============================================================= SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 14, 1999 VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP ----------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New Jersey ---------- (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 0-11179 22-2477875 ------------------------ --------------------------------- (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 1455 Valley Road Wayne, New Jersey 07470 ----------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (973) 305-8800 -------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) ============================================================= Item 5. Other Events - ------- ------------ On December 14, 1999, Valley National Bancorp ("Valley") issued a press release announcing that the Board of Directors had authorized the purchase of up to 3,000,000 shares of the company's outstanding common stock. Purchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. Reacquired shares will be held in treasury and are expected to be used for employee benefit programs, stock dividends and other corporate purposes. Item 7. Exhibits - ------- -------- Exhibit 99 Press Release dated December 14, 1999 SIGNATURES ---------- Pursuant to the requirements 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 Dated: December 29, 1999 By: ALAN D. ESKOW ----------------------------- Alan D. Eskow Principal Accounting Officer and Corporate Secretary INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Description - ----------- ----------- 99 Press release dated December 14, 1999