Allowance For Credit Losses (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Allowance For Credit Losses [Abstract]
Allowance for covered loans credit charge-offs	$ 14,400,000
Provision for covered loan losses	$ 21,510,000	$ 6,378,000

Provision for loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions which are covered under the terms of loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC.

No definition available.

Name:	vly_ProvisionForCoveredLoanLosses
Namespace Prefix:	vly_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration