EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION OF CEO AND CFO PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Valley National Bancorp (the “Company”) for the three month period ended March 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Gerald H. Lipkin, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Alan D. Eskow, as Chief Financial Officer, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. (section) 1350, as adopted pursuant to (section) 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/    GERALD H. LIPKIN         

Gerald H. Lipkin

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

May 7, 2004

/s/    ALAN D. ESKOW         

Alan D. Eskow

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

May 7, 2004