Sterling National Bank Expands Commercial Banking Team

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - November 30, 2015) - Sterling National Bank, the principal subsidiary of Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL), announced today that Scott Morello has joined as Managing Director. Mr. Morello will provide financing solutions to middle market commercial clients in the NY Metro region.

Sterling provides commercial banking services through nearly 30 relationship teams serving the greater New York metropolitan area and beyond. Each client has a single point of contact that supports their full range of banking needs and enables them to realize their growth opportunities with customized financing solutions.

"Scott Morello's extensive experience will be a valuable addition to our team, as we continue to provide the utmost in personalized service to middle market businesses," said David S. Bagatelle, President of NY Metro Markets at Sterling National Bank.

Mr. Morello has built a successful 27-year career in middle market lending. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Team Leader at Bank Hapoalim USA, where he supervised a middle market lending group with over $550 million in credit facilities. Earlier, he held officer positions in the middle market lending divisions of Bank Leumi USA and HSBC USA, and began his banking career as a credit analyst with Bank of Boston.

About Sterling National Bank

Sterling National Bank, the principal subsidiary of Sterling Bancorp, specializes in the delivery of service and solutions to business owners, their families, and consumers in communities within the greater New York City area 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 www.snb.com.

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's current expectations about its future results, plans, operations and prospects and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including 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 at managing these risks. Other factors that could cause Sterling's actual results to differ from those indicated in forward-looking statements are included in the "Risk Factors" section of Sterling's securities filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included herein are only made as of the date hereof, and Sterling specifically disclaims any obligation to update these statements in the future.