Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business

Business

Valley National Bancorp, a New Jersey Corporation ("Valley"), is a bank holding company whose principal wholly-owned subsidiary is Valley National Bank (the "Bank"), a national banking association providing a full range of commercial, retail and trust and investment services through its branch and ATM network throughout northern and central New Jersey, the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, as well as Long Island, New York. The Bank also lends to borrowers outside its branch network. The Bank is subject to intense competition from other financial services companies and is subject to the regulation of certain federal and state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by certain regulatory authorities.

Valley National Bank's subsidiaries are all included in the consolidated financial statements of Valley. These subsidiaries include:

• an all-line insurance agency offering property and casualty, life and health insurance;

• asset management advisors which are Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") registered investment advisors;

• a title insurance agency;

• subsidiaries which hold, maintain and manage investment assets for the Bank;

• a subsidiary which owns and services auto loans;

• a subsidiary which specializes in asset-based lending;

• a subsidiary which offers financing for general aviation aircraft and servicing for existing commercial equipment leases;

• a subsidiary which specializes in health care equipment and other commercial equipment leases; and

• a subsidiary which owns and services New York commercial loans.

The Bank's subsidiaries also include real estate investment trust subsidiaries (the "REIT" subsidiaries) which own real estate related investments and a REIT subsidiary which owns some of the real estate utilized by the Bank and related real estate investments. Except for Valley's REIT subsidiaries, all subsidiaries mentioned above are directly or indirectly wholly-owned by the Bank. Because each REIT subsidiary must have 100 or more shareholders to qualify as a REIT, each REIT subsidiary has issued less than 20 percent of its outstanding non-voting preferred stock to individuals, most of whom are non-senior management Bank employees. The Bank owns the remaining preferred stock and all the common stock of the REITs.

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements of Valley include the accounts of its commercial bank subsidiary, Valley National Bank and all of Valley's direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. The accounting and reporting policies of Valley conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") and general practices within the financial services industry. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, Valley does not consolidate statutory trusts established for the sole purpose of issuing trust preferred securities and related trust common securities. See Note 12 below for more detail. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management has made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated statements of financial condition and results of operations for the periods indicated. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change are: the allowance for loan losses; the evaluation of goodwill and other intangible assets, and investment securities for impairment; fair value measurements of assets and liabilities; and income taxes. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are deemed necessary. While management uses its best judgment, actual amounts or results could differ significantly from those estimates. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these material estimates.

Effective January 1, 2012, Valley acquired State Bancorp, Inc. ("State Bancorp"), the holding company for State Bank of Long Island, a commercial bank. See Note 2 for further details regarding this acquisition.

On May 20, 2011, Valley issued a five percent common stock dividend to shareholders of record on May 6, 2011. All common share and per common share data presented in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes below were adjusted to reflect the dividend.

In March 2010, the Bank assumed all of the deposits, excluding brokered deposits, and acquired loans, other real estate owned ("covered loans" and "covered OREO", together "covered assets") and certain other assets of The Park Avenue Bank and LibertyPointe Bank, from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"), as receiver (the "FDIC-assisted transactions"). See Note 2 for further details regarding these transactions.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, interest bearing deposits in other banks (including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) and, from time to time, overnight federal funds sold.

The Bank is required to maintain reserve balances in cash or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank based on a percentage of deposits. These reserve balances totaled $19.2 million and $16.8 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Investment Securities

Investment Securities

At the time of purchase, management elects to classify investment securities into one of three categories: held to maturity, available for sale or trading. Investment securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. Investment securities to be held for indefinite periods are classified as available for sale and carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported as a component of other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax. Securities that may be sold and reinvested over short durations as part of management's asset/liability management strategies are classified as trading and are carried at fair value, with changes in unrealized holding gains and losses included in non-interest income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income as a component of trading gains (losses), net. Realized gains or losses on the sale of securities are recognized by the specific identification method and are included in net gains (losses) on securities transactions and net trading gains (losses) for available for sale and trading securities, respectively. Investments in Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock, which have limited marketability, are carried at cost in other assets.

Quarterly, Valley evaluates its investment securities classified as held to maturity or available for sale for other-than-temporary impairment. Other-than-temporary impairment means Valley believes the security's impairment is due to factors that could include the issuer's inability to pay interest or dividends, the potential for default, and/or other factors. As a result of Valley's adoption of new authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 320, "Investments – Debt and Equity Securities" on January 1, 2009, when a held to maturity or available for sale debt security is assessed for other-than-temporary impairment, Valley has to first consider (a) whether it intends to sell the security, and (b) whether it is more likely than not that Valley will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. If neither of these circumstances applies to a security, but Valley does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis, an other-than-temporary impairment loss has occurred that must be separated into two categories: (a) the amount related to credit loss, and (b) the amount related to other factors. In assessing the level of other-than-temporary impairment attributable to credit loss, Valley compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected with the amortized cost basis of the security. The portion of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss is recognized in earnings, while the portion related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income or loss. The total other-than-temporary impairment loss is presented in the statement of income, less the portion recognized in other comprehensive income or loss. When a debt security becomes other-than-temporarily impaired, its amortized cost basis is reduced to reflect the portion of the total impairment related to credit loss.

To determine whether a security's impairment is other-than-temporary, Valley considers factors that include, among others, the causes of the decline in fair value, such as credit problems, interest rate fluctuations, or market volatility; the severity and duration of the decline; Valley's ability and intent to hold equity security investments until they recover in value (as well as the likelihood of such a recovery in the near term); Valley's intent to sell security investments; and whether it is more likely than not that Valley will be required to sell such securities before recovery of their individual amortized cost basis. For debt securities, the primary consideration in determining whether impairment is other-than-temporary is whether or not it is probable that current and/or future contractual cash flows have been or may be impaired. See the "Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Analysis" section of Note 4 for further discussion.

Interest income on investments includes amortization of purchase premiums and discounts. Realized gains and losses are derived based on the amortized cost of the security sold. Valley discontinues the recognition of interest on debt securities if the securities meet both of the following criteria: (i) regularly scheduled interest payments have not been paid or have been deferred by the issuer, and (ii) full collection of all contractual principal and interest payments is not deemed to be the most likely outcome, resulting in the recognition of other-than-temporary impairment of the security.

Loans Held For Sale

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale consist of conforming residential mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market and are carried at their estimated fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis as permitted by the fair value option election under U.S. GAAP. Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings as a component of gains on sales of loans, net. Origination fees and costs related to loans held for sale are recognized as earned and as incurred. Loans held for sale are generally sold with loan servicing rights retained by Valley. Gains recognized on loan sales include the value assigned to the rights to service the loan. See "Loan Servicing Rights" section below.

Loans And Loan Fees

Loans and Loan Fees

Loans are reported at their outstanding principal balance net of any unearned income, charge-offs, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans and premium or discounts on purchased loans, except for covered loans. Loan origination and commitment fees, net of related costs are deferred and amortized as an adjustment of loan yield over the estimated life of the loans approximating the effective interest method.

Loans are deemed to be past due when the contractually required principal and interest payments have not been received as they become due. Loans are placed on non-accrual status generally when they become 90 days past due and the full and timely collection of principal and interest becomes uncertain. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income. Payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied against principal. A loan may be restored to an accruing basis when it becomes well secured and is in the process of collection, or all past due amounts become current under the loan agreement and collectability is no longer doubtful.

Loans Acquired Through Transfer (Including Covered Loans)

Loans Acquired Through Transfer (Including Covered Loans)

Loans acquired through the completion of a transfer, including loans acquired in a business combination (see Note 2), are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no allowance for loan losses. Beginning in 2010, Valley accounts for interest income on all loans acquired at a discount (that is due, in part, to credit quality) based on the acquired loans' expected cash flows. The acquired loans may be aggregated and accounted for as a pool of loans if the loans being aggregated have common risk characteristics. A pool is accounted for as a single asset with a single composite interest rate and an aggregate expectation of cash flow.

The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loans, or the "accretable yield," is recognized as interest income utilizing the level-yield method over the life of each pool. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the "nonaccretable difference," are not recognized as a yield adjustment or as a loss accrual or an allowance for loan losses. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the acquisition are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the pool over its remaining life, while decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment through a loss provision and an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Therefore, the allowance for loan losses on these impaired pools reflect only losses incurred after the acquisition (representing the present value of all cash flows that were expected at acquisition but currently are not expected to be received). The allowance for loan losses on covered loans (acquired through two FDIC-assisted transactions) is determined without consideration of the amounts recoverable through the FDIC loss-share agreements (see "FDIC Loss-Share Receivable" below).

Covered loans that may have been classified as non-performing loans by an acquired bank are no longer classified as non-performing because these loans are accounted for on a pooled basis. Management's judgment is required in classifying loans in pools as performing loans, and is dependent on having a reasonable expectation about the timing and amount of the pool cash flows to be collected, even if certain loans within the pool are contractually past due.

Allowance For Credit Losses

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses (the "allowance") is increased through provisions charged against current earnings and additionally by crediting amounts of recoveries received, if any, on previously charged-off loans. The allowance is reduced by charge-offs on loans or unfunded letters of credit which are determined to be a loss, in accordance with established policies, when all efforts of collection have been exhausted.

The allowance is maintained at a level estimated to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as well as other credit risk related charge-offs. The allowance is based on ongoing evaluations of the probable estimated losses inherent in the non-covered loan portfolio and off balance sheet unfunded letters of credits, as well as reserves for impairment of covered loans subsequent to their acquisition date. As discussed under the "Loans Acquired Through Transfer" section above, the allowance for credit losses includes reserves for impairment of covered loans subsequent to their acquisition date. The Bank's methodology for evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance includes grouping the non-covered loan portfolio into loan segments based on common risk characteristics, tracking the historical levels of classified loans and delinquencies, applying economic outlook factors, assigning specific incremental reserves where necessary, providing specific reserves on impaired loans, and assessing the nature and trend of loan charge-offs. Additionally, the volume of non-performing loans, concentration risks by size, type, and geography, new markets, collateral adequacy, credit policies and procedures, staffing, underwriting consistency, loan review and economic conditions are taken into consideration.

The allowance for loan losses consists of five elements: (i) specific reserves for individually impaired credits, (ii) reserves for adversely classified, or higher risk rated, loans that are not impaired, (iii) reserves for other loans based on historical loss factors, (iv) reserves based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to Valley, including changes in loan portfolio volume, the composition and concentrations of credit, new market initiatives, and the impact of competition on loan structuring and pricing, and (v) an allowance for impaired covered loan pools.

The Credit Risk Management Department individually evaluates non-accrual (non-homogeneous) commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate loans over $250 thousand and all troubled debt restructured loans are individually evaluated for impairment. The value of an impaired loan is measured based upon the underlying anticipated method of payment consisting of either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent, and its payment is expected solely based on the underlying collateral. If the value of an impaired loan is less than its carrying amount, impairment is recognized through a provision to the allowance for loan losses. Collateral dependent impaired loan balances are written down to the current fair value, less costs to sell, of each loan's underlying collateral resulting in an immediate charge-off to the allowance, excluding any consideration for personal guarantees that may be pursued in the Bank's collection process. If repayment is based upon future expected cash flows, the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate is compared to the carrying value of the loan, and any shortfall is recorded as a specific valuation allowance in the allowance for loan losses. Accrual of interest is discontinued on an impaired loan when management believes, after considering collection efforts and other factors, the borrower's financial condition is such that collection of interest is doubtful. Cash collections on impaired loans are generally credited to the loan balance, and no interest income is recognized on these loans until the principal balance has been determined to be fully collectible. Residential mortgage loans and consumer loans usually consist of smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, and are specifically excluded from the impaired loan portfolio, except where the loan is classified as a troubled debt restructured loan.

The allowances established for probable losses on specific loans are based on a regular analysis and evaluation of the loans. Loans are evaluated based on an internal credit risk rating system for the commercial and industrial loan and commercial real estate loan portfolio segments and non-performing loan status for the residential and consumer loan portfolio segments. Loans are risk-rated based on an internal credit risk grading process that evaluates, among other things: (i) the obligor's ability to repay; (ii) the underlying collateral, if any; and (iii) the economic environment and industry in which the borrower operates. This analysis is performed at the relationship manager level for all commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate loans, and evaluated by the Loan Review Department on a test basis. Loans with a grade that is below "Pass" grade are adversely classified. See Note 5 for details. Any change in the credit risk grade of performing and/or non-performing loans affects the amount of the related allowance. Once a loan is adversely classified, the assigned relationship manager and/or a special assets officer in conjunction with the Credit Risk Management Department analyze the loan to determine whether the loan is impaired and, if impaired, the need to specifically allocate a portion of the allowance for loan losses to the loan. Specific valuation allowances are determined by analyzing the borrower's ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies, the relative risk grade of the loan and economic conditions affecting the borrower's industry, among other things. Loans identified as losses by management are charged-off. Loans are assessed for full or partial charge-off when they are between 90 and 120 days past due or sooner if deemed uncollectible. Furthermore, residential mortgage and consumer loan accounts are charged-off in accordance with regulatory requirements.

The allowance allocations for other loans (i.e.; risk rated loans that are not adversely classified and loans that are not risk rated) are calculated by applying historical loss factors for each loan portfolio segment to the applicable outstanding loan portfolio balances. Loss factors are calculated using statistical analysis supplemented by management judgment. The statistical analysis considers historical default rates and historical loss severity in the event of default. The management analysis includes an evaluation of loan portfolio volumes, the composition and concentrations of credit, credit quality and current delinquency trends.

The allowance also contains reserves to cover inherent losses within each of Valley's loan portfolio segments, which have not been otherwise reviewed or measured on an individual basis. Such reserves include management's evaluation of national and local economic and business conditions, loan portfolio volumes, the composition and concentrations of credit, credit quality and delinquency trends. These reserves reflect management's attempt to ensure that the overall allowance reflects a margin for imprecision and the uncertainty that is inherent in estimates of probable credit losses.

See Notes 5 and 6 for Valley's loan credit quality and additional allowance disclosures.

Premises And Equipment, Net

Premises and Equipment, Net

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Generally, these useful lives range from three to forty years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease or estimated useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter. Major improvements are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred. Upon retirement or disposition, any gain or loss is credited or charged to operations.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Valley owns bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") to help offset the cost of employee benefits. BOLI is recorded at its cash surrender value. Valley's BOLI is invested primarily in U.S. Treasury securities and residential mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored enterprises, and Ginnie Mae. The majority of the underlying investment portfolio is managed by one independent investment firm. The change in the cash surrender value is included as a component of non-interest income and is exempt from federal and state income taxes as long as the policies are held until the death of the insured individuals.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned ("OREO"), acquired through foreclosure on loans secured by real estate, is reported at the lower of cost or fair value, as established by a current appraisal, less estimated costs to sell, and is included in other assets. Any write-downs at the date of foreclosure are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Expenses incurred to maintain these properties, unrealized losses resulting from write-downs after the date of foreclosure, and realized gains and losses upon sale of the properties are included in other non-interest expense and other non-interest income, as appropriate. OREO and other repossessed assets totaled $22.4 million and $12.2 million (including $6.4 million and $7.8 million of OREO related to the FDIC-assisted transactions, which is subject to the loss-sharing agreements) at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

FDIC Loss-Share Receivable

FDIC Loss-Share Receivable

The receivable arising from the loss sharing agreements (referred to as the "FDIC loss-share receivable" on our consolidated statements of financial condition) is measured separately from the covered loan pools because the agreements are not contractually part of the covered loans and are not transferable should the Bank choose to dispose of the covered loans. Although this asset represents a contractual receivable from the FDIC, there is no contractual interest rate associated with the asset. At the date of acquisition, the FDIC loss-share receivable was measured at its fair value based on expected future cash flows covered by the loss share agreements. In addition, the asset is based on the credit adjustments estimated for each loan pool and the loss-share percentages. See Note 2 for further details.

The difference between the present value at acquisition date and the undiscounted cash flow expected to be collected from the FDIC is accreted into non-interest income over the life of the FDIC loss-share receivable. The FDIC loss-share receivable is reduced as loss-sharing payments are received from the FDIC for realized losses on covered loans and other real estate owned. Actual or expected losses in excess of the acquisition date estimates result in an increase in the FDIC loss-share receivable. However, a reduction in the FDIC loss-share receivable due to actual or expected losses that are less than the acquisition date estimates is recognized prospectively over the shorter of (i) the estimated life of the respective pools of covered loans or (ii) the term of the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC. The increases and decreases to the FDIC loss-share receivable are recorded as a component of non-interest income. The amount ultimately collected for the FDIC loss-share receivable is dependent upon the performance of the underlying covered assets, the passage of time, and claims submitted to the FDIC. See Note 5 for further details.

Goodwill

Goodwill

Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting consist of goodwill and other intangible assets (see "Other Intangible Assets" section below). Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test. Goodwill is allocated to Valley's reporting unit, which is a business segment or one level below, at the date goodwill is actually recorded. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, a second step in the analysis is performed to determine the amount of impairment, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess amount in the current period earnings. Valley reviews goodwill annually or more frequently if a triggering event indicates impairment may have occurred, to determine potential impairment by determining if the fair value of the reporting unit has fallen below the carrying value.

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets primarily consist of loan servicing rights (largely generated from loan servicing retained by the Bank on residential mortgage loan originations sold in the secondary market to government sponsored enterprises), core deposits, customer lists and covenants not to compete obtained through acquisitions. Other intangible assets are amortized using various methods over their estimated lives and are periodically evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impairment is deemed to exist, an adjustment is recorded to earnings in the current period for the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying amount. See further details regarding loan servicing rights below.

Loan Servicing Rights

Loan Servicing Rights

Loan servicing rights are recorded when purchased or when originated mortgage loans are sold, with servicing rights retained. Valley initially records the loan servicing rights at fair value. Subsequently, the loan servicing rights are carried at the lower of unamortized cost or market (i.e., fair value). The fair values of the loan servicing rights are determined using a method which utilizes servicing income, discount rates, prepayment speeds and default rates specifically relative to Valley's portfolio for originated mortgage servicing rights.

The unamortized costs associated with acquiring loan servicing rights, net of any valuation allowances, are included in other intangible assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition and are accounted for using the amortization method. Under this method, Valley amortizes the loan servicing assets in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing revenues. On a quarterly basis, Valley stratifies its loan servicing assets into groupings based on risk characteristics and assesses each group for impairment based on fair value. A valuation allowance is established through an impairment charge to earnings to the extent the unamortized cost of a stratified group of loan servicing rights exceeds its estimated fair value. Increases in the fair value of impaired loan servicing rights are recognized as a reduction of the valuation allowance, but not in excess of such allowance.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock awards (i.e., non-vested stock awards) is based on the fair value of the award on the date of the grant and is recognized ratably over the service period of the award. Under Valley's long-term incentive compensation plans, award grantees that are eligible for retirement do not have a service period requirement. Compensation expense for these awards is recognized immediately in earnings. The fair value of each option granted is estimated using a binomial option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock awards is the market price of Valley's stock on the date of grant.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

In general, fair values of financial instruments are based upon quoted market prices, where available. When observable market prices and parameters are not fully available, management uses valuation techniques based upon internal and third party models requiring more management judgment to estimate the appropriate fair value measurements. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value, including adjustments based on internal cash flow model projections that utilize assumptions similar to those incorporated by market participants. Other adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and Valley's creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. See Note 3 for additional information.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Valley uses the asset and liability method to provide income taxes on all transactions recorded in the consolidated financial statements. This method requires that income taxes reflect the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities for book and tax purposes. Accordingly, a deferred tax asset or liability for each temporary difference is determined based on the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the underlying items of income and expense are expected to be realized.

Valley's expense for income taxes includes the current and deferred portions of that expense. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount we expect to realize. Deferred income tax expense (benefit) results from differences between assets and liabilities measured for financial reporting versus income-tax return purposes. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

Valley maintains a reserve related to certain tax positions and strategies that management believes contain an element of uncertainty. Periodically, Valley evaluates each of its tax positions and strategies to determine whether the reserve continues to be appropriate. See Note 14 for further analysis of Valley's accounting for income taxes.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a business entity during a period due to transactions and other events and circumstances, excluding those resulting from investments by and distributions to shareholders. Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income or loss. Valley's components of other comprehensive (loss) income, net of deferred tax, include: (i) unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale (including the non-credit portion of other-than-temporary impairment charges relating to these securities); (ii) unrealized gains and losses on derivatives used in cash flow hedging relationships; and (iii) the unfunded portion of its various employee, officer, and director pension plans. Upon early adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Presentation of Comprehensive Income", as amended, at December 31, 2011, Valley presents comprehensive income and its components in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income on a retrospective basis for all periods presented. See Note 18 for additional disclosures.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings Per Common Share

For Valley, the numerator of both the basic and diluted earnings per common share is net income available to common stockholders (which is equal to net income less dividends on preferred stock and related discount accretion). The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in the denominator for basic earnings per common share is increased to determine the denominator used for diluted earnings per common share by the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents utilizing the treasury stock method. For Valley, common stock equivalents are outstanding common stock options and warrants to purchase Valley's common shares.

The following table shows the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

	2011		2010		2009
	(in thousands, except for share data)
Net income	$	133,653	$	131,170	$	116,061
Less: dividends on preferred stock and accretion		—		—		19,524
Net income available to common stockholders	$	133,653	$	131,170	$	96,537
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		169,928,460		169,112,901		159,259,476
Plus: Common stock equivalents		1,130		8,683		753
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		169,929,590		169,121,584		159,260,229
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.79	$	0.78	$	0.61
Diluted	$	0.79	$	0.78	$	0.61

Common stock equivalents, in the table above, represent the effect of outstanding common stock options and warrants to purchase Valley's common shares, excluding those with exercise prices that exceed the average market price of Valley's common stock during the periods presented and therefore, would have an anti-dilutive effect on the diluted earnings per common share calculation. Anti-dilutive common stock options and warrants equaled approximately 6.4 million, 6.9 million, and 7.2 million common shares for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Preferred And Common Dividends

Preferred and Common Dividends

On November 14, 2008, Valley issued 300,000 shares of fixed rate cumulative perpetual preferred stock (the "senior preferred shares"), with a liquidation preference of one thousand dollars per share, to the U.S. Department of Treasury. Subsequently, Valley incrementally repurchased all 300,000 shares back from the U.S. Treasury during 2009 and effectively ended its participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program on December 23, 2009. While the senior preferred shares were outstanding to the U.S. Treasury, the shares paid dividends at a rate of five percent per annum. Valley accrued the obligation for the preferred dividends as earned over the period the senior preferred shares were outstanding.

 Cash dividends to common stockholders are payable and accrued when declared by Valley's Board of Directors.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is recorded using the cost method and accordingly is presented as a reduction of shareholders' equity.

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

As part of its asset/liability management strategies and to accommodate commercial borrowers, Valley has used interest rate swaps and caps to hedge variability in future fair values or cash flows caused by changes in interest rates. Valley also uses derivatives not designated as hedges for non-speculative purposes to manage its exposure to interest rate movements related to a service for certain customers. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Valley records all derivatives as assets or liabilities at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income or loss and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. On a quarterly basis, Valley assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. If a hedging relationship is terminated due to ineffectiveness, and the derivative instrument is not re-designated to a new hedging relationship, the change in fair value of such instrument is charged directly to earnings. Derivatives not designated as hedges do not meet the hedge accounting requirements under U.S. GAAP. Changes in fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings.