Sterling Bancorp Announces Record Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017

Key Performance Highlights for the Three Months ended June 30, 2017 vs. June 30, 2016

($ in thousands except per share amounts)	GAAP / As Reported								Non-GAAP / As Adjusted¹
	2016			2017			Change % / bps		2016			2017			Change % / bps
Total revenue²	$	120,822		$	126,876		5.0	%	$	119,509		$	131,301		9.9	%
Net income	37,770			42,400			12.3		35,414			44,393			25.4
Diluted EPS	0.29			0.31			6.9		0.27			0.33			22.2
Net interest margin³	3.49		%	3.35		%	(14	)	3.60		%	3.47		%	(13	)
Return on average tangible equity	16.14			14.74			(140	)	15.14			15.43			29
Return on average tangible assets	1.27			1.22			(5	)	1.19			1.28			9
Operating efficiency ratio⁴	49.4			47.0			(240	)	47.2			42.0			(520	)

Total portfolio loans gross reached a record $10.2 billion as of June 30, 2017.
Loan growth was $1.6 billion, or 19.1% (end of period balances, including acquired loans).
Deposit growth was $717.2 million, or 7.3% (end of period balances).
Loans to deposits ratio of 97.4%; total deposits reached $10.5 billion at June 30, 2017.

Key Highlights for the Three Months ended June 30, 2017 vs. linked quarter March 31, 2017

($ in thousands except per share amounts)	GAAP / As Reported								Non-GAAP / As Adjusted¹
	3/31/2017			6/30/2017			Change % / bps		3/31/2017			6/30/2017			Change % / bps
Total revenue²	$	121,626		$	126,876		4.3	%	$	125,751		$	131,301		4.4	%
Net income	39,067			42,400			8.5		41,461			44,393			7.1
Diluted EPS	0.29			0.31			6.9		0.31			0.33			6.5
Net interest margin³	3.42		%	3.35		%	(7	)	3.55		%	3.47		%	(8	)
Return on average tangible equity	14.31			14.74			43		15.19			15.43			24
Return on average tangible assets	1.20			1.22			2		1.27			1.28			1
Operating efficiency ratio⁴	49.6			47.0			(260	)	43.7			42.0			(170	)

Annualized loan growth of 19.2% (end of period balances) and 21.8% (average balances) over the linked quarter.
Total retail and commercial deposits increased by $248.2 million, or annualized growth of 13.2%.
As adjusted diluted EPS, return on average tangible assets and return on average tangible equity reached record highs.
As adjusted operating efficiency ratio decreased to a record low at 42.0%.
Merger with Astoria Financial Corporation (“Astoria”) approved by Sterling and Astoria shareholders in June 2017.
Announced receipt of Kroll debt rating of BBB+ at Sterling Bancorp and A- at Sterling National Bank.

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 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 earnings assets. Net interest margin as adjusted is equal to net
interest margin plus the tax equivalent adjustment for tax exempt securities.
4. See page 17 for an explanation of the operating efficiency ratio.

MONTEBELLO, N.Y., July 25, 2017 -- Sterling Bancorp (NYSE:STL) (the “Company”), the parent company of Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”), today announced results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 was $42.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to net income of $39.1 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the linked quarter ended March 31, 2017 and net income of $37.8 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $81.5 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, compared to net income of $61.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

President’s Comments

Jack Kopnisky, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Our positive momentum in operating performance continued in the second quarter of 2017, as we reached new records in loans, deposits, revenues and profitability. As of June 30, 2017, our total assets reached $15.4 billion, compared to $13.1 billion a year ago. Our total portfolio loans gross were $10.2 billion, compared to $8.6 billion a year ago, and our total deposits were $10.5 billion, compared to $9.8 billion a year ago. We continue to make progress in building a high performing regional bank that focuses on serving commercial middle market clients and consumers in the most attractive markets in the Greater New York metropolitan area.

“We had strong earnings performance in the quarter. Our GAAP net income was $42.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share. Our adjusted net income was $44.4 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.33, compared to $35.4 million and $0.27, respectively, for the second quarter of 2016. This represents growth in adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share of 25.4% and 22.2%, respectively. We continue to focus on controlling our operating expenses and improving our operating efficiency. During the quarter, our reported operating efficiency was 47.0% and our adjusted operating efficiency ratio was 42.0%. This represents a decrease of 240 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 June 30, 2017, adjusted total revenue grew 9.9% while adjusted non-interest expense declined 2.3% relative to the same quarter a year ago. We have also continued our strategy of reducing our real estate footprint and consolidated two financial center locations during the quarter.

“We have a strong balance sheet with a loan portfolio that has a balanced mix of 45.1% commercial and industrial loans, 43.3% commercial real estate loans, 2.2% acquisition development and construction loans and 9.4% consumer loans. Our diversified loan portfolio and businesses position us well for a rising interest rate environment. During the quarter, the weighted average yield on loans was 4.58%, an increase of one basis point over the linked quarter; excluding the impact of accretion income on acquired loans, yield on loans increased five basis points to 4.47%. We continue to maintain a strong funding profile with a loans to deposits ratio of approximately 97.4% and a weighted average cost of deposits of 0.43%. Our net interest margin was 3.47% on a tax equivalent basis, which represented a decrease of eight basis points over the linked quarter, which was mainly due to lower accretion income, lower prepayment penalties and a shift in the composition of our earning assets in the quarter. Based on our business mix and opportunities for growth in loans and deposits, we anticipate that net interest margin excluding accretion income on acquired loans should increase in the second half of the year, in-line with the guidance we have provided previously of 3.45% to 3.50% for the full year 2017.

“On June 13, 2017, we announced that shareholders of the Company and Astoria voted overwhelmingly in support of our merger with Astoria. Astoria operates in highly attractive markets in New York City and Long Island, has a premier low cost deposit base and the merger will allow us to further accelerate our strategy of building a high performing regional bank. The combined company will have approximately $29 billion in assets and $19 billion in deposits in the Greater New York metropolitan area. We anticipate the merger will close in early fourth quarter 2017, subject to, among other items, regulatory approvals, and will be immediately accretive to tangible book value and earnings per share.

“Lastly, we have declared a dividend on our common stock of $0.07 per share payable on August 21, 2017 to holders of record as of August 7, 2017. Thank you to all of our clients, colleagues and stockholders for your continued support, and we look forward to welcoming our new partners at Astoria so we can work together to build a stronger, more diversified and more profitable company.”

Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Adjusted Results (non-GAAP)

GAAP net income of $42.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2017, included a pre-tax net loss on sale of securities of $230 thousand, a pre-tax charge of $1.8 million due to merger-related expense associated with the pending merger with Astoria, a pre-tax charge of $603 thousand associated with the consolidation of financial centers, and the pre-tax amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangibles of $354 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 $44.4 million, or $0.33 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.

Net Interest Income and Margin

($ in thousands)	For the three months ended									Change % / bps
	6/30/2016			3/31/2017			6/30/2017			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Interest income	$	114,309		$	126,000		$	134,263		17.5	%	6.6	%
Interest expense	13,929			17,210			21,005			50.8		22.1
Net interest income	$	100,380		$	108,790		$	113,258		12.8		4.1

Accretion income on acquired loans	$	4,088		$	3,482		$	2,888		(29.4	)%	(17.1	)%
Yield on loans	4.68		%	4.57		%	4.58		%	(10	)	1
Tax equivalent yield on investment securities	2.76			2.97			2.93			17		(4	)
Tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets	4.09			4.09			4.09			—		—
Cost of total deposits	0.35			0.38			0.43			8		5
Cost of interest bearing deposits	0.52			0.55			0.62			10		7
Cost of borrowings	1.73			1.74			1.75			2		1
Tax equivalent net interest margin⁵	3.60			3.55			3.47			(13	)	(8	)

Average loans, includes loans held for sale	$	8,313,529		$	9,281,516		$	9,786,423		17.7	%	5.4	%
Average investment securities	2,869,651			3,273,658			3,434,535			19.7		4.9
Average total earning assets	11,558,424			12,889,578			13,562,853			17.3		5.2
Average deposits and mortgage escrow	9,561,997			10,186,615			10,285,349			7.6		1.0

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.

Second quarter 2017 compared with second quarter 2016
Net interest income was $113.3 million, an increase of $12.9 million compared to the second quarter of 2016. This was mainly due to an increase in average loans originated through our commercial banking teams and the franchise finance loan portfolio acquired from GE Capital, which closed in September 2016. Other key components of the changes in net interest income were the following:

The yield on loans was 4.58%, compared to 4.68% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The decline in yield on loans was mainly due to lower accretion income on acquired loans of $2.9 million compared to $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2016. In addition, prepayment penalties in the second quarter of 2017 were $747 thousand lower than the year earlier period.
Average commercial loans were $8.8 billion compared to $7.3 billion in the second quarter of 2016, an increase of $1.5 billion or 21.0%.
The tax equivalent yield on investment securities increased 17 basis points to 2.93%. 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 $1.3 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, compared to $837.1 million in the second quarter of 2016.
Average investment securities to average total earnings assets were 25.3% in the quarter compared to 24.8% in the same quarter a year ago.
The tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets was unchanged between the periods at 4.09%.
The cost of total deposits was 43 basis points and the cost of borrowings was 1.75%, compared to 35 basis points and 1.73%, respectively, for the same period a year ago.
Tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.47% compared to 3.60% for the same period a year ago.
Excluding the impact of accretion income on acquired loans, tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.39% compared to 3.46% for the same period a year ago.

Second quarter 2017 compared with linked quarter ended March 31, 2017
Net interest income increased $4.5 million, or 16.5% annualized, compared to the linked quarter ended March 31, 2017. The increase in net interest income in the second quarter of 2017 relative to the linked quarter was mainly due to the increase in the average balance of loans outstanding in the second quarter of 2017. Key components of the changes in net interest income in the linked quarter were the following:

The yield on loans was 4.58% compared to 4.57% for the linked quarter, an increase of one basis point, which was mainly due to an increase in market interest rates.
Accretion income on acquired loans was $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $3.5 million in the linked quarter.
The average balance of loans increased $504.9 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to the linked quarter. Based on end of period balances, total loans increased $468.4 million, or 19.2% annualized relative to the linked quarter. Similar to the first quarter of 2017, the majority of loan growth in the second quarter was originated in the month of June; as a result, average loans should increase in the third quarter of 2017.
The tax equivalent yield on investment securities decreased four basis points to 2.93% in the second quarter of 2017. This was mainly the result of investment securities acquired in the quarter as we reposition our securities portfolio in anticipation of the merger with Astoria. Average investment securities increased $160.9 million compared to the linked quarter.
The company intends to maintain a higher proportion of investment securities to total earning assets of approximately 25.0% in anticipation of the Astoria merger.
The tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets was unchanged at 4.09% in the quarter.
The cost of total deposits increased five basis points to 43 basis points in the quarter. The total cost of borrowings increased one basis point to 1.75%.
Average interest bearing deposits increased by $90.7 million and average borrowings increased $514.8 million relative to the linked quarter, which resulted in an increase of $3.8 million in interest expense.
Tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.47% compared to 3.55% in the linked quarter. The decrease was mainly due to lower accretion income on acquired loans of $594 thousand and lower prepayment penalties of $870 thousand relative to the linked quarter.
Excluding the impact of accretion income on acquired loans, tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.39% compared to 3.44% for the linked quarter.

Non-interest Income

($ in thousands)	For the three months ended								Change %
	6/30/2016		3/31/2017			6/30/2017			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Total non-interest income	$	20,442	$	12,836		$	13,618		(33.4	)%	6.1	%
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities	4,474		(23		)	(230		)	(105.1	)	NM
Adjusted non-interest income	$	15,968	$	12,859		$	13,848		(13.3	)	7.7

Second quarter 2017 compared with second quarter 2016
Excluding net gain (loss) on sale of securities, adjusted non-interest income declined $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 to $13.8 million compared to $16.0 million in the same quarter last year. The change was mainly due to a decrease in mortgage banking fee income of $2.2 million resulting from the sale of our residential mortgage originations business, which occurred in the third quarter of 2016; a decrease of $0.8 million in deposit fees and service charges, associated mainly with the impact of the Durbin Amendment, which decreased our interchange revenue from July 1, 2016 onward; and a decline in investment management fees of $611 thousand, mainly due to the sale of our trust division in the fourth quarter of 2016. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in other non-interest income of $1.2 million, which was due to an increase in letters of credit fees, higher other commissions and loan fees, syndication fees and loan swap fees in each case generated by our commercial banking teams.

Second quarter 2017 compared with linked quarter ended March 31, 2017
Excluding net gain (loss) on sale of securities, adjusted non-interest income increased approximately $1.0 million from $12.9 million in the linked quarter ended March 31, 2017 to $13.8 million in the second quarter of 2017. This was mainly due to higher accounts receivable and factoring commissions of $368 thousand, higher other non-interest income of $474 thousand due mainly to an increase in loan swap fees, and higher investment management fees of $92 thousand due to increased sales of annuities through our financial centers. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in deposit fees and service charges of $86 thousand and a decrease in mortgage banking income of $141 thousand.

Non-interest Expense

($ in thousands)	For the three months ended									Change % / bps
	6/30/2016			3/31/2017			6/30/2017			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Compensation and benefits	$	31,336		$	31,391		$	31,394		0.2	%	—	%
Occupancy and office operations	8,810			8,134			8,833			0.3		8.6
Merger-related expense	—			3,127			1,766			NM		NM
Charge for asset write-downs	—			—			603			NM		NM
Other real estate owned, net (“OREO”)	541			1,676			112			(79.3	)	(93.3	)
Other expenses	18,953			16,022			16,949			(10.6	)	5.8
Total non-interest expense	$	59,640		$	60,350		$	59,657		—		(1.1	)
Full time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) at period end	1,065			978			997			(6.4	)	1.9
Financial centers at period end	42			42			40			(4.8	)	(4.8	)
Efficiency ratio, as reported	49.4		%	49.6		%	47.0		%	240		260
Efficiency ratio, as adjusted⁶	47.2			43.7			42.0			520		170

⁶See a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure on page 16.

Second quarter 2017 compared with second quarter 2016
Total non-interest expense increased $17 thousand relative to the second quarter of 2016. Total non-interest expense included $1.8 million of merger-related expense incurred in connection with the pending Astoria merger and a $603 thousand charge incurred on the consolidation of two financial centers. Compensation and benefits increased $58 thousand between the periods. Total FTE declined by 68 between the periods 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. Total non-interest expense was positively impacted by a $429 thousand decline in OREO and a $2.0 million decline in other expenses, which was mainly due to lower amortization of intangible assets of $1.1 million. Regulatory fees and assessments also decreased by $266 thousand, as FDIC deposit insurance fees assessed to the bank were reduced.

Second quarter 2017 compared with linked quarter ended March 31, 2017
Total non-interest expense decreased $693 thousand from $60.4 million in the linked quarter to $59.7 million in the second quarter of 2017. The decrease was mainly related to a $1.4 million decline in merger-related expense, and a $1.6 million decline in OREO. In the first quarter of 2017 we incurred OREO expense to write-down properties to their fair value based on updated appraisals and pending and completed sales. Partially offsetting the decline in merger-related expense and OREO expense was a $603 thousand charge to consolidate two financial centers. Occupancy and office operations increased $699 thousand mainly due to an increase in equipment and software maintenance expense. FTE increased by19 relative to the linked quarter due to the addition of two new commercial banking teams, the addition of personnel to existing teams and an increase in risk management personnel.

Taxes

We recorded income tax expense at an effective tax rate of 32.4% for the second quarter of 2017, compared to 32.8% in the second quarter of 2016. The effective tax rate in the linked quarter ended March 31, 2017 was 31.2%.

The adoption of a new accounting standard in the first quarter of 2017 requires that tax benefits in excess of compensation costs associated with our stock-based compensation plans be included in income tax expense as a discrete item. In the first quarter of 2017, we recorded a tax benefit of $742 thousand associated with the vesting of stock-based compensation which reduced our tax rate by 1.3% for the period. In the second quarter of 2017, the tax benefit was $64 thousand and reduced our effective tax rate by 10 basis points from our expected 32.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2017. We anticipate our effective income tax rate, excluding the impact of income tax expense associated with vested stock-based compensation plans in 2017 will remain between 32% and 33%. However, the effective income tax rate may change materially should changes to current tax law be enacted in 2017. Any changes to current tax law may also have an impact on our deferred tax position.

Key Balance Sheet Highlights as of June 30, 2017

($ in thousands)	As of									Change % / bps
	6/30/2016			3/31/2017			6/30/2017			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Total assets	$	13,065,248		$	14,659,337		$	15,376,676		17.7	%	4.9	%
Total portfolio loans, gross	8,594,295			9,763,967			10,232,317			19.1		4.8
Commercial & industrial (“C&I”) loans	3,639,169			4,181,818			4,619,789			26.9		10.5
Commercial real estate loans	3,782,659			4,376,645			4,430,985			17.1		1.2
Acquisition, development and construction loans	207,868			238,966			223,713			7.6		(6.4	)
Total commercial loans	7,629,696			8,797,429			9,274,487			21.6		5.4
Total deposits	9,785,556			10,251,725			10,502,710			7.3		2.4
Core deposits⁶	8,809,242			9,087,137			9,230,918			4.8		1.6
Investment securities	2,980,059			3,416,395			3,552,176			19.2		4.0
Total borrowings	1,309,954			2,328,576			2,661,838			103.2		14.3
Loans to deposits	87.8		%	95.2		%	97.4		%	960		220
Core deposits to total deposits	90.0			88.6			87.9			(210	)	(70	)
Investment securities to total assets	22.8			23.3			23.1			30		(20	)

⁶Core 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 June 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 45.1%, commercial real estate loans represented 43.3%, consumer and residential mortgage loans combined represented 9.4%, and acquisition, development and construction loans represented 2.2% of the total loan portfolio. Loan growth was driven by our commercial banking teams and the GE portfolio of restaurant franchise loans acquired in September 2016.
Commercial loan growth, which includes all C&I loans, commercial real estate and acquisition, development and construction loans, was $1.6 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017. Commercial loan growth was $477.1 million relative to the linked quarter.
Mortgage warehouse lending balances were $687.7 million at June 30, 2017, an increase of $201.3 million, or 41.4%, compared to March 31, 2017.
Aggregate exposure to taxi medallion relationships was $48.6 million, which represented 0.48% of total loans as of June 30, 2017, a decline of $3.0 million from $51.7 million as of December 31, 2016. The decline was due to repayments.
Total deposits at June 30, 2017 increased $251.0 million, or 2.4%, compared to March 31, 2017, and increased $717.2 million, or 7.3%, over June 30, 2016. The increase in deposits was mainly due to growth in commercial deposits.
Core deposits at June 30, 2017 increased $143.8 million, compared to March 31, 2017. The increase was mainly due to growth in commercial deposits. Core deposits increased $421.7 million, or 4.8%, over June 30, 2016.⁶
Municipal deposits were $1.3 billion and decreased by $94.3 million relative to the linked quarter. Municipal deposits experience seasonal lows in the second quarter.
Total retail and commercial deposits increased by $248.2 million relative to the linked quarter, which represented an annualized growth rate of 13.2%.
Investment securities increased by $135.8 million relative to the linked quarter, and represented 23.1% of total assets. The company intends to maintain a proportion of investment securities to total assets of 23.0% to 25.0% in anticipation of the Astoria merger.

Credit Quality

($ in thousands)	For the three months ended									Change % / bps
	6/30/2016			3/31/2017			6/30/2017			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Provision for loan losses	$	5,000		$	4,500		$	4,500		(10.0	)%	—	%
Net charge-offs	2,149			1,183			1,288			(40.1	)	8.9
Allowance for loan losses	55,865			66,939			70,151			25.6		4.8
Non-performing loans	79,564			72,924			71,351			(10.3	)	(2.2	)
Net charge-offs annualized	0.10		%	0.05		%	0.05		%	(5	)	—
Allowance for loan losses to total loans	0.65			0.69			0.69			4		—
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans	70.2			91.8			98.3			2,810		650

Provision for loan losses was $4.5 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $4.5 million in the linked quarter and $5.0 million in the same period a year ago. In the second quarter of 2017, provision for loan losses was $3.2 million in excess of net charge-offs of $1.3 million. Allowance coverage ratios were 0.69% of total loans and 98.3% of non-performing loans at June 30, 2017. Non-performing loans decreased by $1.6 million to $71.4 million at June 30, 2017.

Aggregate exposure to taxi medallion relationships as of June 30, 2017 was $48.6 million. This represented a decrease of $1.1 million relative to the linked quarter as a result of repayments.

Capital

($ in thousands, except share and per share data)	As of									Change % / bps
	6/30/2016			3/31/2017			6/30/2017			Y-o-Y		Three months
Total stockholders’ equity	$	1,735,994		$	1,888,613		$	1,931,383		11.3	%	2.3	%
Goodwill and intangible assets	769,125			760,698			758,484			(1.4	)	(0.3	)
Tangible stockholders’ equity	$	966,869		$	1,127,915		$	1,172,899		21.3		4.0
Common shares outstanding	130,620,463			135,604,435			135,658,226			3.9		—
Book value per share	$	13.29		$	13.93		$	14.24		7.1		2.2
Tangible book value per share⁷	7.40			8.32			8.65			16.9		4.0
Tangible equity to tangible assets⁷	7.86		%	8.12		%	8.02		%	16		(10	)
Estimated Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company	8.36			8.89			8.72			36		(17	)
Estimated Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank	8.84			8.99			8.89			5		(10	)

⁷See a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure on page 16.

The increase in stockholders’ equity of $42.8 million to $1.9 billion as of June 30, 2017 compared to March 31, 2017 was mainly due to net income of $42.4 million. Also contributing to the increase was a decline in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $7.4 million due to an increase in the fair value of our available for sale securities portfolio. Stock-based compensation activity increased stockholders’ equity by $2.5 million. These increases were partially offset by declared dividends of $9.5 million.

Total goodwill and other intangible assets were $758.5 million at June 30, 2017, a decrease of $2.2 million compared to March 31, 2017, which was due to amortization of intangibles.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2017, basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding increased to 135.3 million and 135.9 million, respectively, compared to 135.2 million and 135.8 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The increase in the diluted weighted average shares was mainly due to option exercises and grants to newly hired personal. Total common shares outstanding at June 30, 2017 were approximately 135.7 million.

Tangible book value per share⁷ was $8.65 at June 30, 2017, which represented an increase of 16.9% over a year ago.

Conference Call Information
Sterling Bancorp will host a teleconference and webcast on Wednesday, July 26, 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 (888) 352-6809, Conference ID #2247191. 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: our ability to obtain regulatory approvals and meet other closing conditions to the merger with Astoria on the expected terms and schedule; delay in closing the Astoria merger; difficulties and delays in integrating Astoria’s business or fully realizing cost savings and other benefits; business disruption following the Astoria transaction; 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 June 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.


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

	6/30/2016			12/31/2016			6/30/2017
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	258,326		$	293,646		$	282,167
Investment securities	2,980,059			3,118,838			3,552,176
Loans held for sale	57,249			41,889			—
Portfolio loans:
Commercial and industrial	3,639,169			4,171,950			4,619,789
Commercial real estate	3,782,659			4,144,018			4,430,985
Acquisition, development and construction	207,868			230,086			223,713
Residential mortgage	673,208			697,108			692,562
Consumer	291,391			284,068			265,268
Total portfolio loans, gross	8,594,295			9,527,230			10,232,317
Allowance for loan losses	(55,865		)	(63,622		)	(70,151		)
Total portfolio loans, net	8,538,430			9,463,608			10,162,166
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank Stock, at cost	102,855			135,098			160,241
Accrued interest receivable	35,106			43,319			47,548
Premises and equipment, net	60,797			57,318			57,794
Goodwill	696,600			696,600			696,600
Other intangibles	72,525			66,353			61,884
Bank owned life insurance	196,665			199,889			202,911
Other real estate owned	16,590			13,619			10,198
Other assets	50,046			48,270			142,991
Total assets	$	13,065,248		$	14,178,447		$	15,376,676
Liabilities:
Deposits	$	9,785,556		$	10,068,259		$	10,502,710
FHLB borrowings	1,074,492			1,791,000			2,290,000
Other borrowings	28,202			16,642			122,596
Senior notes	99,099			76,469			76,635
Subordinated notes	108,161			172,501			172,607
Mortgage escrow funds	14,283			13,572			16,431
Other liabilities	219,461			184,821			264,314
Total liabilities	11,329,254			12,323,264			13,445,293
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,367			1,411			1,411
Additional paid-in capital	1,503,027			1,597,287			1,592,299
Treasury stock	(69,355		)	(66,188		)	(61,576		)
Retained earnings	290,025			349,308			415,617
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	10,930			(26,635		)	(16,368		)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,735,994			1,855,183			1,931,383
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	13,065,248		$	14,178,447		$	15,376,676

Shares of common stock outstanding at period end	130,620,463			135,257,570			135,658,226
Book value per share	$	13.29		$	13.72		$	14.24
Tangible book value per share¹	7.40			8.08			8.65

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


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

	For the Quarter Ended								For the Six Months Ended
	6/30/2016		3/31/2017			6/30/2017			6/30/2016		6/30/2017
Interest and dividend income:
Loans and loan fees	$	96,658	$	104,570		$	111,840		$	185,692	$	216,410
Securities taxable	10,662		12,282			13,113			22,678		25,395
Securities non-taxable	5,871		7,618			7,791			9,750		15,409
Other earning assets	1,118		1,530			1,519			2,195		3,049
Total interest and dividend income	114,309		126,000			134,263			220,315		260,263
Interest expense:
Deposits	8,328		9,508			10,905			14,737		20,413
Borrowings	5,601		7,702			10,100			11,688		17,802
Total interest expense	13,929		17,210			21,005			26,425		38,215
Net interest income	100,380		108,790			113,258			193,890		222,048
Provision for loan losses	5,000		4,500			4,500			9,000		9,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	95,380		104,290			108,758			184,890		213,048
Non-interest income:
Accounts receivable / factoring commissions and other fees	4,156		3,769			4,137			8,650		7,906
Mortgage banking income	2,367		271			130			4,369		401
Deposit fees and service charges	4,084		3,335			3,249			8,574		6,584
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities	4,474		(23		)	(230		)	4,191		(253		)
Bank owned life insurance	1,281		1,370			1,652			2,608		3,022
Investment management fees	934		231			323			2,058		554
Other	3,146		3,883			4,357			5,422		8,240
Total non-interest income	20,442		12,836			13,618			35,872		26,454
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits	31,336		31,391			31,394			61,356		62,785
Stock-based compensation plans	1,747		1,736			1,897			3,287		3,633
Occupancy and office operations	8,810		8,134			8,833			18,092		16,967
Amortization of intangible assets	3,241		2,229			2,187			6,294		4,416
FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments	2,300		1,888			2,034			4,558		3,922
Other real estate owned, net	541		1,676			112			1,123		1,788
Merger-related expenses	—		3,127			1,766			266		4,893
Charge for asset write-downs, retention and severance	—		—			603			2,485		603
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings	—		—			—			8,716		—
Other	11,665		10,169			10,831			22,394		21,000
Total non-interest expense	59,640		60,350			59,657			128,571		120,007
Income before income tax expense	56,182		56,776			62,719			92,191		119,495
Income tax expense	18,412		17,709			20,319			30,655		38,028
Net income	$	37,770	$	39,067		$	42,400		$	61,536	$	81,467
Weighted average common shares:
Basic	130,081,465		135,163,347			135,317,866			129,953,397		135,241,034
Diluted	130,688,729		135,811,721			135,922,897			130,522,021		135,867,861
Earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per share	$	0.29	$	0.29		$	0.31		$	0.47	$	0.60
Diluted earnings per share	0.29		0.29			0.31			0.47		0.60
Dividends declared per share	0.07		0.07			0.07			0.14		0.14


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	6/30/2016		9/30/2016		12/31/2016		3/31/2017		6/30/2017
Total assets	$	13,065,248	$	13,617,228	$	14,178,447	$	14,659,337	$	15,376,676
Tangible assets ¹	12,296,123		12,851,370		13,415,494		13,898,639		14,618,192
Securities available for sale	1,613,013		1,417,617		1,727,417		1,941,671		2,095,872
Securities held to maturity	1,367,046		1,380,100		1,391,421		1,474,724		1,456,304
Portfolio loans	8,594,295		9,168,741		9,527,230		9,763,967		10,232,317
Goodwill	696,600		696,600		696,600		696,600		696,600
Other intangibles	72,525		69,258		66,353		64,098		61,884
Deposits	9,785,556		10,197,253		10,068,259		10,251,725		10,502,710
Municipal deposits (included above)	1,184,231		1,551,147		1,270,921		1,391,221		1,297,244
Borrowings	1,309,954		1,451,526		2,056,612		2,328,576		2,661,838
Stockholders’ equity	1,735,994		1,765,160		1,855,183		1,888,613		1,931,383
Tangible equity ¹	966,869		999,302		1,092,230		1,127,915		1,172,899
Quarterly Average Balances
Total assets	12,700,038		13,148,201		13,671,676		14,015,953		14,704,793
Tangible assets ¹	11,929,107		12,380,448		12,907,133		13,253,877		13,944,946
Loans, gross:
Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)	3,694,162		3,823,853		3,963,216		4,190,817		4,396,281
Acquisition, development and construction	197,489		215,798		224,735		237,451		251,404
Commercial and industrial:
Traditional commercial and industrial	1,229,473		1,274,194		1,383,013		1,410,354		1,497,005
Asset-based lending²	636,383		640,931		700,285		713,438		737,039
Payroll finance²	187,887		162,938		218,365		217,031		225,080
Warehouse lending²	301,882		404,156		551,746		379,978		430,312
Factored receivables²	183,051		200,471		231,554		184,859		181,499
Equipment financing²	630,922		652,531		586,078		595,751		660,404
Public sector finance²	226,929		350,244		361,339		370,253		441,456
Total commercial and industrial	3,396,527		3,685,465		4,032,380		3,871,664		4,172,795
Residential mortgage	729,685		727,304		729,834		700,934		697,441
Consumer	295,666		292,088		287,267		280,650		268,502
Loans, total³	8,313,529		8,744,508		9,267,290		9,281,516		9,786,423
Securities (taxable)	2,032,518		1,838,775		1,789,553		2,016,752		2,142,168
Securities (non-taxable)	837,133		1,098,933		1,183,857		1,256,906		1,292,367
Other interest earning assets	375,244		333,622		325,581		334,404		341,895
Total earning assets	11,558,424		12,015,838		12,566,281		12,889,578		13,562,853
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing demand	3,059,562		3,196,204		3,217,156		3,177,448		3,185,506
Interest bearing demand	2,016,365		2,107,669		2,116,708		1,950,332		1,973,498
Savings (including mortgage escrow funds)	809,123		827,647		798,090		797,386		816,092
Money market	3,056,188		3,174,536		3,395,542		3,681,962		3,725,257
Certificates of deposit	620,759		609,438		633,526		579,487		584,996
Total deposits and mortgage escrow	9,561,997		9,915,494		10,161,022		10,186,615		10,285,349
Borrowings	1,304,442		1,324,001		1,517,482		1,799,204		2,313,992
Stockholders’ equity	1,711,902		1,751,414		1,805,790		1,869,085		1,913,933
Tangible equity ¹	940,971		983,661		1,041,247		1,107,009		1,154,086

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


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	6/30/2016			9/30/2016			12/31/2016			3/31/2017			6/30/2017
Basic earnings per share	$	0.29		$	0.29		$	0.31		$	0.29		$	0.31
Diluted earnings per share	0.29			0.29			0.31			0.29			0.31
Adjusted diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP ¹	0.27			0.29			0.30			0.31			0.33
Dividends declared per share	0.07			0.07			0.07			0.07			0.07
Book value per share	13.29			13.49			13.72			13.93			14.24
Tangible book value per share¹	7.40			7.64			8.08			8.32			8.65
Shares of common stock o/s	130,620,463			130,853,673			135,257,570			135,604,435			135,658,226
Basic weighted average common shares o/s	130,081,465			130,239,193			132,271,761			135,163,347			135,317,866
Diluted weighted average common shares o/s	130,688,729			130,875,614			132,995,762			135,811,721			135,922,897
Performance Ratios (annualized)
Return on average assets	1.20		%	1.13		%	1.19		%	1.13		%	1.16		%
Return on average equity	8.87		%	8.50		%	9.03		%	8.48		%	8.89		%
Return on average tangible assets, as reported ¹	1.27		%	1.20		%	1.26		%	1.20		%	1.22		%
Return on average tangible equity, as reported¹	16.14		%	15.13		%	15.66		%	14.31		%	14.74		%
Return on average tangible assets, as adjusted ¹	1.19		%	1.21		%	1.23		%	1.27		%	1.28		%
Return on average tangible equity, as adjusted ¹	15.14		%	15.28		%	15.27		%	15.19		%	15.43		%
Efficiency ratio, as adjusted ¹	47.19		%	45.76		%	43.35		%	43.73		%	41.97		%
Analysis of Net Interest Income
Accretion income on acquired loans	$	4,088		$	4,381		$	4,504		3,482			$	2,888
Yield on loans	4.68		%	4.57		%	4.49		%	4.57		%	4.58		%
Yield on investment securities - tax equivalent ²	2.76		%	2.74		%	2.81		%	2.97		%	2.93		%
Yield on interest earning assets - tax equivalent ²	4.09		%	4.03		%	4.02		%	4.09		%	4.09		%
Cost of interest bearing deposits	0.52		%	0.54		%	0.53		%	0.55		%	0.62		%
Cost of total deposits	0.35		%	0.37		%	0.36		%	0.38		%	0.43		%
Cost of borrowings	1.73		%	1.75		%	1.72		%	1.74		%	1.75		%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities	0.72		%	0.74		%	0.74		%	0.79		%	0.89		%
Net interest rate spread - tax equivalent basis ²	3.37		%	3.29		%	3.28		%	3.30		%	3.20		%
Net interest margin - GAAP basis	3.49		%	3.41		%	3.40		%	3.42		%	3.35		%
Net interest margin - tax equivalent basis ²	3.60		%	3.53		%	3.52		%	3.55		%	3.47		%
Capital
Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company ³	8.36		%	8.31		%	8.95		%	8.89		%	8.72		%
Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank only ³	8.84		%	8.72		%	9.08		%	8.99		%	8.89		%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio - Bank only ³	10.70		%	10.42		%	10.87		%	10.79		%	10.67		%
Total risk-based capital ratio - Bank only ³	12.37		%	12.66		%	13.06		%	12.95		%	12.76		%
Tangible equity to tangible assets - Company¹	7.86		%	7.78		%	8.14		%	8.12		%	8.02		%
Condensed Five Quarter Income Statement
Interest and dividend income	$	114,309		$	118,161		$	123,075		$	126,000		$	134,263
Interest expense	13,929			15,031			15,827			17,210			21,005
Net interest income	100,380			103,130			107,248			108,790			113,258
Provision for loan losses	5,000			5,500			5,500			4,500			4,500
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	95,380			97,630			101,748			104,290			108,758
Non-interest income	20,442			19,039			16,057			12,836			13,618
Non-interest expense	59,640			62,256			57,072			60,350			59,657
Income before income tax expense	56,182			54,413			60,733			56,776			62,719
Income tax expense	18,412			16,991			19,737			17,709			20,319
Net income	$	37,770		$	37,422		$	40,996		$	39,067		$	42,400

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%.
³Regulatory capital amounts and ratios are preliminary estimates pending filing of the Company’s and Bank’s regulatory reports.


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	6/30/2016			9/30/2016			12/31/2016			3/31/2017			6/30/2017
Balance, beginning of period	$	53,014		$	55,865		$	59,405		$	63,622		$	66,939
Provision for loan losses	5,000			5,500			5,500			4,500			4,500
Loan charge-offs¹:
Traditional commercial & industrial	(429		)	(570		)	(219		)	(687		)	(164		)
Payroll finance	(28		)	—			—			—			—
Factored receivables	(792		)	(60		)	(267		)	(296		)	(12		)
Equipment financing	(572		)	(377		)	(576		)	(471		)	(610		)
Commercial real estate	(100		)	(630		)	(225		)	(83		)	(944		)
Multi-family	(18		)	(399		)	—			—			—
Acquisition development & construction	—			—			—			—			(22		)
Residential mortgage	(209		)	(338		)	(274		)	(158		)	(120		)
Consumer	(532		)	(259		)	(313		)	(114		)	(417		)
Total charge offs	(2,680		)	(2,633		)	(1,874		)	(1,809		)	(2,289		)
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off¹:
Traditional commercial & industrial	153			381			152			139			523
Asset-based lending	46			—			—			3			1
Payroll finance	28			—			—			—			—
Factored receivables	17			10			10			16			2
Equipment financing	102			123			227			140			146
Commercial real estate	53			111			168			2			98
Acquisition development & construction	104			—			—			136			133
Residential mortgage	1			—			1			149			10
Consumer	27			48			33			41			88
Total recoveries	531			673			591			626			1,001
Net loan charge-offs	(2,149		)	(1,960		)	(1,283		)	(1,183		)	(1,288		)
Balance, end of period	$	55,865		$	59,405		$	63,622		$	66,939		$	70,151
Asset Quality Data and Ratios
Non-performing loans (“NPLs”) non-accrual	$	79,036		$	77,794		$	77,163		$	72,136		$	70,416
NPLs still accruing	528			3,273			1,690			788			935
Total NPLs	79,564			81,067			78,853			72,924			71,351
Other real estate owned	16,590			16,422			13,619			9,632			10,198
Non-performing assets (“NPAs”)	$	96,154		$	97,489		$	92,472		$	82,556		$	81,549
Loans 30 to 89 days past due	$	18,653		$	17,683		$	15,100		$	15,611		$	15,070
Net charge-offs as a % of average loans (annualized)	0.10		%	0.09		%	0.06		%	0.05		%	0.05		%
NPLs as a % of total loans	0.93			0.88			0.83			0.75			0.70
NPAs as a % of total assets	0.74			0.72			0.65			0.56			0.53
Allowance for loan losses as a % of NPLs	70.2			73.3			80.7			91.8			98.3
Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans	0.65			0.65			0.67			0.69			0.69
Special mention loans	$	103,710		$	101,784		$	104,569		$	110,832		$	102,996
Substandard loans	125,571			112,551			95,152			101,496			97,476
Doubtful loans	330			932			442			902			895

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


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

	For the Quarter Ended
	March 31, 2017								June 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	$	3,871,664		$	48,237		5.05	%	$	4,172,795		$	52,580		5.05	%
Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)	4,190,817			43,186			4.18		4,396,281			45,930			4.19
Acquisition, development and construction	237,451			3,125			5.34		251,404			3,317			5.29
Commercial loans	8,299,932			94,548			4.62		8,820,480			101,827			4.63
Consumer loans	280,650			3,132			4.53		268,502			3,073			4.59
Residential mortgage loans	700,934			6,890			3.93		697,441			6,940			3.98
Total gross loans ¹	9,281,516			104,570			4.57		9,786,423			111,840			4.58
Securities taxable	2,016,752			12,282			2.47		2,142,168			13,113			2.46
Securities non-taxable	1,256,906			11,720			3.73		1,292,367			11,986			3.71
Interest earning deposits	210,800			254			0.49		195,004			302			0.62
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	123,604			1,276			4.19		146,891			1,217			3.32
Total securities and other earning assets	3,608,062			25,532			2.87		3,776,430			26,618			2.83
Total interest earning assets	12,889,578			130,102			4.09		13,562,853			138,458			4.09
Non-interest earning assets	1,126,375								1,141,940
Total assets	$	14,015,953							$	14,704,793
Interest bearing liabilities:
Demand and savings² deposits	$	2,747,718		$	3,186		0.47		$	2,789,590		$	3,875		0.56
Money market deposits	3,681,962			4,944			0.54		3,725,257			5,510			0.59
Certificates of deposit	579,487			1,378			0.96		584,996			1,520			1.04
Total interest bearing deposits	7,009,167			9,508			0.55		7,099,843			10,905			0.62
Senior notes	76,497			1,141			6.05		76,580			1,142			5.98
Other borrowings	1,550,183			4,212			1.10		2,064,840			6,608			1.28
Subordinated notes	172,524			2,349			5.45		172,572			2,350			5.45
Total borrowings	1,799,204			7,702			1.74		2,313,992			10,100			1.75
Total interest bearing liabilities	8,808,371			17,210			0.79		9,413,835			21,005			0.89
Non-interest bearing deposits	3,177,448								3,185,506
Other non-interest bearing liabilities	161,049								191,519
Total liabilities	12,146,868								12,790,860
Stockholders’ equity	1,869,085								1,913,933
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	14,015,953							$	14,704,793
Net interest rate spread ³							3.30	%							3.20	%
Net interest earning assets ⁴	$	4,081,207							$	4,149,018
Net interest margin - tax equivalent				112,892			3.55	%				117,453			3.47	%
Less tax equivalent adjustment				(4,102		)						(4,195		)
Net interest income				$	108,790							$	113,258
Ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities	146.3		%						144.1		%
¹Average 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.


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

	For the Quarter Ended
	June 30, 2016								June 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	$	3,396,527		$	42,935		5.08	%	$	4,172,795		$	52,580		5.05	%
Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)	3,694,162			40,733			4.43		4,396,281			45,930			4.19
Acquisition, development and construction	197,489			2,538			5.17		251,404			3,317			5.29
Commercial loans	7,288,178			86,206			4.76		8,820,480			101,827			4.63
Consumer loans	295,666			3,391			4.61		268,502			3,073			4.59
Residential mortgage loans	729,685			7,061			3.87		697,441			6,940			3.98
Total gross loans ¹	8,313,529			96,658			4.68		9,786,423			111,840			4.58
Securities taxable	2,032,518			10,662			2.11		2,142,168			13,113			2.46
Securities non-taxable	837,133			9,032			4.32		1,292,367			11,986			3.71
Interest earning deposits	272,426			258			0.38		195,004			302			0.62
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	102,818			860			3.36		146,891			1,217			3.32
Total securities and other earning assets	3,244,895			20,812			2.58		3,776,430			26,618			2.83
Total interest earning assets	11,558,424			117,470			4.09		13,562,853			138,458			4.09
Non-interest earning assets	1,141,614								1,141,940
Total assets	$	12,700,038							$	14,704,793
Interest bearing liabilities:
Demand and savings² deposits	$	2,825,488		$	2,835		0.40		$	2,789,590		$	3,875		0.56
Money market deposits	3,056,188			4,152			0.55		3,725,257			5,510			0.59
Certificates of deposit	620,759			1,341			0.87		584,996			1,520			1.04
Total interest bearing deposits	6,502,435			8,328			0.52		7,099,843			10,905			0.62
Senior notes	99,032			1,478			6.00		76,580			1,142			5.98
Other borrowings	1,097,270			2,642			0.97		2,064,840			6,608			1.28
Subordinated notes	108,140			1,481			5.48		172,572			2,350			5.45
Total borrowings	1,304,442			5,601			1.73		2,313,992			10,100			1.75
Total interest bearing liabilities	7,806,877			13,929			0.72		9,413,835			21,005			0.89
Non-interest bearing deposits	3,059,562								3,185,506
Other non-interest bearing liabilities	121,697								191,519
Total liabilities	10,988,136								12,790,860
Stockholders’ equity	1,711,902								1,913,933
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	12,700,038							$	14,704,793
Net interest rate spread ³							3.37	%							3.20	%
Net interest earning assets ⁴	$	3,751,547							$	4,149,018
Net interest margin - tax equivalent				103,541			3.60	%				117,453			3.47	%
Less tax equivalent adjustment				(3,161		)						(4,195		)
Net interest income				$	100,380							$	113,258
Ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities	148.1		%						144.1		%
¹Average 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.


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 19.

	As of and for the Quarter Ended
	6/30/2016			9/30/2016			12/31/2016			3/31/2017			6/30/2017

The following table shows the reconciliation of stockholders’ equity to tangible equity and the tangible equity ratio¹:

Total assets	$	13,065,248		$	13,617,228		$	14,178,447		$	14,659,337		$	15,376,676
Goodwill and other intangibles	(769,125		)	(765,858		)	(762,953		)	(760,698		)	(758,484		)
Tangible assets	12,296,123			12,851,370			13,415,494			13,898,639			14,618,192
Stockholders’ equity	1,735,994			1,765,160			1,855,183			1,888,613			1,931,383
Goodwill and other intangibles	(769,125		)	(765,858		)	(762,953		)	(760,698		)	(758,484		)
Tangible stockholders’ equity	966,869			999,302			1,092,230			1,127,915			1,172,899

Common stock outstanding at period end	130,620,463			130,853,673			135,257,570			135,604,435			135,658,226
Stockholders’ equity as a % of total assets	13.29		%	12.96		%	13.08		%	12.88		%	12.56		%
Book value per share	$	13.29		$	13.49		$	13.72		$	13.93		$	14.24
Tangible equity as a % of tangible assets	7.86		%	7.78		%	8.14		%	8.12		%	8.02		%
Tangible book value per share	$	7.40		$	7.64		$	8.08		$	8.32		$	8.65


The following table shows the reconciliation of reported return on average tangible equity and adjusted return on average tangible equity²:

Average stockholders’ equity	$	1,711,902		$	1,751,414		$	1,805,790		$	1,869,085		$	1,913,933
Average goodwill and other intangibles	(770,931		)	(767,753		)	(764,543		)	(762,076		)	(759,847		)
Average tangible stockholders’ equity	940,971			983,661			1,041,247			1,107,009			1,154,086
Net income	37,770			37,422			40,996			39,067			42,400
Net income, if annualized	151,910			148,874			163,093			158,438			170,066
Reported return on average tangible equity	16.14		%	15.13		%	15.66		%	14.31		%	14.74		%
Adjusted net income (see reconciliation on page 17)	$	35,414		$	37,793		$	39,954		$	41,461		$	44,393
Annualized adjusted net income	142,434			150,350			158,947			168,147			178,060
Adjusted return on average tangible equity	15.14		%	15.28		%	15.27		%	15.19		%	15.43		%

The following table shows the reconciliation of reported return on tangible assets and adjusted return on tangible assets³:

Average assets	$	12,700,038		$	13,148,201		$	13,671,676		$	14,015,953		$	14,704,793
Average goodwill and other intangibles	(770,931		)	(767,753		)	(764,543		)	(762,076		)	(759,847		)
Average tangible assets	11,929,107			12,380,448			12,907,133			13,253,877			13,944,946
Net income	37,770			37,422			40,996			39,067			42,400
Net income, if annualized	151,910			148,874			163,093			158,438			170,066
Reported return on average tangible assets	1.27		%	1.20		%	1.26		%	1.20		%	1.22		%
Adjusted net income (see reconciliation on page 17)	$	35,414		$	37,793		$	39,954		$	41,461		$	44,393
Annualized adjusted net income	142,434			150,350			158,947			168,147			178,060
Adjusted return on average tangible assets	1.19		%	1.21		%	1.23		%	1.27		%	1.28		%


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 19.

	As of and for the Quarter Ended
	6/30/2016			9/30/2016			12/31/2016			3/31/2017			6/30/2017
The following table shows the reconciliation of the reported operating efficiency ratio and adjusted operating efficiency ratio⁴:

Net interest income	$	100,380		$	103,130		$	107,248		$	108,790		$	113,258
Non-interest income	20,442			19,039			16,057			12,836			13,618
Total net revenue	120,822			122,169			123,305			121,626			126,876
Tax equivalent adjustment on securities	3,161			3,635			3,860			4,102			4,195
Net (gain) loss on sale of securities	(4,474		)	(3,433		)	102			23			230
Net (gain) on sale of trust division	—			—			(2,255		)	—			—
Adjusted total net revenue	119,509			122,371			125,012			125,751			131,301
Non-interest expense	59,640			62,256			57,072			60,350			59,657
Merger-related expense	—			—			—			(3,127		)	(1,766		)
Charge for asset write-downs, retention and severance	—			(2,000		)	—			—			(603		)
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings	—			(1,013		)	—			—			—
Amortization of intangible assets	(3,241		)	(3,241		)	(2,881		)	(2,229		)	(2,187		)
Adjusted non-interest expense	56,399			56,002			54,191			54,994			55,101
Reported operating efficiency ratio	49.4		%	51.0		%	46.3		%	49.6		%	47.0		%
Adjusted operating efficiency ratio	47.2			45.8			43.3			43.7			42.0

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	$	56,182		$	54,413		$	60,733		$	56,776		$	62,719
Income tax expense	18,412			16,991			19,737			17,709			20,319
Net income (GAAP)	37,770			37,422			40,996			39,067			42,400

Adjustments:
Net (gain) loss on sale of securities	(4,474		)	(3,433		)	102			23			230
Net (gain) on sale of trust division	—			—			(2,255		)	—			—
Merger-related expense	—			—			—			3,127			1,766
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	969			970			610			396			354
Total adjustments	(3,505		)	550			(1,543		)	3,546			2,953
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,149			(179		)	501			(1,152		)	(960		)
Total adjustments net of taxes	(2,356		)	371			(1,042		)	2,394			1,993
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)	$	35,414		$	37,793		$	39,954		$	41,461		$	44,393

Weighted average diluted shares	130,688,729			130,875,614			132,995,762			135,811,721			135,922,897
Diluted EPS as reported (GAAP)	$	0.29		$	0.29		$	0.31		$	0.29		$	0.31
Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP)	0.27			0.29			0.30			0.31			0.33


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

	For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016			2017

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	$	92,191		$	119,495
Income tax expense	30,655			38,028
Net income (GAAP)	61,536			81,467

Adjustments:
Net (gain) on sale of securities	(4,191		)	253
Merger-related expense	266			4,893
Charge for asset write-downs, retention and severance	2,485			603
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings	8,716			—
Amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets	1,937			750
Total adjustments	9,213			6,499
Income tax (benefit)	(3,175		)	(2,112		)
Total adjustments net of taxes	6,038			4,387
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)	$	67,574		$	85,854

Weighted average diluted shares	130,522,021			135,867,861
Diluted EPS as reported (GAAP)	$	0.47		$	0.60
Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP)	0.52			0.63

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. Historically we have imputed income tax expense on adjusted earnings at our GAAP earnings effective tax rate. Due to the adoption of a new accounting standard in the second quarter of 2017 that requires vesting of share-based compensation awards be treated as a discrete item in income tax expense, our effective tax rate for GAAP earnings decreased from our estimate for full year 2017 of 32.5% to 32.4% for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Therefore, for purposes of calculating adjusted net income, we recognized income tax expense at our 2017 anticipated effective tax rate of 32.5%.

STERLING BANCORP CONTACT:
Luis Massiani, SEVP & Chief Financial Officer
845.369.8040
http://www.sterlingbancorp.com

Sterling Bancorp Announces Record Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017

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