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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(A)
 
                        CONSENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
The Board of Directors
Valley National Bancorp
 
     We consent to the use of our reports 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.
 
                                                 /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
   
Short Hills, New Jersey
October 19, 1994
    
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                        CONSENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
The Board of Directors
Rock Financial Corporation
 
     We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference and
to the reference to our Firm under the heading "Experts" in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
 
                                                 /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
   
Short Hills, New Jersey
October 19, 1994