<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
STERLING BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Article 9 of Regulation S-X
Financial Data Schedule
December 31, 1995
($ in 000's, except per share)
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          40,270
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           3,000
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 5,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    101,671
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         197,567
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           196,573
<LOANS>                                        397,229
<ALLOWANCE>                                      5,192
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 775,608
<DEPOSITS>                                     551,028
<SHORT-TERM>                                    59,204
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             42,373
<LONG-TERM>                                     39,346
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,526
<COMMON>                                         6,497
<OTHER-SE>                                      50,634
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 775,608
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 32,726
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               20,040
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   718
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                53,484
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              11,541
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,319
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           34,165
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,866
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   5
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 26,660
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,617
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      11,617
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,638
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .80
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    5.52
<LOANS-NON>                                        357
<LOANS-PAST>                                       199
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                    268
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 4,136
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    1,001
<RECOVERIES>                                       191
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                5,192
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             3,459
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,733