-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 FdBby/mmFn0W51JJ+DnP8Nu5rl7vLlAoobPe+qaH4UWqie0gcU2kmS7wB4+GyS99
 1N3puf+82HHn7Mm9johl9Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-004847.txt : 20090225
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-004847.hdr.sgml : 20090225
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090225153958
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-004847
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090225
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090225

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MEENEGHAN MICHAEL A.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001428089

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22537-01
		FILM NUMBER:		09633798

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		610-369-6293

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P. O. BOX 547
		CITY:			BOYERTOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19512

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL PENN BANCSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000700733
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				232215075
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PHILADELPHIA AND READING AVES
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 547
		CITY:			BOYERTOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19512
		BUSINESS PHONE:		1-800-822-3321

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PHILADELPHIA AND READING AVES
		STREET 2:		P. O. BOX 547
		CITY:			BOYERTOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19512
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000700733</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL PENN BANCSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NPBC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001428089</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MEENEGHAN MICHAEL A.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PHILADELPHIA &amp; READING AVENUES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P. O. BOX 547</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOYERTOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19512-0547</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1250</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11150</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>850</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.88</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3750</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-03-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3750</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3750</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options become exercisable in increments of 20% on February 23, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Performance-restricted restricted stock issued under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.  To the extent performance goals and time restrictions are met, shares of National Penn common stock will vest.  To the extent the performance goals and time restrictions are not met, the award will lapse.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Restricted stock issued under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.  Restricted period is five years from date of award.  To the extent the time restrictions are met, the restricted stock will vest.  To the extent the time restrictions are not met, the award will lapse.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michelle H. Debkowski, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----