Document

EX-99.1 2 stlexhibit99109302020.htm EX-99.1 Document


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			STERLING BANCORP CONTACT:
October 21, 2020			Emlen Harmon, SVP - Director of Investor Relations
			212.309.7646
			http://www.sterlingbancorp.com

Sterling Bancorp announces results for the third quarter of 2020 with diluted income per share available to common stockholders of $0.43 (as reported) and $0.45 (as adjusted)

Key Performance Highlights for the third quarter of 2020

▪Adjusted PPNR excluding accretion income^{1, 2} of $123.3 million; growth of 8.3% over linked quarter.

▪Net interest margin excluding accretion income¹ of 3.10%, an increase of five basis points (“bps”) over the linked quarter.

▪Total commercial loans were $20.3 billion, an increase of 11.7% over a year ago.

▪Total deposits increased to $24.3 billion and the cost of total deposits was 31 bps, a decrease of 17 bps relative to the linked quarter. Utilized excess liquidity to reduce wholesale borrowings by $1.0 billion. Cost of total funding liabilities decreased by 21 bps to 42 bps.

▪Adjusted non-interest expense¹ was $105.8 million, a decrease of $2.0 million relative to the linked quarter. Severance expense was $2.2 million.

▪NPLs decreased by $79.8 million to $180.9 million; ACL / total loans of 1.46% and ACL / NPLs of 180.2%.

▪Total loan payment deferrals were $466.2 million, which represented 2.1% of total portfolio loans.

▪TCE / TA¹ was 9.15% and tangible book value per common share¹ was $13.57, an increase of 5.2% over a year ago

▪Declared dividend per common share of $0.07.

▪Entered into agreement to sell $267.6 million of PPP loans; anticipated to close in October 2020.

▪Reinstated common stock repurchase program in Q4 2020.

Results for the Three Months ended September 30, 2020 vs. September 30, 2019


($ in thousands except per share amounts)	GAAP / As Reported														Non-GAAP / As Adjusted¹
	9/30/2019			9/30/2020			Change % / bps		9/30/2019			9/30/2020			Change % / bps
Total assets	$	30,077,665		$	30,617,722		1.8	%	$	30,077,665		$	30,617,722		1.8	%
Total portfolio loans, gross	20,830,163			22,281,940			7.0		20,830,163			22,281,940			7.0
Total deposits	21,579,324			24,255,333			12.4		21,579,324			24,255,333			12.4
PPNR^{1, 2}	168,696			126,687			(24.9)		131,944			123,286			(6.6)
Net income available to common	120,465			82,438			(31.6)		105,629			87,682			(17.0)
Diluted EPS available to common	0.59			0.43			(27.1)		0.52			0.45			(13.5)
Net interest margin	3.36		%	3.19		%	(17)		3.42		%	3.24		%	(18)



Tangible book value per common share¹	$	12.90		$	13.57		5.2		$	12.90		$	13.57		5.2

Results for the Three Months ended September 30, 2020 vs. June 30, 2020


($ in thousands except per share amounts)	GAAP / As Reported													Non-GAAP / As Adjusted¹
	6/30/2020			9/30/2020			Change % / bps	6/30/2020			9/30/2020			Change % / bps
PPNR^{1, 2}	$	114,508		$	126,687		10.6	$	113,832		$	123,286		8.3
Net income available to common	48,820			82,438			68.9	56,926			87,682			54.0
Diluted EPS available to common	0.25			0.43			72.0	0.29			0.45			55.2
Net interest margin	3.15		%	3.19		%	4	3.20		%	3.24		%	4
Operating efficiency³	52.2			48.5			(370)	45.1			43.1			(200)
Allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) - loans	$	365,489		$	325,943		(10.8)	$	365,489		$	325,943		(10.8)
ACL to portfolio loans	1.64		%	1.46		%	(18)	1.64		%	1.46		%	(18)
ACL to NPLs	140.2			180.2			40	140.2			180.2			40
Tangible book value per common share¹	$	13.17		$	13.57		3.0	$	13.17		$	13.57		3.0

^1. Non-GAAP / as adjusted measures are defined in the non-GAAP tables beginning on page 18.

^2. PPNR represents pretax pre-provision net revenue. PPNR and PPNR excluding accretion income are non-GAAP measures and are measured as net interest income plus non-interest income less operating expenses before tax.

^3. Operating efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure. See page 20 for an explanation of the operating efficiency ratio.

PEARL RIVER, N.Y. – October 21, 2020 – Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL) (the “Company”), the parent company of Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”), today announced results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. Net income available to common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $82.4 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to net income available to common stockholders of $48.8 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the linked quarter ended June 30, 2020, and net income available to common stockholders of $120.5 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

Net income available to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $143.4 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, compared to net income available to common stockholders of $314.4 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

President’s Comments

Jack Kopnisky, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We have continued to work through this challenging operating environment, focusing on our top priorities of providing superior service to our clients and growing our business. The dedication of our colleagues, diversification of our business and high quality of our loan and deposit relationships is evident in our results. Through these unprecedented times, we have demonstrated strong profitability, managed our earning assets and funding liabilities, proactively addressed troubled credits, supported borrowers through various loan modification and assistance programs, and have continued to grow our tangible capital and tangible book value per common share.

“Our profitability remains strong, as our adjusted PPNR excluding accretion income, was $123.3 million, an increase of 8.3% relative to the linked quarter. Our adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $87.7 million, or $0.45 per diluted share. For the quarter ended September 30, 2020, provision for credit losses - portfolio loans was $31.0 million. As of September 30, 2020, our allowance for credit losses - portfolio loans was $325.9 million, or 1.46% of total loans and 180.2% of non-performing loans.

“We continue to effectively manage our balance sheet against a challenging interest rate environment. Our total deposits were $24.3 billion and core deposit growth was $658.8 million over the linked quarter. We substantially reduced our funding costs, as our cost of total deposits declined 17 basis points and our cost of total funding liabilities declined 21 basis points. Business development and loan origination activities have begun to recover. Total commercial loans grew to $20.3 billion, an increase of 11.7% over last year. Although we continued to experience pressure on earning asset yields, our balance sheet actions allowed us to grow our net interest income by $4.5 million relative to the linked quarter and increase our tax equivalent net interest margin excluding accretion income by five basis points to 3.10%.

“Our adjusted non-interest expenses were $105.8 million and our adjusted operating efficiency ratio was 43.1%. Operating expenses included severance compensation of $2.2 million, which was mainly related to a staffing model redesign program in our financial centers. Total FTEs decreased from 1,617 at June 30, 2020 to 1,466 at September 30, 2020. We constantly evaluate our businesses and operations to identify opportunities to become more efficient.

“Our top priority continues to be to work with clients and address credit issues early. As of September 30, 2020, the majority of our clients on loan payment deferrals as of the prior quarter had resumed making payments; total loan payment deferrals decreased to $466.2 million and were 2.1% of total portfolio loans. In the third quarter, we also sold our small balance transportation finance loans and the majority of our non-performing residential mortgage loans. These transactions included assets that did not meet our risk-adjusted return targets and were not core to our strategy.

“We have a strong capital position, as our tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio increased 33 basis points in the third quarter and was 9.15% and our Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.93%. We declared our regular dividend of $0.07 on our common stock, payable on November 16, 2020 to holders of record as of November 2, 2020. We also reinstated our common stock repurchase program in the fourth quarter of 2020; the program had 16.7 million shares available for repurchase as of September 30, 2020.

“We recently announced several technology and digital initiatives that will augment our Brio Direct deposit platform and position us for continued growth. These included launching our Banking as a Service program, our strategic alliance with Cashfac for automated deposit account opening tools and implementing Skye, our automated client service agent. We are investing for the future, and are confident that these investments will drive scalable and efficient growth in our business and revenues.

“Finally, I would like to thank our clients, shareholders, and colleagues, particularly those colleagues who operate and maintain our financial centers, call centers, and other essential operations, all of whom have exhibited extraordinary resilience through these trying times. The dedication and hard work of our colleagues will position us well to emerge from these events as a better company.”

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

The Company’s GAAP net income available to common stockholders of $82.4 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020, included the following items:

▪a pre-tax gain of $642 thousand on the sale of investment securities;

▪a pre-tax loss of $6.2 million related to the early redemption of $450.0 million of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings; and

▪the pre-tax amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets of $172 thousand.

Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $87.7 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Our estimated annual effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2020 is 12.5%.

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 18.

Net Interest Income and Margin


($ in thousands)	For the three months ended													Change % / bps
	9/30/2019			6/30/2020			9/30/2020			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Interest and dividend income	$	295,209		$	253,226		$	244,658		(17.1)	%	(3.4)	%
Interest expense	71,888			39,927			26,834			(62.7)		(32.8)
Net interest income	$	223,321		$	213,299		$	217,824		(2.5)		2.1

Accretion income on acquired loans	$	17,973		$	10,086		$	9,172		(49.0)	%	(9.1)	%
Yield on loans	4.97		%	4.03		%	3.82		%	(115)		(21)
Tax equivalent yield on investment securities⁴	2.85			3.05			3.09			24		4
Tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets⁴	4.50			3.79			3.63			(87)		(16)
Cost of total deposits	0.92			0.48			0.31			(61)		(17)
Cost of interest bearing deposits	1.16			0.61			0.40			(76)		(21)
Cost of borrowings	2.41			2.26			1.95			(46)		(31)
Cost of interest bearing liabilities	1.40			0.78			0.53			(87)		(25)
Total cost of funding liabilities⁵	1.16			0.63			0.42			(74)		(21)
Tax equivalent net interest margin⁶	3.42			3.20			3.24			(18)		4

Average commercial loans	$	17,596,552		$	19,715,184		$	20,090,445		14.2	%	1.9	%
Average loans, including loans held for sale	20,302,887			21,940,636			22,159,535			9.1		1.0
Average cash balances	304,820			455,626			424,249			39.2		(6.9)
Average investment securities	5,439,886			4,630,056			4,392,864			(19.2)		(5.1)
Average total interest earning assets	26,354,394			27,240,114			27,163,337			3.1		(0.3)
Average deposits and mortgage escrow	20,749,885			23,463,937			23,665,916			14.1		0.9

^4. Tax equivalent basis represents interest income earned on tax exempt securities divided by the applicable federal tax rate of 21%.

^5.Includes interest bearing liabilities and non-interest bearing deposits.

^6. Tax equivalent net interest margin is equal to net interest income plus the tax equivalent adjustment for tax exempt securities divided by average interest earning assets. The tax equivalent adjustment is assumed at a 21% federal tax rate in all periods presented.

Third quarter 2020 compared with third quarter 2019

Net interest income was $217.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $5.5 million compared to the third quarter of 2019. This was mainly due to a decline in accretion income on acquired loans. Other key components of changes in net interest income were the following:

▪The yield on loans was 3.82% compared to 4.97% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in yield on loans was mainly due to the decline in market interest rates. Accretion income on acquired loans was $9.2 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared to $18.0 million in the third quarter of 2019.

▪The tax equivalent yield on investment securities was 3.09% compared to 2.85% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Average investment securities were $4.4 billion, or 16.2%, of average total interest earning assets for the third

quarter of 2020 compared to $5.4 billion, or 20.6%, of average total interest earning assets for the third quarter of 2019. The increase in yield was mainly due to the sale of lower yielding securities in 2019.

▪In the third quarter of 2020, average cash balances were $424.2 million compared to $304.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. We have experienced higher levels of deposit inflows as a result of the pandemic. We used a portion of this excess liquidity to reduce wholesale borrowings.

▪The tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets decreased 87 basis points to 3.63% mainly due to changes in market rates of interest.

▪Total interest expense was $26.8 million, a decline of $45.1 million compared to the third quarter of 2019. This was mainly due to lower interest expense paid on deposits and repayment of higher cost FHLB borrowings.

▪The cost of total deposits was 31 basis points for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 92 basis points for the same period a year ago. The decrease was due to deposit pricing strategies we implemented in response to the declining interest rate environment.

▪The cost of borrowings was 1.95% for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 2.41% for the same period a year ago. The decrease was mainly due to the maturity and repayment of higher cost FHLB borrowings.

▪The total cost of interest bearing liabilities was 0.53% for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 1.40% for the same period a year ago. The decline was due to both changes in market rates of interest and changes in funding mix.

▪Average interest bearing deposits increased $1.8 billion during the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period a year ago, due to growth generated by our commercial banking teams and financial centers. Average borrowings decreased $2.1 billion compared to the third quarter of 2019.

The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.24% for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 3.42% for the third quarter of 2019. Excluding accretion income, tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.10% for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 3.15% for the third quarter of 2019.

Third quarter 2020 compared with linked quarter ended June 30, 2020

Net interest income increased $4.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 compared to the linked quarter. The increase was mainly due to a decrease in interest expense. Other key components of the changes in net interest income were the following:

▪The yield on loans was 3.82% compared to 4.03% for the linked quarter. The decrease was mainly due to a decline in market interest rates and the repricing of floating rate loans. Accretion income on acquired loans decreased $914 thousand to $9.2 million for the third quarter of 2020.

▪The average balance of commercial loans increased $375.3 million and the average balance of residential mortgage loans declined $144.0 million.

▪The total balance outstanding of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans was $649.0 million at the end of the third quarter of 2020. We recognized $1.5 million in PPP loan fees as interest income in the third quarter of 2020, compared to $4.3 million in the linked quarter.

▪The tax equivalent yield on investment securities was 3.09% compared to 3.05% for the linked quarter. The increase in yield was mainly due to the mix of securities.

▪The tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets was 3.63% compared to 3.79% in the linked quarter as maturing loans are repricing to market and mortgage warehouse and public sector finance loans are increasing relative to the rest of the portfolio.

▪The cost of total deposits decreased 17 basis points to 31 basis points, mainly due to improving conditions in our deposit markets and our deposit pricing strategies.

▪The total cost of borrowings decreased 31 basis points to 1.95%, mainly due to the repayment of higher cost FHLB borrowings and the redemption of our senior notes.

▪Average deposits and mortgage escrow increased by $202.0 million and average borrowings decreased by $353.1 million relative to the linked quarter.

▪Total interest expense decreased $13.1 million from the linked quarter as a result of continued repricing of deposits, maturity of the senior notes acquired in the merger with Astoria Financial Corporation (“Astoria”) and repayment of higher cost FHLB borrowings.

The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.24% compared to 3.20% in the linked quarter. Excluding accretion income on acquired loans, tax equivalent net interest margin increased five basis points to 3.10%.

Non-interest Income


($ in thousands)	For the three months ended										Change %
	9/30/2019		6/30/2020		9/30/2020		Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Deposit fees and service charges	$	6,582	$	5,345	$	5,960	(9.5)	%	11.5	%
Accounts receivable management / factoring commissions and other related fees	6,049		4,419		5,393		(10.8)	%	22.0	%
Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”)	8,066		4,950		5,363		(33.5)	%	8.3	%
Loan commissions and fees	6,285		8,003		7,290		16.0	%	(8.9)	%
Investment management fees	1,758		1,379		1,735		(1.3)	%	25.8	%
Net gain on sale of securities	6,882		485		642		(90.7)	%	32.4	%


Gain on termination of pension plan	12,097		—		—		NM		NM

Other	4,111		1,509		1,842		(55.2)	%	22.1	%

Total non-interest income	51,830		26,090		28,225		(45.5)	%	8.2	%
Net gain on sale of securities	6,882		485		642		(90.7)	%	32.4	%
Gain on termination of pension plan	12,097		—		—		NM		NM


Adjusted non-interest income	$	32,851	$	25,605	$	27,583	(16.0)	%	7.7	%

Third quarter 2020 compared with third quarter 2019

Adjusted non-interest income decreased $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2020 to $27.6 million, compared to $32.9 million in the same quarter last year. The change was mainly due to lower BOLI income and lower swap fees. In the three months ended September 30, 2019 we restructured the BOLI assets acquired in the merger with Astoria by reallocating funds to more diversified investment asset classes. Loan swap fees, which are included in other income, declined $2.5 million.

In the third quarter of 2020, we realized a gain of $642 thousand on the sale of investment securities compared to $6.9 million in the year earlier period.

In the third quarter of 2019, we realized a gain on termination of pension plan of $12.1 million upon the termination and full settlement of the Astoria defined benefit pension plan.

Third quarter 2020 compared with linked quarter ended June 30, 2020

Adjusted non-interest income increased approximately $2.0 million relative to the linked quarter to $27.6 million. The majority of fee income line items started to recover in the third quarter due to higher transaction activity, mainly driven by increases in accounts receivable management / factoring commissions and other related fees. Loan commissions and fees, which are closely linked to loan origination activity declined compared to the second quarter due to lower syndication fees.

Non-interest Expense


($ in thousands)	For the three months ended													Change % / bps
	9/30/2019			6/30/2020			9/30/2020			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Compensation and benefits	$	52,850		$	54,668		$	55,960		5.9	%	2.4	%
Stock-based compensation plans	4,565			5,913			5,869			28.6		(0.7)
Occupancy and office operations	15,836			14,695			14,722			(7.0)		0.2
Information technology	8,545			7,312			8,422			(1.4)		15.2
Amortization of intangible assets	4,785			4,200			4,200			(12.2)		—
FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments	3,194			3,638			3,332			4.3		(8.4)
Other real estate owned (“OREO”), net	79			1,233			151			91.1		(87.8)



Loss on extinguishment of borrowings	—			9,723			6,241			—		(35.8)

Other expenses	16,601			23,499			20,465			23.3		(12.9)
Total non-interest expense	$	106,455		$	124,881		$	119,362		12.1		(4.4)
Full time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) at period end	1,689			1,617			1,466			(13.2)		(9.3)
Financial centers at period end	87			78			78			(10.3)		—
Operating efficiency ratio, as reported⁸	38.7		%	52.2		%	48.5		%	980		(370)
Operating efficiency ratio, as adjusted⁸	39.1			45.1			43.1			400		(200)

⁸See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 18.

Third quarter 2020 compared with third quarter 2019

Total non-interest expense increased $12.9 million relative to the third quarter of 2019. Key components of the change in non-interest expense between the periods were the following:

▪Compensation and benefits increased $3.1 million between the periods, mainly due to severance costs of for displaced personnel incurred in the third quarter of 2020 in the amount of $2.2 million. Total FTEs declined to 1,466 from 1,689, which was mainly related to a financial center staffing model redesign. Decreases in financial center personnel have been offset by hiring of information technology, and risk management personnel.

▪Occupancy and office operations expense decreased $1.1 million, mainly due to the consolidation of financial centers and other back-office locations. We consolidated 9 financial centers in the past twelve months.

▪Loss on extinguishment of borrowings in the third quarter of 2020 was incurred in connection with the repayment of $450.0 million of FHLB advances.

▪Other expenses increased $3.9 million to $20.5 million, mainly due to $3.1 million of depreciation expense on operating leases acquired in the fourth quarter of 2019. The remainder of the increase was mainly due to an increase in other post-retirement expense.

Third quarter 2020 compared with linked quarter ended June 30, 2020

Total non-interest expense decreased $5.5 million to $119.4 million in the third quarter of 2020. Key components of the change in non-interest expense were the following:

▪Compensation and benefits increased $1.3 million to $56.0 million in the third quarter of 2020. The increase was mainly due to severance costs discussed above.

▪Information technology increased $1.1 million to $8.4 million in the third quarter of 2020. The increase was mainly due to amortization of investments related to various back-office automation and digital loan and deposit product initiatives.

▪Loss on extinguishment of borrowings in the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was incurred in connection with the repayment of $500.0 million of FHLB advances.

▪Other expenses declined by $3.0 million, mainly as pandemic-related operating expense of $3.7 million did not recur in the third quarter of 2020.

Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $12.3 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared to income tax expense of $7.1 million in the linked quarter and income tax expense of $32.5 million in the year earlier period. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, we recorded income tax expense at an estimated effective income tax rate of 12.5%. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 we recorded income tax expense at an estimated effective income tax rate of 21.0%.

Our estimated effective income tax rate for full year 2020 prior to discrete items is 12.5%. Discrete items will include the impact of vesting of stock-based compensation and net operating loss provisions of the CARES Act. Our actual income tax rate for the full year 2020 is anticipated to be between 9.0% and 10.0%.

Key Balance Sheet Highlights as of September 30, 2020


($ in thousands)	As of													Change % / bps
	9/30/2019			6/30/2020			9/30/2020			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Total assets	$	30,077,665		$	30,839,893		$	30,617,722		1.8	%	(0.7)	%
Total portfolio loans, gross	20,830,163			22,295,267			22,281,940			7.0		(0.1)
Commercial & industrial (“C&I”) loans	7,792,569			9,166,744			9,331,717			19.8		1.8
Commercial real estate loans (including multi-family)	9,977,839			10,402,897			10,377,282			4.0		(0.2)
Acquisition, development and construction (“ADC”) loans	433,883			572,558			633,166			45.9		10.6
Total commercial loans	18,204,291			20,142,199			20,342,165			11.7		1.0
Residential mortgage loans	2,370,216			1,938,212			1,739,563			(26.6)		(10.2)
BOLI	609,720			620,908			625,236			2.5		0.7
Core deposits⁹	20,296,395			21,904,429			22,563,276			11.2		3.0
Total deposits	21,579,324			23,600,621			24,255,333			12.4		2.8
Municipal deposits (included in core deposits)	2,234,630			1,724,049			2,397,072			7.3		39.0
Investment securities, net	5,047,011			4,545,579			4,201,350			(16.8)		(7.6)
Total borrowings	3,174,224			2,014,259			993,535			(68.7)		(50.7)
Loans to deposits	96.5		%	94.5		%	91.9		%	(460)		(260)
Core deposits to total deposits	94.1			92.8			93.0			(110)		20
Investment securities, net to earning assets	19.1			16.7			15.6			(350)		(110)

⁹Core deposits include retail, commercial and municipal transaction, money market, savings accounts and certificates of deposit accounts, and reciprocal Certificate of Deposit Account Registry balances and exclude brokered and wholesale deposits.

Highlights in balance sheet items as of September 30, 2020 were the following:

▪C&I loans (which includes traditional C&I, PPP, asset-based lending, payroll finance, warehouse lending, factored receivables, equipment financing and public sector finance loans) represented 41.8% of total portfolio loans; commercial real estate loans (which include multi-family loans) represented 46.6% of total portfolio loans; consumer and residential mortgage loans combined represented 8.7% of total portfolio loans; and ADC loans represented 2.9% of total portfolio loans, respectively. At September 30, 2019, C&I loans represented 37.4%; commercial real estate loans represented 47.9%; consumer and residential mortgage loans combined represented 12.6%; and ADC loans represented 2.1% of total portfolio loans, respectively. In the third quarter of 2020 we sold $106.2 million of equipment finance loans, which represented the remaining balance of our small balance transportation finance loans.

▪Residential mortgage loans were $1.7 billion at September 30, 2020, a decline of $198.6 million from the linked quarter and a decline of $630.7 million from the same period a year ago. In the third quarter of 2020, we sold non-performing residential mortgage-loans with a net book value of $53.2 million.

▪The balance of BOLI increased by $4.3 million relative to the prior quarter and was $625.2 million at September 30, 2020.

▪Core deposits at September 30, 2020 were $22.6 billion and increased $658.8 million compared to June 30, 2020, and increased $2.3 billion compared to September 30, 2019. The growth was mainly due to successful commercial banking and financial center deposit gathering strategies and the increase in deposits that has occurred since the outset of the pandemic.

▪Total deposits at September 30, 2020 increased $654.7 million compared to June 30, 2020, and total deposits increased

$2.7 billion compared to September 30, 2019. The increase was mainly due to the same factors as the change in core deposits.

▪Municipal deposits at September 30, 2020 were $2.4 billion, an increase of $673.0 million relative to June 30, 2020. The increase was associated with seasonal tax collections by local municipalities.

▪Investment securities, net decreased by $344.2 million from June 30, 2020 and $845.7 million from September 30, 2019, and represented 15.6% of earning assets at September 30, 2020. In the third quarter we sold securities from our held to maturity portfolio that had demonstrated significant credit deterioration since the date of purchase.

▪Total borrowings at September 30, 2020 were $993.5 million, a decrease of $1.0 billion relative to June 30, 2020 and $2.2 billion relative to September 30, 2019. The sale of securities and deposit inflows allowed us to reduce borrowings. Included in total borrowings at September 30, 2020 was $117.5 million from the Federal Reserve Bank PPP Liquidity Facility, which represented a decline of $450.9 million compared to June 30, 2020.

Credit Quality


($ in thousands)	For the three months ended													Change % / bps
	9/30/2019			6/30/2020			9/30/2020			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Provision for credit losses	$	13,700		$	56,606		$	31,000		126.3	%	(45.2)	%
Net charge-offs	13,629			17,561			70,546			417.6		301.7
Allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) - loans	104,735			365,489			325,943			211.2		(10.8)
Loans 30 to 89 days past due accruing	64,756			66,268			68,979			6.5		4.1
Non-performing loans	190,966			260,605			180,851			(5.3)		(30.6)

Annualized net charge-offs to average loans	0.27		%	0.32		%	1.27		%	100		95
Special mention loans	136,972			141,805			204,267			49.1		44.0
Substandard loans	277,975			415,917			375,427			35.1		(9.7)
ACL - loans to total loans	0.50			1.64			1.46			96		(18)
ACL - loans to non-performing loans	54.8			140.2			180.2			12,540		4,000

For the three months ended September 30, 2020, provision for credit losses on portfolio loans was $31.0 million, which was $39.5 million less than net charge-offs. The provision for credit losses was based on our reasonable and supportable forecasts of future macroeconomic scenarios used to estimate expected credit losses. ACL - loans was $325.9 million, or 1.46% of total portfolio loans compared to 1.64% at June 30, 2020, and increased to 180.2% of non-performing loans from 140.2% at June 30, 2020.

Net charge-offs were $70.5 million in the third quarter of 2020. We sold $53.2 million of non-performing residential mortgage loans and $106.2 million of small balance transportation finance loans in the period, which resulted in aggregate charge-offs of $57.4 million. These charge-offs had been previously reserved at June 30, 2020 in our ACL - loans. Other net charge-offs in the third quarter were $13.1 million, and consisted mainly of asset-based lending loans, factored receivables, traditional C&I and commercial real estate loans.

Non-performing loans declined by $79.8 million to $180.9 million at September 30, 2020 compared to the linked quarter. Loans 30 to 89 days past due were $69.0 million an increase of $2.7 million over the linked quarter.

At September 30, 2020, loan payment deferrals declined significantly from the second quarter end as pandemic restrictions have been lifted and the businesses of commercial borrowers have proven more resilient than initially expected. The outstanding balances of loans under a full payment deferral were the following for the periods shown:


($ in millions)	6/30/2020						9/30/2020				Change
	Amount		Percentage		Amount		Percentage
Traditional C&I	$	213	6.3	%	$	23	0.7	%	$	(190)
Commercial finance	237		14.1		77		4.9		(160)
Commercial real estate	749		12.9		140		2.4		(609)
Multi-family	198		4.3		38		0.8		(160)
ADC	17		3.0		—		—		(17)
Total commercial	1,414		7.0		278		1.4		(1,136)
Residential	293		15.1		176		10.1		(117)
Consumer	19		9.0		12		6.2		(7)
Total	$	1,726	7.7	%	$	466	2.1	%	$	(1,260)

Note: commercial finance includes asset-based lending, equipment finance, factored receivables, mortgage warehouse lending, payroll finance and public sector finance loans. Note there were no deferrals of asset-based lending, factored receivables, mortgage warehouse lending or public sector finance loans for either period. There were no payroll finance loan deferrals at September 30, 2020.

Capital


($ in thousands, except share and per share data)	As of													Change % / bps
	9/30/2019			6/30/2020			9/30/2020			Y-o-Y		Linked Qtr
Total stockholders’ equity	$	4,520,967		$	4,484,187		$	4,557,785		0.8	%	1.6	%
Preferred stock	137,799			137,142			136,917			(0.6)		(0.2)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	1,772,963			1,785,446			1,781,246			0.5		(0.2)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity ¹⁰	$	2,610,205		$	2,561,599		$	2,639,622		1.1		3.0
Common shares outstanding	202,392,884			194,458,805			194,458,841			(3.9)		—
Book value per common share	$	21.66		$	22.35		$	22.73		4.9		1.7
Tangible book value per common share¹⁰	12.90			13.17			13.57			5.2		3.0
Tangible common equity as a % of tangible assets ¹⁰	9.22		%	8.82		%	9.15		%	(7)		33
Est. Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company	9.78			9.51			9.93			15		42
Est. Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company fully implemented	—			9.14			9.59			N/A		45
Est. Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank	10.08			10.09			10.48			40		39
Est. Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank fully implemented	—			9.69			10.13			N/A		44

¹⁰See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 18.

Total stockholders’ equity increased $73.6 million to $4.6 billion as of September 30, 2020 compared to $4.5 billion as of June 30, 2020. For the third quarter of 2020, net income $84.4 million and stock-based compensation activity that totaled $5.7 million and was partially offset by common dividends of $13.5 million, preferred dividends of $2.2 million and an other comprehensive loss of $744 thousand.

We elected the five-year transition provision to delay for two years the full impact of the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) methodology on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period. The September 30, 2020 fully implemented ratio data reflects the full impact of CECL and excludes the benefits of phase-ins.

Total goodwill and other intangible assets were $1.8 billion at September 30, 2020, a decrease of $4.2 million compared to June 30, 2020, which was due to amortization.

Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding were relatively unchanged during the third quarter as stock

option exercises were offset by shares returned in payment of taxes on vested awards. Total common shares outstanding at September 30, 2020 were approximately 194.5 million.

Tangible book value per common share was $13.57 at September 30, 2020, which represented an increase of 5.2% compared to a year ago.

Conference Call Information

Sterling Bancorp will host a teleconference and webcast on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s results. Analysts, investors and interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast and view accompanying slides on the Company’s website at www.sterlingbancorp.com or by dialing (800) 263-0877 Conference ID 8762366. 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 services 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, revenues, expenses, tax rates, capital and liquidity levels and ratios, asset levels, asset quality, financial position, plans, operations and prospects. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks, including the effects of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which include, but are not limited to, the federal, state and local government actions and reactions to COVID-19, the health of our staff and that of our clients, the continuity of our, our clients’ and our third party providers’ operations, the increased likelihood of cyber and payment fraud risk, the continued ability of our borrowers to repay their loans throughout and following the pandemic, the potential decline in collateral values resulting from COVID-19 and its effects, and the resulting impact upon our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and our outlook, as well as the following: business disruption; a failure to grow revenues faster than we grow expenses; a deterioration in general economic conditions, either nationally, internationally, or in our market areas, including extended declines in the real estate market and constrained financial markets; inflation; the effects of, and changes in, trade; changes in asset quality and credit risk; introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives; capital management activities; 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2020. 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)


	9/30/2019		12/31/2019		9/30/2020
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	545,603	$	329,151	$	437,558

Investment securities, net	5,047,011		5,075,309		4,201,350
Loans held for sale	4,627		8,125		36,826
Portfolio loans:
Commercial and industrial (“C&I”)	7,792,569		8,232,719		9,331,717
Commercial real estate (including multi-family)	9,977,839		10,295,518		10,377,282
Acquisition, development and construction (“ADC”) loans	433,883		467,331		633,166
Residential mortgage	2,370,216		2,210,112		1,739,563
Consumer	255,656		234,532		200,212
Total portfolio loans, gross	20,830,163		21,440,212		22,281,940
Allowance for credit losses	(104,735)		(106,238)		(325,943)
Total portfolio loans, net	20,725,428		21,333,974		21,955,997
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank Stock, at cost	276,929		251,805		167,293
Accrued interest receivable	104,881		100,312		102,379
Premises and equipment, net	238,723		227,070		217,481
Goodwill	1,657,814		1,683,482		1,683,482
Other intangibles	115,149		110,364		97,764
BOLI	609,720		613,848		625,236
Other real estate owned	13,006		12,189		6,919
Other assets	738,774		840,868		1,085,437
Total assets	$	30,077,665	$	30,586,497	$	30,617,722
Liabilities:
Deposits	$	21,579,324	$	22,418,658	$	24,255,333
FHLB borrowings	2,800,907		2,245,653		397,000
Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility	—		—		117,497
Other borrowings	26,544		22,678		35,223
Senior notes	173,652		173,504		—
Subordinated notes - Company	—		270,941		270,445
Subordinated notes - Bank	173,121		173,182		173,370
Mortgage escrow funds	84,595		58,316		84,031
Other liabilities	718,555		693,452		727,038
Total liabilities	25,556,698		26,056,384		26,059,937
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock	137,799		137,581		136,917
Common stock	2,299		2,299		2,299
Additional paid-in capital	3,762,046		3,766,716		3,761,216
Treasury stock	(501,814)		(583,408)		(660,312)
Retained earnings	1,075,503		1,166,709		1,229,799
Accumulated other comprehensive income	45,134		40,216		87,866
Total stockholders’ equity	4,520,967		4,530,113		4,557,785
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	30,077,665	$	30,586,497	$	30,617,722

Shares of common stock outstanding at period end	202,392,884		198,455,324		194,458,841
Book value per common share	$	21.66	$	22.13	$	22.73
Tangible book value per common share¹	12.90		13.09		13.57
¹ See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 18.

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)


	For the Quarter Ended										For the Nine Months Ended
	9/30/2019		6/30/2020		9/30/2020		9/30/2019		9/30/2020
Interest and dividend income:
Loans and loan fees	$	254,414	$	219,904	$	213,009	$	772,992	$	668,352
Securities taxable	21,977		18,855		18,623		74,456		58,107
Securities non-taxable	13,491		12,831		12,257		42,771		38,085
Other earning assets	5,327		1,636		769		16,847		6,867
Total interest and dividend income	295,209		253,226		244,658		907,066		771,411
Interest expense:
Deposits	48,330		28,110		18,251		142,454		92,142
Borrowings	23,558		11,817		8,583		73,946		36,374
Total interest expense	71,888		39,927		26,834		216,400		128,516
Net interest income	223,321		213,299		217,824		690,666		642,895
Provision for credit losses - loans	13,700		56,606		31,000		35,400		224,183
Provision for credit losses - held to maturity securities	—		—		(1,000)		—		703
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	209,621		156,693		187,824		655,266		418,009
Non-interest income:
Deposit fees and service charges	6,582		5,345		5,960		19,891		17,928
Accounts receivable management / factoring commissions and other related fees	6,049		4,419		5,393		17,265		15,349
BOLI	8,066		4,950		5,363		15,900		15,331
Loan commissions and fees	6,285		8,003		7,290		15,431		26,317
Investment management fees	1,758		1,379		1,735		5,708		4,960
Net gain on sale of securities	6,882		485		642		(6,830)		9,539
Net gain on security calls	—		—		—		—		4,880
Gain on sale of residential mortgage loans	—		—		—		8,313		—
Gain on termination of pension plan	12,097		—		—		12,097		—

Other	4,111		1,509		1,842		10,710		7,337
Total non-interest income	51,830		26,090		28,225		98,485		101,641
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits	52,850		54,668		55,960		163,313		165,504
Stock-based compensation plans	4,565		5,913		5,869		14,293		17,788
Occupancy and office operations	15,836		14,695		14,722		48,477		44,616
Information technology	8,545		7,312		8,422		26,267		23,752
Amortization of intangible assets	4,785		4,200		4,200		14,396		12,600
FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments	3,194		3,638		3,332		9,526		10,176
Other real estate owned, net	79		1,233		151		754		1,436

Impairment related to financial centers and real estate consolidation strategy	—		—		—		14,398		—
Charge for asset write-downs, systems integration, retention and severance	—		—		—		3,344		—
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings	—		9,723		6,241		—		16,713
Other	16,601		23,499		20,465		53,619		66,371
Total non-interest expense	106,455		124,881		119,362		348,387		358,956
Income before income tax expense	154,996		57,902		96,687		405,364		160,694
Income tax expense	32,549		7,110		12,280		85,020		11,348
Net income	122,447		50,792		84,407		320,344		149,346
Preferred stock dividend	1,982		1,972		1,969		5,958		5,917
Net income available to common stockholders	$	120,465	$	48,820	$	82,438	$	314,386	$	143,429
Weighted average common shares:
Basic	203,090,365		193,479,757		193,494,929		207,685,051		194,436,137
Diluted	203,566,582		193,604,431		193,715,943		208,108,575		194,677,020
Earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per share	$	0.59	$	0.25	$	0.43	$	1.51	$	0.74
Diluted earnings per share	0.59		0.25		0.43		1.51		0.74
Dividends declared per share	0.07		0.07		0.07		0.21		0.21

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)


	As of and for the Quarter Ended
End of Period	9/30/2019		12/31/2019		3/31/2020		6/30/2020		9/30/2020

Total assets	$	30,077,665	$	30,586,497	$	30,335,036	$	30,839,893	$	30,617,722
Tangible assets ¹	28,304,702		28,792,651		28,545,390		29,054,447		28,836,476
Securities available for sale	3,061,419		3,095,648		2,660,835		2,620,624		2,419,458
Securities held to maturity, net	1,985,592		1,979,661		1,956,177		1,924,955		1,781,892
Loans held for sale²	4,627		8,125		8,124		44,437		36,826
Portfolio loans	20,830,163		21,440,212		21,709,957		22,295,267		22,281,940
Goodwill	1,657,814		1,683,482		1,683,482		1,683,482		1,683,482
Other intangibles	115,149		110,364		106,164		101,964		97,764
Deposits	21,579,324		22,418,658		22,558,280		23,600,621		24,255,333
Municipal deposits (included above)	2,234,630		1,988,047		2,091,259		1,724,049		2,397,072
Borrowings	3,174,224		2,885,958		2,598,698		2,014,259		993,535
Stockholders’ equity	4,520,967		4,530,113		4,422,424		4,484,187		4,557,785
Tangible common equity ¹	2,610,205		2,598,686		2,495,415		2,561,599		2,639,622
Quarterly Average Balances
Total assets	29,747,603		30,349,691		30,484,433		30,732,914		30,652,856
Tangible assets ¹	27,971,485		28,569,589		28,692,033		28,944,714		28,868,840
Loans, gross:
Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)	9,711,619		10,061,625		10,288,977		10,404,643		10,320,930
ADC	387,072		459,372		497,009		519,517		636,061
C&I:
Traditional C&I	2,435,644		2,399,901		2,470,570		3,130,248		3,339,872
Asset-based lending³	1,151,793		1,137,719		1,107,542		981,518		864,075
Payroll finance³	202,771		228,501		217,952		173,175		143,579
Warehouse lending³	1,180,132		1,307,645		1,089,576		1,353,885		1,550,425
Factored receivables³	248,150		258,892		229,126		188,660		163,388
Equipment financing³	1,191,944		1,430,715		1,703,016		1,677,273		1,590,855
Public sector finance³	1,087,427		1,189,103		1,216,326		1,286,265		1,481,260
Total C&I	7,497,861		7,952,476		8,034,108		8,791,024		9,133,454
Residential mortgage	2,444,101		2,284,419		2,152,440		2,006,400		1,862,390
Consumer	262,234		243,057		233,643		219,052		206,700
Loans, total⁴	20,302,887		21,000,949		21,206,177		21,940,636		22,159,535
Securities (taxable)	3,189,027		2,905,545		2,883,367		2,507,384		2,363,059
Securities (non-taxable)	2,250,859		2,159,391		2,163,206		2,122,672		2,029,805
Other interest earning assets	611,621		835,554		727,511		669,422		610,938
Total interest earning assets	26,354,394		26,901,439		26,980,261		27,240,114		27,163,337
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing demand	4,225,258		4,361,642		4,346,518		5,004,907		5,385,939
Interest bearing demand	4,096,744		4,359,767		4,616,658		4,766,298		4,688,343
Savings (including mortgage escrow funds)	2,375,882		2,614,523		2,800,021		2,890,402		2,727,475
Money market	7,341,822		7,681,491		7,691,381		8,035,750		8,304,834
Certificates of deposit	2,710,179		3,271,674		3,237,990		2,766,580		2,559,325
Total deposits and mortgage escrow	20,749,885		22,289,097		22,692,568		23,463,937		23,665,916
Borrowings	3,872,840		2,890,407		2,580,922		2,101,016		1,747,941
Stockholders’ equity	4,489,167		4,524,417		4,506,537		4,464,403		4,530,334
Tangible common stockholders’ equity ¹	2,575,199		2,606,617		2,576,558		2,538,842		2,609,179

¹ See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 18.
²Loans held for sale mainly includes commercial syndication loans.
³Asset-based lending, payroll finance, warehouse lending, factored receivables, equipment finance and public sector finance comprise our commercial finance loan portfolio.
⁴Includes loans held for sale, but excludes allowance for credit 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 Common Share Data	9/30/2019			12/31/2019			3/31/2020			6/30/2020			9/30/2020
Basic earnings per share	$	0.59		$	0.52		$	0.06		$	0.25		$	0.43
Diluted earnings per share	0.59			0.52			0.06			0.25			0.43
Adjusted diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP ¹	0.52			0.54			(0.02)			0.29			0.45
Dividends declared per common share	0.07			0.07			0.07			0.07			0.07
Book value per common share	21.66			22.13			22.04			22.35			22.73
Tangible book value per common share¹	12.90			13.09			12.83			13.17			13.57
Shares of common stock o/s	202,392,884			198,455,324			194,460,656			194,458,805			194,458,841
Basic weighted average common shares o/s	203,090,365			199,719,747			196,344,061			193,479,757			193,494,929
Diluted weighted average common shares o/s	203,566,582			200,252,542			196,709,038			193,604,431			193,715,943
Performance Ratios (annualized)
Return on average assets	1.61		%	1.37		%	0.16		%	0.64		%	1.07		%
Return on average equity	10.65			9.18			1.09			4.40			7.24
Return on average tangible assets	1.71			1.45			0.17			0.68			1.14
Return on average tangible common equity	18.56			15.94			1.90			7.73			12.57
Return on average tangible assets, adjusted ¹	1.50			1.51			(0.04)			0.79			1.21
Return on avg. tangible common equity, adjusted ¹	16.27			16.57			(0.49)			9.02			13.37
Operating efficiency ratio, as adjusted ¹	39.1			39.9			42.4			45.1			43.1
Analysis of Net Interest Income
Accretion income on acquired loans	$	17,973		$	19,497		$	10,686		$	10,086		$	9,172
Yield on loans	4.97		%	4.84		%	4.47		%	4.03		%	3.82		%
Yield on investment securities - tax equivalent ²	2.85			2.89			2.96			3.05			3.09
Yield on interest earning assets - tax equivalent ²	4.50			4.41			4.13			3.79			3.63
Cost of interest bearing deposits	1.16			1.10			1.00			0.61			0.40
Cost of total deposits	0.92			0.89			0.81			0.48			0.31
Cost of borrowings	2.41			2.38			2.49			2.26			1.95
Cost of interest bearing liabilities	1.40			1.28			1.19			0.78			0.53
Net interest rate spread - tax equivalent basis ²	3.10			3.13			2.94			3.01			3.10
Net interest margin - GAAP basis	3.36			3.37			3.16			3.15			3.19
Net interest margin - tax equivalent basis ²	3.42			3.42			3.21			3.20			3.24
Capital
Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company ³	9.78		%	9.55		%	9.41		%	9.51		%	9.93		%
Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank only ³	10.08			10.11			9.99			10.09			10.48
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio - Bank only ³	12.74			12.32			12.19			12.24			12.38
Total risk-based capital ratio - Bank only ³	13.99			13.63			13.80			13.85			13.85
Tangible common equity - Company¹	9.22			9.03			8.74			8.82			9.15
Condensed Five Quarter Income Statement
Interest and dividend income	$	295,209		$	295,474		$	273,527		$	253,226		$	244,658
Interest expense	71,888			67,217			61,755			39,927			26,834
Net interest income	223,321			228,257			211,772			213,299			217,824
Provision for credit losses	13,700			10,585			138,280			56,606			30,000
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	209,621			217,672			73,492			156,693			187,824
Non-interest income	51,830			32,381			47,326			26,090			28,225
Non-interest expense	106,455			115,450			114,713			124,881			119,362
Income before income tax expense	154,996			134,603			6,105			57,902			96,687
Income tax expense (benefit)	32,549			27,905			(8,042)			7,110			12,280
Net income	$	122,447		$	106,698		$	14,147		$	50,792		$	84,407

¹ See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 18.
² Tax equivalent basis represents interest income earned on tax exempt securities divided by the applicable federal tax rate of 21%.
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 Credit Losses Roll Forward	9/30/2019			12/31/2019			3/31/2020			6/30/2020			9/30/2020
Balance, beginning of period	$	104,664		$	104,735		$	106,238		$	326,444		$	365,489
Implementation of CECL accounting standard:
Gross up from purchase credit impaired loans	—			—			22,496			—			—
Transition amount charged to equity	—			—			68,088			—			—
Provision for credit losses - loans	13,700			10,585			136,577			56,606			31,000
Loan charge-offs¹:
Traditional C&I	(123)			(470)			(298)			(3,988)			(1,089)
Asset-based lending	(9,577)			(5,856)			(985)			(1,500)			(1,297)
Payroll finance	—			(168)			—			(560)			—

Factored receivables	(14)			(68)			(7)			(3,731)			(6,893)
Equipment financing	(2,711)			(1,739)			(4,793)			(7,863)			(42,128)

Commercial real estate	(53)			(583)			(1,275)			(11)			(3,650)
Multi-family	—			—			—			(154)			—
ADC	(6)			—			(3)			(1)			—
Residential mortgage	(1,984)			(334)			(1,072)			(702)			(17,353)
Consumer	(241)			(401)			(1,405)			(172)			(97)
Total charge-offs	(14,709)			(9,619)			(9,838)			(18,682)			(72,507)
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off¹:
Traditional C&I	136			232			475			116			677

Payroll finance	8			5			9			1			262

Factored receivables	3			9			4			1			185
Equipment financing	422			91			1,105			387			816

Commercial real estate	187			—			60			584			—
Multi-family	90			105			—			1			—
Acquisition development & construction	—			—			105			—			—
Residential mortgage	126			5			—			—			—
Consumer	108			90			1,125			31			21
Total recoveries	1,080			537			2,883			1,121			1,961
Net loan charge-offs	(13,629)			(9,082)			(6,955)			(17,561)			(70,546)
Balance, end of period	$	104,735		$	106,238		$	326,444		$	365,489		$	325,943
Asset Quality Data and Ratios
Non-performing loans (“NPLs”) non-accrual	$	190,011		$	179,051		$	252,205		$	260,333		$	180,795
NPLs still accruing	955			110			1,545			272			56
Total NPLs	190,966			179,161			253,750			260,605			180,851
Other real estate owned	13,006			12,189			11,815			8,665			6,919
Non-performing assets (“NPAs”)	$	203,972		$	191,350		$	265,565		$	269,270		$	187,770
Loans 30 to 89 days past due	$	64,756		$	52,880		$	69,769		$	66,268		$	68,979
Net charge-offs as a % of average loans (annualized)	0.27		%	0.17		%	0.13		%	0.32		%	1.27		%
NPLs as a % of total loans	0.92			0.84			1.17			1.17			0.81
NPAs as a % of total assets	0.68			0.63			0.88			0.87			0.61
Allowance for credit losses as a % of NPLs	54.8			59.3			128.6			140.2			180.2
Allowance for credit losses as a % of total loans	0.50			0.50			1.50			1.64			1.46
Special mention loans	$	136,972		$	159,976		$	132,356		$	141,805		$	204,267
Substandard loans	277,975			295,428			402,393			415,917			375,427
Doubtful loans	—			—			—			—			—

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

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)


	For the Quarter Ended
	June 30, 2020												September 30, 2020
	Average balance			Interest		Yield/Rate		Average balance			Interest		Yield/Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets:
Traditional C&I and commercial finance loans	$	8,791,024		$	84,192	3.85	%	$	9,133,454		$	83,415	3.63	%
Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)	10,404,643			106,408		4.11		10,320,930			104,463		4.03
ADC	519,517			5,762		4.46		636,061			6,117		3.83
Commercial loans	19,715,184			196,362		4.01		20,090,445			193,995		3.84
Consumer loans	219,052			2,233		4.10		206,700			2,025		3.90
Residential mortgage loans	2,006,400			21,309		4.25		1,862,390			16,989		3.65
Total gross loans ¹	21,940,636			219,904		4.03		22,159,535			213,009		3.82
Securities taxable	2,507,384			18,855		3.02		2,363,059			18,623		3.14
Securities non-taxable	2,122,672			16,242		3.06		2,029,805			15,515		3.06
Interest earning deposits	455,626			146		0.13		424,249			154		0.14
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank Stock	213,796			1,490		2.80		186,689			615		1.31
Total securities and other earning assets	5,299,478			36,733		2.79		5,003,802			34,907		2.78
Total interest earning assets	27,240,114			256,637		3.79		27,163,337			247,916		3.63
Non-interest earning assets	3,492,800							3,489,519
Total assets	$	30,732,914						$	30,652,856
Interest bearing liabilities:
Demand and savings ² deposits	$	7,656,700		$	7,224	0.38	%	$	7,415,818		$	4,116	0.22	%
Money market deposits	8,035,750			11,711		0.59		8,304,834			8,078		0.39
Certificates of deposit	2,766,580			9,175		1.33		2,559,325			6,057		0.94
Total interest bearing deposits	18,459,030			28,110		0.61		18,279,977			18,251		0.40
Senior notes	127,862			944		2.95		—			—		—
Other borrowings	1,528,844			5,684		1.50		1,303,849			3,378		1.03
Subordinated debentures - Bank	173,265			2,361		5.45		173,328			2,360		5.45
Subordinated debentures - Company	271,045			2,828		4.17		270,764			2,845		4.20
Total borrowings	2,101,016			11,817		2.26		1,747,941			8,583		1.95
Total interest bearing liabilities	20,560,046			39,927		0.78		20,027,918			26,834		0.53
Non-interest bearing deposits	5,004,907							5,385,939
Other non-interest bearing liabilities	703,558							708,665
Total liabilities	26,268,511							26,122,522
Stockholders’ equity	4,464,403							4,530,334
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	30,732,914						$	30,652,856
Net interest rate spread ³						3.01	%						3.10	%
Net interest earning assets ⁴	$	6,680,068						$	7,135,419
Net interest margin - tax equivalent				216,710		3.20	%				221,082		3.24	%
Less tax equivalent adjustment				(3,411)							(3,258)
Net interest income				213,299							217,824
Accretion income on acquired loans				10,086							9,172
Tax equivalent net interest margin excluding accretion income on acquired loans				$	206,624	3.05	%				$	211,910	3.10	%
Ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities	132.5		%					135.6		%

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)


	For the Quarter Ended
	September 30, 2019												September 30, 2020
	Average balance			Interest		Yield/Rate		Average balance			Interest		Yield/Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets:
Traditional C&I and commercial finance loans	$	7,497,861		$	95,638	5.06	%	$	9,133,454		$	83,415	3.63	%
Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)	9,711,619			118,315		4.83		10,320,930			104,463		4.03
ADC	387,072			5,615		5.76		636,061			6,117		3.83
Commercial loans	17,596,552			219,568		4.95		20,090,445			193,995		3.84
Consumer loans	262,234			3,799		5.75		206,700			2,025		3.90
Residential mortgage loans	2,444,101			31,047		5.08		1,862,390			16,989		3.65
Total gross loans ¹	20,302,887			254,414		4.97		22,159,535			213,009		3.82
Securities taxable	3,189,027			21,977		2.73		2,363,059			18,623		3.14
Securities non-taxable	2,250,859			17,077		3.03		2,029,805			15,515		3.06
Interest earning deposits	304,820			1,802		2.35		424,249			154		0.14
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	306,801			3,525		4.56		186,689			615		1.31
Total securities and other earning assets	6,051,507			44,381		2.91		5,003,802			34,907		2.78
Total interest earning assets	26,354,394			298,795		4.50		27,163,337			247,916		3.63
Non-interest earning assets	3,393,209							3,489,519
Total assets	$	29,747,603						$	30,652,856
Interest bearing liabilities:
Demand and savings ² deposits	$	6,472,626		$	13,033	0.80	%	$	7,415,818		$	4,116	0.22	%
Money market deposits	7,341,822			22,426		1.21		8,304,834			8,078		0.39
Certificates of deposit	2,710,179			12,871		1.88		2,559,325			6,057		0.94
Total interest bearing deposits	16,524,627			48,330		1.16		18,279,977			18,251		0.40
Senior notes	173,750			1,369		3.15		—			—		—
Other borrowings	3,526,009			19,832		2.23		1,303,849			3,378		1.03
Subordinated debentures - Bank	173,081			2,357		5.45		173,328			2,360		5.45
Subordinated debentures - Company	—			—		—		270,764			2,845		4.20
Total borrowings	3,872,840			23,558		2.41		1,747,941			8,583		1.95
Total interest bearing liabilities	20,397,467			71,888		1.40		20,027,918			26,834		0.53
Non-interest bearing deposits	4,225,258							5,385,939
Other non-interest bearing liabilities	635,711							708,665
Total liabilities	25,258,436							26,122,522
Stockholders’ equity	4,489,167							4,530,334
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	29,747,603						$	30,652,856
Net interest rate spread ³						3.10	%						3.10	%
Net interest earning assets ⁴	$	5,956,927						$	7,135,419
Net interest margin - tax equivalent				226,907		3.42	%				221,082		3.24	%
Less tax equivalent adjustment				(3,586)							(3,258)
Net interest income				223,321							217,824
Accretion income on acquired loans				17,973							9,172
Tax equivalent net interest margin excluding accretion income on acquired loans				$	208,934	3.15	%				$	211,910	3.10	%
Ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities	129.2		%					135.6		%

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 beginning on page 23.
	As of and for the Quarter Ended
	9/30/2019		12/31/2019		3/31/2020		6/30/2020		9/30/2020

The following table shows the reconciliation of pretax pre-provision net revenue to adjusted pretax pre-provision net revenue¹:

Net interest income	$	223,321	$	228,257	$	211,772	$	213,299	$	217,824
Non-interest income	51,830		32,381		47,326		26,090		28,225
Total net revenue	275,151		260,638		259,098		239,389		246,049
Non-interest expense	106,455		115,450		114,713		124,881		119,362
Pretax pre-provision net revenue	168,696		145,188		144,385		114,508		126,687

Adjustments:
Accretion income	(17,973)		(19,497)		(10,686)		(10,086)		(9,172)
Net (gain) loss on sale of securities	(6,882)		76		(8,412)		(485)		(642)
Net (gain) loss on termination of Astoria defined benefit pension plan	(12,097)		280		—		—		—

Loss on extinguishment of debt	—		—		744		9,723		6,241

Charge for asset write-downs, systems integration, retention and severance	—		5,133		—		—		—
Amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets	200		200		172		172		172
Adjusted pretax pre-provision net revenue	$	131,944	$	131,380	$	126,203	$	113,832	$	123,286

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 beginning on page 23.
	As of and for the Quarter Ended
	9/30/2019			12/31/2019			3/31/2020			6/30/2020			9/30/2020

The following table shows the reconciliation of stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and the tangible common equity ratio^2:

Total assets	$	30,077,665		$	30,586,497		$	30,335,036		$	30,839,893		$	30,617,722
Goodwill and other intangibles	(1,772,963)			(1,793,846)			(1,789,646)			(1,785,446)			(1,781,246)
Tangible assets	28,304,702			28,792,651			28,545,390			29,054,447			28,836,476
Stockholders’ equity	4,520,967			4,530,113			4,422,424			4,484,187			4,557,785
Preferred stock	(137,799)			(137,581)			(137,363)			(137,142)			(136,917)
Goodwill and other intangibles	(1,772,963)			(1,793,846)			(1,789,646)			(1,785,446)			(1,781,246)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity	2,610,205			2,598,686			2,495,415			2,561,599			2,639,622
Common stock outstanding at period end	202,392,884			198,455,324			194,460,656			194,458,805			194,458,841
Common stockholders’ equity as a % of total assets	14.57		%	14.36		%	14.13		%	14.10		%	14.44		%
Book value per common share	$	21.66		$	22.13		$	22.04		$	22.35		$	22.73
Tangible common equity as a % of tangible assets	9.22		%	9.03		%	8.74		%	8.82		%	9.15		%
Tangible book value per common share	$	12.90		$	13.09		$	12.83		$	13.17		$	13.57

The following table shows the reconciliation of reported return on average tangible common equity and adjusted return on average tangible common equity³:

Average stockholders’ equity	$	4,489,167		$	4,524,417		$	4,506,537		$	4,464,403		$	4,530,334
Average preferred stock	(137,850)			(137,698)			(137,579)			(137,361)			(137,139)
Average goodwill and other intangibles	(1,776,118)			(1,780,102)			(1,792,400)			(1,788,200)			(1,784,016)
Average tangible common stockholders’ equity	2,575,199			2,606,617			2,576,558			2,538,842			2,609,179
Net income available to common	120,465			104,722			12,171			48,820			82,438
Net income, if annualized	477,932			415,473			48,951			196,353			327,960
Reported return on avg tangible common equity	18.56		%	15.94		%	1.90		%	7.73		%	12.57		%
Adjusted net income (loss) (see reconciliation on page 20)	$	105,629		$	108,855		$	(3,124)		$	56,926		$	87,682
Annualized adjusted net income (loss)	419,072			431,870			(12,565)			228,955			348,822
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity	16.27		%	16.57		%	(0.49)		%	9.02		%	13.37		%

The following table shows the reconciliation of reported return on average tangible assets and adjusted return on average tangible assets⁴:

Average assets	$	29,747,603		$	30,349,691		$	30,484,433		$	30,732,914		$	30,652,856
Average goodwill and other intangibles	(1,776,118)			(1,780,102)			(1,792,400)			(1,788,200)			(1,784,016)
Average tangible assets	27,971,485			28,569,589			28,692,033			28,944,714			28,868,840
Net income available to common	120,465			104,722			12,171			48,820			82,438
Net income, if annualized	477,932			415,473			48,951			196,353			327,960
Reported return on average tangible assets	1.71		%	1.45		%	0.17		%	0.68		%	1.14		%
Adjusted net income (loss) (see reconciliation on page 20)	$	105,629		$	108,855		$	(3,124)		$	56,926		$	87,682
Annualized adjusted net income (loss)	419,072			431,870			(12,565)			228,955			348,822
Adjusted return on average tangible assets	1.50		%	1.51		%	(0.04)		%	0.79		%	1.21		%

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 beginning on page 23.
	As of and for the Quarter Ended
	9/30/2019			12/31/2019			3/31/2020			6/30/2020			9/30/2020
The following table shows the reconciliation of the reported operating efficiency ratio and adjusted operating efficiency ratio⁵:

Net interest income	$	223,321		$	228,257		$	211,772		$	213,299		$	217,824
Non-interest income	51,830			32,381			47,326			26,090			28,225
Total revenue	275,151			260,638			259,098			239,389			246,049
Tax equivalent adjustment on securities	3,586			3,463			3,454			3,411			3,258
Net (gain) loss on sale of securities	(6,882)			76			(8,412)			(485)			(642)
(Gain) loss on termination of pension plan	(12,097)			280			—			—			—


Depreciation of operating leases	—			—			(3,492)			(3,136)			(3,130)
Adjusted total revenue	259,758			264,457			250,648			239,179			245,535
Non-interest expense	106,455			115,450			114,713			124,881			119,362

Charge for asset write-downs, systems integration, retention and severance	—			(5,133)			—			—			—


Loss on extinguishment of borrowings	—			—			(744)			(9,723)			(6,241)
Depreciation of operating leases	—			—			(3,492)			(3,136)			(3,130)
Amortization of intangible assets	(4,785)			(4,785)			(4,200)			(4,200)			(4,200)
Adjusted non-interest expense	101,670			105,532			106,277			107,822			105,791
Reported operating efficiency ratio	38.7		%	44.3		%	44.3		%	52.2		%	48.5		%
Adjusted operating efficiency ratio	39.1			39.9			42.4			45.1			43.1

The following table shows the reconciliation of reported net income (GAAP) and earnings per share to adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP) and adjusted diluted earnings per share(non-GAAP)⁶:

Income before income tax expense	$	154,996		$	134,603		$	6,105		$	57,902		$	96,687
Income tax expense (benefit)	32,549			27,905			(8,042)			7,110			12,280
Net income (GAAP)	122,447			106,698			14,147			50,792			84,407
Adjustments:
Net (gain) loss on sale of securities	(6,882)			76			(8,412)			(485)			(642)
(Gain) loss on termination of pension plan	(12,097)			280			—			—			—


Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—			744			9,723			6,241

Charge for asset write-downs, systems integration, retention and severance	—			5,133			—			—			—

Amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets	200			200			172			172			172
Total pre-tax adjustments	(18,779)			5,689			(7,496)			9,410			5,771
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss)	136,217			140,292			(1,391)			67,312			102,458
Adjusted income tax expense (benefit)	28,606			29,461			(243)			8,414			12,807
Adjusted net income (loss) (non-GAAP)	107,611			110,831			(1,148)			58,898			89,651
Preferred stock dividend	1,982			1,976			1,976			1,972			1,969
Adjusted net income (loss) available to common stockholders (non-GAAP)	$	105,629		$	108,855		$	(3,124)		$	56,926		$	87,682

Weighted average diluted shares	203,566,582			200,252,542			196,709,038			193,604,431			193,715,943
Reported diluted EPS (GAAP)	$	0.59		$	0.52		$	0.06		$	0.25		$	0.43
Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP)	0.52			0.54			(0.02)			0.29			0.45

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 beginning on page 23.
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019		2020
The following table shows the reconciliation of reported net income (GAAP) and earnings per share to adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP) and adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)⁶:
Income before income tax expense	$	405,364	$	160,694
Income tax expense (benefit)	85,020		11,348
Net income (GAAP)	320,344		149,346

Adjustments:
Net loss (gain) on sale of securities	6,830		(9,539)
Net (gain) on termination of pension plan	(12,097)		—


Net (gain) on sale or residential mortgage loans	(8,313)		—
Impairment related to financial centers and real estate consolidation strategy	14,398		—

Charge for asset write-downs, systems integration, retention and severance	3,344		—
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of borrowings	(46)		16,713


Amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets	641		515
Total pre-tax adjustments	4,757		7,689
Adjusted pre-tax income	410,121		168,383
Adjusted income tax expense	86,125		21,048
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)	$	323,996	$	147,335
Preferred stock dividend	5,958		5,917
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP)	$	318,038	$	141,418

Weighted average diluted shares	208,108,575		194,677,020
Diluted EPS as reported (GAAP)	$	1.51	$	0.74
Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP)	1.53		0.73

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)


The Company provides supplemental reporting of non-GAAP/adjusted financial measures as management believes this information is useful to investors. See legend below.
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019				2020
The following table shows the reconciliation of reported return on average tangible common equity and adjusted return on average tangible common equity³:
Average stockholders’ equity	$	4,443,112			$	4,500,534
Average preferred stock	(138,111)				(137,359)
Average goodwill and other intangibles	(1,771,242)				(1,788,190)
Average tangible common stockholders’ equity	2,533,759				2,574,985
Net income available to common stockholders	$	314,386			$	143,429
Net income available to common stockholders, if annualized	420,333				191,588
Reported return on average tangible common equity	16.59		%		7.44		%
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (see reconciliation on page 21)	$	318,038			$	141,418
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders, if annualized	425,215				188,902
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity	16.78		%		7.34		%
The following table shows the reconciliation of reported return on avg tangible assets and adjusted return on avg tangible assets⁴:
Average assets	$	30,066,118			$	30,623,508
Average goodwill and other intangibles	(1,771,242)				(1,788,190)
Average tangible assets	28,294,876				28,835,318
Net income available to common stockholders	314,386				143,429
Net income available to common stockholders, if annualized	420,333				191,588
Reported return on average tangible assets	1.49		%		0.66		%
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (see reconciliation on page 21)	$	318,038			$	141,418
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders, if annualized	425,215				188,902
Adjusted return on average tangible assets	1.50		%		0.66		%
The following table shows the reconciliation of the reported operating efficiency ratio and adjusted operating efficiency ratio⁵:
Net interest income	$	690,666			$	642,895
Non-interest income	98,485				101,641
Total revenues	789,151				744,536
Tax equivalent adjustment on securities	11,369				10,124
Net loss (gain) on sale of securities	6,830				(9,539)
Net (gain) on termination of pension plan	(12,097)				—

(Gain) on sale of residential mortgage loans	(8,313)				—
Depreciation of operating leases				—				(9,758)
Adjusted total net revenue	786,940				735,363
Non-interest expense	348,387				358,956

Charge for asset write-downs, system integration, retention and severance	(3,344)				—
Impairment related to financial centers and real estate consolidation strategy	(14,398)				—
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of borrowings	46				(16,713)

Depreciation of operating leases	—				(9,758)
Amortization of intangible assets	(14,396)				(12,600)
Adjusted non-interest expense	$	316,295			$	319,885
Reported operating efficiency ratio	44.1		%		48.2		%
Adjusted operating efficiency ratio	40.2		%		43.5		%

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

The non-GAAP/as adjusted measures presented above are used by our management and the Company’s 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 Pretax pre-provision net revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated by summing our GAAP net interest income plus GAAP non-interest income minus our GAAP non-interest expense and eliminating provision for credit losses and income taxes. We believe the use of pretax pre-provision net revenue provides useful information to readers of our financial statements because it enables an assessment of our ability to generate earnings to cover credit losses through a credit cycle. Adjusted PPNR includes the adjustments we make for adjusted earnings and excludes accretion income. We believe adjusted PPNR supplements our PPNR calculation. We use this calculation to assess our performance in the current operating environment.

²Stockholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets, book value per common share, tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets and tangible book common 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.

³ Reported return on average tangible common equity and adjusted return on average tangible common equity measures provide information to evaluate the use of our tangible common equity.

⁴ Reported return on average tangible assets and adjusted return on average tangible assets measures provide information to help assess our profitability.

⁵ 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.

⁶ Adjusted net income available to common stockholders and adjusted diluted 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.