EXHIBIT 23(a)

   
                        
                         INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT

    

The Board of Directors
Valley National Bancorp

We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our Firm under the heading "Experts" in the Proxy Statement/
Prospectus.

Our report refers to a change in accounting for income taxes.

                                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP



   
Short Hills, New Jersey
January 9, 1995