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8-K - FORM 8-K - STERLING BANCORPsterling_8k-012413.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 

John Tietjen
Edward Nebb
Chief Financial Officer
Investor Relations
Sterling Bancorp
Comm-Counsellors, LLC
john.tietjen@sterlingbancorp.com
enebb@optonline.net
212.757.8035
203.972.8350

 
STERLING BANCORP REPORTS NET INCOME OF $20.0 MILLION FOR 2012, INCREASING 14% FROM THE PRIOR YEAR

REVENUE GROWTH, EXPENSE CONTROL AND CONTINUED SOUND ASSET QUALITY DRIVE STRONG PERFORMANCE FOR FULL YEAR AND FOURTH QUARTER OF 2012
 
LOANS GROW 17% AND DEPOSITS RISE 14%, REACHING RECORD LEVELS
 
Strong Financial Performance
   
Net income available to common shareholders was $20.0 million or $0.65 per diluted share for the full year and $5.2 million or $0.17 per diluted share for fourth quarter 2012.
   
Pre-tax income rose 31% for the full year and 58% in the fourth quarter of 2012, before the effect of a net tax benefit of approximately $1.9 million in the 2011 periods.
   
Gross revenues were $145.7 million for the full year 2012, an increase of $5.1 million over 2011.
   
Growth in gross revenues of 4% for 2012 exceeded the noninterest expense increase of 2%.
   
Net interest margin increased 16 basis points to 4.17% for full year 2012.
   
Robust Loan and Deposit Growth
   
Loans, net of unearned discount, reached an all-time high of $1.8 billion, increasing 17%.
   
Total deposits increased 14% to a record $2.3 billion.
   
Demand deposits of $924.4 million represented over 40% of total deposits.
   
Solid Credit Metrics
   
Net charge-offs were 0.47% of loans in portfolio for full year 2012.
   
Ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets decreased to 0.27%.
   
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans held in portfolio was 1.35%.
   
 
Comparisons above are at, or for the periods ended, December 31, 2012 vs. December 31, 2011.
   
 
 
Page 1 of 16

 

New York, N.Y., January 24, 2013 — Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL) today reported strong financial and operating performance for 2012, reflecting a more profitable earning asset mix, ongoing business growth, expense control and continued sound asset quality.

Net income available to common shareholders rose to $20.0 million for the full year 2012, from $15.5 million in 2011. Pre-tax income was $28.6 million in 2012, 31% higher than the amount reported for 2011.  Diluted earnings per common share were $0.65 for 2012, up from $0.51 a year ago. Results for the full year 2011 included $2.1 million of dividends on preferred shares and accretion related to TARP preferred shares and warrants to purchase common shares, which were redeemed in April 2011.

For the 2012 fourth quarter, net income available to common shareholders was $5.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share.  In the 2011 fourth quarter, Sterling recorded a tax benefit of approximately $1.9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. Including this tax benefit, net income available to common shareholders for the 2011 fourth quarter was $5.3 million or $0.17 per diluted share.  Pre-tax income for the 2012 fourth quarter, excluding the effect of the year-ago tax benefit, rose 58% to $7.1 million.

Selected Financial Highlights

   
Year Ended
 
   
12/31/12
   
12/31/11
 
EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
           
Income before income taxes (in millions)
  $ 28.6     $ 21.8  
                 
Net income available to common shareholders (in millions)
  $ 20.0     $ 15.5  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.65     $ 0.51  
Net interest margin
    4.17 %     4.01 %
Return on average assets
    0.78 %     0.70 %
Return on average tangible equity
    9.80 %     8.72 %

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS (in millions)
 
   
Year Ended
 
   
12/31/12
   
12/31/11
 
Total investment securities
  $ 755.4     $ 851.0  
Loans, net of unearned discount
  $ 1,583.8     $ 1,379.4  
Demand deposits
  $ 782.8     $ 596.6  
Total deposits
  $ 2,081.8     $ 1,921.7  
Total assets
  $ 2,576.8     $ 2,508.2  
                 
ASSET QUALITY HIGHLIGHTS (period end)
               
Nonaccrual loans/loans (1)
    0.33 %     0.42 %
Nonperforming assets/assets
    0.27 %     0.33 %
Allowance for loan losses/nonaccrual loans
    377.36 %     315.02 %
                 
(1) Includes loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio.
               

 
Page 2 of 16

 

2012 Results Reflect Business Growth, Higher Profitability

“Sterling delivered outstanding growth and strong profitability in 2012,” said Louis J. Cappelli, Sterling’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our accomplishments during the year were noteworthy for double-digit increases in loans and deposits, as we continued to capitalize on opportunities to serve the needs of customers in the dynamic New York metropolitan area marketplace and beyond. We delivered higher gross revenues, through an increase in interest income and diverse sources of noninterest income.  In addition, we maintained disciplined management of operating expenses, even as we expanded the business organically and through an accretive acquisition, while our sound asset quality metrics were further strengthened.”

“We have consistently pointed to our strategic focus on redeploying assets from lower yielding investments into higher yielding loans, and our results in 2012 benefitted from the successful execution of this strategy. This has led to higher loan balances, a more profitable earning asset mix, and a higher net interest margin, enabling Sterling to counter the margin compression that many other banks have experienced due to prevailing low interest rates.  Our loan portfolio grew by 17% year-over-year and reached an all-time high of $1.8 billion at year end.  Loans represented over 65% of earning assets for 2012 on average, a meaningful increase versus a year ago. Deploying our assets more profitably led to a 16 basis point increase in the net interest margin for the year 2012.  Our model is built upon providing a portfolio of financial solutions for businesses, and the growth in our business activity produced higher noninterest income, as well as higher demand deposit balances.”

“Another highlight of 2012 was our well-timed and successful acquisition of Universal Mortgage, Inc. in the third quarter.  This transaction was planned in advance of the current rebound in the mortgage market and, as expected, has proven to be an excellent source of additional mortgage volume and higher mortgage banking income. Reflecting the positive impact of the Universal acquisition, and the growth in our overall mortgage banking business, we saw a sharp increase in mortgage banking income in the 2012 fourth quarter. We believe there are opportunities to expand upon Universal’s well-established presence and relationships in Brooklyn, a market that is experiencing exceptional growth and has a high demand for all of our financial products.  We plan to open a new Brooklyn location in the 2013 first quarter to serve both as a branch and as new and expanded offices for Universal Mortgage.”

“We believe the positive momentum we experienced in 2012 is continuing and that Sterling is well positioned for 2013. Our performance in the year ahead should continue to benefit from the strengths and strategies that drove our solid results last year.  Our team has demonstrated its ability to grow the business.  We believe that our ability to redeploy our assets, while generating revenue from a diverse and balanced range of sources, and serving the needs of customers in a vibrant marketplace with our dedicated team of talented professionals will continue to contribute to enhanced shareholder value going forward,” Mr. Cappelli stated.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $93.9 million for the full year 2012, up 8% from 2011.  This primarily reflected a higher yield on earning assets due to the Company’s previously noted strategy of shifting its asset mix toward loans from investment securities, as well as a lower cost of funds largely due to disciplined deposit pricing.   For the fourth quarter of 2012, net interest income increased nearly 9% from the 2011 period, to $24.8 million.
 
 
Page 3 of 16

 

Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income for full year 2012 was $40.8 million, relatively unchanged from a year ago. For the 2012 fourth quarter, total noninterest income was $9.6 million, up from $9.2 million in the 2011 period.  The increase in the 2012 fourth quarter primarily reflected a sharp rise in mortgage banking income, which was partially offset by lower accounts receivable management and other related fees.  Noninterest income was a significant contributor to Sterling’s financial performance, representing 28% of total revenue for the full year 2012.

Noninterest Expenses

Sterling strengthened its operating leverage during 2012, as the rate of growth in noninterest expenses was exceeded by the increase in gross revenues.  Personnel and occupancy expenses rose modestly due to investments to support new business development and the addition of Universal Mortgage, while this increase was largely offset by declines in other key expense categories.  As a result, total noninterest expenses increased by approximately 2% for full year 2012 to $95.9 million.  For the 2012 fourth quarter, noninterest expenses rose less than 2% from the prior year period, to $24.9 million.

Record Loans and Deposits

Loans, net of unearned discount were a record $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2012, an increase of approximately 17% from a year earlier.  The ratio of loans to deposits was 78% at December 31, 2012.

Total deposits were a record $2.3 billion at December 31, 2012, increasing 14% from a year earlier. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits represented over 40% of total deposits, among the highest ratios of demand to total deposits in the industry.  The growth in demand deposits reflects the Company’s emphasis on generating such deposits as part of its customer relationship model.

Total assets increased to $2.7 billion and earning assets were $2.6 billion at December 31, 2012.  The yield on earning assets rose six basis points to 4.64% for the full year 2012, reflecting the Company’s strategy of redeploying assets into higher yielding loans from lower yielding investment securities.

Asset Quality

“Sterling maintained our longstanding underwriting discipline while increasing our lending to creditworthy borrowers, leading to continued strong credit quality metrics during 2012.  It is significant to note that our allowance for loan losses has increased as charge-offs have continued to decline, and that our earnings improvement did not benefit from a reduced allowance for loan losses, as has been the case at some banking institutions,” Mr. Cappelli said.

 
Page 4 of 16

 
 
Net charge-offs were $7.7 million for the year 2012, compared to $10.2 million for 2011. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans was 377% at December 31, 2012, versus 315% a year earlier. Nonperforming assets were $7.4 million or 0.27% of total assets at December 31, 2012, compared to $8.3 million or 0.33% a year earlier.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of portfolio loans was 1.35% at December 31, 2012, compared to 1.36% a year earlier.  The provision for loan losses was $2.5 million and $10.3 million for the fourth quarter and full year 2012, compared with $3.0 million and $12.0 million for the respective 2011 periods.

Capital

The Company’s capital base has continued to exceed all regulatory requirements for well-capitalized institutions.  At December 31, 2012, Sterling’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.49% (compared to a requirement of 6.00%), total risk-based capital was 12.58% (requirement of 10.00%), and the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.14% (requirement of 5.00%).  The tangible common equity ratio was 7.50% at December 31, 2012.

Conference Call

Sterling Bancorp will hold a conference call on Thursday, January 24, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these 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.

 
Page 5 of 16

 
 
Certain statements in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements as to future results of operations, liquidity, interest rate risk, operating expenses, financial position, dividends and other events, plans and objectives for future operations, capital, liquidity and growth, statements concerning the economic environment, asset quality and future levels of nonaccrual loans, charge-offs and provisions for loan losses, our ability to continue capitalizing on opportunities to serve the needs of customers in the New York metropolitan market and beyond, as well as the strength of that market, to redeploy assets from lower yielding investments into higher yielding loans, to improve our earning asset mix, net interest margin and demand deposit balances, to counter margin compression, to effectively provide a portfolio of financial solutions for businesses, to continue to achieve additional mortgage volume and higher mortgage banking income from the Universal acquisition or otherwise, and to expand on Universal’s well-established presence and relationships in Brooklyn, the extent to which Brooklyn will experience continued growth and high demand for our financial products, our success in opening a Brooklyn location for Universal in the 2013 first quarter, the continuation of positive momentum for our business into 2013, whether our performance in 2013 will continue to benefit from the strengths and strategies that drove our results in 2012, our team’s ability to grow the business both organically and through acquisitions, whether acquisitions will be available and permissible and, if so, whether they will be well executed and contribute to growth, whether our strategy will continue to be to redeploy our assets, while generating revenue from a diverse and balanced range of sources, and serving the needs of customers and, if so, whether we can execute that strategy and enhance shareholder value going forward, whether we can continue to shift our asset mix toward loans from investment securities, our ability to maintain underwriting discipline, 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 the Company's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside its control. Any forward-looking statements the Company may make speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. The Company's 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 to reflect new information or subsequent events or changes in expectations. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect the Company's future results and financial condition, see "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

#   #   #

 
Page 6 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Consolidated Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS
                       
Period End Balances
                       
Investment securities
  $ 683,245     $ 677,871     $ 683,245     $ 677,871  
Loans held for sale
    121,237       43,372       121,237       43,372  
Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discount
    1,649,753       1,473,309       1,649,753       1,473,309  
Interest bearing deposits with other banks
    112,886       126,448       112,886       126,448  
Total earning assets
    2,574,593       2,329,486       2,574,593       2,329,486  
Allowance for loan losses
    22,347       20,029       22,347       20,029  
Total assets
    2,749,711       2,493,297       2,749,711       2,493,297  
                                 
Demand deposits
    924,351       765,800       924,351       765,800  
Savings, NOW and money market deposits
    701,692       565,423       701,692       565,423  
Time deposits
    642,041       657,848       642,041       657,848  
Customer repurchase agreements
    32,950       47,313       32,950       47,313  
Advances FHLB/Long-term borrowings
    127,039       148,507       127,039       148,507  
Shareholders' equity
    228,090       220,821       228,090       220,821  
                                 
Average Balances
                               
Investment securities
    718,377       751,832       755,399       850,997  
Loans held for sale
    84,051       34,107       49,358       27,954  
Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discount
    1,659,001       1,447,410       1,534,478       1,351,407  
Interest bearing deposits with other banks
    65,532       213,713       58,836       93,561  
Total earning assets
    2,534,429       2,455,554       2,406,089       2,332,689  
Total assets
    2,708,674       2,637,788       2,576,812       2,508,184  
                                 
Demand deposits
    849,094       711,011       782,771       596,608  
Savings, NOW and money market deposits
    686,271       611,691       653,292       596,007  
Time deposits
    690,283       788,800       645,745       729,053  
Customer repurchase agreements
    39,079       45,328       39,318       42,911  
Advances FHLB/Long-term borrowings
    127,165       148,630       139,067       155,332  
Shareholders' equity
    233,856       218,728       227,619       224,820  
                                 
ASSET QUALITY HIGHLIGHTS
                               
Period End
                               
Net charge-offs
  $ 2,278     $ 2,518     $ 7,725     $ 10,184  
Nonaccrual loans
    5,922       6,358       5,922       6,358  
Other real estate owned
    1,452       1,929       1,452       1,929  
Nonperforming assets
    7,374       8,287       7,374       8,287  
Nonaccrual loans/loans (1)
    0.33 %     0.42 %     0.33 %     0.42 %
Nonperforming assets/assets
    0.27 %     0.33 %     0.27 %     0.33 %
Allowance for loan losses/loans (2)
    1.35 %     1.36 %     1.35 %     1.36 %
Allowance for loan losses/nonaccrual loans
    377.36 %     315.02 %     377.36 %     315.02 %
                                 
CAPITAL RATIOS
                               
Period End
                               
Tier 1 risk based
    11.49 %     12.61 %     11.49 %     12.61 %
Total risk based
    12.58 %     13.71 %     12.58 %     13.71 %
Leverage
    9.14 %     9.02 %     9.14 %     9.02 %
Equity/ assets
    8.30 %     8.86 %     8.30 %     8.86 %
Tangible common equity
    7.50 %     8.01 %     7.50 %     8.01 %
Book value per common share
  $ 7.37     $ 7.14     $ 7.37     $ 7.14  
                                 
Return on average equity
    8.85 %     9.68 %     8.79 %     7.83 %
Return on average tangible equity
    9.84 %     10.82 %     9.80 %     8.72 %
 
(1) The term "loans" includes loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio.
(2) The term "loans" includes loans held in portfolio only.
 
 
Page 7 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except number of shares)
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 38,944     $ 31,046  
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
    112,886       126,448  
                 
Investment securities
               
Available for sale (at estimated fair value)
    296,837       270,014  
Held to maturity (at amortized cost)
    386,408       407,857  
Total investment securities
    683,245       677,871  
                 
Loans held for sale
    121,237       43,372  
Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts
    1,649,753       1,473,309  
Less allowance for loan losses
    22,347       20,029  
Loans held in portfolio, net
    1,627,406       1,453,280  
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    7,472       8,486  
Customers' liability under acceptances
    -       4  
Goodwill
    22,901       22,901  
Premises and equipment, net
    22,578       23,625  
Other real estate
    1,452       1,929  
Accrued interest receivable
    6,853       6,838  
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
    54,553       53,446  
Other assets
    50,184       44,051  
    $ 2,749,711     $ 2,493,297  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Deposits
               
Demand
  $ 924,351     $ 765,800  
Savings, NOW and money market
    701,692       565,423  
Time
    642,041       657,848  
Total deposits
    2,268,084       1,989,071  
                 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - customers
    32,950       47,313  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - dealers
    -       5,000  
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings
    15,345       13,485  
Advances - FHLB
    101,265       122,733  
Long-term borrowings - subordinated debentures
    25,774       25,774  
Acceptances outstanding
    -       4  
Accrued interest payable
    649       1,064  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    77,554       68,032  
Total liabilities
    2,521,621       2,272,476  
                 
Shareholders' equity
    228,090       220,821  
    $ 2,749,711     $ 2,493,297  
MEMORANDA
               
Available for sale securities - amortized cost
  $ 291,574     $ 271,729  
Held to maturity securities - estimated fair value
    403,218       425,775  
Shares outstanding
               
Common issued
    35,263,768       35,225,110  
Common in treasury
    4,307,972       4,300,278  
 
NOTE: Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period's financial data to conform to current financial statement presentations.
 
 
Page 8 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
INTEREST INCOME
                       
Loans
  $ 22,758     $ 20,245     $ 83,982     $ 75,251  
Investment securities - available for sale
    1,946       2,333       9,172       10,453  
Investment securities - held to maturity
    2,612       3,133       11,196       13,363  
FRB and FHLB stock
    127       130       409       371  
Deposits with other banks
    39       135       136       227  
Total interest income
    27,482       25,976       104,895       99,665  
                                 
INTEREST EXPENSE
                               
Savings, NOW and money market deposits
    655       703       2,586       2,855  
Time deposits
    1,023       1,371       4,151       5,583  
Securities sold u/a/r - customers
    34       41       141       186  
Securities sold u/a/r - dealers
    -       17       31       66  
Federal funds purchased
    2       -       22       14  
Commercial paper and other
                               
short-term borrowings
    12       9       43       45  
Advances - FHLB
    419       497       1,913       2,144  
Long-term subordinated debentures
    524       524       2,094       2,094  
Total interest expense
    2,669       3,162       10,981       12,987  
                                 
Net interest income
    24,813       22,814       93,914       86,678  
Provision for loan losses
    2,500       3,000       10,250       12,000  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    22,313       19,814       83,664       74,678  
                                 
NONINTEREST INCOME
                               
Accounts receivable management/factoring commissions and other fees
    3,947       5,560       19,131       22,371  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    1,333       1,269       5,301       5,093  
Trade finance income
    460       487       1,922       2,222  
Other customer related service charges and fees
    286       235       1,001       943  
Mortgage banking income
    2,977       1,047       10,275       6,315  
Income from life insurance policies
    276       280       1,315       1,140  
Securities gains
    323       257       1,813       2,491  
Gain(Loss) on sale of OREO
    14       -       (61 )     -  
Other income
    25       64       76       323  
Total noninterest income
    9,641       9,199       40,773       40,898  
                                 
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
                               
Salaries
    11,774       11,040       45,530       43,748  
Employee benefits
    3,824       3,448       14,902       13,898  
Total personnel expense
    15,598       14,488       60,432       57,646  
Occupancy and equipment expenses, net
    3,644       3,391       13,689       13,248  
Advertising and marketing
    623       713       2,815       2,792  
Professional fees
    1,347       1,771       4,841       5,219  
Communications
    521       442       2,029       1,756  
Deposit insurance
    561       543       2,229       2,747  
Other expenses
    2,579       3,191       9,849       10,376  
Total noninterest expenses
    24,873       24,539       95,884       93,784  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    7,081       4,474       28,553       21,792  
Provision(Benefit) for income taxes
    1,881       (864 )     8,537       4,196  
Net income
    5,200       5,338       20,016       17,596  
Dividends on preferred shares and accretion
    -       -       -       2,074  
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 5,200     $ 5,338     $ 20,016     $ 15,522  
 
 
Page 9 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(continued)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Average number of common shares outstanding
                       
Basic
    30,857,367       30,789,539       30,828,293       30,038,047  
Diluted
    30,857,367       30,789,539       30,828,293       30,038,047  
                                 
                                 
Net income available to common shareholders per average common share
                               
Basic
  $ 0.17     $ 0.17     $ 0.65     $ 0.51  
Diluted
    0.17       0.17       0.65       0.51  
                                 
                                 
Dividends per common share
    0.09       0.09       0.36       0.36  
 
 
Page 10 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                         
Net income
  $ 5,200     $ 5,338     $ 20,016     $ 17,596  
                                 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
                               
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period
    139       1,502       4,878       244  
                                 
Reclassification adjustment for securities gains included in net income
    (179 )     (547 )     (1,006 )     (1,382 )
                                 
Pension liability adjustment - net actuarial losses
    (8,438 )     (2,006 )     (8,438 )     (2,006 )
                                 
Amortization of:
                               
Prior service cost
    5       9       21       35  
Net actuarial losses
    626       514       2,270       1,780  
                                 
Comprehensive (loss) income
  $ (2,647 )   $ 4,810     $ 17,741     $ 16,267  
 
 
 
 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Balance, at beginning of period
  $ 233,436     $ 218,685     $ 220,821     $ 222,742  
Net income for period
    5,200       5,338       20,016       17,596  
Common shares issued
    -       -       375       36,454  
compensation expense
    85       107       360       394  
Preferred shares redeemed in connection with the TARP Capital Purchase Program
    -       -       -       (42,000 )
Repurchase of warrant
    -       -       -       (945 )
Cash dividends - common shares
    (2,784 )     (2,781 )     (11,132 )     (11,122 )
Cash dividends - preferred shares
    -       -       -       (945 )
Surrender of shares issued under incentive compensation plan
    -       -       (75 )     (24 )
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period
    139       1,502       4,878       244  
Reclassification adjustment for securities gains included in net income
    (179 )     (547 )     (1,006 )     (1,382 )
Pension liability adjustment - net actuarial losses
    (8,438 )     (2,006 )     (8,438 )     (2,006 )
Amortization of:
                               
Prior service cost
    5       9       21       35  
Net actuarial losses
    626       514       2,270       1,780  
                                 
Balance, at end of period
  $ 228,090     $ 220,821     $ 228,090     $ 220,821  
 
 
Page 11 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Average Balance Sheets      [1]
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
    Three Months Ended  
   
December 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
AVERAGE
         
AVERAGE
   
AVERAGE
         
AVERAGE
 
   
BALANCE
   
INTEREST
   
RATE
   
BALANCE
   
INTEREST
   
RATE
 
Assets
                                   
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
  $ 65,532     $ 39       0.24 %   $ 213,713     $ 135       0.25 %
Investment Securities
                                               
Available for sale - taxable
    315,269       1,780       2.26       305,542       2,125       2.78  
Held to maturity - taxable
    250,624       1,229       1.96       288,493       1,743       2.42  
Tax-exempt [2]
    152,484       2,383       6.25       157,797       2,461       6.24  
Total investment securities
    718,377       5,392       3.00       751,832       6,329       3.37  
FRB and FHLB stock [2]
    7,468       129       6.88       8,492       130       6.17  
Loans, net of unearned discount [3]
    1,743,052       22,758       5.20       1,481,517       20,245       5.64  
Total Interest-Earning Assets [2]
    2,534,429       28,318       4.43 %     2,455,554       26,839       4.43 %
Cash and due from banks
    41,235                       44,890                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (23,701 )                     (20,849 )                
Goodwill
    22,901                       22,901                  
Other
    133,810                       135,292                  
Total Assets
  $ 2,708,674                     $ 2,637,788                  
                                                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                                               
Interest-bearing deposits
                                               
Domestic
                                               
Savings
  $ 24,811       1       0.02 %   $ 18,545       1       0.03 %
NOW
    220,227       60       0.11       203,280       83       0.16  
Money market
    441,233       594       0.54       389,866       619       0.63  
Time
    690,283       1,023       0.59       788,800       1,371       0.69  
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits
    1,376,554       1,678       0.48       1,400,491       2,074       0.59  
Borrowings
                                               
Securities sold u/a/r - customers
    39,079       34       0.35       45,328       41       0.36  
Securities sold u/a/r - dealers
    -       -       -       5,000       17       1.30  
Federal funds purchased
    3,740       2       0.22       -       -       -  
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings
    16,167       12       0.29       16,827       9       0.23  
Advances - FHLB
    101,391       419       1.65       122,856       497       1.61  
Long-term borrowings - sub debt
    25,774       524       8.38       25,774       524       8.38  
Total Borrowings
    186,151       991       2.13       215,785       1,088       2.02  
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities
    1,562,705       2,669       0.68 %     1,616,276       3,162       0.78 %
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    849,094                       711,011                  
Total including noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    2,411,799       2,669       0.45 %     2,327,287       3,162       0.56 %
Other liabilities
    63,019                       91,773                  
Total Liabilities
    2,474,818                       2,419,060                  
Shareholders' equity
    233,856                       218,728                  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 2,708,674                     $ 2,637,788                  
Net interest income/spread [2]
            25,649       3.75 %             23,677       3.65 %
Net yield on interest-earning assets [2]
                    4.00 %                     3.90 %
Less: Tax-equivalent adjustment
            836                       863          
Net interest income
          $ 24,813                     $ 22,814          
 
[1]
The average balances of assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity are computed on the basis of daily averages. Average rates are presentedon a tax-equivalent basis. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current presentation.
[2]
Interest and/or average rates are 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 amountsoutstanding and income has been included to the extent earned.
 
 
Page 12 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Average Balance Sheets       [1]
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
    Twelve Months Ended  
   
December 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
AVERAGE
         
AVERAGE
   
AVERAGE
         
AVERAGE
 
   
BALANCE
   
INTEREST
   
RATE
   
BALANCE
   
INTEREST
   
RATE
 
Assets
                                   
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
  $ 58,836     $ 136       0.23 %   $ 93,561     $ 227       0.24 %
Investment Securities
                                               
Available for sale - taxable
    344,634       8,453       2.45       371,377       9,379       2.53  
Held to maturity - taxable
    255,878       5,622       2.20       322,312       8,078       2.51  
Tax-exempt [2]
    154,887       9,682       6.25       157,308       9,784       6.22  
Total investment securities
    755,399       23,757       3.14       850,997       27,241       3.20  
FRB and FHLB stock [2]
    8,018       413       5.14       8,770       374       4.27  
Loans, net of unearned discount [3]
    1,583,836       83,982       5.56       1,379,361       75,251       5.81  
Total Interest-Earning Assets [2]
    2,406,089       108,288       4.64 %     2,332,689       103,093       4.58 %
Cash and due from banks
    38,180                       39,734                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (22,444 )                     (19,951 )                
Goodwill
    22,901                       22,901                  
Other
    132,086                       132,811                  
Total Assets
  $ 2,576,812                     $ 2,508,184                  
                                                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                                               
Interest-bearing deposits
                                               
Domestic
                                               
Savings
  $ 21,796       4       0.02 %   $ 18,474       8       0.04 %
NOW
    218,021       258       0.12       210,443       372       0.18  
Money market
    413,475       2,324       0.56       367,090       2,475       0.67  
Time
    645,745       4,151       0.64       729,053       5,583       0.77  
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits
    1,299,037       6,737       0.52       1,325,060       8,438       0.64  
Borrowings
                                               
Securities sold u/a/r - customers
    39,318       141       0.36       42,911       186       0.43  
Securities sold u/a/r - dealers
    2,637       31       1.18       5,186       66       1.27  
Federal funds purchased
    10,093       22       0.22       10,926       14       0.13  
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings
    14,826       43       0.29       18,120       45       0.25  
Advances - FHLB
    113,293       1,913       1.69       129,558       2,144       1.66  
Long-term borrowings - sub debt
    25,774       2,094       8.38       25,774       2,094       8.38  
Total Borrowings
    205,941       4,244       2.07       232,475       4,549       1.96  
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities
    1,504,978       10,981       0.73 %     1,557,535       12,987       0.83 %
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    782,771                       596,608                  
Total including noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    2,287,749       10,981       0.50 %     2,154,143       12,987       0.61 %
Other liabilities
    61,444                       129,221                  
Total Liabilities
    2,349,193                       2,283,364                  
Shareholders' equity
    227,619                       224,820                  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 2,576,812                     $ 2,508,184                  
Net interest income/spread [2]
            97,307       3.91 %             90,106       3.75 %
Net yield on interest-earning assets [2]
                    4.17 %                     4.01 %
Less: Tax-equivalent adjustment
            3,393                       3,428          
Net interest income
          $ 93,914                     $ 86,678          
 
[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 prior period amounts to conform to current presentation.
[2]
Interest and/or average rates are 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.
 
 
Page 13 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Rate/Volume Analysis  [1]
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Increase/(Decrease)
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2012
 
                   
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net [2]
 
INTEREST INCOME
                 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
  $ (91 )   $ (5 )   $ (96 )
                         
Investment Securities
                       
Available for sale - taxable
    66       (411 )     (345 )
Held to maturity - taxable
    (210 )     (304 )     (514 )
Tax-exempt
    (82 )     4       (78 )
Total investment securities
    (226 )     (711 )     (937 )
                         
FRB and FHLB stock
    (16 )     15       (1 )
                         
Loans, net of unearned discounts [3]
    4,022       (1,509 )     2,513  
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
  $ 3,689     $ (2,210 )   $ 1,479  
                         
                         
INTEREST EXPENSE
                       
Interest-bearing deposits
                       
Domestic
                       
Savings
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
NOW
    6       (29 )     (23 )
Money market
    73       (98 )     (25 )
Time
    (161 )     (187 )     (348 )
Total interest-bearing deposits
    (82 )     (314 )     (396 )
                         
Borrowings
                       
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - customers
    (6 )     (1 )     (7 )
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - dealers
    (17 )     -       (17 )
Federal funds purchased
    2       -       2  
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings
    -       3       3  
Advances - FHLB
    (90 )     12       (78 )
Long-term borrowings - subordinated debentures
    -       -       -  
Total borrowings
    (111 )     14       (97 )
                         
                         
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
  $ (193 )   $ (300 )   $ (493 )
                         
NET INTEREST INCOME
  $ 3,882     $ (1,910 )   $ 1,972  
 
[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 dueto volume and the change due to rate in proportion to the relationship of change due solely to each. The change in interest expense for securities sold u/a/r - dealers and Federal funds purchased 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.
 
 
Page 14 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Rate/Volume Analysis  [1]
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Increase/(Decrease)
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2012
 
                   
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net [2]
 
INTEREST INCOME
                 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
  $ (82 )   $ (9 )   $ (91 )
                         
Investment Securities
                       
Available for sale - taxable
    (635 )     (291 )     (926 )
Held to maturity - taxable
    (1,527 )     (929 )     (2,456 )
Tax-exempt
    (144 )     42       (102 )
Total investment securities
    (2,306 )     (1,178 )     (3,484 )
                         
FRB and FHLB stock
    (33 )     72       39  
                         
Loans, net of unearned discounts [3]
    12,173       (3,442 )     8,731  
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
  $ 9,752     $ (4,557 )   $ 5,195  
                         
                         
INTEREST EXPENSE
                       
Interest-bearing deposits
                       
Domestic
                       
Savings
  $ 1     $ (5 )   $ (4 )
NOW
    15       (129 )     (114 )
Money market
    290       (441 )     (151 )
Time
    (568 )     (864 )     (1,432 )
Total interest-bearing deposits
    (262 )     (1,439 )     (1,701 )
                         
Borrowings
                       
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - customers
    (14 )     (31 )     (45 )
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase - dealers
    (30 )     (5 )     (35 )
Federal funds purchased
    (1 )     9       8  
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings
    (9 )     7       (2 )
Advances - FHLB
    (269 )     38       (231 )
Long-term borrowings - subordinated debentures
    -       -       -  
Total borrowings
    (323 )     18       (305 )
                         
                         
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
  $ (585 )   $ (1,421 )   $ (2,006 )
                         
                         
NET INTEREST INCOME
  $ 10,337     $ (3,136 )   $ 7,201  
 
[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 dueto 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.
[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.
 
 
Page 15 of 16

 
 
STERLING BANCORP
Reconciliation of  Tangible Common Equity, Average Tangible Equity and Tangible Assets
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
This press release contains certain supplemental financial information, described in the following tables, which has been determined by methods other than U. S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to both management and investors in evaluating Sterling's capital position. Tangible common equity represents shareholders' equity less preferred equity (if any), goodwill and other intangibles.  Tangible assets are equal to total assets less goodwill and other intangibles.  Tangible common equity ratio is calculated by dividing tangible common equity by tangible assets. Average tangible equity represents average shareholders' equity less average goodwill and other intangible assets.  Return on average tangible equity is calculated by dividing net income (annualized) by average tangible equity.  These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results, and Sterling strongly encourages investors to review its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, and, therefore, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures that may have the same or similar names.
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Tangible common equity
           
             
Total shareholders' equity
  $ 228,090     $ 220,821  
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets
    23,674       22,975  
Total tangible common equity
  $ 204,416     $ 197,846  
                 
Tangible assets
               
                 
Total assets
  $ 2,749,711     $ 2,493,297  
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets
    23,674       22,975  
Total tangible assets
  $ 2,726,037     $ 2,470,322  
                 
Tangible common equity ratio
    7.50 %     8.01 %
 
 
 
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Average tangible equity
                       
                         
Average shareholders' equity
  $ 233,856     $ 218,728     $ 227,619     $ 224,820  
Less:
                               
Average goodwill and other intangible assets
    23,683       22,975       23,273       22,975  
Average tangible equity
  $ 210,173     $ 195,753     $ 204,346     $ 201,845  
                                 
 
                               
                                 
Return on average tangible equity
                               
 
                               
Net income (annualized)/average tangible equity
    9.84 %     10.82 %     9.80 %     8.72 %
 
 
 
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