<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Article 9 of Regulation S-X
Financial Data Schedule
December 31, 1994
($ in 000's, except per share)
</LEGEND>
       
                                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                       $  39,225
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,970
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 8,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     74,696
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         311,782
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           294,584
<LOANS>                                        312,769
<ALLOWANCE>                                      4,136
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 706,636
<DEPOSITS>                                     517,303
<SHORT-TERM>                                    65,828
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             20,762
<LONG-TERM>                                     48,946
<COMMON>                                         6,497
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,651
<OTHER-SE>                                      45,572
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 706,636
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 23,881
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               19,314
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   447
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                43,642
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               8,473
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,882
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           28,760
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,053
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  42
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 21,999
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,031
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       4,006
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,006
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.91
<LOANS-NON>                                        575
<LOANS-PAST>                                       968
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 3,414
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      532
<RECOVERIES>                                       201
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                4,136
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          4,136