
     material  fringe  benefit  enjoyed by Executive  immediately  prior to such
     Change in Control;  or the failure by the Company to provide Executive with
     the  number  of  paid  vacation  days  to  which   Executive  was  entitled
     immediately prior to such Change in Control;

          (6) The failure by the Company to obtain an  assumption  in writing of
     the  obligations  of the Company to perform this Agreement by any successor
     to the Company and to provide such assumption to the Executive prior to any
     Change  in  Control;  or

          (7) Any purported termination of Executive's employment by the Company
     during the term of this Agreement which is not effected  pursuant to all of
     the requirements of this Agreement; and, for purposes of this Agreement, no
     such purported termination shall be effective.

     h. Pro-rata Bonus Amount.  "Pro-rata  Bonus Amount",  as used in Section 9,
means an amount  equal to a  "portion"  of the  highest  cash  bonus paid to the
Executive  in the  three  calendar  years  immediately  prior to the  Change  in
Control. The "portion" of such cash bonus shall be a fraction,  the numerator of
which is the number of calendar  months or part thereof  which the


                                       7
<PAGE>

Executive  has worked in the calendar year in which the  termination  occurs and
the denominator of which is 12.

          i. Subsidiary. "Subsidiary" means any corporation in an unbroken chain
     of corporations,  beginning with Valley, if each of the corporations  other
     than the last  corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock  possessing 50%
     or more of the total  combined  voting power of all classes of stock in one
     of the other corporations in such chain.

     2. Employment.  The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive,  and the
Executive hereby accepts  employment,  during the Contract Period upon the terms
and conditions set forth herein.

     3. Position.  During the Contract Period the Executive shall be employed by
the bank as a Senior  Officer,  or such other  corporate  or  divisional  profit
center as shall then be the  principal  successor  to the  business,  assets and
properties of the Company, with substantially the same title and the same duties
and responsibilities as before the Change in Control. The Executive shall devote
his full time and attention to the business of the Company, and shall not during
the Contract  Period be engaged in any other business  activity.  This paragraph
shall not be construed as preventing the Executive from managing any investments
of his which do not  require any  service on his part in the  operation  of such
investments.

     4. Cash Compensation.  The Company shall pay to the Executive  compensation
for his services during the Contract Period as follows:

          a. Base Salary.  A base annual  salary  equal to the annual  salary in


                                       8
<PAGE>

     effect as of the Change in Control.  The annual  salary shall be payable in
     installments in accordance with the Company's usual payroll method.

          b. Annual Bonus. An annual cash bonus equal to at least the average of
     the bonuses paid to the Executive in the three years prior to the Change in
     Control. The bonus shall be payable at the time and in the manner which the
     Company paid such bonuses prior to the Change in Control.

          c. Annual  Review.  The Board of Directors  of the Company  during the
     Contract Period shall review annually,  or at more frequent intervals which
     the Board determines is appropriate, the Executive's compensation and shall
     award him additional  compensation to reflect the Executive's  performance,
     the performance of the Company and competitive  compensation levels, all as
     determined in the discretion of the Board of Directors.

     5. Expenses and Fringe Benefits.

     a. Expenses. During the Contract Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
reimbursement  for all  business  expenses  incurred by him with  respect to the
business  of the  Company  in the same  manner  and to the same  extent  as such
expenses were previously  reimbursed to him  immediately  prior to the Change in
Control.

     b. Benefit  Equalization Plan. During the Contract Period, if the Executive
was entitled to benefits under the Company's  Benefit  Equalization Plan ("BEP")
prior to the Change in Control,  the  Executive  shall be entitled to  continued
benefits  under  the BEP after the  Change  in  Control  and such BEP may not be
modified to reduce or eliminate such benefits during


                                       9
<PAGE>

the Contract Period.

     c. Club Membership and Automobile.  If prior to the Change in Control,  the
Executive  was  entitled to  membership  in a country  club and/or the use of an
automobile,  he  shall  be  entitled  to the same  membership  and/or  use of an
automobile at least  comparable to the  automobile  provided to him prior to the
Change in Control.

     d. Other  Benefits.  The Executive  also shall be entitled to vacations and
sick days, in accordance  with the practices and  procedures of the Company,  as
such  existed  immediately  prior to the Change in Control.  During the Contract
Period,  the Executive also shall be entitled to hospital,  health,  medical and
life  insurance,  and any other benefits  enjoyed,  from time to time, by senior
officers of the Company,  all upon terms as favorable as those  enjoyed by other
senior officers of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph 5(d)
to the contrary,  if the Company adopts any change in the benefits  provided for
senior  officers of the  Company,  and such policy is  uniformly  applied to all
officers of the Company (and any successor or acquiror of the Company,  if any),
then no such change shall be deemed to be contrary to this paragraph.

     6. Termination for Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate the
Executive for Cause,  upon written notice to him of the termination which notice
shall specify the reasons for the  termination.  In the event of termination for
Cause the  Executive  shall not be entitled to any further  benefits  under this
Agreement.

     7.  Disability.  During  the  Contract  Period  if  the  Executive  becomes
permanently  disabled,  or is unable  to  perform  his  duties  hereunder  for 4
consecutive  months  in any


                                       10
<PAGE>

12 month period,  the Company may terminate the employment of the Executive.  In
such event,  the Executive  shall not be entitled to any further  benefits under
this Agreement.

     8. Death Benefits.  Upon the Executive's  death during the Contract Period,
his estate shall not be entitled to any further benefits under this Agreement.

     9.  Termination  Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason.  The Company
may terminate the Executive  without Cause during the Contract Period by written
notice to the Executive  providing  four weeks notice.  The Executive may resign
for Good Reason during the Contract  Period upon four weeks'  written  notice to
the  Company  specifying  facts and  circumstances  claimed to support  the Good
Reason. The Executive shall be entitled to give a Notice of Termination that his
or her  employment  is being  terminated  for Good Reason at any time during the
Contract  Period,  not later than twelve months after any occurrence of an event
stated to constitute  Good Reason.  If the Company  terminates  the  Executive's
employment  during the Contract Period without Cause or if the Executive Resigns
for Good Reason, the Company shall, subject to section 12 hereof:

          a. Within 20 business days of the  termination  of employment  pay the
     Executive a lump sum equal to: (i), if the Executive has been  continuously
     employed by the Bank for 6 full years or more, two (2) years of Base Salary
     plus  a  Pro-rata   Bonus  Amount  or  (ii),  if  the  Executive  has  been
     continuously  employed by the Bank for less than 6 full years but more than
     three years, then one (1) year of Base Salary plus a Pro-rata Bonus Amount;
     and

          b.  Continue to provide the Executive  with  medical,  dental and life
     insurance


                                       11
<PAGE>

     for the period equal to the equivalent lump sum payment (e.g. 1 or 2 years)
     as were  provided at the time of  termination  of his  employment  with the
     Company, at the Company's cost. Upon expiration of benefit coverages,  full
     COBRA benefits (18 months) will be made available to Executive.

     The Executive shall not have a duty to mitigate the damages suffered by him
in connection  with the  termination  by the Company of his  employment  without
Cause or a  resignation  for Good  Reason  during the  Contract  Period.  If the
Company  fails to pay the  Executive the lump sum amount due him hereunder or to
provide him with the health,  hospitalization  and insurance  benefits due under
this section, the Executive, after giving 10 days' written notice to the Company
identifying the Company's failure, shall be entitled to recover from the Company
all of his reasonable  legal fees and expenses  incurred in connection  with his
enforcement  against the Company of the terms of this  Agreement.  The Executive
shall be denied  payment of his legal fees and  expenses  only if a court  finds
that the Executive sought payment of such fees without reasonable cause.

     10.  Resignation  Without Good Reason.  The Executive  shall be entitled to
resign from the  employment of the Company at any time during the Contact Period
without  Good  Reason,  but upon such  resignation  the  Executive  shall not be
entitled to any additional compensation for the time after which he ceases to be
employed by the Company,  and shall not be entitled to any of the other benefits
provided  hereunder.  No such  resignation  shall be effective unless in writing
with four weeks' notice thereof.

     11. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

     a. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.  Except in the course of


                                       12
<PAGE>

     his  employment  with the Company and in the pursuit of the business of the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates,  the Executive shall not,
     at any time during or following the Contract  Period,  disclose or use, any
     confidential  information or proprietary  data of the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries or affiliates.  The Executive agrees that, among other things,
     all information concerning the identity of and the Company's relations with
     its customers is confidential information.

     b. Specific Performance. Executive agrees that the Company does not have an
adequate  remedy at law for the breach of this  section and agrees that he shall
be subject to injunctive relief and equitable remedies as a result of the breach
of this section.  The  invalidity or  unenforceability  of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the force and effect of the remaining valid portions.

     c. Survival.  This section shall survive the termination of the Executive's
employment hereunder and the expiration of this Agreement.

     12. Certain Reduction of Payments by the Company.

     a. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, prior to the
payment  of  any  lump  sum  amount  payable  hereunder,  the  certified  public
accountants  of the  Company  immediately  prior to a  Change  of  Control  (the
"Certified Public  Accountants)  shall determine as promptly as practical and in
any event within 20 business  days  following the  termination  of employment of
Executive  whether  any  payment or  distribution  by the  Company to or for the
benefit  of  the  Executive   (whether  paid  or  payable  or   distributed   or
distributable  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  this  Agreement  or  otherwise)  (a
"Payment")  would more  likely  than not be


                                       13
<PAGE>

nondeductible by the Company for Federal income purposes because of Section 280G
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and if it is then
the aggregate  present value of amounts payable or  distributable  to or for the
benefit of Executive  pursuant to this Agreement (such payments or distributions
pursuant to this Agreement are thereinafter referred to as "Agreement Payments")
shall be reduced  (but not below zero) to the reduced  Amount.  For  purposes of
this  paragraph,  the "Reduced  Amount" shall be an amount  expressed in present
value which maximizes the aggregate present value of Agreement  Payments without
causing any Payment to be  nondeductible  by the Company because of said Section
280G of the Code.

     b. If under paragraph (a) of this section the Certified Public  Accountants
determine  that any Payment would more likely than not be  nondeductible  by the
Company because of Section 280G of the Code, the Company shall promptly give the
Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed  calculation  thereof
and of the  Reduced  Amount,  and the  Executive  may  then  elect,  in his sole
discretion,  which and how much of the Agreement Payments shall be eliminated or
reduced  (as long as after such  election  the  aggregate  present  value of the
Agreement  Payments equals the Reduced Amount),  and shall advise the Company in
writing of his election within 20 business days of his receipt of notice.  If no
such election is made by the Executive  within such 20-day  period,  the Company
may elect which and how much of the  Agreement  Payments  shall be eliminated or
reduced  (as long as after such  election  the  Aggregate  present  Value of the
Agreement  Payments  equals the Reduced  Amount) and shall notify the  Executive
promptly of such election.  For purposes of this paragraph,  present Value shall
be  determined  in  accordance   with  Section   280G(d)(4)  of  the  Code.  All
determinations made by the Certified Public Accountants


                                       14
<PAGE>

shall be binding upon the Company and Executive shall be made within 20 business
days of a  termination  of  employment  of  Executive.  With the  consent of the
Executive, the Company may suspend part or all of the lump sum payment due under
Section 9 hereof and any other payments due to the Executive hereunder until the
Certified Public  Accountants finish the determination and the Executive (or the
Company,  as the case may be) elect how to reduce  the  Agreement  Payments,  if
necessary.  As promptly as  practicable  following  such  determination  and the
elections  hereunder,  the  Company  shall  pay to or  distribute  to or for the
benefit  of  Executive  such  amounts  as are then due to  Executive  under this
Agreement and shall  promptly pay to or distribute  for the benefit of Executive
in the future such amounts as become due to Executive under this Agreement.

     c. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 280G of the
Code, it is possible that  Agreement  Payments may have been made by the Company
which should not have been made  ("Overpayment")  or that  additional  Agreement
Payments  which  will have not been  made by the  Company  could  have been made
("Underpayment"),  in each case,  consistent with the calculation of the Reduced
Amount hereunder. In the event that the Certified Public Accountants, based upon
the  assertion  of a  deficiency  by the Internal  Revenue  Service  against the
Company or Executive which said Certified Public Accountants  believe has a high
probability of success,  determines  that an Overpayment has been made, any such
Overpayment  shall be treated  for all  purposes  as a loan to  Executive  which
Executive  shall repay to the Company  together with interest at the  applicable
Federal  rate  provided  for in  Section  7872(f)(2)(A)  of the Code;  provided,
however,  that no amount shall be payable by Executive to the Company in and for
the extent such payment would not reduce the amount which is subject to taxation
under  Section  4999  of the  Code.


                                       15
<PAGE>

In the event that the  Certified  Public  Accountants,  based  upon  controlling
precedent,  determine that an Underpayment has occurred,  any such  Underpayment
shall be promptly  paid by the  Company to or for the  benefit of the  Executive
together  with interest at the  applicable  Federal rate provided for in Section
7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.

     13. Term and Effect Prior to Change in Control.

     a. Term. Except as otherwise  provided for hereunder,  this Agreement shall
commence on the date  hereof and shall  remain in effect for a period of 3 years
from the date  hereof  (the  "Initial  Term") or until  the end of the  Contract
Period, whichever is later. The Initial Term shall be automatically extended for
an  additional  one year  period on the  anniversary  date  hereof  (so that the
Initial  Term is  always 3 years)  unless,  prior to a Change  in  Control,  the
Personnel  and  Compensation  Committee of the Bank  notifies  the  Executive in
writing  at any time that the  Contract  is not so  extended,  in which case the
Initial Term shall end upon the later of (i) 3 years after the date  hereof,  or
(ii) twenty-four  months after the date of such written notice.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Initial Term shall cease when the
Executive attains age 65.

     b. No Effect Prior to Change in Control.  This  Agreement  shall not effect
any  rights of the  Company  to  terminate  the  Executive  prior to a Change in
Control  or any  rights  of the  Executive  granted  in any other  agreement  or
contract or plan with the  Company.  The rights,  duties and  benefits  provided
hereunder shall only become effective upon and after a Change in Control. If the
full-time  employment  of the  Executive  by the Company is ended for any reason
prior to a Change in Control,  this Agreement shall  thereafter be of no further
force and effect.



                                       16
<PAGE>

     14.  Severance  Compensation  and  Benefits  Not  in  Derogation  of  Other
Benefits. Anything to the contrary herein contained notwithstanding, the payment
or  obligation  to pay any  monies,  or  granting  of any  benefits,  rights  or
privileges  to Executive as provided in this  Agreement  shall not be in lieu or
derogation of the rights and privileges  that the Executive now has or will have
under any plans or programs of or  agreements  with the Company,  except that if
the Executive  received any payment  hereunder,  he shall not be entitled to any
payment under the Company's severance policy for officers and directors.

     15.  Miscellaneous.  This Agreement is the joint and several  obligation of
the Bank and  Valley.  The terms of this  Agreement  shall be  governed  by, and
interpreted  and construed in accordance with the provisions of, the laws of New
Jersey.  This Agreement  supersedes all prior agreements and understandings with
respect to the matters covered hereby,  including  expressly any prior agreement
with the  Company  concerning  change in  control  benefits.  The  amendment  or
termination  of this  Agreement  may be made only in a writing  executed  by the
Company and the  Executive,  and no amendment or  termination  of this Agreement
shall be effective unless and until made in such a writing. This Agreement shall
be binding upon any successor (whether direct or indirect,  by purchase,  merge,
consolidation,  liquidation  or  otherwise) to all or  substantially  all of the
assets of the  Company.  This  Agreement  is personal to the  Executive  and the
Executive  may not  assign  any of his  rights  or  duties  hereunder  but  this
Agreement  shall  be  enforceable  by  the  Executive's  legal  representatives,
executors  or  administrators.  This  Agreement  may be  executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed an  original,  and it shall not be
necessary in making proof of this  Agreement to produce or account for more than
one such counterpart.



                                       17
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Valley National Bank and Valley National Bancorp each
have caused this Agreement to be signed by their duly authorized representatives
pursuant to the  authority of their Boards of  Directors,  and the Executive has
personally  executed  this  Agreement,  all as of the day and year first written
above.

ATTEST:                                        VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

/s/ Alan D. Eskow                              By: /s/ Gerald H. Lipkin
- ------------------------------------             -------------------------------
Alan D. Eskow, Secretary                           Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman
                                                   and Chief Executive Officer

ATTEST:                                        VALLEY NATIONAL BANK

/s/ Alan D. Eskow                              By: /s/ Gerald H. Lipkin
- ------------------------------------             -------------------------------
Alan Eskow, Secretary                              Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman
                                                   and Chief Executive Officer

WITNESS:

/s/ Peter Verbout                                  /s/ Richard Garber
- ------------------------------------               -----------------------------
                                                   Richard Garber, Executive

4/6/92

- ------------------------------------
"Executive" Valley
 National Bank
 Service Date


                                       18



                                                               EXHIBIT (10) B(3)

                           CHANGE-IN-CONTROL AGREEMENT
                          (First Senior Vice President)


     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"),  is made as of this 1st day of
January,   1995,  among  VALLEY  NATIONAL  BANK  ("Bank"),  a  national  banking
association with its principal office at 615 Main Avenue,  Passaic,  New Jersey,
VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP ("Valley"), a New Jersey Corporation which maintains its
principal  office at 1445 Valley Road,  Wayne,  New Jersey  (Valley and the Bank
collectively are the "Company") and ROBERT J. MULLIGAN (the "Executive").

                                   BACKGROUND

     WHEREAS,  the Executive has been  continuously  employed by the Bank for at
least three full years;

     WHEREAS,  the Executive  throughout his tenure has worked diligently in his
position in the business of the Bank and Valley;

     WHEREAS,  the Board of  Directors  of the Bank and Valley  believe that the
future  services of the  Executive are of great value to the Bank and Valley and
that it is  important  for the  growth  and  development  of the  Bank  that the
Executive continue in his position;

     WHEREAS,  if  the  Company  receives  any  proposal  from  a  third  person
concerning a possible  business  combination  with, or  acquisition  of equities
securities of, the Company,  the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
believes  it is  imperative  that the Company and the Board be able to rely upon
the Executive to continue in his position,  and that they be able to receive and
rely  upon his  advice,  if they  request  it, as to the best  interests  of the
Company  and its


                                       1
<PAGE>

shareholders,  without  concern that the  Executive  might be  distracted by the
personal uncertainties and risks created by such a proposal;

     WHEREAS, to achieve that goal, and to retain the Executive's services prior
to any such  activity,  the Board of Directors and the Executive  have agreed to
enter into this Agreement to govern the Executive's  termination benefits in the
event of a Change in Control of the Company, as hereinafter defined.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  to assure  the  Company  that it will have the  continued
dedication  of the  Executive  and the  availability  of his advice and  counsel
notwithstanding  the  possibility,  threat or  occurrence  of a bid to take over
control of the Company,  and to induce the  Executive to remain in the employ of
the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration,  the Company and the
Executive, each intending to be legally bound hereby agree as follows:

     1. Definitions

     a. Base  Salary.  "Base  Salary",  as used in  Section 9 hereof,  means the
annual  cash base  salary  (excluding  any  bonus  and the  value of any  fringe
benefits)  paid to the  Executive at the time of the  termination  of employment
unless such  amount has been  reduced  after a Change in Control,  in which case
such  amount  shall be the highest  base  salary in effect  during the 18 months
prior to the Change in Control.

     b.  Cause.  For  purposes of this  Agreement  "Cause"  with  respect to the
termination by the Company of Executive's  employment shall mean (i) willful and
continued  failure by the  Executive to perform his duties for the Company under
this Agreement after at least


                                       2
<PAGE>

one  warning  in  writing  from the  Company's  Board of  Directors  identifying
specifically  any such  failure;  (ii) the willful  engaging by the Executive in
misconduct which causes material injury to the Company as specified in a written
notice to the Executive  from the Board of Directors;  or (iii)  conviction of a
crime,  other than a traffic  violation,  habitual  drunkenness,  drug abuse, or
excessive  absenteeism other than for illness,  after a warning (with respect to
drunkenness  or  absenteeism  only) in writing  from the Board of  Directors  to
refrain  from  such  behavior.  No act or  failure  to  act on the  part  of the
Executive shall be considered willful unless done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive  not in good faith and  without  reasonable  belief that the action or
omission was in the best interest of the Company.

     c.  Change in  Control.  "Change  in  Control"  means any of the  following
events:  (i) when Valley or a  Subsidiary  acquires  actual  knowledge  that any
person (as such term is used in  Sections  13(d) and  14(d)(2)  of the  Exchange
Act),  other than an affiliate of Valley or a Subsidiary or an employee  benefit
plan  established  or  maintained  by  Valley,  a  Subsidiary  or any  of  their
respective  affiliates,  is or becomes the beneficial  owner (as defined in Rule
13d-3 of the Exchange  Act)  directly or  indirectly,  of  securities  of Valley
representing more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the combined voting power of
Valley's then outstanding  securities (a "Control Person"),  (ii) upon the first
purchase of Valley's  common stock pursuant to a tender or exchange offer (other
than a tender or  exchange  offer made by Valley,  a  Subsidiary  or an employee
benefit plan  established or maintained by Valley,  a Subsidiary or any of their
respective affiliates),  (iii) upon the approval by Valley's stockholders of (A)
a merger or consolidation of Valley with or into


                                       3
<PAGE>

another  corporation (other than a merger or consolidation  which is approved by
at least two-thirds of the Continuing  Directors (as hereinafter defined) or the
definitive  agreement  for  which  provides  that  at  least  two-thirds  of the
directors  of the  surviving  or  resulting  corporation  immediately  after the
transaction   are   Continuing   Directors  (in  either  case,  a   "Non-Control
Transaction")),  (B) a  sale  or  disposition  of all  or  substantially  all of
Valley's  assets or (C) a plan of liquidation or dissolution of Valley,  (iv) if
during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning
of such period  constitute the Board (the "Continuing  Directors") cease for any
reason to constitute  at least  two-thirds  thereof or,  following a Non-Control
Transaction,  two-thirds of the board of directors of the surviving or resulting
corporation;  provided that any  individual  whose  election or  nomination  for
election as a member of the Board (or, following a Non-Control Transaction,  the
board of directors of the surviving or resulting  corporation) was approved by a
vote of at least two-thirds of the Continuing  Directors then in office shall be
considered a Continuing Director,  or (v) upon a sale of (A) common stock of the
Bank if after such sale any  person  (as such term is used in Section  13(d) and
14(d)(2)  of the  Exchange  Act) other than  Valley,  an employee  benefit  plan
established  or maintained by Valley or a Subsidiary,  or an affiliate of Valley
or a  Subsidiary,  owns a  majority  of the  Bank's  common  stock or (B) all or
substantially  all of the Bank's  assets  (other than in the ordinary  course of
business). No person shall be considered a Control Person for purposes of clause
(i) above if (A) such person is or becomes  the  beneficial  owner,  directly or
indirectly,  of more than ten percent  (10%) but less than  twenty-five  percent
(25%) of the combined  voting power of Valley's then  outstanding  securities if
the  acquisition  of all voting  securities  in excess of ten


                                       4
<PAGE>

percent (10%) was approved in advance by a majority of the Continuing  Directors
then in office or (B) such person acquires in excess of ten percent (10%) of the
combined  voting  power  of  Valley's  then  outstanding  voting  securities  in
violation of law and by order of a court of competent  jurisdiction,  settlement
or otherwise,  disposes or is required to dispose of all securities  acquired in
violation of law.

     d. Continuously Employed.  "Continuously  employed",  as used in Section 9,
means continuously employed by the Bank but excludes any period of employment by
a bank or financial institution acquired by or merged into the Bank and excludes
any  period  of  employment  by the Bank if such  period is  separated  from the
current employment with the Bank by a break in service (other a break in service
resulting solely from illness, disability or family leave).

     e. Contract Period.  "Contract Period" shall mean the period commencing the
day  immediately  preceding a Change in Control and ending on the earlier of (i)
the first  anniversary  of the Change in Control or (ii) the date the  Executive
would attain age 65 or (iii) the death of the Executive. For the purpose of this
Agreement,  a Change in  Control  shall be deemed to have  occurred  at the date
specified in the definition of Change-in-Control.

     f. Exchange Act. "Exchange Act" means the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

     g. Good  Reason.  When used with  reference to a voluntary  termination  by
Executive of his  employment  with the Company,  "Good Reason" shall mean any of
the following, if taken without Executive's express written consent:



                                       5
<PAGE>

          (1) The  assignment to Executive of any duties  inconsistent  with, or
     the reduction of powers or functions associated with, Executive's position,
     duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to a
     Change in Control.  A change in title or positions  resulting merely from a
     merger of the Company into or with  another bank or company  which does not
     downgrade in any way the Executive's  powers,  duties and  responsibilities
     shall not meet the requirements of this paragraph;

          (2) A reduction by the Company in Executive's annual base compensation
     as in effect  immediately  prior to a Change in Control  or the  failure to
     award Executive annual increases in accordance herewith;

          (3) A failure  by the  Company  to  continue  any bonus  plan in which
     Executive  participated  immediately  prior to the  Change in  control or a
     failure by the Company to continue  Executive as a participant in such plan
     on at least the same basis as Executive  participated in such plan prior to
     the Change in Control;

          (4) The Company's transfer of Executive to another geographic location
     more than 35 miles from his present  office  location,  except for required
     travel on the Company's business to an extent substantially consistent with
     Executive's business travel obligations immediately prior to such Change in
     Control;

          (5) The  failure by the  Company to  continue  in effect any  employee
     benefit plan,  program or arrangement  (including,  without  limitation the
     Company's  retirement plan, benefit equalization plan, life insurance plan,
     health and accident plan,  disability


                                       6
<PAGE>

     plan,  deferred  compensation  plan or long term stock  incentive  plan) in
     which Executive is participating  immediately  prior to a Change in Control
     (except  that the Company may  institute  or  continue  plans,  programs or
     arrangements providing Executive with substantially similar benefits);  the
     taking  of  any  action  by  the  Company  which  would  adversely   affect
     Executive's  participation  in or materially  reduce  Executive's  benefits
     under,  any of  such  plans,  programs  or  arrangements;  the  failure  to
     continue, or the taking of any action which would deprive Executive, of any
     material  fringe  benefit  enjoyed by Executive  immediately  prior to such
     Change in Control;  or the failure by the Company to provide Executive with
     the  number  of  paid  vacation  days  to  which   Executive  was  entitled
     immediately prior to such Change in Control;

          (6) The failure by the Company to obtain an  assumption  in writing of
     the  obligations  of the Company to perform this Agreement by any successor
     to the Company and to provide such assumption to the Executive prior to any
     Change in Control; or

          (7) Any purported termination of Executive's employment by the Company
     during the term of this Agreement which is not effected  pursuant to all of
     the requirements of this Agreement; and, for purposes of this Agreement, no
     such purported termination shall be effective.

     h. Pro-rata Bonus Amount.  "Pro-rata  Bonus Amount",  as used in Section 9,
means an amount  equal to a  "portion"  of the  highest  cash  bonus paid to the
Executive  in the  three  calendar  years  immediately  prior to the  Change  in
Control. The "portion" of such cash bonus shall be a fraction,  the numerator of
which is the number of calendar  months or part thereof  which the


                                       7
<PAGE>

Executive  has worked in the calendar year in which the  termination  occurs and
the denominator of which is 12.

     i. Subsidiary.  "Subsidiary"  means any corporation in an unbroken chain of
corporations,  beginning with Valley, if each of the corporations other than the
last  corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the
total  combined  voting  power  of all  classes  of  stock  in one of the  other
corporations in such chain.

     2. Employment.  The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive,  and the
Executive hereby accepts  employment,  during the Contract Period upon the terms
and conditions set forth herein.

     3. Position.  During the Contract Period the Executive shall be employed by
the bank as a Senior  Officer,  or such other  corporate  or  divisional  profit
center as shall then be the  principal  successor  to the  business,  assets and
properties of the Company, with substantially the same title and the same duties
and responsibilities as before the Change in Control. The Executive shall devote
his full time and attention to the business of the Company, and shall not during
the Contract  Period be engaged in any other business  activity.  This paragraph
shall not be construed as preventing the Executive from managing any investments
of his which do not  require any  service on his part in the  operation  of such
investments.

     4. Cash Compensation.  The Company shall pay to the Executive  compensation
for his services during the Contract Period as follows:

          a. Base Salary.  A base annual  salary  equal to the annual  salary in

                                       8

<PAGE>

     effect as of the Change in Control.  The annual  salary shall be payable in
     installments in accordance with the Company's usual payroll method.

          b. Annual Bonus. An annual cash bonus equal to at least the average of
     the bonuses paid to the Executive in the three years prior to the Change in
     Control. The bonus shall be payable at the time and in the manner which the
     Company paid such bonuses prior to the Change in Control.

          c. Annual  Review.  The Board of Directors  of the Company  during the
     Contract Period shall review annually,  or at more frequent intervals which
     the Board determines is appropriate, the Executive's compensation and shall
     award him additional  compensation to reflect the Executive's  performance,
     the performance of the Company and competitive  compensation levels, all as
     determined in the discretion of the Board of Directors.

     5. Expenses and Fringe Benefits.

     a. Expenses. During the Contract Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
reimbursement  for all  business  expenses  incurred by him with  respect to the
business  of the  Company  in the same  manner  and to the same  extent  as such
expenses were previously  reimbursed to him  immediately  prior to the Change in
Control.

     b. Benefit  Equalization Plan. During the Contract Period, if the Executive
was entitled to benefits under the Company's  Benefit  Equalization Plan ("BEP")
prior to the Change in Control,  the  Executive  shall be entitled to  continued
benefits  under  the BEP after the  Change  in  Control  and such BEP may not be
modified to reduce or eliminate such benefits during


                                       9
<PAGE>

the Contract Period.

     c. Club Membership and Automobile.  If prior to the Change in Control,  the
Executive  was  entitled to  membership  in a country  club and/or the use of an
automobile,  he  shall  be  entitled  to the same  membership  and/or  use of an
automobile at least  comparable to the  automobile  provided to him prior to the
Change in Control.

     d. Other  Benefits.  The Executive  also shall be entitled to vacations and
sick days, in accordance  with the practices and  procedures of the Company,  as
such  existed  immediately  prior to the Change in Control.  During the Contract
Period,  the Executive also shall be entitled to hospital,  health,  medical and
life  insurance,  and any other benefits  enjoyed,  from time to time, by senior
officers of the Company,  all upon terms as favorable as those  enjoyed by other
senior officers of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph 5(d)
to the contrary,  if the Company adopts any change in the benefits  provided for
senior  officers of the  Company,  and such policy is  uniformly  applied to all
officers of the Company (and any successor or acquiror of the Company,  if any),
then no such change shall be deemed to be contrary to this paragraph.

     6. Termination for Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate the
Executive for Cause,  upon written notice to him of the termination which notice
shall specify the reasons for the  termination.  In the event of termination for
Cause the  Executive  shall not be entitled to any further  benefits  under this
Agreement.

     7.  Disability.  During  the  Contract  Period  if  the  Executive  becomes
permanently  disabled,  or is unable  to  perform  his  duties  hereunder  for 4
consecutive  months  in any


                                       10
<PAGE>

12 month period,  the Company may terminate the employment of the Executive.  In
such event,  the Executive  shall not be entitled to any further  benefits under
this Agreement.

     8. Death Benefits.  Upon the Executive's  death during the Contract Period,
his estate shall not be entitled to any further benefits under this Agreement.

     9.  Termination  Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason.  The Company
may terminate the Executive  without Cause during the Contract Period by written
notice to the Executive  providing  four weeks notice.  The Executive may resign
for Good Reason during the Contract  Period upon four weeks'  written  notice to
the  Company  specifying  facts and  circumstances  claimed to support  the Good
Reason. The Executive shall be entitled to give a Notice of Termination that his
or her  employment  is being  terminated  for Good Reason at any time during the
Contract  Period,  not later than twelve months after any occurrence of an event
stated to constitute  Good Reason.  If the Company  terminates  the  Executive's
employment  during the Contract Period without Cause or if the Executive Resigns
for Good Reason, the Company shall, subject to section 12 hereof:

          a. Within 20 business days of the  termination  of employment  pay the
     Executive a lump sum equal to: (i), if the Executive has been  continuously
     employed by the Bank for 6 full years or more, two (2) years of Base Salary
     plus  a  Pro-rata   Bonus  Amount  or  (ii),  if  the  Executive  has  been
     continuously  employed by the Bank for less than 6 full years but more than
     three years, then one (1) year of Base Salary plus a Pro-rata Bonus Amount;
     and

          b.  Continue to provide the Executive  with  medical,  dental and life
     insurance


                                       11
<PAGE>

     for the period equal to the equivalent lump sum payment (e.g. 1 or 2 years)
     as were  provided at the time of  termination  of his  employment  with the
     Company, at the Company's cost. Upon expiration of benefit coverages,  full
     COBRA benefits (18 months) will be made available to Executive.

     The Executive shall not have a duty to mitigate the damages suffered by him
in connection  with the  termination  by the Company of his  employment  without
Cause or a  resignation  for Good  Reason  during the  Contract  Period.  If the
Company  fails to pay the  Executive the lump sum amount due him hereunder or to
provide him with the health,  hospitalization  and insurance  benefits due under
this section, the Executive, after giving 10 days' written notice to the Company
identifying the Company's failure, shall be entitled to recover from the Company
all of his reasonable  legal fees and expenses  incurred in connection  with his
enforcement  against the Company of the terms of this  Agreement.  The Executive
shall be denied  payment of his legal fees and  expenses  only if a court  finds
that the Executive sought payment of such fees without reasonable cause.

     10.  Resignation  Without Good Reason.  The Executive  shall be entitled to
resign from the  employment of the Company at any time during the Contact Period
without  Good  Reason,  but upon such  resignation  the  Executive  shall not be
entitled to any additional compensation for the time after which he ceases to be
employed by the Company,  and shall not be entitled to any of the other benefits
provided  hereunder.  No such  resignation  shall be effective unless in writing
with four weeks' notice thereof.

     11. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

     a. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.  Except in the course of


                                       12
<PAGE>

his  employment  with the  Company  and in the  pursuit of the  business  of the
Company or any of its  subsidiaries  or affiliates,  the Executive shall not, at
any  time  during  or  following  the  Contract  Period,  disclose  or use,  any
confidential  information  or  proprietary  data  of the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates.  The Executive agrees that, among other things,  all
information  concerning  the identity of and the  Company's  relations  with its
customers is confidential information.

     b. Specific Performance. Executive agrees that the Company does not have an
adequate  remedy at law for the breach of this  section and agrees that he shall
be subject to injunctive relief and equitable remedies as a result of the breach
of this section.  The  invalidity or  unenforceability  of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the force and effect of the remaining valid portions.

     c. Survival.  This section shall survive the termination of the Executive's
employment hereunder and the expiration of this Agreement.

     12. Certain Reduction of Payments by the Company.

     a. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, prior to the
payment  of  any  lump  sum  amount  payable  hereunder,  the  certified  public
accountants  of the  Company  immediately  prior to a  Change  of  Control  (the
"Certified Public  Accountants)  shall determine as promptly as practical and in
any event within 20 business  days  following the  termination  of employment of
Executive  whether  any  payment or  distribution  by the  Company to or for the
benefit  of  the  Executive   (whether  paid  or  payable  or   distributed   or
distributable  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  this  Agreement  or  otherwise)  (a
"Payment")  would more  likely  than not be


                                       13
<PAGE>

nondeductible by the Company for Federal income purposes because of Section 280G
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and if it is then
the aggregate  present value of amounts payable or  distributable  to or for the
benefit of Executive  pursuant to this Agreement (such payments or distributions
pursuant to this Agreement are thereinafter referred to as "Agreement Payments")
shall be reduced  (but not below zero) to the reduced  Amount.  For  purposes of
this  paragraph,  the "Reduced  Amount" shall be an amount  expressed in present
value which maximizes the aggregate present value of Agreement  Payments without
causing any Payment to be  nondeductible  by the Company because of said Section
280G of the Code.

     b. If under paragraph (a) of this section the Certified Public  Accountants
determine  that any Payment would more likely than not be  nondeductible  by the
Company because of Section 280G of the Code, the Company shall promptly give the
Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed  calculation  thereof
and of the  Reduced  Amount,  and the  Executive  may  then  elect,  in his sole
discretion,  which and how much of the Agreement Payments shall be eliminated or
reduced  (as long as after such  election  the  aggregate  present  value of the
Agreement  Payments equals the Reduced Amount),  and shall advise the Company in
writing of his election within 20 business days of his receipt of notice.  If no
such election is made by the Executive  within such 20-day  period,  the Company
may elect which and how much of the  Agreement  Payments  shall be eliminated or
reduced  (as long as after such  election  the  Aggregate  present  Value of the
Agreement  Payments  equals the Reduced  Amount) and shall notify the  Executive
promptly of such election.  For purposes of this paragraph,  present Value shall
be  determined  in  accordance   with  Section   280G(d)(4)  of  the  Code.  All
determinations  made by the Certified Public  Accountants


                                       14
<PAGE>

shall be binding upon the Company and Executive shall be made within 20 business
days of a  termination  of  employment  of  Executive.  With the  consent of the
Executive, the Company may suspend part or all of the lump sum payment due under
Section 9 hereof and any other payments due to the Executive hereunder until the
Certified Public  Accountants finish the determination and the Executive (or the
Company,  as the case may be) elect how to reduce  the  Agreement  Payments,  if
necessary.  As promptly as  practicable  following  such  determination  and the
elections  hereunder,  the  Company  shall  pay to or  distribute  to or for the
benefit  of  Executive  such  amounts  as are then due to  Executive  under this
Agreement and shall  promptly pay to or distribute  for the benefit of Executive
in the future such amounts as become due to Executive under this Agreement.

     c. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 280G of the
Code, it is possible that  Agreement  Payments may have been made by the Company
which should not have been made  ("Overpayment")  or that  additional  Agreement
Payments  which  will have not been  made by the  Company  could  have been made
("Underpayment"),  in each case,  consistent with the calculation of the Reduced
Amount hereunder. In the event that the Certified Public Accountants, based upon
the  assertion  of a  deficiency  by the Internal  Revenue  Service  against the
Company or Executive which said Certified Public Accountants  believe has a high
probability of success,  determines  that an Overpayment has been made, any such
Overpayment  shall be treated  for all  purposes  as a loan to  Executive  which
Executive  shall repay to the Company  together with interest at the  applicable
Federal  rate  provided  for in  Section  7872(f)(2)(A)  of the Code;  provided,
however,  that no amount shall be payable by Executive to the Company in and for
the extent such payment would not reduce the amount which is subject to taxation
under  Section  4999  of the  Code.



                                       15
<PAGE>

In the event that the  Certified  Public  Accountants,  based  upon  controlling
precedent,  determine that an Underpayment has occurred,  any such  Underpayment
shall be promptly  paid by the  Company to or for the  benefit of the  Executive
together  with interest at the  applicable  Federal rate provided for in Section
7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.

     13. Term and Effect Prior to Change in Control.

     a. Term. Except as otherwise  provided for hereunder,  this Agreement shall
commence on the date  hereof and shall  remain in effect for a period of 3 years
from the date  hereof  (the  "Initial  Term") or until  the end of the  Contract
Period, whichever is later. The Initial Term shall be automatically extended for
an  additional  one year  period on the  anniversary  date  hereof  (so that the
Initial  Term is  always 3 years)  unless,  prior to a Change  in  Control,  the
Personnel  and  Compensation  Committee of the Bank  notifies  the  Executive in
writing  at any time that the  Contract  is not so  extended,  in which case the
Initial Term shall end upon the later of (i) 3 years after the date  hereof,  or
(ii) twenty-four  months after the date of such written notice.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Initial Term shall cease when the
Executive attains age 65.

     b. No Effect Prior to Change in Control.  This  Agreement  shall not effect
any  rights of the  Company  to  terminate  the  Executive  prior to a Change in
Control  or any  rights  of the  Executive  granted  in any other  agreement  or
contract or plan with the  Company.  The rights,  duties and  benefits  provided
hereunder shall only become effective upon and after a Change in Control. If the
full-time  employment  of the  Executive  by the Company is ended for any reason
prior to a Change in Control,  this Agreement shall  thereafter be of no further
force and effect.



                                       16
<PAGE>

     14.  Severance  Compensation  and  Benefits  Not  in  Derogation  of  Other
Benefits. Anything to the contrary herein contained notwithstanding, the payment
or  obligation  to pay any  monies,  or  granting  of any  benefits,  rights  or
privileges  to Executive as provided in this  Agreement  shall not be in lieu or
derogation of the rights and privileges  that the Executive now has or will have
under any plans or programs of or  agreements  with the Company,  except that if
the Executive  received any payment  hereunder,  he shall not be entitled to any
payment under the Company's severance policy for officers and directors.

     15.  Miscellaneous.  This Agreement is the joint and several  obligation of
the Bank and  Valley.  The terms of this  Agreement  shall be  governed  by, and
interpreted  and construed in accordance with the provisions of, the laws of New
Jersey.  This Agreement  supersedes all prior agreements and understandings with
respect to the matters covered hereby,  including  expressly any prior agreement
with the  Company  concerning  change in  control  benefits.  The  amendment  or
termination  of this  Agreement  may be made only in a writing  executed  by the
Company and the  Executive,  and no amendment or  termination  of this Agreement
shall be effective unless and until made in such a writing. This Agreement shall
be binding upon any successor (whether direct or indirect,  by purchase,  merge,
consolidation,  liquidation  or  otherwise) to all or  substantially  all of the
assets of the  Company.  This  Agreement  is personal to the  Executive  and the
Executive  may not  assign  any of his  rights  or  duties  hereunder  but  this
Agreement  shall  be  enforceable  by  the  Executive's  legal  representatives,
executors  or  administrators.  This  Agreement  may be  executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed an  original,  and it shall not be
necessary in making proof of this  Agreement to produce or account for more than
one such counterpart.



                                       17
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Valley National Bank and Valley National Bancorp each
have caused this Agreement to be signed by their duly authorized representatives
pursuant to the  authority of their Boards of  Directors,  and the Executive has
personally  executed  this  Agreement,  all as of the day and year first written
above.

ATTEST:                                         VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

/s/ Alan D. Eskow                               By: /s/ Gerald H. Lipkin
- ---------------------------------                   --------------------
Alan Eskow, Secretary                               Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman
                                                    and Chief Executive Officer

ATTEST:                                         VALLEY NATIONAL BANK

/s/ Alan D. Eskow                               By: /s/ Gerald H. Lipkin
- ---------------------------------               ---------------------
Alan Eskow, Secretary                               Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman
                                                    and Chief Executive Officer

WITNESS:

/s/ Peter Verbout                               /s/ Robert J. Mulligan
- ---------------------------------               --------------------------------
                                                Robert J. Mulligan, Executive


May 1, 1991
- ---------------------------------
"Executive" Valley
 National Bank
 Service Date


                                       18



                             VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP
                       1999 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                     (Adopted by Directors January 19, 1999)
                     (Adopted by Shareholders April 7, 1999)


     1. Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan is to provide additional  incentive to
those  officers  and key  employees  of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  whose
substantial  contributions  are essential to the continued growth and success of
the Company's  business in order to strengthen  their  commitment to the Company
and its Subsidiaries,  to motivate such officers and employees to faithfully and
diligently  perform their  assigned  responsibilities  and to attract and retain
competent and dedicated  individuals  whose efforts will result in the long-term
growth and profitability of the Company.  To accomplish such purposes,  the Plan
provides that the Company may grant Incentive Stock Options,  Nonqualified Stock
Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Stock Appreciation Rights.

     2. Definitions. For purposes of this Plan:

          (a) "Agreement" means the written agreement between the Company and an
     Optionee or Grantee  evidencing the grant of an Option or Award and setting
     forth the terms and conditions thereof.

          (b) "Award"  means a grant of Restricted  Stock or Stock  Appreciation
     Rights, or either or both of them.

          (c) "Bank" means Valley National Bank, a Subsidiary.

          (d) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (e)  "Cause"  means the  willful  failure by an Optionee or Grantee to
     perform his duties with the Company or with any  Subsidiary  or the willful
     engaging in conduct  which is injurious  to the Company or any  Subsidiary,
     monetarily or otherwise.

          (f) "Change in Capitalization" means any increase,  reduction,  change
     or  exchange  of Shares for a  different  number or kind of shares or other
     securities   of   the   Company   by   reason   of   a    reclassification,
     recapitalization,   merger,  consolidation,   reorganization,  issuance  of
     warrants or rights,  stock  dividend,  stock split or reverse  stock split,
     combination  or  exchange  of  shares,  repurchase  of  shares,  change  in
     corporate structure or otherwise.

          (g) "Change in Control"  means any of the following  events:  (i) when
     the Company or a Subsidiary  acquires actual  knowledge that any person (as
     such term is used in  Sections  13(d) and  14(d)(2) of the  Exchange  Act),
     other than an  affiliate  of the  Company or a  Subsidiary  or an  employee
     benefit plan established or maintained by the Company,  a Subsidiary or any
     of their  respective  affiliates,  is or becomes the  beneficial  owner (as
     defined in Rule 13d-3 of the  Exchange  Act)  directly  or  indirectly,  of
     securities of the Company  representing more than twenty-five percent (25%)
     of the combined voting power of the Company's then  outstanding  securities
     (a "Control Person"),  (ii) upon the first purchase of the Company's common
     stock  pursuant  to a tender  or  exchange  offer  (other  than a tender or
     exchange  offer made by the Company,  a Subsidiary  or an employee  benefit
     plan established or maintained by the Company, a Subsidiary or any of their
     respective   affiliates),   (iii)  upon  the  approval  by  the   Company's
     shareholders of (A) a merger or  consolidation  of the Company with or into
     another corporation (other than a merger or consolidation which is approved
     by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors (as hereinafter defined)
     or the definitive  agreement for which provides that at least two-thirds of
     the directors of the surviving or resulting  corporation  immediately after
     the  transaction  are Continuing  Directors (in either case, a "Non-Control
     Transaction")),  (B) a sale or disposition of all or  substantially  all of
     the Company's  assets or (C) a plan of  liquidation  or  dissolution of the
     Company,   (iv)  if  during  any  period  of  two  (2)  consecutive  years,
     individuals  who at the beginning of such period  constitute the Board (the
     "Continuing  Directors")  cease  for any  reason  to  constitute  at  least
     two-thirds thereof or, following a Non-Control  Transaction,  two-thirds of
     the board of directors of the surviving or resulting corporation;  provided
     that any  individual  whose election or nomination for election as a member
     of the  Board  (or,  following  a  Non-Control  Transaction,  the  board


                                       1
<PAGE>

     of directors of the surviving or resulting  corporation)  was approved by a
     vote of at least  two-thirds  of the  Continuing  Directors  then in office
     shall be considered a Continuing Director, or (v) upon a sale of (A) common
     stock of the Bank if after  such sale any  person  (as such term is used in
     Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company,  an
     employee  benefit  plan  established  or  maintained  by the  Company  or a
     Subsidiary, or an affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary, owns a majority
     of the Bank's  common stock or (B) all or  substantially  all of the Bank's
     assets (other than in the ordinary course of business).  No person shall be
     considered  a Control  Person for  purposes of clause (i) above if (A) such
     person is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,  of more
     than ten  percent  (10%) but less  than  twenty-five  percent  (25%) of the
     combined voting power of the Company's then  outstanding  securities if the
     acquisition  of all voting  securities  in excess of ten percent  (10%) was
     approved  in advance  by a majority  of the  Continuing  Directors  then in
     office or (B) such person  acquires  in excess of ten percent  (10%) of the
     combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding  voting  securities
     in  violation  of law and by order of a court  of  competent  jurisdiction,
     settlement  or  otherwise,  disposes  or is  required  to  dispose  of  all
     securities acquired in violation of law.

          (h) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          (i) "Committee" means a committee consisting solely of two (2) or more
     directors who are  Non-Employee  Directors (as defined in Rule 16b-3 of the
     Exchange  Act as it may be amended  from time to time) of the  Company  and
     outside  directors as defined pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code (as it
     may be amended from time to time)  appointed by the Board to administer the
     Plan and to perform the functions set forth herein.  Directors appointed by
     the Board to the Committee shall have the authority to act  notwithstanding
     the failure to be so qualified.

          (j) "Company" means Valley National Bancorp, a New Jersey corporation.

          (k) "Disability"  means the condition which results when an individual
     has become  permanently and totally  disabled within the meaning of Section
     105(d)(4) of the Code.

          (l) "Eligible Employee" means any officer or other key employee of the
     Company or a Subsidiary  designated by the Committee as eligible to receive
     Options or Awards subject to the conditions set forth herein.

          (m) "Escrow Agent" means the escrow agent under the Escrow  Agreement,
     designated by the Committee.

          (n) "Escrow  Agreement"  means an agreement  between the Company,  the
     Escrow Agent and a Grantee,  in the form specified by the Committee,  under
     which shares of Restricted  Stock awarded  pursuant hereto shall be held by
     the Escrow Agent until either (a) the restrictions  relating to such shares
     expire and the  shares  are  delivered  to the  Grantee or (b) the  Company
     reacquires the shares  pursuant  hereto and the shares are delivered to the
     Company.

          (o)  "Exchange  Act" means the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
     amended.

          (p) "Fair  Market  Value" means the fair market value of the Shares as
     determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that
     (A) if the Shares are admitted to quotation on the National  Association of
     Securities   Dealers   Automated   Quotation  System  ("NASDAQ")  or  other
     comparable  quotation  system and have been designated as a National Market
     System  ("NMS")  security,  Fair Market Value on any date shall be the last
     sale price  reported  for the Shares on such  system on such date or on the
     last day  preceding  such  date on which a sale  was  reported,  (B) if the
     Shares are admitted to  quotation on NASDAQ and have not been  designated a
     NMS  security,  Fair  Market  Value on any date shall be the average of the
     highest  bid and lowest  asked  prices of the Shares on such system on such
     date, or (C) if the Shares are admitted to trading on a national securities
     exchange,  Fair  Market  Value on any date  shall  be the last  sale  price
     reported  for the Shares on such  exchange on such date or on the last date
     preceding such date on which a sale was reported.

          (q)  "Grantee"  means a person to whom an Award has been granted under
     the Plan.


                                       2
<PAGE>


          (r)  "Incentive  Stock  Option"  means an Option within the meaning of
     Section 422 of the Code.

          (s)  "Nonqualified  Stock  Option"  means  an  Option  which is not an
     Incentive Stock Option.

          (t) "Option" means an Incentive  Stock Option,  a  Nonqualified  Stock
     Option, or either or both of them.

          (u) "Optionee" means a person to whom an Option has been granted under
     the Plan.

          (v)  "Parent"   means  any   corporation   in  an  unbroken  chain  of
     corporations  ending with the Company,  if each of the  corporations  other
     than the Company owns stock  possessing  50% or more of the total  combined
     voting  power of all classes of stock of one of the other  corporations  in
     such chain.

          (w) "Plan"  means the Valley  National  Bancorp 1999  Long-Term  Stock
     Incentive  Plan as set forth in this  instrument  and as it may be  amended
     from time to time.

          (x)  "Restricted  Stock"  means  Shares  issued or  transferred  to an
     Eligible  Employee which are subject to restrictions as provided in Section
     8 hereof.

          (aa)  "Retirement"  means the retirement from active employment by the
     Company of an employee or officer but only if such person  meets all of the
     following  requirements:  (i) he has a minimum  combined  total of years of
     service  and age equal to eighty  (80),  (ii) he is age  sixty-two  (62) or
     older,  and (iii) he provides  six (6) months prior  written  notice to the
     Company of the retirement.  An employee or officer who retires but fails to
     meet such  conditions  shall not be deemed to be within the  definition  of
     "Retirement" for any purpose under this Plan or any Award or Option granted
     thereunder.

          (ab)  "Shares"  means the common stock,  no par value,  of the Company
     (including any new,  additional or different stock or securities  resulting
     from a Change in Capitalization).

          (ac) "Stock  Appreciation  Right" means a right to receive all or some
     portion of the  increase in the value of shares of Common Stock as provided
     in Section 7 hereof.

          (ad)  "Subsidiary"  means  any  corporation  in an  unbroken  chain of
     corporations, beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other
     than the last  corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock  possessing 50%
     or more of the total  combined  voting power of all classes of stock in one
     of the other corporations in such chain.

          (ae)  "Successor  Corporation"  means a  corporation,  or a parent  or
     subsidiary thereof, which issues or assumes a stock option in a transaction
     to which Section 425(a) of the Code applies.

          (af) "Ten-Percent Shareholder" means an eligible Employee, who, at the
     time an Incentive  Stock  Option is to be granted to him,  owns (within the
     meaning of Section  422(b)(6) of the Code) stock  possessing  more than ten
     percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
     the  Company,  a Parent or a  Subsidiary  within  the  meaning  of  Section
     422(b)(6) of the Code.



                                       3
<PAGE>

     3. Administration.

          (a) The Plan shall be  administered  by the Committee which shall hold
     meetings at such times as may be necessary for the proper administration of
     the Plan. The Committee  shall keep minutes of its meetings.  A majority of
     the  Committee  shall  constitute  a quorum and a majority  of a quorum may
     authorize any action.  Each member of the Committee shall be a Non-Employee
     Director (as defined in Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act as it may be amended
     from time to time) and an outside  director as defined  pursuant to Section
     162(m) of the Code as it may be amended from time to time. No failure to be
     so qualified shall invalidate any Option or Award or any action or inaction
     under the Plan. No member of the Committee  shall be personally  liable for
     any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect
     to the Plan,  the Options or the Awards,  and all members of the  Committee
     shall be fully  indemnified by the Company with respect to any such action,
     determination or interpretation.

          Subject to the express  terms and  conditions  set forth  herein,  the
     Committee shall have the power from time to time:

               (1) to determine  those Eligible  Employees to whom Options shall
          be granted  under the Plan and the number of Incentive  Stock  Options
          and/or  Nonqualified  Options to be granted to each eligible  Employee
          and  to  prescribe  the  terms  and  conditions  (which  need  not  be
          identical) of each Option,  including the purchase  price per share of
          each Option;

               (2) to select  those  Eligible  Employees to whom Awards shall be
          granted  under  the Plan and to  determine  the  number  of  shares of
          Restricted  Stock  and/or  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  to be  granted
          pursuant  to each  Award,  the terms  and  conditions  of each  Award,
          including the  restrictions or performance  criteria  relating to such
          shares or rights,  the purchase price per share, if any, of Restricted
          Stock and whether Stock  Appreciation  Rights will be granted alone or
          in conjunction with an Option;

               (3) to construe and interpret the Plan and the Options and Awards
          granted  thereunder  and to  establish,  amend  and  revoke  rules and
          regulations for the  administration  of the Plan,  including,  but not
          limited  to,  correcting  any defect or  supplying  any  omission,  or
          reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Agreement,  in the
          manner and to the extent it shall deem  necessary or advisable to make
          the Plan fully effective,  and all decisions and determinations by the
          Committee  in the  exercise  of this power  shall be final and binding
          upon the Company or a Subsidiary,  the Optionees and the Grantees,  as
          the case may be;

               (4) to determine  the duration and purposes for leaves of absence
          which may be granted to an Optionee or Grantee without  constituting a
          termination of employment or service for purposes of the Plan; and

               (5)  generally,  to exercise such powers and to perform such acts
          as are deemed  necessary or advisable to promote the best interests of
          the Company with respect to the Plan.

     4. Stock Subject to Plan.

          (a) The  maximum  number of Shares  that may be issued or  transferred
     pursuant to all Options and Awards  under this Plan is  2,500,000  of which
     not more than  250,000  Shares  may be issued or  transferred  pursuant  to
     Options  and/or  Awards  to  any  one  Eligible  Employee.  Subject  to the
     foregoing aggregate limitations,  the maximum number of Shares (i) that may
     be issued or transferred  pursuant to Options or Awards for Incentive Stock
     Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be
     2,000,000 and (ii) that may be issued or transferred  pursuant to Awards of
     Restricted  Stock  shall  be  500,000.  In  each  case,  upon a  Change  in
     Capitalization  after the adoption of this Plan by the Board on January 19,
     1999,  the  Shares  shall be  adjusted  to the number and kind of Shares of
     stock or other securities existing after such Change in Capitalization.

          The number of Shares set forth herein includes Shares awarded pursuant
     to all Options and Awards  issued or  transferred  under this Plan prior to
     the date of the  amendment  to this  section and the number of Shares takes
     into account all Changes in Capitalization prior to January 18, 1999.



                                       4
<PAGE>

          (b) Whenever any  outstanding  Option or portion thereof  expires,  is
     cancelled or is otherwise  terminated (other than by exercise of the Option
     or any  related  Stock  Appreciation  Right),  the  shares of Common  Stock
     allocable  to the  unexercised  portion  of such  Option  may  again be the
     subject of Options and Awards hereunder.

          (c)  Whenever  any Shares  subject to an Award or Option are resold to
     the Company,  or are forfeited for any reason  pursuant to the terms of the
     Plan, such Shares may again be the subject of Options and Awards hereunder.

     5. Eligibility.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall
have full and  final  authority  to select  those  Eligible  Employees  who will
receive  Options and/or Awards but no person shall receive any Options or Awards
unless he is an employee of the Company or a  Subsidiary  at the time the Option
or Award is granted.

     6. Stock  Options.  The Committee may grant Options in accordance  with the
Plan, the terms and conditions of which shall be set forth in an Agreement. Each
Option and Option Agreement shall be subject to the following conditions:

          (a)  Purchase  Price.  The  purchase  price or the manner in which the
     purchase  price is to be  determined  for Shares under each Option shall be
     set forth in the  Agreement,  provided  that the  purchase  price per Share
     under each  Incentive  Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair
     Market Value of a Share at the time the Option is granted (110% in the case
     of an Incentive  Stock Option  granted to a  Ten-Percent  Shareholder)  and
     under each Nonqualified Stock Option shall not be less than 80% of the Fair
     Market Value of a Share at the time the Option is granted.

          (b) Duration.  Options granted hereunder shall be for such term as the
     Committee  shall  determine,  provided  that (i) no Incentive  Stock Option
     shall be  exercisable  after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date
     it is  granted  (five (5) years in the case of an  Incentive  Stock  Option
     granted to a Ten-Percent Shareholder) and (ii) no Nonqualified Stock Option
     shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years and one (1) day
     from the date it is granted.  The Committee may, subsequent to the granting
     of any Option, extend the term thereof but in no event shall the term as so
     extended exceed the maximum term provided for in the preceding sentence.

          (c)   Non-Transferability.   No  Option  granted  hereunder  shall  be
     transferable by the Optionee to whom granted  otherwise than by will or the
     laws of descent and distribution, and an Option may be exercised during the
     lifetime of such  Optionee  only by the  Optionee or his  guardian or legal
     representative.  The  terms  of such  Option  shall  be  binding  upon  the
     beneficiaries,  executors,  administrators,  heirs  and  successors  of the
     Optionee.

          (d) Stock  Options;  Vesting.  Subject to Section  6(h)  hereof,  each
     Option shall be exercisable in such installments  (which need not be equal)
     and at such times as may be  designated  by the  Committee and set forth in
     the Option Agreement.  Unless otherwise  provided in the Agreement,  to the
     extent not exercised,  installments shall accumulate and be exercisable, in
     whole or in part,  at any time after  becoming  exercisable,  but not later
     than the date the Option expires. Upon the death,  Disability or Retirement
     of  an  Optionee,   all  Options  shall  become  immediately   exercisable.
     Notwithstanding   the   foregoing,   the  Committee  may   accelerate   the
     exercisability of any Option or portion thereof at any time.

          (e) Method of  Exercise.  The exercise of an Option shall be made only
     by a written notice  delivered in person or by mail to the Secretary of the
     Company at the Company's principal executive office,  specifying the number
     of Shares to be purchased and accompanied by payment therefor and otherwise
     in accordance with the Agreement  pursuant to which the Option was granted.
     The purchase price for any shares purchased  pursuant to the exercise of an
     Option shall be paid in full upon such exercise in cash,  by check,  or, at
     the  discretion of the Committee and upon such terms and  conditions as the
     Committee shall approve, by transferring Shares to the Company.  Any Shares
     transferred to the Company as payment of the purchase price under an Option
     shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the day preceding the date of
     exercise of such Option. If requested by the Committee,  the Optionee shall
     deliver the Agreement  evidencing  the Option and the Agreement  evidencing
     any related  Stock  Appreciation  Right to the


                                       5
<PAGE>

     Secretary  of the  Company  who shall  endorse  thereon a notation  of such
     exercise  and return  such  Agreement  to the  Optionee.  Not less than 100
     Shares may be purchased  at any time upon the exercise of an Option  unless
     the number of Shares so  purchased  constitutes  the total number of Shares
     then purchasable under the Option.

          (f) Rights of Optionees.  No Optionee  shall be deemed for any purpose
     to be the owner of any Shares  subject  to any Option  unless and until (i)
     the Option shall have been exercised  pursuant to the terms  thereof,  (ii)
     the Company shall have issued and delivered the Shares to the Optionee, and
     (iii) the  Optionee's  name shall have been  entered  as a  shareholder  of
     record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Optionee shall have full
     voting, dividend and other ownership rights with respect to such Shares.

          (g) Termination of Employment. In the event that an Optionee ceases to
     be employed by the Company or any Subsidiary,  any outstanding Options held
     by such Optionee shall, unless the Option Agreement  evidencing such Option
     provides otherwise, terminate as follows:

               (i) If the  Optionee's  termination  of  employment is due to his
          death or Disability,  the Option shall be exercisable  for a period of
          one (1) year  following  such  termination  of  employment,  and shall
          thereafter terminate;

               (ii)  If  the  Optionee's  termination  of  employment  is by the
          Company or a Subsidiary  for Cause or is by the  Optionee  (other than
          due to the Optionee's  Retirement),  the Option shall terminate on the
          date of the Optionee's termination of employment;

               (iii) If the  termination  of employment is due to the Optionee's
          Retirement, the Option shall be exercisable (to the extent exercisable
          at the  time  of  the  Optionee's  termination  of  employment  due to
          retirement)  for a period of 18 months  following such  termination of
          employment, and shall thereafter terminate. (An Optionee who exercises
          his or her  Options  more  than  90  days  after  the  termination  of
          employment  due to Retirement  shall  acknowledge  that the Options so
          exercised will not be Incentive Stock Options.); and

               (iv) If the Optionee's termination of employment is for any other
          reason (including an Optionee's ceasing to be employed by a Subsidiary
          as a result  of the sale of such  Subsidiary  or an  interest  in such
          Subsidiary),  the Option (to the extent exercisable at the time of the
          Optionee's  termination  of  employment)  shall be  exercisable  for a
          period of ninety (90) days following  such  termination of employment,
          and shall thereafter terminate.

          Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Committee may provide,  either at
     the time an  Option  is  granted  or  thereafter,  that the  Option  may be
     exercised  after the periods  provided for in this Section 6(g),  but in no
     event beyond the term of the Option.

          (h) Effect of Change in Control.  In the event of a Change in Control,
     all Options  outstanding on the date of such Change in Control shall become
     immediately and fully exercisable.

          (i) Substitution and  Modification.  Subject to the terms of the Plan,
     the  Committee  may modify  outstanding  Options or accept the surrender of
     outstanding  Options (to the extent not exercised) and grant new Options in
     substitution for them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no modification of an
     Option  shall  alter or impair any rights or  obligations  under the Option
     without the Optionee's consent,  except as provided for in this Plan or the
     Agreement.

     7. Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may, in its discretion,  either
alone or in  connection  with the grant of an Option,  grant Stock  Appreciation
Rights in accordance  with the Plan,  the terms and conditions of which shall be
set forth in an  Agreement.  If granted in  connection  with an Option,  a Stock
Appreciation  Right shall  cover the same shares  covered by the Option (or such
lesser  number of shares as the Committee may  determine)  and shall,  except as
provided in this Section 7, be subject to the same terms and  conditions  as the
related Option.

          (a) Time of Grant. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted:



                                       6
<PAGE>

               (i) at any time if unrelated to an Option; or

               (ii) if related to an Option,  either at the time of grant, or at
          any time thereafter during the term of the Option.

          (b) Stock Appreciation Rights Related to an Option.

               (i) Payment.  A Stock  Appreciation  Right  granted in connection
          with an Option shall entitle the holder thereof,  upon exercise of the
          Stock Appreciation Right or any portion thereof, to receive payment of
          an amount computed pursuant to Section 7(b)(iii).

               (ii)  Exercise.  Subject to Section  7(f),  a Stock  Appreciation
          Right granted in  connection  with an Option shall be  exercisable  at
          such time or times and only to the extent that the  related  Option is
          exercisable,  and will not be  transferable  except to the  extent the
          related Option may be transferable. A Stock Appreciation Right granted
          in connection with an Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable only
          if the Fair Market  Value of a Share on the date of  exercise  exceeds
          the purchase price specified in the related Incentive Stock Option.

               (iii) Amount  Payable.  Except as  otherwise  provided in Section
          7(g),  upon the  exercise of Stock  Appreciation  Right  related to an
          Option,  the Grantee shall be entitled to receive an amount determined
          by  multiplying  (A) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on
          the date of  exercise  of such Stock  Appreciation  Right over the per
          Share  purchase price under the related  Option,  by (B) the number of
          Shares as to which such Stock  Appreciation  Right is being exercised.
          Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Committee may limit in any manner
          the amount  payable  with respect to any Stock  Appreciation  Right by
          including  such  a  limit  in  the  Agreement   evidencing  the  Stock
          Appreciation Right at the time it is granted.

               (iv) Treatment of Related Options and Stock  Appreciation  Rights
          Upon  Exercise.  Except as provided in Section  7(b)(v),  (A) upon the
          exercise of a Stock  Appreciation  Right granted in connection with an
          Option,  the Option  shall be cancelled to the extent of the number of
          Shares as to which the Stock  Appreciation  Right is exercised and (B)
          upon the  exercise  of an Option  granted in  connection  with a Stock
          Appreciation Right or the surrender of such Option pursuant to Section
          6(h), the Stock Appreciation Right shall be cancelled to the extent of
          the  number  of  Shares  as  to  which  the  Option  is  exercised  or
          surrendered.

               (v) Simultaneous Exercise of Stock Appreciation Right and Option.
          The  Committee  may provide,  either at the time a Stock  Appreciation
          Right is granted in  connection  with a  Nonqualified  Stock Option or
          thereafter  during  the term of the Stock  Appreciation  Right,  that,
          subject to Section 7(f), upon exercise of such Option or the surrender
          of the Option pursuant to Section 6(h), the Stock  Appreciation  Right
          shall  automatically  be deemed to be  exercised  to the extent of the
          number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised  or  surrendered.
          In such  event,  the  Grantee  shall be entitled to receive the amount
          described in Section  7(b)(iii) or 7(g) hereof, as the case may be (or
          some  percentage  of  such  amount  if so  provided  in the  Agreement
          evidencing the Stock  Appreciation  Right),  in addition to the Shares
          acquired or cash received pursuant to the exercise or surrender of the
          Option. If a Stock  Appreciation Right Agreement contains an automatic
          exercise provision described in this Section 7(b)(v) and the Option or
          any portion  thereof to which it relates is  exercised  within six (6)
          months from the date the Stock  Appreciation  Right is  granted,  such
          automatic  exercise  provision  shall not be effective with respect to
          that exercise of the Option. The inclusion in an Agreement  evidencing
          a Stock  Appreciation  Right of a provision  described in this Section
          7(b)(v) may be in addition to and not in lieu of the right to exercise
          the Stock  Appreciation  Right as otherwise provided herein and in the
          Agreement.

          (c) Stock  Appreciation  Rights Unrelated to an Option.  The Committee
     may grant to Eligible  Employees  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  unrelated to
     Options.  Stock Appreciation Rights unrelated to Options shall contain such
     terms and  conditions  as to  exercisability,  vesting and  duration as the
     Committee  shall  determine,  but in no  event  shall  they  have a term of
     greater than ten (10) years. Upon the death,  Disability or Retirement of a
     Grantee,   all  Stock   Appreciation   Rights  shall   become   immediately
     exercisable.  Upon  the  death  or  Disability  of  a  Grantee,  the  Stock
     Appreciation  Rights held by that Grantee shall be exercisable for a period
     of one (1)  year  following  such  termination  of


                                       7
<PAGE>

     employment,  and  shall  thereafter  terminate.  Upon the  Retirement  of a
     Grantee,  the  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  held by that  Grantee  shall be
     exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days following such  termination of
     employment, and shall thereafter terminate. Except as otherwise provided in
     Section 7(g), the amount  payable upon exercise of such Stock  Appreciation
     Rights shall be  determined in accordance  with Section  7(b)(iii),  except
     that  "Fair  Market  Value of a Share on the date of the grant of the Stock
     Appreciation  Right" shall be  substituted  for  "purchase  price under the
     related Option."

          (d) Method of Exercise.  Stock Appreciation  Rights shall be exercised
     by a Grantee only by a written notice delivered in person or by mail to the
     Secretary  of the  Company at the  Company's  principal  executive  office,
     specifying   the  number  of  Shares  with   respect  to  which  the  Stock
     Appreciation Right is being exercised.  If requested by the Committee,  the
     Grantee shall deliver the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation Right
     being  exercised and the  Agreement  evidencing  any related  Option to the
     Secretary  of the  Company  who shall  endorse  thereon a notation  of such
     exercise and return such Agreements to the Grantee.

          (e) Form of Payment.  Payment of the amount  determined under Sections
     7(b)(iii) or 7(c),  may be made solely in whole shares of Common Stock in a
     number determined at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the
     Stock Appreciation Right or,  alternatively,  at the sole discretion of the
     Committee,  solely in cash, or in a  combination  of cash and Shares as the
     Committee deems advisable.  In the event that a Stock Appreciation Right is
     exercised within the sixty-day  period  following a Change in Control,  any
     amount  payable shall be solely in cash.  If the Committee  decides to make
     full  payment in Shares,  and the amount  payable  results in a  fractional
     Share,   payment   for  the   fractional   Share  will  be  made  in  cash.
     Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  no payment in the form of cash may be made
     upon  the  exercise  of a Stock  Appreciation  Right  pursuant  to  Section
     7(b)(iii)  or 7(c) to an officer  of the  Company  or a  Subsidiary  who is
     subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange  Act,  unless the exercise of such
     Stock  Appreciation  Right is made during the period beginning on the third
     business day and ending on the twelfth  business day  following the date of
     release for publication of the Company's  quarterly or annual statements of
     earnings.

          (f) Restrictions.  No Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised before
     the date six (6) months  after the date it is granted,  except in the event
     that the death or Disability of the Grantee occurs before the expiration of
     the six-month period.

          (g) Effect of Change in Control.  In the event of a Change in Con~~ol,
     subject  to  Section  7(f),  all Stock  Appreciation  Rights  shall  become
     immediately and fully exercisable.

     8.  Restricted  Stock.  The Committee may grant Awards of Restricted  Stock
which shall be evidenced  by an  Agreement  between the Company and the Grantee.
Each  Agreement  shall contain such  restrictions,  terms and  conditions as the
Committee may require and (without  limiting the  generality  of the  foregoing)
such  Agreements  may  require  that an  appropriate  legend  be placed on Share
certificates. Awards of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the following terms
and provisions:

          (a) Rights of Grantee.

               (i)  Shares of  Restricted  Stock  granted  pursuant  to an Award
          hereunder  shall  be  issued  in the  name of the  Grantee  as soon as
          reasonably  practicable  after the Award is granted  and the  purchase
          price,  if any, is paid by the Grantee,  provided that the Grantee has
          executed  an  Agreement  evidencing  the Award,  an Escrow  Agreement,
          appropriate  blank  stock  powers  and any other  documents  which the
          Committee,  in its absolute discretion,  may require as a condition to
          the  issuance of such Shares.  If a Grantee  shall fail to execute the
          Agreement  evidencing a Restricted Stock Award, an Escrow Agreement or
          appropriate  blank  stock  powers  or shall  fail to pay the  purchase
          price, if any, for the Restricted  Stock,  the Award shall be null and
          void.  Shares  issued in  connection  with a  Restricted  Stock Award,
          together  with the stock  powers,  shall be deposited  with the Escrow
          Agent.  Except as restricted by the terms of the  Agreement,  upon the
          delivery of the Shares to the Escrow Agent, the Grantee shall have all
          of the rights of a shareholder with respect to such Shares,  including
          the right to vote the shares and to receive,  subject to Section 8(d),
          all dividends or other  distributions paid or made with respect to the
          Shares.



                                       8
<PAGE>

               (ii) If a Grantee receives rights or warrants with respect to any
          Shares which were awarded to him as Restricted  Stock,  such rights or
          warrants or any Shares or other securities he acquires by the exercise
          of such rights or warrants may be held,  exercised,  sold or otherwise
          disposed  of by the  Grantee  free and clear of the  restrictions  and
          obligations provided by this Plan.

          (b)  Non-Transferability.  Until any  restrictions  upon the Shares of
     Restricted  Stock  awarded to a Grantee shall have lapsed in the manner set
     forth in  Section  8(c),  such  Shares  shall not be sold,  transferred  or
     otherwise  disposed of and shall not be pledged or otherwise  hypothecated,
     nor  shall  they be  delivered  to the  Grantee.  Upon the  termination  of
     employment  of the  Grantee,  all of such  Shares  with  respect  to  which
     restrictions  have not lapsed shall be resold by the Grantee to the Company
     at the same price paid by the Grantee for such Shares or shall be forfeited
     and  automatically  transferred to and reacquired by the Company at no cost
     to the  Company if no  purchase  price had been paid for such  Shares.  The
     Committee  may also impose such other  restrictions  and  conditions on the
     Shares as it deems appropriate.

          (c) Lapse of Restrictions.

               (i)   Restrictions   upon  Shares  of  Restricted  Stock  awarded
          hereunder  shall  lapse  at such  time  or  times  and on such  terms,
          conditions and  satisfaction of performance  criteria as the Committee
          may determine;  provided,  however,  that the  restrictions  upon such
          Shares  shall  lapse only if the  Grantee on the date of such lapse is
          then  and  has  continuously  been an  employee  of the  Company  or a
          Subsidiary from the date the Award was granted.

               (ii) In the event of a Change in Control,  all restrictions  upon
          any Shares of Restricted  Stock shall lapse  immediately  and all such
          Shares shall become fully vested in the Grantee thereof.

               (iii) In the event of  termination  of  employment as a result of
          death,  Disability or Retirement of a Grantee,  all restrictions  upon
          Shares of Restricted  Stock  awarded to such Grantee  shall  thereupon
          immediately  lapse.  The  Committee may also decide at any time in its
          absolute  discretion  and on such  terms  and  conditions  as it deems
          appropriate,  to remove  or modify  the  restrictions  upon  Shares of
          Restricted Stock awarded hereunder.

          (d)  Treatment  of  Dividends.  At the time of an Award of  Shares  of
     Restricted Stock, the Committee may, in its discretion,  determine that the
     payment to the  Grantee  of  dividends,  or a  specified  portion  thereof,
     declared  or paid on Shares of  Restricted  Stock by the  Company  shall be
     deferred until the earlier to occur of (i) the lapsing of the  restrictions
     imposed upon such Shares,  in which case such dividends  shall be paid over
     to the Grantee,  or (ii) the  forfeiture  of such Shares under Section 8(b)
     hereof, in which case such dividends shall be forfeited to the Company, and
     such dividends  shall be held by the Company for the account of the Grantee
     until such time. In the event of such deferral,  interest shall be credited
     on the amount of such  dividends held by the Company for the account of the
     Grantee from time to time at such rate per annum as the  Committee,  in its
     discretion,  may determine.  Payment of deferred  dividends,  together with
     interest  accrued  thereon as aforesaid,  shall be made upon the earlier to
     occur of the events specified in (i) and (ii) of the immediately  preceding
     sentence, in the manner specified therein.

          (e) Delivery of Shares. When the restrictions imposed hereunder and in
     the Plan expire or have been  cancelled  with respect to one or more shares
     of  Restricted  Stock,  the Company shall notify the Grantee and the Escrow
     Agent of same. The Escrow Agent shall then return the certificate  covering
     the Shares of  Restricted  Stock to the  Company  and upon  receipt of such
     certificate  the Company  shall  deliver to the Grantee (or such  Grantee's
     legal  representative,  beneficiary or heir) a certificate  for a number of
     shares of Common Stock,  without any legend or  restrictions  (except those
     required by any federal or state securities laws), equivalent to the number
     of Shares of Restricted Stock for which restrictions have been cancelled or
     have  expired.  A new  certificate  covering  Shares  of  Restricted  Stock
     previously  awarded to the Grantee which remain  restricted shall be issued
     to the  Grantee  and held by the  Escrow  Agent  and the  Agreement,  as it
     relates to such shares, shall remain in effect.

     9. Loans.



                                       9
<PAGE>

          (a) The  Company  or any  Subsidiary  may make  loans to a Grantee  or
     Optionee in connection  with the purchase of Shares pursuant to an Award or
     in  connection  with the  exercise of an Option,  subject to the  following
     terms and conditions  and such other terms and conditions not  inconsistent
     with the Plan,  including  the rate of interest,  if any, as the  Committee
     shall impose from time to time.

          (b) No loan  made  under  the  Plan  shall  exceed  the sum of (i) the
     aggregate  purchase  price  payable  pursuant  to the  Option or Award with
     respect to which the loan is made,  plus (ii) the amount of the  reasonably
     estimated  income taxes  payable by the Optionee or Grantee with respect to
     the Option or Award.  In no event may any such loan  exceed the Fair Market
     Value, at the date of exercise, of any such Shares.

          (c) No loan shall  have an  initial  term  exceeding  ten (10)  years;
     provided, that loans under the Plan shall be renewable at the discretion of
     the Committee; and provided, further, that the indebtedness under each loan
     shall become due and  payable,  as the case may be, on a date no later than
     (i)  one  (1)  year  after  termination  of  the  Optionee's  or  Grantee's
     employment  due to death,  retirement  or  Disability,  or (ii) the date of
     termination of the Optionee's or Grantee's  employment for any reason other
     than death, retirement or Disability.

          (d) Loans under the Plan may be  satisfied  by an Optionee or Grantee,
     as  determined  by the  Committee,  in cash  or,  with the  consent  of the
     Committee,  in whole or in part by the  transfer  to the  Company of Shares
     whose Fair  Market  Value on the date of such  payment is equal to the cash
     amount for which such Shares are transferred.

          (e) A loan shall be secured by a pledge of Shares  with a Fair  Market
     Value of not less than the  principal  amount of the  loan.  After  partial
     repayment of a loan,  pledged shares no longer  required as security may be
     released to the Optionee or Grantee.

          (f) Every loan shall meet all applicable  laws,  regulations and rules
     of the  Federal  Reserve  Board and any other  governmental  agency  having
     jurisdiction.

     10. Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.

          (a) In the event of a Change in  Capitalization,  the Committee  shall
     conclusively determine the appropriate adjustments,  if any, to the maximum
     number and class of shares of stock with respect to which Options or Awards
     may be granted  under the Plan,  the number and class of shares as to which
     Options or Awards have been granted under the Plan,  and the purchase price
     therefor, if applicable.

          (b) Any such adjustment in the Shares or other  securities  subject to
     outstanding  Incentive  Stock Options  (including  any  adjustments  in the
     purchase  price)  shall  be made  in such  manner  as not to  constitute  a
     modification  as defined by Section  425(h)(3)  of the Code and only to the
     extent otherwise permitted by Sections 422 and 425 of the Code.

          (c) If, by reason of a Change in Capitalization, a Grantee of an Award
     shall be  entitled  to new,  additional  or  different  shares  of stock or
     securities (other than rights or warrants to purchase securities), such new
     additional  or different  shares  shall  thereupon be subject to all of the
     conditions,  restrictions and performance criteria which were applicable to
     the  Shares  or  units  pursuant  to the  Award  prior  to such  Change  in
     Capitalization.

     11. Effect of Certain Transactions.  In the event of (i) the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company,  (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company
is not the  surviving  corporation  or (iii) the sale or  disposition  of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets, provision shall be made in connection
with such  transaction  for the assumption of the Plan and the Options or Awards
theretofore  granted  under the Plan,  or the  substitution  for such Options or
Awards of new options or awards of the Successor  Corporation,  with appropriate
adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and the purchase price for shares
thereunder.

     12. Release of Financial Information. A copy of the Company's annual report
to shareholders shall be delivered to each Optionee and Grantee at the time such
report is  distributed to the Company's  shareholders.  Upon


                                       10
<PAGE>

request the Company  shall  furnish to each  Optionee  and Grantee a copy of its
most recent annual  report and each  quarterly  report and current  report filed
under the Exchange Act, since the end of the Company's prior fiscal year.

     13.  Termination and Amendment of the Plan. The Plan shall terminate on the
day preceding the tenth anniversary of its effective date and no Option or Award
may be granted  thereafter.  The Board may sooner terminate or amend the Plan at
any time, and from time to time; provided,  however, that, except as provided in
Sections 10 and 11 hereof,  no amendment  shall be effective  unless approved by
the   shareholders  of  the  Company  in  accordance  with  applicable  law  and
regulations at an annual or special  meeting held within twelve months before or
after the date of adoption of such amendment, where such amendment will:

          (a) increase the number of Shares as to which Options or Awards may be
     granted under the Plan; or

          (b) change the class of persons eligible to participate in the Plan.

     The following  amendments  shall not require  Shareholder  approval  unless
required by law or regulation  to preserve the intended  benefits of the Plan to
the Company or the participants:

          (a) change the minimum purchase price of Shares pursuant to Options or
     Awards as provided herein;

          (b) extend the  maximum  period for  granting  or  exercising  Options
     provided herein; or

          (c) otherwise  materially  increase the benefits  accruing to Eligible
     Employees under the Plan.

     Except as provided in  Sections  10 and 11 hereof,  rights and  obligations
under any Option or Award granted  before any amendment of the Plan shall not be
altered or impaired by such  amendment,  except with the consent of the Optionee
or Grantee, as the case may be.

     14.  Non-Exclusivity  of the Plan.  The  adoption  of the Plan by the Board
shall not be construed  as amending,  modifying  or  rescinding  any  previously
approved  incentive  arrangement or as creating any  limitations on the power of
the Board to adopt such other  incentive  arrangements as it may deem desirable,
including,  without  limitation,  the granting of stock options  otherwise  than
under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only
in specific cases.

     15.  Limitation  of  Liability.  As  illustrative  of  the  limitations  of
liability of the Company, but not intended to be exhaustive thereof,  nothing in
the Plan shall be construed to;

          (a) give any person  any right to be granted an Option or Award  other
     than at the sole discretion of the Committee;

          (b) give any  person  any  rights  whatsoever  with  respect to Shares
     except as specifically provided in the Plan;

          (c)  limit  in any way the  right  of the  Company  to  terminate  the
     employment of any person at any time; or

          (d) be  evidence  of any  agreement  or  understanding,  expressed  or
     implied, that the Company will employ any person in any particular position
     at any particular  rate of  compensation  or for any  particular  period of
     time.



                                       11
<PAGE>

     16. Regulations and Other Approvals; Governing Law.

          (a) This Plan and the rights of all persons  claiming  hereunder shall
     be construed and determined in accordance with the laws of the State of New
     Jersey  without  giving  effect to the  choice of law  principles  thereof,
     except to the extent that such law is preempted by federal law.

          (b) The  obligation  of the  Company  to sell or deliver  Shares  with
     respect to Options  and Awards  granted  under the Plan shall be subject to
     all  applicable  laws,  rules and  regulations,  including  all  applicable
     federal and state  securities laws, and the obtaining of all such approvals
     by governmental  agencies as may be deemed  necessary or appropriate by the
     Committee.

          (c) The Plan is intended to comply with Rule 16b-3  promulgated  under
     the Exchange Act and Section  162(m) of the Code (each as amended from time
     to time) and the Committee shall interpret and administer the provisions of
     the Plan or any  Agreement in a manner  consistent  therewith to the extent
     necessary.  Any provisions  inconsistent with such Rule or Section shall be
     inoperative  but shall not  affect the  validity  of the Plan or any grants
     thereunder.

          (c) Except as  otherwise  provided  in Section  13, the Board may make
     such changes as may be necessary  or  appropriate  to comply with the rules
     and  regulations  of any  government  authority  or to obtain for  Eligible
     Employees  granted  Incentive  Stock  Options  the tax  benefits  under the
     applicable provisions of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (d) Each Option and Award is subject to the  requirement  that,  if at
     any time the Committee  determines,  in its absolute  discretion,  that the
     listing,  registration or qualification of Shares issuable  pursuant to the
     Plan is required by any  securities  exchange or under any state or federal
     law,  or the consent or approval  of any  governmental  regulatory  body is
     necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection  with, the grant
     of an Option or the  issuance  of Shares,  no  Options  shall be granted or
     payment  made or  Shares  issued,  in  whole or in  part,  unless  listing,
     registration,  qualification,  consent or  approval  has been  effected  or
     obtained free of any conditions unacceptable to the Committee.

          (e) In the event that the disposition of Shares  acquired  pursuant to
     the Plan is not covered by a then current registration  statement under the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and is not otherwise  exempt from such
     registration,  such  Shares  shall be  restricted  against  transfer to the
     extent  required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  or regulations
     thereunder,  and the Committee may require any individual  receiving Shares
     pursuant to the Plan,  as a condition  precedent  to receipt of such Shares
     (including  upon  exercise of an Option),  to  represent  to the Company in
     writing  that the Shares  acquired  by such  individual  are  acquired  for
     investment only and not with a view to distribution.

     17. Miscellaneous.

          (a) Multiple Agreements.  The terms of each Option or Award may differ
     from other Options or Awards granted under the Plan at the same time, or at
     some other time. The Committee may also grant more than one Option or Award
     to a given  Eligible  Employee  during  the  term of the  Plan,  either  in
     addition  to,  or in  substitution  for,  one or  more  Options  or  Awards
     previously granted to that Eligible Employee. The grant of multiple Options
     and/or  Awards  may  be  evidenced  by  a  single   Agreement  or  multiple
     Agreements, as determined by the Committee.

          (b)  Withholding of Taxes.  The Company shall have the right to deduct
     from any distribution of cash to any Optionee or Grantee an amount equal to
     the federal, state and local income taxes and other amounts required by law
     to be  withheld  with  respect  to any  Option  or  Award.  Notwithstanding
     anything to the  contrary  contained  herein,  if an Optionee or Grantee is
     entitled  to receive  Shares  upon  exercise of an Option or pursuant to an
     Award,  the  Company  shall  have the right to  require  such  Optionee  or
     Grantee,  prior to the delivery of such  Shares,  to pay to the Company the
     amount of any federal,  state or local income taxes and other amounts which
     the Company is required by law to withhold.  The Agreement  evidencing  any
     Incentive  Stock Options  granted under this Plan shall provide that if the
     Optionee makes a  disposition,  within the meaning of Section 425(c) of the
     Code and regulations promulgated thereunder,  of any Share or


                                       12
<PAGE>

     Shares  issued  to him  or her  pursuant  to  his  or her  exercise  of the
     Incentive  Stock Option  within the two-year  period  commencing on the day
     after  the date of grant of such  Option  or  within  the  one-year  period
     commencing  on the day after the date of transfer of the Share or Shares to
     the  Optionee  pursuant to the  exercise of such  Option,  he or she shall,
     within ten (10) days of such  disposition,  notify the Company  thereof and
     immediately  deliver  to the  Company  any  amount of  federal  income  tax
     withholding required by law.

          (c)  Designation of  Beneficiary.  Each Optionee and Grantee may, with
     the consent of the  Committee,  designate a person or persons to receive in
     the event of  his/her  death,  any  Option or Award or any  amount  payable
     pursuant thereto, to which he/she would then be entitled.  Such designation
     will be made upon forms supplied by and delivered to the Company and may be
     revoked in  writing.  If an  Optionee  fails  effectively  to  designate  a
     beneficiary, then his/her estate will be deemed to be the beneficiary.

     18. Effective Date. The effective date of the Plan shall be the date of its
adoption by the Board, subject only to the approval by the affirmative vote of a
majority  of the votes  cast at a meeting of  shareholders  at which a quorum is
present to be held within  twelve (12)  months of such  adoption.  No Options or
Awards shall vest hereunder unless such Shareholder approval is obtained.


                                       13



                                                                   EXHIBIT (10)G

                             VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP, a New Jersey corporation (the "Company"), this 1st
day of April,  1992,  (the "Option  Date") hereby  grants to MICHAEL  GUILFOILE,
residing at 369 Rowayton Avenue,  Rowayton,  Connecticut 06853  ("Guilfoile") an
option to  purchase  shares of the Common  Stock,  no par value,  of the Company
("Common  Stock") in the amount and on the terms and conditions  hereinafter set
forth.

     1.   Grant of Option.  The Company  hereby  grants to Guilfoile  the option
          (the  "Option")  to purchase  all or any part of an aggregate of 5,000
          shares of Common Stock  ("Shares") on the terms and conditions  herein
          set forth.

     2.   Purchase  Price.  The  purchase  price of the  shares of Common  Stock
          subject to the Option shall be $26.00 per share  subject to adjustment
          as provided in Section (a) below.

     3.   Final  Termination.  This Option  shall be  exercisable  from the date
          hereof until  November 18, 2001 or such  shorter as is  prescribed  in
          this Agreement.

     4.   Restrictions. This Option is subject to all the following conditions:

          a.   This Option is not assignable or transferable by Guilfoile;

          b.   This Option may be exercised only by the legal  representative of
               Guilfoile in the event of his death or mental disability.

     5.   Exercise.  This Option  shall be  exercised  by notice to the Company,
          accompanied by full payment in cash or check.



<PAGE>

     6.   Securities  Law  Restrictions.  The Company is under no  obligation to
          file a  registration  statement  under the Securities Act of 1933 with
          respect to the Shares to be  received  upon  exercise  of the  Option.
          Unless a  registration  statement  under  the Act has been  filed  and
          remains  effective  with  respect to the  Shares,  the  Company  shall
          require  that the  offer and sale of such  Shares  be exempt  from the
          registration  provisions of the Act. As a condition of such exemption,
          the Company shall require a representation  and  undertaking,  in form
          and  substance  satisfactory  to  counsel  for the  Company,  that the
          optionee is  acquiring  the Shares for his own account for  investment
          and not with a view to the  distribution  or resale  thereof and shall
          otherwise require such  representations  and impose such conditions as
          shall establish to the Company's  satisfaction that the offer and sale
          of the  Shares  issuable  upon the  exercise  of the  Option  will not
          constitute a violation of the Act or any similar  state act  affecting
          the offer and sale. If the shares are issued in an exempt transaction,
          the Shares shall bear the following restrictive legend:

          THESE  SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN  REGISTERED  UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF
          1933,  AS  AMENDED.  NO SALE OR TRANSFER OF THE SHARES MAY BE AFFECTED
          WITHOUT AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY STATING THAT THE TRANSFER
          IS EXEMPT FROM  REGISTRATION  UNDER THE ACT AND ANY  APPLICABLE  STATE
          SECURITIES  LAWS OR THAT THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF THE SHARES IS COVERED
          BY AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE SHARES.

     7.   Restrictions  on  Transfer.  This  Option  shall  not be  transferred,
          assigned,  pledged  or  hypothecated  by  Guilfoile  and  shall not be
          subject to execution,



<PAGE>

          attachment  or  similar  process.  In the  event  the  terms  of  this
          paragraph  are not  complied  with by  Guilfoile,  or if the Option is
          subject to execution, attachment or similar process, this Option shall
          immediately become null and void.

     8.   Anti-Dilution  Provisions.  If prior to expiration of the Option there
          shall occur any change in the outstanding  Common Stock of the Company
          by reason of any stock dividend,  stock split, combination or exchange
          of shares, merger,  consolidation,  recapitalization,  reorganization,
          liquidation,  subscription rights offering,  or the like, and as often
          as the same shall occur, then the kind and number of shares subject to
          the Option,  or the purchase price per share of Common Stock, or both,
          shall be adjusted by the Board of  Directors  in such manner as it may
          deem  equitable,  the  determination  of which  shall be  binding  and
          conclusive.  Failure of the Board to provide  for any such  adjustment
          shall be  conclusive  evidence  that no  adjustment  is required.  The
          Company shall notify Guilfoile of any change.

     9.   Acceleration  of  Option  Period.   Notwithstanding  anything  to  the
          contrary  specified  herein,  if there is a  Change-in-Control  of the
          Company as defined in the Company's  Long-Term  Stock  Incentive  Plan
          (the  "Incentive  Plan"),  the Company,  upon prior written  notice to
          Guilfoile,  may  terminate  the Option 60 days after giving  Guilfoile
          notice of the  Change-in-Control  and the  earlier  termination  date.
          During  any  sixty  (60) day  period  following  a  Change-in-Control,
          Guilfoile  may (i) exercise the Option,  to



<PAGE>

          the extent not previously exercised, or (ii) surrender this Option for
          cancellation and receive,  to the extent the Option was not previously
          exercised,  a cash payment equal to the Adjusted Fair Market Value (as
          defined in the Incentive  Plan) of the Shares subject to the Option or
          portion  thereof  surrendered,  over the aggregate  purchase price for
          such Shares  under this  Option.  This  provision  is intended to, and
          shall  be  interpreted  to,  give  Guilfoile  the  same  treatment  as
          optionees under the Incentive Plan.

     10.  Acceptance of Provisions. The execution of this Agreement by Guilfoile
          shall constitute Guilfoile's acceptance of and agreement to all of the
          terms and conditions of this Agreement.

     11.  Notices.  All notices and other  communications  required or permitted
          under this Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be given either by
          (i) personal  delivery or regular mail, in each case against  receipt,
          or (ii) first class  registered  or  certified  mail,  return  receipt
          requested.  Any such communication  shall be deemed to have been given
          (i) on the date of receipt in the cases  referred  to in clause (i) of
          the  preceding  sentence  and (ii) on the second day after the date of
          mailing  in the  cases  referred  to in clause  (ii) of the  preceding
          sentence. All such communications to the Company shall be addressed to
          it,  to the  attention  of its  Secretary  or  Treasurer,  at its then
          principal office and to Guilfoile at his last address appearing on the
          records  of the  Company  or, in each case,  to such  other  person or
          address as may be designated by like notice hereunder.



<PAGE>

     12.  Miscellaneous. This Agreement contains a complete statement of all the
          arrangements between the parties with respect to their subject matter,
          and this Agreement  cannot be changed except by in writing executed by
          both  parties.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
          accordance  with the laws of the  State of New  Jersey  applicable  to
          agreements  made and to be performed  exclusively  in New Jersey.  The
          headings in this Agreement are solely for convenience of reference and
          shall not affect its meaning or interpretation.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
          of the date first written above.

                                                     VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP


                                                 By: /s/ Gerald H. Lipkin
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Gerald H. Lipkin

                                                     /s/ Michael Guilfoile
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Michael Guilfoile



                                                                  EXHIBIT (10) M

                           CHANGE-IN-CONTROL AGREEMENT
                          (First Senior Vice President)


     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"),  is made as of this 3rd day of
January,   2000,  among  VALLEY  NATIONAL  BANK  ("Bank"),  a  national  banking
association  with its principal  office at 1455 Valley Road,  Wayne, New Jersey,
VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP ("Valley"), a New Jersey Corporation which maintains its
principal  office at 1455 Valley Road,  Wayne,  New Jersey  (Valley and the Bank
collectively are the "Company") and ALBERT L. ENGEL (the "Executive").

                                   BACKGROUND

     WHEREAS,  the Executive has been  continuously  employed by the Bank for at
least three full years;

     WHEREAS,  the Executive  throughout his tenure has worked diligently in his
position in the business of the Bank and Valley; WHEREAS, the Board of Directors
of the Bank and Valley believe that the future  services of the Executive are of
great value to the Bank and Valley and that it is  important  for the growth and
development of the Bank that the Executive continue in his position;

     WHEREAS,  if  the  Company  receives  any  proposal  from  a  third  person
concerning a possible  business  combination  with, or  acquisition  of equities
securities of, the Company,  the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
believes  it is  imperative  that the Company and the Board be able to rely upon
the Executive to continue in his position,  and that they be able to receive



                                       1
<PAGE>

and rely upon his advice,  if they  request it, as to the best  interests of the
Company  and its  shareholders,  without  concern  that the  Executive  might be
distracted by the personal uncertainties and risks created by such a proposal;

     WHEREAS, to achieve that goal, and to retain the Executive's services prior
to any such  activity,  the Board of Directors and the Executive  have agreed to
enter into this Agreement to govern the Executive's  termination benefits in the
event of a Change in Control of the Company, as hereinafter defined.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  to assure  the  Company  that it will have the  continued
dedication  of the  Executive  and the  availability  of his advice and  counsel
notwithstanding  the  possibility,  threat or  occurrence  of a bid to take over
control of the Company,  and to induce the  Executive to remain in the employ of
the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration,  the Company and the
Executive, each intending to be legally bound hereby agree as follows:

     1. Definitions

     a. Base  Salary.  "Base  Salary",  as used in  Section 9 hereof,  means the
annual  cash base  salary  (excluding  any  bonus  and the  value of any  fringe
benefits)  paid to the  Executive at the time of the  termination  of employment
unless such  amount has been  reduced  after a Change in Control,  in which case
such  amount  shall be the highest  base  salary in effect  during the 18 months
prior to the Change in Control.

     b.  Cause.  For  purposes of this  Agreement  "Cause"  with  respect to the
termination by the Company of Executive's  employment shall mean (i) willful and
continued


                                       2
<PAGE>

failure by the  Executive  to perform  his  duties  for the  Company  under this
Agreement  after at least one  warning in writing  from the  Company's  Board of
Directors  identifying  specifically any such failure; (ii) the willful engaging
by the Executive in misconduct  which causes  material  injury to the Company as
specified in a written notice to the Executive  from the Board of Directors;  or
(iii)  conviction  of  a  crime,  other  than  a  traffic  violation,   habitual
drunkenness,  drug abuse, or excessive absenteeism other than for illness, after
a warning (with respect to drunkenness or absenteeism  only) in writing from the
Board of Directors to refrain  from such  behavior.  No act or failure to act on
the part of the Executive shall be considered willful unless done, or omitted to
be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without  reasonable  belief that
the action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

     c.  Change in  Control.  "Change  in  Control"  means any of the  following
events:  (i) when Valley or a  Subsidiary  acquires  actual  knowledge  that any
person (as such term is used in  Sections  13(d) and  14(d)(2)  of the  Exchange
Act),  other than an affiliate of Valley or a Subsidiary or an employee  benefit
plan  established  or  maintained  by  Valley,  a  Subsidiary  or any  of  their
respective  affiliates,  is or becomes the beneficial  owner (as defined in Rule
13d-3 of the Exchange  Act)  directly or  indirectly,  of  securities  of Valley
representing more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the combined voting power of
Valley's then outstanding  securities (a "Control Person"),  (ii) upon the first
purchase of Valley's  common stock pursuant to a tender or exchange offer (other
than a tender or  exchange  offer made by Valley,  a  Subsidiary  or an employee
benefit plan  established or maintained by Valley,  a Subsidiary or any of their
respective affiliates),  (iii)


                                       3
<PAGE>

upon the approval by Valley's  stockholders of (A) a merger or  consolidation of
Valley with or into another  corporation  (other than a merger or  consolidation
which is  approved  by at  least  two-thirds  of the  Continuing  Directors  (as
hereinafter  defined) or the  definitive  agreement  for which  provides that at
least  two-thirds  of the  directors of the  surviving or resulting  corporation
immediately  after the transaction  are Continuing  Directors (in either case, a
"Non-Control  Transaction")),  (B) a sale or disposition of all or substantially
all of Valley's  assets or (C) a plan of  liquidation  or dissolution of Valley,
(iv) if during any period of two (2) consecutive  years,  individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board (the "Continuing Directors") cease
for any  reason to  constitute  at least  two-thirds  thereof  or,  following  a
Non-Control  Transaction,  two-thirds of the board of directors of the surviving
or  resulting  corporation;  provided  that any  individual  whose  election  or
nomination  for election as a member of the Board (or,  following a  Non-Control
Transaction,  the board of directors of the surviving or resulting  corporation)
was approved by a vote of at least  two-thirds of the Continuing  Directors then
in office shall be considered a Continuing  Director,  or (v) upon a sale of (A)
common  stock of the Bank if after such sale any person (as such term is used in
Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange  Act) other than Valley,  an employee
benefit  plan  established  or  maintained  by  Valley  or a  Subsidiary,  or an
affiliate of Valley or a Subsidiary,  owns a majority of the Bank's common stock
or (B) all or substantially all of the Bank's assets (other than in the ordinary
course of business). No person shall be considered a Control Person for purposes
of clause  (i) above if (A) such  person is or  becomes  the  beneficial  owner,
directly or indirectly, of more than ten percent (10%) but less than twenty-five
percent (25%) of the combined voting power

                                       4

<PAGE>

of  Valley's  then  outstanding  securities  if the  acquisition  of all  voting
securities  in excess of ten percent (10%) was approved in advance by a majority
of the Continuing Directors then in office or (B) such person acquires in excess
of ten percent (10%) of the combined  voting power of Valley's then  outstanding
voting  securities  in  violation  of law and by order  of a court of  competent
jurisdiction, settlement or otherwise, disposes or is required to dispose of all
securities acquired in violation of law.

     d. Continuously Employed.  "Continuously  employed",  as used in Section 9,
means continuously employed by the Bank but excludes any period of employment by
a bank or financial institution acquired by or merged into the Bank and excludes
any  period  of  employment  by the Bank if such  period is  separated  from the
current employment with the Bank by a break in service (other a break in service
resulting solely from illness, disability or family leave).

     e. Contract Period.  "Contract Period" shall mean the period commencing the
day  immediately  preceding a Change in Control and ending on the earlier of (i)
the first  anniversary  of the Change in Control or (ii) the date the  Executive
would attain age 65 or (iii) the death of the Executive. For the purpose of this
Agreement,  a Change in  Control  shall be deemed to have  occurred  at the date
specified in the definition of Change-in-Control.

     f. Exchange Act. "Exchange Act" means the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

     g. Good  Reason.  When used with  reference to a voluntary  termination  by
Executive of his  employment  with the Company,  "Good Reason" shall mean any of
the following,

                                       5

<PAGE>

if taken without Executive's express written consent:

          (1) The  assignment to Executive of any duties  inconsistent  with, or
     the reduction of powers or functions associated with, Executive's position,
     duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to a
     Change in Control.  A change in title or positions  resulting merely from a
     merger of the Company into or with  another bank or company  which does not
     downgrade in any way the Executive's  powers,  duties and  responsibilities
     shall not meet the requirements of this paragraph;

          (2) A reduction by the Company in Executive's annual base compensation
     as in effect  immediately  prior to a Change in Control  or the  failure to
     award Executive annual increases in accordance  herewith;

          (3) A failure  by the  Company  to  continue  any bonus  plan in which
     Executive  participated  immediately  prior to the  Change in  control or a
     failure by the Company to continue  Executive as a participant in such plan
     on at least the same basis as Executive  participated in such plan prior to
     the Change in Control;

          (4) The Company's transfer of Executive to another geographic location
     more than 35 miles from his present  office  location,  except for required
     travel on the Company's business to an extent substantially consistent with
     Executive's business travel obligations immediately prior to such Change in
     Control;

          (5) The  failure by the  Company to  continue  in effect any  employee
     benefit plan,  program or arrangement  (including,  without  limitation the
     Company's


                                       6
<PAGE>

     retirement plan, benefit equalization plan, life insurance plan, health and
     accident plan,  disability plan,  deferred  compensation  plan or long term
     stock incentive plan) in which Executive is participating immediately prior
     to a Change in Control  (except that the Company may  institute or continue
     plans,  programs or  arrangements  providing  Executive with  substantially
     similar  benefits);  the taking of any action by the  Company  which  would
     adversely  affect   Executive's   participation  in  or  materially  reduce
     Executive's  benefits under,  any of such plans,  programs or arrangements;
     the failure to continue,  or the taking of any action  which would  deprive
     Executive,  of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Executive immediately
     prior to such Change in  Control;  or the failure by the Company to provide
     Executive  with the number of paid  vacation  days to which  Executive  was
     entitled immediately prior to such Change in Control;

          (6) The failure by the Company to obtain an  assumption  in writing of
     the  obligations  of the Company to perform this Agreement by any successor
     to the Company and to provide such assumption to the Executive prior to any
     Change in Control; or

          (7) Any purported termination of Executive's employment by the Company
     during the term of this Agreement which is not effected  pursuant to all of
     the requirements of this Agreement; and, for purposes of this Agreement, no
     such purported termination shall be effective.

     h. Pro-rata Bonus Amount.  "Pro-rata  Bonus Amount",  as used in Section 9,
means an amount  equal to a  "portion"  of the  highest  cash  bonus paid to the
Executive  in the  three  calendar  years  immediately  prior to the  Change  in
Control. The "portion" of such cash bonus shall


                                       7

<PAGE>

be a fraction,  the numerator of which is the number of calendar  months or part
thereof  which  the  Executive  has  worked  in the  calendar  year in which the
termination occurs and the denominator of which is 12.

     i. Subsidiary.  "Subsidiary"  means any corporation in an unbroken chain of
corporations,  beginning with Valley, if each of the corporations other than the
last  corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the
total  combined  voting  power  of all  classes  of  stock  in one of the  other
corporations in such chain.

     2. Employment.  The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive,  and the
Executive hereby accepts  employment,  during the Contract Period upon the terms
and conditions set forth herein.

     3. Position.  During the Contract Period the Executive shall be employed by
the bank as a Senior  Officer,  or such other  corporate  or  divisional  profit
center as shall then be the  principal  successor  to the  business,  assets and
properties of the Company, with substantially the same title and the same duties
and responsibilities as before the Change in Control. The Executive shall devote
his full time and attention to the business of the Company, and shall not during
the Contract  Period be engaged in any other business  activity.  This paragraph
shall not be construed as preventing the Executive from managing any investments
of his which do not  require any  service on his part in the  operation  of such
investments.

     4. Cash Compensation.  The Company shall pay to the Executive  compensation
for his services during the Contract Period as follows:

                                       8


<PAGE>

          a. Base Salary.  A base annual  salary  equal to the annual  salary in
     effect as of the Change in Control.  The annual  salary shall be payable in
     installments in accordance with the Company's usual payroll method.

          b. Annual Bonus. An annual cash bonus equal to at least the average of
     the bonuses paid to the Executive in the three years prior to the Change in
     Control. The bonus shall be payable at the time and in the manner which the
     Company paid such bonuses prior to the Change in Control.

          c. Annual  Review.  The Board of Directors  of the Company  during the
     Contract Period shall review annually,  or at more frequent intervals which
     the Board determines is appropriate, the Executive's compensation and shall
     award him additional  compensation to reflect the Executive's  performance,
     the performance of the Company and competitive  compensation levels, all as
     determined in the discretion of the Board of Directors.

5. Expenses and Fringe Benefits.

     a. Expenses. During the Contract Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
reimbursement  for all  business  expenses  incurred by him with  respect to the
business  of the  Company  in the same  manner  and to the same  extent  as such
expenses were previously  reimbursed to him  immediately  prior to the Change in
Control.

     b. Benefit  Equalization Plan. During the Contract Period, if the Executive
was entitled to benefits under the Company's  Benefit  Equalization Plan ("BEP")
prior to the Change in Control,  the  Executive  shall be entitled to  continued
benefits  under  the BEP after the


                                       9

<PAGE>

Change in Control and such BEP may not be modified to reduce or  eliminate  such
benefits during the Contract Period.

     c. Club Membership and Automobile.  If prior to the Change in Control,  the
Executive  was  entitled to  membership  in a country  club and/or the use of an
automobile,  he  shall  be  entitled  to the same  membership  and/or  use of an
automobile at least  comparable to the  automobile  provided to him prior to the
Change in Control.

     d. Other  Benefits.  The Executive  also shall be entitled to vacations and
sick days, in accordance  with the practices and  procedures of the Company,  as
such  existed  immediately  prior to the Change in Control.  During the Contract
Period,  the Executive also shall be entitled to hospital,  health,  medical and
life  insurance,  and any other benefits  enjoyed,  from time to time, by senior
officers of the Company,  all upon terms as favorable as those  enjoyed by other
senior officers of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph 5(d)
to the contrary,  if the Company adopts any change in the benefits  provided for
senior  officers of the  Company,  and such policy is  uniformly  applied to all
officers of the Company (and any successor or acquiror of the Company,  if any),
then no such change shall be deemed to be contrary to this paragraph.

     6. Termination for Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate the
Executive for Cause,  upon written notice to him of the termination which notice
shall specify the reasons for the  termination.  In the event of termination for
Cause the  Executive  shall not be entitled to any further  benefits  under this
Agreement.

     7.  Disability.  During  the  Contract  Period  if  the  Executive  becomes

                                       10


<PAGE>

permanently  disabled,  or is unable  to  perform  his  duties  hereunder  for 4
consecutive  months  in any 12 month  period,  the  Company  may  terminate  the
employment of the Executive.  In such event, the Executive shall not be entitled
to any further benefits under this Agreement.

     8. Death Benefits.  Upon the Executive's  death during the Contract Period,
his estate shall not be entitled to any further  benefits under this  Agreement.

     9.  Termination  Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason.  The Company
may terminate the Executive  without Cause during the Contract Period by written
notice to the Executive  providing  four weeks notice.  The Executive may resign
for Good Reason during the Contract  Period upon four weeks'  written  notice to
the  Company  specifying  facts and  circumstances  claimed to support  the Good
Reason. The Executive shall be entitled to give a Notice of Termination that his
or her  employment  is being  terminated  for Good Reason at any time during the
Contract  Period,  not later than twelve months after any occurrence of an event
stated to constitute  Good Reason.  If the Company  terminates  the  Executive's
employment  during the Contract Period without Cause or if the Executive Resigns
for Good Reason, the Company shall, subject to section 12 hereof:

          a. Within 20 business days of the  termination  of employment  pay the
     Executive a lump sum equal to: (i), if the Executive has been  continuously
     employed by the Bank for 6 full years or more, two (2) years of Base Salary
     plus  a  Pro-rata   Bonus  Amount  or  (ii),  if  the  Executive  has  been
     continuously  employed by the Bank for less than 6 full years but more than
     three years, then one (1) year of Base Salary plus a Pro-rata Bonus Amount;
     and


                                       11

<PAGE>

          b.  Continue to provide the Executive  with  medical,  dental and life
     insurance for the period equal to the  equivalent  lump sum payment (e.g. 1
     or 2 years) as were provided at the time of  termination  of his employment
     with the  Company,  at the  Company's  cost.  Upon  expiration  of  benefit
     coverages,  full COBRA  benefits  (18  months)  will be made  available  to
     Executive.

     The Executive shall not have a duty to mitigate the damages suffered by him
in connection  with the  termination  by the Company of his  employment  without
Cause or a  resignation  for Good  Reason  during the  Contract  Period.  If the
Company  fails to pay the  Executive the lump sum amount due him hereunder or to
provide him with the health,  hospitalization  and insurance  benefits due under
this section, the Executive, after giving 10 days' written notice to the Company
identifying the Company's failure, shall be entitled to recover from the Company
all of his reasonable  legal fees and expenses  incurred in connection  with his
enforcement  against the Company of the terms of this  Agreement.  The Executive
shall be denied  payment of his legal fees and  expenses  only if a court  finds
that the Executive sought payment of such fees without reasonable cause.

     10.  Resignation  Without Good Reason.  The Executive  shall be entitled to
resign from the  employment of the Company at any time during the Contact Period
without  Good  Reason,  but upon such  resignation  the  Executive  shall not be
entitled to any additional compensation for the time after which he ceases to be
employed by the Company,  and shall not be entitled to any of the other benefits
provided  hereunder.  No such  resignation  shall be effective unless in writing
with four weeks' notice thereof.

     11. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.



                                       12
<PAGE>

     a. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.  Except in the course of his
employment with the Company and in the pursuit of the business of the Company or
any of its  subsidiaries  or  affiliates,  the Executive  shall not, at any time
during or following  the  Contract  Period,  disclose or use,  any  confidential
information or  proprietary  data of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  or
affiliates.  The  Executive  agrees that,  among other things,  all  information
concerning  the identity of and the  Company's  relations  with its customers is
confidential information.

     b. Specific Performance. Executive agrees that the Company does not have an
adequate  remedy at law for the breach of this  section and agrees that he shall
be subject to injunctive relief and equitable remedies as a result of the breach
of this section.  The  invalidity or  unenforceability  of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the force and effect of the remaining valid portions.

     c. Survival.  This section shall survive the termination of the Executive's
employment hereunder and the expiration of this Agreement.

     12. Certain Reduction of Payments by the Company.

     a. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, prior to the
payment  of  any  lump  sum  amount  payable  hereunder,  the  certified  public
accountants  of the  Company  immediately  prior to a  Change  of  Control  (the
"Certified Public  Accountants)  shall determine as promptly as practical and in
any event within 20 business  days  following the  termination  of employment of
Executive  whether  any  payment or  distribution  by the  Company to or for the
benefit  of  the  Executive   (whether  paid  or  payable  or   distributed   or
distributable  pursuant


                                       13

<PAGE>

to the terms of this  Agreement or otherwise)  (a  "Payment")  would more likely
than not be  nondeductible by the Company for Federal income purposes because of
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),  and
if it is then the aggregate present value of amounts payable or distributable to
or for the benefit of Executive  pursuant to this  Agreement  (such  payments or
distributions  pursuant  to  this  Agreement  are  thereinafter  referred  to as
"Agreement  Payments")  shall be  reduced  (but not below  zero) to the  reduced
Amount. For purposes of this paragraph,  the "Reduced Amount" shall be an amount
expressed  in present  value which  maximizes  the  aggregate  present  value of
Agreement  Payments  without  causing  any  Payment to be  nondeductible  by the
Company because of said Section 280G of the Code.

     b. If under paragraph (a) of this section the Certified Public  Accountants
determine  that any Payment would more likely than not be  nondeductible  by the
Company because of Section 280G of the Code, the Company shall promptly give the
Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed  calculation  thereof
and of the  Reduced  Amount,  and the  Executive  may  then  elect,  in his sole
discretion,  which and how much of the Agreement Payments shall be eliminated or
reduced  (as long as after such  election  the  aggregate  present  value of the
Agreement  Payments equals the Reduced Amount),  and shall advise the Company in
writing of his election within 20 business days of his receipt of notice.  If no
such election is made by the Executive  within such 20-day  period,  the Company
may elect which and how much of the  Agreement  Payments  shall be eliminated or
reduced  (as long as after such  election  the  Aggregate  present  Value of the
Agreement  Payments  equals the Reduced  Amount) and shall notify the  Executive
promptly of such election.  For purposes of this paragraph,  present Value shall
be determined in accordance with

                                       14


<PAGE>

Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code. All determinations  made by the Certified Public
Accountants shall be binding upon the Company and Executive shall be made within
20 business days of a termination  of employment of Executive.  With the consent
of the  Executive,  the Company may suspend  part or all of the lump sum payment
due under Section 9 hereof and any other payments due to the Executive hereunder
until  the  Certified  Public  Accountants  finish  the  determination  and  the
Executive (or the Company, as the case may be) elect how to reduce the Agreement
Payments, if necessary.  As promptly as practicable following such determination
and the  elections  hereunder,  the Company shall pay to or distribute to or for
the benefit of Executive  such  amounts as are then due to Executive  under this
Agreement and shall  promptly pay to or distribute  for the benefit of Executive
in the future such amounts as become due to Executive under this Agreement.

     c. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 280G of the
Code, it is possible that  Agreement  Payments may have been made by the Company
which should not have been made  ("Overpayment")  or that  additional  Agreement
Payments  which  will have not been  made by the  Company  could  have been made
("Underpayment"),  in each case,  consistent with the calculation of the Reduced
Amount hereunder. In the event that the Certified Public Accountants, based upon
the  assertion  of a  deficiency  by the Internal  Revenue  Service  against the
Company or Executive which said Certified Public Accountants  believe has a high
probability of success,  determines  that an Overpayment has been made, any such
Overpayment  shall be treated  for all  purposes  as a loan to  Executive  which
Executive  shall repay to the Company  together with interest at the  applicable
Federal  rate  provided  for in  Section  7872(f)(2)(A)  of the Code;  provided,
however,  that no amount shall be payable by Executive to the Company in and for
the extent such


                                       15
<PAGE>

payment  would not reduce the amount which is subject to taxation  under Section
4999 of the Code. In the event that the Certified Public Accountants, based upon
controlling  precedent,  determine that an Underpayment  has occurred,  any such
Underpayment  shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Executive  together with interest at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.

     13. Term and Effect Prior to Change in Control.

     a. Term. Except as otherwise  provided for hereunder,  this Agreement shall
commence on the date  hereof and shall  remain in effect for a period of 3 years
from the date  hereof  (the  "Initial  Term") or until  the end of the  Contract
Period, whichever is later. The Initial Term shall be automatically extended for
an  additional  one year  period on the  anniversary  date  hereof  (so that the
Initial  Term is  always 3 years)  unless,  prior to a Change  in  Control,  the
Personnel  and  Compensation  Committee of the Bank  notifies  the  Executive in
writing  at any time that the  Contract  is not so  extended,  in which case the
Initial Term shall end upon the later of (i) 3 years after the date  hereof,  or
(ii) twenty-four  months after the date of such written notice.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Initial Term shall cease when the
Executive attains age 65.

     b. No Effect Prior to Change in Control.  This  Agreement  shall not effect
any  rights of the  Company  to  terminate  the  Executive  prior to a Change in
Control  or any  rights  of the  Executive  granted  in any other  agreement  or
contract or plan with the  Company.  The rights,  duties and  benefits  provided
hereunder shall only become effective upon and after a Change in Control. If the
full-time  employment  of the  Executive  by the Company is ended for any reason

                                       16
<PAGE>

prior to a Change in Control,  this Agreement shall  thereafter be of no further
force and effect.

     14.  Severance  Compensation  and  Benefits  Not  in  Derogation  of  Other
Benefits. Anything to the contrary herein contained notwithstanding, the payment
or  obligation  to pay any  monies,  or  granting  of any  benefits,  rights  or
privileges  to Executive as provided in this  Agreement  shall not be in lieu or
derogation of the rights and privileges  that the Executive now has or will have
under any plans or programs of or  agreements  with the Company,  except that if
the Executive  received any payment  hereunder,  he shall not be entitled to any
payment under the Company's severance policy for officers and directors.

     15.  Miscellaneous.  This Agreement is the joint and several  obligation of
the Bank and  Valley.  The terms of this  Agreement  shall be  governed  by, and
interpreted  and construed in accordance with the provisions of, the laws of New
Jersey.  This Agreement  supersedes all prior agreements and understandings with
respect to the matters covered hereby,  including  expressly any prior agreement
with the  Company  concerning  change in  control  benefits.  The  amendment  or
termination  of this  Agreement  may be made only in a writing  executed  by the
Company and the  Executive,  and no amendment or  termination  of this Agreement
shall be effective unless and until made in such a writing. This Agreement shall
be binding upon any successor (whether direct or indirect,  by purchase,  merge,
consolidation,  liquidation  or  otherwise) to all or  substantially  all of the
assets of the  Company.  This  Agreement  is personal to the  Executive  and the
Executive  may not  assign  any of his  rights  or  duties  hereunder  but  this
Agreement  shall  be  enforceable  by  the  Executive's  legal  representatives,
executors  or  administrators.  This  Agreement  may be  executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed an  original,  and it shall not be
necessary


                                       17
<PAGE>

in making  proof of this  Agreement to produce or account for more than one such
counterpart.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Valley National Bank and Valley National Bancorp each
have caused this Agreement to be signed by their duly authorized representatives
pursuant to the  authority of their Boards of  Directors,  and the Executive has
personally  executed  this  Agreement,  all as of the day and year first written
above.

ATTEST:                                        VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

/s/ Alan D. Eskow                                  By: /s/ Gerald H. Lipkin
- ------------------------------                     -----------------------------
Alan D. Eskow, Secretary                           Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman
                                                   of the Board, President & CEO

ATTEST:                                        VALLEY NATIONAL BANK

/s/ Alan D. Eskow                              By: /s/ Gerald H. Lipkin
- ------------------------------                     -----------------------------
Alan D. Eskow, Secretary                           Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman
                                                   of the Board, President & CEO

WITNESS:

/s/ Janet Maloy                                /s/ Albert L. Engel
- ------------------------------                 ---------------------------------
                                               Albert L. Engel, Executive

                                               Dated: 1/27/00

October 1, 1996
- -----------------------
"Executive" Valley
 National Bank
 Service Date


                                       18




                                                                    EXHIBIT (23)

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
Valley National Bancorp:

We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements  No.
33-52809,  No. 33-61547 and No.  33-56933,  No.  33-65933,  No. 33-65993 and No.
333-25419 on Forms S-8 of Valley  National  Bancorp of our report dated  January
19, 2000  relating to the  consolidated  statements  of  financial  condition of
Valley  National  Bancorp and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and
the related consolidated  statements of income,  change in shareholders' equity,
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1999,  which report  appears in the December 31, 1999 annual report on Form 10-K
of Valley National Bancorp.

                                  /s/ KPMG LLP

Short Hills, New Jersey
March 1, 2000




                                                                    EXHIBIT (24)


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS  that each person whose  signature  appears
below  constitutes  and appoints Gerald H. Lipkin and Peter Southway and each of
them, his attorney-in-fact,  each with power of substitution, for him in any and
all  capacities,  to sign the  Annual  Report on Form  10-K of  Valley  National
Bancorp for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 and any and all  amendments,
and to file the same,  with exhibits  thereto with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission,   hereby   ratifying   and   confirming   all  that   each  of  said
attorneys-in-fact,  or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.

Signature                                                             Date
- ---------                                                             ----

 /s/ GERALD H. LIPKIN                                           January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman, President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director


/s/ PETER SOUTHWAY                                              January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Peter Southway, Vice Chairman and
Director

/s/ ALAN D. ESKOW                                               January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Alan D. Eskow, Senior Vice President
Controller and Corporate Secretary

/s/ ANDREW A. ABRAMSON                                          January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Andrew A. Abramson, Director

/s/ PAMELA BRONANDER                                            January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Pamela Bronander, Director

  /s/ JOSEPH COCCIA, JR.                                        January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Joseph Coccia, Jr., Director



<PAGE>

/s/ HAROLD P. COOK, III                                         January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Harold P. Cook, III, Director

/s/ AUSTIN C. DRUKKER                                           January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Austin C. Drukker, Director

/s/ WILLARD L. HEDDEN                                           January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Willard L. Hedden, Director

/s/ GRAHAM O. JONES                                             January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Graham O. Jones, Director

/s/ WALTER H. JONES, III                                        January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Walter H. Jones, III, Director

/s/ GERALD KORDE                                                January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Gerald Korde, Director

/s/ JOLEEN J. MARTIN                                            January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Joleen J. Martin, Director

/s/ ROBERT E. McENTEE                                           January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Robert E. McEntee, Director

/s/ RICHARD S. MILLER                                           January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Richard S. Miller, Director

/s/ SAM P. PINYUH                                               January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Sam P. Pinyuh, Director

/s/ ROBERT RACHESKY                                             January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Robert Rachesky, Director

                                       2

<PAGE>

/s/ BARNETT RUKIN                                               January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Barnett Rukin, Director

/s/ RICHARD F. TICE                                             January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Richard F. Tice, Director

/s/ LEONARD J. VORCHEIMER                                       January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Leonard J. Vorcheimer, Director

/s/ JOSEPH L. VOZZA                                             January 18, 2000
- --------------------------------------
Joseph L. Vozza, Director

                                       3


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                            9

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                         161,561
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               123,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    1,005,419
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         351,501
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           318,329
<LOANS>                                        4,554,752
<ALLOWANCE>                                    55,120
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 6,360,394
<DEPOSITS>                                     5,051,255
<SHORT-TERM>                                   129,065
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            61,693
<LONG-TERM>                                    564,881
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       25,943
<OTHER-SE>                                     527,557
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 6,360,394
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                339,438
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              84,148
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               3,949
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               427,535
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             143,512
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             169,177
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          258,358
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  9,120
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                             2,532
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                137,946
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                158,544
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     158,544
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   106,324
<EPS-BASIC>                                    1.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  1.73
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                 4.53
<LOANS-NON>                                    3,482
<LOANS-PAST>                                   11,698
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                               4,852
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                2,000
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               54,641
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  12,131
<RECOVERIES>                                   3,490
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              55,120
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           41,454
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                            142
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                        13,524


</TABLE>


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