UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

October 16, 2009

 

Commission File Number:

1-5273-1

 

Sterling Bancorp

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 New York

 

 13-2565216

(State of other jurisdiction   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)   Identification No.)

 

 650 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York

 

 10019-6108

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(212) 757- 3300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ITEM 7.01

REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

 

ITEM 9.01

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

SIGNATURE

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

ITEM 7.01

REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

 

On October 16, 2009, the Company issued a press release commenting that it is not related to either Sterling Financial Corp. of Spokane, Washington or its Sterling Savings Bank subsidiary or to any other publicly traded company having Sterling in its name. This press release is included as Exhibit 99.1.

 

ITEM 9.01

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS  

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

 

99.1

Press release dated October 16, 2009 (furnished pursuant to Item 7.01)

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

DATE:

October 19, 2009

  

BY:

/s/ JOHN W. TIETJEN

  
  JOHN W. TIETJEN
  Executive Vice President
  and Chief Financial Officer

 

 EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

Exhibit

Number

 
     
  99.1 Press Release dated October 16, 2009