Sterling Bancorp Announces Results for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

MONTEBELLO, NY--(Marketwired - October 26, 2015) -

Key Highlights for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

• Total revenue² was $109.4 million.
• Core net income¹ was $32.0 million and core diluted earnings per share¹ were $0.25, which represented growth of 76.3% and 13.6% over the same quarter a year ago.
• Tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.76%.
• Total non-interest income excluding securities gains was $16.1 million, which represented 14.7% of total revenue².
• Core operating efficiency ratio¹ was 49.0%.
• Commercial loan growth was $290.7 million, representing an annualized growth rate of 19.1% over the linked quarter.
• Loans to deposits ratio of 85.5%; total deposits were $8.8 billion with over 92.7% core deposits and a weighted average cost of deposits of 0.24%.
• Core return on average tangible assets¹ was 1.21%, compared to 1.06% in the third quarter of 2014.
• Core return on average tangible equity¹ was 14.33%, compared to 13.81% in the third quarter of 2014.
• Established middle market loan syndication team and expanded health care asset-based lending platform through new hires.
• Completed termination of legacy Provident Bank and legacy Sterling National Bank defined benefit pension plans.

Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL), the parent company (the "Company") of Sterling National Bank, today announced results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Net income for the quarter was $24.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to net income of $16.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the same quarter last year and a net loss of $7.6 million, or $0.08 per share, for the linked quarter ended June 30, 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net income was $33.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to net income of $41.7 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Results for the third quarter of 2015 included a pre-tax charge of $13.4 million related to the termination of the Company's defined benefit pension plans. Results in the linked quarter included pre-tax merger-related expenses and other restructuring charges of $42.7 million that were incurred in connection with the Company's merger with Hudson Valley Holding Corp. (the "HVB Merger"). The Company's operating results are detailed beginning on page 2.

1. Core measures are defined in the non-GAAP tables beginning on page 11.
2. Total revenue is equal to net interest income plus non-interest income and excluding securities gains and losses. Total revenue is a non-GAAP measure. See the table on page 12 for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure.

President's Comments
Jack Kopnisky, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We continue to successfully execute our strategy of building a high performance regional bank that delivers superior service to our small and middle market commercial clients and consumers. This was our first full quarter of operations on a combined basis after the HVB Merger. Our strong operating results demonstrate the significant progress we have made on the integration of Hudson Valley, as evidenced by our growth in revenues, higher profitability and continued improvement across all core operating metrics. As of September 30, 2015, our total assets were $11.6 billion; total portfolio loans were $7.5 billion and total deposits were $8.8 billion.

"Core net income for the quarter was $32.0 million and core diluted earnings per share were $0.25. This represents growth of 76.3% and 13.6%, respectively, over the same period a year ago. Our core return on average tangible assets was 1.21% and core return on average tangible equity was 14.33%. This compares to 1.06% and 13.81%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

"Our primary focus continues to be delivering positive operating leverage with growth in revenues that significantly outpaces growth in expenses. For the quarter, our core operating efficiency ratio was 49.0%, which compares to 52.6% in the linked quarter and 54.7% in the same quarter last year. We are confident we will realize the cost savings targets we have previously announced in connection with the HVB Merger.

"We continue to deliver strong organic loan growth across multiple asset classes. As of September 30, 2015, total portfolio loans were $7.5 billion, which represented growth of $290.0 million over the linked quarter, an annualized growth rate of 15.9%. As of September 30, 2015, our total commercial loans, which include our commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans and specialty lending³ businesses were $6.3 billion and represented 84.2% of our total portfolio loans. Our commercial loans grew by $290.7 million, representing an annualized growth rate of 19.1% over the linked quarter.

"Our strong core deposit base continues to provide us with an efficient platform to fund loan growth. As of September 30, 2015, our total deposits were $8.8 billion, of which 92.7% consisted of core deposits. In addition, we had a total cost of deposits of 24 basis points in the quarter. As of September 30, 2015, our loans to deposits ratio was 85.5% and we expect to maintain our target of a 90% to 95% loans to deposits ratio upon full deployment of the excess liquidity we acquired in the HVB Merger.

"Our non-interest income excluding securities gains was $16.1 million for the quarter, which represented 14.7% of total revenue. Our acquisitions of Damian Services Corporation ("Damian") and the factoring assets of First Capital Corporation ("First Capital") are on-track to deliver the results we anticipated. Our public finance sector team, which we acquired from Green Campus Partners, is also delivering strong loan origination volumes and will begin generating fee income going forward. We will continue growing our diversified commercial lending businesses, which are strong fee income generators, and we are actively evaluating opportunistic acquisitions, as previously indicated. To that end, we announced new team hires that will expand our health care asset-based lending business and create a middle market loan syndication business.

"Net charge-offs against the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $1.7 million. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.63% at September 30, 2015. As a result of purchase accounting, a substantial portion of the loans acquired in prior merger transactions are not subject to the allowance for loan losses as these loans were recorded at fair value. The performance of these loans remains satisfactory. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 70.4% at September 30, 2015.

"Our capital position remains strong. At September 30, 2015, our tangible equity to tangible assets ratio was 8.30% and our estimated Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.13%. At Sterling National Bank, our estimated Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.80%. We have ample capital to support our organic growth and execute our strategy.

"Lastly, I am pleased to announce our Board of Directors has declared a dividend on our common stock of $0.07 per share payable on November 16, 2015 to our holders as of the record date of November 5, 2015."

Reconciliation of GAAP to Core Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net income of $24.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2015 was impacted by net gain on sale of securities of $2.7 million, a pre-tax charge of $13.4 million related to the termination of the defined benefit pension plans and amortization of non-compete agreements and acquired customer list intangibles of $961 thousand. Excluding the impact of these items, core net income for the quarter was $32.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share.

3. Specialty lending businesses includes: asset-based lending, payroll finance, factoring, warehouse lending, and equipment finance loans.

The termination of the defined benefit pension plans also resulted in the elimination of $5.4 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to pension expense that had not yet been recognized in earnings. Therefore, the net impact of the termination of the pension plans on the Company's tangible book value and tangible book value per share was a reduction of $3.7 million and $0.03 per share, respectively.

See the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures beginning on page 12. Non-GAAP financial measures include references to the terms "core" or "excluding."

Net Interest Income and Margin
Third quarter 2015 compared with third quarter 2014
Net interest income was $93.4 million, an increase of $33.7 million compared to the third quarter of 2014. This was due to the HVB Merger and organic growth as average loans increased $2.8 billion or 60.1% between the periods. The tax-equivalent yield on investment securities decreased 15 basis points and the yield on loans decreased 8 basis points. The tax-equivalent yield on interest earning assets was 4.15% for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 4.24% in third quarter of 2014. Yield on loans included $5.8 million in accretion of the fair value discount associated with loans acquired in prior merger transactions. The cost of total deposits was 24 basis points and the cost of borrowings was 2.38%, which compares to 19 basis points and 1.88% in the third quarter of 2014. The increase in the cost of borrowings was mainly the result of a decrease in the amount of lower cost FHLB overnight advances as a percentage of total borrowings. Tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.76% compared to 3.77% for the same period a year ago.

Third quarter 2015 compared with linked quarter ended June 30, 2015
Net interest income increased $29.8 million compared to the linked quarter ended June 30, 2015. This was mainly due to the HVB Merger, which closed on June 30, 2015 and resulted in an increase in average loans of $2.1 billion or 40.8% between the periods. The yield on loans increased 15 basis points and the tax-equivalent yield on investment securities decreased 8 basis points. The tax-equivalent yield on interest earning assets was 4.15% compared to 4.03% in the linked quarter. The cost of total deposits was 24 basis points and was unchanged relative to the linked quarter. The cost of borrowings was 2.38% compared to 1.63% in the linked quarter for the same reasons as discussed above. Tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.76% compared to 3.57% in the linked quarter.

Non-interest Income
Third quarter 2015 compared with third quarter 2014
Excluding net gain on sale of securities, non-interest income increased $3.8 million to $16.1 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter last year. The increase was mainly due to the HVB Merger and an increase in accounts receivable and factoring commissions of $947 thousand, which was the result of organic growth and the acquisitions of Damian Services Corporation and First Capital's factoring assets. Gain on sale income in mortgage banking increased by $796 thousand and was $3.0 million. The Company realized a net gain on sale of securities of $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to a net gain on sale of securities of $33 thousand in the same quarter last year.

Third quarter 2015 compared with linked quarter ended June 30, 2015
Excluding net gain on sale of securities, non-interest income increased $2.9 million to $16.1 million during the third quarter of 2015 mainly due to the HVB Merger. Accounts receivable and factoring commissions increased $326 thousand, mainly due to seasonal factors and the acquisition of First Capital's factoring assets, which occurred in May 2015. Mortgage banking income increased $426 thousand mainly due to the continued low interest rate environment and strong volumes in mortgage refinance activity. Other fees, which includes other loan fees, safe deposit box rental fees and miscellaneous income increased by $606 thousand. The Company realized a net gain on sale of securities of $697 thousand in the linked quarter.

Non-interest Expense
Third quarter 2015 compared with third quarter 2014
Non-interest expense increased $27.5 million relative to the third quarter of 2014 and was $71.3 million. The increase was mainly due to higher compensation and benefits expense and occupancy and office operations expense as a result of the HVB Merger. Amortization expense increased $920 thousand due to core deposit intangible amortization associated with the HVB Merger, partially offset by lower amortization expense associated with prior acquisitions. Expenses in the third quarter of 2015 included a charge associated with the termination of the defined benefit pension plans of $13.4 million.

Third quarter 2015 compared with linked quarter ended June 30, 2015
Non-interest expense declined $14.3 million compared to the linked quarter. In the quarter ended June 30, 2015, non-interest expense included merger-related expense of $14.6 million and other restructuring charges of $28.1 million that were incurred in connection with the HVB Merger. These charges were partially offset by higher compensation and benefits expense and occupancy and office operations expense, also as a result of the HVB Merger.

Income Taxes
In the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded income taxes at a rate of 32.5%, which is unchanged relative to the linked quarter, and recorded income taxes at a rate of 28.3% for the same quarter last year.

Key Balance Sheet Highlights at September 30, 2015

• Total assets were $11.6 billion.
• Total portfolio loans were $7.5 billion.
• Commercial real estate loans represented 44.0%; commercial and industrial loans (which includes traditional C&I, asset-based lending, payroll finance, factoring, warehouse lending and equipment finance) represented 40.1%; consumer and residential mortgage loans represented 13.5%; and acquisition, development and construction loans represented 2.4% of total portfolio loans.
• Commercial loan growth, which includes commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans and specialty lending businesses was $290.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, and represented annualized growth of 19.1% over the prior quarter.
• Securities were $2.5 billion and represented 21.8% of total assets.
• Total deposits were $8.8 billion.
• Retail, commercial and municipal transaction, money market and savings deposits were $8.2 billion and represented 92.7% of total deposits.
• The allowance for loan losses was $47.6 million and represented 0.63% of total portfolio loans. The balance of fair value adjustments on acquired loans was a discount of $48.5 million at September 30, 2015. As these loans were recorded at fair value at the acquisition date; a substantial portion of these loans continue to carry no allowance for loan losses.
• Tangible book value per share was $6.94.

Credit Quality
Non-performing loans declined $1.4 million to $67.7 million, or 0.90% of total loans at September 30, 2015, compared to $69.0 million, or 0.95% of total loans in the linked quarter. The decrease was mainly due to the resolution of certain troubled loans and properties that were transfered to other real estate owned. Net charge-offs increased $39 thousand and were $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2015. The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015 was $47.6 million, which represented 70.4% of non-performing loans and 0.63% of our total loan portfolio, compared to $44.3 million, 64.2% and 0.61% respectively, as of June 30, 2015. The increase in the balance of the allowance for loan losses was mainly related to the higher balance of loans outstanding at September 30, 2015 as a substantial portion of loans acquired in prior merger transactions continue to carry no allowance for loan losses.

Capital
The Company's stockholders' equity was $1.7 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $29.1 million relative to June 30, 2015. The increase was mainly due to net income of $24.2 million, an increase in other comprehensive income of $12.4 million (which was mainly the result of an increase in the fair value of available for sale securities and the termination of the defined benefit pension plans), which were offset by dividends declared of $9.1 million. The increase in equity from exercise of stock options and stock-based compensation was $1.6 million.

Tangible book value per share increased to $6.94 at September 30, 2015 from $6.70 at June 30, 2015. Total goodwill and other intangible assets were $751.5 million at September 30, 2015, a decrease of $2.4 million compared to June 30, 2015, mainly due amortization of intangible assets. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding increased to 129.7 million and 130.2 million, respectively, compared to 91.6 million basic shares and 92.0 million diluted shares, for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. The increase was mainly due to shares issued on June 30, 2015 in the HVB Merger. Total shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 were 129.8 million.

Consolidated tangible equity to tangible assets was 8.30% at September 30, 2015 and the Company's estimated Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.13%. Sterling National Bank remained well capitalized at September 30, 2015 with an estimated Tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.80%.

Sterling Bancorp will host a teleconference and webcast on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 10:30 AM eastern daylight savings time to discuss the Company's results. Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast and view accompanying slides on the Company's website at www.sterlingbancorp.com. Analysts are invited to listen by dialing (855) 877-0343, Conference ID #49976607. A replay of the teleconference can be accessed through the Company's website.

About Sterling Bancorp
Sterling Bancorp, with its principal subsidiary Sterling National Bank, specializes in the delivery of service and solutions to business owners, their families and consumers within the communities we serve through teams of dedicated and experienced relationship managers. Sterling National Bank offers a complete line of commercial, business, and consumer banking products and services. For more information, visit the Sterling Bancorp website at www.sterlingbancorp.com.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release may contain "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may concern Sterling Bancorp's current expectations about its future results, plans, operations and prospects and involve certain risks, including the following: delays in integrating the Sterling Bancorp and Hudson Valley Holding Corp. business or fully realizing cost savings and other benefits; 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 months ended September 30, 2015. 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 period, even though the new information was received by management subsequent to the date of this release.