Sterling Bancorp 10-Q 2005 Q1 Quarterly report

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, 2005
or
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 1-5273-1

Sterling Bancorp

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York	13-2565216
(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.

x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act,

x Yes o No

As of April 30, 2005 there were 18,346,597 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		8
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
			Condition and Results of Operations
		Overview		12
		Income Statement Analysis		13
		Balance Sheet Analysis		15
		Capital		19
		Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		20
		Average Balance Sheets		21
		Rate/Volume Analysis		22
		Regulatory Capital and Ratios		23
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
			Market Risk
		Asset/Liability Management		24
		Interest Rate Sensitivity		28
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		29
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
	Item 6.	Exhibits		30
SIGNATURES				31
EXHIBIT INDEX
	Exhibit 11		Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings	33
	Exhibit 31		Certifications of the CEO and CFO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)	34
	Exhibit 32		Certifications of the CEO and CFO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code	36

2

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

ASSETS	March 31, 2005			December 31, 2004
Cash and due from banks	$	66,568,719		$	48,842,418
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		4,088,863			1,329,103
Federal funds sold		35,000,000			—
Securities available for sale		136,046,825			169,824,385
Securities available for sale - pledged		83,057,892			63,937,786
Securities held to maturity		329,712,425			323,152,347
Securities held to maturity - pledged		157,738,965			123,305,216
Total investment securities		706,556,107			680,219,734
Loans held for sale		26,614,855			37,058,673
Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts		976,607,955			1,022,286,479
Less allowance for loan losses		16,782,405			16,328,528
Loans, net		959,825,550			1,005,957,951
Customers’ liability under acceptances		807,341			628,965
Excess cost over equity in net assets of the   banking subsidiary		21,158,440			21,158,440
Premises and equipment, net		10,726,956			10,674,708
Other real estate		534,382			766,620
Accrued interest receivable		5,987,105			5,604,781
Bank owned life insurance		26,803,160			26,553,145
Other assets		36,580,778			32,317,224
	$	1,901,252,256		$	1,871,111,762
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	468,713,500		$	511,307,018
Interest-bearing deposits		919,868,989			832,544,097
Total deposits		1,388,582,489			1,343,851,115
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - customers		82,980,843			55,934,170
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - dealers		43,697,000			33,882,000
Federal funds purchased		—			32,500,000
Commercial paper		38,810,149			25,991,038
Other short-term borrowings		387,130			2,517,375
Acceptances outstanding		807,341			628,965
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		80,705,168			91,329,506
Long-term debt		115,774,000			135,774,000
Total liabilities		1,751,744,120			1,722,408,169
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, $1 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares;     issued 19,945,008 and 19,880,521 shares, respectively		19,945,008			19,880,521
Capital surplus		146,263,037			145,310,745
Retained earnings		30,972,751			28,664,568
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(4,263,610	)		(1,921,060	)
		192,917,186			191,934,774
Less
Common shares in treasury at cost, 1,652,567     and 1,642,996 shares, respectively		43,189,007			42,939,969
Unearned compensation		220,043			291,212
Total shareholders’ equity		149,508,136			148,703,593
	$	1,901,252,256		$	1,871,111,762

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005		2004
INTEREST INCOME
Loans	$	18,376,415	$	15,081,995
Investment securities
Available for sale		2,501,644		3,691,820
Held to maturity		5,210,223		4,706,408
Federal funds sold		109,861		50,342
Deposits with other banks		6,183		4,109
Total interest income		26,204,326		23,534,674
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		3,451,595		2,473,145
Securities sold under agreements     to repurchase		585,647		315,632
Federal funds purchased		20,782		15,890
Commercial paper		160,066		62,762
Other short-term borrowings		5,003		112,194
Long-term debt		1,478,953		1,559,692
Total interest expense		5,702,046		4,539,315
Net interest income		20,502,280		18,995,359
Provision for loan losses		2,648,500		2,426,500
Net interest income after provision   for loan losses		17,853,780		16,568,859
NONINTEREST INCOME
Factoring income		1,417,314		1,426,869
Mortgage banking income		3,875,847		3,631,391
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,197,024		1,063,343
Trade finance income		420,454		492,807
Trust fees		172,278		181,697
Other service charges and fees		302,260		474,404
Bank owned life insurance income		250,014		233,695
Securities gains		196,680		536,304
Other income		164,329		183,599
Total noninterest income		7,996,200		8,224,109
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Salaries		8,156,603		7,677,109
Employee benefits		1,750,205		1,926,138
Total personnel expense		9,906,808		9,603,247
Occupancy expenses, net		1,314,682		1,229,638
Equipment expenses		764,158		756,154
Advertising and marketing		1,116,323		1,093,460
Professional fees		1,531,179		913,671
Data processing fees		257,510		287,460
Stationery and printing		194,099		266,571
Communications		383,281		406,727
Other expenses		1,508,388		1,392,302
Total noninterest expenses		16,976,428		15,949,230
Income before income taxes		8,873,552		8,843,738
Provision for income taxes		3,106,829		3,636,804
Net income	$	5,766,723	$	5,206,934
Average number of common  shares outstanding
Basic		18,258,783		18,220,065
Diluted		18,926,688		19,210,918
Earnings per average common share
Basic	$	0.32	$	0.29
Diluted		0.30		0.27
Dividends per common share		0.19		0.16

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
Net Income	$	5,766,723		$	5,206,934
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding (losses)/gains    arising during the period		(1,848,451	)		1,427,580
Reclassification adjustment for    gains included in net income		(106,404	)		(290,141	)
Unrealized (losses)/gains supplemental pension		(387,695	)		344,110
Comprehensive income	$	3,424,173		$	6,688,483

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
Preferred Stock
Balance at January 1	$	—		$	2,244,320
Conversions of Series D shares		—			(2,244,320	)
Balance at March 31	$	—		$	—
Common Stock
Balance at January 1	$	19,880,521		$	19,275,964
Conversions of preferred shares into common shares		—			428,304
Common shares issued under stock incentive plan		64,487			83,701
Balance at March 31	$	19,945,008		$	19,787,969
Capital Surplus
Balance at January 1	$	145,310,745		$	141,179,832
Conversions of preferred shares into common shares		—			1,816,016
Common shares issued under stock incentive plan     and related tax benefits		952,292			1,217,712
Balance at March 31	$	146,263,037		$	144,213,560
Retained Earnings
Balance at January 1	$	28,664,568		$	16,166,517
Net Income		5,766,723			5,206,934
Cash dividends paid - common shares		(3,458,540	)		(2,918,800	)
Balance at March 31	$	30,972,751		$	18,454,651
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance at January 1	$	(1,921,060	)	$	(1,131,803	)
Unrealized holding (losses)/gains
arising during the period:
Before tax		(3,416,732	)		2,638,779
Tax effect		1,568,281			(1,211,199	)
Net of tax		(1,848,451	)		1,427,580
Reclassification adjustment for gains
included in net income:
Before tax		(196,680	)		(536,304	)
Tax effect		90,276			246,163
Net of tax		(106,404	)		(290,141	)
Unrealized (losses)/gains supplemental pension:
Before tax		(716,630	)		636,063
Tax effect		328,935			(291,953	)
Net of tax		(387,695	)		344,110
Balance at March 31	$	(4,263,610	)	$	349,746
Treasury Stock
Balance at January 1	$	(42,939,969	)	$	(33,577,847	)
Surrender of shares issued under
incentive compensation plan		(249,038	)		(251,484	)
Balance at March 31	$	(43,189,007	)	$	(33,829,331	)
Unearned Compensation
Balance at January 1	$	(291,212	)	$	(894,976	)
Amortization of unearned compensation		71,169			185,670
Balance at March 31	$	(220,043	)	$	(709,306	)
Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at January 1	$	148,703,593		$	143,262,007
Net changes during the period		804,543			5,005,282
Balance at March 31	$	149,508,136		$	148,267,289

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
Operating Activities
Net Income	$	5,766,723		$	5,206,934
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities:
Provision for loan losses		2,648,500			2,426,500
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment		454,454			419,137
Securities gains		(196,680	)		(536,304	)
Income from bank owned life insurance		(250,014	)		(233,695	)
Deferred income tax benefit		(189,692	)		(149,565	)
Net change in loans held for sale		10,443,818			(7,870,437	)
Amortization of unearned compensation		71,169			185,670
Amortization of premiums on securities		266,241			333,904
Accretion of discounts on securities		(148,267	)		(97,977	)
Increase in accrued interest receivable		(382,324	)		(349,692	)
Decrease in accrued expenses and
other liabilities		(10,624,338	)		(3,596,194	)
Increase in other assets		(2,415,307	)		(2,694,981	)
Other, net		(636,733	)		(251,484	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		4,807,550			(7,208,184	)
Investing Activities
Purchase of premises and equipment		(506,702	)		(897,753	)
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits
with other banks		(2,759,760	)		(819,213	)
Increase in Federal funds sold		(35,000,000	)		—
Net decrease in loans held in portfolio		43,483,901			45,425,831
Decrease (Increase) in other real estate		232,238			(462,222	)
Proceeds from prepayments, redemptions or maturities
of securities - held to maturity		22,878,255			29,621,561
Purchases of securities - held to maturity		(63,978,499	)		(43,387,576	)
Proceeds from sales of securities - available for sale		2,932,250			37,031,642
Proceeds from prepayments, redemptions or maturities
of securities - available for sale		16,658,176			12,592,171
Purchases of securities - available for sale		(8,361,260	)		(63,180,944	)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(24,421,401	)		15,923,497
Financing Activities
Net decrease in noninterest-bearing deposits		(42,593,518	)		(44,795,328	)
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits		87,324,892			56,351,896
Decrease in Federal funds purchased		(32,500,000	)		(10,000,000	)
Net increase in securities sold under agreements
to repurchase		36,861,673			19,368,622
Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper and
other short-term borrowings		10,688,866			(45,852,381	)
Net decrease in long-term borrowings		(20,000,000	)		—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		1,016,779			939,697
Cash dividends paid on common and preferred stock		(3,458,540	)		(2,918,800	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		37,340,152			(26,906,294	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks		17,726,301			(18,190,981	)
Cash and due from banks - beginning of period		48,842,418			63,947,722
Cash and due from banks - end of period	$	66,568,719		$	45,756,741
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid	$	5,584,920		$	4,479,390
Income taxes paid		7,756,600			5,942,600

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sterling Bancorp (“the parent company”) and its subsidiaries, principally Sterling National Bank and its subsidiaries (“the bank”), after elimination of material intercompany transactions. The term “the Company” refers to Sterling Bancorp and its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements as of and for the interim periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 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 2004 consolidated financial statements to conform to the current presentation. 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, 2004. The Company effected a six-for-five stock split on December 8, 2004, a five-for-four stock split on September 10,2003 and paid stock dividends as follows: 20% on December 9, 2002; 10% on December 10, 2001; 10% on December 11, 2000; and 5% on December 14, 1999. Fractional shares were cashed-out and payments were made to shareholders in lieu of fractional shares. All capital and share amounts as well as basic and diluted average number of shares outstanding and earnings per average common share information for all prior reporting periods have been restated to reflect the effect of the stock splits and stock dividends.

2.

At March 31, 2005, the Company has a stock-based employee compensation plan, which is described more fully in Note 1 and Note 15 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company accounts for this plan under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. In accordance with SFAS No. 148, the following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per average common share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to the stock-based employee compensation plans.

Three Months Ended March 31,	2005			2004
Net income available for
common shareholders	$	5,766,723		$	5,206,934
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
compensation expense determined under
fair value based method for all awards,
net of related tax effects		(61,395	)		(59,488	)
Pro forma, net income	$	5,705,328		$	5,147,446
Earnings per average common share:
Basic- as reported	$	0.32		$	0.29
Basic- pro forma		0.31			0.28
Diluted- as reported		0.30			0.27
Diluted- pro forma		0.30			0.27

8

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

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

		March 31,
		2005		2004
Loans held for sale
Real estate-mortgage	$	26,614,855	$	48,426,817
Loans held in portfolio
Commercial and industrial	$	556,229,669	$	509,376,472
Lease financing		186,476,009		173,423,983
Real estate-mortgage		241,517,928		163,288,645
Real estate-construction		2,313,541		2,354,375
Installment		13,372,051		16,012,469
Loans to depository institutions		—		10,000,000
Loans held in portfolio, gross		999,909,198		874,455,944
Less unearned discounts		23,301,243		21,448,240
Loans held in portfolio, net of
unearned discounts	$	976,607,955	$	853,007,704

4.

SFAS No. 131,Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, established standards for the way that public business enterprises report and disclose selected information about operating segments in interim financial statements provided to stockholders.

The Company provides a broad range of financial products and services, including commercial loans, asset-based financing, factoring and accounts receivable management services, trade financing, equipment leasing, corporate and consumer deposit services, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, trust and estate administration and investment management services. The Company’s primary source of earnings is net interest income, which represents the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets and the interest incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. The Company’s 2005 year-to-date average interest-earning assets were 58.2% loans (corporate lending was 68.4% and real estate lending was 28.1% of total loans, respectively) and 40.6% investment securities and money market investments. There are no industry concentrations exceeding 10% of loans, gross, in the corporate loan portfolio. Approximately 67% of loans are to borrowers located in the metropolitan New York area. In order to comply with the provisions of SFAS No. 131, the Company has determined that it has three reportable operating segments: corporate lending, real estate lending and company-wide treasury.

9

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

The following tables provide certain information regarding the Company’s operating segments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:

	Corporate Lending		Real Estate Lending		Company-wide Treasury		Totals
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
Net interest income	$	9,238,064	$	4,854,012	$	5,719,571	$	19,811,647
Noninterest income		2,963,485		3,937,645		462,656		7,363,786
Depreciation and amortization		92,809		88,960		606		182,375
Segment income before taxes		3,833,990		4,581,958		7,648,608		16,064,556
Segment assets		678,858,374		317,412,358		857,394,953		1,853,665,685
Three Months Ended March 31, 2004
Net interest income	$	8,343,016	$	3,806,233	$	6,400,231	$	18,549,480
Noninterest income		2,925,051		3,703,428		849,373		7,477,852
Depreciation and amortization		60,781		99,771		—		160,552
Segment income before taxes		2,623,245		4,068,608		7,906,229		14,598,082
Segment assets		677,522,971		221,637,058		801,324,440		1,700,484,469

The following table sets forth reconciliations of net interest income, noninterest income, profits and assets of reportable operating segments to the Company’s consolidated totals:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
Net interest income:
Total for reportable operating segments	$	19,811,647		$	18,549,480
Other [1]		690,633			445,879
Consolidated net interest income	$	20,502,280		$	18,995,359
Noninterest income:
Total for reportable operating segments	$	7,363,786		$	7,477,852
Other [1]		632,414			746,257
Consolidated noninterest income	$	7,996,200		$	8,224,109
Income before taxes:
Total for reportable operating segments	$	16,064,556		$	14,598,082
Other [1]		(7,191,004	)		(5,754,344	)
Consolidated income before income taxes	$	8,873,552		$	8,843,738
Assets:
Total for reportable operating segments	$	1,853,665,685		$	1,700,484,469
Other [1]		47,586,571			35,920,393
Consolidated assets	$	1,901,252,256		$	1,736,404,862

[1] Represents operations not considered to be a reportable segment and/or general operating expenses of the Company.

10

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

5. The following information is provided in connection with the sales of available for sale securities:

Three Months Ended March 31,	2005		2004
Proceeds	$	2,932,250	$	37,031,642
Gross Gains		196,680		536,304
Gross Losses		—		—

6.	In February 2004, 224,432 Series D preferred shares were converted into 428,304 common shares.
7.	The following tables set forth the disclosures required for net periodic benefit cost and net benefit cost:

Three Months Ended March 31,	2005			2004
COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC COST
Service Cost	$	403,843		$	410,546
Interest Cost		509,493			516,744
Expected return on plan assets		(442,549	)		(452,029	)
Amortization of prior service cost		19,116			19,331
Recognized actuarial loss		207,354			209,121
Net periodic benefit cost		697,257			703,713
Settlement gain		—			(1,331,190	)
Net benefit cost	$	697,257		$	(627,477	)

The Company previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31,2004, that it expected to contribute approximately $3,000,000 to the defined benefit pension plan in 2005. No contribution has been made as of March 31, 2005.

8.

In April, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) delayed the compliance date of SFAS No. 123R,Share-Based Payment. SFAS No. 123R was originally scheduled to be effective as of the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005. As a result of the SEC’s action, SFAS No. 123R will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2006. SFAS No. 123R provides alternative transition methods and the Company has not yet determined which transition method it will apply upon adoption of SFAS No. 123R. The impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will depend on the transition method selected.

11

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 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, and its subsidiaries, principally Sterling National Bank (“the bank”). Throughout this discussion and analysis, the term “the Company” refers to Sterling Bancorp and its subsidiaries. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and supplemental data contained elsewhere in this quarterly report and the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ financial data to conform to current financial statement presentations as well as to reflect the effect of the six-for-five stock split effected on December 8, 2004.

OVERVIEW

The Company provides a broad range of financial products and services, including business and consumer loans, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, asset-based financing, factoring/accounts receivable management services, deposit services, trade financing, equipment leasing, trust and estate administration, and investment management services. The Company has operations in New York, Virginia and North Carolina and conducts business throughout the United States. The general state of the U.S. economy and, in particular, economic and market conditions in the metropolitan New York 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, 2005, the bank’s average earning assets represented approximately 96.5% of the Company’s average earning assets. Loans represented 58.2% and investment securities represented 40.6% of the bank’s average earning assets for the first quarter of 2005.

The Company’s primary source of earnings is net interest income, and its principal market risk exposure is interest rate risk. 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.

12

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, service, availability of products, and geographic location.

The Company regularly evaluates acquisition opportunities and conducts due diligence activities in connection with possible acquisitions. As a result, acquisition discussions, and in some cases negotiations, regularly take place and future acquisitions could occur.

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-earnings 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 22. Information as to the components of interest income and interest expense and average rates is provided in the Average Balance Sheets shown on page 21.

Comparisons of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004

The Company reported net income for the three months ended March 31, 2005 of $5.8 million, representing $0.30 per share, calculated on a diluted basis, compared to $5.2 million, or $0.27 per share calculated on a diluted basis, for the first quarter of 2004. This increase reflects continued growth in net interest income and a lower provision for income taxes which more than offset a decrease in noninterest income and increases in the provision for loan losses and in noninterest expenses.

13

Net Interest Income  

Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis, increased to $20.7 million for the first quarter of 2005 from $19.2 million for the 2004 period, due to higher average earning assets outstanding coupled with lower average cost of funding partially offset by higher rates paid on interest-bearing deposit balances. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 4.91% for the first three months of 2005 compared to 4.90% for the 2004 period. The increase in the net interest margin was primarily the result of the impact of the higher interest rate environment in 2005, and of an increase in average loan outstandings partially offset by the impact of higher average interest-bearing deposits.

Total interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, aggregated $26.4 million for the first three months of 2005, up from $23.8 million for the 2004 period. The tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets was 6.32% for the first quarter of 2005 compared to 6.09% for the 2004 period.

Interest earned on the loan portfolio amounted to $18.4 million for the first three months of 2005, up $3.3 million from a year ago. Average loan balances amounted to $993.0 million an increase of $130.4 million from an average of $862.6 million in the prior year period. The increase in average loans, (across virtually all segments of the Company’s loan portfolio), primarily due to the Company’s business development activities and the ongoing consolidation of banks in the Company’s marketing area, accounted for $2.2 million of the $3.3 million increase in interest earned on loans. The increase in the yield on the domestic loan portfolio to 7.72% for the first quarter of 2005 from 7.22% for the 2004 period was primarily attributable to the mix of outstanding balances on average among the components of the loan portfolio and the higher interest rate environment in 2005.

Interest earned on the securities portfolio, on a tax-equivalent basis, decreased to $7.9 million for the first quarter of 2005 from $8.6 million in the prior year period. The decrease in yields on most of the securities portfolio reflects the impact of purchases made during the lower rate environment on average in 2004. Average outstandings decreased to $692.6 million (40.6% of average earning assets for the first quarter of 2005) from $695.1 million (43.9% of average earning assets) in the prior year period. The average life of the securities portfolio was approximately 4.3 years at March 31, 2005 compared to 3.4 years at March 31, 2004, reflecting the impact of purchases made during 2004.

Total interest expense increased to $5.7 million for the first three months of 2005 from $4.5 million for the 2004 period, primarily due to higher rates paid for interest-bearing deposits and for borrowed funds and higher average balances for interest-bearing deposits.

Interest expense on deposits increased to $3.5 million for the first quarter of 2005 from $2.5 million for the 2004 period due to an increase in average balances, primarily for time deposits, coupled with an increase in the cost of those funds. Average interest-bearing deposit balances increased to $894.2 million for the first quarter of 2005 from $793.7 million in the 2004 period primarily the result of the Company’s branching initiatives and other business development activities. Average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits was 1.57%

14

which was 32 basis points higher than the prior year period. The increase in average cost of deposits reflects higher interest rate environment during 2005.

Provision for Loan Losses

Based on management’s continuing evaluation of the loan portfolio (discussed under “Asset Quality” below), the provision for loan losses for the first three months of 2005 increased to $2.6 million from $2.4 million for the prior year period. Factors affecting the level of provision included the growth in the loan portfolios, changes in general economic onditions and the amount of nonaccrual loans.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income decreased to $8.0 million for the first quarter of 2005 from $8.2 million in the 2004 period, primarily due to lower gains on sales of available for sale securities. Partially offsetting this decrease were higher revenues from mortgage banking activities and fees for deposit services.

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expenses increased $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2005 when compared to the 2004 period. The increase was primarily due to higher professional fees related to compliance efforts and investments in the Sterling franchise, including the new branches, with higher expenses related to salaries and occupancy costs.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the first quarter of 2005 decreased by $0.5 million from the 2004 period because a greater portion of employee benefits expense for the first quarter of 2005 is deductible for income tax purposes.

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Securities  

The Company’s securities portfolios are comprised principally of U.S. government and U.S. government corporation and agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities along with other debt and equity securities. In 2004, the Company undertook certain balance sheet initiatives designed to reduce the risks associated with rising interest rates and to react to a flattening yield curve. Since January 1, 2004 the Company sold approximately $87.3 million of mortgage-backed securities with average lives ranging between 4 years and 7 years and with yields between 4.25% and 5.94%. The proceeds from these sales along with principal prepayments were utilized to purchase mortgage-backed securities with average lives ranging between 1.8 years and 5.2 years at yields between 3.56% and 5.03%. At March 31, 2005, the Company’s portfolio of securities totaled $706.6 million, of which U.S. government corporation and agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations having an average life of approximately 4.7 years amounted to $599.6 million. The Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity securities classified as “held to maturity.” These securities are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. The gross unrealized gains and losses on “held to

15

maturity” securities were $2.2 million and $8.1 million, respectively. Securities classified as “available for sale” may be sold in the future, prior to maturity. These securities are carried at market value. Net aggregate unrealized gains or losses on these securities are included in a valuation allowance account and are shown net of taxes, as a component of shareholders’ equity. “Available for sale” securities included gross unrealized gains of $1.2 million and gross unrealized losses of $4.6 million. Given the generally high credit quality of the portfolio, management expects to realize all of its investment upon the maturity of such instruments and thus believes that any market value impairment is temporary.

The following table presents information regarding securities available for sale:

March 31, 2005	Gross Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Market Value
Obligations of U.S. govern-      ment corporations and    agencies — mortgage-backed     securities	$	120,542,814	$	573,969	$	2,001,289	$	119,115,494
Obligations of U.S. govern-
ment corporations and
agencies — collateralized
mortgage obligations		41,313,621		—		2,039,851		39,273,770
Obligations of state and
political institutions		26,019,503		584,167		258		26,603,412
Other debt securities		26,995,640		—		525,327		26,470,313
Federal Reserve Bank and
other equity securities		7,623,242		18,486		—		7,641,728
Total	$	222,494,820	$	1,176,622	$	4,566,725	$	219,104,717

The following table presents information regarding securities held to maturity:

March 31, 2005	Carrying Value		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Market Value
Obligations of U.S. govern-   ment corporations and   agencies — mortgage-backed   securities	$	386,830,159	$	2,244,968	$	5,321,827	$	383,753,300
Obligations of U.S. govern-   ment corporations and   agencies — collateralized   mortgage obligations		54,379,198		—		2,086,856		52,292,342
Other Debt securities		44,992,033		—		671,721		44,320,312
Debt securities issued by
foreign governments		1,250,000		—		—		1,250,000
Total	$	487,451,390	$	2,244,968	$	8,080,404	$	481,615,954

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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.

The Company’s commercial and industrial loan portfolio represents approximately 55% of all loans. Loans in this category are typically made to small and medium-sized businesses and range between $25,000 and $10 million. Sources of repayment are from 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 Company’s real estate loan portfolio, which represents approximately 27% of all loans, is secured by mortgages on real property located principally in the states of New York and Virginia. The Company’s leasing portfolio, which consists of finance leases for various types of business equipment, represents approximately 16% of all loans. The collateral securing any loan 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,
	2005				2004
	($ in thousands)
	Balances		% of Total		Balances		% of Total
Domestic
Commercial and industrial	$	555,981	55.5	%	$	508,879	56.4	%
Equipment lease financing		163,425	16.3			152,483	16.9
Real estate - mortgage		268,133	26.7			211,712	23.5
Real estate - construction		2,314	0.2			2,354	0.3
Installment - individuals		13,370	1.3			16,007	1.8
Loans to depository institutions		—	—			10,000	1.1
Loans, net of unearned discounts	$	1,003,223	100.0	%	$	901,435	100.0	%

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 be increased. 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 expected economic conditions, the financial condition of borrowers, the realization of collateral, and the credit management process.

Management views the allowance for loan losses as a critical accounting policy due to its subjectivity. The allowance for loan losses is maintained through the

17

provision for loan losses, which is a charge to operating earnings. The adequacy of the provision and the resulting allowance for loan losses is determined by a management evaluation process of the loan portfolio, including identification and review of individual problem situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, review of overall portfolio quality through an analysis of current charge-offs, delinquency and nonperforming loan data, estimates of the value of any underlying collateral, an assessment of current and expected economic conditions and changes in the size and character of the loan portfolio. Other data utilized by management in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses includes, but is not limited to, the results of regulatory reviews, the amount of, trend of and/or borrower characteristics on loans that are identified as requiring special attention as part of the credit review process, and peer group comparisons. The impact of this other data might result in an allowance which will be greater than that indicated by the evaluation process previously described. The allowance reflects management’s evaluation both of loans presenting identified loss potential and of the risk inherent in various components of the loan portfolio, including loans identified as impaired as required by SFAS No. 114. Thus, an increase in the size of the portfolio or in any of its components could necessitate an increase in the allowance even though there may not be a decline in credit quality or an increase in potential problem loans. A significant change in any of the evaluation factors described above could result in future additions to the allowance. At March 31, 2005, the ratio of the allowance to loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts, was 1.72% and the allowance was $16.8 million. At such date, the Company’s nonaccrual loans amounted to $3.4 million; $1.1 million of such loans was judged to be impaired within the scope of SFAS No. 114. Loans 90 days past due and still accruing amounted to $1.3 million. Nonacrrual loans and loans 90 days past due and still accruing include leases, in the amount of $0.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of telecommunications equipment from a company that went into bankruptcy in July 2004. The service provider to the lessees discontinued service, resulting in the failure of certain lessees to make payments. While pursuing collection of the lease payments, past due amounts accrue. Legal action is typically commenced against lessees whose accounts are not paid within 180 days and are placed in nonaccrual status. Lessees remain unconditionally obligated to make payments. All are creditworthy and personally guaranteed; the reported delinquencies are not due to credit issues. 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 reasonably anticipated losses on specifically known and other possible credit risks associated with the portfolio as of March 31, 2005. 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 level taken in the first quarter of 2005. 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, aggregated $3.8 million at March 31, 2005.

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Deposits

A significant source of funds for the Company continues to be 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:

	March 31,
	2005				2004
	($ in thousands)
	Balances		% of Total		Balances		% of Total
Domestic
Demand	$	468,714	33.7	%	$	429,297	35.1	%
NOW		152,607	11.0			133,189	10.9
Savings		28,864	2.1			34,216	2.8
Money market		251,105	18.1			199,206	16.3
Time deposits		484,283	34.9			424,389	34.7
Total domestic deposits		1,385,573	99.8			1,220,297	99.8
Foreign
Time deposits		3,010	0.2			3,000	0.2
Total deposits	$	1,388,583	100.0	%	$	1,223,297	100.0	%

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 on page 21.

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% to 5%) 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 23. In addition, the bank is subject to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1981 (“FDICIA”) which imposes a number of mandatory supervisory measures. Among other matters, five capital categories, ranging from “well capitalized” to “critically under capitalized”, are used by regulatory agencies to determine a bank’s deposit insurance premium, 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, 2005, the Company and the bank exceeded the requirements for “well capitalized” institutions.

19

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this quarterly report, 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, 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. 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 we 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.

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 Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; 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 the financial services laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); changes in accounting principles, policies and guidelines; the success of the Company at managing the risks involved in the foregoing as well as other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in press releases and other public filings. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive, and we will not update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time.

20

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Average Balance Sheets [1]
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Unaudited)

	2005								2004
ASSETS	Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate			Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate
Interest-bearing deposits   with other banks	$	2,380		$	6		1.05	%	$	3,429		$	4		0.94	%
Securities available for sale		204,234			2,214		4.34			290,099			3,353		4.55
Securities held to maturity		461,968			5,210		4.51			374,141			4,706		5.09
Securities tax-exempt [2]		26,432			470		7.21			30,901			575		7.48
Total investment securities		692,634			7,894		4.56			695,141			8,634		4.97
Federal funds sold		18,556			110		2.37			20,989			50		0.95
Loans, net of unearned discounts [3]		993,046			18,376		7.72			862,599			15,082		7.22
TOTAL INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS		1,706,616			26,386		6.32	%		1,582,158			23,770		6.09	%
Cash and due from banks		64,038								66,657
Allowance for loan losses		(17,246	)							(15,322	)
Goodwill		21,158								21,158
Other assets		80,115								67,859
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,854,681							$	1,722,510
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’   EQUITY
Interest-bearing deposits
Domestic
Savings	$	29,034			25		0.35	%	$	32,947			32		0.39	%
NOW		142,205			194		0.55			134,021			154		0.46
Money market		226,516			410		0.73			209,946			370		0.71
Time		493,471			2,814		2.31			413,758			1,909		1.86
Foreign    Time		3,002			8		1.09			3,000			8		1.07
Total interest-bearing deposits		894,228			3,451		1.57			793,672			2,473		1.25
Borrowings
Securities sold under agreements    to repurchase - customers		85,763			337		1.59			75,369			211		1.13
Securities sold under agreements    to repurchase - dealers		38,461			249		2.62			36,550			105		1.15
Federal funds purchased		3,336			21		2.53			5,906			16		1.08
Commercial paper		35,603			160		1.82			23,419			63		1.08
Other short-term debt		775			5		2.62			24,746			112		1.82
Long-term debt		122,552			1,479		4.83			135,774			1,559		4.59
Total borrowings		286,490			2,251		3.16			301,764			2,066		2.74
TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES		1,180,718			5,702		1.95	%		1,095,436			4,539		1.67	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits		436,509								402,110
Other liabilities		89,909								81,137
Total liabilities		1,707,136								1,578,683
Shareholders’ equity		147,545								143,827
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND             SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,854,681							$	1,722,510
Net interest income/spread					20,684		4.37	%					19,231		4.42	%
Net yield on interest-earning   assets (margin)							4.91	%							4.90	%
Less: Tax equivalent adjustment					182								236
Net interest income				$	20,502							$	18,995

[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.

21

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Rate/Volume Analysis [1]
(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

	Increase/(Decrease) Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 to March 31, 2004
	Volume			Rate			Net [2]
INTEREST INCOME  Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	$	—		$	2		$	2
Securities available for sale		(990	)		(149	)		(1,139	)
Securities held to maturity		1,042			(538	)		504
Securities tax-exempt		(85	)		(20	)		(105	)
Total investment securities		(33	)		(707	)		(740	)
Federal funds sold		(8	)		68			60
Loans, net of unearned discounts [3]		2,209			1,085			3,294
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME	$	2,168		$	448		$	2,616
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest-bearing deposits
Domestic
Savings	$	(4	)	$	(3	)	$	(7	)
NOW		8			32			40
Money market		29			11			40
Time		391			514			905
Foreign     Time		—			—			—
Total interest-bearing deposits		424			554			978
Borrowings
Securities sold under agreements     to repurchase – customers		31			95			126
Securities sold under agreements     to repurchase – dealers		4			140			144
Federal funds purchased		(9	)		14			5
Commercial paper		41			56			97
Other short-term debt		(141	)		34			(107	)
Long-term debt		(162	)		82			(80	)
Total borrowings		(236	)		421			185
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE	$	188		$	975		$	1,163
NET INTEREST INCOME	$	1,980		$	(527	)	$	1,453

[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 the change due solely to each.
[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.

22

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Regulatory Capital and Ratios

Ratios and Minimums
(dollars in thousands)

	Actual					For Capital Adequacy Minimum					To Be Well Capitalized
As of March 31, 2005	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
The Company	$	172,171		14.81	%	$	92,993		8.00	%	$	116,241		10.00	%
The bank		135,102		12.38			87,302		8.00			109,128		10.00
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
The Company		157,613		13.56			46,496		4.00			69,745		6.00
The bank		121,433		11.13			43,651		4.00			65,477		6.00
Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Average Assets):
The Company		157,613		8.60			73,341		4.00			91,676		5.00
The bank		121,433		6.88			70,558		4.00			88,198		5.00
As of December 31, 2004
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
The Company	$	169,226		14.35	%	$	94,334		8.00	%	$	117,917		10.00	%
The bank		129,267		11.56			89,466		8.00			111,832		10.00
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
The Company		154,467		13.10			47,167		4.00			70,750		6.00
The bank		115,262		10.31			44,733		4.00			67,099		6.00
Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Average Assets):
The Company		154,467		8.49			72,792		4.00			90,990		5.00
The bank		115,262		6.56			70,270		4.00			87,837		5.00

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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.

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 curve, 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 the gap analysis to complement its income simulations modeling, primarily focusing on the longer-term structure of the balance sheet.

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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, 2005, presented on page 28, 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 with the corresponding amortization reflected in the yield of the related balance sheet assets being hedged. 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. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company did not enter into any derivative contracts to hedge its interest rate risk. At March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company was not a party to any derivative contracts to hedge its interest rate risk.

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, deposits 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 March 31, 2005, the model indicated the impact of a 200 basis point parallel and pro rata rise in rates over 12 months would approximate a 2.3% ($1.9 million) increase in net interest income, while the impact of a 200 basis point decline in rates over the same period would approximate a 2.8% ($2.3 million) decline from an unchanged rate environment.

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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, pre-payments 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: pre-payment/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 shape could adversely affect the Company’s results in 2005.

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 market funds and other money market sources. Core deposits included 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.

While the parent company generates income from its own operations, it also 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, 2005, the parent company’s short-term debt, consisting principally of commercial paper used to finance ongoing current business activities, was approximately $39.2 million. The parent company had cash, interest-bearing deposits with banks and other current assets aggregating $30.6 million. The parent company also has back-up credit lines with banks of $24.0 million. Since 1979, the parent company has had no need to use the available back-up lines of credit.

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The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s obligations and commitments to make future payments under contract as of March 31, 2005:

	Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations	Total		Less than 1 Year		1-3 Years		4-5 Years		After 5 Years
		(in thousands)
Long-Term Debt	$	90,000	$	—	$	10,000	$	—	$	80,000
Operating Leases		28,817		3,479		6,751		6,283		12,304
Total Contractual Cash Obligations	$	118,817	$	3,479	$	16,751	$	6,283	$	92,304

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s obligations under other commercial commitments as of March 31, 2005:

	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
	(in thousands)
Residential loans	$	37,238	$	37,238	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial Loans		19,423		14,227		3,322		1,874		—
Total Loans		56,661		51,465		3,322		1,874		—
Standby Letters of Credit		39,056		36,548		2,508		—		—
Other Commercial Commitments		9,402		9,380		—		—		22
Total Commercial Commitments	$	105,119	$	97,393	$	5,830	$	1,874	$	22

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE

Our Internet address iswww.sterlingbancorp.com and the investor relations section of our web site is located atwww.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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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.

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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. Amounts are presented in thousands.

	Repricing Date
	3 Months or Less		More than 3 Months to 1 Year			More than 1 Year to 5 Years		Over 5 Years		Nonrate Sensitive			Total
ASSETS
Interest-bearing deposits     with other banks	$	4,089	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	4,089
Federal funds sold		35,000		—			—		—		—			35,000
Investment securities		4,821		6,950			134,151		550,992		9,642			706,556
Loans, net of unearned     discounts
Commercial and industrial		541,359		1,109			13,754		7		(248	)		555,981
Loans to depository        institutions		—		—			—		—		—			—
Lease financing		2,627		15,296			159,419		9,134		(23,051	)		163,425
Real estate		93,408		9,268			131,812		35,959		—			270,447
Installment		13,372		—			—		—		(2	)		13,370
Noninterest-earning     assets and allowance     for loan losses		—		—			—		—		152,384			152,384
Total Assets		694,676		32,623			439,136		596,092		138,725			1,901,252
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Interest-bearing deposits
Savings [1]		—		—			28,864		—		—			28,864
NOW [1]		—		—			152,607		—		—			152,607
Money market [1]		205,811		—			45,294		—		—			251,105
Time - domestic		190,989		185,456			107,785		53		—			484,283
- foreign		1,365		1,645			—		—		—			3,010
Securities sold u/a/r - customers		82,981		—			—		—		—			82,981
Securities sold u/a/r - dealers		43,697		—			—		—		—			43,697
Federal funds purchased		—		—			—		—		—			—
Commercial paper		38,810		—			—		—		—			38,810
Other short-term borrowings		387		—			—		—		—			387
Long-term borrowings - FHLB		—		—			10,000		80,000		25,774			115,774
Noninterest-bearing liabilities    and shareholders’ equity		—		—			—		—		699,734			699,734
Total Liabilities and         Shareholders’ Equity		564,040		187,101			344,550		80,053		725,508			1,901,252
Net Interest Rate     Sensitivity Gap	$	130,636	$	(154,478	)	$	94,586	$	516,039	$	(586,783	)	$	—
Cumulative Gap     March 31, 2005	$	130,636	$	(23,842	)	$	70,744	$	586,783	$	—		$	—
Cumulative Gap     March 31, 2004	$	151,382	$	16,414		$	28,952	$	573,491	$	—		$	—
Cumulative Gap     December 31, 2004	$	250,603	$	160,810		$	187,606	$	663,246	$	—		$	—

[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.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon that evaluation, and the identification of a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 (relating to inadequate resources for controls over the accounting for Company-owned split-dollar life insurance policies on the lives of certain officers of the Company) described in Item 9A of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. For a discussion of the reasons and matters on which this conclusion was based, see Item 9A of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A.

The Company is currently working to eliminate the material weakness referred to above, and the following changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2005: The Company developed and implemented procedures for monthly expensing of premiums paid and or prepaid for Company-owned split-dollar life insurance policies on the lives of certain officers of the Company, retained actuarial assistance in determining the appropriate amounts to be expensed in respect of the Company’s obligations to pay future premiums on split-dollar life insurance policies issued as part of a transaction in which an officer relinquishes his right to receive pension payments in exchange for the insurance policy and in respect of the Company’s obligations to pay future post-retirement premiums on certain split-dollar life insurance policies, and retained life insurance consultants for assistance in determining the appropriate amounts to be credited in respect of increases in the cash surrender values of these various policies.

The Company will conduct tests of these new procedures and other changes to its internal control over financial reporting. The Company intends also to add personnel with greater expertise in accounting for employee benefits and related transactions under generally accepted accounting principles.

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                                                                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.	Exhibits
	The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
		3.	(i)	Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the State of New York Department of State, October 28, 2004 (Filed as Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
			(ii)	By-Laws as in effect on August 5, 2004 (Filed as Exhibit 3(ii)(A) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
		11.		Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.
		31.		Certifications of the CEO and CFO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).
		32.		Certifications of the CEO and CFO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.

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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 10, 2005	/s/	Louis J. Cappelli
	———————————		———————————————
			Louis J. Cappelli Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Date	May 10, 2005	/s/	John W. Tietjen
	———————————		———————————————
			John W. Tietjen Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

31

STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description	Sequential Page No.
11	Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.	33
31	Certifications of the CEO and CFO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).	34
32	Certifications of the CEO and CFO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.	36

32