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Sterling Bancorp announces results for the first quarter of 2021 with diluted earnings per share available to common stockholders of $0.50 (as reported) and $0.51 (as adjusted).

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Sterling Bancorp (STL) reported strong Q1 2021 results with net income available to common stockholders reaching $97.2 million or $0.50 per diluted share, up from $74.5 million or $0.38 in Q4 2020. Total deposits increased by 5.7% year-over-year to $23.8 billion. The net interest margin improved by 5 bps to 3.30%. Despite a 4.9% decline in adjusted PPNR to $123.9 million, tangible book value rose 9.7% to $14.08. The company initiated partnerships with Google Plex, enhancing its digital banking services while maintaining strong credit quality ratios.

Positive
  • Net income increased to $97.2 million in Q1 2021, a 30.5% rise from Q4 2020.
  • Total deposits grew by 5.7% year-over-year to $23.8 billion.
  • Tangible book value per share rose 9.7% to $14.08.
  • Declared a dividend of $0.07 per share, payable on May 14, 2021.
Negative
  • Adjusted PPNR declined 4.9% to $123.9 million compared to the prior quarter.
  • Total portfolio loans decreased by 2.6% year-over-year.

Key Performance Highlights

  • GAAP EPS increased $0.12 and adjusted EPS increased $0.02 over the linked quarter.
  • Net interest margin excluding accretion income1 of 3.30%, an increase of five basis points (“bps”) over the linked quarter.
  • Cost of funding liabilities decreased by six bps to 27 bps; earning asset yields decreased by one bp to 3.68%.
  • Adjusted PPNR excluding accretion income1, 2 of $123.9 million; declined $6.4 million, or 4.9%, over the linked quarter.
  • Total deposits were $23.8 billion, an increase of 5.7% over a year ago.
  • Total core deposits were $22.2 billion, an increase of 3.4% over a year ago.
  • Total commercial loans were $19.5 billion, an increase of 0.4% over a year ago.
  • Average commercial loans were $19.6 billion, a 3.9% increase over the first quarter of 2020.
  • Adjusted non-interest expense1 was $110.6 million, adjusted operating efficiency ratio3 was 44.3%.
  • NPLs increased by $1.5 million to $168.6 million; ACL / portfolio loans of 1.53% and ACL / NPLs of 191.7%.
  • TCE / TA1 was 9.63% and tangible book value per common share1 was $14.08, an increase of 9.7% over a year ago.
  • Declared second quarter dividend per common share of $0.07.
  • Repurchased 1.2 million shares in the first quarter at a cost of $27.3 million and an average of $22.12 per share.
  • Completed previously announced redemption of subordinated debt - Bank on April 1, 2021.
  • Announced Banking as a Service partnerships with Google Plex, Bright Fi and Rho Technologies.

Results for the Three Months ended March 31, 2021 vs. March 31, 2020

($ in thousands except per share amounts)GAAP / As Reported Non-GAAP / As Adjusted1
 March 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Change
% / bps
 March 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Change
% / bps
Total assets$30,335,036  $29,914,282  (1.4)% $30,335,036   $29,914,282  (1.4)%
Total portfolio loans, gross21,709,957  21,151,973  (2.6)  21,709,957   21,151,973  (2.6) 
Total deposits22,558,280  23,841,718  5.7   22,558,280   23,841,718  5.7  
PPNR1, 2144,385  132,105  (8.5)  126,203   123,895  (1.8) 
Net income available to common12,171  97,187  698.5   (3,124)  97,603  NM  
Diluted EPS available to common0.06  0.50  733.3   (0.02)  0.51  NM  
Net interest margin3.16% 3.38% 22   3.21 % 3.43% 22  
Tangible book value per common share1$12.83  $14.08  9.7   $12.83   $14.08  9.7  

Results for the Three Months ended March 31, 2021 vs. December 31, 2020

($ in thousands except per share amounts)GAAP / As Reported Non-GAAP / As Adjusted1
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Change
% / bps
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Change
% / bps
PPNR1, 2$122,474  $132,105  7.9  $130,257  $123,895  (4.9) 
Net income available to common74,457  97,187  30.5  94,323  97,603  3.5  
Diluted EPS available to common0.38  0.50  31.6  0.49  0.51  4.1  
Net interest margin3.33% 3.38% 5  3.38% 3.43% 5  
Operating efficiency ratio352.1  47.2  (490) 43.0  44.3  130  
Allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) - loans$326,100  $323,186  (0.9) $326,100  $323,186  (0.9) 
ACL to portfolio loans1.49% 1.53% 4  1.49% 1.53% 4  
ACL to NPLs195.2  191.7  (4) 195.2  191.7  (4) 
Tangible book value per common share1$13.87  $14.08  1.5  $13.87  $14.08  1.5  

1. Non-GAAP / as adjusted measures are defined in the non-GAAP tables beginning on page 20.
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 23 for an explanation of the operating efficiency ratio.

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PEARL RIVER, N.Y., April 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL) (the “Company”), the parent company of Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”), today announced results for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Net income available to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $97.2 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, compared to net income available to common stockholders of $74.5 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the linked quarter ended December 31, 2020, and net income available to common stockholders of $12.2 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Chief Executive Officer’s Comments
Jack Kopnisky, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased with our results for the first quarter of 2021. While the economic environment remains challenging, the dedication of our colleagues, resilience of our business model and high quality of our client relationships is evident in our operating results. We continue to prioritize supporting our clients, colleagues and communities, and delivered strong profitability and substantial growth in tangible capital and tangible book value per common share.

“We opened 2021 with a strong first quarter. Our adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $97.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, which was an increase of two cents per share over the linked quarter. We saw improvements across many of our key profitability metrics, delivering adjusted return on average tangible assets of 1.42% and adjusted return on average tangible common equity of 14.6%. Adjusted PPNR excluding accretion income was $123.9 million, a decrease of 4.9% relative to the linked quarter, largely as a result of two fewer calendar days in the first quarter. Although loan origination activity continued to rebound in the first quarter of 2021, prepayment activity in certain portfolios has remained elevated, which impacted our earning assets balances. At March 31, 2021, our tangible book value per common share was $14.08, an increase of 9.7% over a year ago.    

“We benefit from diversified asset origination capabilities allowing us to allocate capital to those business segments that deliver the most attractive risk-adjusted returns. We have a solid pipeline and anticipate stronger loan growth in the second quarter of 2021, driven by our C&I, CRE, and public sector businesses. Total commercial loans grew to $19.5 billion, an increase of 0.4% over the same period a year ago. At March 31, 2021, our total core deposits were $22.2 billion, which represented growth of $733.5 million, or 3.4%, over the linked quarter. Crucially, we continue to effectively manage our interest rate margin by substantially reducing our funding costs and protecting our earning asset yields. Our net interest income was $217.9 million in the first quarter and our tax equivalent net interest margin excluding accretion income was 3.30%, an increase of 5 basis points over the linked quarter.

“In our fee-based businesses, client activity and transaction volumes, while still below pre-pandemic levels, are beginning to recover. In the first quarter, total non-interest income was $32.4 million, a decline of $1.6 million versus the linked quarter, which included a gain of $3.7 million on the sale of commercial loans originated pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Relative to the linked quarter, we saw growth in fee income in our loan syndications and cash management businesses and an increase in revenue from our customer derivatives businesses.

“In the first quarter, our adjusted non-interest expenses were $110.6 million and our adjusted operating efficiency ratio was 44.3%. We continue to invest in our technology infrastructure and digital capabilities, including in our digital banking offering Brio Direct, and in our Banking as a Service business. In the last 30 days, we announced a collaboration with Google to offer digital checking and savings accounts through the Google Plex platform, and entered into alliances with Rho Technologies and Bright Fi to offer a variety of banking services. We are also investing in our core business, to drive organic growth in key, high growth potential commercial verticals that offer attractive risk-adjusted returns, including by adding resources to our syndication, innovation finance, treasury management and small business teams. We are investing for the future, and are confident that these investments will drive scalable and sustainable growth in our business and earnings.

“Asset quality performance was in line with our expectations. As of March 31, 2021, the majority of our clients on loan payment deferrals had resumed making payments; with total loans on deferral decreasing $77.9 million to $130.5 million, or 0.6% of total portfolio loans. Total net charge-offs in the first quarter were $12.9 million, which included charges associated with the sale of $70.0 million of commercial loans, most of which were rated criticized or classified. As of March 31, 2021, our allowance for credit losses - portfolio loans was $323.2 million, or 1.53% of total loans and 191.7% of non-performing loans, reflecting an improving macro economic outlook but also our conservative approach to reserve releases as we continue to navigate through the credit cycle.

“We have a strong capital position. Our tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio increased eight basis points in the first quarter to 9.63% and our Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.50%. We declared our regular dividend of $0.07 on our common stock, payable on May 14, 2021 to holders of record as of April 30, 2021. We restarted our stock repurchase program in the fourth quarter of 2020, repurchased 1.2 million shares in the first quarter of 2021 and have repurchased nearly 3.2 million shares since resuming our stock repurchase program. The program had 13.5 million shares available for repurchase as of March 31, 2021.

“Finally, I would like to thank our clients, shareholders, and colleagues, all of whom have exhibited extraordinary resilience to come through an exceptionally challenging period. I remain confident that the strength and diversification of our business model, our continued investments in technology and the dedication and commitment of our colleagues, positions us to drive

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continued and sustainable growth.”

Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Adjusted Results (non-GAAP)
The Company’s GAAP net income available to common stockholders of $97.2 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2021, included the following items:

  • a pre-tax gain of $719 thousand on the sale of investment securities;
  • a pre-tax charge of $633 thousand related to the sale of two financial centers and the exit of two back office locations; and
  • the pre-tax amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets of $148 thousand.

Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $97.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, our effective income tax rate was 18.8%, which was comprised of an estimated effective tax rate for 2021 of 18.5% and the impact discrete items related to executive compensation and the vesting of stock-based compensation awards. Our effective tax rate for purposes of reporting for adjusted earnings was 13.5% and 12.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively.

Non-GAAP financial measures include the terms “adjusted” or “excluding”. See the reconciliation of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 20.

Net Interest Income and Margin

($ in thousands)For the three months ended Change % / bps
 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Y-o-Y Linked Qtr
Interest and dividend income$273,527  $242,610  $233,847  (14.5)% (3.6)%
Interest expense61,755  20,584  15,933  (74.2)  (22.6) 
Net interest income$211,772  $222,026  $217,914  2.9   (1.9) 
          
Accretion income on acquired loans$10,686  $8,560  $8,272  (22.6)% (3.4)%
Yield on loans4.47% 3.90% 3.92% (55)  2  
Tax equivalent yield on investment securities42.96  2.94  3.02  6   8  
Tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets44.13  3.69  3.68  (45)  (1) 
Cost of total deposits0.81  0.22  0.15  (66)  (7) 
Cost of interest bearing deposits1.00  0.29  0.20  (80)  (9) 
Cost of borrowings2.49  3.35  3.97  148   62  
Cost of interest bearing liabilities1.19  0.43  0.34  (85)  (9) 
Total cost of funding liabilities50.98  0.33  0.27  (71)  (6) 
Tax equivalent net interest margin63.21  3.38  3.43  22   5  
          
Average loans, including loans held for sale$21,206,177  $21,879,511  $21,294,550  0.4 % (2.7)%
Average commercial loans18,820,094  19,992,074  19,553,823  3.9   (2.2) 
Average investment securities5,046,573  4,155,784  4,054,978  (19.6)  (2.4) 
Average cash balances489,691  331,587  648,178  32.4   95.5  
Average total interest earning assets26,980,261  26,522,991  26,149,732  (3.1)  (1.4) 
Average deposits and mortgage escrow22,692,568  23,849,187  23,546,928  3.8   (1.3) 

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.

First quarter 2021 compared with first quarter 2020

Net interest income was $217.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, an increase of $6.1 million compared to the first quarter of 2020. This was mainly due to a decline in interest expense in line with decreases in market rates of interest and the

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repayment of higher cost FHLB borrowings. Other key components of changes in net interest income were the following:

  • The tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets decreased 45 basis points to 3.68%, in line with period over period decreases in market rates of interest.
  • The decline in market interest rates drove a decrease in our yield on loans, from 4.47% in the first quarter of 2020 to 3.92% in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Accretion income on acquired loans was $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared to $10.7 million in the first quarter of 2020.
  • Average investment securities were $4.1 billion, or 15.5%, of average total interest earning assets for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $5.0 billion, or 18.7%, of average total interest earning assets for the first quarter of 2020. The tax equivalent yield on investment securities was 3.02% compared to 2.96% for the three months ended March 31, 2020, mainly as a result of an increase in corporate securities held in the portfolio.
  • In the first quarter of 2021, strong growth in deposits drove increases in average cash balances to $648.2 million compared to $489.7 million in the first quarter of 2020.
  • Total interest expense was $15.9 million, a decline of $45.8 million compared to the first quarter of 2020. This was mainly due to lower interest expense paid on deposits and short-term borrowings and the impact of repayment of senior notes that matured in the second quarter of 2020.
  • The cost of total deposits was 15 basis points for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 81 basis points for the same period a year ago, in line with repricing of deposits in response to the low interest rate environment.
  • The cost of borrowings was 3.97% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 2.49% for the same period a year ago. The increase was mainly due to the change in composition of our borrowings, with average borrowings of $721.6 million in the current quarter being comprised of $86.0 million in short-term borrowings and $635.6 million in higher coupon longer term borrowings, while for the prior year quarter average borrowings of $2.6 billion were comprised of predominately shorter term borrowings.
  • The total cost of interest bearing liabilities was 0.34% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 1.19% 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 deposits and mortgage escrow increased $854.4 million during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period a year ago, due to growth generated by our commercial banking teams and financial centers.

First quarter 2021 compared with linked quarter ended December 31, 2020

Net interest income decreased $4.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to the linked quarter, mainly due to the impact of the two fewer days of interest income recorded in the first quarter, as well as the impact of continued prepayment activity in certain portfolios. Other key components of the changes in net interest income were the following:

  • The average balance of commercial loans decreased $438.3 million, and the average balance of residential mortgage loans declined $133.3 million.
  • The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.43% compared to 3.38% in the linked quarter. Excluding accretion income on acquired loans, tax equivalent net interest margin increased five basis points to 3.30%.
  • The yield on loans was 3.92% compared to 3.90% for the linked quarter. The increase was mainly due to prepayment fees on multi-family and other loans. Accretion income on acquired loans decreased $288 thousand to $8.3 million for the first quarter of 2021.
  • The remaining balance of PPP loans in the portfolio was $110.1 million at the end of the quarter, and all loans are in process of being forgiven. We recognized $367 thousand in PPP loan fees as interest income in the first quarter of 2021, compared to $846 thousand in the linked quarter. The decline was due to lower levels of repayments.
  • The tax equivalent yield on interest earning assets was 3.68% compared to 3.69% in the linked quarter, primarily as a result of an increase in the amount of cash held as a proportion of total earnings assets.
  • The tax equivalent yield on investment securities was 3.02% compared to 2.94% for the linked quarter. The increase in yield was mainly due to an increase in corporate securities.
  • The cost of total deposits decreased seven basis points to 15 basis points, mainly due to deposit repricing in response to the low interest rate environment.
  • Total interest expense decreased $4.7 million as a result of continued repricing of deposits and the impact of repayment of higher cost FHLB borrowings.
  • The total cost of borrowings increased 62 basis points to 3.97%, mainly due to the change in mix of borrowings with shorter term borrowings representing a smaller percentage of total borrowings.

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  • Average deposits and mortgage escrow decreased by $302.3 million and average borrowings decreased by $130.4 million relative to the linked quarter.

Non-interest Income

($ in thousands)For the three months ended Change %
 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Y-o-Y Linked Qtr
Deposit fees and service charges$6,622  $5,975  $6,563  (0.9)% 9.8 %
Accounts receivable management / factoring commissions and other related fees5,538  6,498  5,426  (2.0)% (16.5)%
Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”)5,018  4,961  4,955  (1.3)% (0.1)%
Loan commissions and fees11,024  13,220  10,477  (5.0)% (20.7)%
Investment management fees1,847  1,700  1,852  0.3 % 8.9 %
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities8,412  (111) 719  (91.5)% NM  
Net gain on security calls4,880      NM   NM  
Other3,985  1,678  2,364  (40.7)% 40.9 %
Total non-interest income47,326  33,921  32,356  (31.6)% (4.6)%
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities8,412  (111) 719  (91.5)% NM  
Adjusted non-interest income$38,914  $34,032  $31,637  (18.7)% (7.0)%

First quarter 2021 compared with first quarter 2020
Adjusted non-interest income decreased $7.3 million in the first quarter of 2021 to $31.6 million, compared to $38.9 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease was mainly due to net gains realized on security calls in the first quarter of 2020 that did not recur, as well as from the impact of lower transactional volume in our derivatives business. In the first quarter of 2020, we realized a gain of $8.4 million on the sale of available for sale securities, which we sold to fund commercial loan growth.

Loan commissions and fees in the first quarter of 2020 included a $2.8 million gain on sale of small business equipment finance loans, which did not recur in 2021. In the first quarter of 2021, loan commissions and fees included $1.8 million in fees in connection with second round PPP loans originated by a third party in respect of which we earned a referral fee. A total of 1,118 loans closed with a principal amount of $160.9 million.

First quarter 2021 compared with linked quarter ended December 31, 2020

Adjusted non-interest income decreased approximately $2.4 million relative to the linked quarter to $31.6 million primarily as a result of a gain on sale of PPP loans of $3.7 million in the linked quarter. Treasury management fees, swap fees and net mortgage loan servicing fees increased versus the linked quarter.

In the first quarter of 2021, we realized a gain of $719 thousand on sale of securities, compared to a loss of $111 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2020.

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Non-interest Expense

($ in thousands)For the three months ended Change % / bps
 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Y-o-Y Linked Qtr
Compensation and benefits$54,876  $56,563  $58,087   5.9 % 2.7 %
Stock-based compensation plans6,006  5,222  6,617   10.2   26.7  
Occupancy and office operations15,199  14,742  14,515   (4.5)  (1.5) 
Information technology8,018  9,559  9,246   15.3   (3.3) 
Amortization of intangible assets4,200  4,200  3,776   (10.1)  (10.1) 
FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments3,206  2,865  3,230   0.7   12.7  
Other real estate owned (“OREO”), net52  283  (68)  NM   NM  
Impairment related to financial centers and real estate consolidation strategy  13,311  633   NM   NM  
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings744  2,749     NM   NM  
Other expenses22,412  23,979  22,129   (1.3)  (7.7) 
Total non-interest expense$114,713  $133,473  $118,165   3.0   (11.5) 
Full time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) at period end1,619  1,460  1,457   (10.0)  (0.2) 
Operating efficiency ratio, as reported744.3% 52.1% 47.2 % 290   (490) 
Operating efficiency ratio, as adjusted742.4  43.0  44.3   190   130  

7 See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 20.

First quarter 2021 compared with first quarter 2020
Total non-interest expense increased $3.5 million relative to the first quarter of 2020. Key components of the change in non-interest expense between the periods include the following:

  • Compensation and benefits increased $3.2 million mainly due to a higher bonus compensation accrual and an increase in medical costs incurred in the first quarter.
  • Occupancy and office operations expense decreased $684 thousand, mainly due to the consolidation of financial centers and other back-office locations. In the first quarter of 2021, we sold two financial centers, and exited two leases for financial center and back office location.
  • Information technology expense increased $1.2 million mainly due to the amortization of investments related to various back-office automation and digital banking initiatives.
  • Impairment related to financial centers and our real estate consolidation strategy represents loss on sale of financial center and other locations and early termination payments on leased locations.

First quarter 2021 compared with linked quarter ended December 31, 2020
Total non-interest expense decreased $15.3 million to $118.2 million. Key components of the change in non-interest expense include the following:

  • Compensation and benefits increased $1.5 million to $58.1 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase was mainly due to payroll taxes and employer contributions to benefit plans, which are usually higher in the first quarter of the year compared to other quarters.
  • Loss on extinguishment of borrowings in the linked quarter was incurred in connection with the repayment of $250.0 million of FHLB advances and $30.0 million of subordinated notes - Bank.
  • Other expenses decreased by $1.9 million versus the linked quarter, mainly due to lower charitable contributions and other donations and lower write-downs associated with repossessed assets related to foreclosed equipment finance loans.

Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $23.0 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared to income tax expense of $18.6 million in the linked quarter and income tax benefit of $8.0 million in the prior year quarter. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded income tax expense at an estimated effective income tax rate of 18.8% compared to 19.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

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Key Balance Sheet Highlights as of March 31, 2021

($ in thousands)As of  Change % / bps
 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Y-o-Y Linked Qtr
Total assets$30,335,036  $29,820,138  $29,914,282  (1.4)% 0.3 %
Total portfolio loans, gross21,709,957  21,848,409  21,151,973  (2.6)  (3.2) 
Commercial & industrial (“C&I”) loans8,483,474  9,160,268  8,451,615  (0.4)  (7.7) 
Commercial real estate loans (including multi-family)10,399,566  10,238,650  10,421,131  0.2   1.8  
Acquisition, development and construction (“ADC”) loans524,714  642,943  618,295  17.8   (3.8) 
Total commercial loans19,407,754  20,041,861  19,491,041  0.4   (2.7) 
Residential mortgage loans2,077,534  1,616,641  1,486,597  (28.4)  (8.0) 
Loan portfolio composition:         
Commercial & industrial (“C&I”) loans39.1% 41.9% 40.0% 90   (190) 
Commercial real estate loans (including multi-family)47.9  46.9  49.3  140   240  
Acquisition, development and construction (“ADC”) loans2.4  2.9  2.9  50     
Residential and consumer10.6  8.3  7.8  (280)  (50) 
BOLI$616,648  $629,576  $630,430  2.2   0.1  
Core deposits920,704,023  21,482,525  22,216,035  7.3   3.4  
Total deposits22,558,280  23,119,522  23,841,718  5.7   3.1  
Municipal deposits (included in core deposits)2,091,259  1,648,945  2,047,349  (2.1)  24.2  
Investment securities, net4,614,513  4,039,456  4,241,457  (8.1)  5.0  
Investment securities, net to earning assets17.2% 15.4% 16.5% (70)  110  
Total borrowings$2,598,698  $1,321,714  $667,499  (74.3)  (49.5) 
Loans to deposits96.2% 94.5% 88.7% (750)  (580) 
Core deposits9 to total deposits91.8  92.9  93.2  140   30  

9 Core 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 related to balance sheet items as of March 31, 2021 were the following:

  • C&I loans and commercial real estate loans represented 89.3% of our loan portfolio at March 31, 2021 compared to 87.0% a year ago. C&I loans includes traditional C&I, PPP, asset-based lending, payroll finance, warehouse lending, factored receivables, equipment financing and public sector finance loans.
  • A slowdown in mortgage refinance activity drove a $558.7 million decline in our mortgage warehouse lending balance at the end of the first quarter and was the primary driver of the decline in total portfolio, total commercial loans and total portfolio balance.
  • In the first quarter of 2021, we sold $70.0 million of commercial real estate loan which were mostly rated substandard or special mention. We recorded charge-offs of $5.9 million against the allowance for credit losses - loans to reduce the carrying value of loans to fair value prior to completing the transaction.
  • In the fourth quarter of 2020, we sold $464.2 million of PPP loans, which included the majority of such loans for which the forgiveness process had not yet been started.
  • Residential mortgage loans were $1.5 billion at March 31, 2021, a decline of $130.0 million from the linked quarter and a decline of $590.9 million from the same period a year ago. The decline was mainly due to repayments, and as compared to the same period a year ago also reflected our 2020 sale of non-performing residential mortgage loans with a net book value of $53.2 million.
  • Core deposits at March 31, 2021 were $22.2 billion an increase of $733.5 million compared to December 31, 2020, and an increase of $1.5 billion compared to March 31, 2020. The increase in the first quarter included increases primarily in interest bearing and non-interest bearing transaction accounts, money market accounts and municipal deposits. Certificate of deposit accounts declined $273.8 million as higher costing balances matured and were not renewed. Compared to March 31, 2020, certificate of deposit accounts declined $920.3 million. The growth in core and total deposits is a result both of our successful deposit gathering strategies as well as the increase in liquidity in the banking system overall, from government stimulus and other measures implemented in response to the economic downturn brought about by the pandemic.

7

  • Municipal deposits at March 31, 2021 were $2.0 billion, an increase of $398.4 million relative to December 31, 2020. Municipal deposits generally increase in the first quarter of the year from tax collections by local municipalities.
  • Investment securities, net increased by $202.0 million from December 31, 2020 and decreased $373.1 million from March 31, 2020, representing 16.5% of earning assets at March 31, 2021. In the first quarter of 2021 the increase in investment securities included the purchase of US Treasury and corporate securities in response to the significant levels of excess liquidity generated by deposit inflows and the contraction in our loan portfolio.
  • Total borrowings at March 31, 2021 were $667.5 million, a decrease of $654.2 million relative to December 31, 2020 and a decrease of $1.9 billion relative to March 31, 2020, in both cases largely as a result of the repayments of higher costing FHLB borrowings.
  • On April 1, 2021, we redeemed the remaining balance of subordinated notes - Bank with a principal balance of $145.0 million at March 31, 2021 and coupon interest rate of 5.25%.

Credit Quality

($ in thousands)For the three months ended Change % / bps
 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Y-o-Y Linked Qtr
Provision for credit losses - loans$136,577  $27,500  $10,000  (92.7)% (63.6)%
Net charge-offs6,955  27,343  12,914  85.7   (52.8) 
Allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) - loans326,444  326,100  323,186  (1.0)  (0.9) 
Loans 30 to 89 days past due, accruing69,769  72,912  42,165  (39.6)  (42.2) 
Non-performing loans253,750  167,059  168,557  (33.6)  0.9  
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans0.13% 0.50% 0.25% 12   (25) 
Special mention loans$132,356  $461,458  $494,452  273.6   7.1  
Substandard loans402,393  528,760  590,109  46.6   11.6  
ACL - loans to total loans1.50% 1.49% 1.53% 3   4  
ACL - loans to non-performing loans128.6  195.2  191.7  6,310   (350) 

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, provision for credit losses on portfolio loans was $10.0 million. The provision for credit losses is based on our reasonable and supportable forecasts of expected future losses inherent in our portfolio.

Net charge-offs were $12.9 million in the first quarter of 2021 and consisted of $5.9 million in charge-offs related to the sale of $70.0 million of CRE loans, most of which were rated special mention or substandard, a charge-off of $5.0 million on a large non-performing construction loan and $2.0 million of other net charge-offs.

Non-performing loans increased by $1.5 million to $168.6 million at March 31, 2021 compared to the linked quarter. Loans 30 to 89 days past due were $42.2 million, a decrease of $30.7 million from the linked quarter.

Special mention loans increased $33.0 million compared to the linked quarter. Substandard loans, which include non-performing loans, increased $61.3 million relative to the linked quarter. The increase was mainly due to CRE and multi-family loans, the majority of which are related to borrowers that previously requested payment forbearance under the CARES Act. The increases in special mention and substandard loans in the first quarter of 2021 are after recording the impact of the sale of a portfolio of CRE loans that contained a total of $60.1 million in loans rated special mention or substandard. As of March 31, 2021, loan payment deferrals were $130.5 million, or 0.6% of the total portfolio loans.

For additional information on our credit quality metrics including delinquency, criticized and classified see page 17, “Asset Quality Information by Portfolio”.

8

Capital

($ in thousands, except share and per share data)As of Change % / bps
 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 Y-o-Y Linked Qtr
Total stockholders’ equity$4,422,424  $4,590,514  $4,620,164  4.5 % 0.6 %
Preferred stock137,363  136,689  136,458  (0.7)  (0.2) 
Goodwill and other intangible assets1,789,646  1,777,046  1,773,270  (0.9)  (0.2) 
Tangible common stockholders’ equity 10$2,495,415  $2,676,779  $2,710,436  8.6   1.3  
Common shares outstanding194,460,656  192,923,371  192,567,901  (1.0)  (0.2) 
Book value per common share$22.04  $23.09  $23.28  5.6   0.8  
Tangible book value per common share 1012.83  13.87  14.08  9.7   1.5  
Tangible common equity as a % of tangible assets 108.74% 9.55% 9.63% 89   8  
Est. Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company9.41  10.14  10.50  109   36  
Est. Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company fully implemented9.06  9.80  10.15  N/A   35  
Est. Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank9.99  11.33  11.76  177   43  
Est. Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank fully implemented9.65  11.01  11.42  N/A   41  
          
10 See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 20.

Total stockholders’ equity increased $29.7 million to $4.6 billion versus the linked quarter as a result of net income of $99.2 million, stock-based compensation and stock option exercises of $7.4 million, partially offset by common stock repurchases of $27.3 million, common shares acquired from stock compensation plan activity of $6.6 million, common dividends of $13.5 million, preferred dividends of $2.2 million, and other comprehensive loss of $27.2 million.

We elected the five-year transition provision to delay for two years the full impact on regulatory capital of our adoption of the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) accounting standard, followed by a three year transition period. The March 31, 2021 fully implemented ratio data reflects the full impact of CECL and excludes the benefits of phase-ins.

Tangible book value per common share was $14.08 at March 31, 2021, which represented an increase of 9.7% compared to a year ago.

Subsequent Event
As announced and further described in a separate press release issued by Sterling Bancorp today, Sterling Bancorp and Webster Financial Corporation, have entered into a merger agreement under which the companies will combine in an all stock merger of equals transaction.

Conference Call Information
In light of the announcement earlier today of entry into a merger agreement with Webster Financial Corporation ("Webster"), there will be a joint conference call to discuss the transaction and first quarter earnings at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time today. To listen to the live call, please dial 877-407-8289 (US) or 201-689-8341 (International). A webcast can be accessed via Webster’s Investor Relations website at www.wbst.com. Sterling has cancelled its originally scheduled earnings conference call on April 22, 2021.

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.

9

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements about the Company and the the proposed transaction, between Webster and the Company. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expect, anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, plan, target, goal, or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, may, might, should, would, could, or similar variations. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements:  changes in general economic, political, or industry conditions; the magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy and financial market conditions and our business, results of operations, and financial condition; uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; volatility and disruptions in global capital and credit markets; movements in interest rates; reform of LIBOR; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services; the nature, extent, timing, and results of governmental actions, examinations, reviews, reforms, regulations, and interpretations, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III regulatory capital reforms, as well as those involving the OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, and CFPB; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement between Webster and the Company; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Webster or the Company; delays in completing the transaction; the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction); the failure to obtain stockholder approvals or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the transaction on a timely basis or at all; the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas where Webster and the Company do business; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; the ability to complete the transaction and integration of Webster and the Company successfully; and other factors that may affect the future results of Webster and the Company. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is on file with the SEC and available on the Company's investor relations website, https://sterlingbank.gcs-web.com/investor-relations, under the heading "Financials" and in other documents the Company files with the SEC.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

Financial information contained in this release should be considered to be an estimate pending the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2021. 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.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In connection with the proposed transaction, Webster will file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a Joint Proxy Statement of Webster and the Company and a Prospectus of Webster , as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. The proposed transaction involving Webster and the Company will be submitted to the Company's stockholders and Webster's stockholders for their consideration. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF WEBSTER AND STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE TRANSACTION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Webster and the Company, without charge, at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Kristen Manginelli, Director of Investor Relations, Webster Financial Corporation, 145 Bank Street, Waterbury, Connecticut 06702, (203) 578-2202 or to Emlen Harmon, Managing Director, Investor Relations, Sterling Bancorp, Two Blue Hill Plaza, Second Floor, Pearl River, New York 10965, (845) 369-8040.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION
Webster, the Company, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Webster and the Company in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding Webster’s directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 19, 2021, and other documents filed by Webster with the SEC. Information regarding Sterling’s  directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 14, 2021, and other documents filed by Sterling with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

10

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

 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
Assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents$348,636   $305,002   $935,633  
Investment securities, net4,614,513   4,039,456   4,241,457  
Loans held for sale8,124   11,749   36,237  
Portfolio loans:     
Commercial and industrial (“C&I”)8,483,474   9,160,268   8,451,614  
Commercial real estate (including multi-family)10,399,566   10,238,650   10,421,132  
Acquisition, development and construction (“ADC”) loans524,714   642,943   618,295  
Residential mortgage2,077,534   1,616,641   1,486,597  
Consumer224,669   189,907   174,335  
Total portfolio loans, gross21,709,957   21,848,409   21,151,973  
Allowance for credit losses(326,444)  (326,100)  (323,186) 
Total portfolio loans, net21,383,513   21,522,309   20,828,787  
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank Stock, at cost240,722   166,190   153,968  
Accrued interest receivable102,101   97,505   103,323  
Premises and equipment, net228,526   202,555   199,782  
Goodwill1,683,482   1,683,482   1,683,482  
Other intangibles106,164   93,564   89,788  
BOLI616,648   629,576   630,430  
Other real estate owned11,815   5,347   5,227  
Other assets990,792   1,063,403   1,006,168  
Total assets$30,335,036   $29,820,138   $29,914,282  
Liabilities:     
Deposits$22,558,280   $23,119,522   $23,841,718  
FHLB borrowings1,955,451   382,000     
Federal Funds Purchased   277,000     
Other borrowings27,562   27,101   31,679  
Senior notes171,422        
Subordinated notes - Company271,019   491,910   492,063  
Subordinated notes - Bank173,244   143,703   143,757  
Mortgage escrow funds96,491   59,686   82,245  
Other liabilities659,143   728,702   702,656  
Total liabilities25,912,612   25,229,624   25,294,118  
Stockholders’ equity:     
Preferred stock137,363   136,689   136,458  
Common stock2,299   2,299   2,299  
Additional paid-in capital3,749,508   3,761,993   3,745,890  
Treasury stock(660,069)  (686,911)  (699,415) 
Retained earnings1,125,702   1,291,628   1,377,341  
Accumulated other comprehensive income67,621   84,816   57,591  
Total stockholders’ equity4,422,424   4,590,514   4,620,164  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$30,335,036   $29,820,138   $29,914,282  
      
Shares of common stock outstanding at period end194,460,656   192,923,371   192,567,901  
Book value per common share$22.04   $23.09   $23.28  
Tangible book value per common share112.83   13.87   14.08  
1 See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 20.

11

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

  For the Quarter Ended
 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
Interest and dividend income:     
Loans and loan fees$235,439   $214,522   $205,855  
Securities taxable20,629   15,679   15,352  
Securities non-taxable12,997   11,839   11,738  
Other earning assets4,462   570   902  
Total interest and dividend income273,527   242,610   233,847  
Interest expense:     
Deposits45,781   13,417   8,868  
Borrowings15,974   7,167   7,065  
Total interest expense61,755   20,584   15,933  
Net interest income211,772   222,026   217,914  
Provision for credit losses - loans136,577   27,500   10,000  
Provision for credit losses - held to maturity securities1,703        
Net interest income after provision for credit losses73,492   194,526   207,914  
Non-interest income:     
Deposit fees and service charges6,622   5,975   6,563  
Accounts receivable management / factoring commissions and other related fees5,538   6,498   5,426  
BOLI5,018   4,961   4,955  
Loan commissions and fees11,024   13,220   10,477  
Investment management fees1,847   1,700   1,852  
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities8,412   (111)  719  
Net gain on security calls4,880        
Other3,985   1,678   2,364  
Total non-interest income47,326   33,921   32,356  
Non-interest expense:     
Compensation and benefits54,876   56,563   58,087  
Stock-based compensation plans6,006   5,222   6,617  
Occupancy and office operations15,199   14,742   14,515  
Information technology8,018   9,559   9,246  
Amortization of intangible assets4,200   4,200   3,776  
FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments3,206   2,865   3,230  
Other real estate owned, net52   283   (68) 
Impairment related to financial centers and real estate consolidation strategy   13,311   633  
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings744   2,749     
Other22,412   23,979   22,129  
Total non-interest expense114,713   133,473   118,165  
Income before income tax expense6,105   94,974   122,105  
Income tax (benefit) expense(8,042)  18,551   22,955  
Net income14,147   76,423   99,150  
Preferred stock dividend1,976   1,966   1,963  
Net income available to common stockholders$12,171   $74,457   $97,187  
Weighted average common shares:     
Basic196,344,061   193,036,678   191,890,512  
Diluted196,709,038   193,530,930   192,621,907  
Earnings per common share:     
Basic earnings per share$0.06   $0.39   $0.51  
Diluted earnings per share0.06   0.38   0.50  
Dividends declared per share0.07   0.07   0.07  
            
12
            


 As of and for the Quarter Ended
End of PeriodMarch 31,
2020
 June 30, 2020 September
30, 2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
Total assets$30,335,036  $30,839,893  $30,617,722  $29,820,138  $29,914,282 
Tangible assets 128,545,390  29,054,447  28,836,476  28,043,092  28,141,012 
Securities available for sale2,660,835  2,620,624  2,419,458  2,298,618  2,524,671 
Securities held to maturity, net1,956,177  1,924,955  1,781,892  1,740,838  1,716,786 
Loans held for sale28,124  44,437  36,826  11,749  36,237 
Portfolio loans21,709,957  22,295,267  22,281,940  21,848,409  21,151,973 
Goodwill1,683,482  1,683,482  1,683,482  1,683,482  1,683,482 
Other intangibles106,164  101,964  97,764  93,564  89,788 
Deposits22,558,280  23,600,621  24,255,333  23,119,522  23,841,718 
Municipal deposits (included above)2,091,259  1,724,049  2,397,072  1,648,945  2,047,349 
Borrowings2,598,698  2,582,609  993,535  1,321,714  667,499 
Stockholders’ equity4,422,424  4,484,187  4,557,785  4,590,514  4,620,164 
Tangible common equity 12,495,415  2,561,599  2,639,622  2,676,779  2,710,436 
Quarterly Average Balances         
Total assets30,484,433  30,732,914  30,652,856  30,024,165  29,582,605 
Tangible assets 128,692,033  28,944,714  28,868,840  28,244,364  27,806,859 
Loans, gross:         
Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)10,288,977  10,404,643  10,320,930  10,191,707  10,283,292 
ADC497,009  519,517  636,061  685,368  624,259 
C&I:         
Traditional C&I (includes PPP loans)2,470,570  3,130,248  3,339,872  3,155,851  2,917,721 
Asset-based lending31,107,542  981,518  864,075  876,377  751,861 
Payroll finance3217,952  173,175  143,579  162,762  146,839 
Warehouse lending31,089,576  1,353,885  1,550,425  1,637,507  1,546,947 
Factored receivables3229,126  188,660  163,388  214,021  224,845 
Equipment financing31,703,016  1,677,273  1,590,855  1,535,582  1,474,993 
Public sector finance31,216,326  1,286,265  1,481,260  1,532,899  1,583,066 
Total C&I8,034,108  8,791,024  9,133,454  9,114,999  8,646,272 
Residential mortgage2,152,440  2,006,400  1,862,390  1,691,567  1,558,266 
Consumer233,643  219,052  206,700  195,870  182,461 
Loans, total421,206,177  21,940,636  22,159,535  21,879,511  21,294,550 
Securities (taxable)2,883,367  2,507,384  2,363,059  2,191,333  2,103,768 
Securities (non-taxable)2,163,206  2,122,672  2,029,805  1,964,451  1,951,210 
Other interest earning assets727,511  669,422  610,938  487,696  800,204 
Total interest earning assets26,980,261  27,240,114  27,163,337  26,522,991  26,149,732 
Deposits:         
Non-interest bearing demand4,346,518  5,004,907  5,385,939  5,530,334  5,521,538 
Interest bearing demand4,616,658  4,766,298  4,688,343  4,870,544  4,981,415 
Savings (including mortgage escrow funds)2,800,021  2,890,402  2,727,475  2,712,041  2,717,622 
Money market7,691,381  8,035,750  8,304,834  8,577,920  8,382,533 
Certificates of deposit3,237,990  2,766,580  2,559,325  2,158,348  1,943,820 
Total deposits and mortgage escrow22,692,568  23,463,937  23,665,916  23,849,187  23,546,928 
Borrowings2,580,922  2,101,016  1,747,941  852,057  721,642 
Stockholders’ equity4,506,537  4,464,403  4,530,334  4,591,770  4,616,660 
Tangible common stockholders’ equity 12,576,558  2,538,842  2,609,179  2,675,055  2,704,227 
          
1 See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 20.
2 Loans held for sale mainly includes commercial syndication loans.
3 Asset-based lending, payroll finance, warehouse lending, factored receivables, equipment finance and public sector finance comprise our commercial finance loan portfolio.
4 Includes loans held for sale, but excludes allowance for credit losses.

13


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 DataMarch 31,
2020
 June 30,
2020
 September
30, 2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
Basic earnings per share$0.06   $0.25  $0.43  $0.39  $0.51 
Diluted earnings per share0.06   0.25  0.43  0.38  0.50 
Adjusted diluted (loss) earnings per share, non-GAAP 1(0.02)  0.29  0.45  0.49  0.51 
Dividends declared per common share0.07   0.07  0.07  0.07  0.07 
Book value per common share22.04   22.35  22.73  23.09  23.28 
Tangible book value per common share112.83   13.17  13.57  13.87  14.08 
Shares of common stock o/s194,460,656   194,458,805  194,458,841  192,923,371  192,567,901 
Basic weighted average common shares o/s196,344,061   193,479,757  193,494,929  193,036,678  191,890,512 
Diluted weighted average common shares o/s196,709,038   193,604,431  193,715,943  193,530,930  192,621,907 
Performance Ratios (annualized)         
Return on average assets0.16 % 0.64% 1.07% 0.99% 1.33%
Return on average equity1.09   4.40  7.24  6.45  8.54 
Return on average tangible assets0.17   0.68  1.14  1.05  1.42 
Return on average tangible common equity1.90   7.73  12.57  11.07  14.58 
Return on average tangible assets, adjusted 1(0.04)  0.79  1.21  1.33  1.42 
Return on avg. tangible common equity, adjusted 1(0.49)  9.02  13.37  14.03  14.64 
Operating efficiency ratio, as adjusted 142.4   45.1  43.1  43.0  44.3 
Analysis of Net Interest Income         
Accretion income on acquired loans$10,686   $10,086  $9,172  $8,560  $8,272 
Yield on loans4.47 % 4.03% 3.82% 3.90% 3.92%
Yield on investment securities - tax equivalent 22.96   3.05  3.09  2.94  3.02 
Yield on interest earning assets - tax equivalent 24.13   3.79  3.63  3.69  3.68 
Cost of interest bearing deposits1.00   0.61  0.40  0.29  0.20 
Cost of total deposits0.81   0.48  0.31  0.22  0.15 
Cost of borrowings2.49   2.26  1.95  3.35  3.97 
Cost of interest bearing liabilities1.19   0.78  0.53  0.43  0.34 
Net interest rate spread - tax equivalent basis 22.94   3.01  3.10  3.26  3.34 
Net interest margin - GAAP basis3.16   3.15  3.19  3.33  3.38 
Net interest margin - tax equivalent basis 23.21   3.20  3.24  3.38  3.43 
Capital         
Tier 1 leverage ratio - Company 39.41 % 9.51% 9.93% 10.14% 10.50%
Tier 1 leverage ratio - Bank only 39.99   10.09  10.48  11.33  11.76 
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio - Bank only 312.19   12.24  12.39  13.38  14.02 
Total risk-based capital ratio - Bank only 313.80   13.85  13.86  14.73  15.40 
Tangible common equity - Company 18.74   8.82  9.15  9.55  9.63 
Condensed Five Quarter Income Statement         
Interest and dividend income$273,527   $253,226  $244,658  $242,610  $233,847 
Interest expense61,755   39,927  26,834  20,584  15,933 
Net interest income211,772   213,299  217,824  222,026  217,914 
Provision for credit losses138,280   56,606  30,000  27,500  10,000 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses73,492   156,693  187,824  194,526  207,914 
Non-interest income47,326   26,090  28,225  33,921  32,356 
Non-interest expense114,713   124,881  119,362  133,473  118,165 
Income before income tax (benefit) expense6,105   57,902  96,687  94,974  122,105 
Income tax (benefit) expense(8,042)  7,110  12,280  18,551  22,955 
Net income$14,147   $50,792  $84,407  $76,423  $99,150 
          
1 See a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 20.
2 Tax equivalent basis represents interest income earned on tax exempt securities divided by the applicable federal tax rate of 21%.
3 Regulatory capital amounts and ratios are preliminary estimates pending filing of the Company’s and Bank’s regulatory reports.

14

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

 As of and for the Quarter Ended
Allowance for Credit Losses Roll ForwardMarch 31,
2020
 June 30, 2020 September
30, 2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
Balance, beginning of period$106,238   $326,444   $365,489   $325,943   $326,100  
Implementation of CECL accounting standard:         
Gross up from purchase credit impaired loans22,496              
Transition amount charged to equity68,088              
Provision for credit losses - loans136,577   56,606   31,000   27,500   10,000  
Loan charge-offs1:         
Traditional C&I(298)  (3,988)  (1,089)  (17,757)  (1,027) 
Asset-based lending(985)  (1,500)  (1,297)       
Payroll finance   (560)     (730)    
Factored receivables(7)  (3,731)  (6,893)  (2,099)  (4) 
Equipment financing(4,793)  (7,863)  (42,128)  (3,445)  (2,408) 
Commercial real estate(1,275)  (11)  (3,650)  (3,266)  (2,933) 
Multi-family   (154)     (430)  (3,230) 
ADC(3)  (1)     (307)  (5,000) 
Residential mortgage(1,072)  (702)  (17,353)  (23)  (267) 
Consumer(1,405)  (172)  (97)  (62)  (391) 
Total charge-offs(9,838)  (18,682)  (72,507)  (28,119)  (15,260) 
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off1:         
Traditional C&I475   116   677   194   468  
Payroll finance9   1   262   38   2  
Factored receivables4   1   185   122   406  
Equipment financing1,105   387   816   217   854  
Commercial real estate60   584      174   487  
Multi-family   1           
Acquisition development & construction105              
Residential mortgage         1   37  
Consumer1,125   31   21   30   92  
Total recoveries2,883   1,121   1,961   776   2,346  
Net loan charge-offs(6,955)  (17,561)  (70,546)  (27,343)  (12,914) 
Balance, end of period$326,444   $365,489   $325,943   $326,100   $323,186  
Asset Quality Data and Ratios         
Non-performing loans (“NPLs”) non-accrual$252,205   $260,333   $180,795   $166,889   $168,555  
NPLs still accruing1,545   272   56   170   2  
Total NPLs253,750   260,605   180,851   167,059   168,557  
Other real estate owned11,815   8,665   6,919   5,346   5,227  
Non-performing assets (“NPAs”)$265,565   $269,270   $187,770   $172,405   $173,784  
Loans 30 to 89 days past due$69,769   $66,268   $68,979   $72,912   $42,165  
Net charge-offs as a % of average loans (annualized)0.13 % 0.32 % 1.27 % 0.50 % 0.25 %
NPLs as a % of total loans1.17   1.17   0.81   0.76   0.80  
NPAs as a % of total assets0.88   0.87   0.61   0.58   0.58  
Allowance for credit losses as a % of NPLs128.6   140.2   180.2   195.2   191.7  
Allowance for credit losses as a % of total loans1.50   1.64   1.46   1.49   1.53  
Special mention loans$132,356   $141,805   $204,267   $461,458   $494,452  
Substandard loans402,393   415,917   375,427   528,760   590,109  
Doubtful loans         304   295  
          
1 There 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.

15

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

 At or for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 CECL ACL
 Total loans Crit/Class 30-89 Days Delinquent NPLs NCOs ACL $ % of
Portfolio
Traditional C&I$2,886,337  $133,449  $3,009  $50,351  $(559) $46,393  1.61%
Asset Based Lending693,015  106,351    10,149    11,165  1.61 
Payroll Finance153,987  3,489    2,313  2  1,519  0.99 
Mortgage Warehouse1,394,945          1,232  0.09 
Factored Receivables229,629        402  3,237  1.41 
Equipment Finance1,475,716  53,850  2,514  28,870  (1,554) 28,025  1.90 
Public Sector Finance1,617,986          4,632  0.29 
Commercial Real Estate6,029,281  588,163  14,039  24,269  (2,446) 159,422  2.64 
Multi-family4,391,850  145,730  14,029  778  (3,230) 33,376  0.76 
ADC618,295  26,613    25,000  (5,000) 13,803  2.23 
Total commercial loans19,491,041  1,057,645  33,591  141,730  (12,385) 302,804  1.55 
Residential1,486,597  17,368  7,347  17,081  (230) 15,970  1.07 
Consumer174,335  9,843  1,229  9,746  (299) 4,412  2.53 
Total portfolio loans$21,151,973  $1,084,856  $42,167  $168,557  $(12,914) $323,186  1.53 


 At or for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 CECL ACL
 Total loans Crit/Class 30-89 Days Delinquent NPLs NCOs ACL $ %
of Portfolio
Traditional C&I$2,920,205  $109,258  $1,168  $19,317  $(17,563) $42,670  1.46%
Asset Based Lending803,004  123,266    5,255    12,762  1.59 
Payroll Finance159,237  2,300    2,300  (692) 1,957  1.23 
Mortgage Warehouse1,953,677          1,724  0.09 
Factored Receivables220,217  5,523      (1,977) 2,904  1.32 
Equipment Finance1,531,109  52,755  34,016  30,636  (3,228) 31,794  2.08 
Public Sector Finance1,572,819          4,516  0.29 
Commercial Real Estate5,831,990  530,199  17,229  46,127  (3,092) 155,313  2.66 
Multi-family4,406,660  106,018  11,546  4,485  (430) 33,320  0.76 
ADC642,943  31,407    30,000  (307) 17,927  2.79 
Total commercial loans20,041,861  960,726  63,959  138,120  (27,289) 304,887  1.52 
Residential1,616,641  19,410  7,911  18,661  (22) 16,529  1.02 
Consumer189,907  10,386  1,042  10,278  (32) 4,684  2.47 
Total portfolio loans$21,848,409  $990,522  $72,912  $167,059  $(27,343) $326,100  1.49 

16

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

 For the Quarter Ended
 December 31, 2020 March 31, 2021
 Average
balance
 Interest Yield/
Rate
 Average
balance
 Interest Yield/
Rate
 (Dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets:           
Traditional C&I and commercial finance loans$9,114,999  $83,429  3.64% $8,646,272  $78,006  3.66%
Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)10,191,707  105,193  4.11  10,283,292  103,625  4.09 
ADC685,368  6,500  3.77  624,259  5,856  3.80 
Commercial loans19,992,074  195,122  3.88  19,553,823  187,487  3.89 
Consumer loans195,870  2,028  4.12  182,461  2,081  4.63 
Residential mortgage loans1,691,567  17,372  4.11  1,558,266  16,287  4.18 
Total gross loans 121,879,511  214,522  3.90  21,294,550  205,855  3.92 
Securities taxable2,191,333  15,679  2.85  2,103,768  15,352  2.96 
Securities non-taxable1,964,451  14,985  3.05  1,951,210  14,858  3.05 
Interest earning deposits331,587  105  0.13  648,178  149  0.09 
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank Stock156,109  465  1.18  152,026  753  2.01 
Total securities and other earning assets4,643,480  31,234  2.68  4,855,182  31,112  2.60 
Total interest earning assets26,522,991  245,756  3.69  26,149,732  236,967  3.68 
Non-interest earning assets3,501,174      3,432,873     
Total assets$30,024,165      $29,582,605     
Interest bearing liabilities:           
Demand and savings 2 deposits$7,582,585  $3,230  0.17% $7,699,037  $2,513  0.13%
Money market deposits8,577,920  6,065  0.28  8,382,533  3,813  0.18 
Certificates of deposit2,158,348  4,122  0.76  1,943,820  2,542  0.53 
Total interest bearing deposits18,318,853  13,417  0.29  18,025,390  8,868  0.20 
Other borrowings261,787  518  0.79  85,957  36  0.17 
Subordinated debentures - Bank168,222  2,293  5.45  143,722  1,957  5.45 
Subordinated debentures - Company422,048  4,356  4.13  491,963  5,072  4.12 
Total borrowings852,057  7,167  3.35  721,642  7,065  3.97 
Total interest bearing liabilities19,170,910  20,584  0.43  18,747,032  15,933  0.34 
Non-interest bearing deposits5,530,334      5,521,538     
Other non-interest bearing liabilities731,151      697,375     
Total liabilities25,432,395      24,965,945     
Stockholders’ equity4,591,770      4,616,660     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$30,024,165      $29,582,605     
Net interest rate spread 3    3.26%     3.34%
Net interest earning assets 4$7,352,081      $7,402,700     
Net interest margin - tax equivalent  225,172  3.38%   221,034  3.43%
Less tax equivalent adjustment  (3,146)     (3,120)  
Net interest income  222,026      217,914   
Accretion income on acquired loans  8,560      8,272   
Tax equivalent net interest margin excluding accretion income on acquired loans  $216,612  3.25%   $212,762  3.30%
Ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities138.4%     139.5%    
            

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

17

Sterling Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

 For the Quarter Ended
 March 31, 2020 March 31, 2021
 Average
balance
 Interest Yield/Rate Average
balance
 Interest Yield/Rate
 (Dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets:           
Traditional C&I and commercial finance loans$8,034,108  $89,150  4.46% $8,646,272  $78,006  3.66%
Commercial real estate (includes multi-family)10,288,977  110,742  4.33  10,283,292  103,625  4.09 
ADC497,009  6,320  5.11  624,259  5,856  3.80 
Commercial loans18,820,094  206,212  4.41  19,553,823  187,487  3.89 
Consumer loans233,643  2,939  5.06  182,461  2,081  4.63 
Residential mortgage loans2,152,440  26,288  4.89  1,558,266  16,287  4.18 
Total gross loans 121,206,177  235,439  4.47  21,294,550  205,855  3.92 
Securities taxable2,883,367  20,629  2.88  2,103,768  15,352  2.96 
Securities non-taxable2,163,206  16,451  3.04  1,951,210  14,858  3.05 
Interest earning deposits489,691  1,832  1.50  648,178  149  0.09 
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock237,820  2,630  4.45  152,026  753  2.01 
Total securities and other earning assets5,774,084  41,542  2.89  4,855,182  31,112  2.60 
Total interest earning assets26,980,261  276,981  4.13  26,149,732  236,967  3.68 
Non-interest earning assets3,504,172      3,432,873     
Total assets$30,484,433      $29,582,605     
Interest bearing liabilities:           
Demand and savings 2 deposits$7,416,679  $13,064  0.71% $7,699,037  $2,513  0.13%
Money market deposits7,691,381  18,396  0.96  8,382,533  3,813  0.18 
Certificates of deposit3,237,990  14,321  1.78  1,943,820  2,542  0.53 
Total interest bearing deposits18,346,050  45,781  1.00  18,025,390  8,868  0.20 
Senior notes173,323  1,434  3.31       
Other borrowings1,963,428  9,353  1.92  85,957  36  0.17 
Subordinated debentures - Bank173,203  2,360  5.45  143,722  1,957  5.45 
Subordinated debentures - Company270,968  2,827  4.17  491,963  5,072  4.12 
Total borrowings2,580,922  15,974  2.49  721,642  7,065  3.97 
Total interest bearing liabilities20,926,972  61,755  1.19  18,747,032  15,933  0.34 
Non-interest bearing deposits4,346,518      5,521,538     
Other non-interest bearing liabilities704,406      697,375     
Total liabilities25,977,896      24,965,945     
Stockholders’ equity4,506,537      4,616,660     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$30,484,433      $29,582,605     
Net interest rate spread 3    2.94%     3.34%
Net interest earning assets 4$6,053,289      $7,402,700     
Net interest margin - tax equivalent  215,226  3.21%   221,034  3.43%
Less tax equivalent adjustment  (3,454)     (3,120)  
Net interest income  211,772      217,914   
Accretion income on acquired loans  10,686      8,272   
Tax equivalent net interest margin excluding accretion income on acquired loans  $204,540  3.05%   $212,762  3.30%
Ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities128.9%     139.5%    
            

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

18

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 22.
 As of and for the Quarter Ended
 March 31,
2020
 June 30,
2020
 September
30, 2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 
The following table shows the reconciliation of pretax pre-provision net revenue to adjusted pretax pre-provision net revenue1:
          
Net interest income$211,772   $213,299   $217,824   $222,026   $217,914  
Non-interest income47,326   26,090   28,225   33,921   32,356  
Total net revenue259,098   239,389   246,049   255,947   250,270  
Non-interest expense114,713   124,881   119,362   133,473   118,165  
PPNR144,385   114,508   126,687   122,474   132,105  
          
Adjustments:         
Accretion income(10,686)  (10,086)  (9,172)  (8,560)  (8,272) 
Net (gain) loss on sale of securities(8,412)  (485)  (642)  111   (719) 
Loss on extinguishment of debt744   9,723   6,241   2,749     
Impairment related to financial centers and real estate consolidation strategy         13,311   633  
Amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets172   172   172   172   148  
Adjusted PPNR$126,203   $113,832   $123,286   $130,257   $123,895  

19

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 22.
 As of and for the Quarter Ended
 March 31,
2020
 June 30, 2020 September
30, 2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
 
The following table shows the reconciliation of stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and the tangible common equity ratio2:
          
Total assets$30,335,036   $30,839,893   $30,617,722   $29,820,138   $29,914,282  
Goodwill and other intangibles(1,789,646)  (1,785,446)  (1,781,246)  (1,777,046)  (1,773,270) 
Tangible assets28,545,390   29,054,447   28,836,476   28,043,092   28,141,012  
Stockholders’ equity4,422,424   4,484,187   4,557,785   4,590,514   4,620,164  
Preferred stock(137,363)  (137,142)  (136,917)  (136,689)  (136,458) 
Goodwill and other intangibles(1,789,646)  (1,785,446)  (1,781,246)  (1,777,046)  (1,773,270) 
Tangible common stockholders’ equity2,495,415   2,561,599   2,639,622   2,676,779   2,710,436  
Common stock outstanding at period end194,460,656   194,458,805   194,458,841   192,923,371   192,567,901  
Common stockholders’ equity as a % of total assets14.13 % 14.10 % 14.44 % 14.94 % 14.99 %
Book value per common share$22.04   $22.35   $22.73   $23.09   $23.28  
Tangible common equity as a % of tangible assets8.74 % 8.82 % 9.15 % 9.55 % 9.63 %
Tangible book value per common share$12.83   $13.17   $13.57   $13.87   $14.08  
 
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$4,506,537   $4,464,403   $4,530,334   $4,591,770   $4,616,660  
Average preferred stock(137,579)  (137,361)  (137,139)  (136,914)  (136,687) 
Average goodwill and other intangibles(1,792,400)  (1,788,200)  (1,784,016)  (1,779,801)  (1,775,746) 
Average tangible common stockholders’ equity2,576,558   2,538,842   2,609,179   2,675,055   2,704,227  
Net income available to common12,171   48,820   82,438   74,457   97,187  
Net income, if annualized48,951   196,353   327,960   296,209   394,147  
Reported return on avg tangible common equity1.90 % 7.73 % 12.57 % 11.07 % 14.58 %
Adjusted net (loss) income (see reconciliation on page 22)$(3,124)  $56,926   $87,682   $94,323   $97,603  
Annualized adjusted net (loss) income(12,565)  228,955   348,822   375,242   395,834  
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity(0.49)% 9.02 % 13.37 % 14.03 % 14.64 %
          
The following table shows the reconciliation of reported return on average tangible assets and adjusted return on average tangible assets4:
          
Average assets$30,484,433   $30,732,914   $30,652,856   $30,024,165   $29,582,605  
Average goodwill and other intangibles(1,792,400)  (1,788,200)  (1,784,016)  (1,779,801)  (1,775,746) 
Average tangible assets28,692,033   28,944,714   28,868,840   28,244,364   27,806,859  
Net income available to common12,171   48,820   82,438   74,457   97,187  
Net income, if annualized48,951   196,353   327,960   296,209   394,147  
Reported return on average tangible assets0.17 % 0.68 % 1.14 % 1.05 % 1.42 %
Adjusted net (loss) income (see reconciliation on page 22)$(3,124)  $56,926   $87,682   $94,323   $97,603  
Annualized adjusted net (loss) income(12,565)  228,955   348,822   375,242   395,834  
Adjusted return on average tangible assets(0.04)% 0.79 % 1.21 % 1.33 % 1.42 %
          

20

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 22.
 
 As of and for the Quarter Ended
 March 31,
2020
 June 30, 2020 September
30, 2020
 December 31,
2020
 March 31,
2021
The following table shows the reconciliation of the reported operating efficiency ratio and adjusted operating efficiency ratio5:
          
Net interest income$211,772   $213,299   $217,824   $222,026   $217,914  
Non-interest income47,326   26,090   28,225   33,921   32,356  
Total revenue259,098   239,389   246,049   255,947   250,270  
Tax equivalent adjustment on securities3,454   3,411   3,258   3,146   3,120  
Net (gain) loss on sale of securities(8,412)  (485)  (642)  111   (719) 
Depreciation of operating leases(3,492)  (3,136)  (3,130)  (3,130)  (3,124) 
Adjusted total revenue250,648   239,179   245,535   256,074   249,547  
Non-interest expense114,713   124,881   119,362   133,473   118,165  
Impairment related to financial centers and real estate consolidation strategy         (13,311)  (633) 
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings(744)  (9,723)  (6,241)  (2,749)    
Depreciation of operating leases(3,492)  (3,136)  (3,130)  (3,130)  (3,124) 
Amortization of intangible assets(4,200)  (4,200)  (4,200)  (4,200)  (3,776) 
Adjusted non-interest expense106,277   107,822   105,791   110,083   110,632  
Reported operating efficiency ratio44.3 % 52.2 % 48.5 % 52.1 % 47.2 %
Adjusted operating efficiency ratio42.4   45.1   43.1   43.0   44.3  
          
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$6,105   $57,902   $96,687   $94,974   $122,105  
Income tax (benefit) expense(8,042)  7,110   12,280   18,551   22,955  
Net income (GAAP)14,147   50,792   84,407   76,423   99,150  
Adjustments:         
Net (gain) loss on sale of securities(8,412)  (485)  (642)  111   (719) 
Loss on extinguishment of debt744   9,723   6,241   2,749     
Impairment related to financial centers and real estate consolidation strategy.         13,311   633  
Amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangible assets172   172   172   172   148  
Total pre-tax adjustments(7,496)  9,410   5,771   16,343   62  
Adjusted pre-tax (loss) income(1,391)  67,312   102,458   111,317   122,167  
Adjusted income tax (benefit) expense(243)  8,414   12,807   15,028   22,601  
Adjusted net (loss) income (non-GAAP)(1,148)  58,898   89,651   96,289   99,566  
Preferred stock dividend1,976   1,972   1,969   1,966   1,963  
Adjusted net (loss) income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP)$(3,124)  $56,926   $87,682   $94,323   $97,603  
          
Weighted average diluted shares196,709,038   193,604,431   193,715,943   193,530,930   192,621,907  
Reported diluted EPS (GAAP)$0.06   $0.25   $0.43   $0.38   $0.50  
Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP)(0.02)  0.29   0.45   0.49   0.51  

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.

21

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

1 PPNR 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 PPNR 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.

2 Stockholders’ 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.

 22

STERLING BANCORP CONTACT:
Emlen Harmon, Managing Director - Investor Relations
212.309.7646
http://www.sterlingbancorp.com 

FAQ

What were the earnings results for Sterling Bancorp (STL) in Q1 2021?

Sterling Bancorp reported net income of $97.2 million or $0.50 per diluted share for Q1 2021.

How much did Sterling Bancorp's total deposits increase in Q1 2021?

Total deposits rose by 5.7% year-over-year to $23.8 billion.

What is the current tangible book value per share for STL?

As of Q1 2021, the tangible book value per share is $14.08.

Was there a dividend declared by Sterling Bancorp (STL) in Q1 2021?

Yes, a dividend of $0.07 per share was declared, payable on May 14, 2021.

What decline did Sterling Bancorp experience in adjusted PPNR during Q1 2021?

Adjusted PPNR declined by 4.9% to $123.9 million compared to the previous quarter.

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