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8-K - 8-K - STERLING BANCORPstl8-kpressrelease09302017.htm
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STERLING BANCORP CONTACT:
October 24, 2017
Luis Massiani, SEVP & Chief Financial Officer
 
845.369.8040
 
http://www.sterlingbancorp.com

Sterling Bancorp announces record operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2017, highlighted by GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.33, adjusted diluted earnings per share1 of $0.35, and new highs in loans and deposits.
Key Performance Highlights for the Three Months ended September 30, 2017 vs. September 30, 2016
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
GAAP / As Reported
 
Non-GAAP / As Adjusted1
 
9/30/2016
 
9/30/2017
 
Change % / bps
 
9/30/2016
 
9/30/2017
 
Change % / bps
Total revenue2
$
122,169

 
$
134,061

 
9.7
%
 
$
122,371

 
$
138,681

 
13.3
%
Net income
37,422

 
44,852

 
19.9

 
37,793

 
47,865

 
26.7

Diluted EPS
0.29

 
0.33

 
13.8

 
0.29

 
0.35

 
20.7

Net interest margin3
3.41
%
 
3.29
%
 
(12
)
 
3.53
%
 
3.42
%
 
(11
)
Return on average tangible equity1
15.13

 
14.86

 
(27
)
 
15.28

 
15.85

 
57

Return on average tangible assets1
1.20

 
1.19

 
(1
)
 
1.21

 
1.27

 
6

Operating efficiency ratio4
51.0

 
46.7

 
(430
)
 
45.8

 
40.6

 
(520
)
Total portfolio loans gross reached a record $10.5 billion as of September 30, 2017.
Loan growth was $1.3 billion, or 14.4% (end of period balances, including acquired loans).
Deposit growth was $846.2 million, or 8.3% (end of period balances).
Loans to deposits ratio of 95.0%; total deposits reached $11.0 billion at September 30, 2017.

Key Performance Highlights for the Three Months ended September 30, 2017 vs. linked quarter June 30, 2017
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
GAAP / As Reported
 
Non-GAAP / As Adjusted1
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
Change % / bps
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
Change % / bps
Total revenue2
$
126,876

 
$
134,061

 
5.7
%
 
$
131,301

 
$
138,681

 
5.6
%
Net income
42,400

 
44,852

 
5.8

 
44,393

 
47,865

 
7.8

Diluted EPS
0.31

 
0.33

 
6.5

 
0.33

 
0.35

 
6.1

Net interest margin3
3.35
%
 
3.29
%
 
(6
)
 
3.47
%
 
3.42
%
 
(5
)
Return on average tangible equity1
14.74

 
14.86

 
12

 
15.43

 
15.85

 
42

Return on average tangible assets1
1.22

 
1.19

 
(3
)
 
1.28

 
1.27

 
(1
)
Operating efficiency ratio4
47.0

 
46.7

 
(30
)
 
42.0

 
40.6

 
(140
)
Annualized loan growth of 10.1% (end of period balances) and 16.2% (average balances) over the linked quarter.
Total retail, commercial and municipal deposits increased by $529.0 million, or annualized growth of 23.1%.
As adjusted diluted EPS and return on average tangible equity reached record highs.
As adjusted operating efficiency ratio1 decreased to a record low of 40.6%.
Completed merger with Astoria Financial Corporation on October 2, 2017 (the “Astoria Merger”). The combined company had approximately $31 billion in assets, $20 billion in gross loans, and $20 billion in deposits at close.

1. Non-GAAP / as adjusted measures are defined in the non-GAAP tables beginning on page 16.
2. Total revenue is equal to net interest income plus non interest income. Total revenue as adjusted is equal to tax equivalent net interest income plus non-interest income excluding securities gains and losses.
3. Net interest margin is equal to net interest income as a percentage of interest earning assets. Net interest margin as adjusted is equal to net
interest margin plus the tax equivalent adjustment for tax exempt securities.
4. See page 18 for an explanation of the operating efficiency ratio.


1


MONTEBELLO, N.Y. – October 24, 2017 – Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL) (the “Company”), the parent company of Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”), today announced results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 was $44.9 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to net income of $42.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the linked quarter ended June 30, 2017 and net income of $37.4 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2016.
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $126.3 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared to net income of $99.0 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
President’s Comments
Jack Kopnisky, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Our positive momentum in operating performance continued in the third quarter of 2017, as we reached new records in loans, deposits, revenues and profitability. As of September 30, 2017, our total assets reached $16.8 billion, compared to $13.6 billion a year ago. Our total portfolio loans, gross were $10.5 billion, compared to $9.2 billion a year ago, and our total deposits were $11.0 billion, compared to $10.2 billion a year ago.
“We had strong earnings performance in the quarter. Our GAAP net income was $44.9 million, or $0.33 per diluted share. Our adjusted net income was $47.9 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.35, compared to $37.8 million and $0.29, respectively, for the third quarter of 2016. This represents growth in adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share of 26.7% and 20.7%, respectively. We continue to focus on controlling our operating expenses and improving our operating efficiency. During the quarter, our reported operating efficiency was 46.7% and our adjusted operating efficiency ratio was 40.6%. This represents a decrease of 430 and 520 basis points, respectively, relative to the same quarter a year ago. We also continue to improve our operating leverage. For the quarter ended September 30, 2017, adjusted total revenue grew 13.3% while adjusted non-interest expense increased 0.6% relative to the same quarter a year ago. This is a ratio of 22.2x growth in revenues to growth in operating expenses.
“We have a strong balance sheet with a loan portfolio that has a balanced mix of 46.1% commercial and industrial loans, 42.6% commercial real estate loans, 2.3% acquisition, development and construction loans and 9.0% consumer and residential mortgage loans. During the quarter, the weighted average yield on loans was 4.67%, an increase of nine basis points over the linked quarter. Excluding the impact of accretion income on acquired loans, yield on loans increased seven basis points to 4.54%. We continue to maintain a strong funding profile with a loans to deposits ratio of approximately 95.0% and a weighted average cost of deposits of 0.50%. Our net interest margin for the quarter was 3.42% on a tax equivalent basis, which represented a decrease of five basis points from the linked quarter. The decrease was mainly due to a shift in the composition of our earning assets as we continued to purchase investment securities in anticipation of repositioning our investment portfolio for the Astoria Merger. The average balance of securities increased by $481.5 million to $3.9 billion relative to the linked quarter; this comprised 27.1% of our earning assets in the quarter compared to 25.3% in the linked quarter.
“On October 2, 2017, we completed the Astoria Merger. Astoria operates in highly attractive markets in New York City and Long Island and has a premier low cost deposit base. The Astoria Merger will allow us to further accelerate our strategy of building a high performing regional bank with diversified asset, funding and revenue mix. At closing, the combined company had $31 billion in assets, $20 billion in gross loans and $20 billion in deposits in the Greater New York metropolitan area. The merger was significantly accretive to tangible book value, and is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings per share. The combined company has a robust capital position, substantial excess liquidity and is well-positioned to deliver long-term growth and profitability.
“Lastly, we have declared a dividend on our common stock of $0.07 per share payable on November 20, 2017 to holders of record as of November 6, 2017. In connection with the Astoria Merger, we also issued $135 million of 6.50% non-cumulative perpetual preferred securities to holder’s of Astoria’s preferred securities, and paid a dividend on these securities on October 16, 2017. Thank you to all of our clients, colleagues and stockholders for your continued support, and we look forward to working with our new partners at Astoria to build a stronger, more diversified and more profitable company.”
Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Adjusted Results (non-GAAP)
GAAP net income of $44.9 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2017, included a pre-tax net loss on sale of securities of $21 thousand, a pre-tax charge of $4.1 million due to merger-related expense associated with the Astoria Merger, and the pre-tax amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangibles of $333 thousand. Excluding the impact of these items and their corresponding tax adjustment at the Company’s estimated effective tax rate of 32.5% for full year 2017, adjusted net income was $47.9 million, or $0.35 per diluted share.
Non-GAAP financial measures include references to the terms “adjusted” or excluding”. See the reconciliation of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 16.

2


Net Interest Income and Margin
($ in thousands)
For the three months ended
 
Change % / bps
 
9/30/2016
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
Y-o-Y
 
Linked Qtr
Interest income
$
118,161

 
$
134,263

 
$
145,692

 
23.3
%
 
8.5
%
Interest expense
15,031

 
21,005

 
25,619

 
70.4

 
22.0

Net interest income
$
103,130

 
$
113,258

 
$
120,073

 
16.4

 
6.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accretion income on acquired loans
$
4,381

 
$
2,888

 
$
3,397

 
(22.5
)%
 
17.6
%
Yield on loans
4.57
%
 
4.58
%
 
4.67
%
 
10

 
9

Tax equivalent yield on investment securities
2.74

 
2.93

 
2.87

 
13

 
(6
)
Tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets
4.03

 
4.09

 
4.12

 
9

 
3

Cost of total deposits
0.37

 
0.43

 
0.50

 
13

 
7

Cost of interest bearing deposits
0.54

 
0.62

 
0.69

 
15

 
7

Cost of borrowings
1.75

 
1.75

 
1.75

 

 

Tax equivalent net interest margin5
3.53

 
3.47

 
3.42

 
(11
)
 
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average loans, includes loans held for sale
$
8,744,508

 
$
9,786,423

 
$
10,186,414

 
16.5
%
 
4.1
%
Average investment securities
2,937,708

 
3,434,535

 
3,916,076

 
33.3

 
14.0

Average total earning assets
12,015,838

 
13,562,853

 
14,471,120

 
20.4

 
6.7

Average deposits and mortgage escrow
9,915,494

 
10,285,349

 
10,691,006

 
7.8

 
3.9

5 Tax equivalent net interest margin is equal to net interest income plus the tax equivalent adjustment for tax exempt securities divided by average earning assets.

Third quarter 2017 compared with third quarter 2016
Net interest income was $120.1 million, an increase of $16.9 million compared to the third quarter of 2016. This was mainly due to an increase in average loans originated through our commercial banking teams. Other key components of the changes in net interest income and net interest margin were the following:
The yield on loans was 4.67%, compared to 4.57% for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in yield on loans was mainly due to increases in market rates of interest on loans. This was partially offset by lower accretion income on acquired loans, which was $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $4.4 million in the third quarter of 2016.
Average commercial loans were $9.2 billion compared to $7.7 billion in the third quarter of 2016, an increase of $1.5 billion or 19.6%.
The tax equivalent yield on investment securities increased 13 basis points to 2.87%. This was mainly due to an increase in the proportion of tax exempt securities in the investment portfolio and an increase in market interest rates. Average tax exempt securities balances grew to $1.4 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2016.
Average investment securities to average total earning assets were 27.1% in the quarter compared to 24.4% in the same quarter a year ago.
The tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets increased nine basis points between the periods to 4.12%.
The cost of total deposits was 50 basis points and the cost of borrowings was 1.75%, compared to 37 basis points and 1.75%, respectively, for the same period a year ago.
The total cost of interest bearing liabilities increased 23 basis points to 0.97% for the third quarter of 2017 compared to 0.74% for third quarter of 2016. This increase was due to an increase in market interest rates, which increased the cost of wholesale, brokered and certificates of deposit between the periods.
Tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.42% for the third quarter of 2017 compared to 3.53% for the third quarter of 2016. In anticipation of the Astoria Merger, we significantly increased our purchases and average balances of investment securities as we will reposition the combined investment portfolio post-merger to meet our yield, duration and interest rate risk objectives. Average investment securities were $3.9 billion, or 27.1%, of average earning assets for the third quarter of 2017 compared to $2.9 billion, or 24.4%, of average earning assets for the third quarter of 2016. The increase in securities as a percentage of t


3


otal average earning assets reduced our net interest margin by approximately five basis points. The remainder of the decline in net interest margin between the periods was due to lower accretion income and higher cost of deposits.
Third quarter 2017 compared with linked quarter ended June 30, 2017
Net interest income increased $6.8 million, or 23.9% annualized, compared to the linked quarter ended June 30, 2017. The increase in net interest income in the third quarter of 2017 relative to the linked quarter was mainly due to the increase in the average balance of loans and investment securities outstanding in the third quarter of 2017. Key components of the changes in net interest income in the linked quarter were the following:
The yield on loans was 4.67% compared to 4.58% for the linked quarter, an increase of nine basis points, which was mainly due to an increase in market interest rates and accretion income on acquired loans.
Accretion income on acquired loans was $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $2.9 million in the linked quarter. Accretion income in the third quarter of 2017 included $1.0 million from the prepayment of one purchase credit impaired construction loan.
The average balance of loans increased $400.0 million, or 16.2% on an annualized basis, for the third quarter of 2017 compared to the linked quarter. Based on end of period balances, total loans increased $261.2 million, or 10.1% annualized relative to the linked quarter.
The tax equivalent yield on investment securities decreased six basis points to 2.87% in the third quarter of 2017. Average investment securities increased $481.5 million compared to the linked quarter.
The tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets increased three basis points in the third quarter of 2017 to 4.12% compared to 4.09% in the linked quarter.
The cost of total deposits increased seven basis points to 50 basis points in the quarter. The total cost of borrowings was unchanged at 1.75%.
Average interest bearing deposits increased by $548.8 million and average borrowings increased $465.2 million relative to the linked quarter, which resulted in an increase of $4.6 million in interest expense.
The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.42% compared to 3.47% in the linked quarter. As mentioned previously, the increase in the securities portfolio as a percentage of total average earning assets reduced our net interest margin by approximately five basis points in the quarter.

Non-interest Income
($ in thousands)
For the three months ended
 
Change %
 
9/30/2016
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
Y-o-Y
 
Linked Qtr
Total non-interest income
$
19,039

 
$
13,618

 
$
13,988

 
(26.5
)%
 
2.7
%
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities
3,433

 
(230
)
 
(21
)
 
(100.6
)
 
NM

Adjusted non-interest income
$
15,606

 
$
13,848

 
$
14,009

 
(10.2
)
 
1.2


Third quarter 2017 compared with third quarter 2016
Excluding net gain (loss) on sale of securities, adjusted non-interest income declined $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2017 to $14.0 million compared to $15.6 million in the same quarter last year. The change was mainly due to a decrease in mortgage banking fee income of $1.0 million resulting from the sale of our residential mortgage originations business in the third quarter of 2016; a decline in investment management fees of $815 thousand, mainly due to the sale of our trust division in the fourth quarter of 2016; and a decline in bank owned life insurance income of $571 thousand. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in other non-interest income of $1.1 million during the third quarter of 2017, which was due to an increase in letters of credit fees, higher other commissions and loan fees, syndication fees and loan swap fees generated by our commercial banking teams.

Third quarter 2017 compared with linked quarter ended June 30, 2017
Excluding net gain (loss) on sale of securities, adjusted non-interest income increased approximately $161 thousand from $13.8 million in the linked quarter ended June 30, 2017 to $14.0 million in the third quarter of 2017. This was mainly due to higher accounts receivable and factoring commissions of $627 thousand, which are seasonal businesses that experience higher volumes in the second half of the year. Other non-interest income decreased by $133 thousand due to a decrease in bank owned life insurance of $332 thousand. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in loan swap fees and higher investment management fees.



4


Non-interest Expense
($ in thousands)
For the three months ended
 
Change % / bps
 
9/30/2016
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
Y-o-Y
 
Linked Qtr
Compensation and benefits
$
32,501

 
$
31,394

 
$
32,433

 
(0.2
)%
 
3.3
 %
Stock-based compensation plans
1,673

 
1,897

 
1,969

 
17.7

 
3.8

Occupancy and office operations
8,021

 
8,833

 
8,583

 
7.0

 
(2.8
)
Amortization of intangible assets
3,241

 
2,187

 
2,166

 
(33.2
)
 
(1.0
)
FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments
2,151

 
2,034

 
2,310

 
7.4

 
13.6

Other real estate owned, net (“OREO”)
721

 
112

 
894

 
24.0

 
698.2

Merger-related expense

 
1,766

 
4,109

 

 
132.7

Charge for asset write-downs, retention and severance
2,000

 
603

 

 
(100.0
)
 
(100.0
)
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings
1,013

 

 

 
(100.0
)
 

Other expenses
10,935

 
10,831

 
10,153

 
(7.2
)
 
(6.3
)
Total non-interest expense
$
62,256

 
$
59,657

 
$
62,617

 
0.6

 
5.0

Full time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) at period end
995

 
997

 
992

 
(0.3
)
 
(0.5
)
Financial centers at period end
41

 
40

 
40

 
(2.4
)
 

Efficiency ratio, as reported
51.0
%
 
47.0
%
 
46.7
%
 
430

 
30

Efficiency ratio, as adjusted6
45.8

 
42.0

 
40.6

 
520

 
140

6 See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 16.

Third quarter 2017 compared with third quarter 2016
Total non-interest expense increased $361 thousand relative to the third quarter of 2016. Key components of the change in non-interest expense were the following:
Compensation and benefits decreased $68 thousand between the periods. Total FTE declined to 992, which was mainly due to the sale of the residential mortgage originations business, the sale of the trust division and the consolidation of several financial centers over the last 12 months, which was offset by new hires of commercial bankers and risk management personnel.
Occupancy and office operations increased $562 thousand mainly due to higher equipment expense.
OREO expense increased $173 thousand to $894 thousand in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $721 thousand for the third quarter of 2016. This was mainly due to write-downs on the value of properties based on updated appraisals.
Merger-related expense was $4.1 million in the third quarter of 2017. We did not incur merger-related expense in the third quarter of 2016.
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings of $1.0 million incurred in the third quarter of 2016 was related to the repayment of $23 million of senior notes.
Charge for asset write-downs of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2016 was related to the divestiture of our residential mortgage originations business.
Other expenses declined $0.8 million mainly due to the sale of the residential mortgage originations business and the sale of the trust division.

Third quarter 2017 compared with linked quarter ended June 30, 2017
Total non-interest expense increased nearly $3.0 million from $59.7 million in the linked quarter to $62.6 million in the third quarter of 2017. Key components of the change in non-interest expense were the following:
Compensation and benefits increased $1.0 million and was $32.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $31.4 million in the linked quarter. This was mainly due to a $622 thousand increase in the cost of employee benefits associated with our healthcare plan.
Occupancy and office operations decreased $250 thousand mainly due to lower rent and building maintenance expenses.
Merger-related expense was $4.1 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $1.8 million in the linked quarter. The expense in the third quarter included mainly professional fees, client communications, and temporary signage related to the Astoria Merger.
OREO expense increased $782 thousand in the third quarter of 2017 due to write-downs of properties to reflect their current fair values based on updated appraisals and the payment of property taxes.


5


Other expense declined $678 thousand in the third quarter of 2017 and was $10.2 million compared to $10.8 million in the linked quarter. The decline was mainly due to lower professional fees.

Taxes
We recorded income tax expense at an effective tax rate of 32.5% for the third quarter of 2017, compared to 31.2% in the third quarter of 2016. The effective tax rate in the linked quarter ended June 30, 2017 was 32.4%. We anticipate that due to the closing of the Astoria Merger on October 2, 2017, our effective tax rate will decrease in the fourth quarter as a result of merger-related expense and other charges that will be incurred.

Key Balance Sheet Highlights as of September 30, 2017
($ in thousands)
As of
 
Change % / bps
 
9/30/2016
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
Y-o-Y
 
Linked Qtr
Total assets
$
13,617,228

 
$
15,376,676

 
$
16,780,097

 
23.2
%
 
9.1
%
Total portfolio loans, gross
9,168,741

 
10,232,317

 
10,493,535

 
14.4

 
2.6

Commercial & industrial (“C&I”) loans
4,097,767

 
4,619,789

 
4,841,664

 
18.2

 
4.8

Commercial real estate loans
4,107,072

 
4,430,985

 
4,473,245

 
8.9

 
1.0

Acquisition, development and construction loans
211,896

 
223,713

 
236,456

 
11.6

 
5.7

Total commercial loans
8,204,839

 
9,274,487

 
9,551,365

 
16.4

 
3.0

Total deposits
10,197,253

 
10,502,710

 
11,043,438

 
8.3

 
5.1

Core deposits6
9,002,189

 
9,230,918

 
9,753,052

 
8.3

 
5.7

Investment securities
2,797,717

 
3,552,176

 
4,515,650

 
61.4

 
27.1

Total borrowings
1,451,526

 
2,661,838

 
3,453,783

 
137.9

 
29.8

Loans to deposits
89.9
%
 
97.4
%
 
95.0
%
 
510

 
(240
)
Core deposits to total deposits
88.3

 
87.9

 
88.3

 

 
40

Investment securities to total assets
20.5

 
23.1

 
26.9

 
640

 
380

6 Core deposits include retail, commercial and municipal transaction, money market and savings accounts and exclude certificates of deposit
and brokered deposits, except for reciprocal Certificate of Deposit Account Registry balances.
Highlights in balance sheet items as of September 30, 2017 were the following:
C&I loans (which include traditional C&I, asset-based lending, payroll finance, warehouse lending, factored receivables, equipment financing and public sector finance loans) represented 46.1%, commercial real estate loans represented 42.6%, consumer and residential mortgage loans combined represented 9.0%, and acquisition, development and construction loans represented 2.3% of the total loan portfolio. Loan growth was mainly driven by our commercial banking teams.
Commercial loan growth, which includes all C&I loans, commercial real estate (including multi-family) and acquisition, development and construction loans, was $1.3 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2017. Commercial loan growth was $276.9 million relative to the linked quarter.
Aggregate exposure to taxi medallion relationships was $48.3 million, which represented 0.46% of total loans as of September 30, 2017, a decline of $3.4 million from $51.7 million as of December 31, 2016. The decline was due to repayments.
Total deposits at September 30, 2017 increased $540.7 million, or 5.1%, compared to June 30, 2017, and increased $846.2 million, or 8.3%, over September 30, 2016. The increase in deposits was mainly due to growth in commercial deposits.
Core deposits at September 30, 2017 increased $522.1 million, or 5.7%, compared to June 30, 2017. The increase was mainly due to growth in commercial and municipal deposits. Core deposits increased $750.9 million, or 8.3%, over September 30, 2016.6
Municipal deposits, excluding municipal certificates of deposit, at September 30, 2017 were $1.7 billion and increased by $464.0 million relative to the linked quarter. Municipal deposits experience seasonal highs at the end of the third quarter.
Investment securities increased by $963.5 million relative to the linked quarter, and represented 26.9% of total assets at September 30, 2017. As previously discussed, we increased our investment securities holdings in anticipation of the Astoria Merger.


6


Credit Quality
($ in thousands)
For the three months ended
 
Change % / bps
 
9/30/2016
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
Y-o-Y
 
Linked Qtr
Provision for loan losses
$
5,500

 
$
4,500

 
$
5,000

 
(9.1
)%
 
11.1
 %
Net charge-offs
1,960

 
1,288

 
3,023

 
54.2

 
134.7

Allowance for loan losses
59,405

 
70,151

 
72,128

 
21.4

 
2.8

Non-performing loans
81,067

 
71,351

 
69,452

 
(14.3
)
 
(2.7
)
Net charge-offs annualized
0.09
%
 
0.05
%
 
0.12
%
 
3

 
7

Allowance for loan losses to total loans
0.65

 
0.69

 
0.69

 
4

 

Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
73.3

 
98.3

 
103.9

 
3,060

 
560

Provision for loan losses was $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2017 compared to $4.5 million in the linked quarter and $5.5 million in the same period a year ago. In the third quarter of 2017, provision for loan losses was $2.0 million in excess of net charge-offs of $3.0 million. Allowance coverage ratios were 0.69% of total loans and 103.9% of non-performing loans at September 30, 2017. Non-performing loans decreased by $1.9 million to $69.5 million at September 30, 2017.

Capital
($ in thousands, except share and per share data)
As of
 
Change % / bps
 
9/30/2016
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
Y-o-Y
 
Three months
Total stockholders’ equity
$
1,765,160

 
$
1,931,383

 
$
1,971,480

 
11.7
 %
 
2.1
 %
Goodwill and intangible assets
765,858

 
758,484

 
756,290

 
(1.2
)
 
(0.3
)
Tangible stockholders’ equity
$
999,302

 
$
1,172,899

 
$
1,215,190

 
21.6

 
3.6

Common shares outstanding
130,853,673

 
135,658,226

 
135,807,544

 
3.8

 
0.1

Book value per share
$
13.49

 
$
14.24

 
$
14.52

 
7.6

 
2.0

Tangible book value per share7
7.64

 
8.65

 
8.95

 
17.1

 
3.5

Tangible equity to tangible assets7
7.78
%
 
8.02
%
 
7.58
%
 
(20
)
 
(44
)
Estimated Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company
8.31

 
8.72

 
8.42

 
11

 
(30
)
Estimated Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank
8.72

 
8.89

 
8.49

 
(23
)
 
(40
)
7 See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 16.

The increase in stockholders’ equity of $40.1 million to $2.0 billion as of September 30, 2017 compared to June 30, 2017 was mainly due to net income of $44.9 million. Also contributing to the increase was a decline in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2.7 million due to an increase in the fair value of our available for sale securities portfolio. Stock-based compensation activity increased stockholders’ equity by $2.0 million. These increases were partially offset by declared dividends of $9.5 million.

Total goodwill and other intangible assets were $756.3 million at September 30, 2017, a decrease of $2.2 million compared to June 30, 2017, which was due to amortization of intangibles.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2017, basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding increased to 135.3 million and 136.0 million, respectively, compared to 135.3 million and 135.9 million, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. The increase in the diluted weighted average shares was mainly due to option exercises and grants to newly hired personnel. Total common shares outstanding at September 30, 2017 were approximately 135.8 million.

Tangible book value per share was $8.95 at September 30, 2017, which represented an increase of 17.1% over a year ago.


7


Conference Call Information
Sterling Bancorp will host a teleconference and webcast on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 10:30 AM Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s results. Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast and view accompanying slides on the Company’s website at www.sterlingbancorp.com. Analysts are invited to listen by dialing (800) 239-9838, Conference ID #1602063. A replay of the teleconference can be accessed through the Company’s website.

About Sterling Bancorp
Sterling Bancorp, whose principal subsidiary is Sterling National Bank, specializes in the delivery of service and solutions to business owners, their families and consumers within the communities it serves through teams of dedicated and experienced relationship managers. Sterling National Bank offers a complete line of commercial, business, and consumer banking products and services. For more information, visit the Sterling Bancorp website at www.sterlingbancorp.com.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release may contain “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may concern Sterling Bancorp’s current expectations about its future results, plans, operations and prospects and involve certain risks, including the following: difficulties and delays in integrating Astoria’s business or fully realizing cost savings and other benefits; business disruption following the Astoria transaction; a failure to grow revenues faster than we grow expenses, a deterioration in general economic conditions, either nationally, internationally, or in our market areas, including extended declines in the real estate market and constrained financial markets; inflation; the effects of, and changes in, trade; changes in asset quality and credit risk; introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives; capital management activities; including our ability to effectively deploy recently raised capital; customer disintermediation; and the success of Sterling Bancorp in managing those risks. Other factors that could cause Sterling Bancorp’s actual results to differ from those indicated in forward-looking statements are included in the “Risk Factors” section of Sterling Bancorp’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.

Financial information contained in this release should be considered to be an estimate pending the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2017. While the Company is not aware of any need to revise the results disclosed in this release, accounting literature may require information received by management between the date of this release and the filing of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be reflected in the results of the fiscal period, even though the new information was received by management subsequent to the date of this release.



8


Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries                                        CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION                        (unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)    

 
9/30/2016
 
12/31/2016
 
9/30/2017
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
380,458

 
$
293,646

 
$
407,203

Investment securities
2,797,717

 
3,118,838

 
4,515,650

Loans held for sale
81,695

 
41,889

 

Portfolio loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial (“C&I”)
4,097,767

 
4,171,950

 
4,841,664

Commercial real estate
3,895,176

 
4,144,018

 
4,473,245

Acquisition, development and construction
211,896

 
230,086

 
236,456

Residential mortgage
672,355

 
697,108

 
684,093

Consumer
291,547

 
284,068

 
258,077

Total portfolio loans, gross
9,168,741

 
9,527,230

 
10,493,535

Allowance for loan losses
(59,405
)
 
(63,622
)
 
(72,128
)
Total portfolio loans, net
9,109,336

 
9,463,608

 
10,421,407

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank Stock, at cost
107,670

 
135,098

 
191,276

Accrued interest receivable
42,107

 
43,319

 
57,561

Premises and equipment, net
58,761

 
57,318

 
56,378

Goodwill
696,600

 
696,600

 
696,600

Other intangibles
69,258

 
66,353

 
59,690

Bank owned life insurance
198,556

 
199,889

 
204,281

Other real estate owned
16,422

 
13,619

 
11,697

Other assets
58,648

 
48,270

 
158,354

Total assets
$
13,617,228

 
$
14,178,447

 
$
16,780,097

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
$
10,197,253

 
$
10,068,259

 
$
11,043,438

FHLB borrowings
1,181,498

 
1,791,000

 
3,016,000

Other borrowings
21,191

 
16,642

 
188,403

Senior notes
76,388

 
76,469

 
76,719

Subordinated notes
172,449

 
172,501

 
172,661

Mortgage escrow funds
15,836

 
13,572

 
19,148

Other liabilities
187,453

 
184,821

 
292,248

Total liabilities
11,852,068

 
12,323,264

 
14,808,617

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
1,367

 
1,411

 
1,411

Additional paid-in capital
1,504,777

 
1,597,287

 
1,590,752

Treasury stock
(66,262
)
 
(66,188
)
 
(59,674
)
Retained earnings
317,385

 
349,308

 
452,650

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
7,893

 
(26,635
)
 
(13,659
)
Total stockholders’ equity
1,765,160

 
1,855,183

 
1,971,480

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
13,617,228

 
$
14,178,447

 
$
16,780,097

 


 
 
 
 
Shares of common stock outstanding at period end
130,853,673

 
135,257,570

 
135,807,544

Book value per share
$
13.49

 
$
13.72

 
$
14.52

Tangible book value per share1
7.64

 
8.08

 
8.95

1 See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 16.

9


Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries                                        CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)    

 
 For the Quarter Ended
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
9/30/2016
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
9/30/2016
 
9/30/2017
Interest and dividend income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and loan fees
$
100,503

 
$
111,840

 
$
119,898

 
$
286,195

 
$
336,308

Securities taxable
9,870

 
13,113

 
15,141

 
32,548

 
40,536

Securities non-taxable
6,751

 
7,791

 
8,542

 
16,501

 
23,951

Other earning assets
1,037

 
1,519

 
2,111

 
3,232

 
5,160

Total interest and dividend income
118,161

 
134,263

 
145,692

 
338,476

 
405,955

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
9,201

 
10,905

 
13,392

 
23,938

 
33,805

Borrowings
5,830

 
10,100

 
12,227

 
17,518

 
30,029

Total interest expense
15,031

 
21,005

 
25,619

 
41,456

 
63,834

Net interest income
103,130

 
113,258

 
120,073

 
297,020

 
342,121

Provision for loan losses
5,500

 
4,500

 
5,000

 
14,500

 
14,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
97,630

 
108,758

 
115,073

 
282,520

 
328,121

Non-interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable / factoring commissions and other fees
4,898

 
4,137

 
4,764

 
13,548

 
12,670

Mortgage banking income
1,153

 
130

 
121

 
5,522

 
522

Deposit fees and service charges
3,407

 
3,249

 
3,309

 
11,981

 
9,893

Net gain (loss) on sale of securities
3,433

 
(230
)
 
(21
)
 
7,624

 
(274
)
Bank owned life insurance
1,891

 
1,652

 
1,320

 
4,499

 
4,342

Investment management fees
1,086

 
323

 
271

 
3,144

 
825

Other
3,171

 
4,357

 
4,224

 
8,593

 
12,464

Total non-interest income
19,039

 
13,618

 
13,988

 
54,911

 
40,442

Non-interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
32,501

 
31,394

 
32,433

 
93,857

 
95,218

Stock-based compensation plans
1,673

 
1,897

 
1,969

 
4,960

 
5,602

Occupancy and office operations
8,021

 
8,833

 
8,583

 
26,113

 
25,550

Amortization of intangible assets
3,241

 
2,187

 
2,166

 
9,535

 
6,582

FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments
2,151

 
2,034

 
2,310

 
6,709

 
6,232

Other real estate owned, net
721

 
112

 
894

 
1,844

 
2,682

Merger-related expenses

 
1,766

 
4,109

 
265

 
9,002

Charge for asset write-downs, retention and severance
2,000

 
603

 

 
4,485

 
603

Loss on extinguishment of borrowings
1,013

 

 

 
9,729

 

Other
10,935

 
10,831

 
10,153

 
33,330

 
31,153

Total non-interest expense
62,256

 
59,657

 
62,617

 
190,827

 
182,624

Income before income tax expense
54,413

 
62,719

 
66,444

 
146,604

 
185,939

Income tax expense
16,991

 
20,319

 
21,592

 
47,646

 
59,620

Net income
$
37,422

 
$
42,400

 
$
44,852

 
$
98,958

 
$
126,319

Weighted average common shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
130,239,193

 
135,317,866

 
135,346,791

 
130,049,358

 
135,276,634

Diluted
130,875,614

 
135,922,897

 
135,950,160

 
130,645,705

 
135,895,513

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
0.29

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.33

 
$
0.76

 
$
0.93

Diluted earnings per share
0.29

 
0.31

 
0.33

 
0.76

 
0.93

Dividends declared per share
0.07

 
0.07

 
0.07

 
0.21

 
0.21


10


Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries                                        SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)    

 
As of and for the Quarter Ended
End of Period
9/30/2016
 
12/31/2016
 
3/31/2017
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
Total assets
$
13,617,228

 
$
14,178,447

 
$
14,659,337

 
$
15,376,676

 
$
16,780,097

Tangible assets 1
12,851,370

 
13,415,494

 
13,898,639

 
14,618,192

 
16,023,807

Securities available for sale
1,417,617

 
1,727,417

 
1,941,671

 
2,095,872

 
2,579,076

Securities held to maturity
1,380,100

 
1,391,421

 
1,474,724

 
1,456,304

 
1,936,574

Portfolio loans
9,168,741

 
9,527,230

 
9,763,967

 
10,232,317

 
10,493,535

Goodwill
696,600

 
696,600

 
696,600

 
696,600

 
696,600

Other intangibles
69,258

 
66,353

 
64,098

 
61,884

 
59,690

Deposits
10,197,253

 
10,068,259

 
10,251,725

 
10,502,710

 
11,043,438

Municipal deposits (included above)
1,551,147

 
1,270,921

 
1,391,221

 
1,297,244

 
1,751,012

Borrowings
1,451,526

 
2,056,612

 
2,328,576

 
2,661,838

 
3,453,783

Stockholders’ equity
1,765,160

 
1,855,183

 
1,888,613

 
1,931,383

 
1,971,480

Tangible equity 1
999,302

 
1,092,230

 
1,127,915

 
1,172,899

 
1,215,190

Quarterly Average Balances
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
13,148,201

 
13,671,676

 
14,015,953

 
14,704,793

 
15,661,514

Tangible assets 1
12,380,448

 
12,907,133

 
13,253,877

 
13,944,946

 
14,904,016

Loans, gross:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)
3,823,853

 
3,963,216

 
4,190,817

 
4,396,281

 
4,443,142

   Acquisition, development and construction
215,798

 
224,735

 
237,451

 
251,404

 
229,242

Commercial and industrial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Traditional commercial and industrial
1,274,194

 
1,383,013

 
1,410,354

 
1,497,005

 
1,631,436

   Asset-based lending2 
640,931

 
700,285

 
713,438

 
737,039

 
740,037

   Payroll finance2
162,938

 
218,365

 
217,031

 
225,080

 
229,522

   Warehouse lending2
404,156

 
551,746

 
379,978

 
430,312

 
607,994

   Factored receivables2
200,471

 
231,554

 
184,859

 
181,499

 
191,749

   Equipment financing2
652,531

 
586,078

 
595,751

 
660,404

 
687,254

Public sector finance2
350,244

 
361,339

 
370,253

 
441,456

 
476,525

          Total commercial and industrial
3,685,465

 
4,032,380

 
3,871,664

 
4,172,795

 
4,564,517

   Residential mortgage
727,304

 
729,834

 
700,934

 
697,441

 
686,820

   Consumer
292,088

 
287,267

 
280,650

 
268,502

 
262,693

Loans, total3
8,744,508

 
9,267,290

 
9,281,516

 
9,786,423

 
10,186,414

Securities (taxable)
1,838,775

 
1,789,553

 
2,016,752

 
2,142,168

 
2,483,718

Securities (non-taxable)
1,098,933

 
1,183,857

 
1,256,906

 
1,292,367

 
1,432,358

Other interest earning assets
333,622

 
325,581

 
334,404

 
341,895

 
368,630

Total earning assets
12,015,838

 
12,566,281

 
12,889,578

 
13,562,853

 
14,471,120

Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Non-interest bearing demand
3,196,204

 
3,217,156

 
3,177,448

 
3,185,506

 
3,042,392

   Interest bearing demand
2,107,669

 
2,116,708

 
1,950,332

 
1,973,498

 
2,298,645

   Savings (including mortgage escrow funds)
827,647

 
798,090

 
797,386

 
816,092

 
825,620

   Money market
3,174,536

 
3,395,542

 
3,681,962

 
3,725,257

 
3,889,780

   Certificates of deposit
609,438

 
633,526

 
579,487

 
584,996

 
634,569

Total deposits and mortgage escrow
9,915,494

 
10,161,022

 
10,186,615

 
10,285,349

 
10,691,006

Borrowings
1,324,001

 
1,517,482

 
1,799,204

 
2,313,992

 
2,779,143

Stockholders’ equity
1,751,414

 
1,805,790

 
1,869,085

 
1,913,933

 
1,955,252

Tangible equity 1
983,661

 
1,041,247

 
1,107,009

 
1,154,086

 
1,197,754

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measure beginning on page 16.
2 Asset-based lending, payroll finance, warehouse lending, factored receivables, equipment finance and public sector finance comprise our commercial finance loan portfolio.
3 Includes loans held for sale, but excludes allowance for loan losses.

11


Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries                                        SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AND PERFORMANCE RATIOS
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
As of and for the Quarter Ended
Per Share Data
9/30/2016
 
12/31/2016
 
3/31/2017
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
Basic earnings per share
$
0.29

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.33

Diluted earnings per share
0.29

 
0.31

 
0.29

 
0.31

 
0.33

Adjusted diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP 1
0.29

 
0.30

 
0.31

 
0.33

 
0.35

Dividends declared per share
0.07

 
0.07

 
0.07

 
0.07

 
0.07

Book value per share
13.49

 
13.72

 
13.93

 
14.24

 
14.52

Tangible book value per share1
7.64

 
8.08

 
8.32

 
8.65

 
8.95

Shares of common stock o/s
130,853,673

 
135,257,570

 
135,604,435

 
135,658,226

 
135,807,544

Basic weighted average common shares o/s
130,239,193

 
132,271,761

 
135,163,347

 
135,317,866

 
135,346,791

Diluted weighted average common shares o/s
130,875,614

 
132,995,762

 
135,811,721

 
135,922,897

 
135,950,160

Performance Ratios (annualized)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
1.13
%
 
1.19
%
 
1.13
%
 
1.16
%
 
1.14
%
Return on average equity
8.50
%
 
9.03
%
 
8.48
%
 
8.89
%
 
9.10
%
Return on average tangible assets, as reported 1
1.20
%
 
1.26
%
 
1.20
%
 
1.22
%
 
1.19
%
Return on average tangible equity, as reported 1
15.13
%
 
15.66
%
 
14.31
%
 
14.74
%
 
14.86
%
Return on average tangible assets, as adjusted 1
1.21
%
 
1.23
%
 
1.27
%
 
1.28
%
 
1.27
%
Return on average tangible equity, as adjusted 1
15.28
%
 
15.27
%
 
15.19
%
 
15.43
%
 
15.85
%
Efficiency ratio, as adjusted 1
45.76
%
 
43.35
%
 
43.73
%
 
41.97
%
 
40.63
%
Analysis of Net Interest Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accretion income on acquired loans
$
4,381

 
$
4,504

 
$
3,482

 
$
2,888

 
$
3,397

Yield on loans
4.57
%
 
4.49
%
 
4.57
%
 
4.58
%
 
4.67
%
Yield on investment securities - tax equivalent 2
2.74
%
 
2.81
%
 
2.97
%
 
2.93
%
 
2.87
%
Yield on interest earning assets - tax equivalent 2
4.03
%
 
4.02
%
 
4.09
%
 
4.09
%
 
4.12
%
Cost of interest bearing deposits
0.54
%
 
0.53
%
 
0.55
%
 
0.62
%
 
0.69
%
Cost of total deposits
0.37
%
 
0.36
%
 
0.38
%
 
0.43
%
 
0.50
%
Cost of borrowings
1.75
%
 
1.72
%
 
1.74
%
 
1.75
%
 
1.75
%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities
0.74
%
 
0.74
%
 
0.79
%
 
0.89
%
 
0.97
%
Net interest rate spread - tax equivalent basis 2
3.29
%
 
3.28
%
 
3.30
%
 
3.20
%
 
3.15
%
Net interest margin - GAAP basis
3.41
%
 
3.40
%
 
3.42
%
 
3.35
%
 
3.29
%
Net interest margin - tax equivalent basis 2
3.53
%
 
3.52
%
 
3.55
%
 
3.47
%
 
3.42
%
Capital
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company 3
8.31
%
 
8.95
%
 
8.89
%
 
8.72
%
 
8.42
%
Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank only 3
8.72
%
 
9.08
%
 
8.99
%
 
8.89
%
 
8.49
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio - Bank only 3
10.42
%
 
10.87
%
 
10.79
%
 
10.67
%
 
10.19
%
Total risk-based capital ratio - Bank only 3
12.66
%
 
13.06
%
 
12.95
%
 
12.76
%
 
12.16
%
Tangible equity to tangible assets - Company 1
7.78
%
 
8.14
%
 
8.12
%
 
8.02
%
 
7.58
%
Condensed Five Quarter Income Statement
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and dividend income
$
118,161

 
$
123,075

 
$
126,000

 
$
134,263

 
$
145,692

Interest expense
15,031

 
15,827

 
17,210

 
21,005

 
25,619

Net interest income
103,130

 
107,248

 
108,790

 
113,258

 
120,073

Provision for loan losses
5,500

 
5,500

 
4,500

 
4,500

 
5,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
97,630

 
101,748

 
104,290

 
108,758

 
115,073

Non-interest income
19,039

 
16,057

 
12,836

 
13,618

 
13,988

Non-interest expense
62,256

 
57,072

 
60,350

 
59,657

 
62,617

Income before income tax expense
54,413

 
60,733

 
56,776

 
62,719

 
66,444

Income tax expense
16,991

 
19,737

 
17,709

 
20,319

 
21,592

Net income
$
37,422

 
$
40,996

 
$
39,067

 
$
42,400

 
$
44,852

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 16.
2 Tax equivalent basis represents interest income earned on municipal securities divided by the applicable Federal tax rate of 35%.
3 Regulatory capital amounts and ratios are preliminary estimates pending filing of the Companys and Banks regulatory reports.

12


Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries                                        
ASSET QUALITY INFORMATION
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)


 
As of and for the Quarter Ended
Allowance for Loan Losses Roll Forward
9/30/2016
 
12/31/2016
 
3/31/2017
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
Balance, beginning of period
$
55,865

 
$
59,405

 
$
63,622

 
$
66,939

 
$
70,151

Provision for loan losses
5,500

 
5,500

 
4,500

 
4,500

 
5,000

Loan charge-offs1:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional commercial & industrial
(570
)
 
(219
)
 
(687
)
 
(164
)
 
(68
)
Payroll finance

 

 

 

 
(188
)
Warehouse lending

 

 

 

 

Factored receivables
(60
)
 
(267
)
 
(296
)
 
(12
)
 
(564
)
Equipment financing
(377
)
 
(576
)
 
(471
)
 
(610
)
 
(741
)
Commercial real estate
(630
)
 
(225
)
 
(83
)
 
(944
)
 
(1,345
)
Multi-family
(399
)
 

 

 

 

Acquisition development & construction

 

 

 
(22
)
 
(5
)
Residential mortgage
(338
)
 
(274
)
 
(158
)
 
(120
)
 
(389
)
Consumer
(259
)
 
(313
)
 
(114
)
 
(417
)
 
(156
)
Total charge offs
(2,633
)
 
(1,874
)
 
(1,809
)
 
(2,289
)
 
(3,456
)
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off1:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional commercial & industrial
381

 
152

 
139

 
523

 
316

Asset-based lending

 

 
3

 
1

 
1

Payroll finance

 

 

 

 
1

Warehouse lending

 

 

 

 

Factored receivables
10

 
10

 
16

 
2

 
5

Equipment financing
123

 
227

 
140

 
146

 
45

Commercial real estate
111

 
168

 
2

 
98

 
17

Acquisition development & construction

 

 
136

 
133

 

Residential mortgage

 
1

 
149

 
10

 

Consumer
48

 
33

 
41

 
88

 
48

Total recoveries
673

 
591

 
626

 
1,001

 
433

Net loan charge-offs
(1,960
)
 
(1,283
)
 
(1,183
)
 
(1,288
)
 
(3,023
)
Balance, end of period
$
59,405

 
$
63,622

 
$
66,939

 
$
70,151

 
$
72,128

Asset Quality Data and Ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-performing loans (“NPLs”) non-accrual
$
77,794

 
$
77,163

 
$
72,136

 
$
70,416

 
$
69,060

NPLs still accruing
3,273

 
1,690

 
788

 
935

 
392

Total NPLs
81,067

 
78,853

 
72,924

 
71,351

 
69,452

Other real estate owned
16,422

 
13,619

 
9,632

 
10,198

 
11,697

Non-performing assets (“NPAs”)
$
97,489

 
$
92,472

 
$
82,556

 
$
81,549

 
$
81,149

Loans 30 to 89 days past due
$
17,683

 
$
15,100

 
$
15,611

 
$
15,070

 
$
21,491

Net charge-offs as a % of average loans (annualized)
0.09
%
 
0.06
%
 
0.05
%
 
0.05
%
 
0.12
%
NPLs as a % of total loans
0.88

 
0.83

 
0.75

 
0.70

 
0.66

NPAs as a % of total assets
0.72

 
0.65

 
0.56

 
0.53

 
0.48

Allowance for loan losses as a % of NPLs
73.3

 
80.7

 
91.8

 
98.3

 
103.9

Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans
0.65

 
0.67

 
0.69

 
0.69

 
0.69

Special mention loans
$
101,784

 
$
104,569

 
$
110,832

 
$
102,996

 
$
117,984

Substandard loans
112,551

 
95,152

 
101,496

 
97,476

 
104,205

Doubtful loans
932

 
442

 
902

 
895

 
795

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 There were no charge-offs or recoveries on warehouse lending or public sector finance loans during the periods presented.
 

13


Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries
QUARTERLY YIELD TABLE
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
For the Quarter Ended
 
June 30, 2017
 
September 30, 2017
 
Average
balance
 
Interest
 
Yield/Rate
 
Average
balance
 
Interest
 
Yield/Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional C&I and commercial finance loans
$
4,172,795

 
$
52,580

 
5.05
%
 
$
4,564,517

 
$
58,395

 
5.08
%
   Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)
4,396,281

 
45,930

 
4.19

 
4,443,142

 
47,336

 
4.23

   Acquisition, development and construction
251,404

 
3,317

 
5.29

 
229,242

 
4,197

 
7.26

Commercial loans
8,820,480

 
101,827

 
4.63

 
9,236,901

 
109,928

 
4.72

Consumer loans
268,502

 
3,073

 
4.59

 
262,693

 
2,891

 
4.37

Residential mortgage loans
697,441

 
6,940

 
3.98

 
686,820

 
7,079

 
4.12

Total gross loans 1
9,786,423

 
111,840

 
4.58

 
10,186,414

 
119,898

 
4.67

Securities taxable
2,142,168

 
13,113

 
2.46

 
2,483,718

 
15,141

 
2.42

Securities non-taxable
1,292,367

 
11,986

 
3.71

 
1,432,358

 
13,141

 
3.67

Interest earning deposits
195,004

 
302

 
0.62

 
202,650

 
462

 
0.90

FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock
146,891

 
1,217

 
3.32

 
165,980

 
1,649

 
3.94

Total securities and other earning assets
3,776,430

 
26,618

 
2.83

 
4,284,706

 
30,393

 
2.81

Total interest earning assets
13,562,853

 
138,458

 
4.09

 
14,471,120

 
150,291

 
4.12

Non-interest earning assets
1,141,940

 
 
 

 
1,190,394

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
14,704,793

 
 
 
 
 
$
15,661,514

 
 
 
 
Interest bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand and savings2 deposits
$
2,789,590

 
$
3,875

 
0.56

 
$
3,124,265

 
$
4,626

 
0.59

Money market deposits
3,725,257

 
5,510

 
0.59

 
3,889,780

 
6,897

 
0.70

Certificates of deposit
584,996

 
1,520

 
1.04

 
634,569

 
1,869

 
1.17

Total interest bearing deposits
7,099,843

 
10,905

 
0.62

 
7,648,614

 
13,392

 
0.69

Senior notes
76,580

 
1,142

 
5.98

 
76,664

 
1,143

 
5.92

Other borrowings
2,064,840

 
6,608

 
1.28

 
2,529,854

 
8,733

 
1.37

Subordinated notes
172,572

 
2,350

 
5.45

 
172,625

 
2,351

 
5.45

Total borrowings
2,313,992

 
10,100

 
1.75

 
2,779,143

 
12,227

 
1.75

Total interest bearing liabilities
9,413,835

 
21,005

 
0.89

 
10,427,757

 
25,619

 
0.97

Non-interest bearing deposits
3,185,506

 
 
 
 
 
3,042,392

 
 
 
 
Other non-interest bearing liabilities
191,519

 
 
 
 
 
236,113

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
12,790,860

 
 
 
 
 
13,706,262

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
1,913,933

 
 
 
 
 
1,955,252

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
14,704,793

 
 
 
 
 
$
15,661,514

 
 
 
 
Net interest rate spread 3
 
 
 
 
3.20
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.15
%
Net interest earning assets 4
$
4,149,018

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,043,363

 
 
 
 
Net interest margin - tax equivalent
 
 
117,453

 
3.47
%
 
 
 
124,672

 
3.42
%
Less tax equivalent adjustment
 
 
(4,195
)
 
 
 
 
 
(4,599
)
 
 
Net interest income
 
 
$
113,258

 

 
 
 
$
120,073

 
 
Ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities
144.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
138.8
%
 
 
 
 
1 Average balances include loans held for sale and non-accrual loans. Interest includes prepayment fees and late charges.
2 Includes club accounts and interest bearing mortgage escrow balances.
3 Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the tax equivalent yield on average interest earning assets and the cost of average interest bearing liabilities.
4 Net interest earning assets represents total interest earning assets less total interest bearing liabilities.

14


Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries
QUARTERLY YIELD TABLE
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
For the Quarter Ended
 
September 30, 2016
 
September 30, 2017
 
Average
balance
 
Interest
 
Yield/Rate
 
Average
balance
 
Interest
 
Yield/Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional C&I and commercial finance loans
$
3,685,465

 
$
45,188

 
4.88
%
 
$
4,564,517

 
$
58,395

 
5.08
%
   Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)
3,823,853

 
41,975

 
4.37

 
4,443,142

 
47,336

 
4.23

   Acquisition, development and construction
215,798

 
2,742

 
5.05

 
229,242

 
4,197

 
7.26

Commercial loans
7,725,116

 
89,905

 
4.63

 
9,236,901

 
109,928

 
4.72

Consumer loans
292,088

 
3,269

 
4.45

 
262,693

 
2,891

 
4.37

Residential mortgage loans
727,304

 
7,329

 
4.03

 
686,820

 
7,079

 
4.12

Total gross loans 1
8,744,508

 
100,503

 
4.57

 
10,186,414

 
119,898

 
4.67

Securities taxable
1,838,775

 
9,870

 
2.14

 
2,483,718

 
15,141

 
2.42

Securities non-taxable
1,098,933

 
10,386

 
3.78

 
1,432,358

 
13,141

 
3.67

Interest earning deposits
230,478

 
167

 
0.29

 
202,650

 
462

 
0.90

FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock
103,144

 
870

 
3.36

 
165,980

 
1,649

 
3.94

Total securities and other earning assets
3,271,330

 
21,293

 
2.59

 
4,284,706

 
30,393

 
2.81

Total interest earning assets
12,015,838

 
121,796

 
4.03

 
14,471,120

 
150,291

 
4.12

Non-interest earning assets
1,132,363

 
 
 
 
 
1,190,394

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
13,148,201

 
 
 
 
 
$
15,661,514

 
 
 
 
Interest bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand and savings2 deposits
$
2,935,316

 
$
3,371

 
0.46

 
$
3,124,265

 
$
4,626

 
0.59

Money market deposits
3,174,536

 
4,357

 
0.55

 
3,889,780

 
6,897

 
0.70

Certificates of deposit
609,438

 
1,473

 
0.96

 
634,569

 
1,869

 
1.17

Total interest bearing deposits
6,719,290

 
9,201

 
0.54

 
7,648,614

 
13,392

 
0.69

Senior notes
90,954

 
1,328

 
5.84

 
76,664

 
1,143

 
5.96

Other borrowings
1,104,581

 
2,733

 
0.98

 
2,529,854

 
8,733

 
1.37

Subordinated notes
128,466

 
1,769

 
5.51

 
172,625

 
2,351

 
5.45

Total borrowings
1,324,001

 
5,830

 
1.75

 
2,779,143

 
12,227

 
1.75

Total interest bearing liabilities
8,043,291

 
15,031

 
0.74

 
10,427,757

 
25,619

 
0.97

Non-interest bearing deposits
3,196,204

 
 
 
 
 
3,042,392

 
 
 
 
Other non-interest bearing liabilities
157,292

 
 
 
 
 
236,113

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
11,396,787

 
 
 
 
 
13,706,262

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
1,751,414

 
 
 
 
 
1,955,252

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
13,148,201

 
 
 
 
 
$
15,661,514

 
 
 
 
Net interest rate spread 3
 
 
 
 
3.29
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.15
%
Net interest earning assets 4
$
3,972,547

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,043,363

 
 
 
 
Net interest margin - tax equivalent
 
 
106,765

 
3.53
%
 
 
 
124,672

 
3.42
%
Less tax equivalent adjustment
 
 
(3,635
)
 
 
 
 
 
(4,599
)
 
 
Net interest income
 
 
$
103,130

 
 
 
 
 
$
120,073

 
 
Ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities
149.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
138.8
%
 
 
 
 
1 Average balances include loans held for sale and non-accrual loans. Interest includes prepayment fees and late charges.
2 Includes club accounts and interest bearing mortgage escrow balances.
3 Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the tax equivalent yield on average interest earning assets and the cost of average interest bearing liabilities.
4 Net interest earning assets represents total interest earning assets less total interest bearing liabilities.

15

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries                                         NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)    


The Company provides supplemental reporting of non-GAAP/adjusted financial measures as management believes this information is useful to investors. See legend on page 18.
 
As of and for the Quarter Ended
 
9/30/2016
 
12/31/2016
 
3/31/2017
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
 
The following table shows the reconciliation of stockholders’ equity to tangible equity and the tangible equity ratio1:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
13,617,228

 
$
14,178,447

 
$
14,659,337

 
$
15,376,676

 
$
16,780,097

Goodwill and other intangibles
(765,858
)
 
(762,953
)
 
(760,698
)
 
(758,484
)
 
(756,290
)
Tangible assets
12,851,370

 
13,415,494

 
13,898,639

 
14,618,192

 
16,023,807

Stockholders’ equity
1,765,160

 
1,855,183

 
1,888,613

 
1,931,383

 
1,971,480

Goodwill and other intangibles
(765,858
)
 
(762,953
)
 
(760,698
)
 
(758,484
)
 
(756,290
)
Tangible stockholders’ equity
999,302

 
1,092,230

 
1,127,915

 
1,172,899

 
1,215,190

Common stock outstanding at period end
130,853,673

 
135,257,570

 
135,604,435

 
135,658,226

 
135,807,544

Stockholders’ equity as a % of total assets
12.96
%
 
13.08
%
 
12.88
%
 
12.56
%
 
11.75
%
Book value per share
$
13.49

 
$
13.72

 
$
13.93

 
$
14.24

 
$
14.52

Tangible equity as a % of tangible assets
7.78
%
 
8.14
%
 
8.12
%
 
8.02
%
 
7.58
%
Tangible book value per share
$
7.64

 
$
8.08

 
$
8.32

 
$
8.65

 
$
8.95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows the reconciliation of reported return on average tangible equity and adjusted return on average tangible equity2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average stockholders’ equity
$
1,751,414

 
$
1,805,790

 
$
1,869,085

 
$
1,913,933

 
$
1,955,252

Average goodwill and other intangibles
(767,753
)
 
(764,543
)
 
(762,076
)
 
(759,847
)
 
(757,498
)
Average tangible stockholders’ equity
983,661

 
1,041,247

 
1,107,009

 
1,154,086

 
1,197,754

Net income
37,422

 
40,996

 
39,067

 
42,400

 
44,852

Net income, if annualized
148,874

 
163,093

 
158,438

 
170,066

 
177,945

Reported return on average tangible equity
15.13
%
 
15.66
%
 
14.31
%
 
14.74
%
 
14.86
%
Adjusted net income (see reconciliation on page 17)
$
37,793

 
$
39,954

 
$
41,461

 
$
44,393

 
$
47,865

Annualized adjusted net income
150,350

 
158,947

 
168,147

 
178,060

 
189,899

Adjusted return on average tangible equity
15.28
%
 
15.27
%
 
15.19
%
 
15.43
%
 
15.85
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows the reconciliation of reported return on tangible assets and adjusted return on tangible assets3:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average assets
$
13,148,201

 
$
13,671,676

 
$
14,015,953

 
$
14,704,793

 
$
15,661,514

Average goodwill and other intangibles
(767,753
)
 
(764,543
)
 
(762,076
)
 
(759,847
)
 
(757,498
)
Average tangible assets
12,380,448

 
12,907,133

 
13,253,877

 
13,944,946

 
14,904,016

Net income
37,422

 
40,996

 
39,067

 
42,400

 
44,852

Net income, if annualized
148,874

 
163,093

 
158,438

 
170,066

 
177,945

Reported return on average tangible assets
1.20
%
 
1.26
%
 
1.20
%
 
1.22
%
 
1.19
%
Adjusted net income (see reconciliation on page 17)
$
37,793

 
$
39,954

 
$
41,461

 
$
44,393

 
$
47,865

Annualized adjusted net income
150,350

 
158,947

 
168,147

 
178,060

 
189,899

Adjusted return on average tangible assets
1.21
%
 
1.23
%
 
1.27
%
 
1.28
%
 
1.27
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



16

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries                                         NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)    


The Company provides supplemental reporting of non-GAAP/adjusted financial measures as management believes this information is useful to investors. See legend on page 18.
 
As of and for the Quarter Ended
 
9/30/2016
 
12/31/2016
 
3/31/2017
 
6/30/2017
 
9/30/2017
The following table shows the reconciliation of the reported operating efficiency ratio and adjusted operating efficiency ratio4:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
103,130

 
$
107,248

 
$
108,790

 
$
113,258

 
$
120,073

Non-interest income
19,039

 
16,057

 
12,836

 
13,618

 
13,988

Total net revenue
122,169

 
123,305

 
121,626

 
126,876

 
134,061

Tax equivalent adjustment on securities
3,635

 
3,860

 
4,102

 
4,195

 
4,599

Net (gain) loss on sale of securities
(3,433
)
 
102

 
23

 
230

 
21

Net (gain) on sale of trust division

 
(2,255
)
 

 

 

Adjusted total net revenue
122,371

 
125,012

 
125,751

 
131,301

 
138,681

Non-interest expense
62,256

 
57,072

 
60,350

 
59,657

 
62,617

Merger-related expense

 

 
(3,127
)
 
(1,766
)
 
(4,109
)
Charge for asset write-downs, retention and severance
(2,000
)
 

 

 
(603
)
 

Loss on extinguishment of borrowings
(1,013
)
 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets
(3,241
)
 
(2,881
)
 
(2,229
)
 
(2,187
)
 
(2,166
)
Adjusted non-interest expense
56,002

 
54,191

 
54,994

 
55,101

 
56,342

Reported operating efficiency ratio
51.0
%
 
46.3
%
 
49.6
%
 
47.0
%
 
46.7
%
Adjusted operating efficiency ratio
45.8

 
43.3

 
43.7

 
42.0

 
40.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows the reconciliation of reported net income (GAAP) and adjusted net income (non-GAAP) and adjusted diluted earnings per share5:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
$
54,413

 
$
60,733

 
$
56,776

 
$
62,719

 
$
66,444

Income tax expense
16,991

 
19,737

 
17,709

 
20,319

 
21,592

Net income (GAAP)
37,422

 
40,996

 
39,067

 
42,400

 
44,852

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (gain) loss on sale of securities
(3,433
)
 
102

 
23

 
230

 
21

Net (gain) on sale of trust division

 
(2,255
)
 

 

 

Merger-related expense

 

 
3,127

 
1,766

 
4,109

Charge for asset write-downs, retention and severance
2,000

 

 

 
603

 

Loss on extinguishment of borrowings
1,013

 

 

 

 

Amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets
970

 
610

 
396

 
354

 
333

Total adjustments
550

 
(1,543
)
 
3,546

 
2,953

 
4,463

Income tax expense (benefit)
(179
)
 
501

 
(1,152
)
 
(960
)
 
(1,450
)
Total adjustments net of taxes
371

 
(1,042
)
 
2,394

 
1,993

 
3,013

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)
$
37,793

 
$
39,954

 
$
41,461

 
$
44,393

 
$
47,865

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average diluted shares
130,875,614

 
132,995,762

 
135,811,721

 
135,922,897

 
135,950,160

Diluted EPS as reported (GAAP)
$
0.29

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.33

Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP)
0.29

 
0.30

 
0.31

 
0.33

 
0.35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

17

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries                                         NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)    


The Company provides supplemental reporting of non-GAAP/adjusted financial measures as management believes this information is useful to investors. See legend below.
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows the reconciliation of reported net income (GAAP) and earnings per share to adjusted net income (non-GAAP) and adjusted diluted earnings per share5:
Income before income tax expense
 
$
146,604

 
$
185,939

Income tax expense
 
47,646

 
59,620

Net income (GAAP)
 
98,958

 
126,319

 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Net (gain) on sale of securities
 
(7,624
)
 
274

Merger-related expense
 
265

 
9,002

Charge for asset write-downs, retention and severance
 
4,485

 
603

Loss on extinguishment of borrowings
 
9,729

 

Amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets
 
2,907

 
1,080

Total adjustments
 
9,762

 
10,959

Income tax (benefit)
 
(3,354
)
 
(3,562
)
Total adjustments net of taxes
 
6,408

 
7,397

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)
 
$
105,366

 
$
133,716

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average diluted shares
 
130,645,705

 
135,895,513

Diluted EPS as reported (GAAP)
 
$
0.76

 
$
0.93

Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP)
 
0.81

 
0.98

The non-GAAP / adjusted measures presented above are used by our management and Board of Directors on a regular basis in addition to our GAAP results to facilitate the assessment of our financial performance and to assess our performance compared to our annual budget and strategic plans. These non-GAAP/adjusted financial measures complement our GAAP reporting and are presented above to provide investors, analysts, regulators and others information that we use to manage and evaluate our performance each period. This information supplements our GAAP reported results, and should not be viewed in isolation from, or as a substitute for, our GAAP results. When non-GAAP / adjusted measures are impacted by income tax expense, we present the pre-tax amount for the income and expense items that result in the non-GAAP adjustments and present the income tax expense impact at the effective tax rate in effect for the period presented.
1 Stockholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets, book value per share, tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets and tangible book value per share provides information to help assess our capital position and financial strength. We believe tangible book measures improve comparability to other banking organizations that have not engaged in acquisitions that have resulted in the accumulation of goodwill and other intangible assets.
2 Reported return on average tangible equity and adjusted return on average tangible equity measures provide information to evaluate the use of our tangible equity.
3 Reported return on tangible assets and adjusted return on tangible assets measures provide information to help assess our profitability.
4 The reported operating efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing our GAAP non-interest expense by the sum of our GAAP net interest income plus GAAP non-interest income. The adjusted operating efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing non-interest expense adjusted for intangible asset amortization and certain expenses generally associated with discrete merger transactions and non-recurring strategic plans by the sum of net interest income plus non-interest income plus the tax equivalent adjustment on securities income and elimination of the impact of gain or loss on sale of securities. The adjusted operating efficiency ratio is a measure we use to assess our operating performance.
5 Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share present a summary of our earnings which includes adjustments to exclude certain revenues and expenses (generally associated with discrete merger transactions and non-recurring strategic plans) to help in assessing our profitability.


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