Exhibit 99.1

STERLING BANCORP TO REPORT 2012 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR RESULTS ON JANUARY 24, 2013

New York, NY, January 22, 2013 — Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL), the parent company of New York City-based Sterling National Bank, will issue its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012 prior to the opening of the U.S. financial markets on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

The Company also will hold a conference call on Thursday, January 24, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results. To access the conference call live, interested parties may dial 800-230-1096 at least 10 minutes prior to the call.

A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 24, 2013, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 7, 2013. To access the replay by telephone, interested parties may dial 800-475-6701 and enter the Access Code 279219.

About Sterling Bancorp

Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL) is a New York City-based financial corporation with assets of $2.7 billion. Since 1929, Sterling National Bank, the Company's principal banking subsidiary, has successfully served the needs of businesses, professionals and individuals in the NY metropolitan area and beyond. Sterling is well-known for its high-touch, hands-on approach to customer service and a special focus on serving the business community.

Sterling provides clients with a full range of depository and cash management services and a broad portfolio of financing solutions—including working capital lines, accounts receivable and inventory financing, factoring, trade financing, payroll funding and processing, equipment financing, commercial and residential mortgages and mortgage warehouse lines of credit.

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