Edgar Filing: STERLING BANCORP

stl_10q-033113.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended

March 31, 2013

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from

Commission File Number: 1-5273-1

Sterling Bancorp

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York	12-2565216
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification)


650 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y.	10019-6108
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

212-757-3300

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

xYes oNo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (17 CFR § 232.405) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer o	Accelerated Filer x
Non-Accelerated Filer o	Smaller Reporting Company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

oYes x No

As of April 30, 2013 there were 30,955,796 shares of common stock,

$1.00 par value, outstanding.

STERLING BANCORP

		Page
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	3
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	8

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
	Overview	40
	Income Statement Analysis	41
	Balance Sheet Analysis	43
	Capital	50
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	51
	Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	51
	Average Balance Sheets	52
	Rate/Volume Analysis	53
	Regulatory Capital and Ratios	54

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
	Asset/Liability Management	55
	Information Available on Our Web Site	57
	Interest Rate Sensitivity	58

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	59

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	59

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	59

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	60

Item 6.	Exhibits	61

SIGNATURES		62

EXHIBITS INDEX

Exhibit 10.1	Amendments to Employment Agreements date March 12, 2013
	(a) For Louis J. Cappelli	63
	(b) For John C. Millman	64
Exhibit 11	Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings	65
Exhibit 31.1	Certification of the CEO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)	66
Exhibit 31.2	Certification of the CFO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)	67
Exhibit 32.1*	Certification of the CEO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code	68
Exhibit 32.2*	Certification of the CFO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code	69
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase.

* This information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	35,993		$	38,944
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		165,988			112,886
Securities available for sale (at estimated fair value; pledged: $181,642 in 2013 and $174,240 in 2012)		277,947			296,837
Securities held to maturity (pledged: $146,926 in 2013 and $136,109 in 2012) (estimated fair value: $401,016 in 2013 and $403,218 in 2012)		387,114			386,408
Total investment securities		665,061			683,245
Loans held for sale, net		75,857			121,237
Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts		1,680,389			1,649,753
Less allowance for loan losses		22,520			22,347
Loans, net		1,657,869			1,627,406
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost		7,456			7,472
Goodwill		22,901			22,901
Premises and equipment, net		21,998			22,578
Other real estate		1,917			1,452
Accrued interest receivable		7,198			6,853
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies		54,945			54,553
Other assets		55,302			51,315
Total assets	$	2,772,485		$	2,750,842
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	$	897,112		$	924,351
Savings, NOW and money market deposits		793,364			701,692
Time deposits		590,679			642,041
Total deposits		2,281,155			2,268,084
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - customers		33,817			32,950
Commercial paper		20,995			15,345
Advances - FHLB		100,894			101,265
Long-term borrowings - subordinated debentures		25,774			25,774
Total borrowings		181,480			175,334
Accrued interest payable		735			649
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		77,123			78,685
Total liabilities		2,540,493			2,522,752
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, $1 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 35,263,768 shares		35,264			35,264
Capital surplus		271,651			271,565
Retained earnings		26,866			24,407
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(15,134	)		(16,491	)
Common shares in treasury at cost, 4,307,972 shares		(86,655	)		(86,655	)
Total shareholders' equity		231,992			228,090
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	2,772,485		$	2,750,842

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
INTEREST INCOME
Loans	$	22,242	$	19,686
Investment securities
Available for sale - taxable		1,666		2,170
Held to maturity - taxable		1,131		1,633
Tax exempt		1,544		1,604
FRB and FHLB stock		61		81
Deposits with other banks		57		46
Total interest income		26,701		25,220
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits
Savings, NOW and money market		726		644
Time		910		1,063
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings		42		64
Advances - FHLB		392		519
Long-term borrowings - subordinated debentures		523		523
Total interest expense		2,593		2,813
Net interest income		24,108		22,407
Provision for loan losses		2,000		3,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		22,108		19,407
NONINTEREST INCOME
Accounts receivable management/ factoring commissions and other related fees		3,475		4,868
Mortgage banking income		4,399		2,336
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,295		1,260
Securities gains, net		132		879
Other income		1,374		943
Total noninterest income		10,675		10,286
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits		16,114		14,911
Occupancy and equipment expenses, net		3,439		3,214
Deposit insurance		586		584
Professional fees		1,186		903
Other expenses		3,514		3,432
Total noninterest expenses		24,839		23,044
Income before income taxes		7,944		6,649
Provision for income taxes		2,700		2,047
Net income	$	5,244	$	4,602


Average number of common shares outstanding
Basic		30,861,286		30,659,856
Diluted		30,861,286		30,659,856
Net income per average common share
Basic	$	0.17	$	0.15
Diluted		0.17		0.15
Dividends per common share		0.09		0.09

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012

Net income	$	5,244		$	4,602

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale arising during the period		857			2,685

Reclassification adjustment for securities' gains included in net income		(73	)		(488	)

Reclassification adjustment for amortization of:
Prior service cost		5			5
Net actuarial losses		568			453
Other comprehensive income		1,357			2,655
Comprehensive income	$	6,601		$	7,257

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012

Common Stock
Balance at January 1,	$	35,264		$	35,225
Balance at March 31,	$	35,264		$	35,225


Capital Surplus
Balance at January 1,	$	271,565		$	270,869
Stock option compensation and restricted stock expense		86			103
Balance at March 31,	$	271,651		$	270,972


Retained Earnings
Balance at January 1,	$	24,407		$	15,523
Net income		5,244			4,602
Cash dividends paid - common shares		(2,785	)		(2,782	)
Balance at March 31,	$	26,866		$	17,343


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at January 1,	$	(16,491	)	$	(14,216	)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		1,357			2,655
Balance at March 31,	$	(15,134	)	$	(11,561	)


Treasury Stock
Balance at January 1,	$	(86,655	)	$	(86,580	)
Surrender of shares issued under stock incentive plan		-			(75	)
Balance at March 31,	$	(86,655	)	$	(86,655	)


Total Shareholders' Equity
Balance at January 1,	$	228,090		$	220,821
Net changes during the period		3,902			4,503
Balance at March 31,	$	231,992		$	225,324

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Operating Activities
Net Income	$	5,244		$	4,602
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses		2,000			3,000
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment		922			910
Securities gains, net		(132	)		(879	)
Gains from life insurance policies, net		(686	)		(229	)
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision		(928	)		73
Proceeds from sale of loans		269,953			120,219
Gains on sales of loans, net		(4,419	)		(2,352	)
Originations of loans held for sale		(220,154	)		(103,186	)
Amortization of premiums on securities		1,856			1,791
Accretion of discounts on securities		(211	)		(156	)
Increase in accrued interest receivable		(345	)		(1,840	)
Increase (Decrease) in accrued interest payable		86			(70	)
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities		(2,293	)		(8,394	)
Increase in other assets		(1,195	)		(1,454	)
Loss on other real estate owned		12			66
Net cash provided by operating activities		49,710			12,101
Investing Activities
Purchase of premises and equipment		(342	)		(553	)
Net (increase) decrease in interest-bearing deposits with other banks		(53,102	)		99,510
Net (increase) decrease in loans held in portfolio		(36,018	)		15,237
Net decrease (increase) in short-term factored receivables		2,993			(6,837	)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate		28			404
Proceeds from prepayments, redemptions or maturities of securities - held to maturity		5,997			10,491
Purchases of securities - held to maturity		(53,695	)		(88,479	)
Proceeds from calls of securities - held to maturity		45,000			70,000
Proceeds from sales of securities - held to maturity		1,910			-
Proceeds from prepayments, redemptions or maturities of securities - available for sale		370,948			105,570
Purchases of securities - available for sale		(377,950	)		(284,670	)
Proceeds from calls/sales of securities - available for sale		25,122			64,132
Proceeds from redemptions or maturities of FHLB & FRB stock		16			16
Net cash used in investing activities		(69,093	)		(15,179	)
Financing Activities
Net (decrease) increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits		(27,239	)		49,713
Net increase in savings, NOW and money market deposits		91,672			78,969
Net decrease in time deposits		(51,362	)		(129,466	)
Net increase in Federal funds purchased		-			15,000
Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase		867			(6,711	)
Net increase in commercial paper and other short-term borrowings		5,650			2,405
Decrease in long-term borrowings		(371	)		(365	)
Cash dividends paid on common stock		(2,785	)		(2,782	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		16,432			6,763
Net (decrease) increase in cash and due from banks		(2,951	)		3,685
Cash and due from banks - beginning of period		38,944			31,046
Cash and due from banks - end of period	$	35,993		$	34,731
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid	$	2,507		$	2,882
Income taxes paid		4,062			60
Loans held for sale transferred to portfolio		-			827
Loans transferred to other real estate		562			138
Due from brokers on maturities of securities - AFS		2,516			-
Due to brokers on purchases of securities - AFS		1,766			513

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations. Sterling Bancorp (the “parent company”) is a financial holding company, pursuant to an election made under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. Throughout the notes, the term the “Company” refers to Sterling Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries and the term the “bank” refers to Sterling National Bank and its consolidated subsidiaries, while the term the “parent company” refers to Sterling Bancorp but not its subsidiaries. The Company provides a full range of banking and financial products and services, including business and consumer lending, asset-based financing, residential mortgage warehouse funding, factoring/accounts receivable management services, equipment financing, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, deposit services and trade financing. The Company has operations principally in New York and conducts business throughout the United States.

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) which principally consist of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB Codification”). FASB Codification Topic 105: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles establishes the FASB Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative guidance for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the FASB Codification carries an equal level of authority. All non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the FASB Codification is superseded and deemed non-authoritative.

Basis of Presentation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and its subsidiaries, principally the bank, after elimination of intercompany transactions. The consolidated financial statements as of and for the interim periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of such periods have been made. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current presentation. Throughout the notes, dollar amounts presented in tables are in thousands, except per share data. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form10-K”).

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make assumptions and estimates which impact the amounts reported in those statements and are, by their nature, subject to change in the future as additional information becomes available or as circumstances vary. Actual results could differ from management’s current estimates as a result of changing conditions and future events. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these significant estimates. Several accounting estimates are particularly critical and are susceptible to significant near-term change, including the allowance for loan losses and asset impairment judgments, such as other-than-temporary declines in the value of securities and the accounting for income taxes. The judgments used by management in applying these critical accounting policies may be affected by a further and prolonged deterioration or lack of significant improvement in the economic environment, which may result in changes to future financial results. For example, subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for loan losses in future periods, and the inability to collect outstanding principal may result in increased loan losses. The Company evaluates subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are issued.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 2. Investment Securities

The following tables present information regarding securities available for sale:

March 31, 2013	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value

U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,388	$	2	$	-	$	6,390

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities
CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)		15,858		104		11		15,951
CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)		2,427		11		10		2,428
Federal National Mortgage Association		1,850		112		-		1,962
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		19		-		1		18
Government National Mortgage Association		80		2		-		82
Total residential mortgage-backed securities		20,234		229		22		20,441

Agency notes
Federal National Mortgage Association		950		1		-		951
Federal Home Loan Bank		500		-		-		500
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		75		3		-		78
Federal Farm Credit Bank		200		1		-		201
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		21,959		234		22		22,171

Obligations of state and political institutions-New York Bank Qualified		16,500		1,203		-		17,703
Single-issuer, trust preferred securities		36,161		1,346		26		37,481
Other preferred securities		9,429		52		94		9,387
Corporate debt securities		162,115		1,169		181		163,103
Equity and other securities		18,721		3,203		212		21,712
Total	$	271,273	$	7,209	$	535	$	277,947

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

December 31, 2012	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value

U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,387	$	1	$	2	$	6,386

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities
CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)		19,615		47		30		19,632
CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)		3,293		12		14		3,291
Federal National Mortgage Association		1,860		118		-		1,978
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		20		-		1		19
Government National Mortgage Association		85		1		-		86
Total residential mortgage-backed securities		24,873		178		45		25,006

Agency notes
Federal National Mortgage Association		650		1		-		651
Federal Home Loan Bank		500		1		-		501
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		75		4		-		79
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		26,098		184		45		26,237

Obligations of state and political institutions-New York Bank Qualified		16,499		1,424		-		17,923
Single-issuer, trust preferred securities		37,875		1,090		80		38,885
Other preferred securities		12,012		3		62		11,953
Corporate debt securities		173,332		1,288		202		174,418
Equity and other securities		19,371		2,129		465		21,035
Total	$	291,574	$	6,119	$	856	$	296,837

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following tables present information regarding securities held to maturity:

March 31, 2013	Carrying Value		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities
CMOs (Federal National Mortgage Association)	$	1,734	$	90	$	-	$	1,824
CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)		2,992		133		-		3,125
Federal National Mortgage Association		29,436		2,575		-		32,011
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		14,087		1,107		-		15,194
Government National Mortgage Association		3,219		560		-		3,779
Total residential mortgage-backed securities		51,468		4,465		-		55,933

Agency notes
Federal National Mortgage Association		125,977		46		108		125,915
Federal Home Loan Bank		75,689		12		59		75,642
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		253,134		4,523		167		257,490

Obligations of state and political institutions-New York Bank Qualified		133,980		9,549		3		143,526
Total	$	387,114	$	14,072	$	170	$	401,016

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

December 31, 2012	Carrying Value		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities
CMOs (Federal National Mortgage Association)	$	2,051	$	88	$	-	$	2,139
CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)		3,525		145		-		3,670
Federal National Mortgage Association		32,731		2,854		-		35,585
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		15,768		1,237		-		17,005
Government National Mortgage Association		3,385		559		-		3,944
Total residential mortgage-backed securities		57,460		4,883		-		62,343

Agency notes
Federal National Mortgage Association		95,977		95		74		95,998
Federal Home Loan Bank		81,989		38		12		82,015
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		15,000		21		-		15,021
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		250,426		5,037		86		255,377

Obligations of state and political institutions-New York Bank Qualified		135,982		11,861		2		147,841
Total	$	386,408	$	16,898	$	88	$	403,218

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following tables present information regarding securities available for sale with temporary unrealized losses for the periods indicated:

	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
March 31, 2013	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities
CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)	$	5,049	$	3	$	1,946	$	8	$	6,995	$	11
CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)		-		-		793		10		793		10
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		-		-		18		1		18		1
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		5,049		3		2,757		19		7,806		22

Single-issuer, trust preferred securities		4,950		23		495		3		5,445		26
Other preferred securities		6,293		94		-		-		6,293		94
Corporate debt securities		37,682		20		13,274		161		50,956		181
Equity and other securities		1,371		96		568		116		1,939		212
Total	$	55,345	$	236	$	17,094	$	299	$	72,439	$	535

December 31, 2012

U.S. Treasury securities	$	388	$	2	$	-	$	-	$	388	$	2

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities
CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)		5,876		12		2,314		18		8,190		30
CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)		-		-		1,518		14		1,518		14
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		-		-		19		1		19		1
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		5,876		12		3,851		33		9,727		45

Single-issuer, trust preferred securities		9,698		71		1,079		9		10,777		80
Other preferred securities		11,849		62		-		-		11,849		62
Corporate debt securities		35,832		73		10,667		129		46,499		202
Equity and other securities		2,476		316		1,057		149		3,533		465
Total	$	66,119	$	536	$	16,654	$	320	$	82,773	$	856

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following tables present information regarding securities held to maturity with temporary unrealized losses for the periods indicated:

	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
March 31, 2013	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Agency notes
Federal National Mortgage Association	$	75,888	$	108	$	-	$	-	$	75,888	$	108
Federal Home Loan Bank		56,641		59		-		-		56,641		59
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		132,529		167		-		-		132,529		167

Obligations of state and political institutions-New York Bank Qualified		202		3		-		-		202		3
Total	$	132,731	$	170	$	-	$	-	$	132,731	$	170

December 31, 2012

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Agency notes
Federal National Mortgage Association	$	14,926	$	74	$	-	$	-	$	14,926	$	74
Federal Home Loan Bank		32,987		12		-		-		32,987		12

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		47,913		86		-		-		47,913		86

Obligations of state and political institutions-New York Bank Qualified		203		2		-		-		203		2
Total	$	48,116	$	88	$	-	$	-	$	48,116	$	88

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following table presents information regarding single-issuer, trust preferred securities at March 31, 2013:

Issuer	TARP Recipient	Credit Rating	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Gain/(Loss)

Sterling Bancorp Trust I, 8.375%, due 3/31/2032	Yes *	NA	$	991	$	1,102	$	111

ABN Ambro NA Holding Cap, Floating Rate, due 4/03/2013, owned by Bank of America	Yes *	BB+		500		500		-

Allfirst Pfd Cap Trust, Floating Rate, due 7/15/2029, owned by M&T Bank Corporation	Yes *	BBB		383		415		32

Citigroup Capital VII, 7.125%, due 7/31/2031, called 4/16/13	Yes *	BB		2,114		2,129		15

Citigroup Capital VIII, 6.95%, due 9/15/2031, called 4/16/13	Yes *	BB		1,683		1,694		11

Citigroup Capital IX, 6.00%, due 2/14/2033	Yes *	BB		3,310		3,486		176

Citigroup Capital X, 6.10%, due 9/30/2033	Yes *	BB		1,256		1,278		22

Citigroup Capital XI, 6.00%, due 9/27/2034	Yes *	BB		1,153		1,165		12

Citigroup Capital XV, 6.50%, due 9/15/2066, called 4/16/13	Yes *	BB		234		234		-

Citigroup Capital XVII, 6.35%, due 3/15/2067	Yes *	BB		46		63		17

Countrywide Capital IV, 6.75%, due 4/01/2033, owned by Bank of America	Yes *	BB+		149		150		1

Countrywide Capital V, 7.00%, due 11/01/2036, owned by Bank of America	Yes *	BB+		2,507		2,555		48

First Tennessee Capital II, 6.30%, due 4/15/2034	Yes *	BB		5,120		5,291		171

Goldman Sachs Capital, Floating Rate, due 6/01/2043	Yes *	BB+		850		841		(9	)

Goldman Sachs Capital I, 6.345%, due 2/15/2034	Yes *	BB+		8,912		9,377		465

Keycorp Capital II, 6.875%, due 3/17/2029	Yes *	BBB-		93		100		7

Mellon Capital IV, Floating Rate, due 6/29/2049	Yes *	BBB		118		120		2

JP Morgan Chase Capital XIII, Floating Rate, due 9/30/2034	Yes *	BBB		762		830		68

JP Morgan Chase Capital XI, 5.875%, due 6/15/2033, called 5/8/13	Yes *	BBB		1,623		1,632		9

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust V, 5.75%, due 7/15/2033	Yes *	BB+		2,005		2,000		(5	)

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust III, 6.25%, due 3/01/2033	Yes *	BB+		1,045		1,125		80

PNC Financial Services, Fixed to Floating Rate, due 4/19/2013	Yes *	BBB		460		465		5

SunTrust Capital I, Floating Rate, due 5/15/2027	Yes *	BB+		736		815		79

USB Capital IX, Floating Rate, due 10/29/2049	Yes *	BBB+		90		93		3

VNB Capital Trust I, 7.75%, due 12/15/2031	Yes *	BBB-		21		21		-

			$	36,161	$	37,481	$	1,320

* TARP obligation was repaid prior to March 31, 2013.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The Company invests principally in obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises and other investment-grade securities. The fair value of these investments fluctuates based on several factors, including credit quality and general interest rate changes. The Company determined that it is not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell any investments before anticipated recovery.

At March 31, 2013, approximately $131.3 million representing approximately 19.7% of the Company’s held to maturity and available for sale securities is comprised of securities issued by financial service companies/banks including single-issuer trust preferred securities (25 issuers), corporate debt (39 issuers), other preferred securities (1 issuer) and equity and other securities (14 issuers). These investments may pose a higher risk of future impairment charges as a result of a lack of significant improvement of the U.S. economy and/or a further deterioration in stock prices of the companies in the financial services industry. The Company would be required to recognize impairment charges on these securities if they suffer a decline in value that is considered other-than-temporary. Numerous factors, including lack of liquidity for re-sales of certain investment securities, absence of reliable pricing information for investment securities, adverse changes in business climate, adverse actions by regulators or unanticipated changes in the competitive environment could have a negative effect on the Company’s investment portfolio and may result in other-than-temporary impairment on certain investment securities in future periods.

At March 31, 2013, the Company held 1 security position of single-issuer, trust preferred securities issued by a financial institution, in the available for sale portfolio, that was in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months and is paying in accordance with its term and has no deferrals of interest or other deferrals. In addition, management analyzes the performance of the issuer on a periodic basis, including a review of the issuer’s most recent bank regulatory reports and other public regulatory disclosures, to assess credit risk and the probability of impairment of the contractual cash flows of the applicable security. Based upon management’s first quarter review, the issuer has maintained performance levels adequate to support the contractual cash flows of the security.

At March 31, 2013, the Company held 8 security positions of corporate debt securities issued by financial institutions and other corporate issuers in the available for sale portfolio that were in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. Each of these positions are paying in accordance with their terms and have no deferrals of interest or other deferrals. In addition, management analyzes the performance of each issuer on a periodic basis, including a review of the issuer’s most recent public regulatory disclosures, to assess credit risk and the probability of impairment of the applicable securities. Based upon management’s first quarter review, management has concluded that the unrealized losses are deemed to be temporary.

At March 31, 2013, the Company held 3 issues of equity and other securities, in the available for sale portfolio, that were in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. Each of these issues is rated as “hold” or better by the analysts who cover them. In addition, management analyzes the performance of each issuer on a periodic basis, including a review of the issuer’s most recent public regulatory disclosures, to assess credit risk and the probability of impairment of the applicable securities. Based upon management’s first quarter review, management has concluded that the unrealized losses are deemed to be temporary.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following tables present information regarding securities available for sale and securities held to maturity at March 31, 2013, based on contractual maturity. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Available for sale	Amortized Cost		Fair Value

U.S. Treasury securities
Due within 1 year	$	5,998	$	5,999
Due after 5 years but within 10 years		390		391
Total U.S. Treasury securities		6,388		6,390

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities
CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)		15,858		15,951
CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)		2,427		2,428
Federal National Mortgage Association		1,850		1,962
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		19		18
Government National Mortgage Association		80		82
Total residential mortgage-backed securities		20,234		20,441

Agency notes
Federal National Mortgage Association
Due after 1 year but within 5 years		700		701
Due after 5 years but within 10 years		250		250
Federal Home Loan Bank
Due after 1 year but within 5 years		500		500
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Due after 1 year but within 5 years		75		78
Federal Farm Credit Bank
Due after 10 years		200		201
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		21,959		22,171

Obligations of state and political institutions - New York Bank Qualified
Due after 5 years but within 10 years		3,355		3,612
Due after 10 years		13,145		14,091
Total obligations of state and political institutions-New York Bank Qualified		16,500		17,703

Single-issuer, trust preferred securities
Due within 1 year		3,237		3,253
Due after 10 years		32,924		34,228
Total single-issuer, trust preferred securities		36,161		37,481

Other preferred securities
Due within 1 year		9,429		9,387
Total other preferred securities		9,429		9,387

Corporate debt securities
Due within 6 months		83,889		83,949
Due after 6 months but within 1 year		31,991		32,264
Due after 1 year but within 2 years		27,629		28,112
Due after 2 years but within 5 years		16,189		16,268
Due after 5 years but within 10 years		2,318		2,402
Due after 10 years		99		108
Total corporate debt securities		162,115		163,103

Equity and other securities		18,721		21,712
Total	$	271,273	$	277,947

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Held to maturity	Carrying Value		Fair Value

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities
CMOs (Federal National Mortgage Association)	$	1,734	$	1,824
CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)		2,992		3,125
Federal National Mortgage Association		29,436		32,011
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		14,087		15,194
Government National Mortgage Association		3,219		3,779
Total residential mortgage-backed securities		51,468		55,933

Agency notes
Federal National Mortgage Association
Due after 1 year but within 5 years		10,000		10,007
Due after 10 years		115,977		115,908
Federal Home Loan Bank
Due after 10 years		75,689		75,642
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		253,134		257,490
Obligations of state and political institutions - New York Bank Qualified
Due after 1 year but within 5 years		154		168
Due after 5 years but within 10 years		10,285		11,256
Due after 10 years		123,541		132,102
Total obligations of state and political institutions-New York Bank Qualified		133,980		143,526
Total	$	387,114	$	401,016

Information regarding sales/calls of available for sale securities is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
Sales
Proceeds	$	13,478	$	48,374
Gross gains		172		742
Gross losses		26		1

Calls
Proceeds		11,644		15,758
Gross gains		80		156
Gross losses		7		22

Information regarding sales/calls of held to maturity securities is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
Sales
Proceeds	$	1,910	$	-
Gross gains		-		-
Gross losses		87		-

Calls
Proceeds		45,000		70,000
Gross gains		-		4
Gross losses		-		-

The held to maturity securities sold during the three months ended March 31, 2013 were comprised of a single issue of bonds from a municipality that had experienced a deterioration in its credit standing due to a fall-off of property tax revenues and expenses incurred due to Hurricane Sandy. There were no transfers of held to maturity securities during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 or March 31, 2012.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 3. Loans and Allowance For Loan Losses

The major components of domestic loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio are as follows:

	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Loans held for sale, net of valuation reserve ($-0- at March 31, 2013 and at December 31, 2012)
Real estate—residential mortgage	$	75,857	$	121,237
Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts
Commercial and industrial		637,807		629,369
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		379,938		348,843
Factored receivables		148,726		151,830
Equipment financing receivables		183,990		177,084
Real estate—residential mortgage		156,243		151,609
Real estate—commercial mortgage		154,336		182,735
Real estate—construction and land development		13,345		13,277
Loans to individuals		22,950		11,851
Loans to depository institutions		-		-
Loans held in portfolio, gross		1,697,335		1,666,598
Less unearned discounts		16,946		16,845
Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts		1,680,389		1,649,753
	$	1,756,246	$	1,770,990

At March 31, 2013, the bank had qualified loans, with a carrying value of approximately $436.9 million, available to secure

borrowings from the FHLB and the FRB. At March 31, 2013, $4.9 million of loans were being used as collateral for borrowing from the FHLB. At December 31, 2012, no loans were pledged.

Loan Origination/Risk Management

The Company has lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies and non-performing and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions.

The Company maintains an independent loan review process that reviews and validates the credit risk program on a periodic basis. Results of these reviews are presented to management and the Loan Committee of the Board of Directors. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by lenders.

Commercial and Industrial and Loans to Nondepository Financial Institutions

Sterling provides a full range of loans to small and medium-sized businesses with the objective of establishing longer-term relationships. Loans generally range in size up to $20 million, tailored to meet customers’ long- and short-term needs, and include secured and unsecured lines of credit and business installment loans.

Loans generally are collateralized by accounts receivable, inventory, mortgages on residential real estate and other assets. Sterling also provides back-office services, i.e., processing payroll, generating customer invoices, credit collection assistance and related payroll services. The repayment of commercial loans is generally dependent on the creditworthiness and cash flow of borrowers and guarantors, which may be negatively impacted by adverse economic conditions. While these loans are secured, collateral type, marketability, coverage, valuation and monitoring is not as uniform as in other portfolio classes and recovery from liquidation of such collateral may be subject to greater variability.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Factoring

Factoring provides a financing service that combines working capital financing, credit risk protection, and accounts receivable management for companies in a variety of industries. This business may be conducted on a recourse or non-recourse basis, depending upon the needs of the client.

In general, Sterling records a receivable for the amount of accounts receivables due from customers of its clients and records a liability for the funds due to the client. Under advance factoring arrangements, clients can draw an advance as accounts receivables are sold/assigned to Sterling. With advance factoring, Sterling normally has recourse against the client if the customer fails to pay. Under collection factoring arrangements, clients sell Sterling their accounts receivables and Sterling provides credit protection to the client guaranteeing the collection of the amount due and back office support. Collection factoring is generally under a nonrecourse basis where the principal source of payment for Sterling is through the collection of the receivable from our client’s customer whose credit has been approved by Sterling following a rigorous review process. Also, with collection factoring, Sterling has credit default insurance with a nationally recognized insurance company to provide it with protection against customer default.

Commercial Real Estate

Sterling offers a range of commercial real estate lending including financing on commercial buildings, retail properties and mixed use properties. Loans are predicated on the cash flow of the property, the value of the property determined by an independent appraisal and the strength of personal guarantees, if any. Loans are made at fixed or floating rates. Floating rate loans are based on the prime rate. Fixed rate loans are tied to Treasury or FHLB benchmarks and other indices.

Commercial real estate loans are subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and industrial loans, in addition to those of real estate loans. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Commercial real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of these loans is generally dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. The properties securing the Company’s commercial real estate portfolio are diverse in terms of type and geographic location. This diversity helps reduce the Company’s exposure to adverse economic events that affect a single market or industry. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate loans based on collateral, geographic and risk grade criteria.

With respect to loans to developers and builders that are secured by non-owner occupied properties that the Company may originate from time to time, the Company generally requires the borrower to have had an existing relationship with the Company and have a record of success. Construction loans are underwritten utilizing feasibility studies, independent appraisal reviews, sensitivity analysis of absorption and lease rates and financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Construction loans are generally based upon estimates of costs and value associated with funds, with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project. Sources of repayment for these types of loans may be pre-committed permanent loans from approved long-term lenders, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Company until permanent financing is obtained. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to timely completion of the project, interest rate changes, government regulation of real property, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing.

Loans are made at fixed or floating rates. Fixed rate loans are tied to U.S. Treasury or FHLB benchmarks or other indices. Floating rate loans are based on the prime rate or other index.

Equipment Financing

Sterling engages in direct lending and indirect lending. Direct lending is when requests for financing originate with an end user seeking to finance equipment for up to 60 months. Indirect lending arises through relationships with equipment financing brokers.

In both cases, credit approval is based upon a full underwriting process that involves the submission of financial and other information, including the applicant’s historical performance, cash flow projections and value of equipment. For customers who are not public entities, Sterling generally obtains the personal guarantees of the principals of the entities.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Residential Mortgage

Residential mortgage loans, principally on single-family residences, are made primarily for re-sale into the secondary market. Offering both fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loan products, mortgages are focused on conforming credit, government insured FHA and other high-quality loan products. Jumbo loans are also originated for sale into the secondary market, or brokered to third-party providers.

The ability of borrowers to service debt in the residential mortgage loan portfolios is generally subject to personal income which may be impacted by general economic conditions, such as increased unemployment levels. These loans are predominantly collateralized by first and second liens on single family properties. If a borrower cannot maintain the loan, the Company’s ability to recover against the collateral in sufficient amount and in a timely manner may be significantly influenced by market, legal and regulatory conditions.

Concentrations of Credit

At March 31, 2013, there are no industry concentrations (exceeding 10% of loans, gross), other than loans to nondepository financial institutions, of loans held in portfolio. Loans to nondepository financial institutions, which include the Company’s residential mortgage warehouse funding product and loans to finance companies, represent approximately 21.6% of all loans. Approximately 64.9% of loans are to borrowers located in the New York metropolitan area. A further deterioration in economic conditions within the region, including a decline in real estate values, higher unemployment and other factors which could adversely impact small and mid-sized businesses, could have a significant adverse impact on the quality of the Company’s loan portfolio. In addition, a decline in real estate values and higher unemployment within the mid-Atlantic region and North Carolina could adversely impact the Company’s residential real estate loan portfolio.

Approximately 36.2% or $12.6 million and 25.3% or $8.3 million of the Company’s net interest income and noninterest income are related to real estate lending for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Real estate prices in the U.S. market decreased significantly from pre-crisis levels. Further declines in real estate values could necessitate charge-offs in our mortgage loan portfolio that may impact our operating results. In addition, a sustained period of declining real estate values combined with the continued turbulence in the financial and credit markets would continue to limit our mortgage-related revenues.

As of March 31, 2013 approximately 54.2% of the Company’s loan portfolio consisted of commercial and industrial, factored receivables, construction and commercial real estate loans. Because the Company’s loan portfolio contains a number of commercial and industrial, construction and commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in non-performing loans.

Related Party Loans

Loans are made to officers or directors (including their immediate families) of the Company or for the benefit of corporations in which they have a beneficial interest subject to applicable regulations. There were no outstanding balances on such loans in excess of $60 thousand to any individual or entity at March 31, 2013 or 2012.

Nonperforming Loans

Nonaccrual loans are those on which the accrual of interest has ceased. Loans, including loans that are individually identified as being impaired under FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables, are generally placed on nonaccrual status immediately if, in the opinion of management, principal or interest is not likely to be paid in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, or when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more and collateral, if any, is insufficient to cover principal and interest. Interest accrued but not collected at the date a loan is placed on nonaccrual status is reversed against interest income. Interest income is recognized on nonaccrual loans only to the extent received in cash. Where there is doubt regarding the ultimate collectibility of the loan principal, cash receipts, whether designated as principal or interest, are thereafter applied to reduce the carrying value of the loan. Loans are restored to accrual status when interest and principal payments are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 totaled $5.2 million and $5.9 million, respectively. The interest income that would have been earned on nonaccrual loans outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, in accordance with their original terms, is estimated to be $137 thousand and $819 thousand, respectively, for the three months and the year then ended. Applicable interest income actually realized was $9 thousand and $61 thousand, respectively, for the aforementioned periods and there were no commitments to lend additional funds on nonaccrual loans.

The following table sets forth the amount of nonaccrual loans of the Company as of the dates indicated:

	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Commercial and industrial	$	1,489	$	2,495
Equipment financing receivables		36		339
Factored receivables		174		-
Real estate—residential mortgage		2,754		2,325
Real estate—commercial mortgage		745		745
Real estate—construction and land development		-		-
Loans to individuals		30		18
Total nonaccrual loans	$	5,228	$	5,922

The following table provides information regarding the past due status of loans held in portfolio:

March 31, 2013	30–59 Days Past Due		60–89 Days Past Due		90 Days & Over Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans		MEMO 90 & Over and Still Accruing
Commercial and industrial	$	23,092	$	4,786	$	1,538	$	29,416	$	606,401	$	635,817	$	49
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		-		-		-		-		379,788		379,788		-
Factored receivables		1,457		206		290		1,953		146,647		148,600		116
Equipment financing receivables		470		216		36		722		168,588		169,310		-
Real estate—residential mortgage—portfolio		732		746		2,754		4,232		152,011		156,243		-
Real estate—commercial mortgage		-		-		745		745		153,591		154,336		-
Real estate—construction and land development		-		-		-		-		13,345		13,345		-
Loans to individuals		-		-		30		30		22,920		22,950		-
Loans to depository institutions		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total loans, net of unearned discount	$	25,751	$	5,954	$	5,393	$	37,098	$	1,643,291	$	1,680,389	$	165

December 31, 2012
Commercial and industrial	$	28,711	$	7,541	$	2,641	$	38,893	$	588,892	$	627,785	$	146
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		-		-		-		-		348,809		348,809		-
Factored receivables		3,122		1,339		99		4,560		147,033		151,593		99
Equipment financing receivables		159		284		339		782		161,312		162,094		-
Real estate—residential mortgage—portfolio		1,464		1,208		2,325		4,997		146,612		151,609		-
Real estate—commercial mortgage		-		-		745		745		181,990		182,735		-
Real estate—construction and land development		-		-		-		-		13,277		13,277		-
Loans to individuals		9		17		18		44		11,807		11,851		-
Loans to depository institutions		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total loans, net of unearned discount	$	33,465	$	10,389	$	6,167	$	50,021	$	1,599,732	$	1,649,753	$	245

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Impaired Loans

Management considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is determined that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. Determination of impairment is treated the same across all classes of loans on a loan-by-loan basis. When management identifies a loan as impaired, the impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when the sole remaining source of repayment of the loan is the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In these cases management uses the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs when foreclosure is probable, instead of discounted cash flows. If management determines that the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (net of previous charge-offs, deferred loan fees or costs and unamortized premium or discount), impairment is recognized through an allowance estimate or a charge-off to the allowance.

When the ultimate collectibility of the total principal of an impaired loan is in doubt and the loan is on nonaccrual status, all payments are applied to principal, under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectibility of the total principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt and the loan is on nonaccrual status, contractual interest is credited to interest income when received, under the cash basis method. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

The following tables include the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired financing receivables with the associated allowance amount, if applicable. Management determined the specific allowance based on the present value of the expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when the remaining source of repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In those cases, the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs was used to determine the specific allowance recorded.

March 31, 2013	Recorded Investment in Impaired Loans		Unpaid Principal Balance With No Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance With Allowance		Related Allowance		Average [1] Recorded Investment in Impaired Loans
Commercial and industrial	$	990	$	2,018	$	972	$	172	$	1,698
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		-		-		-		-		-
Factored receivables		174		174		-		-		87
Equipment financing receivables		84		-		84		7		87
Real estate—residential mortgage		6,050		-		6,984		1,497		6,101
Real estate—commercial mortgage		745		-		745		350		745
Real estate—construction and land development		-		-		-		-		-
Loans to individuals		-		-		-		-		-
Loans to depository institutions		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	8,043	$	2,192	$	8,785	$	2,026	$	8,718

December 31, 2012
Commercial and industrial	$	2,406	$	1,956	$	1,558	$	325	$	1,690
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		-		-		-		-		-
Factored receivables		-		-		-		-		-
Equipment financing receivables		89		-		89		7		132
Real estate—residential mortgage		6,152		1,955		5,945		1,592		5,698
Real estate—commercial mortgage		745		-		745		350		2,038
Real estate—construction and land development		-		-		-		-		-
Loans to individuals		-		-		-		-		-
Loans to depository institutions		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	9,392	$	3,911	$	8,337	$	2,274	$	9,558

[1] Year-to-date

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The recognition of interest income on accruing impaired loans is based upon an individual assessment of each loan; however, interest income is not accrued on a loan that is more than 90 days past due. Interest income recognized on these loans during impairment was approximately $83 thousand (commercial and industrial $2 thousand, equipment financing receivables $1 thousand, factored receivables $2 thousand and real estate-residential mortgage $78 thousand) for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and $321 thousand (equipment financing receivables $5 thousand and real estate-residential mortgage $316 thousand) for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The Company has allocated $1.5 million and $1.6 million of specific reserves to customers with equipment financing receivables and residential real estate loans whose loan terms have been modified in troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The Company has no commitments to lend additional amounts to customers with outstanding loans that are classified as troubled debt restructurings.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, no residential real estate loans and no lease financing receivables were modified as troubled debt restructuring.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, 16 residential real estate loans, classified as TDRs, with a recorded investment of $1.9 million had a payment default. No lease financing receivables had a payment default. A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 60 days contractually past due under the modified terms.

Credit Quality Indicators

As part of the ongoing monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including trends related to (i) the risk grade of loans, (ii) the level of classified loans, (iii) charge-offs, (iv) nonperforming loans and (v) the general economic conditions in the New York metropolitan area.

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company has a process for analyzing non-homogeneous loans, such as commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans, individually by grading the loans based on credit risk. This analysis occurs at varying times based on the type of loan as well as the loan balance and occurs at least once every 18 months for those loans greater than $500,000.

For homogeneous loan pools, such as residential mortgages, leases and consumer loans, the Company uses payment status to identify the credit risk in these loan portfolios. Payment status is reviewed on a daily basis by the Company’s personnel and on a monthly basis with respect to determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The payment status of these homogeneous pools at March 31, 2013 is included in the aging of the recorded investment of past due loans table above. In addition, the total nonperforming portion of these homogeneous loan pools at March 31, 2013 is presented in the recorded investment in nonaccrual loans table above.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The Company utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each of its commercial loans. Loans under $100,000 are not risk rated. Loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 9. A description of the general characteristics of the 9 risk grades is as follows:

•

Risk Rating 1 & 2/High Quality/Minimal Risk—These loans are well secured by liquid or high quality, diversified, and readily marketable securities within the bank’s defined margin requirements including cash surrender value of life insurance, or loans to strong privately held obligors secured by real estate with satisfactory loan to value, and support guarantors. They could include loans to publicly traded entities with strong credit ratings (A-1 or better) with Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s.

•

Risk Rating 3 & 4/Very Good/Good Quality—These loans can be either unsecured or secured (with monthly monitoring of Accounts Receivable and/or Inventory) to adequately or moderately capitalized privately held obligors with satisfactory sales, revenue, earnings trends, cash flow, and leverage. These secured loans may be monitored in the Asset Based Lending or the Factoring Department to include control of cash receipts and defined formula advances. These categories could include loans to publicly traded entities with credit ratings of A-3 or lower by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s.

•

Risk Rating 5/Watch List—These loans are to companies with uneven financial performance containing exceptions to loan policy without mitigating factors. These loans may exist when the obligors experience temporary credit and/or structural deficiencies. Such credits have not been criticized by Loan Review. Close supervision is warranted to avoid further deterioration.

•

Risk Rating 6/Special Mention (OCC Definition)—Other Assets Especially Mentioned are loans that are currently protected but are potentially weak. Special Mention ratings have potential weaknesses which may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the bank’s credit position at some future date. Such assets constitute an undue and unwarranted credit risk but not to the point of justifying a classification of substandard. The credit risk may be relatively minor yet constitute an unwarranted risk in light of the circumstances surrounding a specific asset.

•

Risk Rating 7/Substandard (OCC Definition)—These loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness that jeopardizes the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard assets, does not have to exist in individual assets classified as substandard.

•

Risk Rating 8/Doubtful (OCC Definition)—These loans have all the weakness inherent in loans classified as substandard with the added characteristic that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors which may work to the advantage and strengthening of the asset, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition, or liquidating procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens or additional collateral and refinancing plans.

•

Risk Rating 9/Loss (OCC Definition)—These loans are classified as loss and charged-off because they are determined to be uncollectible and unbankable assets. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be effected in the future. The bank should not be allowed to attempt long-term recoveries while the asset remains booked. Losses should be taken in the period in which they are determined to be uncollectible.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following table presents weighted average risk grades and classified loans by type of loans as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Classified loans include loans in Risk Grades 6, 7 and 8.

	March 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
	Weighted Average Risk Grade		Loans		Weighted Average Risk Grade		Loans
Commercial and industrial
Risk grades 1-4		3.18	$	624,416		3.21	$	614,620
Risk grade 5		5.00		3,952		5.00		3,823
Risk grade 6		-		-		6.00		-
Risk grade 7		7.00		7,449		7.00		9,342
Risk grade 8		-		-		-		-
Risk grade 9		-		-		-		-
Total		3.24	$	635,817		3.28	$	627,785

Loans to nondepository financial institutions
Risk grades 1-4		3.12	$	373,109		3.13	$	342,020
Risk grade 5		5.00		5,933		5.00		5,933
Risk grade 6		6.00		746		6.00		856
Risk grade 7		-		-		-		-
Risk grade 8		-		-		-		-
Risk grade 9		-		-		-		-
Total		3.16	$	379,788		3.17	$	348,809

Factored receivables
Risk grades 1-4		3.04	$	148,121		3.08	$	146,371
Risk grade 5		-		-		5.00		4,751
Risk grade 6		-		-		6.00		471
Risk grade 7		7.00		479		-		-
Risk grade 8		-		-		-		-
Risk grade 9		-		-		-		-
Total		3.05	$	148,600		3.13	$	151,593

Equipment financing receivables
Risk grades 1-4		3.94	$	169,274		3.93	$	161,755
Risk grade 5		-		-		-		-
Risk grade 6		-		-		-		-
Risk grade 7		7.00		36		7.00		339
Risk grade 8		-		-		-		-
Risk grade 9		-		-		-		-
Total		3.94	$	169,310		3.94	$	162,094

Real estate-commercial mortgage and construction and land development
Risk grades 1-4		3.06	$	158,825		3.07	$	186,582
Risk grade 5		-		-		-		-
Risk grade 6		6.00		8,111		6.00		8,685
Risk grade 7		7.00		745		7.00		745
Risk grade 8		-		-		-		-
Risk grade 9		-		-		-		-
Total		3.22	$	167,681		3.21	$	196,012

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses within the existing loan portfolio and of the risk inherent in various components of the loan portfolio. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risk inherent in the loan portfolio. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are made by charges to the provision for loan losses. Credit exposures deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Recoveries of previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.

The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology is based on guidance provided by the “Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration and the Office of Thrift Supervision in December 2006 and includes an allowance allocation calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance in FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 450: Contingencies. Accordingly, the methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogeneous risk pools and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions.

The level of the allowance for loan losses relies on a consistent process that requires multiple layers of management review and judgment and of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic, political and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. Portions of the allowance may be allocated to specific credits; however, the entire allowance is available for any credit that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control, including, among other things, the performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward loan classifications.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses includes (1) specific valuation allowances for impaired loans evaluated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables; (2) formulaic allowances based on historical loss experience by loan category, adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the impact of current conditions; and (3) unallocated general valuation allowances determined in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 450: Contingencies based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company.

The allowance established for losses on specific loans is based on a regular analysis and evaluation of problem loans. Loans are classified 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 loans. When a loan has a calculated grade of 6 or higher, an analysis is performed 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.

Historical valuation allowances are calculated based on the historical loss experience of specific types of loans and the internal risk grade of such loans at the time they were charged-off. The Company calculates historical loss ratios for pools of similar loans with similar characteristics based on the portion of actual charge-offs experienced to the total population of loans in the pool. The historical loss ratios are periodically updated based on actual charge-off experience. A historical valuation allowance is established for each pool of similar loans based upon the product of the historical loss ratio and the total dollar amount of the loans in the pool.

The Company’s pool of similar loans includes similarly risk-graded groups of commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans and consumer and other loans.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

General valuation allowances are based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company. In general, such valuation allowances are determined by evaluating, among other things:

• Estimated losses in all significant loans

• Existence and effect of any concentrations of credit

• Existence and effect of any geographic concentration

• Other external factors such as competition, legal matters or regulation that may affect risk

• Effect of criticized and classified loans

• Effects from risk arising with international lending

• Effectiveness of internal problem loan identification and risk ratings

• Trends in portfolio volume, maturity and compositions of loans within segments

• Volumes and trends in delinquencies and nonaccrual loans

• Changes in the quality of lending policies and procedures

• Changes in local and national economic conditions

• Experience, ability and depth of lending staff

• Changes in value of underlying collateral

Management evaluates the degree of risk that each one of these components has on the quality of the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis. Each component is determined based on degree of risk. The results are then input into a “general allocation matrix” to determine an appropriate general valuation allowance.

Included in the general valuation allowances are allocations for groups of similar loans with risk characteristics that exceed certain concentration limits established by management. Concentration risk limits have been established, among other things, for certain industry concentrations, large and highly leveraged credit relationships that exceed specified risk grades, and loans originated with policy exceptions that exceed specified risk grades.

Loans are generally charged-off at the earlier of when it is determined that collection efforts are no longer productive or the date when they have been identified as losses by management, internal loan review and/or bank examiners. Furthermore, equipment financing receivables and revolving credit lines to small businesses are charged-off at the earlier of the date when payments are 120 days past due or when it is determined that collection efforts are no longer productive.

Factors considered in determining whether collection efforts are no longer productive include any amounts currently being collected, the status of discussions or negotiations with the lessee/borrower, the principal and/or guarantors, the cost of continuing efforts to collect, the status of any foreclosure or other legal actions, the value of the collateral, and any other pertinent factors.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	Balance, Beginning of Period		Charge-Offs			Recoveries		Net Charge-Offs			Provision for Loan Losses			Balance, End of Period

Commercial and industrial	$	8,662	$	1,322		$	250	$	1,072		$	794		$	8,384
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		1,726		-			-		-			39			1,765
Factored receivables		1,447		223			3		220			765			1,992
Equipment financing receivables		3,763		466			313		153			(356	)		3,254
Real estate – residential mortgage		3,764		361	[1]		2		359	[1]		586			3,991
Real estate – commercial mortgage		2,504		-			-		-			(45	)		2,459
Real estate – construction and land development		156		-			-		-			26			182
Loans to individuals		163		23			-		23			213			353
Loans to depository institutions		-		-			-		-			-			-
Unallocated		162		-			-		-			(22	)		140
Total	$	22,347	$	2,395	[1]	$	568	$	1,827	[1]	$	2,000		$	22,520

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012	Balance, Beginning of Period		Charge-Offs			Recoveries		Net Charge-Offs			Provision for Loan Losses			Balance, End of Period

Commercial and industrial	$	7,647	$	1,869		$	34	$	1,835		$	1,703		$	7,515
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		1,369		-			-		-			(104	)		1,265
Factored receivables		1,450		117			6		111			159			1,498
Equipment financing receivables		3,515		1,102			338		764			697			3,448
Real estate – residential mortgage		3,490		131	[1]		1		130	[1]		386			3,746
Real estate – commercial mortgage		2,151		-			-		-			77			2,228
Real estate – construction and land development		165		-			-		-			(26	)		139
Loans to individuals		104		87			3		84			105			125
Loans to depository institutions		-		-			-		-			-			-
Unallocated		138		-			-		-			3			141
Total	$	20,029	$	3,306	[1]	$	382	$	2,924	[1]	$	3,000		$	20,105

[1] Includes losses on transfers to OREO

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following tables present the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method:

	Ending Allowance Balance Attributable to Loans Evaluated for Impairment						Loan Balances Evaluated for Impairment
March 31, 2013	Individually		Collectively		Total		Individually		Collectively		Total
Commercial and industrial	$	172	$	8,212	$	8,384	$	990	$	634,827	$	635,817
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		-		1,765		1,765		-		379,788		379,788
Factored receivables		-		1,992		1,992		174		148,426		148,600
Equipment financing receivables		7		3,247		3,254		84		169,226		169,310
Real estate—residential mortgage		1,497		2,494		3,991		6,050		150,193		156,243
Real estate—commercial mortgage		350		2,109		2,459		745		153,591		154,336
Real estate—construction and land development		-		182		182		-		13,345		13,345
Loans to individuals		-		353		353		-		22,950		22,950
Loans to depository institutions		-		-		-		-		-		-
Unallocated		-		-		140		-		-		-
Total	$	2,026	$	20,354	$	22,520	$	8,043	$	1,672,346	$	1,680,389

	Ending Allowance Balance Attributable to Loans Evaluated for Impairment						Loan Balances Evaluated for Impairment
December 31, 2012	Individually		Collectively		Total		Individually		Collectively		Total
Commercial and industrial	$	325	$	8,337	$	8,662	$	2,406	$	625,379	$	627,785
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		-		1,726		1,726		-		348,809		348,809
Factored receivables		-		1,447		1,447		-		151,593		151,593
Equipment financing receivables		7		3,756		3,763		89		162,005		162,094
Real estate—residential mortgage		1,592		2,172		3,764		6,152		145,457		151,609
Real estate—commercial mortgage		350		2,154		2,504		745		181,990		182,735
Real estate—construction and land development		-		156		156		-		13,277		13,277
Loans to individuals		-		163		163		-		11,851		11,851
Loans to depository institutions		-		-		-		-		-		-
Unallocated		-		-		162		-		-		-
Total	$	2,274	$	19,911	$	22,347	$	9,392	$	1,640,361	$	1,649,753

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 4. Other Noninterest Income And Expenses

The following tables set forth the significant components of other noninterest income and other noninterest expenses:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
OTHER NONINTEREST INCOME
Trade finance income	$	430		$	500
Other customer related fees		392			249
Income from life insurance policies		469			256
Loss on other real estate owned		(12	)		(66	)
Other income		95			4
Total other noninterest income	$	1,374		$	943

OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Advertising and marketing	$	637		$	643
Communications		364			470
Other expenses		2,513			2,319
Total other noninterest expenses	$	3,514		$	3,432

Note 5. Employee Benefit Plans

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s noncontributory defined benefit pension plan and unfunded supplemental retirement plan.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Service cost	$	620		$	620
Interest cost		1,032			1,032
Expected return on plan assets		(994	)		(994	)
Amortization of prior service cost		10			10
Recognized actuarial loss		982			831
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,650		$	1,499

The Company contributed $6.0 million to the defined benefit pension plan in January 2013 and expects to contribute an additional $2.0 million to the defined benefit pension plan in 2013.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 6. Other Comprehensive Income

The before and after tax amounts allocated to each component of other comprehensive income are presented in the following table.

	Before Tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Securities available for sale:
Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale arising during the period	$	1,544		$	(687	)	$	857
Reclassification adjustment for securities gains included in net income		(132	)		59			(73	)
Total securities available for sale		1,412			(628	)		784

Retirement plans and post-retirement life insurance:
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost		10			(5	)		5
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net actuarial losses		1,023			(455	)		568
Total retirement plans and post-retirement life insurance		1,033			(460	)		573

Total other comprehensive income	$	2,445		$	(1,088	)	$	1,357

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Securities available for sale:
Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale arising during the period	$	4,839		$	(2,154	)	$	2,685
Reclassification adjustment for securities gains included in net income		(879	)		391			(488	)
Total securities available for sale		3,960			(1,763	)		2,197

Retirement plans and post-retirement life insurance:
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost		10			(5	)		5
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net actuarial losses		816			(363	)		453
Total retirement plans and post-retirement life insurance		826			(368	)		458

Total other comprehensive income	$	4,786		$	(2,131	)	$	2,655

The statement of income line items impacted by components of other comprehensive income are presented in the table below.

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Affected line item in Statements of Income
	2013			2012
Securities available for sale:
Realized gains on securities transactions	$	132		$	879		Securities gains, net
Income taxes		(59	)		(391	)	Provision for income taxes
Net of tax		73			488

Amortization of pension and post-retirement benefit items:
Amortization of net actuarial losses		(1,023	)		(816	)	Salaries and employee benefits
Amortization of prior service cost		(10	)		(10	)	Salaries and employee benefits
Income taxes		460			368		Provision for income taxes
Net of tax		(573	)		(458	)

Total reclassifications, net of tax	$	(500	)	$	30

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

A summary of the accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, was as follows:

	Securities Available for Sale			Retirement and Post- Retirement Life Insurance			Total

Balance January 1, 2013	$	2,914		$	(19,405	)	$	(16,491	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		857			-			857
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(73	)		573			500
Net other comprehensive income during period		784			573			1,357

Balance March 31, 2013	$	3,698		$	(18,832	)	$	(15,134	)


Balance January 1, 2012	$	(957	)	$	(13,259	)	$	(14,216	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		2,685			-			2,685
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(488	)		458			(30	)
Net other comprehensive income during period		2,197			458			2,655

Balance March 31, 2012	$	1,240		$	(12,801	)	$	(11,561	)

Note 7. Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be receivable from selling that asset or payable to transfer that liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability shall not be adjusted for transaction costs. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are independent, knowledgeable, able to transact and willing to transact.

FASB Codification Topic 820: Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures establishes a hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair values hierarchy is as follows:

•

Level 1 Inputs - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Examples of financial instruments generally included in this level are U.S. Treasury securities, equity and trust preferred securities that trade in active markets and listed derivative instruments.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

•

Level 2 Inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means. Examples of financial instruments generally included in this level are corporate debt, mortgage-backed certificates issued by U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises, equity securities that trade in less active markets and certain derivative instruments.

•

Level 3 Inputs - Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. Examples of financial instruments generally included in this level are private equities, certain loans held for sale and other alternative investments.

In general, fair value of securities is based upon quoted market prices, where available (Level 1 inputs). If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon market prices determined by an outside, independent entity that primarily uses as inputs, observable market-based parameters (Level 2 inputs). Fair value of loans held for sale is based upon internally developed models that primarily use as inputs observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the Company’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters (Level 3 inputs). Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with those of other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Securities available for sale. Securities classified as available for sale are generally reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. Investments in fixed income securities, exclusive of preferred stock and mortgage-backed securities, are valued based on evaluations provided by Interactive Data Corporation (“IDC”), a leading global provider of market data information. IDC evaluations represent an exit price or their opinion as to what a buyer would pay for a security, typically in an institutional round lot position in a current sale. IDC seeks to utilize market data and observations in its evaluation service, and gives priority to observable benchmark yields and reported trades. IDC utilizes evaluated pricing techniques that vary by asset class and incorporate available market information; because many fixed income securities do not trade on a daily basis, IDC applies available information through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of similar securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing. Model processes such as option-adjusted spread models are used to value securities that have prepayment features. Substantially all securities available for sale evaluated in this manner are deemed to be Level 2 valuations.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

For mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises, management considers dealer indicative bids in the valuation process. Indicative bids are estimates of value and do not necessarily represent the price at which the dealer would be willing to transact. Such bids are compared to IDC evaluated prices for reasonableness as well as consistency with observable market conditions. All mortgage-backed securities are deemed to be valued based on Level 2 inputs.

Publicly traded common and preferred stocks are valued by reference to the market closing price (last trade) on the measurement date (Level 1 inputs). In the unlikely event that no trade occurred on the measurement date, reference would be made to an indicative bid or the last trade most proximate to the measurement date (Level 2 inputs).

The following table summarizes financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value. There were no financial liabilities measured at fair value. There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

March 31, 2013	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,390	$	-	$	-	$	6,390
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities		-		20,441		-		20,441
Agency notes		-		1,730		-		1,730
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		-		22,171		-		22,171
Obligations of state and political institutions—New York Bank Qualified		-		17,703		-		17,703
Single-issuer, trust preferred securities		37,481		-		-		37,481
Other preferred securities		9,387		-		-		9,387
Corporate debt securities		-		163,103		-		163,103
Equity and other securities		21,712		-		-		21,712
Total marketable securities	$	74,970	$	202,977	$	-	$	277,947

December 31, 2012
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,386	$	-	$	-	$	6,386
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities		-		25,006		-		25,006
Agency notes		-		1,231		-		1,231
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises		-		26,237		-		26,237
Obligations of state and political institutions—New York Bank Qualified		-		17,923		-		17,923
Single-issuer, trust preferred securities		38,885		-		-		38,885
Other preferred securities		11,953		-				11,953
Corporate debt securities		-		174,418		-		174,418
Equity and other securities		21,035		-		-		21,035
Total marketable securities	$	78,259	$	218,578	$	-	$	296,837

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Certain financial assets, such as collateral-dependent impaired loans, are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The following table summarizes the period end fair value of financial assets, based on significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs, measured on a non-recurring basis:

	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Impaired loans
Commercial and industrial	$	-	$	-
Commercial real estate		395		395
Other real estate owned, net		1,917		1,452

Impaired loans. At the time a loan is considered impaired, it is valued at the lower of cost or fair value. Impaired loans carried at fair value may receive specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses. For collateral dependent loans, fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Impaired loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.

Other real estate owned. Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair values are generally based on third-party appraisals of the property utilizing a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized.

Impaired loans that are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans had a principal balance of $0.7 million, with a valuation allowance of $0.3 million at March 31, 2013. There was no additional provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2013. At December 31, 2012, impaired loans had a principal balance of $0.7 million, and a valuation allowance of $0.3 million.

Other real estate owned measured at fair value less costs to sell had a net carrying amount of $1.9 million, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $1.9 million, net of valuation allowance of $-0- million. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, $71 thousand of other real estate owned was written down through a charge to noninterest expense. At December 31, 2012, other real estate owned had net carrying amount of $1.5 million, made up of the outstanding balance of $1.5 million, net of valuation allowance of $-0- million.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

For those financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but are measured at fair value for disclosure purposes, management follows the same fair value measurement principles and guidance as for instruments recorded at fair value.

Much of the information used to arrive at “fair value” is highly subjective and judgmental in nature and therefore the results may not be precise. The subjective factors include, among other things: estimated cash flows, risk characteristics, credit quality and interest rates, all of which are subject to change. With the exception of investment securities and certain long-term debt, the Company’s financial instruments are not readily marketable and market prices do not exist. Since negotiated prices for the instruments that are not readily marketable depend greatly on the motivation of the buyer and seller, the amounts that will actually be realized or paid per settlement or maturity of these instruments could be significantly different.

In particular, fair value estimates are made at a point in time, based on relevant market data as well as the best information available about the financial instrument. Illiquid credit markets have resulted in inactive markets for certain of the Company's financial instruments. As a result, there is no or limited observable market data for these assets and liabilities. Fair value estimates for financial instruments for which no or limited observable market data is available are based on our judgments regarding current economic conditions, liquidity discounts, currency, credit, and interest rate risks, loss experience and other factors, all of which are Level 3 inputs as discussed above. These estimates involve significant judgments and uncertainties and cannot be substantiated by comparison to quoted prices in active markets and cannot be determined with precision. As a result, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in a current sale or immediate settlement of the instrument. In addition, there are inherent uncertainties in any fair value measurement technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique, including discount rates, liquidity risks, and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect these fair value estimates.

A description of the methods, factors and significant assumptions utilized in estimating the fair values for significant categories of financial instruments follows:

Financial Instruments with Carrying Amounts Equal to Fair Value

The carrying amounts for cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with other banks, accrued interest receivable, Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, commercial paper, other short-term borrowings, and accrued interest payable, as a result of their short-term nature, are considered to approximate fair value.

Investment Securities

The methods, factors and significant assumptions used to estimate fair values of all securities are described more fully beginning on page 34.

Loans, Net

The fair value of loans, net, which reprice within 90 days reflecting changes in the base rate, approximate their carrying amount. For other loans held in portfolio, the fair value is calculated based on discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality and for similar maturities. These calculations have been adjusted for credit risk based on the Company’s historical credit loss experience.

The fair value for secured nonaccrual loans is the value of the underlying collateral which is sufficient to repay each loan. For other nonaccrual loans, the fair value represents book value less a credit risk adjustment based on the Company’s historical credit loss experience.

The methods utilized to estimate the fair value of loans do not necessarily represent an exit price.

Deposits

FASB Codification Topic 825: Financial Instruments requires that the fair value of demand, savings, NOW (negotiable order of withdrawal) and certain money market deposits be equal to their carrying amount. The Company believes that the fair value of these deposits, including the value of deposit relationships, is greater than that prescribed by FASB Codification Topic 825. For other types of deposits with fixed maturities, fair value has been estimated based upon interest rates currently being offered on deposits with similar characteristics and maturities.

Advances—FHLB and Long-Term Borrowings

For advances—FHLB and long-term borrowings, the fair value is calculated based on discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being quoted for debt with similar characteristics and maturities.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Commitments to Extend Credit, Standby Letters of Credit and Financial Guarantees

The fees received for the issuance of commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees, are considered to approximate fair value. Due to the uncertainty involved in attempting to assess the likelihood and timing of a commitment being drawn upon, coupled with lack of an established market and the wide diversity of fee structures, the Company does not believe it is meaningful to provide an estimate of fair value that differs from the amount of consideration received.

The following is a summary of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2013 or 2012.

	Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2013
	Carrying Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
FINANCIAL ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	35,993	$	35,993	$	-	$	-	$	35,993
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		165,988		165,988		-		-		165,988
Investment securities		665,061		74,970		603,993		-		678,963
Loans, net		1,733,726		-		-		1,740,177		1,740,177
Accrued interest receivable		7,198		423		4,356		2,419		7,198
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Demand, NOW, savings and money market deposits		1,690,476		1,690,476		-		-		1,690,476
Time deposits		590,679		-		592,148		-		592,148
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		33,817		33,817		-		-		33,817
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings		20,995		20,995		-		-		20,995
Accrued interest payable		735		107		628		-		735
Advances-FHLB and long-term borrowings		126,668		100,000		900		27,115		128,015

	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
	Carrying Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
FINANCIAL ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	38,944	$	38,944	$	-	$	-	$	38,944
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		112,886		112,886		-		-		112,886
Investment securities		683,245		78,259		621,796		-		700,055
Loans, net		1,748,643		-		-		1,762,431		1,762,431
Accrued interest receivable		6,853		520		4,193		2,140		6,853
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Demand, NOW, savings and money market deposits		1,626,043		1,626,043		-		-		1,626,043
Time deposits		642,041		-		643,625		-		643,625
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		32,950		32,950		-		-		32,950
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings		15,345		15,345		-		-		15,345
Accrued interest payable		649		105		544		-		649
Advances-FHLB and long-term borrowings		127,039		100,000		1,275		27,211		128,486

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 8. New Accounting Standards

ASU No. 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210)—Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” ASU 2011-11 amends Topic 210, “Balance Sheet”, to require an entity to disclose both gross and net information about financial instruments, such as sales and repurchase agreements and reverse sale and repurchase agreements and securities borrowing/lending arrangements, and derivative instruments that are eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and/or subject to master netting arrangement or similar agreement. ASU 2011-11 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2013, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2012-02, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) —Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.” ASU 2012-02 gives entities the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity must perform the quantitative impairment test. If, under the quantitative impairment test, the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an entity should recognize an impairment loss in the amount of that excess. Permitting an entity to assess qualitative factors when testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment results in guidance that is similar to the goodwill impairment testing guidance in ASU 2011-08. ASU 2012-02 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2013 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2012-06, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) —Subsequent Accounting for an Indemnification Asset Recognized at the Acquisition date as a Result of a Government-Assisted Acquisition of a Financial Institution (a Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” ASU 2012-06 clarifies the applicable guidance for subsequently measuring an indemnification asset recognized as a result of a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution and, subsequently, a change in the cash flows expected to be collected on the indemnification asset occurs (as a result of a change in cash flows expected to be collected on the assets subject to indemnification), the reporting entity should subsequently account for the change in the measurement of the indemnification asset on the same basis as the change in the assets subject to indemnification. Any amortization of changes in value should be limited to the contractual term of the indemnification agreement (that is the lesser of the term of the indemnification agreement and the remaining life or the indemnified assets). ASU 2012-06 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2013 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2013-02 amends recent guidance related to the reporting of comprehensive income to enhance the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2013-02 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2013 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. See Note 6. Other Comprehensive Income.

Note 9. Subsequent Event

On April 3, 2013, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Provident New York Bancorp (“Provident”) under which the Company will merge into Provident. Provident will be the surviving corporation but will change its name to Sterling Bancorp. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Company’s stockholders will have the right to receive 1.2625 shares of Provident common stock in exchange for each share of Sterling common stock. In addition to the usual and customary terms and conditions, the Merger Agreement is subject to approval by the shareholders of Sterling and Provident and regulatory approvals including the approval of the Federal Reserve Board and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Subject to such conditions, it is expected that the transaction will close during the fourth quarter of 2013.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following commentary presents management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Sterling Bancorp (the “parent company”), a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, and its subsidiaries, principally Sterling National Bank. Throughout this discussion and analysis, the term the “Company” refers to Sterling Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries and the term the “bank” refers to Sterling National Bank and its consolidated subsidiaries. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and selected financial data contained elsewhere in this quarterly report and the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ financial data to conform to current financial statement presentations. Throughout management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, dollar amounts in tables are presented in thousands, except per share data.

OVERVIEW

The Company provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services, including business and consumer lending, asset-based financing, residential mortgage warehouse funding, factoring/accounts receivable management services, equipment financing, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, deposit services and trade financing. The Company has operations in the New York metropolitan area and conducts business throughout the United States. The general state of the U.S. economy and, in particular, economic and market conditions in the New York metropolitan area have a significant impact on loan demand, the ability of borrowers to repay these loans and the value of any collateral securing these loans and may also affect deposit levels. Accordingly, future general economic conditions are a key uncertainty that management expects will materially affect the Company’s results of operations.

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the bank’s average earning assets represented approximately 99.5% of the Company’s average earning assets. Loans represented 67.5% and investment securities represented 28.6% of the bank’s average earning assets for the first three months of 2013.

The Company’s primary source of earnings is net interest income, and its principal market risk exposure is interest rate risk. The Federal Reserve Board influences the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by many financial institutions. The Company is not able to predict market interest rate fluctuations, and its asset-liability management strategy may not prevent interest rate changes from having a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Although management endeavors to minimize the credit risk inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio, it must necessarily make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility of the loan portfolio based on its experience and evaluation of economic conditions. If such assumptions or judgments prove to be incorrect, the current allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover loan losses and additions to the allowance may be necessary, which would have a negative impact on net income.

There is intense competition in all areas in which the Company conducts its business. The Company competes with banks and other financial institutions, including savings and loan associations, savings banks, finance companies and credit unions. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources and lending limits and provide a wider array of banking services. To a limited extent, the Company also competes with other providers of financial services, such as money market mutual funds, brokerage firms, consumer finance companies and insurance companies. Competition is based on a number of factors, including prices, interest rates, services, availability of products and geographic location.

While the domestic economy continued to show moderate improvement during the 2013 first quarter, the pace was not consistent month-to-month and the rate of expansion also varied across regions of the country. However, the Company believes there are opportunities to prudently expand its loan portfolio, particularly in the corporate and commercial real estate sectors, under current economic conditions. If some of the positive economic trends observed during the first quarter of 2013 were not to continue, the Company would expect its income from corporate and real estate lending to decrease from the current levels in the near term. In addition, due to the geographic concentration of the Company’s loan portfolio in the New York metropolitan area, representing approximately 64.9% of total loans at March 31, 2013, an adverse change in market conditions in that geographic area could result in a decrease in our income from corporate and real estate lending. A significant prolonged decrease in income from our lending segments, if realized, may have a severe adverse impact on the operations of the Company.

INCOME STATEMENT ANALYSIS

Net interest income, which represents the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets and interest incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, is the Company’s primary source of earnings. Net interest income can be affected by changes in market interest rates as well as the level and composition of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity. Net interest spread is the difference between the average rate earned, on a tax-equivalent basis, on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The net yield on interest-earning assets (“net interest margin”) is calculated by dividing tax-equivalent net interest income by average interest-earning assets. Generally, the net interest margin will exceed the net interest spread because a portion of interest-earning assets are funded by various noninterest-bearing sources, principally noninterest-bearing deposits and shareholders’ equity. The increases (decreases) in the components of interest income and interest expense, expressed in terms of fluctuation in average volume and rate, are provided in the Rate/Volume Analysis shown on page 53. Information as to the components of interest income and interest expense and average rates is provided in the Average Balance Sheets shown on page 52.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

The Company reported net income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 of $5.2 million, representing $0.17 per share calculated on a diluted basis, compared to $4.6 million, or $0.15 per share calculated on a diluted basis, for the first quarter of 2012. The increase in net income was primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in net interest income and a $1.0 million reduction in the provision for loan losses. Those benefits were partially offset by a $1.8 million increase in noninterest expense and a $0.7 million increase in the provision for income taxes.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, was $24.9 million for the first quarter of 2013 compared to $23.3 million for the corresponding 2012 period. Net interest income benefitted from higher average loan balances and a lower cost of funding. Those benefits were partially offset by the impact of lower yields on loans, lower average investment securities balances and lower rates earned on investment securities. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 4.02% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to 4.07% for the corresponding 2012 period. The net interest margin was impacted by the mix of earning assets and funding, including the higher level of noninterest-bearing demand deposits.

Total interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, aggregated $27.5 million for the first quarter of 2013, up $1.4 million from the corresponding 2012 period as the benefit of higher average earning asset balances more than offset the impact of lower yields. Total interest earning assets increased to $2.6 billion for the first quarter of 2013 compared to $2.3 billion in the prior year period. The tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets was 4.44% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to 4.58% for the corresponding 2012 period.

Interest earned on the loan portfolio increased to $22.2 million for the first quarter of 2013 from $19.7 million in the prior year period. Average loan balances amounted to $1,722.9 million for the first quarter of 2013, an increase of $280.9 million from an average of $1,442.0 million in the prior year period. The increase in average loans, primarily due to the Company’s business development activities, accounted for a $3.3 million increase in interest earned on loans. The yield on the loan portfolio decreased to 5.37% for the first quarter of 2013 from 5.56% for the corresponding 2012 period, which was primarily attributable to the mix of average outstanding balances among the components of the loan portfolio.

Interest earned on the securities portfolio, on a tax-equivalent basis, decreased to $5.2 million for the first quarter of 2013 from $6.3 million in the corresponding 2012 period. Average outstandings decreased to $728.9 million (28.6% of average earning assets) for the first quarter of 2013 from $764.3 million (33.3% of average earning assets) in the first quarter of 2012. The average yield on investment securities decreased to 2.84% for the first quarter of 2013 from 3.28% in the corresponding 2012 period. The decrease in balances and decrease in yield reflect the Company’s decision to replace a portion of called longer term, lower yielding U.S. Government Agency securities with shorter term, corporate securities that yield money market rates of return. Management’s Asset/Liability strategy continues to be designed to shorten the average life of the portfolio to position the Company for rising interest rates in future periods and to grow the loan portfolio by shifting assets out of the investment securities portfolio.

Total interest expense decreased by $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2013 from $2.8 million for the corresponding 2012 period, primarily due to the impact of lower rates paid for interest-bearing deposits and borrowings and lower borrowings balances, partially offset by the impact of higher interest-bearing deposits balances.

Interest expense on deposits decreased to $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2013 from $1.7 million for the corresponding 2012 period, due to decreases in the cost of those funds, partially offset by the impact of higher balances. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits was 0.49%, which was 8 basis points lower than the prior year period. The decrease in average cost of deposits reflects the impact of deposit pricing strategies and the Company’s purchase of certificates of deposit from the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and various listing services which provided certificate of deposit balances at lower rates. Average interest-bearing deposits were $1,354.4 million for the first quarter of 2013 compared to $1,210.2 million for the prior year period, reflecting the impact of the Company’s business development activities as well as funds received from CDARS and various listing services.

Interest expense on borrowings decreased to $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2013 from $1.1 million for the corresponding 2012 period, primarily due to lower balances of borrowed funds. Average borrowings decreased to $176.1 million for the first quarter of 2013 from $210.1 million in the prior year period, reflecting a lesser reliance by the Company on wholesale borrowed funds. The rate paid on these borrowed funds increased 8 basis points from 2.12% paid in the corresponding 2012 period reflecting changes in the mix of wholesale funds.

Provision for Loan Losses

Based on management’s continuing evaluation of the loan portfolio (discussed under “Asset Quality” on page 45), the provision for loan losses for the first quarter of 2013 was $2.0 million, $1.0 million lower than the prior year period. Factors affecting the provision for the first quarter of 2013 included current economic conditions during the quarter and a lower level of net charge-offs and lower nonaccrual loan balances.

The level of the allowance reflects changes in the size of the portfolio or in any of its components as well as management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality and economic, political and regulatory conditions. Portions of the allowance may be allocated for specific credits; however, the entire allowance is available for any credit that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control, including the performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward loan classifications.

As of March 31, 2013, the allowance for loan losses increased $0.2 million from $22.3 million at December 31, 2012, primarily due to loan growth partially offset by a decrease in the level of nonaccrual loans.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income increased to $10.7 million for the first quarter of 2013 from $10.3 million in the corresponding 2012 period. The increase principally resulted from a $2.1 million increase in mortgage banking income that was partly offset by lower accounts receivable management/factoring commissions and other fees and lower securities gains. Mortgage banking income increased principally due to higher volume of loans sold, reflecting the August 2012 acquisition of Universal Mortgage and higher volume in the existing mortgage banking operations. Accounts receivable management/factoring commissions and other fees were negatively impacted by the level and mix of sales volume and by lower trade finance volume.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expenses were $24.8 million for the first quarter of 2013, compared to $23.0 million for the prior year period largely due to higher compensation and occupancy and equipment expenses, reflecting the Company’s continued investment in the franchise.

Provision for Income Taxes

Reflecting an increase in pre-tax income of $1.3 million, the provision for income taxes for the first quarter of 2013 was $2.7 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 33.99%, compared with $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2012, reflecting an effective tax rate of 30.79%. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the higher level of pre-tax income in the 2013 period compared to the 2012 period.

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Securities

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s portfolio of securities totaled $665.1 million, of which obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises amounted to $275.3 million, which is approximately 41.4% of the total. The Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity securities classified as held to maturity, at which time it will receive full value for these securities. These securities are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. The gross unrealized gains and losses on held to maturity securities were $14.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Securities classified as available for sale may be sold in the future, prior to maturity. These securities are carried at fair value. Net aggregate unrealized gains or losses on these securities are included, net of taxes, as a component of shareholders’ equity. Given the generally high credit quality of the portfolio, management expects to realize all of its investments upon market recovery or the maturity of such instruments, and thus believes that any impairment in value is interest-rate-related and therefore temporary. Available for sale securities included gross unrealized gains of $7.2 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.5 million. As of March 31, 2013, management does not have the intent to sell any of the securities classified as available for sale in the table on page 9 and management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery of cost.

In connection with an asset-liability management strategy described under Net Interest Income on page 41, during the first quarter 2013 the Company sold approximately $15.3 million of securities with a weighted average life of about 1.2 years and had calls of $56.6 million of securities with a weighted average life of about 1.0 years. A significant portion of the proceeds was used to fund loan growth.

The following table presents information regarding the average life and yields of certain available for sale (“AFS”) and held to maturity (“HTM”) securities:

March 31, 2013	Weighted Average Life (years)				Weighted Average Yield
	AFS		HTM		AFS			HTM
Residential mortgage-backed securities		2.5		2.8		0.74	%		4.45	%
Agency notes (with original call dates ranging between 3 and 36 months)		2.0		10.6		0.95	%		1.14	%
Corporate debt securities		1.0		-		2.14	%		-	%
Obligations of state and political subdivisions – New York Bank Qualified		4.9		5.6		5.93	% [1]		5.98	% [1]

[1] tax equivalent

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's investment securities by type, with related carrying values:

	March 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	Balances		% of Total			Balances		% of Total

U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,390		0.96	%	$	6,386		0.93	%

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises
Residential mortgage-backed securities
CMOs (Federal National Mortgage Association)		1,734		0.26			2,051		0.30
CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)		18,943		2.85			23,157		3.39
CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)		2,428		0.36			3,291		0.48
Federal National Mortgage Association		31,398		4.72			34,709		5.08
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		14,105		2.12			15,787		2.31
Government National Mortgage Association		3,301		0.50			3,471		0.51
Total residential mortgage-backed securities		71,909		10.81			82,466		12.07

Agency notes
Federal National Mortgage Association		126,928		19.09			96,628		14.14
Federal Home Loan Bank		76,189		11.46			82,490		12.07
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		78		0.01			15,079		2.21
Federal Farm Credit Bank		201		0.03			-		-
Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises		275,305		41.40			276,663		40.49

Obligations of state and political institutions-New York Bank Qualified		151,683		22.81			153,905		22.53
Single-issuer, trust preferred securities		37,481		5.64			38,885		5.69
Other preferred securities		9,387		1.41			11,953		1.75
Corporate debt securities		163,103		24.52			174,418		25.53
Equity and other securities		21,712		3.26			21,035		3.08
Total	$	665,061		100.00	%	$	683,245		100.00	%

Loan Portfolio

A management objective is to maintain the quality of the loan portfolio. The Company seeks to achieve this objective by maintaining rigorous underwriting standards coupled with regular evaluation of the creditworthiness of, and the designation of lending limits for, each borrower. The portfolio strategies include seeking industry and loan size diversification in order to minimize credit exposure and originating loans in markets with which the Company is familiar. Approximately 64.9% of loans are to borrowers located in the New York metropolitan area.

Total commercial lending, which includes commercial and industrial loans, loans to nondepository financial institutions, factored receivables, equipment finance receivables, commercial mortgage and construction and land development loans, represents approximately 85.5% of all loans. The Company’s commercial and industrial loan and factored receivables portfolios represent approximately 44.7% of all loans. Primarily as the result of the Company’s new mortgage warehouse lending product, loans to nondepository financial institutions, primarily located in the New York metropolitan area, represent 21.6% of all loans. Loans in these categories are typically made to small- and medium-sized businesses, primarily located in the New York metropolitan area, and range between $250 thousand and $20 million. The Company’s leasing portfolio, which consists of finance leases to lessees primarily located in the New York metropolitan area for various types of business equipment, represents approximately 9.6% of all loans. The Company’s commercial real estate mortgage loans and the residential real estate loans, which represent approximately 8.8% and 8.9% of all loans, respectively, are comprised of mortgages secured by real property located principally in the New York metropolitan area. Sources of repayment are the borrower’s operating profits, cash flows and liquidation of pledged collateral. Based on underwriting standards, loans may be secured in whole or in part by collateral such as liquid assets, accounts receivable, equipment, inventory and real property. The collateral securing any loan or lease may depend on the type of loan or lease and may vary in value based on market conditions.

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio:

	March 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	Balances		% of Total			Balances		% of Total
Domestic
Commercial and industrial	$	635,817		36.20	%	$	627,785		35.45	%
Factored receivables		148,600		8.46			151,593		8.56
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		379,788		21.62			348,809		19.69
Equipment financing receivables		169,310		9.64			162,094		9.15
Real estate—commercial mortgage		154,336		8.79			182,735		10.32
Real estate—construction and land development		13,345		0.76			13,277		0.75
Loans to depository institutions		-		-			-		-
Total commercial lending		1,501,196		85.47			1,486,293		83.92
Real estate—residential mortgage
Portfolio		156,243		8.90			151,609		8.56
HFS		75,857		4.32			121,237		6.85
Loans to individuals		22,950		1.31			11,851		0.67
Loans, net of unearned discounts	$	1,756,246		100.00	%	$	1,770,990		100.00	%

Asset Quality

Intrinsic to the lending process is the possibility of loss. In times of economic slowdown, the risk of loss inherent in the Company’s portfolio of loans may increase. While management endeavors to minimize this risk, it recognizes that loan losses will occur and that the amount of these losses will fluctuate depending on the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, which in turn depend on current and future economic conditions, the financial condition of borrowers, the realization of collateral and the credit management process.

While the domestic economy continued to show moderate improvement during the 2013 first quarter, the pace was not consistent month-to-month and the rate of expansion also varied across regions of the country. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $0.7 million at March 31, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012, primarily reflecting decreases of $1.0 million in commercial and industrial nonaccrual loans and $0.3 million in equipment financing receivables, which was partly offset by increases of $0.4 million in residential real estate nonaccrual loans and $0.2 million in nonaccrual factored receivables. Net charge-offs of the first three months of 2013 were $1.6 million, compared to $2.9 million for the corresponding 2012 period, reflecting lower net charge-offs of $0.8 million in commercial and industrial loans and $0.6 million in equipment financing receivables, partially offset by higher net charge-offs of $0.1 million in factored receivables. Nevertheless, a worsening of existing economic conditions will likely result in levels of charge-offs and nonaccrual loans that will be higher than those in prior periods.

The following table sets forth the amount of non-performing assets (nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned). Also shown are loans that are past due more than 90 days and are still accruing because they are both well secured or guaranteed by financially responsible third parties and are in the process of collection.

	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Gross loans	$	1,773,192	$	1,787,835
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial and industrial	$	1,489	$	2,495
Factored receivables		174		-
Equipment financing receivables		36		339
Real estate-residential mortgage		2,754		2,325
Real estate-commercial mortgage		745		745
Real estate-construction and land development		-		-
Loans to individuals		30		18
Total nonaccrual loans	$	5,228	$	5,922

Other real estate owned		1,917		1,452
Total non-performing assets	$	7,145	$	7,374

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing	$	165	$	245

At March 31, 2013, commercial and industrial nonaccruals represented 0.23% of commercial and industrial loans. There were four loans made to borrowers located in the states of New York, New Jersey, Florida and Minnesota.

At March 31, 2013, equipment financing nonaccruals represented 0.02% of lease financing receivables. The lessees of the equipment are located in two states. There were two leases for approximately $0.1 thousand and $36.2 thousand. The value of the underlying collateral related to lease financing nonaccruals varies depending on the type and condition of equipment. While most leases are written on a recourse basis, with personal guarantees of the principals, the current value of the collateral is often less than the lease financing balance. Collection efforts include repossession and/or sale of leased equipment, payment discussions with the lessee, the principal and/or guarantors, and obtaining judgments against the lessee, the principal and/or guarantors. The balance is charged-off when it is determined that collection efforts are no longer productive. Factors considered in determining whether collection efforts are no longer productive include any amounts currently being collected, the status of discussions or negotiations with the lessee, the principal and/or guarantors, the cost of continuing efforts to collect, the status of any foreclosure or other legal actions, the value of the collateral, and any other pertinent factors.

At March 31, 2013, residential real estate nonaccruals represented 1.76% of residential real estate loans held in portfolio. There were 18 loans ranging between approximately $10.0 thousand and $658.0 thousand secured by properties located in eight states.

At March 31, 2013, commercial real estate nonaccruals represented 0.48% of commercial mortgage real estate loans. There was one loan for $745.3 thousand secured by property located in New York State.

At March 31, 2013, other real estate owned consisted of seven properties with values of approximately $6.0 thousand to $576.6 thousand located in three states.

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company’s allowance for loan losses methodology includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 310, Receivables and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 450, Contingencies. Accordingly, the methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogenous pools and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions. The Company’s process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses is designed to account for credit deterioration as it occurs. The provision for loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the levels of and trends related to nonaccrual loans, past due loans, potential problem loans, classified and criticized loans and net charge-offs or recoveries, among other factors. The provision for loan losses also reflects the totality of actions taken on all loans for a particular period. In other words, the amount of the provision reflects not only the necessary increases in the allowance for loan losses related to newly identified criticized loans, but it also reflects actions taken related to other loans including, among other things, any necessary increases or decreases in required allowances for specific loans or loan pools. See Note 3-Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for further details regarding the methodology for estimating the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses.

At March 31, 2013, the ratio of the allowance to loans held in portfolio, net unearned discounts, was 1.34% and the allowance was $22.5 million. Loans 90 days past due and still accruing amounted to $165 thousand. At such date, the Company’s nonaccrual loans amounted to $5.2 million; $2.7 million of such loans were judged to be impaired within the scope of FASB Codification Topic 310, Receivables, and had a valuation allowance totalling $0.6 million, which is included within the overall allowance for loan losses. Based on the foregoing, as well as management’s judgment as to the current risks inherent in loans held in portfolio, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was deemed adequate to absorb all probable losses on specifically known and other credit risks associated with the portfolio as of March 31, 2013. Net losses within loans held in portfolio are not statistically predictable and changes in conditions in the next twelve months could result in future provisions for loan losses varying from the provision taken in the first three months of 2013. We did not have any potential problem loans, which are loans that are currently performing under present loan repayment terms but where known information about possible credit problems of borrowers causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of the borrowers to continue to comply with the present repayment terms, at March 31, 2013 or 2012, respectively.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Company's loan loss experience:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012

Average loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts, during period	$	1,616,084		$	1,405,266

Allowance for loan losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$	22,347		$	20,029

Charge-offs:
Commercial and industrial		1,322			1,869
Lease financing receivables		466			1,102
Factored receivables		223			117
Real estate - residential mortgage		110			90
Loans to individuals		23			87
Total charge-offs		2,144			3,265

Recoveries:
Commercial and industrial		250			34
Lease financing receivables		313			338
Factored receivables		3			6
Real estate - residential mortgage		2			1
Loans to individuals		-			3
Total recoveries		568			382

Subtract:
Net charge-offs		1,576			2,883

Provision for loan losses		2,000			3,000

Less losses on transfers to other real estate owned		251			41

Balance at end of period	$	22,520		$	20,105

Ratio of annualized net charge-offs to average loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts		0.39	%		0.82	%

The following table presents the Company's allocation of the allowance for loan losses. This allocation is based on estimates by management and may vary from period to period based on management's evaluation of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. The amount allocated to a particular loan category of the Company's loans held in portfolio may not necessarily be indicative of actual future charge-offs in that loan category.

	March 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
			% of					% of
			loans					loans
			in each					in each
			category					category
			to total					to total
			loans					loans
			held in					held in
	Amount		portfolio			Amount		portfolio

Domestic

Commercial and industrial	$	8,384		37.84	%	$	8,662		38.05	%
Loans to depository institutions		-		-			-		-
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		1,765		22.60			1,726		21.14
Factored receivables		1,992		8.84			1,447		9.19
Equipment financing receivables		3,254		10.08			3,763		9.83
Real estate - residential mortgage		3,991		9.30			3,764		9.19
Real estate - commercial mortgage		2,459		9.18			2,504		11.08
Real estate - construction and land development		182		0.79			156		0.80
Loans to individuals		353		1.37			163		0.72
Unallocated		140		-			162		-
Total	$	22,520		100.00	%	$	22,347		100.00	%

As of March 31, 2013, the allowance for loan losses increased $0.2 million from $22.3 million at December 31, 2012, primarily due to an increase in the allowance allocated to factored receivables ($0.5 million), real estate - residential mortgage ($0.2 million) and loans to individuals ($0.2 million), partly offset by decreases in the allowance allocated to commercial and industrial ($0.3 million) and equipment financing receivables ($0.5 million). The allowance allocated to factored receivables and real estate - residential mortgage increased primarily due to higher nonaccrual loan balances and higher net loan charge-offs. The allowance allocated to loans to individuals increased due to higher nonaccrual loan balances and higher loan balances in this category. The allowance allocated to commercial and industrial and equipment financing receivables decreased due to lower nonaccrual loan balances and lower net loan charge-offs.

Deposits

A significant source of funds are customer deposits, consisting of demand (noninterest-bearing), NOW, savings, money market and time deposits (principally, certificates of deposit).

The following table provides certain information with respect to the Company’s deposits; there were no foreign deposits at either date:

	March 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	Balances		% of Total			Balances		% of Total

Demand	$	897,112		39.32	%	$	924,351		40.75	%
NOW		209,351		9.18			199,934		8.82
Savings		26,366		1.16			24,886		1.10
Money Market		557,647		24.45			476,872		21.02
Time deposits		590,679		25.89			642,041		28.31
Total deposits	$	2,281,155		100.00	%	$	2,268,084		100.00	%

Fluctuations of balances in total or among categories at any date may occur based on the Company’s mix of assets and liabilities as well as on customers’ balance sheet strategies. Historically, however, average balances for deposits have been relatively stable. Information regarding these average balances is presented beginning on page 52.

CAPITAL

The Company and the bank are subject to risk-based capital regulations which quantitatively measure capital against risk-weighted assets, including certain off-balance sheet items. These regulations define the elements of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 components of total capital and establish minimum ratios of 4% for Tier 1 capital and 8% for total capital for capital adequacy purposes. Supplementing these regulations is a leverage requirement. This requirement establishes a minimum leverage ratio (at least 3% or 4%, depending upon an institution’s regulatory status) which is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by adjusted quarterly average assets (after deducting goodwill). Information regarding the Company’s and the bank’s risk-based capital is presented on page 54. In addition, the bank is subject to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) which imposes a number of mandatory supervisory measures. Among other matters, FDICIA established five capital categories, ranging from “well capitalized” to “critically under capitalized.” Such classifications are used by regulatory agencies to determine a bank’s deposit insurance premium and approval of applications authorizing institutions to increase their asset size or otherwise expand business activities or acquire other institutions. Under FDICIA, a “well capitalized” bank must maintain minimum leverage, Tier 1 and total capital ratios of 5%, 6% and 10%, respectively. The Federal Reserve Board applies comparable tests for holding companies such as the Company. At March 31, 2013, the Company and the bank exceeded the requirements for “well capitalized” institutions under the tests pursuant to FDICIA and of the Federal Reserve Board.

The bank regulatory agencies have encouraged banking organizations, including healthy, well-run banking organizations, to operate with capital ratios substantially in excess of the stated ratios required to maintain “well capitalized” status. This has resulted from, among other things, past and current economic conditions, the global financial crisis and the likelihood, as described in the 2012 Form 10-K, of increased formal capital requirements for banking organizations. In light of the foregoing, the Company and the bank expect that they will maintain capital ratios substantially in excess of the “well capitalized” ratios.

For a discussion of the Company’s liquidity risks and management’s assessment thereof and certain information regarding the Company’s contractual obligations, and commitments, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” below.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

For information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, see Note 8 of the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained or incorporated by reference in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including but not limited to, statements concerning future results of operations or financial position, borrowing capacity and future liquidity, future investment results, future credit exposure, future loan losses and plans and objectives for future operations, change in laws and regulations applicable to the Company, adequacy of funding sources, actuarial expected benefit payments, valuation of foreclosed assets, our ability to hold to maturity securities designated as held to maturity, regulatory requirements, economic environment, the satisfaction of closing conditions to our merger, and other statements contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934-as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements are not historical facts but instead are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and represent only our belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside our control. Any forward-looking statements the Company may make speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. Our actual results and financial position may differ materially from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in or implied by these forward-looking statements and the Company makes no commitment to update or revise forward-looking statements in order to reflect new information, subsequent events or changes in expectations.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations; geopolitical developments, including acts of war and terrorism and their impact on economic conditions; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; changes, particularly declines, in general economic conditions and in the local economies in which the Company operates; the financial condition of the Company’s borrowers; competitive pressures on loan and deposit pricing and demand; changes in technology and their impact on the marketing of new products and services and the acceptance of these products and services by new and existing customers; the willingness of customers to substitute competitors’ products and services for the Company’s products and services; the impact of changes in financial services laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); changes in accounting principles, policies and guidelines the risks and uncertainties described in “Risk Factors” in the 2012 Form 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q; other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in press releases and other public filings; and the Company’s performance in managing the risks involved in any of the foregoing. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive, and the Company will not update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Average Balance Sheets [1]

Three Months Ended March 31,

(Unaudited)

	2013								2012
ASSETS	Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate			Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	$	90,981		$	57		0.26	%	$	77,072		$	46		0.24	%
Investment Securities
Available for sale - taxable		323,535			1,666		2.06			325,871			2,170		2.66
Held to maturity - taxable		253,491			1,131		1.78			280,377			1,633		2.33
Tax-exempt [2]		151,881			2,375		6.25			158,018			2,468		6.25
Total investment securities		728,907			5,172		2.84			764,266			6,271		3.28
FRB and FHLB stock [2]		7,461			61		3.27			8,476			81		3.82
Loans, net of unearned discounts [3]		1,722,949			22,242		5.37			1,441,967			19,686		5.56
TOTAL INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS		2,550,298			27,532		4.44	%		2,291,781			26,084		4.58	%
Cash and due from banks		42,768								37,628
Allowance for loan losses		(24,078	)							(21,584	)
Goodwill		22,901								22,901
Other assets		141,523								129,380
TOTAL ASSETS	$	2,733,412							$	2,460,106

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing deposits
Domestic
Savings	$	25,703			1		0.02	%	$	18,966			1		0.02	%
NOW		221,573			49		0.09			221,710			79		0.14
Money market		512,284			676		0.53			380,851			564		0.60
Time		594,883			910		0.62			588,641			1,063		0.73
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,354,443			1,636		0.49			1,210,168			1,707		0.57

Borrowings
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - customers		32,448			29		0.36			39,772			36		0.36
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - dealers		-			-		-			5,001			16		1.30
Federal funds purchased		400			-		0.22			2,473			1		0.14
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings		16,457			13		0.32			14,580			11		0.29
Advances - FHLB		101,019			392		1.57			122,492			519		1.70
Long-term borrowings - sub debt		25,774			523		8.38			25,774			523		8.38
Total borrowings		176,098			957		2.20			210,092			1,106		2.12
TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES		1,530,541			2,593		0.69	%		1,420,260			2,813		0.80	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits		897,416								759,002
Total including noninterest-bearing demand deposits		2,427,957			2,593		0.44	%		2,179,262			2,813		0.54	%
Other liabilities		76,209								59,160
Total liabilities		2,504,166								2,238,422
Shareholders' equity		229,246								221,684
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	2,733,412							$	2,460,106

Net interest income/spread					24,939		3.75	%					23,271		3.78	%

Net yield on interest-earning assets (margin)							4.02	%							4.07	%

Less: Tax equivalent adjustment					831								864

Net interest income				$	24,108							$	22,407

[1]	The average balances of assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity are computed on the basis of daily averages. Average rates are presented on a tax-equivalent basis. Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts for prior periods to conform to the current presentation.

[2]	Interest on tax-exempt securities is presented on a tax-equivalent basis.

[3]	Includes loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio; all loans are domestic. Nonaccrual loans are included in amounts outstanding and income has been included to the extent earned.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Rate/Volume Analysis [1]

(Unaudited)

	Increase/(Decrease) Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 to March 31, 2012
	Volume			Rate			Net [2]
INTEREST INCOME
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	$	7		$	4		$	11

Investment Securities
Available for sale - taxable		(38	)		(466	)		(504	)
Held to maturity - taxable		(156	)		(346	)		(502	)
Tax-exempt [2]		(93	)		-			(93	)
Total investment securities		(287	)		(812	)		(1,099	)
FRB and FHLB stock		(10	)		(10	)		(20	)
Loans, net of unearned discounts [3]		3,290			(734	)		2,556
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME	$	3,000		$	(1,552	)	$	1,448

INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest-bearing deposits
Domestic
Savings	$	-		$	-		$	-
NOW		(1	)		(29	)		(30	)
Money market		180			(68	)		112
Time		-			(153	)		(153	)
Total interest-bearing deposits		179			(250	)		(71	)

Borrowings
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - customers		(7	)		-			(7	)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - dealers		(16	)		-			(16	)
Federal funds purchased		(1	)		-			(1	)
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings		1			1			2
Advances - FHLB		(90	)		(37	)		(127	)
Long-term borrowings - sub debt		-			-			-
Total borrowings		(113	)		(36	)		(149	)
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE	$	66		$	(286	)	$	(220	)
NET INTEREST INCOME	$	2,934		$	(1,266	)	$	1,668

[1]	This table is presented on a tax-equivalent basis.

[2]

Changes in interest income and interest expense due to a combination of both volume and rate have been allocated to the change due to volume and the change due to rate in proportion to the relationship of change due solely to each. The effect of the extra day in 2012 has been allocated entirely to the volume variance. The change in interest expense for securities sold under agreements to repurchase-dealers has been allocated entirely to the volume variance.

[3]	Includes loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio; all loans are domestic. Nonaccrual loans are included in amounts outstanding and income has been included to the extent earned.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Regulatory Capital and Ratios

Ratios and Minimums

	Actual					For Capital Adequacy Minimum					To Be Well Capitalized
As of March 31, 2013	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
The Company	$	272,244		12.81	%	$	169,987		8.00	%	$	212,483		10.00	%
The bank		267,609		12.69			168,754		8.00			210,943		10.00

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
The Company		248,154		11.68			84,993		4.00			127,490		6.00
The bank		243,519		11.54			84,377		4.00			126,566		6.00

Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Average Assets):
The Company		248,154		9.16			108,390		4.00			135,488		5.00
The bank		243,519		9.04			107,796		4.00			134,745		5.00

As of December 31, 2012
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
The Company	$	268,866	12.58	%	$	171,026	8.00	%	$	213,782	10.00	%
The bank		261,760	12.37			169,309	8.00			211,637	10.00

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
The Company		245,533	11.49			85,513	4.00			128,269	6.00
The bank		238,428	11.27			84,655	4.00			126,982	6.00

Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Average Assets):
The Company		245,533	9.14			107,400	4.00			134,251	5.00
The bank		238,428	8.93			106,823	4.00			133,529	5.00

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

The Company’s primary earnings source is its net interest income; therefore, the Company devotes significant time and has invested in resources to assist in the management of interest rate risk and asset quality. The Company’s net interest income is affected by changes in market interest rates, and by the level and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Company’s objectives in its asset/liability management are to utilize its capital effectively, to provide adequate liquidity and to enhance net interest income, without taking undue risks or subjecting the Company unduly to interest rate fluctuations. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company did not hold any instrument entered into for trading purposes.

The Company takes a coordinated approach to the management of its liquidity, capital and interest rate risk. This risk management process is governed by policies and limits established by senior management, which are reviewed and approved by the Asset/Liability Committee. This committee, which is comprised of members of senior management, meets to review, among other things, economic conditions, interest rates, yield curves, cash flow projections, expected customer actions, liquidity levels, capital ratios and repricing characteristics of assets, liabilities and financial instruments.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market indices such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. The Company’s principal market risk exposure is interest rate risk, with no material impact on earnings from changes in foreign exchange rates or equity prices.

Interest rate risk is the exposure to changes in market interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity is the relationship between market interest rates and net interest income due to the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities. The Company monitors the interest rate sensitivity of its balance sheet positions by examining its near-term sensitivity and its longer-term gap position. In its management of interest rate risk, the Company utilizes several financial and statistical tools, including traditional gap analysis and sophisticated income simulation models.

A traditional gap analysis is prepared based on the maturity and repricing characteristics of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for selected time bands. The mismatch between repricings or maturities within a time band is commonly referred to as the “gap” for that period. A positive gap (asset sensitive) where interest rate-sensitive assets exceed interest rate-sensitive liabilities generally will result in the net interest margin increasing in a rising rate environment and decreasing in a falling rate environment. A negative gap (liability sensitive) will generally have the opposite result on the net interest margin. However, the traditional gap analysis does not assess the relative sensitivity of assets and liabilities to changes in interest rates and other factors that could have an impact on interest rate sensitivity or net interest income. The Company utilizes gap analysis to complement its income simulation modeling, primarily focusing on the longer-term structure of the balance sheet.

The Company’s balance sheet structure is primarily short-term in nature with a substantial portion of assets and liabilities repricing or maturing within one year. The Company’s gap analysis at March 31, 2013, presented on page 58, indicates that net interest income would increase during periods of rising interest rates and decrease during periods of falling interest rates, but, as mentioned above, gap analysis may not be an accurate predictor of net interest income.

As part of its interest rate risk strategy, the Company may use financial instrument derivatives to hedge the interest rate sensitivity of assets. The Company has written policy guidelines, approved by the Board of Directors, governing the use of financial instruments, including approved counterparties, risk limits and appropriate internal control procedures. The credit risk of derivatives arises principally from the potential for a counterparty to fail to meet its obligation to settle a contract on a timely basis.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company was not a party to any financial instrument derivative agreement.

The Company utilizes income simulation models to complement its traditional gap analysis. While the Asset/Liability Committee routinely monitors simulated net interest income sensitivity over a rolling two-year horizon, it also utilizes additional tools to monitor potential longer-term interest rate risk. The income simulation models measure the Company’s net interest income volatility or sensitivity to interest rate changes utilizing statistical techniques that allow the Company to consider various factors which impact net interest income. These factors include actual maturities, estimated cash flows, repricing characteristics, deposit growth/retention and, most importantly, the relative sensitivity of the Company’s assets and liabilities to changes in market interest rates. This relative sensitivity is important to consider as the Company’s core deposit base has not been subject to the same degree of interest rate sensitivity as its assets. The core deposit costs are internally managed and tend to exhibit less sensitivity to changes in interest rates than the Company’s adjustable rate assets whose yields are based on external indices and generally change in concert with market interest rates.

The Company’s interest rate sensitivity is determined by identifying the probable impact of changes in market interest rates on the yields on the Company’s assets and the rates that would be paid on its liabilities. This modeling technique involves a degree of estimation based on certain assumptions that management believes to be reasonable. Utilizing this process, management projects the impact of changes in interest rates on net interest margin. The Company has established certain policy limits for the potential volatility of its net interest margin assuming certain levels of changes in market interest rates with the objective of maintaining a stable net interest margin under various probable rate scenarios. Management generally has maintained a risk position well within the policy limits. As of December 31, 2012, the model indicated the impact of a 100 and 200 basis point parallel and pro rata rise in rates over 12 months would approximate a 2.7% ($3.2 million) and a 5.6% ($6.7 million) increase in net interest income, respectively, while the impact of a 25 basis point decline in rates over the same period would approximate a 1.1% ($1.4 million) decline from an unchanged rate environment. The likelihood of a decrease in interest rates beyond 25 basis points as of December 31, 2012 was considered to be remote given then-current interest rate levels. As of March 31, 2013, the model indicated the impact of a 100 and 200 basis point parallel and pro rata rise in rates over 12 months would approximate a 2.2% ($2.5 million) and a 5.2% ($5.9 million) increase in net interest income, respectively, while the impact of a 25 basis point decline in rates over the same period would approximate a 0.9% ($1.1 million) decline from an unchanged rate environment. The likelihood of a decrease in interest rates beyond 25 basis points as of March 31, 2013 was considered to be remote given then-current interest rate levels.

The preceding sensitivity analysis does not represent a Company forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions, including: the nature and timing of interest rate levels including yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows and others. While assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot provide any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions, including how customers’ preferences or competitor influences might change.

Also, as market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity analysis, actual results will also differ due to: prepayment/refinancing levels likely deviating from those assumed, the varying impact of interest rate change caps or floors on adjustable rate assets, the potential effect of changing debt service levels on customers with adjustable rate loans, depositor early withdrawals and product preference changes and other variables. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that the Asset/Liability Committee might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates.

The shape of the yield curve can cause downward pressure on net interest income. In general, if and to the extent that the yield curve is flatter (i.e., the differences between interest rates for different maturities are relatively smaller) than previously anticipated, then the yield on the Company’s interest-earning assets and its cash flows will tend to be lower. Management believes that a relatively flat yield curve could continue to affect adversely the Company’s results in 2013.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity is the ability to meet cash needs arising from changes in various categories of assets and liabilities. Liquidity is constantly monitored and managed at both the parent company and the bank levels. Liquid assets consist of cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks and Federal funds sold and securities available for sale. Primary funding sources include core deposits, capital markets funds and other money market sources. Core deposits include domestic noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing retail deposits, which historically have been relatively stable. The parent company and the bank believe that they have significant unused borrowing capacity. Contingency plans exist which we believe could be implemented on a timely basis to mitigate the impact of any dramatic change in market conditions.

The parent company depends for its cash requirements on funds maintained or generated by its subsidiaries, principally the bank. Such sources have been adequate to meet the parent company’s cash requirements throughout its history.

Various legal restrictions limit the extent to which the bank can supply funds to the parent company and its nonbank subsidiaries. All national banks are limited in the payment of dividends without the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency to an amount not to exceed the net profits (as defined) for the year to date combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two calendar years.

At March 31, 2013, the parent company’s short-term debt, consisting principally of commercial paper used to finance ongoing current business activities, was approximately $22.0 million. The parent company had cash, interest-bearing deposits with banks and other current assets aggregating $34.1 million. The parent company also has back-up lines of credit with banks of $14.0 million. Since 1979, the parent company has had no need to use the available back-up lines of credit.

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s obligations and commitments to make future payments under contract as of March 31, 2013:

	Payments Due by Period
Contractual obligations (1)	Total		Less than 1 Year		1-3 Years		4-5 Years		After 5 Years

Long-Term Debt	$	126,668	$	785	$	100,109	$	-	$	25,774
Operating Leases		41,164		4,841		9,835		7,830		18,658
Total Contractual Cash Obligations	$	167,832	$	5,626	$	109,944	$	7,830	$	44,432

(1) Based on contractual maturity dates.

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s obligations under other commercial commitments as of March 31, 2013:

	Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
Other Commercial Commitments	Total Amount Committed		Less Than 1 Year		1-3 Years		4-5 Years		After 5 Years

Residential Loans	$	130,950	$	130,950	$	-	$	-	$	-
Commercial Loans		20,277		9,455		10,822		-		-
Total Loans		151,227		140,405		10,822		-		-
Standby Letters of Credit		31,011		28,349		2,662		-		-
Other Commercial Commitments		34,842		34,287		-		-		555

Total Commercial Commitments	$	217,080	$	203,041	$	13,484	$	-	$	555

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE

Our internet address is www.sterlingbancorp.com and the investor relations section of our web site is located at www.sterlingbancorp.com/ir/investor.cfm. We make available free of charge, on or through the investor relations section of our web site, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Also posted on our web site, and available in print upon request of any shareholder to our Investor Relations Department, are the charters for our Board of Directors’ Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Method for Interested Persons to Communicate with Non-Management Directors, and a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics governing our directors, officers and employees. Within the time period required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, we will post on our web site any amendment to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and any waiver applicable to our senior financial officers, as defined in the Code, or our executive officers or directors. In addition, information concerning purchases and sales of our equity securities by our executive officers and directors is posted on our web site.

The contents of our web site are not incorporated by reference into this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Interest Rate Sensitivity

To mitigate the vulnerability of earnings to changes in interest rates, the Company manages the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities in an attempt to control net interest rate sensitivity. Management attempts to confine significant rate sensitivity gaps predominantly to repricing intervals of a year or less so that adjustments can be made quickly. Assets and liabilities with predetermined repricing dates are classified based on the earliest repricing period. Based on the interest rate sensitivity analysis shown below, the Company's net interest income would increase during periods of rising interest rates and decrease during periods of falling interest rates.

	Repricing Date
			More than		More than		More than
	3 Months		3 Months		1 Year to		5 Years to		Over		Nonrate
	or Less		to 1 Year		5 Years		10 Years		10 Years		Sensitive			Total

ASSETS
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	$	165,988	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	165,988
Investment securities		156,085		212,713		56,066		58,262		181,935		-			665,061
Commercial and industrial loans		465,049		49,061		99,432		24,265		-		(1,990	)		635,817
Lease financing receivables		569		8,882		173,482		1,057		-		(14,680	)		169,310
Factored receivables		148,726		-		-		-		-		(126	)		148,600
Real estate-residential mortgage		96,902		26,154		65,908		11,601		31,535		-			232,100
Real estate-commercial mortgage		2,648		24,116		98,918		27,096		1,558		-			154,336
Real estate-construction and land development		4,050		741		8,554		-		-		-			13,345
Loans to individuals		17,762		3,148		1,720		320		-		-			22,950
Loans to nondepository financial institutions		341,552		1,545		36,773		-		68		(150	)		379,788
Noninterest-earning assets & allowance for loan losses		-		-		-		-		-		185,190			185,190
Total Assets		1,399,331		326,360		540,853		122,601		215,096		168,244			2,772,485


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing deposits
Savings [1]		-		-		26,366		-		-		-			26,366
NOW [1]		-		-		209,351		-		-		-			209,351
Money market [1]		391,034		-		166,613		-		-		-			557,647
Time		260,908		244,363		85,344		64		-		-			590,679
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase - customers		33,817		-		-		-		-		-			33,817
Commercial paper		20,945		50		-		-		-		-			20,995
Advances - FHLB		100,302		483		109		-		-		-			100,894
Long-term borrowings - subordinated debentures		-		-		-		-		25,774		-			25,774
Noninterest-bearing liabilities & shareholders' equity		-		-		-		-		-		1,206,962			1,206,962

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity		807,006		244,896		487,783		64		25,774		1,206,962			2,772,485

Net Interest Rate
Sensitivity Gap	$	592,325	$	81,464	$	53,070	$	122,537	$	189,322	$	(1,038,718	)	$	-

Cumulative Gap
March 31, 2013	$	592,325	$	673,789	$	726,859	$	849,396	$	1,038,718	$	-		$	-

Cumulative Gap
March 31, 2012 [2]	$	499,293	$	512,509	$	495,091	$	671,208	$	930,755	$	-		$	-

Cumulative Gap
December 31, 2012 [2]	$	599,898	$	651,856	$	767,933	$	966,261	$	1,064,899	$	-		$	-

[1]	Historically, balances in non-maturity deposit accounts have remained relatively stable despite changes in levels of interest rates. Balances are shown in repricing periods based on management's historical repricing practices and run-off experience.

[2]	Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current presentation.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On April 9, 2013, the first of seven actions, captioned Altman v. Sterling Bancorp, et al., Index No. 651263/2013 (Sup. Ct., N.Y. Cnty.), was filed on behalf of a putative class of Sterling stockholders against the Company, its current directors, and Provident New York Bancorp ("Provident"). All seven putative class actions were filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County. The complaints are substantially identical and each alleges that the Sterling director defendants breached their fiduciary duties, including duties of loyalty and good faith, by approving the merger with Provident, and that Provident aided and abetted in such breaches of duty. The complaints seek, among other things, an order enjoining the defendants from proceeding with or consummating the merger, as well as other equitable relief and/or money damages in the event that the transaction is consummated. Sterling believes that the claims are without merit.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

For a summary of risk factors relevant to our operations, please see Part I, Item 1A in our 2012 Form 10-K. There has been no material change in risk factors since December 31, 2012, except as noted below.

The Merger Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms and the Merger may not be completed.

Our merger agreement with Provident (the "Merger Agreement") is subject to a number of conditions which must be fulfilled in order to complete the merger of the Company with and into Provident (the “Merger”). Those conditions include: approval of the Merger Agreement by the Company’s and Provident’s stockholders, receipt of requisite regulatory approvals, absence of orders prohibiting completion of the Merger, effectiveness of the registration statement containing the joint proxy statement relating to the meetings of the Company’s and Provident’s stockholders to be held in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, approval of the shares of Provident common stock to be issued to the Company’s stockholders for listing on the NYSE, the continued accuracy of the representations and warranties by both parties and the performance by both parties of their covenants and agreements, and the receipt by both parties of legal opinions from their respective tax counsels. If these conditions to the closing of the Merger are not fulfilled, then the Merger may not be completed. In addition, if the Merger is not completed by April 3, 2014, either Provident or the Company may choose not to proceed with the Merger, and the parties can mutually decide to terminate the Merger Agreement at any time, before or after shareholder approval. In addition, Provident may elect to terminate the Merger Agreement in certain other circumstances.

Termination of the Merger Agreement could negatively impact the Company.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated, the Company’s business may be adversely impacted by the failure to pursue other beneficial opportunities due to the focus of management on the Merger. In addition, if the Merger Agreement is terminated, the market price of the Company’s common stock might decline to the extent that the current market price reflects a market assumption that the Merger will be completed. If the Merger Agreement is terminated and the Company’s board of directors seeks another merger or business combination, the Company’s stockholders cannot be certain that the Company will be able to find a party willing to offer an equivalent or more attractive consideration than the consideration Provident has agreed to provide in the Merger. If the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to pay a termination fee of $13.25 million to Provident.

The Company will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the Merger is pending.

Uncertainty about the effect of the Merger on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on the Company. These uncertainties may impair the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the Merger is completed, and could cause customers and others that deal with the Company to seek to change existing business relationships with the Company. Retention of certain employees may be challenging during the pendency of the Merger, as certain employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles. If key employees depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with the business, the Company’s business could be negatively impacted. In addition, the Merger Agreement restricts the Company from making certain acquisitions and taking other specified actions until the Merger occurs without the consent of Provident. These restrictions may prevent the Company from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the Merger.

Various lawsuits have been filed against the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors and Provident challenging the Merger, and an adverse judgment in any such lawsuit may prevent the Merger from being completed or from being completed within the expected timeframe.

The Company, the Company’s board of directors and Provident are named as defendants in seven lawsuits brought by various Company shareholders, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. As discussed further above under “Legal Proceedings,” the lawsuits challenge the proposed Merger and seek, among other things, to enjoin the completion of the Merger on the agreed-upon terms and an award of costs and attorneys’ fees. Certain of the actions also seek an accounting of damages sustained as a result of the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.

One of the conditions to the closing of the Merger is that no judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) issued by a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the completion of the Merger shall be in effect. As such, if a settlement or other resolution is not reached in these lawsuits and the plaintiffs are successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting the completion of the Merger on the agreed-upon terms, then such injunction may prevent the Merger from being completed, or from being completed within the expected timeframe.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Under its share repurchase program, the Company buys back common shares from time to time. The Company did not repurchase any of its common shares during the first quarter of 2013. At March 31, 2013, the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the share repurchase program was 870,963.

The Board of Directors initially authorized the repurchase of common shares in 1997 and since then has approved increases in the number of common shares that the Company is authorized to repurchase. The latest increase was announced on August 16, 2007, when the Board of Directors increased the Company’s authority to repurchase common shares by an additional 800,000 shares.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 3, 2013 by and between Sterling Bancorp and Provident New York Bancorp (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K/A, dated April 3, 2013 and filed on April 9, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein).

3.1

By-Laws as amended through March 13, 2013 (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated March 13, 2013 and filed on March 19, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.1

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 12, 2013

(a) For Louis J. Cappelli

(b) For John C. Millman

11.

Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.

31.1

Certification of the CEO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).

31.2

Certification of the CFO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).

32.1

Certification of the CEO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.

32.2

Certification of the CFO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Label Linkbase.

101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.

101.DEF*

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase.

* This information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		STERLING BANCORP
		(Registrant)



Date:	May 3, 2013	/s/ Louis J. Cappelli
		Louis J. Cappelli
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



Date:	May 3, 2013	/s/ John W. Tietjen
		John W. Tietjen
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer