PITNEY, HARDIN, KIPP & SZUCH LLP
P.O. Box 1945
Morristown, New Jersey 07962-1945
September 21, 2000
Valley National Bancorp
1455 Valley Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We refer to the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") by Valley National Bancorp (the
"Company") relating to 57,626 shares of the Company's Common Stock, no par value
(the "Securities") being offered pursuant to the Registration Statement.
We have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records, documents,
agreements, instruments and certificates of public officials of the State of New
Jersey and of officers of the Company as we have deemed necessary or appropriate
in order to express the opinion hereinafter set forth.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, the
Securities being registered have been validly issued, and are fully paid and
nonassessable.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the Federal laws of the
United States and the laws of the State of New Jersey, and we are expressing no
opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an Exhibit to
the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that
we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
PITNEY, HARDIN, KIPP & SZUCH LLP
