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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;8, 2014 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U> </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM S-8
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>UNDER </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </I></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>STERLING BANCORP </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Delaware</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>80-0091851</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>incorporation or organization)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>400 Rella Boulevard</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Montebello, New York</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>10901</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Sterling Bancorp 2014 Stock Incentive Plan </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Full title of the plan) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Jack L. Kopnisky </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>President and Chief Executive Officer </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Sterling Bancorp </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>400
Rella Boulevard </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Montebello, New York 10901 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name and address of agent for service) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(845) 369-8040 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">Non-accelerated filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><I>With a copy to: </I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Abby E. Brown, Esq. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>8000 Towers Crescent Drive, Suite 1400 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Tysons Corner, Virginia 22182 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(703) 720-7800 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Title of Securities</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>To be Registered</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Amount<BR></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>to be<BR></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registered<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">1</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proposed<BR>Maximum</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Offering&nbsp;Price<BR></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>per
Share<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">2</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proposed</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Maximum</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Aggregate</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Offering Price<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">2</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Amount of</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registration Fee</B></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Sterling Bancorp 2014 Stock Incentive Plan</I></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">3,400,000<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">3</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$11.75</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$39,950,000</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$4,590<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">4</SUP></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">1</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">This Registration Statement registers the issuance of 3,400,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;) of Sterling Bancorp (&#147;Sterling&#148; or the &#147;registrant&#148;),
which may be issued pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Sterling Bancorp 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the &#147;2014 Plan&#148;). Pursuant to Rule 416(a)&nbsp;under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this
Registration Statement also includes an indeterminable number of shares of Sterling&#146;s Common Stock that become issuable under the 2014 Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or similar transaction effected without
receipt of consideration that results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock. </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">2</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) and 457(c) promulgated under the Securities Act, based on the average of the high and low prices of Sterling&#146;s Common Stock on August&nbsp;4, 2014 as reported on the New York
Stock Exchange. </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">3</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Consists of 3,400,000 shares (which includes 561,995 shares previously available for grant but not awarded under the Provident New York Bancorp 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the &#147;2012 Plan&#148;)), which such total
number of shares were approved as available for awards under the 2014 Plan. For explanatory purposes regarding the formal name of the 2012 Plan, on October&nbsp;31, 2013, Sterling merged with and into Provident New York Bancorp
(&#147;Provident&#148;), with Provident as the surviving corporation in the merger and with its name changed to &#147;Sterling Bancorp.&#148; The 2014 Plan replaced the 2012 Plan. </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">4</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">As permitted by Rule 457, the amount of $556 has been offset by the registration fee that would otherwise be due for the shares being registered, such $556 representing the registration fees previously paid for 561,995
shares previously registered on an earlier Form S-8 less than five years ago relating to the 2012 Plan, which has been replaced by the 2014 Plan. The registrant registered 3,044,727 shares available under the 2012 Plan on Form S-8 (Registration
No.&nbsp;333-183663), paying a $3,011.23 registration fee (of which 561,995 shares and a corresponding $556 registration fee have been included in the offsetting amount). </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) registers 3,400,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01
per share, issuable by Sterling under the 2014 Plan. Such 3,400,000 shares include 561,995 shares previously available for grant but not awarded under the 2012 Plan. The 2014 Plan and the number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 Plan
(including the 561,995 shares available for grant but not awarded under the 2012 Plan), were approved as available for awards under the 2014 Plan by Sterling&#146;s stockholders on February&nbsp;20, 2014. The shares available to be awarded under the
2014 Plan, as well as a summary of the terms of the 2014 Plan, are described in Sterling&#146;s definitive Proxy Statement, filed with the Commission on January&nbsp;10, 2014. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART I </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The documents containing the information specified in Part I of this Registration Statement
will be sent or given to participants in the plan listed on the cover of this Registration Statement as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. Such documents need not be filed with the Commission either as part of this Registration
Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, taken
together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section&nbsp;10(a) of the Securities Act. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART II </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;3.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Incorporation of Documents by Reference. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following documents filed by Sterling with
the Commission are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(a) Sterling&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2013, which includes audited financial statements for Sterling&#146;s latest fiscal year, filed with the Commission on December&nbsp;9, 2013. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(b) Sterling&#146;s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended December&nbsp;31, 2013,&nbsp;March&nbsp;31, 2014, and June&nbsp;30,
2014, filed by Sterling on February&nbsp;12, 2014 and May&nbsp;9, 2014, and August&nbsp;7, 2014, respectively. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(c) Sterling&#146;s
Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on October&nbsp;21, 2013,&nbsp;November&nbsp;1, 2013 (as amended on January&nbsp;15, 2014),&nbsp;November&nbsp;4, 2013,&nbsp;February&nbsp;21, 2014, and April&nbsp;30, 2014. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(d) The description of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1 filed with the
Commission on September&nbsp;15, 2003, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All reports
and other documents subsequently filed by Sterling pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this Registration Statement from the date of the filing of such reports
and documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this Registration Statement. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-2- </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not incorporating by reference information furnished under
Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits, nor in any document or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with Commission rules. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;4.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Description of Securities. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not Applicable. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not Applicable. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;6.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Indemnification of Directors and Officers. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the &#147;DGCL&#148;) permits, under certain circumstances, the indemnification of any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving in a
similar capacity for another enterprise at the request of the corporation if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.&nbsp;To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the corporation has been successful in defending any such proceeding, the DGCL provides
that he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.&nbsp;With respect to a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, such person may
be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), actually and reasonably incurred, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation.&nbsp;The DGCL provides, however, that indemnification shall not be permitted in such a proceeding if such person is adjudged liable to the corporation unless, and only to the extent that, the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in
which such action or suit was brought determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses that such court
deems proper.</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Except with respect to mandatory indemnification of expenses to successful defendants as described above or pursuant to a
court order, such indemnification may be made only upon a determination in each specific case (1)&nbsp;by majority vote of the directors that are not parties to the proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (2)&nbsp;by a committee of the directors
that are not a party to the proceeding who have been appointed by a majority vote of directors who are not party to the proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (3)&nbsp;if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4)&nbsp;by the stockholders.</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The DGCL permits a corporation to advance expenses
incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such advanced expenses if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her in his or her
designated capacity or arising out of his or her capacity as such, whether or not the corporation itself has the power to indemnify him or her against such liability. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the DGCL, unless otherwise provided when authorized or
ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Sterling has adopted provisions in Article TENTH of its Certificate of Incorporation that provide for indemnification of its officers and
directors to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys&#146; fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by
such indemnitee in connection therewith; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that, except with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, Sterling will indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by Sterling&#146;s Board of Directors. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-3- </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Sterling has purchased an insurance policy that purports to insure the officers and directors of
Sterling against certain liabilities incurred by them in the discharge of their functions as such officers and directors. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As authorized
by the DGCL, under Sterling&#146;s Certificate of Incorporation, no director shall be personally liable to Sterling or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1)&nbsp;for any breach of
the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to Sterling or its stockholders, (2)&nbsp;for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3)&nbsp;under DGCL Section&nbsp;174 (concerning unlawful
distributions to stockholders), or (4)&nbsp;for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.&nbsp;Sterling&#146;s Certificate of Incorporation further provides that if the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate
action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended.</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of the DGCL and Sterling&#146;s Certificate of Incorporation dealing with
indemnification of directors and officers, and does not purport to be complete.&nbsp;It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of those sections of the DGCL referenced above and Sterling&#146;s Certificate of
Incorporation. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;7.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Exemption from Registration Claimed. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not Applicable. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;8.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Exhibits. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The list of exhibits is set forth under &#147;Exhibit Index&#148; at the end of this
Registration Statement and is incorporated by reference herein. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Undertakings.<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">*</SUP> </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(i)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3)&nbsp;of the Securities Act; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(ii)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement; and </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(iii)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)&nbsp;and (a)(1)(ii)&nbsp;above do
not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or
Section&nbsp;15(d)&nbsp;of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. </P> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">*</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Paragraphs correspond to Item&nbsp;512(a), (b)&nbsp;and (h)&nbsp;of Regulation S-K. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-4- </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide</I> offering thereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a)&nbsp;or Section&nbsp;15(d)&nbsp;of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section&nbsp;15(d)&nbsp;of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide</I> offering thereof. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.&nbsp;In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-5- </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Montebello, State of New York, on August&nbsp;8, 2014. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="93%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="3" NOWRAP>STERLING BANCORP</TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Luis Massiani</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Luis Massiani</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><I>Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer</I></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-6- </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Luis Massiani, and each of them,
his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant on August&nbsp;8, 2014 and in the capacities indicated. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="37%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:33.30pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Signature</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:15.95pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Title</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Jack L. Kopnisky</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">President, Chief Executive Officer and Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Jack L. Kopnisky</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">(Principal Executive Officer)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Luis Massiani</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Luis Massiani</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">(Principal Financial Officer)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Louis J. Cappelli</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Chairman of the Board of Directors</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Louis J. Cappelli</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Robert Abrams</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Robert Abrams</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ James F. Deutsch</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">James F. Deutsch</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Navy E. Djonovic</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Navy E. Djonovic</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Fernando Ferrer</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Fernando Ferrer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ William F. Helmer</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">William F. Helmer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Thomas G. Kahn</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Thomas G. Kahn</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ James B. Klein</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">James B. Klein</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Robert W. Lazar</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Robert W. Lazar</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ John C. Millman</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">John C. Millman</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Richard O&#146;Toole</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Richard O&#146;Toole</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Burt Steinberg</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Burt Steinberg</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-7- </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:28.45pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Exhibit<BR>Number</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:25.30pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Exhibit</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Certificate of Incorporation of Sterling Bancorp, as amended (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to Sterling&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on November 1, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sterling Bancorp (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to Sterling&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on November 1, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Form&nbsp;of Common Stock Certificate of Sterling Bancorp (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to Sterling&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on November 1, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Opinion of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>24.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Power of Attorney (see signature page)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Sterling Bancorp 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to Sterling&#146;s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on February 20, 2014)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-8- </P>

</BODY></HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d771518ds8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 62327}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "STERLING BANCORP", "cik": "0001070154", "assigned-sic": "6021", "irs-number": "800091851", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-197959", "film-number": "141026009"}, "business-address": {"street1": "400 RELLA BLVD", "city": "MONTEBELLO", "state": "NY", "zip": "10901", "phone": "8453698040"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "400 RELLA BLVD", "city": "MONTEBELLO", "state": "NY", "zip": "10901"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "PROVIDENT NEW YORK BANCORP", "date-changed": "20050728"}, {"former-conformed-name": "PROVIDENT BANCORP INC/NY/", "date-changed": "19980910"}]}
Form S-8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2014
Registration Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
STERLING BANCORP
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
80-0091851
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
400 Rella Boulevard
Montebello, New York
10901
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Sterling Bancorp 2014 Stock Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Jack L. Kopnisky
President and Chief Executive Officer
Sterling Bancorp
400
Rella Boulevard
Montebello, New York 10901
(Name and address of agent for service)
(845) 369-8040
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of "large accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
Non-accelerated filer
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
With a copy to:
Abby E. Brown, Esq.
Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
8000 Towers Crescent Drive, Suite 1400
Tysons Corner, Virginia 22182
(703) 720-7800
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities
To be Registered
Amount
to be
Registered
1
Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
per
Share
2
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
2
Amount of
Registration Fee
Sterling Bancorp 2014 Stock Incentive Plan
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
3,400,000
3
$11.75
$39,950,000
$4,590
4
1
This Registration Statement registers the issuance of 3,400,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock") of Sterling Bancorp ("Sterling" or the "registrant"),
which may be issued pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Sterling Bancorp 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan"). Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this
Registration Statement also includes an indeterminable number of shares of Sterling's Common Stock that become issuable under the 2014 Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or similar transaction effected without
receipt of consideration that results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock.
2
Computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) and 457(c) promulgated under the Securities Act, based on the average of the high and low prices of Sterling's Common Stock on August 4, 2014 as reported on the New York
Stock Exchange.
3
Consists of 3,400,000 shares (which includes 561,995 shares previously available for grant but not awarded under the Provident New York Bancorp 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2012 Plan")), which such total
number of shares were approved as available for awards under the 2014 Plan. For explanatory purposes regarding the formal name of the 2012 Plan, on October 31, 2013, Sterling merged with and into Provident New York Bancorp
("Provident"), with Provident as the surviving corporation in the merger and with its name changed to "Sterling Bancorp." The 2014 Plan replaced the 2012 Plan.
4
As permitted by Rule 457, the amount of $556 has been offset by the registration fee that would otherwise be due for the shares being registered, such $556 representing the registration fees previously paid for 561,995
shares previously registered on an earlier Form S-8 less than five years ago relating to the 2012 Plan, which has been replaced by the 2014 Plan. The registrant registered 3,044,727 shares available under the 2012 Plan on Form S-8 (Registration
No. 333-183663), paying a $3,011.23 registration fee (of which 561,995 shares and a corresponding $556 registration fee have been included in the offsetting amount).
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") registers 3,400,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01
per share, issuable by Sterling under the 2014 Plan. Such 3,400,000 shares include 561,995 shares previously available for grant but not awarded under the 2012 Plan. The 2014 Plan and the number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 Plan
(including the 561,995 shares available for grant but not awarded under the 2012 Plan), were approved as available for awards under the 2014 Plan by Sterling's stockholders on February 20, 2014. The shares available to be awarded under the
2014 Plan, as well as a summary of the terms of the 2014 Plan, are described in Sterling's definitive Proxy Statement, filed with the Commission on January 10, 2014.
PART I
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of this Registration Statement
will be sent or given to participants in the plan listed on the cover of this Registration Statement as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. Such documents need not be filed with the Commission either as part of this Registration
Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, taken
together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by Sterling with
the Commission are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
(a) Sterling's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, which includes audited financial statements for Sterling's latest fiscal year, filed with the Commission on December 9, 2013.
(b) Sterling's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended December 31, 2013, March 31, 2014, and June 30,
2014, filed by Sterling on February 12, 2014 and May 9, 2014, and August 7, 2014, respectively.
(c) Sterling's
Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on October 21, 2013, November 1, 2013 (as amended on January 15, 2014), November 4, 2013, February 21, 2014, and April 30, 2014.
(d) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Commission on September 15, 2003, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All reports
and other documents subsequently filed by Sterling pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this Registration Statement from the date of the filing of such reports
and documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this Registration Statement.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not incorporating by reference information furnished under
Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits, nor in any document or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with Commission rules.
Item 4.
Description of Securities.
Not Applicable.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not Applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL") permits, under certain circumstances, the indemnification of any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving in a
similar capacity for another enterprise at the request of the corporation if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the corporation has been successful in defending any such proceeding, the DGCL provides
that he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees), actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. With respect to a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, such person may
be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees), actually and reasonably incurred, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation. The DGCL provides, however, that indemnification shall not be permitted in such a proceeding if such person is adjudged liable to the corporation unless, and only to the extent that, the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in
which such action or suit was brought determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses that such court
deems proper.
Except with respect to mandatory indemnification of expenses to successful defendants as described above or pursuant to a
court order, such indemnification may be made only upon a determination in each specific case (1) by majority vote of the directors that are not parties to the proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of the directors
that are not a party to the proceeding who have been appointed by a majority vote of directors who are not party to the proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.
The DGCL permits a corporation to advance expenses
incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such advanced expenses if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification.
A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her in his or her
designated capacity or arising out of his or her capacity as such, whether or not the corporation itself has the power to indemnify him or her against such liability.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the DGCL, unless otherwise provided when authorized or
ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Sterling has adopted provisions in Article TENTH of its Certificate of Incorporation that provide for indemnification of its officers and
directors to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by
such indemnitee in connection therewith;
provided
,
however
, that, except with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, Sterling will indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by Sterling's Board of Directors.
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Sterling has purchased an insurance policy that purports to insure the officers and directors of
Sterling against certain liabilities incurred by them in the discharge of their functions as such officers and directors.
As authorized
by the DGCL, under Sterling's Certificate of Incorporation, no director shall be personally liable to Sterling or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1) for any breach of
the director's duty of loyalty to Sterling or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under DGCL Section 174 (concerning unlawful
distributions to stockholders), or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Sterling's Certificate of Incorporation further provides that if the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate
action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended.
The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of the DGCL and Sterling's Certificate of Incorporation dealing with
indemnification of directors and officers, and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of those sections of the DGCL referenced above and Sterling's Certificate of
Incorporation.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not Applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
The list of exhibits is set forth under "Exhibit Index" at the end of this
Registration Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.
Undertakings.
*
(a)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement; and
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
provided
,
however
, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do
not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
*
Paragraphs correspond to Item 512(a), (b) and (h) of Regulation S-K.
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(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Montebello, State of New York, on August 8, 2014.
STERLING BANCORP
By:
/s/ Luis Massiani
Luis Massiani
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Luis Massiani, and each of them,
his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant on August 8, 2014 and in the capacities indicated.
Signature
Title
/s/ Jack L. Kopnisky
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Jack L. Kopnisky
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Luis Massiani
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Luis Massiani
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Louis J. Cappelli
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Louis J. Cappelli
/s/ Robert Abrams
Director
Robert Abrams
/s/ James F. Deutsch
Director
James F. Deutsch
/s/ Navy E. Djonovic
Director
Navy E. Djonovic
/s/ Fernando Ferrer
Director
Fernando Ferrer
/s/ William F. Helmer
Director
William F. Helmer
/s/ Thomas G. Kahn
Director
Thomas G. Kahn
/s/ James B. Klein
Director
James B. Klein
/s/ Robert W. Lazar
Director
Robert W. Lazar
/s/ John C. Millman
Director
John C. Millman
/s/ Richard O'Toole
Director
Richard O'Toole
/s/ Burt Steinberg
Director
Burt Steinberg
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
4.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Sterling Bancorp, as amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Sterling's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 1, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein)
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sterling Bancorp (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Sterling's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 1, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein)
4.3
Form of Common Stock Certificate of Sterling Bancorp (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Sterling's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 1, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein)
5.1
Opinion of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
23.1
Consent of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2
Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP
24.1
Power of Attorney (see signature page)
99.1
Sterling Bancorp 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to Sterling's Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on February 20, 2014)
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