VLY Insider Alert: Senior VP Gino Martocci Buys Nearly 33,000 Shares—A Quiet Bet on Valley National’s Upside Potential

Insider Buying Signals a Quiet Confidence in Valley National’s Future The most recent filing shows that SEVP Gino Martocci purchased 32,935 shares of Valley National Bancorp (VLY) on February 23, 2026—an all‑cash transaction that was priced at the prevailing market level of $12.87. The purchase was part of a restricted‑stock‑unit (RSU) award under the 2023 Long‑Term Incentive Plan, vesting on February 1 each year for the next three years. While the trade itself added only a few percent to Martocci’s total holdings (raising his stake to 85,606 shares), the timing of the purchase—just as the stock sits near a 52‑week low of $7.48 and a modest upside of 26 % over the year—suggests that the executive feels the bank’s intrinsic value is still above current market pricing.

What the Transaction Means for Investors Insider buying is widely viewed as a positive signal, especially when it comes from a senior executive with a long‑term incentive structure. In Martocci’s case, the RSUs are time‑based, not tied to performance, which reduces the risk of short‑term manipulation. The fact that he has already sold a significant portion of his holdings earlier in February (3,761 shares at $12.46) and now is buying again indicates a belief that the bank’s shares will rebound. For investors, this may be a cue to re‑evaluate the stock’s valuation: at a P/E of 12.82 and a price‑to‑book near 1.0, VLY is trading close to book value, a scenario that historically has offered upside potential when earnings or asset quality improve.

A Profile of Gino Martocci: A Consistent Long‑Term Investor Across the past 12 months, Martocci has displayed a pattern of modest sales followed by strategic purchases. In early February he sold 3,761 shares, reducing his post‑trade holdings to 52,671. That same day he held a small block of 45,822 shares, and later the same month he added 32,935 shares via RSUs. This cycle—sell, hold, buy—has repeated in other periods, with his net exposure fluctuating between 50,000 and 90,000 shares. The trades are all executed at market price or slightly below, suggesting a disciplined approach rather than a reaction to volatility. Martocci’s holdings have remained well below the 200,000‑share threshold that would trigger a mandatory report, allowing him to maintain flexibility while still signaling confidence in the company’s trajectory.

Broader Insider Activity Context The company‑wide insider activity shows a mix of purchases and sales. Chief Risk Officer Regan John P. added nearly 18,000 shares, while CEO Ira Robbins sold over 30,000 shares in two separate transactions earlier in February. These moves indicate that while some executives are capitalizing on short‑term liquidity, others—like Martocci—are positioning themselves for longer horizons. The contrast between sales by the CEO and purchases by a senior vice president could point to a strategic shift in focus toward the commercial banking segment, where Martocci’s expertise lies.

Looking Ahead: Is VLY a Value Play for 2026? With the bank’s assets anchored in a solid Northern New Jersey and New York footprint and a diversified portfolio that includes mortgage servicing and investment management, Valley National is well‑positioned to weather economic fluctuations. The current stock price, near the middle of its 52‑week range, offers a buying window for investors who believe the company’s earnings will continue to grow. Martocci’s recent RSU purchase, coupled with the broader insider buying trend, provides a modest bullish signal. For investors, the key will be monitoring the bank’s earnings releases and any changes to its asset quality metrics—particularly in the commercial loan portfolio—as these will be the primary drivers of share price movement in the coming quarters.