UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

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


 

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

Commission File No. 1-5273-1

 

 

STERLING BANCORP

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

New York

13-2565216

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

incorporation or organization)

 

650 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y.

10019-6108

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(212) 757-3300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:

 

 

 

NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE

TITLE OF EACH CLASS

ON WHICH REGISTERED

Common Shares, $1 par value per share

New York Stock Exchange

Cumulative Trust Preferred

 

Securities 8.375% (Liquidation Amount

 

$10 per Preferred Security) of Sterling

 

Bancorp Trust I and Guarantee of Sterling

 

Bancorp with respect thereto

New York Stock Exchange

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer o      Accelerated Filer þ      Non-Accelerated Filer o      Smaller Reporting Company o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No þ

On June 30, 2011, the aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $279,253,917.

The Registrant has one class of common shares, of which 30,924,832 shares were outstanding at February 23, 2012.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(1) Portions of Sterling Bancorp’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A are incorporated by reference in Part III.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

PART I

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

BUSINESS

1

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

RISK FACTORS

15

 

 

 

 

Item 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

26

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

PROPERTIES

26

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

26

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

27

 

 

 

 

Item 4A.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

27

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

27

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

28

 

 

 

 

Item 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

28

 

 

 

 

Item 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

28

 

 

 

 

Item 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

57

 

 

 

 

Item 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

116

 

 

 

 

Item 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

116

 

 

 

 

Item 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

118

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

119

 

 

 

 

Item 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

119

 

 

 

 

Item 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

119

 

 

 

 

Item 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

119

 

 

 

 

Item 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

119

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

120

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

123

 

 

 

Exhibits Submitted in a Separate Volume.

 

 



PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

The disclosures set forth in this item are qualified by ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS on pages 15–26 and the section captioned “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS” on page 30 and other cautionary statements set forth elsewhere in this report.

Sterling Bancorp (the “parent company” or the “Registrant”) is a bank holding company and a financial holding company as defined by the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”), which was organized in 1966. Sterling Bancorp and its subsidiaries derive substantially all of their revenue and income from providing banking and related financial services and products to customers primarily in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut (the “New York metropolitan area”). Throughout this report, the terms the “Company” or “Sterling” refer to Sterling Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries, while the terms the “parent company” or the “Registrant” refer to Sterling Bancorp but not its subsidiaries. The Company has operations in the New York metropolitan area and conducts business throughout the United States.

The parent company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding shares of Sterling National Bank (the “bank”), its principal subsidiary, and all of the outstanding shares of Sterling Banking Corporation and Sterling Bancorp Trust I (the “trust”). Sterling National Mortgage Company, Inc. (“SNMC”), Sterling Factors Corporation (“Factors”), Sterling Trade Services, Inc. (“Trade Services”), Sterling Resource Funding Corp. (“Resource Funding”) and Sterling Real Estate Holding Company, Inc. are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the bank. The operations of SNMC, Factors and Resource Funding were merged into the bank as of July 1, 2011, October 1, 2011 and January 1, 2012, respectively. These actions were taken to simplify marketing and business development efforts, present a unified service offering to customers and streamline organizational structure. Also, as of January 26, 2012, business activities of Trade Services ceased and the subsidiary was liquidated and its activities were consolidated into the bank.

Although Sterling Bancorp is a corporate entity, legally separate and distinct from its affiliates, bank holding companies such as Sterling Bancorp are generally required to act as a source of financial strength for their subsidiary banks. The principal source of Sterling Bancorp’s income is dividends from its subsidiaries. There are certain regulatory restrictions on the extent to which these subsidiaries can pay dividends or otherwise supply funds to Sterling Bancorp. See the section captioned “SUPERVISION AND REGULATION” for further discussion of these matters.

On April 3, 2009, Factors, a subsidiary of the bank, acquired substantially all of the assets and customer lists of DCD Capital, LLC and DCD Trade Services, LLC. The acquired assets and customer lists are now operating as a division of Factors under the name Sterling Trade Capital.

In September 2006, the Company sold the business conducted by Sterling Financial Services (“Sterling Financial”). In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the assets, liabilities and earnings/loss of the business conducted by Sterling Financial have been shown separately as discontinued operations.

For purposes of the following discussion, average balances, averages rates, income and expenses associated with Sterling Financial have been excluded from continuing operations and reported separately for all periods presented.

During the latter half of 2011, the Company combined its operating segments into one reportable segment, “Community Banking.” All of the Company’s activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent and assessed based on the manner in which it supports the other activities of the Company. For example, lending is dependent upon the ability of the bank to fund itself with retail deposits and other borrowings and to manage interest rate and credit risk. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one operating segment or unit. The Company derives a substantial portion of its revenue and income from providing banking and related financial services and products to customers located primarily in the New York metropolitan area. The financial information in this report reflects the single segment through which the Company conducts its business.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

The Bank

Sterling National Bank was organized in 1929 under the National Bank Act and commenced operations in New York City. The bank maintains twelve offices in New York: nine offices in New York City (six branches and an international banking facility in Manhattan and three branches in Queens); two branches in Nassau County (one in Great Neck and the other in Woodbury, New York) and one branch in Yonkers, New York. The executive office is located at 650 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York.

The bank provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services, including business and consumer lending, asset-based financing, residential mortgage warehouse funding, factoring/accounts receivable management services, equipment financing, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, deposit services, and trade financing.

PAGE 1


For the year ended December 31, 2011, the bank’s average earning assets represented approximately 98.9% of the Company’s average earning assets. Loans represented 59.8% and investment securities represented 35.7% of the bank’s average earning assets in 2011.

Commercial Lending, Asset-Based Financing, Residential Mortgage Warehouse Funding, and Factoring/Accounts Receivable Management. The bank provides loans to small and medium-sized businesses. The businesses are diversified across industries, including commercial, industrial and financial companies, and government and non-profit entities. Loans generally range in size up to $20 million and can be tailored to meet customers’ specific long- and short-term needs, and include secured and unsecured lines of credit, business installment loans, business lines of credit, and debtor-in-possession financing. Loans are often collateralized by assets, such as accounts receivable, inventory, marketable securities, other liquid collateral, equipment and other assets.

The bank provides financing and human resource business process outsourcing support services, exclusively for the temporary staffing industry. The bank provides full back-office, computer, tax and accounting services, as well as financing, to independently-owned staffing companies located throughout the United States. The average contract term is 18 months for approximately 200 staffing companies.

The bank offers residential mortgage warehouse funding services to mortgage bankers. Such funding consists of a line of credit (a “warehouse line”) used by the mortgage banker as a form of temporary financing during the period between the closing of a mortgage loan until its sale into the secondary market, which period typically lasts from 15 to 30 days. The bank provides warehouse lines in amounts ranging from $5 million to $20 million to an approved client base, which as of December 31, 2011, consisted of approximately 15 mortgage bankers operating nationally. The warehouse lines are secured by high quality first mortgage loans, which include conventional FannieMae and FreddieMac, jumbo and FHA loans.

The bank provides accounts receivable management services. The purchase of a client’s accounts receivable is traditionally known as “factoring” and results in payment by the client of a nonrefundable factoring fee, which is generally a percentage of the factored receivables or sales volume and is designed to compensate for the bookkeeping and collection services provided and, if applicable, its credit review of the client’s customer and assumption of customer credit risk. When the bank “factors” (i.e., purchases) an account receivable from a client, it records the receivable as an asset (included in “Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts”), records a liability for the funds due to the client (included in “noninterest-bearing demand deposits”) and credits to noninterest income the nonrefundable factoring fee (included in “Accounts receivable management/factoring commissions and other fees”). The bank also may advance funds to its client prior to the collection of receivables, charging interest on such advances (in addition to any factoring fees) and normally satisfying such advances by the collection of receivables. The accounts receivable factored are primarily for clients engaged in the apparel and textile industries.

As of December 31, 2011, the outstanding loan balance (net of unearned discounts) for commercial and industrial lending, asset-based financing, residential mortgage warehouse funding and factored receivables was $1,042.5 million, representing approximately 68.5% of the bank’s total loan portfolio.

There are no industry concentrations in the commercial and industrial loan portfolio that exceed 10% of gross loans. Approximately 68% of the bank’s loans are to borrowers located in the New York metropolitan area. The bank has no foreign loans.

Equipment Financing. The bank offers equipment financing services in the New York metropolitan area and across the United States through direct leasing programs, third-party sources and vendor programs. The bank finances full payout leases for various types of business equipment, written on a recourse basis—with personal guarantees of the principals, with terms generally ranging from 24 to 60 months. At December 31, 2011, the outstanding balance (net of unearned discounts) for equipment financing receivables was $150.8 million, with a remaining average term of 35 months, representing approximately 9.9% of the bank’s total loan portfolio.

Residential and Commercial Mortgages. The bank’s real estate loan portfolio consists of real estate loans on one-to-four family residential properties, multi-family residential properties and nonresidential commercial properties. The residential mortgage banking and brokerage business is conducted through offices located principally in New York. Residential mortgage loans, substantially all of which are for single-family residences, are focused on conforming credit, government insured FHA and other high-quality loan products and are originated primarily in the New York metropolitan area, Virginia and other mid-Atlantic states, almost all of these for resale. In addition, the Company retains in portfolio fixed and floating rate residential mortgage loans, primarily on properties located in the New York metropolitan area, which were originated by its mortgage banking subsidiary. Commercial real estate lending, including financing on multi-family

PAGE 2


residential properties and nonresidential commercial properties, is offered on income-producing investor properties and owner-occupied properties, professional co-ops and condos. At December 31, 2011, the outstanding loan balance for real estate mortgage loans was $299.4 million, representing approximately 19.7% of the bank’s total loans outstanding.

Deposit Services. The bank attracts deposits from customers located primarily in the New York metropolitan area, offering a broad array of deposit products, including checking accounts, money market accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal (“NOW”) accounts, savings accounts, rent security accounts, retirement accounts, and certificates of deposit. The bank’s deposit services include account management and information, disbursement, reconciliation, collection and concentration, ACH and others designed for specific business purposes. The deposits of the bank are insured to the extent permitted by law pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended.

Trade Finance. Through its international division and international banking facility, the bank offers financial services to its customers and correspondents in the world’s major financial centers. These services consist of financing import and export transactions, issuing letters of credit, processing documentary collections and creating banker’s acceptances. In addition, active bank account relationships are maintained with leading foreign banking institutions in major financial centers.

Foreign activities of the Company are not considered to be material with predominantly all revenues and assets attributable to customers located in the United States. As of December 31, 2011, there were no loans to or deposits from customers located outside the United States.

The composition of total revenues (interest income and non-interest income) of the bank and its subsidiaries for the three most recent fiscal years was as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Interest and fees on loans

 

52

%

 

49

%

 

48

%

 

Interest and dividends on investment securities

 

16

 

 

18

 

 

22

 

 

Noninterest income

 

31

 

 

33

 

 

29

 

 

Other

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

100

%

 

100

%

 

100

%

 

At December 31, 2011, the Company had 515 full-time equivalent employees, consisting of 240 officers and 275 supervisory and clerical employees. The bank considers its relations with its employees to be satisfactory.

COMPETITION

There is intense competition in all areas in which the Company conducts its business. As a result of the deregulation of the financial services industry under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, the Company competes with banks and other financial institutions, including savings and loan associations, savings banks, finance companies, and credit unions. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources and may have higher lending limits and provide a wider array of banking services than the Company does. To a limited extent, the Company also competes with other providers of financial services, such as money market mutual funds, brokerage firms, consumer finance companies and insurance companies. The Company generally competes on the basis of level of customer service, responsiveness to customer needs, availability and pricing of products, and geographic location.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

General

The banking industry is highly regulated. Statutory and regulatory controls are designed primarily for the protection of depositors and the banking system, and not for the purpose of protecting the shareholders of the parent company. The following discussion is not intended to be a complete list of all the activities regulated by the banking laws or of the impact of such laws and regulations on the bank and the Company. It is intended only to briefly summarize some material provisions. Changes in applicable law or regulation, and in their interpretation and application by regulatory agencies, cannot be predicted, but they may have a material effect on the business and results of the Company.

The parent company is a bank holding company and a financial holding company under the BHCA and is subject to supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”). Sterling is also subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Sterling Bancorp is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading symbol “STL” and is subject to the rules of the NYSE for listed companies.

As a national bank, the bank is principally subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Insured

PAGE 3


banks, including the bank, are subject to extensive regulation of many aspects of their business. These regulations relate to, among other things: (a) the nature and amount of loans that may be made by the bank and the rates of interest that may be charged; (b) types and amounts of other investments; (c) branching; (d) permissible activities; (e) reserve requirements; and (f) dealings with officers, directors and affiliates.

Sterling Banking Corporation is subject to supervision and regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (formerly the Banking Department of the State of New York).

Bank Holding Company Regulation

The BHCA requires the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board for the acquisition by a bank holding company of 5% or more of the voting stock or substantially all of the assets of any bank or bank holding company. Also, under the BHCA, bank holding companies are prohibited, with certain exceptions, from engaging in, or from acquiring 5% or more of the voting stock of any company engaging in, activities other than (1) banking or managing or controlling banks, (2) furnishing services to or performing services for their subsidiaries, or (3) activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto.

As discussed below under “Financial Holding Company Regulation,” the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 amended the BHCA to permit a broader range of activities for bank holding companies that qualify as “financial holding companies.”

Financial Holding Company Regulation

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act:

 

 

allows bank holding companies, the depository institution subsidiaries of which meet management, capital and the Community Reinvestment Act (the “CRA”) standards, to engage in a substantially broader range of non-banking financial activities than was previously permissible, including (a) insurance underwriting and agency, (b) making merchant banking investments in commercial companies, (c) securities underwriting, dealing and market making, and (d) sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies;

 

allows insurers and other financial services companies to acquire banks; and

 

establishes the overall regulatory structure applicable to bank holding companies that also engage in insurance and securities operations.

In order for a bank holding company to engage in the broader range of activities that are permitted by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, (1) the bank holding company and all of its depository institution subsidiaries must be and remain “well capitalized” and “well managed” and have received at least a satisfactory CRA rating, and (2) it must file a declaration with the Federal Reserve Board that it elects to be a “financial holding company.”

Requirements and standards to remain “well capitalized” are discussed below. To maintain financial holding company status, the bank must have at least a “satisfactory” rating under the CRA. Under the CRA, during examinations of the bank, the OCC is required to assess the bank’s record of meeting the credit needs of the communities serviced by the bank, including low- and moderate-income communities. Banks are given one of four ratings under the CRA: “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial non-compliance.” The bank received a rating of “outstanding” on the most recent exam completed by the OCC.

Pursuant to an election made under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the parent company has been designated as a financial holding company. As a financial holding company, Sterling may conduct, or acquire a company (other than a U.S. depository institution or foreign bank) engaged in, activities that are “financial in nature,” as well as additional activities that the Federal Reserve Board determines (in the case of incidental activities, in conjunction with the United States Department of the Treasury (the “U.S. Treasury”)), are incidental or complementary to financial activities, without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, activities that are financial in nature include insurance, securities underwriting and dealing, merchant banking, and sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies. Under the merchant banking authority added by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, financial holding companies may invest in companies that engage in activities that are not otherwise permissible “financial” activities, subject to certain limitations, including that the financial holding company makes the investment with the intention of limiting the investment duration and does not manage the company on a day-to-day basis.

Generally, financial holding companies must continue to meet all the requirements for financial holding company status in order to maintain the ability to undertake new activities or acquisitions that are financial in nature and the ability to continue those activities that are not generally permissible for bank holding companies. If the parent company ceases to so qualify, it would be required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to engage in non-banking activities or to acquire more than 5% of the voting stock of any company that is engaged in non-banking activities. With certain exceptions, the Federal Reserve Board can only provide prior approval to applications involving activities that it had previously determined, by regulation or order, are so closely related to banking as to be properly incident thereto. Such activities are more limited than the range of activities that are deemed “financial in nature.”

PAGE 4


Dodd-Frank Act

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act has resulted, and will continue to result, in sweeping changes in the regulation of financial institutions aimed at strengthening the sound operation of the financial services sector. The Dodd-Frank Act’s provisions that have received the most public attention generally have been those applying to or more likely to affect larger institutions. However, it contains numerous other provisions that affect all banks and bank holding companies, identified below. The Dodd-Frank Act includes provisions that, among other things:

 

 

Centralize responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer protection laws.

 

Restrict the preemption of state law by federal law and disallow subsidiaries and affiliates of national banks, such as the bank, from availing themselves of such preemption.

 

Apply the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to most bank holding companies.

 

Require the OCC to seek to make its capital requirements for national banks, such as Sterling National Bank, countercyclical so that capital requirements increase in times of economic expansion and decrease in times of economic contraction.

 

Require financial holding companies, such as the parent company, to be well capitalized and well managed. Bank holding companies and banks must also be both well capitalized and well managed in order to acquire banks located outside their home state.

 

Implement corporate governance revisions, including with regard to executive compensation and proxy access by shareholders, that apply to all public companies, not just financial institutions.

 

Make permanent the $250 thousand limit for federal deposit insurance and increase the cash limit of Securities Investor Protection Corporation protection from $100 thousand to $250 thousand and provide unlimited federal deposit insurance until December 31, 2012 for non-interest bearing demand transaction accounts at all insured depository institutions.

 

Repeal the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts.

 

Prohibit banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading or acquiring or retaining an interest in a private equity or hedge fund (the “Volcker Rule”).

 

Change the assessment base for federal deposit insurance from the amount of insured deposits to consolidated assets less tangible capital, eliminate the ceiling and the size of the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”), and increase the floor applicable to the size of the DIF.

 

Increase the authority of the Federal Reserve to examine the Company and its non-bank subsidiaries.

In October 2011, federal regulators proposed rules to implement the Volcker Rule that included an extensive request for comments on the proposal, with a due date of February 13, 2012. The proposed rules are highly complex, and many aspects of the Volcker Rule remain unclear. We are analyzing how the proposed rules would affect us and, as proposed, do not anticipate that the Volcker Rule will have a material effect on the operations of the Company, as the Company does not engage in the businesses prohibited by the Volcker Rule. The Company may incur costs if it is required to adopt additional policies and systems to ensure compliance with the Volcker Rule, but any such costs are not expected to be material. However, the full impact on us will not be known with certainty until the rules are finalized and we have designed and implemented our compliance and related programs. The Volcker Rule provisions are scheduled to take effect no later than July 2012, and companies will be required to come into compliance within two years after the effective date (subject to possible extensions).

Some of these provisions may have the consequence of increasing our expenses, decreasing our revenues, and changing the activities in which we choose to engage. The environment in which banking organizations will operate after the financial crisis, including legislative and regulatory changes affecting capital, liquidity, supervision, permissible activities, corporate governance and compensation, changes in fiscal policy and steps to eliminate government support for banking organizations, may have long-term effects on the business model and profitability of banking organizations that cannot now be foreseen. The specific impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on our current activities or new financial activities we may consider in the future, our financial performance and the markets in which we operate will depend on the manner in which the relevant agencies develop and implement the required rules and the reaction of market participants to these regulatory developments. Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to rule-making and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on the Company, its customers or the financial industry more generally. We will continue to assess our business, risk management, and compliance practices to conform to developments in the regulatory environment.

PAGE 5


Payment of Dividends

The parent company depends for its cash requirements on funds maintained or generated by its subsidiaries, principally the bank.

Various legal restrictions limit the extent to which the bank can fund the parent company and its nonbank subsidiaries. All national banks are limited in the payment of dividends without the approval of the OCC to an amount not to exceed the net profits (as defined) for that year-to-date combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two calendar years, less any required transfers to surplus. Federal law also prohibits national banks from paying dividends that would be greater than the bank’s undivided profits after deducting statutory bad debt in excess of the bank’s allowance for loan losses. Under the foregoing restrictions, and while maintaining its “well capitalized” status, as of December 31, 2011, the bank could pay dividends of approximately $47.1 million to the parent company, without obtaining regulatory approval. This is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be paid or are available to be paid in future periods.

Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), a depository institution, such as the bank, may not pay dividends if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it is already undercapitalized. The payment of dividends by the parent company and the bank may also be affected or limited by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital. The appropriate federal regulatory authority is authorized to determine under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a bank holding company or a bank that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment thereof. The appropriate federal regulatory authorities have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a bank’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice and that banking organizations should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. In addition, in the current financial and economic environment, the Federal Reserve Board has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.

Transactions with Affiliates

Federal laws strictly limit the ability of banks to engage in transactions with their affiliates, including their bank holding companies. Regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board limit the types and amounts of these transactions (including loans due and extensions of credit from their U.S. bank subsidiaries) that may take place and generally require those transactions to be on an arm’s-length basis. In general, these regulations require that any “covered transactions” between a subsidiary bank and its parent company or the non-bank subsidiaries of the bank holding company are limited to 10% of a bank subsidiary’s capital and surplus and, with respect to such parent company and all such nonbank subsidiaries, to an aggregate of 20% of the bank subsidiary’s capital and surplus. Further, loans and extensions of credit generally are required to be secured by eligible collateral in specified amounts. The Dodd-Frank Act significantly expanded the coverage and scope of the limitations on affiliate transactions within a banking organization including, for example, the requirement that the 10% of capital limit on these transactions apply to financial subsidiaries as well. “Covered transactions” are defined by statute to include a loan or extension of credit, as well as a purchase of securities issued by an affiliate, a purchase of assets (unless otherwise exempted by the Federal Reserve Board) from the affiliate, certain derivative transactions that create a credit exposure to an affiliate, the acceptance of securities issued by the affiliate as collateral for a loan, and the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate.

Federal law also limits a bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons. Among other things, extensions of credit to insiders are required to be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons. Also, the terms of such extensions of credit may not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features and may not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the bank’s capital.

Banks are subject to prohibitions on certain tying arrangements. A depository institution is prohibited, subject to some exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.

Capital Adequacy

As a bank holding company, the parent company is subject to consolidated regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve Board. The bank is subject to similar capital requirements administered by the OCC. The federal regulatory authorities’ risk-based capital guidelines are based upon the 1988 capital accord (“Basel I”) of the Basel

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Committee. The Basel Committee is a committee of central banks and bank supervisors/regulators from the major industrialized countries that develops broad policy guidelines for use by each country’s supervisors in determining the supervisory policies they apply. The requirements are intended to ensure that banking organizations have adequate capital given the risk levels of assets and off-balance sheet financial instruments. Under the requirements, banking organizations are required to maintain minimum ratios for Tier 1 capital and total capital to risk-weighted assets (including certain off-balance sheet items, such as letters of credit). For purposes of calculating the ratios, a banking organization’s assets and some of its specified off-balance sheet commitments and obligations are assigned to various risk categories. A depository institution’s or holding company’s capital, in turn, is classified in tiers, depending on type:

 

 

Core Capital (Tier 1). Currently, Tier 1 capital includes common equity, retained earnings, qualifying non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, and, under existing standards, a limited amount of qualifying trust preferred securities, and qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock at the holding company level, less goodwill, most intangible assets and certain other assets.

 

 

Supplementary Capital (Tier 2). Currently, Tier 2 capital includes, among other things, perpetual preferred stock not meeting the Tier 1 definition, qualifying mandatory convertible debt securities, qualifying subordinated debt, and allowances for loan and lease losses, subject to limitations.

The Dodd-Frank Act applies the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to bank holding companies such as the Company, which, among other things as applied to the Company, going forward will preclude the Company from including in Tier 1 capital trust preferred securities or cumulative preferred stock, if any, issued on or after May 19, 2010 and to deduct, over three years beginning January 1, 2013, all trust preferred securities (including trust preferred securities issued by Sterling Bancorp Trust I) from the Company’s Tier 1 capital. As of the date of this report the Company did not have any trust preferred securities issued on or after May 19, 2010 or any cumulative preferred stock outstanding.

As a bank holding company, the parent company is currently required to maintain Tier 1 capital and “total capital” (the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital) equal to at least 4.0% and 8.0%, respectively, of its total risk-weighted assets (including various off-balance-sheet items, such as standby letters of credit). National banks are required to maintain similar capital levels under capital adequacy guidelines. For a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, its Tier 1 and total capital ratios must be at least 6.0% and 10.0% on a risk-adjusted basis, respectively. The elements currently comprising Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital and the minimum Tier 1 capital and total capital ratios may in the future be subject to change, as discussed in greater detail below.

Bank holding companies and banks are also required to comply with minimum leverage ratio requirements. The leverage ratio is the ratio of a banking organization’s Tier 1 capital to its total adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined for regulatory purposes). The requirements necessitate a minimum leverage ratio of 3.0% for financial holding companies and national banks that have the highest supervisory rating. All other financial holding companies and national banks are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, unless a different minimum is specified by an appropriate regulatory authority. For a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, its leverage ratio must be at least 5.0%. The bank regulatory agencies have encouraged banking organizations, including healthy, well-run banking organizations, to operate with capital ratios substantially in excess of the stated ratios required to maintain “well capitalized” status. This has resulted from, among other things, current economic conditions, the global financial crisis and the likelihood, as described below, of increased formal capital requirements for banking organizations. In light of the foregoing, the Company and the bank expect that they will maintain capital ratios substantially in excess of these ratios.

In 2004, the Basel Committee published a new capital accord (“Basel II”) to replace Basel I. Basel II provides two approaches for setting capital standards for credit risk—an internal ratings-based approach tailored to individual institutions’ circumstances and a standardized approach that bases risk weightings on external credit assessments to a much greater extent than permitted in existing risk-based capital guidelines. Basel II also sets capital requirements for operational risk and refines the existing capital requirements for market risk exposures.

In the United States, regulators have required the advanced approaches of Basel II to be implemented only by certain large or internationally active banking organizations, or “core banks”—defined as those with consolidated total assets of $250 billion or more or consolidated on-balance sheet foreign exposures of $10 billion or more. Other U.S. banking organizations can elect to adopt the requirements of this rule (if they meet applicable qualification requirements), but they are not required to apply them. The rule also allows a banking organization’s primary federal supervisor to determine

PAGE 7


that the application of the rule would not be appropriate in light of the bank’s asset size, level of complexity, risk profile, or scope of operations. The Company is not required to comply with the advanced approaches of Basel II.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC and the FDIC to adopt regulations imposing a continuing “floor” of the Basel I-based capital requirements in cases where the Basel II-based capital requirements and any changes in capital regulations resulting from Basel III (see below) otherwise would permit lower requirements. In December 2010, the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC and the FDIC issued a joint notice of proposed rulemaking that would implement this requirement.

In December 2010, the Basel Committee released its final framework for strengthening international capital and liquidity regulation, now officially identified by the Basel Committee as “Basel III.” Basel III, when implemented by the U.S. banking agencies and fully phased-in, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain substantially more capital, with a greater emphasis on common equity.

The Basel III final capital framework, among other things, (i) introduces as a new capital measure “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”), (ii) specifies that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) defines CET1 narrowly by requiring that most adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital and (iv) expands the scope of the adjustments as compared to existing regulations.

When fully phased-in on January 1, 2019, Basel III will require banks to maintain (i) as a newly adopted international standard, a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5% CET1 ratio as that buffer is phased-in, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7% upon full implementation), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0% Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased-in, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation), (iii) a minimum ratio of Total Capital (that is, Tier 1 plus Tier 2) to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio as that buffer is phased-in, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5% upon full implementation) and (iv) as a newly adopted international standard, a minimum leverage ratio of 3%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to balance sheet exposures plus certain off-balance sheet exposures (as the average for each quarter of the month-end ratios for the quarter).

Basel III also provides for a “countercyclical capital buffer,” generally to be imposed when bank regulatory agencies determine that excess aggregate credit growth has become associated with a build-up of systemic risk, that would be a CET1 add-on to the capital conservation buffer in the range of 0% to 2.5% when fully implemented (potentially resulting in total buffers of between 2.5% and 5%).

The aforementioned capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the short fall.

The implementation of the Basel III capital framework will commence on January 1, 2013. On that date, banking institutions will be required to meet the following minimum capital ratios:

 

 

3.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets.

 

 

4.5% Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.

 

 

8.0% Total capital to risk-weighted assets.

Management believes, as of December 31, 2011, that the parent company and the bank would meet all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III capital framework on a fully phased-in basis if such requirements were currently effective.

The Basel III final framework provides for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1. Under current capital standards, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income items included in capital are excluded for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios. Under the Basel III capital framework, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive items are not excluded, which could result in significant variations in level of capital depending upon the impact of interest rate fluctuations on the fair value of the Company’s investment securities portfolio.

Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to CET1 will begin on January 1, 2014 and will be phased-in over a five-year period (20% per year). The implementation of the capital conservation buffer will begin on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and be phased-in over a four-year

PAGE 8


period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019).

Although the U.S. banking agencies have not yet published a notice of proposed rulemaking to implement Basel III in the United States, they have indicated informally that rules implementing the Basel III capital framework will be published for comment during the first half of 2012. As of the date of this report, the application of the Basel III liquidity framework to bank holding companies with less than $50 billion of total consolidated assets is less certain. Accordingly, the regulations ultimately adopted and made applicable to the Company may be different from the Basel III final framework as published in December 2010. Requirements to maintain higher levels of capital or to maintain higher levels of liquid assets could adversely impact the Company’s net income and return on equity.

Liquidity Requirements

Historically, regulation and monitoring of bank and bank holding company liquidity has been addressed as a supervisory matter, without required formulaic measures. The Basel III liquidity framework requires banks and bank holding companies to measure their liquidity against specific liquidity tests that, although similar in some respects to liquidity measures historically applied by banks and regulators for management and supervisory purposes, going forward would be required by regulation. One test, referred to as the liquidity coverage ratio (“LCR”), is designed to ensure that the banking entity maintains an adequate level of unencumbered high-quality liquid assets equal to the entity’s expected net cash outflow for a 30-day time horizon (or, if greater, 25% of its expected total cash outflow) under an acute liquidity stress scenario. The other test, referred to as the net stable funding ratio (“NSFR”), is designed to promote more medium- and long-term funding of the assets and activities of banking entities over a one-year time horizon. These requirements will incent banking entities to increase their holdings of U.S. Treasury securities and other sovereign debt as a component of assets and increase the use of long-term debt as a funding source. The Basel III liquidity framework contemplates that the LCR will be subject to an observation period continuing through mid-2013 and, subject to any revisions resulting from the analyses conducted and data collected during the observation period, implemented as a minimum standard on January 1, 2015. Similarly, it contemplates that the NSFR will be subject to an observation period through mid-2016 and, subject to any revisions resulting from the analyses conducted and data collected during the observation period, implemented as a minimum standard by January 1, 2018. These new standards are subject to further rulemaking and their terms may well change before implementation.

Prompt Corrective Action

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (“FDIA”), requires, among other things, the federal banking agencies to take “prompt corrective action” in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDIA includes the following five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. The relevant capital measures are the total capital ratio, the Tier 1 capital ratio and the leverage ratio.

A bank will be: (i) “well capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater, and is not subject to any order or written directive by any such regulatory authority to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure; (ii) “adequately capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and is not “well capitalized”; (iii) “undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based ratio that is less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%; (iv) “significantly undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%; and (v) “critically undercapitalized” if the institution’s tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.0% of average quarterly tangible assets. An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than that indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters. As of December 31, 2011, the Company and the bank were “well capitalized,” based on the ratios and guidelines described above. A bank’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying prompt corrective action regulations, and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the bank’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.

The FDIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. Undercapitalized institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. The agencies may not accept such a plan without

PAGE 9


determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution’s capital. In addition, for a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution’s parent holding company must guarantee that the institution will comply with such a capital restoration plan. The aggregate liability of the parent holding company is limited to the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 5.0% of the depository institution’s total assets at the time it became undercapitalized and (ii) the amount which is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into compliance with all capital standards applicable with respect to such institution as of the time it fails to comply with the plan. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.”

“Significantly undercapitalized” depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become “adequately capitalized,” requirements to reduce total assets, and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.

Support of the Bank

Federal Reserve Board policy historically required a bank holding company to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary banks. The Dodd-Frank Act codified this policy as a statutory requirement. As a result, the Federal Reserve Board may require the parent company to stand ready to use its resources to provide adequate capital funds to its banking subsidiaries during periods of financial stress or adversity. This support may be required at times by the Federal Reserve Board even though not expressly required by regulation and even though the parent company may not be in a financial position to provide such support. In addition, any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary banks. The BHCA provides that, in the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment. Furthermore, under the National Bank Act, if the capital stock of the bank is impaired by losses or otherwise, the OCC is authorized to require payment of the deficiency by assessment upon the parent company. If the assessment is not paid within three months, the OCC could order a sale of the capital stock of the bank held by the parent company to make good the deficiency.

FDIC Insurance

The FDIC utilizes a risk-based assessment system that imposes insurance premiums based upon a risk matrix that, as described below, takes into account, among other things, a bank’s capital level and supervisory rating (its “CAMELS rating”).

Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005, which became law in 2006, the bank received a one-time assessment credit that can be applied against future premiums through 2010, subject to certain limitations. Any increase in insurance assessments could have an adverse impact on the earnings of insured institutions, including the bank. The bank paid a deposit insurance premium in 2011 amounting to $2.1 million.

In addition, the bank is required to make payments for the servicing of obligations of the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) issued in connection with the resolution of savings and loan associations, so long as such obligations remain outstanding. The bank paid a FICO assessment in 2011 amounting to $183 thousand. The FICO annualized assessment rate for the first quarter of 2012 is 0.66 cents per $100 of deposits.

On November 17, 2009, the FDIC implemented a final rule requiring insured institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012. Such prepaid assessments were collected by the FDIC on December 30, 2009, along with each institution’s quarterly risk-based deposit insurance assessment for the third quarter of 2009. As of December 31, 2011, $2.9 million in pre-paid deposit insurance is included in “Other assets” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

In October 2010, the FDIC adopted a new DIF restoration plan to ensure that the fund reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. At least semi-annually, the FDIC will update its loss and income projections for the fund and, if needed, will increase or decrease assessment rates, following notice-and-comment rulemaking if required.

In November 2010, the FDIC issued a final rule to implement provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that provide for temporary unlimited coverage for non-interest-bearing transaction accounts. The separate coverage for non-interest-bearing transaction accounts became effective on December 31, 2010 and terminates on December 31, 2012.

On April 1, 2011, assessment base changed from total domestic deposits to average total assets minus average tangible equity, pursuant to a rule issued by the FDIC as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. Additionally, the initial base assessment rate schedule was revised effective April 1, 2011 to range from 5 to 35 basis points on an annualized basis (basis points representing cents

PAGE 10


per $100). After the effect of potential base-rate adjustments, the total base assessment rate could range from 2.5 to 45 basis points on an annualized basis. The potential adjustments to an institution’s initial base assessment rate include (i) a potential decrease of up to 5 basis points for certain long-term unsecured debt (“unsecured debt adjustment”) and, except for well-capitalized institutions with a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2, (ii) (except for well-capitalized institutions with a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2) a potential increase of up to 10 basis points for brokered deposits in excess of 10% of domestic deposits (“brokered deposit adjustment”). As the DIF reserve ratio grows, the rate schedule will be adjusted downward. Additionally, a new adjustment for depository institution debt was instituted whereby an institution will pay an additional premium equal to 50 basis points on every dollar (above 3% of an institution’s Tier 1 capital) of long-term, unsecured debt held that was issued by another insured depository institution (excluding debt guaranteed under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program). Either an increase in the risk category of the bank or adjustments to the base assessment rates could have a material adverse effect on our earnings.

Under the FDIA, insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order, or condition imposed by the FDIC.

In its resolution of the problems of an insured depository institution in default or in danger of default, the FDIC is generally required to satisfy its obligations to insured depositors at the least possible cost to the DIF. In addition, the FDIC may not take any action that would have the effect of increasing the losses to the deposit insurance fund by protecting depositors for more than the insured portion of deposits or creditors other than depositors.

Incentive Compensation

The Dodd-Frank Act requires U.S. financial regulators, including the Federal Reserve Board, to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at certain regulated entities, including bank holding companies and national banks, having at least $1 billion in total assets, that encourage inappropriate risks by providing an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, fees or benefits or that could lead to material financial loss to the entity. In addition, these regulators must establish regulations or guidelines requiring enhanced disclosure to regulators of incentive-based compensation arrangements. The initial version of these regulations was proposed by the U.S. financial regulators in February 2011 and the regulations may become effective in 2012. If the regulations are adopted in the form initially proposed, they will impose limitations on the manner in which we may structure compensation for our executives and directors, and require us to adopt additional policies and procedures.

In June 2010, the Federal Reserve, OCC and FDIC issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The incentive compensation guidelines, which cover all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, are based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors. These three principles are incorporated into the proposed joint compensation regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act, discussed above.

The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

In addition, in the first half of 2011, the SEC adopted rules concerning say-on-pay votes and golden parachute compensation arrangements. These rules require us to make enhanced disclosures to the SEC, and require us to provide our shareholders with a nonbinding say-on-pay vote to approve the compensation of the named executive officers, a non-binding vote to determine how often the say-on-pay vote will occur and, in certain circumstances, a non-binding vote to approve, and proxy disclosure of, golden parachute compensation arrangements.

PAGE 11


The scope and content of the U.S. banking regulators’ policies on executive compensation are continuing to develop and are likely to continue evolving in the near future. It cannot be determined at this time whether compliance with such policies will adversely affect the ability of Sterling and its subsidiaries to hire, retain and motivate its and their key employees.

Depositor Preference

The FDIA provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors, and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including the parent bank holding company, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.

Liability of Commonly Controlled Institutions

The FDIA provides that a depository institution insured by the FDIC can be held liable by the FDIC for any loss incurred, or reasonably expected to be incurred, in connection with the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution or in connection with any assistance provided by the FDIC to a commonly controlled institution “in danger of default” (as defined in the FDIA).

Community Reinvestment Act

The CRA requires depository institutions to assist in meeting the credit needs of their market areas consistent with safe and sound banking practice. Under the CRA, each depository institution is required to help meet the credit needs of its market areas by, among other things, providing credit to low- and moderate-income individuals and communities. Depository institutions are periodically examined for compliance with the CRA and are assigned ratings. In order for a financial holding company to commence any new activity permitted by the BHCA, or to acquire any company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHCA, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the CRA. Furthermore, banking regulators take into account CRA ratings when considering approval of a proposed transaction.

Financial Privacy

In accordance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, federal banking regulators adopted rules that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a nonaffiliated third party. The privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors.

Anti-Money Laundering Initiatives and the USA Patriot Act

A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions in recent years has been aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA Patriot Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”) substantially broadened the scope of United States anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The U.S. Treasury has issued a number of implementing regulations which apply to various requirements of the USA Patriot Act to financial institutions such as the Company. These regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of their customers. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution, including the imposition of enforcement actions and civil monetary penalties.

Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation

The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. These sanctions, which are administered by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), take many different forms. Generally, however, they contain one or more of the following elements: (i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on “U.S. persons” engaging in financial transactions relating to making investments in, or providing investment-related advice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; and (ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons). Blocked assets (for example, property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal, financial and reputational consequences.

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Legislative Initiatives and Regulatory Reform

From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation could change banking statutes and the operating environment of the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions and other financial institutions. The Company cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any implementing regulations, would have on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. A change in statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to the Company could have a material effect on the business of the Company.

As a result of the continued volatility and instability in the financial system, the Congress, the bank regulatory authorities and other government agencies have called for or proposed additional regulation and restrictions on the activities, practices and operations of banks and their holding companies. The Congress and the federal banking agencies have broad authority to require all banks and holding companies to adhere to more rigorous or costly operating procedures, corporate governance procedures, or to engage in activities or practices which they would not otherwise elect.

We cannot predict whether or in what form further legislation and/or regulations may be adopted or the extent to which Sterling’s business may be affected thereby.

Safety and Soundness Standards

Federal banking agencies promulgate safety and soundness standards relating to, among other things, internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees, and benefits. With respect to internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, the standards describe the functions that adequate internal controls and information systems must be able to perform, including: (i) monitoring adherence to prescribed policies; (ii) effective risk management; (iii) timely and accurate financial, operations, and regulatory reporting; (iv) safeguarding and managing assets; and (v) compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The standards also include requirements that: (i) those performing internal audits be qualified and independent; (ii) internal controls and information systems be tested and reviewed; (iii) corrective actions be adequately documented; and (iv) results of an audit be made available for review of management actions. In addition, federal banking agencies adopted regulations that authorize, but do not require, an agency to order an institution that has been given notice by an agency that it is not satisfying any of such safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan. If, after being so notified, an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan or fails in any material respect to implement an acceptable compliance plan, the agency must issue an order directing action to correct the deficiency and may issue an order directing other actions of the types to which an undercapitalized institution is subject under the “prompt corrective action” provisions of the FDIA. See “Prompt Corrective Action” above. If an institution fails to comply with such an order, the agency may seek to enforce such order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil money penalties.

Consequences of Non-compliance with Supervision or Regulation

Federal banking law grants substantial enforcement powers to federal banking regulators. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease-and-desist or removal orders and to initiate injunctive actions against banking organizations and institution-affiliated parties. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. Other actions or inactions may provide the basis for enforcement action, including misleading or untimely reports filed with regulatory authorities.

The bank and its “institution-affiliated parties,” including its directors, management, employees, agents, independent contractors, consultants such as attorneys and accountants and others who participate in the conduct of the financial institution’s affairs, are subject to potential civil and criminal penalties for violations of law, regulations or written orders of a government agency. In addition, regulators are provided with greater flexibility to commence enforcement actions against institutions and institution-affiliated parties. Possible enforcement actions include the termination of deposit insurance and cease-and-desist orders. Such orders may, among other things, require affirmative action to correct any harm resulting from a violation or practice, including restitution, reimbursement, indemnifications or guarantees against loss. A financial institution may also be ordered to restrict its growth, dispose of certain assets, rescind agreements or contracts, or take other actions as determined by the ordering agency to be appropriate.

Under provisions of the federal securities laws, a determination by a court or regulatory agency that certain violations have

PAGE 13


occurred at a company or its affiliates can result in fines, restitution, a limitation of permitted activities, disqualification to continue to conduct certain activities and an inability to rely on certain favorable exemptions. Certain types of infractions and violations can also affect a public company in its timing and ability to expeditiously issue new securities into the capital markets.

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED STATISTICAL INFORMATION

 

 

I.

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity; Interest Rates and Interest Differential

The information appears on pages 48 and 49 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

 

 

II.

Investment Portfolio

A summary of the Company’s investment securities by type with related carrying values at the end of each of the three most recent fiscal years appears beginning on page 39 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.” Information regarding book values and range of maturities by type of security and weighted average yields for totals of each category appears on pages 40 and 42 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

 

 

III.

Loan Portfolio

A table setting forth the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio, net of unearned discounts, at the end of each of the five most recent fiscal years appears beginning on page 42 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

A table setting forth the maturities and sensitivity to changes in interest rates of the Company’s commercial and industrial loans at December 31, 2011 appears on page 42 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

It is the policy of the Company to consider all customer requests for extensions of original maturity dates (rollovers), whether in whole or in part, as though each was an application for a new loan subject to standard approval criteria, including credit evaluation. Additional information appears under “Loan Portfolio” beginning on page 41 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” and under “Loans” in Note 1 and in Note 5 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

A table setting forth the aggregate amount of domestic nonaccrual, past due and restructured loans of the Company at the end of each of the five most recent fiscal years appears on page 43 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS”; there were no foreign loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis. Information regarding loans that have undergone a troubled debt restructuring and impaired loans is presented under “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” in Note 5 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Loan concentration information is presented in Note 5 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Information regarding Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock is presented in Note 1 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

IV.

Summary of Loan Loss Experience

A summary of loan loss experience appears in Note 5 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and beginning on page 42 under “Asset Quality” in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.” A table setting forth certain information with respect to the Company’s loan loss experience for each of the five most recent fiscal years appears on page 45 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

The Company considers its allowance for loan losses to be adequate based upon the size and risk characteristics of the outstanding loan portfolio at December 31, 2011. Net losses within the loan portfolio are not, however, statistically predictable and are subject to various external factors that are beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, changes in conditions in the next twelve months could result in future provisions for loan losses varying from the provision recorded in 2011.

A table presenting the Company’s allocation of the allowance at the end of each of the five most recent fiscal years appears on page 47 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.” This allocation is based on estimates by management that may vary based on management’s evaluation of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. The amount allocated to a particular loan category may not necessarily be indicative of actual future charge-offs in that loan category.

 

 

V.

Deposits

Average deposits and average rates paid for each of the three most recent years are presented on page 48 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

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Outstanding time certificates of deposit issued from domestic and foreign offices and interest expense on domestic and foreign deposits are presented in Note 7 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The table providing selected information with respect to the Company’s deposits for each of the three most recent fiscal years appears on page 47 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

Interest expense for the three most recent fiscal years is presented in Note 7 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

VI.

Return on Assets and Equity

The Company’s returns on average total assets and average shareholders’ equity, dividend payout ratio and average shareholders’ equity to average total assets for each of the five most recent years is presented in “SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA” on page 29.

 

 

VII.

Short-Term Borrowings

Balance and rate data for significant categories of the Company’s short-term borrowings for each of the three most recent years is presented in Note 8 and in Note 9 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE

The Company’s Internet address is www.sterlingbancorp.com and the investor relations section of our web site is located at www.sterlingbancorp.com/ir/investor.cfm. The Company makes available free of charge, on or through the investor relations section of the Company’s web site, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC.

Also posted on the Company’s web site, and available in print upon request of any shareholder to our Investor Relations Department, are the Charters for our Board of Directors’ Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Method for Interested Persons to Communicate with Non-Management Directors, our policy on excessive or luxury expenditures and a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics governing our directors, officers and employees. Within the time period required by the SEC and the NYSE, the Company will post on our web site any amendment to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and any waiver applicable to our senior financial officers, as defined in the Code, or our executive officers or directors. In addition, information concerning purchases and sales of our equity securities by our executive officers and directors is posted on our web site. The contents of the Company’s web site are not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

An investment in the parent company’s common shares is subject to risks inherent to the Company’s business. The most significant risks and uncertainties that management believes affect the Company are described below. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this report. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that management is not aware of or focused on, or that management currently deems less significant, may also impair the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.

If any of the following risks adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations, the value of the parent company’s common shares could decline significantly and you could lose all or part of your investment.

RISKS RELATED TO THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS

The Company’s Business May Be Adversely Affected by Conditions in the Financial Markets and Economic Conditions Generally

From December 2007 through June 2009, the United States experienced a recession and a slowing of economic activity. Business activity across a wide range of industries and regions was greatly reduced. The real estate sector, and the related segments of the construction business sector, were particularly severely affected. Local governments and many businesses were in serious difficulty, due to the lack of consumer spending and the lack of liquidity in the credit markets. Unemployment had increased significantly.

Since mid-2007, and particularly during the second half of 2008 and the first half of 2009, the financial services industry and the securities markets generally were materially and adversely affected by significant declines in the values of nearly all asset classes and by a serious lack of liquidity. This was initially triggered by declines in home prices and the values of subprime mortgages, but spread to all mortgage and real estate asset classes, to leveraged bank loans and to nearly all asset classes, including equities.

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The U.S. financial system has stabilized, but internationally, the weakness of certain foreign banks and the increasing danger of sovereign defaults has led to continuing high levels of uncertainty and volatility in the international financial markets. In particular, concerns about the European Union’s sovereign debt crisis have also caused uncertainty for financial markets globally. Such risks could indirectly affect the Company by affecting its hedging or other counterparties, as well as the Company’s customers with European businesses or assets denominated in the euro or companies in the Company’s market with European businesses or affiliates.

Although economic conditions have improved, certain sectors, such as real estate and manufacturing, remain weak and unemployment remains high. Despite the actions of the U.S. Government and the Federal Reserve Board, both with respect to monetary policy, fiscal policy and increased regulations meant to restore investor confidence, the overall business environment in 2011 was adverse for many households and businesses in the United States and worldwide.

The Company’s financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay the principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, is highly dependent upon the business environment in the markets where the Company operates, in the New York metropolitan area and in the United States as a whole. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, efficient capital markets, low inflation, high business and investor confidence and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by: declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors. The business environment in the New York metropolitan area, the United States and worldwide has improved since the recession, but there can be no assurance that these conditions will continue to improve in the near term. A slowing of improvement or a return to deteriorating economic conditions could adversely affect the credit quality of the Company’s loans, business results of operations and financial condition.

Continued Market Volatility May Adversely Impact Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Our Ability to Manage Risk

The capital and credit markets experienced unprecedented volatility and disruption during the 2008 financial crisis. Under these extreme conditions, our hedging and other risk management strategies may not be as effective at mitigating securities trading losses as they would be under less volatile market conditions. Further market volatility could produce downward pressure on our stock price and credit availability without regard to our underlying financial strength. The broad decline in stock prices throughout the financial services industry, which has also affected our common shares, could require a goodwill impairment test. A substantial goodwill impairment charge could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Severe market events have historically been difficult to predict, however, and we could realize significant losses if unprecedented extreme market events were to reoccur. For a discussion of risk, see “ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT” beginning on page 50 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.” If markets experience further upheavals, there can be no assurance that we will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to manage risk and on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We May Experience Write-downs of Investment Securities that We Own and Other Losses Related to Volatile and Illiquid Market Conditions, Reducing Our Earnings

We maintain an investment securities portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. These securities are generally classified as available for sale and, consequently, are recorded on our balance sheet at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. Our portfolio includes residential mortgage-backed securities, agency notes, municipal obligations and corporate debt securities, the values of which are subject to market price volatility to the extent unhedged. This volatility affects the amount of our capital. In addition, if such investments suffer credit losses, we may recognize the credit losses as an other-than-temporary impairment which could impact our revenue in the quarter in which we recognize the losses. If we experience losses related to our investment securities portfolio in the future, it could ultimately adversely affect our results of operations and capital levels. For information regarding our investment securities portfolio, see “BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS—Securities” beginning on page 38 and for information regarding the sensitivity of and risks associated with the market value of portfolio investments and interest rates, refer to “ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT—Market Risk” beginning on page 50, both of which are in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

Improvements in Economic Indicators Disproportionately Affecting the Financial Services Industry May Lag Improvements in the General Economy

The improvement of certain economic indicators, such as unemployment and real estate asset values and rents, may

PAGE 16


nevertheless continue to lag behind the overall economy. These economic indicators typically affect certain industries, such as real estate and financial services, more significantly. For example, improvements in commercial real estate fundamentals typically lag broad economic recovery by 12 to 18 months. The Company’s clients include entities active in these industries. Furthermore, financial services companies with a substantial lending business are dependent upon the ability of their borrowers to make debt service payments on loans. Should unemployment or real estate asset values fail to recover for an extended period of time, the Company could be adversely affected.

The Company Is Subject to Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon its net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets such as loans and securities and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowed funds. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the Company’s control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Open Market Committee. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest the Company receives on loans and securities and the amount of interest it pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect (i) the Company’s ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, and (iii) the average duration of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities portfolio. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, the Company’s net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings.

Although management believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to reduce the potential effects of changes in interest rates on the Company’s results of operations, any substantial, unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. For further discussion related to the Company’s management of interest rate risk, see “ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT” beginning on page 50 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

The Company Is Subject to Lending Risk

There are inherent risks associated with the Company’s lending activities. These risks include, among other things, the impact of changes in interest rates and changes in the economic conditions in the markets where the Company operates as well as those throughout the United States. Increases in interest rates and/or a return to weakening economic conditions could adversely impact the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans or the value of the collateral securing these loans. The Company is also subject to various laws and regulations that affect its lending activities. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject the Company to regulatory enforcement action that could result in the assessment of significant civil money penalties against the Company. In addition, under various laws and regulations relating to mortgage lending and terms of various agreements the Company is a party to, the Company may be required to repurchase loans or indemnify loan purchasers as a result of breaches of representations and warranties, borrower fraud, or certain borrower defaults.

As of December 31, 2011, approximately 60.8% of the Company’s loan portfolio consisted of commercial and industrial, factored receivables, construction and commercial real estate loans. These types of loans are generally viewed as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans or consumer loans. These types of loans are also typically larger than residential real estate loans and consumer loans. Because the Company’s loan portfolio contains a significant number of commercial and industrial, construction and commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in non-performing loans. An increase in non-performing loans could result in a net loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for loan losses and an increase in loan charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Further, if repurchase and indemnity demands with respect to the Company’s loan portfolio increase, its liquidity, results of operations and financial condition will be adversely affected. For further discussion related to commercial and industrial, construction and commercial real estate loans, see “Loan Portfolio” beginning on page 41 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

The Company’s Allowance for Loan Losses May Be Insufficient

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses, which is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, that represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing

PAGE 17


portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations; specific credit risks; loan loss experience; current loan portfolio quality; present economic, political and regulatory conditions; and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires the Company to make significant estimates of current credit risks and trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Continuing deterioration of economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside the Company’s control, may require an increase in the allowance for loan losses. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the provision for loan losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. In addition, if charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for loan losses, the Company will need additional provisions to increase the allowance for loan losses. Any increases in the allowance for loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and, possibly, capital, and may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. For further discussion related to the Company’s process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses, see “Asset Quality” beginning on page 42 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

The Company May Not Be Able to Meet the Cash Flow Requirements of Its Depositors and Borrowers or Meet Its Operating Cash Needs to Fund Corporate Expansion and Other Activities

Liquidity is the ability to meet cash flow needs on a timely basis at a reasonable cost. The liquidity of the bank is used to make loans and leases and to repay deposit liabilities as they become due or are demanded by customers. Liquidity policies and limits are established by the board of directors. The overall liquidity position of the bank and the parent company are regularly monitored to ensure that various alternative strategies exist to cover unanticipated events that could affect liquidity. Funding sources include Federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and non-core deposits. The bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, which provides funding through advances to members that are collateralized with mortgage-related assets. The Company maintains a portfolio of securities that can be used as a secondary source of liquidity. The bank also can borrow through the Federal Reserve Bank’s discount window.

If the Company is unable to access any of these funding sources when needed, we might be unable to meet customers’ needs, which could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and level of regulatory-qualifying capital. For further discussion, see “Liquidity Risk” beginning on page 52 in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”

The Parent Company Relies on Dividends from Its Subsidiaries

The parent company is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiaries. It receives dividends from its subsidiaries. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on the parent company’s common shares and principal of and interest on its debt. Various federal and/or state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the bank and certain non-bank subsidiaries may pay to the parent company. Also, the parent company’s right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors. In the event the bank is unable to pay dividends to the parent company, the parent company may not be able to service debt, pay obligations or pay dividends on the parent company’s common shares. The inability of the parent company to receive dividends from the bank could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. See “SUPERVISION AND REGULATION” on pages 3–14 and Note 16 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company May Need to Raise Additional Capital in the Future and Such Capital May Not Be Available When Needed or at All

The Company may need to raise additional capital in the future to provide it with sufficient capital resources and liquidity to meet its commitments and business needs, particularly if its asset quality or earnings were to deteriorate significantly. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on, among other things, conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside of the Company’s control, and the Company’s financial performance. Economic conditions and the loss of confidence in financial institutions may increase the Company’s cost of funding and limit access to certain customary sources of capital, including inter-bank borrowings, repurchase agreements and borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank’s discount window.

PAGE 18


The Company cannot assure that such capital will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Any occurrence that may limit the Company’s access to the capital markets, such as a decline in the confidence of debt purchasers, depositors of the bank or counterparties participating in the capital markets, or a downgrade of the parent company or the bank’s ratings, may adversely affect the Company’s capital costs and its ability to raise capital and, in turn, its liquidity. Moreover, if the Company needs to raise capital in the future, it may have to do so when many other financial institutions are also seeking to raise capital and would have to compete with those institutions for investors. An inability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms when needed could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company Is Subject to a Variety of Operational Risks, Including Reputational Risk, Legal and Compliance Risk, the Risk of Fraud or Theft by Employees or Outsiders

The Company is exposed to many types of operational risks, including reputational risk, legal and compliance risk, the risk of fraud or theft by employees or outsiders, unauthorized transactions by employees or operational errors, including clerical or record-keeping errors or those resulting from faulty or disabled computer or telecommunications systems. Negative public opinion can result from its actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, corporate governance and acquisitions and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to those activities. The 2008 financial crisis and current political and public sentiment regarding financial institutions have resulted in a significant amount of adverse media coverage of financial institutions. Harm to our reputation can result from numerous sources, including adverse publicity arising from events in the financial markets, our perceived failure to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, the purported actions of our employees or alleged financial reporting irregularities involving ourselves or our competitors. Additionally, a failure to deliver appropriate standards of service and quality or a failure to appropriately describe our products and services can result in customer dissatisfaction, lost revenue, higher operating costs and litigation. Actions by the financial services industry generally or by other members of or individuals in the financial services industry can also negatively impact our reputation. For example, public perception that some consumers may have been treated unfairly by financial institutions has damaged the reputation of the financial services industry as a whole.

Negative public opinion can adversely affect its ability to attract and keep customers and can expose the Company to litigation and regulatory action. Actual or alleged conduct by the Company can result in negative public opinion about its other business. Negative public opinion could also affect its credit ratings, which are important to its access to unsecured wholesale borrowings.

Because the nature of the financial services business involves a high volume of transactions, certain errors may be repeated or compounded before they are discovered and successfully rectified. The Company’s necessary dependence upon automated systems to record and process its transaction volume may further increase the risk that technical flaws or employee tampering or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are difficult to detect. The Company also may be subject to disruptions of its operating systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond its control (for example, computer viruses or electrical or telecommunications outages), which may give rise to disruption of service to customers and to financial loss or liability. While the Company has policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of its information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The Company is further exposed to the risk that its external vendors may be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations (or will be subject to the same risk of fraud or operational errors by their respective employees as the Company is) and to the risk that its (or its vendors’) business continuity and data security systems prove to be inadequate. The occurrence of any of these risks could result in a diminished ability of the Company to operate its business, potential liability to clients, reputational damage and regulatory intervention, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations, perhaps materially.

The Company Relies on Other Companies to Provide Key Components of Its Business Infrastructure

Third parties provide key components of the Company’s business infrastructure, for example, system support, Internet connections and network access. While the Company has selected these third-party vendors carefully, it does not control their actions. Any problems caused by these third parties, including those resulting from their failure to provide services for any reason or their poor performance of services, could adversely affect its ability to deliver products and services to its customers and otherwise conduct its business. Replacing these third-party vendors could also entail significant delay and expense.

PAGE 19


The Company Is Subject to Environmental Liability Risk Associated with Lending Activities

A portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, the Company may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, the Company may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require the Company to incur substantial expense and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit the Company’s ability to use or sell the affected property. Future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase the Company’s exposure to environmental liability. Although the Company has policies and procedures to perform an environmental review before initiating any foreclosure action on real property, these reviews may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s Profitability Depends Significantly on Local and Overall Economic Conditions

The Company’s success depends significantly on the economic conditions of the communities it serves and the general economic conditions of the United States. The Company has operations in New York City and the New York metropolitan area, and conducts business in Virginia and other mid-Atlantic states and throughout the United States. The economic conditions in these areas and throughout the United States have a significant impact on the demand for the Company’s products and services as well as the ability of the Company’s customers to repay loans, the value of the collateral securing loans and the stability of the Company’s deposit funding sources. Poor economic conditions, whether caused by recession, inflation, unemployment, changes in securities markets, acts of terrorism, outbreak of hostilities or other international or domestic occurrences, acts of God or other factors could impact these local economic conditions and, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company May Be Adversely Affected by the Soundness of Other Financial Institutions

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. The Company has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks, and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, the Company’s credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by the Company cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit, or derivative, if any, exposure due to the Company. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Severe Weather, Natural Disasters or Other Acts of God, Acts of War or Terrorism and Other External Events Could Significantly Impact the Company’s Business

Severe weather, natural disasters or other acts of God, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on the Company’s ability to conduct business. Such events could affect the stability of the Company’s deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue and/or cause the Company to incur additional expenses. Although management has established disaster recovery policies and procedures, the occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company Operates in a Highly Competitive Industry and Market Area

The Company faces substantial competition in all areas of its operations from a variety of different competitors, many of which are larger and may have more financial resources. Such competitors primarily include national, regional, and community banks within the various markets the Company operates. Additionally, various out-of-state banks have entered the market areas in which the Company currently operates. The Company also faces competition from many other types of financial institutions, including, without limitation, savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, factoring companies and other financial intermediaries. The financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. Also, technology and other changes have lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks. For example, consumers can maintain funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts or

PAGE 20


mutual funds. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as “disintermediation,” could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. Many of the Company’s competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. Additionally, due to their size, many competitors may be able to achieve economies of scale and, as a result, may offer a broader range of products and services as well as better pricing for those products and services than the Company does.

The Company’s ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among other things:

 

 

The ability to develop, maintain and build upon customer relationships based on top quality service, high ethical standards and safe, sound assets.

 

The ability to expand the Company’s market position.

 

The scope, relevance and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands.

 

The rate at which the Company introduces new products and services relative to its competitors.

 

Customer satisfaction with the Company’s level of service.

 

Industry and general economic trends.

Failure to perform in any of these areas could significantly weaken the Company’s competitive position, which could adversely affect the Company’s growth and profitability, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company Is Subject to Extensive Government Regulation and Supervision

The Company, primarily through the parent company and the bank and certain non-bank subsidiaries, is subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole, not shareholders. These regulations affect the Company’s lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in July 2010, instituted major changes to the banking and financial institutions’ regulatory regimes, currently and in the near future, in light of the recent performance of and government intervention in the financial services sector. U.S. regulatory agencies—banking, securities and commodities—are steadily publishing notices of proposed regulations required by the Dodd-Frank Act, and new bodies created by the Dodd-Frank Act (including the Financial Stability Oversight Council and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) are commencing operations. The related findings of various regulatory and commission studies, the interpretations issued as part of the rulemaking process and the final regulations that are issued with respect to various elements of the new law may cause changes that impact the profitability of our business activities and require that we change certain of our business practices and plans. Other changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject the Company to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products the Company may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. While the Company has policies and procedures designed to prevent any such violations, there can be no assurance that such violations will not occur. See “SUPERVISION AND REGULATION” on pages 3–14.

Increases in FDIC Insurance Premiums May Adversely Affect the Company’s Earnings

Since 2008, higher levels of bank failures have dramatically increased resolution costs of the FDIC and depleted the Deposit Insurance Fund. In addition, the permanent increase of insured amount of deposit accounts up to $250,000 from $100,000 per each customer and the temporary unlimited insurance of noninterest-bearing demand transaction accounts have placed additional stress on the Deposit Insurance Fund.

In order to maintain a strong funding position and restore reserve ratios of the Deposit Insurance Fund, the FDIC has increased assessment rates of insured institutions. In addition, on November 12, 2009, the FDIC adopted a rule requiring banks to prepay three years’ worth of premiums to replenish the depleted fund.

The Company is generally unable to control the amount of premiums that it is required to pay for FDIC insurance. If there are additional bank or financial institution failures the Company may be required to pay even higher FDIC premiums than the recently increased levels. Additionally, the failure by the parent company or the bank to maintain its “well capitalized” status could also lead to higher FDIC

PAGE 21


assessments. Such increases and any future increases or required prepayments of FDIC insurance premiums may adversely impact its earnings.

The Company’s Controls and Procedures May Fail or Be Circumvented

The Company’s internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the Company’s controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company May Be Subject to a Higher Effective Tax Rate if Sterling Real Estate Holding Company, Inc. Fails to Qualify as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”)

Sterling Real Estate Holding Company Inc. (“SREHC”) operates as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. SREHC was established to acquire, hold and manage mortgage assets and other authorized investments to generate net income for distribution to its shareholders.

For an entity to qualify as a REIT, it must satisfy the following six asset tests under the Internal Revenue Code each quarter: (1) 75% of the value of the REIT’s total assets must consist of real estate assets, cash and cash items, and government securities; (2) not more than 25% of the value of the REIT’s total assets may consist of securities, other than those includible under the 75% test; (3) not more than 5% of the value of its total assets may consist of securities of any one issuer, other than those securities includible under the 75% test or securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries; (4) not more than 10% of the outstanding voting power of any one issuer may be held, other than those securities includible under the 75% test or securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries; (5) not more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer may be held, other than those securities includible under the 75% test or securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries; and (6) a REIT cannot own securities in one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries which comprise more than 25% of its total assets. At December 31, 2011, SREHC met all six quarterly asset tests.

Also, a REIT must satisfy the following two gross income tests each year: (1) 75% of its gross income must be from qualifying income closely connected with real estate activities; and (2) 95% of its gross income must be derived from sources qualifying for the 75% test plus dividends, interest, and gains from the sale of securities. In addition, a REIT must distribute at least 90% of its taxable income for the taxable year, excluding any net capital gains, to maintain its non-taxable status for federal income tax purposes. For 2011, SREHC had met the two annual income tests and the distribution test.

If SREHC fails to meet any of the required provisions and, therefore, does not qualify to be a REIT, the Company’s effective tax rate would increase.

The Company Would Be Subject to a Higher Effective Tax Rate if Sterling Real Estate Holding Company, Inc. Is Required to Be Included in a New York Combined Return

New York State tax law generally requires a REIT that is majority-owned by a New York State bank to be included in the bank’s combined New York State tax return. The Company believes that it qualifies for the small-bank exception to this rule. If, contrary to this belief, Sterling Real Estate Holding Company, Inc. were required to be included in the Company’s New York State combined tax return, the Company’s effective tax rate would increase.

Under the small-bank exception, dividends received by the bank from SREHC, a real estate investment trust, are subject to a 60% dividends-received deduction, which results in only 40% of the dividends being subject to New York State tax. Currently, the New York City banking corporation tax operates in the same manner in this respect. The possible reform of the New York State franchise and banking corporation tax laws mentioned below could require SREHC to file a combined New York State return with the Company and substantially eliminate the benefit of the 60% dividends-received deduction by causing generally all of SREHC’s income to be subject to New York State tax as part of the Company’s combined return.

Possible New York State Legislative Changes May Negatively Affect the Amount of Taxes We Pay in Future Years

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance developed, and released to the public in 2010 and 2011, a detailed proposal to reform the New York State corporate franchise and banking laws. If that released proposal were enacted, it would substantially alter how the Company and the bank are taxed in New York State, including substantially eliminating the benefit of the 60% dividends-received deduction. In December 2011, New York State Governor Cuomo created the New York State Tax Reform and Fairness Commission, with a mandate to conduct a comprehensive and objective review of the State’s taxation policy and consider ways to eliminate tax loopholes, promote administration efficiency and enhance tax collection and enforcement. The Commission members have not yet been appointed and it is not possible to predict what the results of the Commission’s work will be, and what impact, if any, the Commission’s results will have. Nor is it possible to predict whether any tax legislation that would impact the Company and the bank’s effective

PAGE 22


New York State (and New York City) tax rates will be proposed or enacted.

The Recent Repeal of Federal Prohibitions on Payment of Interest on Demand Deposits Could Increase the Company’s Interest Expense

All federal prohibitions on the ability of financial institutions to pay interest on demand deposit accounts were repealed as part of the Dodd-Frank Act beginning on July 21, 2011. As a result, some financial institutions commenced offering interest on demand deposits to compete for customers. The Company does not yet know what interest rates other institutions may offer as the market rates begin to increase. The Company’s interest expense will increase and its net interest margin will decrease if it begins offering interest on demand deposits to attract additional customers or maintain current customers, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

New Lines of Business or New Products and Services May Subject the Company to Additional Risks

The Company may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new products and services, the Company may invest significant time and resources but it may take time for revenues to develop. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives, and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new product or service. Furthermore, any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal controls. Failure to manage these risks successfully in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Potential Acquisitions May Disrupt the Company’s Business and Dilute Shareholder Value

The Company seeks merger or acquisition partners that are compatible and have experienced management and possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale or expanded services. Acquiring other banks, businesses or branches involves various risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things:

 

 

Potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company.

 

Exposure to potential asset quality issues of the target company.

 

Difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target company.

 

Potential disruption to the Company’s business.

 

Potential diversion of the Company’s management time and attention.

 

The possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company.

 

Difficulty in estimating the value of the target company.

 

Potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations that may affect the target company.

The Company regularly evaluates merger and acquisition opportunities and conducts due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions and financial services companies. As a result, merger or acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur at any time. To the extent we enter into an agreement to acquire an entity, there can be no guarantee that the transaction will close when anticipated, or at all. In particular, at times we must seek federal regulatory approvals before we can acquire another organization, which can delay or disrupt such acquisitions. Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, and, therefore, some dilution of the Company’s tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future transaction. Furthermore, failure to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence and/or other projected benefits from an acquisition could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company May Not Be Able to Attract and Retain Skilled People

The Company’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract and retain key people. Competition for the best people in most activities engaged in by the Company can be intense, and the Company may not be able to hire people or to retain them. The unexpected loss of services of one or more of the Company’s key personnel could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business because of their skills, knowledge of the Company’s market, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel. The Company has employment agreements with two of its senior officers.

PAGE 23


Our ability to attract and retain key executives and other employees may be hindered as a result of regulations applicable to incentive compensation and other aspects of our compensation programs promulgated by the Federal Reserve and other regulators in the United States, regulations on incentive compensation to be promulgated by various U.S. regulators pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act and other existing and potential regulations. These regulations, which include and are expected to include mandatory deferral and clawback requirements, do not and will not apply to some of our competitors and to other institutions with which we compete for talent. Our ability to recruit and retain key talent may be adversely affected by these regulations.

If the Company’s Information Systems Experience an Interruption or Breach in Security that Results in a Loss of Confidential Client Information or Impacts Our Ability to Provide Services to Our Clients, Our Business and Results of Operations May Be Adversely Affected

The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. The security of our computer systems, software and networks, and those functions that we may outsource, may be vulnerable to breaches, hacker attacks, unauthorized access and misuse, computer viruses and other cyber security risks and events that could result in failures or disruptions in our business, customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit and loan systems. Our businesses that rely heavily on technology are particularly vulnerable to security breaches and technology disruptions. Breaches of security may occur through intentional or unintentional acts by those having authorized or unauthorized access to our or our clients’ or counterparties’ confidential information, including employees and customers, as well as hackers. A breach of security that results in the loss of confidential client information may require us to reimburse clients for data and credit monitoring efforts and would be costly and time-consuming, and may negatively impact our results of operations and reputation. Additionally, security breaches or disruptions of our information system could impact our ability to provide services to our clients, which could expose us to liability for damages, result in the loss of customer business, damage our reputation, subject us to regulatory scrutiny or expose us to civil litigation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Certain security breaches or other cyber incidents may remain undetected for an extended period of time, which may amplify the damages to our clients and/or us arising from such breaches or incidents. In addition, the failure to upgrade or maintain our computer systems, software and networks, as necessary, could also make us susceptible to breaches and unauthorized access and misuse. There can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify, investigate or remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising from information systems security risks.

The Company Depends on the Accuracy and Completeness of Information About Customers and Counterparties

In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions, the Company may rely on information furnished by or on behalf of customers and counterparties, including financial statements, credit reports and other financial information. The Company may also rely on representations of those customers, counterparties or other third parties, such as independent auditors, as to the accuracy and completeness of that information. Reliance on inaccurate or misleading financial statements, credit reports or other financial information could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and, in turn, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company Continually Encounters Technological Change

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The Company’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the Company’s operations. Many of the Company’s competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. The Company may not be able to implement effectively new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to keep pace successfully with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and, in turn, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company Is Subject to Claims and Litigation Pertaining to Fiduciary Responsibility and Lender Liability

From time to time, customers make claims and take legal action pertaining to the Company’s performance of its fiduciary responsibilities. Whether customer claims and legal action related to the Company’s performance of its fiduciary responsibilities are founded or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to the Company they may result in significant financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception of the Company

PAGE 24


and its products and services as well as impact customer demand for those products and services. Any fiduciary liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, in recent years, a number of judicial decisions have upheld the right of borrowers to sue lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories, collectively termed “lender liability.” Generally, lender liability is founded on the premise that a lender has either violated a duty, whether implied or contractual, of good faith and fair dealing owed to the borrower or has assumed a degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or shareholders. Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against the Company or its subsidiaries could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations and/or cause significant harm to its reputation.

The Company’s Reported Financial Results Depend on Management’s Selection of Accounting Methods and Certain Assumptions and Estimates

The Company’s accounting policies and methods are fundamental to the methods by which the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. Its management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many of these accounting policies and methods so they comply with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect management’s judgment of the most appropriate manner to report its financial condition and results. In some cases, management must select the accounting policy or method to apply from two or more alternatives, any of which may be reasonable under the circumstances, yet may result in its reporting materially different results than would have been reported under a different alternative.

Certain accounting policies are critical to presenting its financial condition and results. They require management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. These critical accounting policies include: the allowance for credit losses; the determination of fair value for financial instruments; the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets; the accounting for pension and post-retirement benefits and the accounting for income taxes. Because of the uncertainty of estimates involved in these matters, the Company may be required to do one or more of the following: significantly increase the allowance for credit losses and/or sustain credit losses that are significantly higher than the reserve provided; recognize significant impairment on its goodwill and other intangible asset balances; or significantly increase its accrued tax liability.

Changes in the Company’s Accounting Policies or in Accounting Standards Could Materially Affect How the Company Reports Its Financial Results and Condition

From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and SEC change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the Company restating prior period financial statements.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARENT COMPANY’S COMMON SHARES

The Parent Company’s Share Price Can Be Volatile

Share price volatility may make it more difficult to resell the parent company’s common shares when desired and at an attractive price. The parent company’s share price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors, including, among other factors:

 

 

Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations.

 

Recommendations by securities analysts.

 

Expectation of or actual equity dilution.

 

Operating and share price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to the Company.

 

News reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry.

 

Perceptions in the marketplace regarding the Company and/or its competitors.

 

New technology used, or services offered, by competitors.

 

Significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving the Company or its competitors.

 

Failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions.

 

Changes in government regulation.

 

Geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.

General market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes or credit loss trends, could also cause the parent company’s share price to decrease regardless of operating results.

PAGE 25


The Trading Volume in the Parent Company’s Common Shares Is Less Than That of Other Larger Financial Services Companies

Although the parent company’s common shares are listed for trading on the NYSE, the trading volume in its common shares is less than that of other larger financial services companies. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers and sellers of the parent company’s common shares at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which the Company has no control. Given the trading volume of the parent company’s common shares, significant sales of the parent company’s common shares, or the expectation of these sales, could cause the parent company’s share price to fall.

An Investment in the Parent Company’s Common Shares Is Not an Insured Deposit

The parent company’s common shares are not bank deposits and, therefore, are not insured against loss by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any other deposit insurance fund or by any other public or private entity. Investment in the parent company’s common shares are inherently risky for the reasons described in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this report and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common shares in any company. As a result, if you acquire the parent company’s common shares, you may lose some or all of your investment.

The Parent Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws as Well as Certain Banking Laws May Have an Anti-Takeover Effect

Provisions of the parent company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws, and federal banking laws, including regulatory approval requirements, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire the parent company, even if doing so would be perceived to be beneficial to the parent company’s shareholders. The combination of these provisions effectively inhibits a non-negotiated merger or other business combination, which, in turn, could adversely affect the market price of the parent company’s common shares.

The Parent Company May Not Pay Dividends on Its Common Shares

Holders of shares of the parent company’s common shares are only entitled to receive such dividends as its board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Although the parent company has historically declared cash dividends on its common shares, it is not required to do so and may reduce or eliminate its common share dividend in the future. This could adversely affect the market price of its common shares.

Future Issuances of Additional Common Shares or Other Equity Securities Could Result in Dilution of Ownership of the Parent Company’s Existing Shareholders

The parent company may from time to time explore capital raising opportunities and may determine to issue additional common shares or other equity securities to increase its capital, support growth, or to make acquisitions. We intend to take advantage of favorable market conditions to increase our capital. Further, the parent company may issue stock options or other stock grants to retain and motivate its employees. These issuances of equity securities could dilute the voting and economic interests of its existing shareholders.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The principal office of the Company occupies one floor at 650 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y., consisting of approximately 14,400 square feet. The lease for this office expires April 30, 2016. Rental commitments to the expiration date approximate $3.8 million.

At December 31, 2011, the bank also maintains operating leases for ten branch offices, the international banking facility, and additional space in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties (New York) with an aggregate of approximately 135 thousand square feet. Effective in 2011, certain lease agreements terminated and the bank has entered into new agreements for additional space, bringing the amount of space committed to an aggregate of approximately 135 thousand square feet. The aggregate office rental commitments for these premises, including the new space under lease in 2011, approximates $44.0 million. These leases have expiration dates ranging from 2012 through 2025 with varying renewal options. The bank owns free and clear (not subject to a mortgage) a building in which it maintains a branch located in Forest Hills, Queens, N.Y.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business there are various legal proceedings pending against the Company. Management, after consulting with counsel, is of the opinion that there should be no material liability with respect to such proceedings and accordingly no provision has been made in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. During the 2011 fourth quarter, the Company recorded a charge related to the settlement of certain litigation.

PAGE 26


ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4A. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

This table sets forth information regarding the parent company’s executive officers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Executive

 

Title

 

Age

 

Held Executive
Office Since

Louis J. Cappelli

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Director

 

81

 

1967

John C. Millman

 

President, Director

 

69

 

1986

John W. Tietjen

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

67

 

1989

Howard M. Applebaum

 

Senior Vice President

 

53

 

2002

Eliot S. Robinson

 

Executive Vice President of Sterling National Bank

 

69

 

1998

All executive officers who are employees of the parent company are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board. The executive officer who is not an employee of the parent company is elected annually by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Board of Directors of the bank. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of the foregoing executive officers and any other person or persons pursuant to which he was selected as an executive officer.

 

The Company’s 2011 Domestic Company Section 303A Annual CEO Certification was filed (without qualifications) with the NYSE.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The parent company’s common shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “STL.” Information regarding the quarterly prices of the common shares is presented in Note 25 on page 114. Information regarding the average common shares outstanding and dividends per common share is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income on page 59. Information regarding the Company’s stock incentive plans is presented in Note 17 on page 96. Information regarding legal restrictions on the ability of the bank to pay dividends is presented in Note 16 on page 96. Although such restrictions do not apply to the payment of dividends by the parent company to its shareholders, such dividends may be limited by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital under the risk-based capital regulations described in Note 22 beginning on page 110. As of February 23, 2012, there were 1,218 shareholders of record of our common shares.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the following dividends were declared on our common shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Dividends Per Share

 

2011

 

2010

First Quarter

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.09

Second Quarter

 

 

0.09

 

 

0.09

Third Quarter

 

 

0.09

 

 

0.09

Fourth Quarter

 

 

0.09

 

 

0.09

Total

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.36

The Board of Directors initially authorized the repurchase of common shares in 1997 and since then has approved increases in the number of common shares that the parent company is authorized to repurchase. The latest increase was announced on February 15, 2007, when the Board of Directors increased the Company’s authority to repurchase common shares by an additional 800,000 shares. This increased the Company’s authority to repurchase shares to approximately 933,000 common shares.

Under its share repurchase program, the Company buys back common shares from time to time. The Company did not repurchase any of its common shares during the fourth quarter of 2011. At December 31, 2011, the maximum number of shares that may yet be repurchased under the share repurchase program was 870,963.

PAGE 27


For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plan, see Item 12 on page 119. The following performance graph compares for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (a) the yearly cumulative total shareholder return (i.e., the change in share price plus the cumulative amount of dividends, assuming dividend reinvestment, divided by the initial share price, expressed as a percentage) on Sterling’s common shares, with (b) the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, and with (c) the cumulative total return on the KBW Regional Banks Index (a market-capitalization weighted bank-stock index):

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Sterling Bancorp, the S&P 500 Index, and the KBW

(LINE GRAPH)

*$100 invested on 12/31/06 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/06

 

 

12/07

 

 

12/08

 

 

12/09

 

 

12/10

 

 

12/11

 

Sterling Bancorp

 

 

100.00

 

 

  72.81

 

 

79.20

 

 

43.17

 

 

65.77

 

 

56.63

 

S&P 500

 

 

100.00

 

 

105.49

 

 

66.46

 

 

84.05

 

 

96.71

 

 

98.75

 

KBW Regional Bank Index

 

 

100.00

 

 

  78.03

 

 

63.55

 

 

49.48

 

 

59.58

 

 

56.51

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The information appears on page 29. All such information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and discussions of factors that may materially affect the comparability of information and material uncertainties in “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS” on page 30.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information appears on pages 30–56 and supplementary quarterly data appears in Note 25 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. All such information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information appears on pages 50–54 under the caption “ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT.” All such information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

PAGE 28


Sterling Bancorp
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA [1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands except per share data)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest income

 

$

97,064

 

$

97,190

 

$

105,920

 

$

118,071

 

$

121,433

 

Total interest expense

 

 

12,987

 

 

15,583

 

 

19,295

 

 

33,388

 

 

47,560

 

Net interest income

 

 

84,077

 

 

81,607

 

 

86,625

 

 

84,683

 

 

73,873

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

12,000

 

 

28,500

 

 

27,900

 

 

8,325

 

 

5,853

 

Net securities gains

 

 

1,726

 

 

3,928

 

 

5,561

 

 

 

 

188

 

Other-than-temporary losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,684

)

 

 

Noninterest income, excluding net securities gains and other-than-temporary losses

 

 

42,334

 

 

43,705

 

 

38,589

 

 

34,984

 

 

35,224

 

Noninterest expenses

 

 

94,345

 

 

91,556

 

 

88,545

 

 

84,476

 

 

79,478

 

Income before taxes

 

 

21,792

 

 

9,184

 

 

14,330

 

 

25,182

 

 

23,954

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

4,196

 

 

2,158

 

 

4,908

 

 

9,176

 

 

8,560

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

17,596

 

 

7,026

 

 

9,422

 

 

16,006

 

 

15,394

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(795

)

Net income

 

 

17,596

 

 

7,026

 

 

9,422

 

 

16,006

 

 

14,599

 

Dividends on preferred shares and accretion

 

 

2,074

 

 

2,589

 

 

2,773

 

 

102

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

15,522

 

 

4,437

 

 

6,649

 

 

15,904

 

 

14,599

 

Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per average common share—basic

 

 

0.51

 

 

0.18

 

 

0.37

 

 

0.89

 

 

0.84

 

                                                   —diluted 

 

 

0.51

 

 

0.18

 

 

0.37

 

 

0.88

 

 

0.82

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per average common share—basic

 

 

0.51

 

 

0.18

 

 

0.37

 

 

0.89

 

 

0.79

 

                                                   —diluted

 

 

0.51

 

 

0.18

 

 

0.37

 

 

0.88

 

 

0.78

 

Dividends per common share

 

 

0.36

 

 

0.36

 

 

0.56

 

 

0.76

 

 

0.76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR END BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

 

126,448

 

 

40,503

 

 

36,958

 

 

13,949

 

 

980

 

Investment securities

 

 

677,871

 

 

789,315

 

 

737,065

 

 

793,924

 

 

618,490

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

43,372

 

 

32,049

 

 

33,889

 

 

23,403

 

 

23,756

 

Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts

 

 

1,473,309

 

 

1,314,234

 

 

1,195,415

 

 

1,184,585

 

 

1,152,796

 

Total assets

 

 

2,493,297

 

 

2,360,457

 

 

2,165,609

 

 

2,179,101

 

 

1,979,650

 

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

 

765,800

 

 

570,290

 

 

546,337

 

 

464,585

 

 

501,023

 

Savings NOW and money market deposits

 

 

565,423

 

 

562,207

 

 

592,015

 

 

564,205

 

 

467,446

 

Time deposits

 

 

657,848

 

 

615,267

 

 

442,315

 

 

329,034

 

 

524,189

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

65,798

 

 

60,894

 

 

131,854

 

 

363,404

 

 

205,418

 

Advances—FHLB and long-term debt

 

 

148,507

 

 

169,947

 

 

155,774

 

 

175,774

 

 

65,774

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

220,821

 

 

222,742

 

 

161,950

 

 

160,480

 

 

121,071

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

 

93,561

 

 

31,960

 

 

36,804

 

 

5,727

 

 

3,033

 

Investment securities

 

 

830,968

 

 

768,184

 

 

719,485

 

 

744,169

 

 

582,327

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

27,954

 

 

35,354

 

 

41,225

 

 

23,286

 

 

43,919

 

Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts

 

 

1,351,407

 

 

1,227,049

 

 

1,154,041

 

 

1,120,362

 

 

1,049,206

 

Total assets

 

 

2,508,184

 

 

2,244,569

 

 

2,114,221

 

 

2,066,628

 

 

1,875,615

 

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

 

596,608

 

 

489,184

 

 

441,087

 

 

427,105

 

 

424,425

 

Savings NOW and money market deposits

 

 

596,007

 

 

564,061

 

 

562,780

 

 

522,807

 

 

498,827

 

Time deposits

 

 

729,053

 

 

559,203

 

 

375,742

 

 

451,031

 

 

556,869

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

77,143

 

 

112,207

 

 

271,075

 

 

279,840

 

 

131,573

 

Advances—FHLB and long-term debt

 

 

155,332

 

 

158,351

 

 

174,981

 

 

163,479

 

 

44,130

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

224,820

 

 

213,153

 

 

158,225

 

 

119,791

 

 

124,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RATIOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average total assets

 

 

0.70

%

 

0.31

%

 

0.45

%

 

0.77

%

 

0.82

%

Return on average shareholders’ equity

 

 

7.83

 

 

3.30

 

 

5.95

 

 

13.36

 

 

12.40

 

Dividend payout ratio

 

 

63.21

 

 

126.29

 

 

107.52

 

 

85.43

 

 

89.35

 

Average shareholders’ equity to average total assets

 

 

8.96

 

 

9.50

 

 

7.48

 

 

5.80

 

 

6.62

 

Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)

 

 

3.92

 

 

4.25

 

 

4.63

 

 

4.60

 

 

4.48

 

Loans/assets, year end[2]

 

 

60.83

 

 

57.03

 

 

56.77

 

 

55.44

 

 

59.43

 

Net charge-offs/loans, year end[3]

 

 

0.69

 

 

2.25

 

 

1.95

 

 

0.54

 

 

0.50

 

Nonperforming loans/loans, year end[2]

 

 

0.42

 

 

0.49

 

 

1.46

 

 

0.61

 

 

0.54

 

Allowance/loans, year end[3]

 

 

1.36

 

 

1.39

 

 

1.66

 

 

1.35

 

 

1.31

 

Allowance/nonaccrual loans

 

 

315.02

 

 

274.50

 

 

110.54

 

 

218.00

 

 

236.33

 


 

 

[1]

All data presented is from continuing operations unless indicated otherwise. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ financial data to conform to current financial statement presentations.

[2]

In this calculation, the term “loans” means loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio.

[3]

In this calculation, the term “loans” means loans held in portfolio.

PAGE 29


Sterling Bancorp

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following commentary presents management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Sterling Bancorp, a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, and its subsidiaries, principally Sterling National Bank. Throughout this discussion and analysis, the term the “Company” refers to Sterling Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries and the term the “bank” refers to Sterling National Bank and its consolidated subsidiaries, while the term the “parent company” refers to Sterling Bancorp but not its subsidiaries. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and selected financial data contained elsewhere in this annual report. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ financial data to conform to current financial statement presentations. Throughout management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, dollar amounts in tables are presented in thousands, except per share data.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

Certain statements contained or incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 10-K, including but not limited to, statements concerning future results of operations or financial position, borrowing capacity and future liquidity, future investment results, future credit exposure, future loan losses and plans and objectives for future operations, change in laws and regulations applicable to the Company, adequacy of funding sources, actuarial expected benefit payment, valuation of foreclosed assets, our ability to hold to maturity securities designated as held to maturity, regulatory and economic environment and other statements contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are not historical facts but instead are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and represent only our belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside our control. Any forward-looking statements the Company may make speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. Our actual results and financial position may differ materially from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in or implied by these forward-looking statements, and the Company makes no commitment to update or revise forward-looking statements in order to reflect new information or subsequent events or changes in expectations.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations; geopolitical developments including acts of war and terrorism and their impact on economic conditions; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; changes, particularly declines, in general economic conditions and in the local economies in which the Company operates; the financial condition of the Company’s borrowers; competitive pressures on loan and deposit pricing and demand; changes in technology and their impact on the marketing of new products and services and the acceptance of these products and services by new and existing customers; the willingness of customers to substitute competitors’ products and services for the Company’s products and services; the impact of changes in financial services laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); changes in accounting principles, policies and guidelines; the risks and uncertainties described in ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS on pages 15–26; other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in press releases and other public filings; and the Company’s performance in managing the risks involved in any of the foregoing. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive, and the Company will not update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time.

RECENT MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets and going concern threats to investment banks and other financial institutions, on October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”) was signed into law. Pursuant to EESA, the United States Department of the Treasury (the “U.S. Treasury”) was given the authority to, among other things, purchase up to $700 billion of mortgages, mortgage-backed securities and certain other financial instruments from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets.

On October 14, 2008, the Secretary of the Department of the Treasury announced that the U.S. Treasury will purchase equity stakes in a wide variety of banks and thrifts. Under the program, known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) Capital Purchase Program, from the $700 billion authorized by EESA, the U.S. Treasury made $250 billion of capital available to U.S. financial institutions in the form of preferred shares. In conjunction with the purchase of preferred shares, the U.S. Treasury received, from participating financial institutions, warrants to purchase common shares with an aggregate market price equal to 15% of the preferred investment. Participating financial institutions were required to adopt the U.S. Treasury’s standards for executive

PAGE 30


compensation and corporate governance for the period during which the U.S. Treasury holds equity issued under the TARP Capital Purchase Program. On December 23, 2008, the Company elected to participate in the TARP Capital Purchase Program, under which the Company issued preferred shares and a warrant to purchase common shares to the U.S. Treasury. In the second quarter of 2011, the Company repurchased in full the preferred shares and the warrant to purchase common shares.

On November 21, 2008, the Board of Directors of the FDIC adopted a final rule relating to the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLG Program”). The TLG Program was announced by the FDIC on October 14, 2008, preceded by the determination of systemic risk by the Secretary of the Department of Treasury (after consultation with the President), as an initiative to counter the system-wide crisis in the nation’s financial sector. Under the TLG Program (as amended from time to time thereafter) the FDIC would (i) guarantee, through the earlier of maturity or June 30, 2012, certain newly issued senior unsecured debt issued by participating institutions and (ii) provide full FDIC deposit insurance coverage for non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts, Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (“NOW”) accounts paying less than 0.5% interest per annum and Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (“IOLA”) accounts held at participating FDIC-insured institutions. The transaction account guarantee program described in clause (ii) expired on June 30, 2010. Coverage under the TLG Program was available for the first 30 days without charge. The fee assessment for coverage of senior unsecured debt ranged from 50 basis points to 100 basis points per annum, depending on the initial maturity of the debt. The fee assessment for deposit insurance coverage was 10 basis points per quarter on amounts in covered accounts exceeding $250,000. The Company elected to opt out of the debt guarantee program under the TLG Program.

On February 10, 2009, the Treasury Secretary announced a new comprehensive financial stability plan which included: (i) a capital assistance program that has invested in convertible preferred stock of certain qualifying institutions, (ii) a consumer and business lending initiative to fund new consumer loans, small business loans and commercial mortgage asset-backed securities issuances, (iii) a public-private investment fund intended to leverage public and private capital with public financing to purchase legacy “toxic assets” from financial institutions, and (iv) assistance for homeowners to reduce mortgage payments and interest rates and establishing loan modification guidelines for government and private programs.

In order to restore the depleted Deposit Insurance Fund and maintain a sound reserve ratio, the FDIC imposed higher base assessment rates and special one-time assessments and required prepayment of deposit insurance premium. The FDIC stated that, after its semi-annual reviews, it may further increase assessment rates or take other actions to bring the Deposit Insurance Fund’s reserve ratio back to a desirable level.

In June of 2009, the Obama administration proposed a wide range of regulatory reforms that included, among other things, proposals (i) that federal bank regulators require loan originators or sponsors to retain part of the credit risk of securitized exposures, (ii) for the creation of a federal consumer financial protection agency that would, among other things, be charged with applying consistent regulations to similar products (such as imposing certain notice and consent requirements on consumer overdraft lines of credit), (iii) that there be comprehensive regulation of OTC derivatives, (iv) that the controls on the ability of banking institutions to engage in transactions with affiliates be tightened, and (v) that financial holding companies be required to be “well capitalized” and “well managed” on a consolidated basis.

On October 22, 2009, the Federal Reserve Board issued a comprehensive proposal on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The proposal covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group.

In November 2009, the FDIC implemented a final rule requiring insured institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act has resulted, and will continue to result, in sweeping changes in the regulation of financial institutions aimed at strengthening the sound operation of the financial services sector. Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that affect all banks and bank holding companies include: (i) creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer protection laws; (ii) limitation on the preemption of state banking law by federal law; (iii) application of the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to most bank holding companies; (iv) making capital requirements for national banks counter-cyclical; (v) imposition of “well capitalized” and “well managed” requirements to bank holding companies and restricting out-of-state acquisition by bank holding companies and banks that do not

PAGE 31


meet such standards; (vi) implementation of corporate governance revisions, (vii) making permanent the federal deposit insurance limit per customer and implementing certain measures to strengthen the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”), (viii) repeal of the federal prohibition on the payment of interest on demand deposits, (ix) prohibition on banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading or acquiring or retaining an interest in a private equity or hedge fund (the “Volcker Rule”), and (x) increase of the Federal Reserve’s supervisory authority, among others.

In October 2010, the FDIC adopted a new DIF restoration plan to ensure that the fund reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act.

In November 2010, the FDIC issued a final rule to implement provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that provide for temporary unlimited coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts.

In December 2010, the Basel Committee released its final framework for strengthening international capital and liquidity regulation, now officially identified by the Basel Committee as “Basel III.” Basel III, when implemented by the U.S. banking agencies and fully phased-in, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain substantially more capital, with a greater emphasis on common equity. Also in December 2010, the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC and the FDIC issued a joint notice of proposed rule-making that would impose a continuing “floor” of the Basel I-based capital requirements in cases where the Basel II-based capital requirements and any changes in capital regulations resulting from Basel III (see below) otherwise would permit lower requirements.

Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the initial version of regulations prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at certain regulated entities that encourage inappropriate risks by providing an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, fees or benefits or that could lead to material financial loss to the entity and requiring enhanced disclosure to regulators of incentive-based compensation arrangements was proposed by the U.S. financial regulators in February 2011, and the regulations may become effective in 2012.

In the first half of 2011, the SEC adopted rules concerning say-on-pay votes and golden parachute compensation arrangements. These rules require us to make enhanced disclosures to the SEC, and require us to provide our shareholders with a nonbinding say-on-pay vote to approve the compensation of the named executive officers, a non-binding vote to determine how often the say-on-pay vote will occur and, in certain circumstances, a non-binding vote to approve, and proxy disclosure of, golden parachute compensation arrangements.

In October 2011, federal regulators proposed rules to implement the Volcker Rule. The proposed rules are highly complex, and many aspects of the Volcker Rule remain unclear. The Volcker Rule provisions are scheduled to take effect no later than July 2012.

For more detailed discussion on recent legislative and regulatory developments, see “SUPERVISION AND REGULATION” on pages 3–14.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The accounting and reporting policies followed by the Company conform, in all material respects, to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management has made estimates, assumptions and judgments based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements may reflect different estimates, assumptions and judgments. Certain policies inherently have greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the financial statements at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation allowance to be established, or when an asset or liability must be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. The fair values and the information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based either on quoted market prices or are provided by other third-party sources, when readily available. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when the Company believes facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity, foreign currency and energy markets and declines in consumer spending have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in the future periods.

PAGE 32


The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations. The most significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 beginning on page 64. The accounting for factoring transactions also is discussed under “BUSINESS OPERATIONS —The Bank—Commercial Lending, Asset-Based Financing, Residential Mortgage Warehouse Lending and Factoring/Accounts Receivable Management” on pages 1 and 2.

The Company has identified its policies on the valuation of securities, the allowance for loan losses and income tax liabilities to be critical because management has to make subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and could be subject to revision as new information becomes available. Additional information on these policies can be found in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Management utilizes various inputs to determine the fair value of its securities portfolio. Fair value of securities is based upon market prices, where available (Level 1 inputs). If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon market prices determined by an outside, independent entity that primarily uses, as inputs, observable market-based parameters (Level 2 inputs). Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the Company’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters (Level 3 inputs). Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realized value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Additional discussion of valuation methodologies is presented in Note 21 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

A periodic review is conducted by management to determine if the decline in the fair value of any security appears to be other-than-temporary. Factors considered in determining whether the decline is other-than-temporary include, but are not limited to: the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and the Company’s intent to sell. If the decline is deemed to be other-than-temporary, and the Company does not have the intent to sell, and will not likely be required to sell, the security is written down to new cost basis and the resulting credit component of the loss is reported in noninterest income and the remainder of the loss is recorded in shareholders’ equity. If the Company intends to sell or will be required to sell, the full amount of the other-than-temporary impairment is recorded in noninterest income. Additional discussion of management’s evaluation process and other-than-temporary-impairment charges is presented in Note 1 and in Note 4.

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The methodology used to determine the allowance for loan losses is outlined in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements and a discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses is included under the caption “Asset Quality” beginning on page 42.

The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Fluctuations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could impact the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. In connection with determining its income tax provision under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) Topic 740: Income Taxes, the Company maintains a reserve related to certain tax positions and strategies that management believes contain an element of uncertainty. The Company evaluates each of its tax positions and strategies periodically to determine whether the reserve continues to be appropriate. Additional discussion on the accounting for income taxes is presented in Note 1 and in Note 19 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

PAGE 33


OVERVIEW

The Company provides a broad range of financial products and services, including business and consumer loans, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, asset-based financing, factoring/accounts receivable management services, trade financing, equipment financing and deposit services. The Company has operations in the New York metropolitan area and conducts business throughout the United States. The general state of the U.S. economy and, in particular, economic and market conditions in the New York metropolitan area have a significant impact on loan demand, the ability of borrowers to repay these loans and the value of any collateral securing these loans and may also affect deposit levels. Accordingly, future general economic conditions are a key uncertainty that management expects will materially affect the Company’s results of operations.

On April 3, 2009, Sterling Factors Corporation, a subsidiary of the bank, acquired substantially all of the assets and customer lists of DCD Capital, LLC and DCD Trade Services, LLC. The acquired assets and customer lists are now operating as a division under the name Sterling Trade Capital.

In 2011, the bank’s average earning assets represented approximately 98.9% of the Company’s average earning assets. Loans represented 59.8% and investment securities represented 35.7% of the bank’s average earning assets in 2011.

The Company’s primary source of earnings is net interest income, and its principal market risk exposure is interest rate risk. The Federal Reserve Board influences the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by many financial institutions. The Company’s loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, remained at 3.25% during 2011, 2010 and 2009. The intended federal funds rate, which is the cost of immediately available overnight funds, remained at zero to 0.25% during 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Company’s balance sheet has historically been asset sensitive, meaning that earning assets generally reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities. Therefore, the Company’s net interest margin is likely to increase in sustained periods of rising interest rates and decrease in sustained periods of declining interest rates. The Company is not able to predict market interest rate fluctuations and its asset/liability management strategy may not prevent interest rate changes from having a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Although management endeavors to minimize the credit risk inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio, it must necessarily make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility of the loan portfolio based on its experience and evaluation of economic conditions. If such assumptions or judgments prove to be incorrect, the current allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover loan losses and additions to the allowance may be necessary, which would have a negative impact on net income.

There is intense competition in all areas in which the Company conducts its business. The Company competes with banks and other financial institutions, including savings and loan associations, savings banks, finance companies and credit unions. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources and lending limits and provide a wider array of banking services. To a limited extent, the Company also competes with other providers of financial services, such as money market mutual funds, brokerage firms, consumer finance companies and insurance companies. Competition is based on a number of factors, including prices, interest rates, services, availability of products and geographic location.

The Company regularly evaluates acquisition opportunities and conducts due diligence activities in connection with possible acquisitions. As a result, acquisition discussions, and in some cases negotiations, regularly take place and future acquisitions could occur.

Taxable-equivalent adjustments are the result of increasing income from tax-free loans and investments by an amount equal to the taxes that would be paid if the income were fully taxable-based on a 35% federal tax rate, thus making tax-exempt yields comparable to taxable asset yields.

INCOME STATEMENT ANALYSIS

Net interest income, which represents the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets and interest incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, is the Company’s primary source of earnings. Net interest income can be affected by changes in market interest rates as well as the level and composition of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity. Net interest spread is the difference between the average rate earned, on a tax-equivalent basis, on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The net yield on interest-earning assets (“net interest margin”) is calculated by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by average interest-earning assets. Generally, the net interest margin will exceed the net interest spread because a portion of interest-earning

PAGE 34


assets are funded by various noninterest-bearing sources, principally noninterest-bearing deposits and shareholders’ equity. The increases (decreases) in the components of interest income and interest expense, expressed in terms of fluctuation in average volume and rate, are provided in the RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS shown on page 49. Information as to the components of interest income and interest expense and average rates is provided in the AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS shown on page 48.

COMPARISON OF THE YEARS 2011 AND 2010

The Company reported net income available to common shareholders for 2011 of $15.5 million, representing $0.51 per share calculated on a diluted basis, compared to $4.4 million, or $0.18 per share calculated on a diluted basis, for 2010. The $11.1 million increase in net income available to common shareholders was primarily due to a $2.5 million increase in net interest income, a $16.5 million decrease in the provision for loan losses and a $0.5 million decrease in dividends and accretion related to the preferred shares issued to the U.S. Treasury under the TARP Capital Purchase Program, which more than offset a $3.6 million decrease in noninterest income, a $2.8 million increase in noninterest expenses and a $2.0 million higher provision for income taxes.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, was $87.5 million for 2011 compared to $84.2 million for 2010. Net interest income benefited from higher average loan and investment securities balances and lower cost of funding. Partially offsetting those benefits was the impact of lower yield on loans and investment securities and higher interest-bearing deposit balances. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.92% for 2011 compared to 4.25% for 2010. The net interest margin was impacted by the lower interest rate environment in 2011, the higher level of noninterest-bearing demand deposits and the effect of higher average loans outstanding.

Total interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, aggregated $100.5 million for 2011, compared to $99.8 million from 2010. The tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets was 4.51% for 2011 compared to 5.04% for 2010.

Interest earned on the loan portfolio increased to $73.2 million for 2011 from $70.1 million for the prior year period. Average loan balances amounted to $1,379.4 million, an increase of $117.0 million from an average of $1,262.4 million in the prior year period. The increase in average loans, primarily due to the Company’s business development activities, accounted for a $7.2 million increase in interest earned on loans. The yield on the loan portfolio decreased to 5.65% for 2011 from 5.98% for 2010 period, which was primarily attributable to the lower interest rate environment in 2011 and the mix of average outstanding balances among the components of the loan portfolio.

Interest earned on the securities portfolio, on a tax-equivalent basis, decreased to $26.7 million for 2011 from $29.2 million in 2010. Average outstandings increased to $831.0 million (35.9% of average earning assets) for 2011 from $768.2 million (37.1% of average earning assets) in 2010. The average yield on investment securities decreased to 3.21% for 2011 from 3.80% in 2010. The change in both balances and yield reflect the impact of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy designed to shorten the average life of the portfolio to position itself for rising interest rates in the future as well as maintain liquidity to grow the loan portfolio. The short-term part of the strategy was implemented by the sale of available for sale securities, principally mortgage backed securities with longer term average lives offset by the purchase of short-term corporate debt. The long-term part of the strategy was implemented through the purchase of obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises and obligations of state and political subdivisions with maturities up to 15 years.

Total interest expense decreased by $2.6 million for 2011 from $15.6 million for the 2010 period, primarily due to the impact of lower rates paid, coupled with lower balances for borrowings partially offset by the impact of higher interest-bearing deposit balances.

Interest expense on deposits decreased to $8.4 million for 2011 from $9.6 million for the 2010 period, due to a decrease in the cost of those funds partially offset by the impact of higher interest-bearing deposit balances. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits was 0.64%, which was 21 basis points lower than the prior year period. The decrease in average cost of deposits reflects the impact of deposit pricing strategies and the Company’s purchase of certificates of deposit from the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and various listing services which provided certificate of deposit balances at lower rates. Average interest-bearing deposits were $1,325.1 million for 2011 compared to $1,123.3 million for 2010, reflecting the impact of the Company’s business development activities as well as funds received from CDARS and various listing services.

Interest expense on borrowings decreased to $4.5 million for 2011 from $6.0 million for 2010 period, primarily due to lower cost of those funds, partially offset by the impact of the changes in mix. The average rate paid for borrowed funds was 1.96%, which was 26 basis points lower than the prior-year period. The decrease in the average cost of borrowings reflects the lower interest rate environment in 2011. During

PAGE 35


the 2011 first quarter, the bank restructured a portion of its Federal Home Loan Bank fixed rate advances by repaying $100 million of existing borrowings and replacing them with $100 million of lower cost, floating rate advances. This transaction resulted in $4.2 million in prepayment penalties that were deferred and will be recognized in interest expense as an adjustment to the cost of these borrowings in future periods. The existing borrowings were a combination of fixed rate and amortizing advances with an average cost of 2.58% and an average duration of 3.2 years. The new borrowings are all floating-rate advances with a current average cost of 1.5%, including the deferred adjustment, with an average duration of three months. The relevant accounting treatment for this transaction was provided by ASC 470-50. This transaction was executed as an earnings and interest rate risk strategy, resulting in lower FHLB advance costs and a reduction of average duration. Average borrowings decreased to $232.5 million for 2011 from $270.6 million in the prior-year period, reflecting lesser reliance by the Company on wholesale funding.

Provision for Loan Losses

Based on management’s continuing evaluation of the loan portfolio (discussed under “Asset Quality” beginning on page 42), the provision for loan losses for 2011 was $12.0 million, compared to $28.5 million for 2010. Factors affecting the lower provision for the year of 2011 included current economic conditions and a lower level of net charge-offs and lower nonaccrual loan balances.

The level of the allowance reflects changes in the size of the portfolio or in any of its components as well as management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic, and political and regulatory conditions. Portions of the allowance may be allocated for specific credits; however, the entire allowance is available for any credit that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control, including the performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward loan classifications.

During 2011, the allowance for loan losses increased $1.8 million from $18.2 million at December 31, 2010, principally due to increases in the allowance allocated to residential real estate mortgages ($1.0 million) and loans to nondepository financial institutions ($0.8 million). The increase in the allowance allocated to residential real estate mortgages was primarily due to higher levels of nonaccrual loans. The increase in the allowance allocated to loans to nondepository financial institutions was primarily due to a single borrower who provides financing to real estate projects that was downgraded during 2011 to substandard.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income decreased to $44.1 million for 2011 from $47.6 million in the 2010 period. The decrease principally resulted from securities gains recognized in the 2011 period compared to securities gains recognized in the 2010 period. Also contributing to the decrease was lower mortgage banking and deposit service charge income partially offset by higher income related to accounts receivable management and factoring services. Securities gains declined and reflected a modification of the asset/liability management program commenced in 2009 that was designed to reduce the average life of the investment securities portfolio which was replaced by the strategy that was described under Net Interest Income on page 35. The Company sold approximately $170.9 million of securities with a weighted average life of about 2.9 years. The proceeds were used to fund loan growth or were reinvested in obligations of state and political subdivisions and U.S. government agencies with maturities of approximately 18 years and 5 years, respectively, and in short-term corporate securities. The decrease in mortgage banking income was primarily due to lower volume of loans sold as well as a charge taken in the fourth quarter for incurred and probable repurchase obligations. Deposit service charges were lower primarily due to higher balances maintained in customer accounts. Commissions and other fees earned from accounts receivable management and factoring services were higher primarily due to the impact of increased volumes at our factoring unit and billings by clients providing temporary staffing.

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expenses for 2011 increased $2.8 million when compared to 2010. The increase was primarily due to the impact of higher personnel and occupancy expenses reflecting the Company’s continued investment in the franchise. Additionally, in the fourth quarter, the Company recorded a charge related to the settlement of certain litigation and recognized an expense related to the write-down of certain assets to realizable value.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for 2011 increased to $4.2 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 19.3%, compared with $2.2 million for 2010, reflecting an effective tax rate of 23.5%. The higher provision was due to the higher level of taxable income, the impact of which was partially offset by the net benefit recognized, in the fourth quarter as the result of the completion of federal tax audits for the periods 2002 through 2009.

PAGE 36


COMPARISON OF THE YEARS 2010 AND 2009

The Company reported net income available to common shareholders for 2010 of $4.4 million, representing $0.18 per share calculated on a diluted basis, compared to $6.6 million, or $0.37 per share calculated on a diluted basis, for 2009. The $2.2 million decrease in net income available to common shareholders was primarily due to a $8.7 million decrease in interest income, a $3.0 million increase in noninterest expenses and a $0.6 million increase in the provision for loan losses, which more than offset a $3.5 million increase in noninterest income, a $3.7 million decrease in interest expense, a $2.8 lower provision for income taxes and a reduction of $0.2 million decrease in dividends and accretion related to the preferred shares issued to the U.S. Treasury under the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, was $84.2 million for 2010 compared to $87.6 million for 2009. Net interest income benefited from higher average loan and investment securities balances, lower borrowings and lower cost of funding. Partially offsetting those benefits was the impact of lower yields on loans and investment securities, coupled with higher interest-bearing deposit balances. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 4.25% for 2010 compared to 4.63% for 2009. The net interest margin was impacted by the lower interest rate environment in 2010, the higher level of noninterest-bearing demand deposits and the effect of higher average loans and investment securities outstanding.

Total interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, aggregated $99.8 million for 2010, down $7.2 million from 2009. The tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets was 5.04% for 2010 compared to 5.65% for 2009.

Interest earned on the loan portfolio decreased to $70.1 million for 2010 from $71.8 million for the prior year period. Average loan balances amounted to $1,262.4 million, an increase of $67.1 million from an average of $1,195.3 million in the prior year period. The increase in average loans, primarily due to the Company’s business development activities, accounted for a $3.7 million increase in interest earned on loans. The yield on the loan portfolio decreased to 5.98% for 2010 from 6.38% for 2009 period, which was primarily attributed to the mix of average outstanding balances among the components of the loan portfolio.

Interest earned on the securities portfolio, on a tax-equivalent basis, decreased to $29.2 million for 2010 from $34.6 million in 2009. Average outstandings increased to $768.2 million (37.1% of average earning assets) for 2010 from $719.5 million (36.7% of average earning assets) in 2009. The average yield on investment securities decreased to 3.80% for 2010 from 4.80% in 2009. The decrease in both balances and yield reflect the impact of the Company’s asset/ liability management strategy designed to shorten the average life of the portfolio to position the Company for rising interest rates in future periods while taking advantage of the current uptick in long-term rates. The short-term part of the strategy was implemented through the sale of available for sale securities, principally mortgage-backed securities, with longer-term average lives offset by the purchase of short-term corporate debt and obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises. The long-term part of the strategy was implemented through the purchase of obligations of state and political subdivisions with maturities of approximately 10 years.

Total interest expense decreased by $3.7 million for 2010 from $19.3 million for 2009 period, primarily due to the impact of lower rates paid, coupled with lower balances for borrowings, partially offset by the impact of higher interest-bearing deposit balances.

Interest expense on deposits decreased to $9.6 million for 2010 from $11.9 million for the 2009 period, primarily due to a decrease in the cost of those funds. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits was 0.85%, which was 42 basis points lower than the prior-year period. The decrease in average cost of interest-bearing deposits reflects the impact of deposit pricing strategies and the Company’s purchase of certificates of deposit from CDARS which provided deposit balances at lower rates than paid for traditional certificate of deposit products. Average interest-bearing deposits were $1,123.3 million for 2010 compared to $938.5 million for 2009, reflecting an increase in certificates of deposit, largely to the CDARS program which is a lower cost product than traditional certificates of deposit.

Interest expense on borrowings decreased to $6.0 million for 2010 from $7.4 million for 2009 primarily due to lower balances partially offset by the impact of changes in mix. Average borrowings decreased to $270.6 million for 2010 from $446.1 million in the prior-year period, reflecting a lesser reliance by the Company on wholesale borrowed funds. The change in mix resulted in an increase in the blended cost of borrowing to 2.22% from 1.66%.

Provision for Loan Losses

In light of recent economic developments and continued economic uncertainty, during the third quarter of 2010 the Company decided, after consultation with external professionals and regulators, to implement an accelerated resolution of certain categories of nonaccrual loans. As a result, net

PAGE 37


charge-offs during 2010 of loans to small business borrowers (primarily in the lease financing portfolio) increased $6.3 million when compared to the comparable 2009 period. Based on management’s continuing evaluation of the loan portfolio (discussed under “Asset Quality” beginning on page 42), the provision for loan losses for 2010 was $28.5 million, compared to $27.9 million for the prior-year period.

The level of the allowance reflects changes in the size of the portfolio or in any of its components as well as management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic, and political and regulatory conditions. Portions of the allowance may be allocated for specific credits; however, the entire allowance is available for any credit that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control, including the performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward loan classifications.

During 2010, the allowance for loan losses decreased primarily due to a reduction in the allowance allocated to lease financing receivables, partially offset by increases in the allowance allocated to commercial and industrial loans, factored receivables, real estate residential mortgage, and real estate commercial mortgage and real estate construction and land development. The allowance allocated to lease financing receivables decreased primarily as a result of the lower level of lease financing receivables nonaccrual balances. The increase of the allowance allocated to commercial and industrial loans was primarily the result of the unsteady economic recovery resulting in higher charge-offs in 2010 compared to 2009 partially offset by lower nonaccrual levels at December 31, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009. The allowance allocated to factored receivables increased based on the continued weakening in the consumer sectors resulting in higher charge-offs in 2010 compared to 2009. The increase in the allowance allocated to real estate residential mortgage loans was primarily due to the persistent decline in residential real estate values coupled with an increase in the specific valuation allowance for impaired residential mortgage loans. As a result of the disruption in the commercial real estate markets, resulting in an increase in nonaccrual levels and higher specific reserves for classified loans at December 31, 2010 when compared to December 31, 2009, the allowance allocated to real estate commercial mortgage and to real estate construction and land development was increased.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income increased to $47.6 million for 2010 from $44.2 million in 2009. The increase principally resulted from higher income related to accounts receivable management and factoring services offset partly by lower mortgage banking income and securities gains. Commissions and other fees earned from accounts receivable management and factoring services were higher primarily due to the impact of increased volumes at our factoring unit and billings by clients providing temporary staffing also contributed to the improved level of fee income. Mortgage banking declined due to a lower volume of loans closed and a change in the mix of products being sold. Securities gains declined and reflected a modification of the asset liability management program commenced in 2009 that was designed to reduce the average life of the investment securities portfolio which was replaced by the strategy that was described under Net Interest Income on page 35. The Company sold approximately $165.8 million of securities with a weighted average life of approximately 2.4 years.

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expenses were $91.6 million for 2010, compared to $88.5 million in 2009, primarily reflecting higher compensation and occupancy expenses related to the growth of the business and increased business development activities.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for 2010 decreased to $2.2 million from $4.9 million for 2009. The decrease was primarily due to lower taxable income and a lower effective income tax rate in the 2010 period (23.5%) compared to the 2009 period (34.2%). The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily related to the higher proportion of tax-exempt income achieved in 2010 compared to 2009 coupled with a lower level of pre-tax income.

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Securities

At December 31, 2011, the Company’s portfolio of securities totaled $677.9 million, of which obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises amounted to $301.1 million which is approximately 44.4% of the total. The Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity securities classified as held to maturity, at which time it will receive full value for these securities. These securities are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. The gross unrealized gains and losses on held to maturity securities were $17.9 million

PAGE 38


and $-0-, respectively. Securities classified as available for sale may be sold in the future, prior to maturity. These securities are carried at fair value. Net aggregate unrealized gains or losses on these securities are included, net of taxes, as a component of shareholders’ equity. Given the generally high credit quality of the portfolio, management expects to realize all of its investment upon market recovery or the maturity of such instruments and thus believes that any impairment in value is interest-rate-related and therefore temporary. Available for sale securities included gross unrealized gains of $3.2 million and gross unrealized losses of $5.0 million. As of December 31, 2011, management does not have the intent to sell any of the securities classified as available for sale in the table on page 40 and management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery of cost.

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s investment securities by type, with related carrying values at the end of each of the three most recent fiscal years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal National Mortgage Association)

 

$

3,942

 

 

0.58

%

$

7,504

 

 

0.95

%

$

13,740

 

 

1.86

%

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

 

28,213

 

 

4.16

 

 

47,422

 

 

6.01

 

 

22,698

 

 

3.08

 

CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)

 

 

5,667

 

 

0.84

 

 

7,290

 

 

0.92

 

 

9,048

 

 

1.23

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

49,148

 

 

7.25

 

 

78,822

 

 

9.98

 

 

125,673

 

 

17.05

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

23,719

 

 

3.50

 

 

40,628

 

 

5.15

 

 

71,715

 

 

9.73

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

 

4,230

 

 

0.62

 

 

5,052

 

 

0.64

 

 

13,146

 

 

1.78

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

114,919

 

 

16.95

 

 

186,718

 

 

23.65

 

 

256,020

 

 

34.73

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

105,482

 

 

15.56

 

 

115,133

 

 

14.59

 

 

116,603

 

 

15.82

 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

45,094

 

 

6.65

 

 

24,932

 

 

3.16

 

 

102,799

 

 

13.95

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

35,374

 

 

5.22

 

 

92,479

 

 

11.72

 

 

29,418

 

 

3.99

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank

 

 

251

 

 

0.04

 

 

15,109

 

 

1.91

 

 

14,899

 

 

2.02

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

301,120

 

 

44.42

 

 

434,371

 

 

55.03

 

 

519,739

 

 

70.51

 

Obligations of state and political subdivisions—New York bank qualified

 

 

160,503

 

 

23.68

 

 

157,013

 

 

19.89

 

 

83,337

 

 

11.31

 

Single issuer, trust preferred securities

 

 

27,059

 

 

3.99

 

 

3,933

 

 

0.50

 

 

4,483

 

 

0.61

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

173,307

 

 

25.57

 

 

189,058

 

 

23.95

 

 

129,200

 

 

17.53

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

15,882

 

 

2.34

 

 

4,940

 

 

0.63

 

 

56

 

 

0.01

 

Total marketable securities

 

 

677,871

 

 

100.00

 

 

789,315

 

 

100.00

 

 

736,815

 

 

99.97

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250

 

 

0.03

 

Total

 

$

677,871

 

 

100.00

%

$

789,315

 

 

100.00

%

$

737,065

 

 

100.00

%

The following table presents information regarding the average life and yields of certain available for sale (“AFS”) and held to maturity (“HTM”) securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Life

 

Weighted Average Yield

 

December 31, 2011

 

AFS

 

HTM

 

AFS

 

HTM

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

2.1 years

 

 

3.2 years

 

 

1.83

%

 

4.61

%

Agency notes (with original call dates ranging between 3 and 36 months)

 

 

1.0 years

 

 

1.0 years

 

 

0.62

 

 

1.49

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

1.5 years

 

 

 

 

2.52

 

 

 

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

 

 

5.4 years

 

 

6.9 years

 

 

5.68

[1]

 

5.82

[1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Tax equivalent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAGE 39


The following tables present information regarding securities available for sale and securities held to maturity at December 31, 2011, based on contractual maturity. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. The average yield on obligations of state and political subdivisions securities is presented on a tax-equivalent basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

$

21,642

 

$

21,739

 

 

1.86

%

CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)

 

 

5,666

 

 

5,667

 

 

1.08

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

2,137

 

 

2,211

 

 

3.30

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

38

 

 

37

 

 

6.18

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

 

98

 

 

98

 

 

0.96

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

29,581

 

 

29,752

 

 

1.82

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association
Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

501

 

 

501

 

 

0.50

 

Federal Home Loan Bank
Due within 1 year

 

 

101

 

 

102

 

 

0.30

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

376

 

 

383

 

 

1.00

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank
Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

251

 

 

251

 

 

1.10

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-
sponsored enterprises

 

 

30,810

 

 

30,989

 

 

1.78

 

Obligations of state and political institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due within 1 year

 

 

1,623

 

 

1,639

 

 

5.28

 

Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

1,230

 

 

1,278

 

 

4.98

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

3,895

 

 

4,297

 

 

5.49

 

Due after 10 years

 

 

14,423

 

 

15,563

 

 

5.84

 

Total obligations of state and political institutions

 

 

21,171

 

 

22,777

 

 

5.69

 

Single-issuer trust preferred securities
Due after 10 years

 

 

28,506

 

 

27,059

 

 

6.17

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due within 6 months

 

 

36,945

 

 

36,845

 

 

1.54

 

Due after 6 months but within 1 year

 

 

34,650

 

 

34,371

 

 

2.26

 

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

 

 

54,772

 

 

54,306

 

 

2.87

 

Due after 2 years but within 5 years

 

 

45,929

 

 

44,248

 

 

2.97

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

3,255

 

 

3,169

 

 

4.13

 

Due after 10 years

 

 

369

 

 

368

 

 

4.36

 

Total corporate debt securities

 

 

175,920

 

 

173,307

 

 

2.52

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

15,322

 

 

15,882

 

 

2.43

 

Total available for sale

 

$

271,729

 

$

270,014

 

 

2.89

 

PAGE 40



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held to maturity

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-
sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal National Mortgage Association)

 

$

3,942

 

$

4,134

 

 

5.78

%

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

 

6,474

 

 

6,779

 

 

4.71

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

46,937

 

 

50,714

 

 

4.44

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

23,682

 

 

25,351

 

 

4.37

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

 

4,132

 

 

4,735

 

 

6.48

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

85,167

 

 

91,713

 

 

4.60

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association
Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

15,000

 

 

15,077

 

 

1.83

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

19,995

 

 

20,024

 

 

1.93

 

Due after 10 years

 

 

69,986

 

 

70,083

 

 

1.41

 

Federal Home Loan Bank
Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,003

 

 

1.00

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

39,992

 

 

40,023

 

 

1.18

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

10,000

 

 

10,006

 

 

1.00

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

24,991

 

 

25,025

 

 

1.92

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-
sponsored enterprises

 

 

270,131

 

 

276,954

 

 

2.47

 

Obligations of state and political institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due within 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

2,203

 

 

2,437

 

 

5.18

 

Due after 10 years

 

 

135,523

 

 

146,384

 

 

5.83

 

Total obligations of state and political institutions

 

 

137,726

 

 

148,821

 

 

5.82

 

Total held to maturity

 

$

407,857

 

$

425,775

 

 

3.60

 

Loan Portfolio

A management objective is to maintain the quality of the loan portfolio. The Company seeks to achieve this objective by maintaining rigorous underwriting standards coupled with regular evaluation of the creditworthiness of and the designation of lending limits for each borrower. The portfolio strategies include seeking industry and loan size diversification in order to minimize credit exposure and originating loans in markets with which the Company is familiar.

The Company’s commercial and industrial loan and factored receivables portfolios represent approximately 52% of all loans. Loans in this category are typically made to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses in amounts generally up to $20 million. Loans to nondepository financial institutions, which include the Company’s residential mortgage warehouse funding product and loans to finance companies, represent approximately 16% of all loans. The Company’s equipment financing portfolio, which consists of finance leases for various types of business equipment, represents approximately 10% of all loans. The Company’s real estate loan portfolios, which represent approximately 21% of all loans, are secured by mortgages on real property located principally in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia and North Carolina. Sources of repayment are from the borrower’s operating profits, cash flows and liquidation of pledged collateral. Based on underwriting standards, loans and leases may be secured in whole or in part by collateral such as liquid assets, accounts receivable, equipment, inventory and real property. The collateral securing any loan or lease may depend on the type of loan and may vary in value based on market conditions. Loans to borrowers located in the states of New York and New Jersey represent approximately 51% and 14%, respectively, of all loans. Loans to borrowers located in any other state do not exceed 10% of all loans.

PAGE 41


The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts, at the end of each of the five most recent fiscal years; there were no foreign loans outstanding at the end of each of the five most recent fiscal years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

Domestic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

624,124

 

 

41.15

%

$

618,223

 

 

45.92

%

$

550,285

 

 

44.76

%

$

531,471

 

 

44.00

%

$

518,265

 

 

44.05

%

Loans to nondepository
institutions

 

 

246,587

 

 

16.26

 

 

112,882

 

 

8.38

 

 

35,591

 

 

2.90

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

Factored receivables

 

 

171,831

 

 

11.33

 

 

161,789

 

 

12.02

 

 

139,927

 

 

11.38

 

 

89,145

 

 

7.38

 

 

80,007

 

 

6.80

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

150,782

 

 

9.94

 

 

144,235

 

 

10.72

 

 

195,056

 

 

15.87

 

 

255,743

 

 

21.17

 

 

249,702

 

 

21.22

 

Real estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage—
portfolio

 

 

170,153

 

 

11.22

 

 

127,695

 

 

9.49

 

 

124,681

 

 

10.14

 

 

142,135

 

 

11.76

 

 

129,465

 

 

11.00

 

Residential mortgage—
held for sale

 

 

43,372

 

 

2.86

 

 

32,049

 

 

2.38

 

 

33,889

 

 

2.76

 

 

23,403

 

 

1.94

 

 

23,756

 

 

2.02

 

Commercial mortgage

 

 

85,825

 

 

5.66

 

 

96,991

 

 

7.20

 

 

92,614

 

 

7.53

 

 

96,883

 

 

8.02

 

 

99,093

 

 

8.42

 

Construction and
land development

 

 

13,621

 

 

0.90

 

 

25,624

 

 

1.90

 

 

24,277

 

 

1.97

 

 

25,249

 

 

2.09

 

 

37,161

 

 

3.16

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

10,376

 

 

0.68

 

 

11,370

 

 

0.84

 

 

12,984

 

 

1.06

 

 

18,959

 

 

1.57

 

 

12,103

 

 

1.03

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

15,425

 

 

1.15

 

 

20,000

 

 

1.63

 

 

25,000

 

 

2.07

 

 

27,000

 

 

2.30

 

Total

 

$

1,516,681

 

 

100.00

%

$

1,346,283

 

 

100.00

%

$

1,229,304

 

 

100.00

%

$

1,207,988

 

 

100.00

%

$

1,176,552

 

 

100.00

%

Based on contractual maturity date, the following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s commercial and industrial, factored receivables and construction and land development loans, as of December 31, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due One
Year
or Less

 

Due One
to Five
Years

 

Due
After Five
Years

 

Total
Gross
Loans

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

516,214

 

$

87,992

 

$

21,857

 

$

626,063

 

Factored receivables

 

 

172,082

 

 

 

 

 

 

172,082

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

13,030

 

 

591

 

 

 

 

13,621

 

All commercial and industrial loans due after one year have predetermined interest rates.

All real estate—construction and land development loans due after one year have floating or adjustable interest rates.

Asset Quality

Intrinsic to the lending process is the possibility of loss. In times of economic slowdown, the risk of loss inherent in the Company’s portfolio of loans may increase. While management endeavors to minimize this risk, it recognizes that loan losses will occur and that the amount of these losses will fluctuate depending on the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio which in turn depend on current and future economic conditions, the financial condition of borrowers, the realization of collateral, and the credit management process.

Nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2011 decreased $286 thousand compared to December 31, 2010. This primarily reflected decreases of $180 thousand and $522 thousand in commercial and industrial loans and lease financing receivables, respectively, partially offset by an increase of $377 thousand in residential real estate mortgage loans. Net loan charge-offs in 2011 were $19.4 million lower than those in 2010 (primarily reflecting decreases in net charge-offs of $15.6 million for lease financing receivables and $4.1 million for commercial and industrial loans partially offset by a $0.8 million increase for residential real estate mortgage loans). A worsening of existing economic conditions will likely result in levels of charge-offs and nonaccrual loans that will be higher than those in the historical levels.

PAGE 42


The following table sets forth the amount of domestic nonaccrual and past due loans of the Company at the end of each of the five most recent fiscal years; there were no foreign loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis. At December 31, 2011, approximately $6.4 million of equipment financing receivables and residential real estate loans were troubled debt restructurings. See Note 5 beginning on page 77 for additional discussion. Loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest and still accruing are loans that are both well-secured or guaranteed by financially responsible third parties and are in the process of collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Gross loans

 

$

1,534,779

 

$

1,365,296

 

$

1,254,946

 

$

1,245,263

 

$

1,249,128

 

Nonaccrual loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

834

 

$

1,014

 

$

4,231

 

$

816

 

$

610

 

Factored receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

370

 

 

892

 

 

11,960

 

 

3,387

 

 

2,571

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

1,991

 

 

1,614

 

 

1,786

 

 

3,078

 

 

2,786

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

3,124

 

 

3,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate—construction and land
development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

63

 

 

416

 

Total nonaccrual loans

 

 

6,358

 

 

6,644

 

 

17,977

 

 

7,344

 

 

6,383

 

Past due 90 days or more (other than the above)

 

 

165

 

 

314

 

 

1,194

 

 

821

 

 

1,329

 

Restructured loans (other than the above)

 

 

5,851

 

 

5,829

 

 

5,176

 

 

70

 

 

 

Total

 

$

12,374

 

$

12,787

 

$

24,347

 

$

8,235

 

$

7,712

 

Interest income that would have been
earned on nonaccrual loans outstanding

 

$

780

 

$

902

 

$

1,463

 

$

731

 

$

655

 

Applicable interest income actually realized on
nonaccrual loans outstanding

 

$

200

 

$

204

 

$

743

 

$

321

 

$

222

 

Nonaccrual and past due loans as a percentage
of total gross loans

 

 

0.43

%

 

0.51

%

 

1.53

%

 

0.66

%

 

0.62

%

Interest income that would have been earned in 2011 on restructured loans amounted to $582 thousand. Interest income actually realized in 2011 on restructured loans was $335 thousand.

At December 31, 2011, commercial and industrial nonaccruals represented 0.13% of commercial and industrial loans. There were 2 loans made to borrowers located in 1 state with balances ranging between approximately $39.0 thousand and $794.9 thousand.

At December 31, 2011, equipment financing nonaccruals represented 0.25% of lease financing receivables. The lessees of the equipment are located in 6 states. There were 11 leases ranging between approximately $0.3 thousand and $110.0 thousand. The value of the underlying collateral related to lease financing nonaccruals varies depending on the type and condition of equipment. While most leases are written on a recourse basis, with personal guarantees of the principals, the current value of the collateral is often less than the lease financing balance. Collection efforts include repossession and/or sale of leased equipment, payment discussions with the lessee, the principals and/or guarantors, and obtaining judgments against the lessee, the principals and/or guarantors. The balance is charged off at the earlier of the date when the lease is past due 120 days or the date when it is determined that collection efforts are no longer productive. Factors considered in determining whether collection efforts are no longer productive include any amounts currently being collected, the status of discussions or negotiations with the lessee, the principal and/or guarantors, the cost of continuing efforts to collect, the status of any foreclosure or other legal actions, the value of the collateral, and any other pertinent factors.

At December 31, 2011, residential real estate nonaccruals represented 1.17% of residential real estate loans held in portfolio. There were 12 loans ranging between approximately $0.3 thousand and $658.0 thousand secured by properties located in 4 states.

PAGE 43


At December 31, 2011, commercial real estate nonaccruals represented 3.64% of commercial real estate loans. There was one loan for $745.3 thousand and another for $2.4 million secured by property located in 1 state.

At December 31, 2011, other real estate owned consisted of 6 properties valued between $100.0 thousand and $554.6 thousand located in 3 states.

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company’s allowance for loan losses methodology includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 310, Receivables and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 450, Contingencies. Accordingly, the methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogenous pools and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions. The Company’s process for the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses is designed to account for credit deterioration as it occurs. The provision for loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the levels of and trends related to nonaccrual loans, past due loans, potential problem loans, classified and criticized loans and net charge-offs or recoveries, among other factors. The provision for loan losses also reflects the totality of actions taken on all loans for a particular period. In other words, the amount of the provision reflects not only the necessary increases in the allowance for loan losses related to newly identified criticized loans, but it also reflects actions taken related to other loans including, among other things, any necessary increases or decreases in required allowances for specific loans or loan pools. See Note 5—Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for further details regarding the methodology for estimating the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses.

At December 31, 2011, the ratio of the allowance to loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts, was 1.36% and the allowance was $20.0 million. Loans 90 days past due and still accruing amounted to $165 thousand. At such date, the Company’s nonaccrual loans amounted to $6.4 million; $3.7 million of such loans were judged to be impaired within the scope of FASB Codification Topic 310, Receivables, and had a valuation allowance totaling $1.1 million, which is included within the overall allowance for loan losses. Based on the foregoing, as well as management’s judgment as to the current risks inherent in loans held in portfolio, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was deemed adequate to absorb all probable losses on specifically known and other credit risks associated with the portfolio as of December 31, 2011. Net losses within loans held in portfolio are not statistically predictable and changes in conditions in the next twelve months could result in future provisions for loan losses varying from the provision taken in 2011. We did not have any potential problem loans, which are loans that are currently performing under present loan repayment terms but where known information about possible credit problems of borrowers causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of the borrowers to continue to comply with the present repayment terms.

PAGE 44


The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Company’s loan loss experience for each of the five most recent fiscal years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Average loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts, during year

 

$

1,351,407

 

$

1,227,049

 

$

1,154,041

 

$

1,120,362

 

$

1,049,206

 

Allowance for loan losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

18,238

 

$

19,872

 

$

16,010

 

$

15,085

 

$

16,288

 

Charge-offs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

 

2,909

 

 

7,212

 

 

4,945

 

 

2,610

 

 

2,620

 

Factored receivables

 

 

358

 

 

665

 

 

514

 

 

581

 

 

243

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

8,266

 

 

22,509

 

 

19,115

 

 

3,886

 

 

3,345

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

1,266

 

 

351

 

 

312

 

 

58

 

 

215

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

30

 

 

231

 

 

 

 

 

 

67

 

Total charge-offs

 

 

12,829

 

 

31,097

 

 

24,886

 

 

7,135

 

 

6,490

 

Recoveries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

 

146

 

 

312

 

 

1,042

 

 

297

 

 

219

 

Factored receivables

 

 

79

 

 

239

 

 

63

 

 

26

 

 

31

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

2,255

 

 

902

 

 

345

 

 

294

 

 

316

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

165

 

 

 

 

102

 

 

61

 

 

30

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

 

69

 

 

110

 

Total recoveries

 

 

2,645

 

 

1,501

 

 

1,552

 

 

747

 

 

706

 

Subtract:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

 

 

10,184

 

 

29,596

 

 

23,334

 

 

6,388

 

 

5,784

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

12,000

 

 

28,500

 

 

27,900

 

 

8,325

 

 

5,853

 

Less loss on transfers to other real estate owned

 

 

25

 

 

538

 

 

704

 

 

1,012

 

 

1,272

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

20,029

 

$

18,238

 

$

19,872

 

$

16,010

 

$

15,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts, during year

 

 

0.75

%

 

2.41

%

 

2.02

%

 

0.57

%

 

0.55

%

PAGE 45


The following table presents the Company’s allocation of the allowance for loan losses. This allocation is based on estimates by management and may vary from year to year based on management’s evaluation of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. The amount allocated to a particular loan category of the Company’s loans held in portfolio may not necessarily be indicative of actual future charge-offs in that loan category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans
in each
category
to total
loans
held in
portfolio

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans
in each
category
to total
loans
held in
portfolio

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans
in each
category
to total
loans
held in
portfolio

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans
in each
category
to total
loans
held in
portfolio

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans
in each
category
to total
loans
held in
portfolio

 

Domestic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

7,647

 

 

42.36

%

$

7,454

 

 

47.04

%

$

6,082

 

 

46.03

%

$

5,530

 

 

44.87

$

5,655

 

 

44.96

%

Loans to nondepository institutions

 

 

1,369

 

 

16.74

 

 

564

 

 

8.59

 

 

 

 

2.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Factored receivables

 

 

1,450

 

 

11.66

 

 

1,424

 

 

12.31

 

 

971

 

 

11.70

 

 

933

 

 

7.52

 

 

1,083

 

 

6.94

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

3,515

 

 

10.24

 

 

3,423

 

 

10.97

 

 

10,249

 

 

16.32

 

 

6,130

 

 

21.59

 

 

5,398

 

 

21.66

 

Real estate—residential mortgage (portfolio)

 

 

3,490

 

 

11.55

 

 

2,497

 

 

9.72

 

 

1,646

 

 

10.43

 

 

2,355

 

 

12.00

 

 

1,988

 

 

11.23

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

2,151

 

 

5.83

 

 

2,275

 

 

7.38

 

 

560

 

 

7.75

 

 

674

 

 

8.18

 

 

613

 

 

8.60

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

165

 

 

0.92

 

 

310

 

 

1.95

 

 

149

 

 

2.03

 

 

175

 

 

2.13

 

 

183

 

 

3.22

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

104

 

 

0.70

 

 

119

 

 

0.87

 

 

80

 

 

1.09

 

 

88

 

 

1.60

 

 

15

 

 

1.05

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

46

 

 

1.17

 

 

 

 

1.67

 

 

88

 

 

2.11

 

 

54

 

 

2.34

 

Unallocated

 

 

138

 

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

 

135

 

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

Total

 

$

20,029

 

 

100.00

%

$

18,238

 

 

100.00

%

$

19,872

 

 

100.00

%

$

16,010

 

 

100.00

%

$

15,085

 

 

100.00

%

During 2011, the allowance for loan losses increased $1.8 million from $18.2 million at December 31, 2010 principally due to increases in the allowance allocated to real estate residential mortgages ($1.0 million) and loans to nondepository financial institutions ($0.8 million). The increase in the allowance allocated to residential real estate mortgages was primarily due to higher levels of nonaccrual loans. The increase in the allowance allocated to loans to nondepository financial institutions was primarily due to higher loan balances in this category.

During 2010, the allowance for loan losses decreased $1.6 million from $19.9 million at December 31, 2009 primarily due to a reduction in the allowance allocated to lease financing receivables ($6.8 million) partially offset by increases in the allowance allocated to commercial and industrial loans ($1.4 million), factored receivables ($0.5 million), real estate residential mortgage loans ($0.9 million), and real estate commercial mortgage loans ($1.7 million) and real estate construction and land development loans ($0.2 million). The allowance allocated to lease financing receivables decreased primarily as a result of the lower level of lease financing receivables nonaccrual balances. The increase of the allowance allocated to commercial and industrial loans was primarily the result of the unsteady economic recovery. The allowance to factored receivables increased based on the continued weakening in the consumer sectors. The increase in the allowance allocated to real estate residential mortgage loans was primarily due to the persistent decline in residential real estate values. As a result of the disruption in the commercial real estate markets, the allowance allocated to real estate commercial mortgage loans and to real estate construction and land development loans was increased.

During 2009, the allowance for loan losses increased because of increases in the allowance allocated to lease financing receivables and in the allowance allocated to commercial and industrial loans, partially offset by a reduction in the allowance allocated to real estate-residential mortgage loans. The allowance allocated to lease financing receivables increased primarily as a result of increased losses experienced in that category in 2009 compared to 2008 partially offset by a decrease in the specific valuation allowance for impaired loans. The impact of the increase in nonaccrual lease financing receivables at December 31, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008 was mitigated by decreasing levels of nonaccruals in that category in the third and fourth quarters of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2009. The allowance allocated to commercial and industrial loans increased due to increased losses experienced in that category in 2009 compared to 2008 and higher nonaccrual levels in that category at December 31, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008 partially offset by a decrease in the specific valuation allowance for impaired loans.

PAGE 46


The allowance allocated to real estate-residential mortgage loans decreased primarily due to lower nonaccrual loan balances at December 31, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008 coupled with a decrease in the specific valuation allowance for impaired loans. During the fourth quarter of 2009 the level of the allowance for loan losses benefited from a recovery of $0.9 million on a loan charged off in a prior period.

Deposits

A significant source of funds are customer deposits, consisting of demand (noninterest-bearing), NOW, savings, money market and time deposits (principally certificates of deposit).

The following table provides certain information with respect to the Company’s deposits at the end of each of the three most recent fiscal years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Balances

 

% of
Total

 

Domestic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand

 

$

765,800

 

 

38.50

%

$

570,290

 

 

32.63

%

$

546,332

 

 

34.56

%

NOW

 

 

177,495

 

 

8.93

 

 

200,521

 

 

11.47

 

 

266,343

 

 

16.85

 

Savings

 

 

18,566

 

 

0.93

 

 

18,931

 

 

1.08

 

 

17,497

 

 

1.11

 

Money Market

 

 

369,362

 

 

18.57

 

 

342,755

 

 

19.61

 

 

308,175

 

 

19.50

 

Time deposits less than $100 thousand

 

 

116,049

 

 

5.83

 

 

126,834

 

 

7.26

 

 

140,678

 

 

8.90

 

Time deposits greater than $100 thousand

 

 

541,799

 

 

27.24

 

 

488,433

 

 

27.95

 

 

301,057

 

 

19.04

 

Total domestic deposits

 

 

1,989,071

 

 

100.00

 

 

1,747,764

 

 

100.00

 

 

1,580,082

 

 

99.96

 

Foreign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

Time deposits greater than $100 thousand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

580

 

 

0.04

 

Total foreign deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

585

 

 

0.04

 

Total deposits

 

$

1,989,071

 

 

100.0

%

$

1,747,764

 

 

100.0

%

$

1,580,667

 

 

100.00

%

The Company began participating in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) on January 22, 2009. CDARS deposits totaled approximately $164.5 million at December 31, 2011 and averaged approximately $224.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. CDARS deposits totaled approximately $180.7 million at December 31, 2010 and averaged approximately $184.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Scheduled maturities of time deposits at December 31, 2011 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

$

608,442

 

2013 and later

 

 

49,406

 

 

 

$

657,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scheduled maturities of time deposits in amounts of $100,000 or more at December 31, 2011 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

Due within 3 months or less

 

$

220,594

 

Due after 3 months and within 6 months

 

 

197,561

 

Due after 6 months and within 12 months

 

 

95,593

 

Due after 12 months

 

 

28,051

 

 

 

$

541,799

 

Fluctuations of balances in total or among categories at any date can occur based on the Company’s mix of assets and liabilities, as well as on customers’ balance sheet strategies. Historically, however, average balances for deposits have been relatively stable. Information regarding these average balances for the three most recent fiscal years is presented on page 48.

PAGE 47


Sterling Bancorp

CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND
ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST EARNINGS[1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Rate

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Rate

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Rate

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

$

93,561

 

$

227

 

0.24

%

 

$

31,960

 

$

75

 

0.23

%

 

$

36,804

 

$

85

 

0.23

%

 

Investment securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale—taxable

 

 

351,348

 

 

8,788

 

2.50

 

 

 

394,635

 

 

10,863

 

2.75

 

 

 

350,069

 

 

16,575

 

4.73

 

 

Held to maturity—taxable

 

 

322,312

 

 

8,078

 

2.51

 

 

 

252,915

 

 

10,879

 

4.30

 

 

 

320,655

 

 

15,070

 

4.70

 

 

Tax-exempt[2]

 

 

157,308

 

 

9,784

 

6.22

 

 

 

120,634

 

 

7,422

 

6.15

 

 

 

48,761

 

 

2,907

 

5.96

 

 

Federal Reserve and Federal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Loan Bank stock

 

 

8,770

 

 

374

 

4.27

 

 

 

8,617

 

 

448

 

5.20

 

 

 

9,487

 

 

516

 

5.45

 

 

Loans, net of unearned discounts[3]

 

 

1,379,361

 

 

73,241

 

5.65

 

 

 

1,262,403

 

 

70,104

 

5.98

 

 

 

1,195,266

 

 

71,788

 

6.38

 

 

TOTAL INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS

 

 

2,312,660

 

 

100,492

 

4.51

%

 

 

2,071,164

 

 

99,791

 

5.04

%

 

 

1,961,042

 

 

106,941

 

5.65

%

 

Cash and due from banks

 

 

39,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

(19,951

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21,668

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19,107

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

22,901

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,901

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,901

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

152,840

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

135,362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

2,508,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,244,569

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,114,221

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings

 

$

18,474

 

 

8

 

0.04

%

 

$

18,631

 

 

11

 

0.06

%

 

$

18,012

 

 

18

 

0.10

%

 

NOW

 

 

210,443

 

 

372

 

0.18

 

 

 

209,197

 

 

472

 

0.23

 

 

 

211,121

 

 

620

 

0.29

 

 

Money market

 

 

367,090

 

 

2,475

 

0.67

 

 

 

336,233

 

 

2,805

 

0.83

 

 

 

333,647

 

 

3,252

 

0.97

 

 

Time

 

 

729,053

 

 

5,583

 

0.77

 

 

 

558,886

 

 

6,297

 

1.13

 

 

 

375,164

 

 

7,993

 

2.13

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

317

 

 

3

 

1.09

 

 

 

578

 

 

6

 

1.09

 

 

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

 

1,325,060

 

 

8,438

 

0.64

 

 

 

1,123,264

 

 

9,588

 

0.85

 

 

 

938,522

 

 

11,889

 

1.27

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—customers

 

 

42,911

 

 

186

 

0.43

 

 

 

47,674

 

 

229

 

0.48

 

 

 

72,892

 

 

353

 

0.48

 

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—dealers

 

 

5,186

 

 

66

 

1.27

 

 

 

5,618

 

 

44

 

0.79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased

 

 

10,926

 

 

14

 

0.13

 

 

 

33,192

 

 

74

 

0.22

 

 

 

25,075

 

 

51

 

0.21

 

 

Commercial paper

 

 

14,454

 

 

43

 

0.30

 

 

 

14,718

 

 

45

 

0.30

 

 

 

13,107

 

 

67

 

0.51

 

 

Short-term borrowings—FHLB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,411

 

 

11

 

0.31

 

 

Short-term borrowings—FRB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,699

 

 

9

 

0.25

 

 

 

154,726

 

 

398

 

0.26

 

 

Short-term borrowings—other

 

 

3,666

 

 

2

 

0.07

 

 

 

7,306

 

 

18

 

0.25

 

 

 

1,864

 

 

 

 

 

Advances—FHLB

 

 

129,558

 

 

2,144

 

1.66

 

 

 

132,577

 

 

3,482

 

2.63

 

 

 

149,207

 

 

4,432

 

2.97

 

 

Long-term borrowings—subordinated debentures

 

 

25,774

 

 

2,094

 

8.38

 

 

 

25,774

 

 

2,094

 

8.38

 

 

 

25,774

 

 

2,094

 

8.38

 

 

Total borrowings

 

 

232,475

 

 

4,549

 

1.96

 

 

 

270,558

 

 

5,995

 

2.22

 

 

 

446,056

 

 

7,406

 

1.66

 

 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

1,557,535

 

 

12,987

 

0.83

%

 

 

1,393,822

 

 

15,583

 

1.12

%

 

 

1,384,578

 

 

19,295

 

1.39

%

 

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

 

596,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

489,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

441,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total including noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

 

2,154,143

 

 

12,987

 

0.61

%

 

 

1,883,006

 

 

15,583

 

0.83

%

 

 

1,825,665

 

 

19,295

 

1.06

%

 

Other liabilities

 

 

129,221

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

148,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

130,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

2,283,364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,031,416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,955,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

224,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

213,153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

158,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

2,508,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,244,569

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,114,221

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income/spread

 

 

 

 

 

87,505

 

3.68

%

 

 

 

 

 

84,208

 

3.92

%

 

 

 

 

 

87,646

 

4.26

%

 

Net yield on interest-earning assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.92

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.25

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.63

%

 

Less: Tax-equivalent adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

3,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,021

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

 

 

$

84,077

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

81,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

86,625

 

 

 

 


 

 

[1]

The average balances of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity are computed on the basis of daily averages. Average rates are presented on a tax-equivalent basis. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current presentation.

 

[2]

Interest on tax-exempt securities included herein is presented on a tax-equivalent basis.

 

[3]

Includes loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio; all loans are domestic. Nonaccrual loans are included in amounts outstanding and income has been included to the extent earned.

PAGE 48


Sterling Bancorp
CONSOLIDATED RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS[1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) from Years Ended,

 

December 31, 2010 to
December 31, 2011

 

December 31, 2009 to
December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Total[2]

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Total[2]

 

 

 

(in thousands)

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

$

149

 

$

3

 

$

152

 

$

(10

)

$

 

$

(10

)

Investment securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale—taxable

 

 

(1,134

)

 

(941

)

 

(2,075

)

 

1,901

 

 

(7,613

)

 

(5,712

)

Held to maturity—taxable

 

 

2,484

 

 

(5,285

)

 

(2,801

)

 

(2,987

)

 

(1,204

)

 

(4,191

)

Tax-exempt

 

 

2,277

 

 

85

 

 

2,362

 

 

4,419

 

 

96

 

 

4,515

 

Total

 

 

3,627

 

 

(6,141

)

 

(2,514

)

 

3,333

 

 

(8,721

)

 

(5,388

)

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

 

8

 

 

(82

)

 

(74

)

 

(45

)

 

(23

)

 

(68

)

Loans, net of unearned discounts[3]

 

 

7,188

 

 

(4,051

)

 

3,137

 

 

3,723

 

 

(5,407

)

 

(1,684

)

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME

 

$

10,972

 

$

(10,271

)

$

701

 

$

7,001

 

$

(14,151

)

$

(7,150

)

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings

 

$

 

$

(3

)

$

(3

)

$

1

 

$

(8

)

$

(7

)

NOW

 

 

3

 

 

(103

)

 

(100

)

 

(7

)

 

(141

)

 

(148

)

Money market

 

 

241

 

 

(571

)

 

(330

)

 

25

 

 

(472

)

 

(447

)

Time

 

 

1,618

 

 

(2,332

)

 

(714

)

 

2,965

 

 

(4,661

)

 

(1,696

)

Foreign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

(3

)

 

(3

)

 

 

 

(3

)

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

 

1,859

 

 

(3,009

)

 

(1,150

)

 

2,981

 

 

(5,282

)

 

(2,301

)

Borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—customers

 

 

(21

)

 

(22

)

 

(43

)

 

(124

)

 

 

 

(124

)

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—dealers

 

 

(3

)

 

25

 

 

22

 

 

44

 

 

 

 

44

 

Federal funds purchased

 

 

(37

)

 

(23

)

 

(60

)

 

20

 

 

3

 

 

23

 

Commercial paper

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

(2

)

 

8

 

 

(30

)

 

(22

)

Short-term borrowings—FHLB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

 

(11

)

Short-term borrowings—FRB

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

(9

)

 

(375

)

 

(14

)

 

(389

)

Short-term borrowings—other

 

 

(7

)

 

(9

)

 

(16

)

 

 

 

18

 

 

18

 

Advances—FHLB

 

 

(77

)

 

(1,261

)

 

(1,338

)

 

(469

)

 

(481

)

 

(950

)

Total borrowings

 

 

(156

)

 

(1,290

)

 

(1,446

)

 

(907

)

 

(504

)

 

(1,411

)

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE

 

$

1,703

 

$

(4,299

)

$

(2,596

)

$

2,074

 

$

(5,786

)

$

(3,712

)

NET INTEREST INCOME

 

$

9,269

 

$

(5,972

)

$

3,297

 

$

4,927

 

$

(8,365

)

$

(3,438

)


 

 

[1]

Amounts are presented on a tax-equivalent basis.

 

[2]

The change in interest income and interest expense due to a combination of both volume and rate have been allocated to the change due to volume and the change due to rate in proportion to the relationship of the change due solely to each. The change in interest expense for foreign time deposits and short-term borrowings—FRB has been allocated entirely to the volume variance.

 

[3]

Includes loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio; all loans are domestic. Nonaccrual loans have been included in the amounts outstanding and income has been included to the extent earned.

PAGE 49


ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

The Company’s primary earnings source is its net interest income; therefore, the Company devotes significant time and has invested in resources to assist in the management of interest rate risk and asset quality. The Company’s net interest income is affected by changes in market interest rates, and by the level and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Company’s objectives in its asset/liability management are to utilize its capital effectively, to provide adequate liquidity and to enhance net interest income, without taking undue risks or subjecting the Company unduly to interest rate fluctuations.

The Company takes a coordinated approach to the management of its liquidity, capital and interest rate risk. This risk management process is governed by policies and limits established by senior management which are reviewed and approved by the Asset/Liability Committee. This committee, which is comprised of members of senior management, meets to review, among other things, economic conditions, interest rates, yield curve, cash flow projections, expected customer actions, liquidity levels, capital ratios and repricing characteristics of assets, liabilities and financial instruments.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market indices such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. The Company’s principal market risk exposure is interest rate risk, with no material impact on earnings from changes in foreign exchange rates or equity prices.

Interest rate risk is the exposure to changes in market interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity is the relationship between market interest rates and net interest income due to the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities. The Company monitors the interest rate sensitivity of its balance sheet positions by examining its near-term sensitivity and its longer-term gap position. In its management of interest rate risk, the Company utilizes several financial and statistical tools including traditional gap analysis and sophisticated income simulation models.

A traditional gap analysis is prepared based on the maturity and repricing characteristics of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for selected time bands. The mismatch between repricings or maturities within a time band is commonly referred to as the “gap” for that period. A positive gap (asset sensitive) where interest rate sensitive assets exceed interest rate sensitive liabilities generally will result in the net interest margin increasing in a rising rate environment and decreasing in a falling rate environment. A negative gap (liability sensitive) will generally have the opposite result on the net interest margin. However, the traditional gap analysis does not assess the relative sensitivity of assets and liabilities to changes in interest rates and other factors that could have an impact on interest rate sensitivity or net interest income. The Company utilizes the gap analysis to complement its income simulations modeling, primarily focusing on the longer-term structure of the balance sheet.

The Company’s balance sheet structure is primarily short-term in nature with a substantial portion of assets and liabilities repricing or maturing within one year. The Company’s gap analysis at December 31, 2011, presented on page 56, indicates that net interest income would increase during periods of rising interest rates and decrease during periods of falling interest rates, but, as mentioned above, gap analysis may not be an accurate predictor of net interest income.

PAGE 50


As part of its interest rate risk strategy, the Company may use financial instrument derivatives to hedge the interest rate sensitivity of assets. The Company has written policy guidelines, approved by the Board of Directors, governing the use of financial instruments, including approved counterparties, risk limits and appropriate internal control procedures. The credit risk of derivatives arises principally from the potential for a counterparty to fail to meet its obligation to settle a contract on a timely basis.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company was not a party to any financial instrument derivative agreement.

The Company utilizes income simulation models to complement its traditional gap analysis. While the Asset/Liability Committee routinely monitors simulated net interest income sensitivity over a rolling two-year horizon, it also utilizes additional tools to monitor potential longer-term interest rate risk. The income simulation models measure the Company’s net interest income volatility or sensitivity to interest rate changes utilizing statistical techniques that allow the Company to consider various factors which impact net interest income. These factors include actual maturities, estimated cash flows, repricing characteristics, deposits growth/retention and, most importantly, the relative sensitivity of the Company’s assets and liabilities to changes in market interest rates. This relative sensitivity is important to consider as the Company’s core deposit base has not been subject to the same degree of interest rate sensitivity as its assets. The core deposit costs are internally managed and tend to exhibit less sensitivity to changes in interest rates than the Company’s adjustable rate assets whose yields are based on external indices and generally change in concert with market interest rates.

The Company’s interest rate sensitivity is determined by identifying the probable impact of changes in market interest rates on the yields on the Company’s assets and the rates that would be paid on its liabilities. This modeling technique involves a degree of estimation based on certain assumptions that management believes to be reasonable. Utilizing this process, management projects the impact of changes in interest rates on net interest margin. The Company has established certain policy limits for the potential volatility of its net interest margin assuming certain levels of changes in market interest rates with the objective of maintaining a stable net interest margin under various probable rate scenarios. Management generally has maintained a risk position well within the policy limits. As of December 31, 2011, the model indicated the impact of a 100 and 200 basis point parallel and pro rata rise in rates over 12 months would approximate a 2.4% ($2.8 million) and a 5.0% ($6.0 million) increase in net interest income, respectively, while the impact of a 25 basis point decline in rates over the same period would approximate a 0.8% ($0.9 million) decline from an unchanged rate environment. The likelihood of a decrease in interest rates beyond 25 basis points as of December 31, 2011 was considered to be remote given then-current interest rate levels. As of December 31, 2010, the model indicated the impact of a 100 and 200 basis point parallel and pro rata rise in rates over 12 months would approximate a 3.4% ($3.7 million) and a 6.8% ($7.2 million) increase in net interest income, respectively, while the impact of a 25 basis point decline in rates over the same period would approximate a 0.9% ($1.0 million) decline from an unchanged rate environment. The likelihood of a decrease in interest rates beyond 25 basis points as of December 31, 2010 was considered to be remote given then-current interest rate levels.

PAGE 51


The preceding sensitivity analysis does not represent a Company forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions including: the nature and timing of interest rate levels including yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/ replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and others. While assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot provide any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions, including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.

Also, as market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity analysis, actual results will also differ due to: prepayment/refinancing levels likely deviating from those assumed, the varying impact of interest rate change caps or floors on adjustable rate assets, the potential effect of changing debt service levels on customers with adjustable rate loans, depositor early withdrawals and product preference changes, and other variables. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that the Asset/Liability Committee might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates.

The shape of the yield curve can cause downward pressure on net interest income. In general, if and to the extent that the yield curve is flatter (i.e., the differences between interest rates for different maturities are relatively smaller) than previously anticipated, then the yield on the Company’s interest-earning assets and its cash flows will tend to be lower. Management believes that a relatively flat yield curve could continue to affect adversely the Company’s results in 2012.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity is the ability to meet cash needs arising from changes in various categories of assets and liabilities. Liquidity is constantly monitored and managed at both the parent company and the bank levels. Liquid assets consist of cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks and Federal funds sold and securities available for sale. Primary funding sources include core deposits, capital markets funds and other money market sources. Core deposits include domestic noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing retail deposits, which historically have been relatively stable. The parent company and the bank believe that they have significant unused borrowing capacity. Contingency plans exist which we believe could be implemented on a timely basis to mitigate the impact of any dramatic change in market conditions.

The parent company depends for its cash requirements on funds maintained or generated by its subsidiaries, principally the bank. Such sources have been adequate to meet the parent company’s cash requirements throughout its history.

Various legal restrictions limit the extent to which the bank can supply funds to the parent company and its non-bank subsidiaries. All national banks are limited in the payment of dividends without the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency to an amount not to exceed the net profits (as defined) for the year to date combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two calendar years (see Note 16 on page 96).

PAGE 52


In December 2008, under the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program, we issued to the U.S. Treasury 42,000 of the parent company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Shares, Series A, liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series A Preferred Shares”) and a 10-year warrant to purchase up to 516,817 of the parent company’s common shares. On April 27, 2011, the parent company paid $42.4 million to the U.S. Treasury for the repurchase in full of the Series A Preferred Shares. As a result of this action, the Series A Preferred Shares were redeemed in full, eliminating an annual dividend of $2.1 million. In this connection, in determining net income available to common shareholders, the Company recognized in the second quarter of 2011 a $1.2 million charge for accelerated accretion which represents the difference between the carrying value and the liquidation value for the repurchased Series A Preferred Shares. On May 18, 2011, the parent company paid approximately $0.95 million to the U.S. Treasury to repurchase the 10-year warrant in full. The parent company’s repurchase of the warrant concluded its participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

At December 31, 2011, the parent company’s short-term debt, consisting principally of commercial paper used to finance ongoing current business activities, was approximately $14.5 million. The parent company had cash, interest-bearing deposits with banks and other current assets aggregating $45.6 million. The parent company also has back-up credit lines with banks of $19.0 million. Since 1979, the parent company has had no need to use available back-up lines of credit.

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES, AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations and other commitments to make future payments as of December 31, 2011. Payments for borrowings do not include interest. Payments related to leases are based on actual payments specified in the underlying contracts. Loan commitments and standby letters of credit are presented at contractual amounts; however, since many of these commitments are expected to expire unused or only partially used, the total amounts of these commitments do not necessarily reflect future cash requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual
Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than
1 Year

 

1–2
Years

 

2–3
Years

 

3–4
Years

 

4–5
Years

 

After 5
Years

 

Long-Term Debt[1]

 

$

148,507

 

$

21,468

 

$

994

 

$

271

 

$

 

$

100,000

 

$

25,774

 

Operating Leases

 

 

44,923

 

 

4,518

 

 

4,482

 

 

4,747

 

 

4,550

 

 

3,789

 

 

22,837

 

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

 

$

193,430

 

$

25,986

 

$

5,476

 

$

5,018

 

$

4,550

 

$

103,789

 

$

48,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Based on contractual maturity date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period

 

Other Commercial
Commitments

 

Total

 

Less than
1 Year

 

1–2
Years

 

2–3
Years

 

3–4
Years

 

4–5
Years

 

After 5
Years

 

Residential Loans

 

$

55,164

 

$

55,164

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Commercial Loans

 

 

20,316

 

 

12,223

 

 

8,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Loan Commitments

 

 

75,480

 

 

67,387

 

 

8,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standby Letters of Credit

 

 

27,770

 

 

21,709

 

 

6,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Commercial Commitments

 

 

61,780

 

 

61,550

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

230

 

Total Commercial Commitments

 

$

165,030

 

$

150,646

 

$

14,154

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

230

 

PAGE 53


Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk

In the normal course of business the Company enters into various transactions, which in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, are not included in its consolidated balance sheets. The Company enters into these transactions to meet the financing needs of its customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company minimizes its exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures. The Company also holds certain assets which are not included in its consolidated balance sheets including assets held in fiduciary or custodial capacity on behalf of its trust customers and certain collateral funds resulting from acting as an agent in its securities lending program.

Commitments to Extend Credit

The Company enters into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of the Company’s commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding. Commitments to extend credit outstanding at December 31, 2011 are included in the table above.

Standby Letters of Credit

Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third party, the Company would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment is funded, the Company would be entitled to seek recovery from the customer. The Company’s policies generally require that standby letter of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements. Standby letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2011 are included in the table above. The Company holds primarily cash or cash equivalents as collateral supporting these commitments.

The Company is obligated under certain unfunded benefit plans to make payments to individuals upon their retirement. While the Company is not aware of any near term plans for retirement of executive officers at this time, actuarial expected benefit payments are disclosed in Note 18 beginning on page 98 based on eligibility.

While past performance is not a guarantee of future performance, management believes that the parent company’s funding sources (including dividends from all its subsidiaries) and the bank’s funding sources will be adequate to meet their liquidity requirements in the future.

The liquidity position of the parent company and the bank is regularly monitored and adjustments are made to the balance between sources and uses of funds as deemed appropriate. Management is not aware of any events that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, capital resources or operations. In addition, management is not aware of any regulatory recommendations regarding liquidity, which if implemented, would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

PAGE 54


CAPITAL

The Company and the bank are subject to risk-based capital regulations which quantitatively measure capital against risk-weighted assets, including certain off-balance sheet items. These regulations define the elements of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 components of total capital and establish minimum ratios of 4% for Tier 1 capital and 8% for Total Capital for capital adequacy purposes. Supplementing these regulations is a leverage requirement. This requirement establishes a minimum leverage ratio (at least 3% or 4%, depending upon an institution’s regulatory status), which is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by adjusted quarterly average assets (after deducting goodwill). Information regarding the Company’s and the bank’s risk-based capital at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is presented in Note 22 beginning on page 110. In addition, the bank is subject to the provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) which imposes a number of mandatory supervisory measures. Among other matters, FDICIA established five capital categories ranging from “well capitalized” to “critically undercapitalized.” Such classifications are used by regulatory agencies to determine a bank’s deposit insurance premium, approval of applications authorizing institutions to increase their asset size or otherwise expand business activities or acquire other institutions. Under FDICIA, a “well capitalized” bank must maintain minimum leverage, Tier 1 and total capital ratios of 5%, 6% and 10%, respectively. The Federal Reserve Board applies comparable tests for holding companies such as the Company. At December 31, 2011, the Company and the bank exceeded the requirements for “well capitalized” institutions under the tests pursuant to FDICIA and of the Federal Reserve Board.

The bank regulatory agencies have encouraged banking organizations, including healthy, well-run banking organizations, to operate with capital ratios substantially in excess of the stated ratios required to maintain “well capitalized” status. This has resulted from, among other things, current economic conditions, the global financial crisis and the likelihood, as described below, of increased formal capital requirements for banking organizations. In light of the foregoing, the Company and the bank expect that they will maintain capital ratios substantially in excess of these ratios.

The elements currently comprising Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital, the minimum Tier 1 capital and total capital ratios and the minimum leverage ratio may in the future be subject to change, as discussed in greater detail under the caption “SUPERVISION AND REGULATION” beginning on page 3.

IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

The Company’s financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which require the Company to measure financial position and operating results primarily in terms of historical dollars. Changes in the relative value of money due to inflation or recession are generally not considered. The primary effect of inflation on the operations of the Company is reflected in increased operating costs. In management’s opinion, changes in interest rates affect the financial condition of a financial institution to a far greater degree than do changes in the inflation rate. While interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not necessarily change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the control of the Company, including changes in the expected rate of inflation, the influence of general and local economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government, its agencies and various other governmental regulatory authorities, among other things, as further discussed under the caption “RISKS RELATED TO THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS” beginning on page 15 and under the caption “ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT” beginning on page 50.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See “Adoption of New Accounting Standards” and “Newly Issued Not Yet Effective Standards” in Note 1 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

PAGE 55


Sterling Bancorp
CONSOLIDATED INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

To mitigate the vulnerability of earnings to changes in interest rates, the Company manages the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities in an attempt to control net interest rate sensitivity. Management attempts to confine significant rate sensitivity gaps predominantly to repricing intervals of a year or less, so that adjustments can be made quickly. Assets and liabilities with predetermined repricing dates are classified based on the earliest repricing period. Based on the interest rate sensitivity analysis shown below, the Company’s net interest income would increase during periods of rising interest rates and decrease during periods of falling interest rates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repricing Date

 

 

 

3 Months
or Less

 

More than
3 Months
to 1 Year

 

More than
1 Year to
5 Years

 

More than
5 Years to
10 Years

 

Over
10 Years

 

Nonrate
Sensitive

 

Total

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

$

126,448

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

126,448

 

Investment securities

 

 

69,443

 

 

183,965

 

 

145,612

 

 

25,159

 

 

253,692

 

 

 

 

677,871

 

Commercial and industrial loans

 

 

482,449

 

 

65,196

 

 

77,629

 

 

789

 

 

 

 

(1,939

)

 

624,124

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

328

 

 

7,721

 

 

104,030

 

 

52,058

 

 

2,553

 

 

(15,908

)

 

150,782

 

Factored receivables

 

 

172,082

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(251

)

 

171,831

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

26,711

 

 

49,737

 

 

35,615

 

 

33,359

 

 

68,103

 

 

 

 

213,525

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

17,596

 

 

15,428

 

 

39,854

 

 

12,947

 

 

 

 

 

 

85,825

 

Real estate—construction loans

 

 

 

 

13,030

 

 

591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,621

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

8,950

 

 

532

 

 

894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,376

 

Loans to nondepository institutions

 

 

199,899

 

 

23,328

 

 

23,306

 

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

 

246,587

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Noninterest-earning assets and allowance for loan losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

172,297

 

 

172,297

 

Total Assets

 

 

1,103,916

 

 

358,937

 

 

427,531

 

 

124,312

 

 

324,402

 

 

154,199

 

 

2,493,297

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,566

 

NOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

177,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

177,495

 

Money market

 

 

267,745

 

 

 

 

101,617

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

369,362

 

Time—domestic

 

 

249,245

 

 

359,197

 

 

49,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

657,848

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—customers

 

 

47,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,313

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—dealers

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

Commercial paper

 

 

13,485

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,485

 

Advances—FHLB

 

 

100,000

 

 

20,000

 

 

2,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122,733

 

Long-term borrowings—subordinated debentures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,774

 

 

 

 

25,774

 

Noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,055,721

 

 

1,055,721

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

677,788

 

 

384,197

 

 

349,817

 

 

 

 

25,774

 

 

1,055,721

 

 

2,493,297

 

Net Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap

 

$

426,128

 

$

(25,260

)

$

77,714

 

$

124,312

 

$

298,628

 

$

(901,522

)

$

 

Cumulative Gap at December 31, 2011

 

$

426,128

 

$

490,868

 

$

478,582

 

$

602,894

 

$

901,522

 

$

 

$

 

Cumulative Gap at December 31, 2010

 

$

377,384

 

$

308,139

 

$

289,256

 

$

468,057

 

$

786,799

 

$

 

$

 

Cumulative Gap at December 31, 2009

 

$

215,345

 

$

223,572

 

$

238,762

 

$

348,921

 

$

707,012

 

$

 

$

 

PAGE 56


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and the statements of condition of Sterling National Bank as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, notes thereto and the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms thereon appear on pages 58–115.

PAGE 57


Sterling Bancorp
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands,
except per share data)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

31,046

 

$

26,824

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

 

126,448

 

 

40,503

 

Securities available for sale (at estimated fair value; pledged: $146,429 in 2011
and $95,311 in 2010)

 

 

270,014

 

 

390,080

 

Securities held to maturity (pledged: $206,282 in 2011 and $212,606 in 2010)
(estimated fair value: $425,775 in 2011 and $400,453 in 2010)

 

 

407,857

 

 

399,235

 

Total investment securities

 

 

677,871

 

 

789,315

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

43,372

 

 

32,049

 

Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts

 

 

1,473,309

 

 

1,314,234

 

Less allowance for loan losses

 

 

20,029

 

 

18,238

 

Loans, net

 

 

1,453,280

 

 

1,295,996

 

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost

 

 

8,486

 

 

9,365

 

Customers’ liability under acceptances

 

 

4

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

22,901

 

 

22,901

 

Premises and equipment, net

 

 

23,625

 

 

15,909

 

Other real estate

 

 

1,929

 

 

182

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

6,838

 

 

8,280

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

 

 

53,446

 

 

51,512

 

Other assets

 

 

44,051

 

 

67,621

 

Total assets

 

$

2,493,297

 

$

2,360,457

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

$

765,800

 

$

570,290

 

Savings, NOW and money market deposits

 

 

565,423

 

 

562,207

 

Time deposits

 

 

657,848

 

 

615,267

 

Total deposits

 

 

1,989,071

 

 

1,747,764

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—customers

 

 

47,313

 

 

23,016

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—dealers

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

Federal funds purchased

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

Commercial paper

 

 

13,485

 

 

14,388

 

Short-term borrowings—other

 

 

 

 

3,490

 

Advances—FHLB

 

 

122,733

 

 

144,173

 

Long-term borrowings—subordinated debentures

 

 

25,774

 

 

25,774

 

Total borrowings

 

 

214,305

 

 

230,841

 

Acceptances outstanding

 

 

4

 

 

 

Accrued interest payable

 

 

1,064

 

 

1,314

 

Due to factored clients

 

 

 

 

91,543

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

68,032

 

 

66,253

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,272,476

 

 

2,137,715

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred shares, Series A, $5 par value per share; $1,000 liquidation value. Authorized
644,389 shares; issued -0- and 42,000 shares, respectively

 

 

 

 

40,602

 

Common shares, $1 par value per share. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued
35,225,110 and 31,138,545 shares, respectively

 

 

35,225

 

 

31,139

 

Warrant to purchase common shares

 

 

 

 

2,615

 

Capital surplus

 

 

270,869

 

 

236,437

 

Retained earnings

 

 

15,523

 

 

11,392

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(14,216

)

 

(12,887

)

Common shares in treasury at cost, 4,300,278 and 4,297,782 shares, respectively

 

 

(86,580

)

 

(86,556

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

220,821

 

 

222,742

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,493,297

 

$

2,360,457

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 58


Sterling Bancorp
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

73,241

 

$

70,104

 

$

71,788

 

Investment securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale—taxable

 

 

8,788

 

 

10,863

 

 

16,575

 

Held to maturity—taxable

 

 

8,079

 

 

10,879

 

 

15,070

 

Tax exempt

 

 

6,358

 

 

4,824

 

 

1,889

 

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

 

371

 

 

445

 

 

513

 

Deposits with other banks

 

 

227

 

 

75

 

 

85

 

Total interest income

 

 

97,064

 

 

97,190

 

 

105,920

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings, NOW and Money Market

 

 

2,855

 

 

3,288

 

 

3,890

 

Time

 

 

5,583

 

 

6,300

 

 

7,999

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—customers

 

 

186

 

 

229

 

 

353

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—dealers

 

 

66

 

 

44

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased

 

 

14

 

 

74

 

 

51

 

Commercial paper

 

 

43

 

 

45

 

 

67

 

Short-term borrowings—FHLB

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

Short-term borrowings—FRB

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

398

 

Short-term borrowings—other

 

 

2

 

 

18

 

 

 

Advances—FHLB

 

 

2,144

 

 

3,482

 

 

4,432

 

Long-term borrowings—subordinated debentures

 

 

2,094

 

 

2,094

 

 

2,094

 

Total interest expense

 

 

12,987

 

 

15,583

 

 

19,295

 

Net interest income

 

 

84,077

 

 

81,607

 

 

86,625

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

12,000

 

 

28,500

 

 

27,900

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

 

72,077

 

 

53,107

 

 

58,725

 

NONINTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable management/factoring commissions and other fees

 

 

24,381

 

 

23,572

 

 

18,320

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

 

5,654

 

 

6,250

 

 

5,943

 

Trade finance income

 

 

2,222

 

 

2,264

 

 

1,891

 

Other customer related service charges and fees

 

 

943

 

 

777

 

 

929

 

Mortgage banking income

 

 

6,315

 

 

8,164

 

 

9,476

 

Trust fees

 

 

53

 

 

329

 

 

450

 

Income from life insurance policies

 

 

1,140

 

 

1,138

 

 

1,098

 

Securities gains

 

 

1,726

 

 

3,928

 

 

5,561

 

Loss on other real estate owned

 

 

 

 

(64

)

 

(32

)

Other income

 

 

1,626

 

 

1,275

 

 

514

 

Total noninterest income

 

 

44,060

 

 

47,633

 

 

44,150

 

NONINTEREST EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries

 

 

43,748

 

 

41,586

 

 

39,875

 

Employee benefits

 

 

13,898

 

 

12,220

 

 

12,293

 

Total personnel expense

 

 

57,646

 

 

53,806

 

 

52,168

 

Occupancy and equipment expenses, net

 

 

13,248

 

 

12,296

 

 

11,278

 

Advertising and marketing

 

 

2,792

 

 

3,381

 

 

3,167

 

Professional fees

 

 

5,219

 

 

5,464

 

 

5,147

 

Communications

 

 

1,756

 

 

1,691

 

 

1,665

 

Deposit insurance

 

 

2,747

 

 

3,809

 

 

4,153

 

Other expenses

 

 

10,937

 

 

11,109

 

 

10,967

 

Total noninterest expenses

 

 

94,345

 

 

91,556

 

 

88,545

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

21,792

 

 

9,184

 

 

14,330

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

4,196

 

 

2,158

 

 

4,908

 

Net income

 

 

17,596

 

 

7,026

 

 

9,422

 

Dividends on preferred shares and accretion

 

 

2,074

 

 

2,589

 

 

2,773

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

15,522

 

$

4,437

 

$

6,649

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

30,038,047

 

 

24,492,279

 

 

18,104,619

 

Diluted

 

 

30,038,047

 

 

24,495,044

 

 

18,126,333

 

Net income available to common shareholders, per average common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.37

 

Diluted

 

 

0.51

 

 

0.18

 

 

0.37

 

Dividends per common share

 

 

0.36

 

 

0.36

 

 

0.56

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 59


Sterling Bancorp
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Net income

 

$

17,596

 

$

7,026

 

$

9,422

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding (losses) gains on available for sale securities and
other investments, arising during the year

 

 

(180

)

 

2,101

 

 

3,039

 

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income

 

 

(958

)

 

(2,145

)

 

(3,037

)

Pension liability adjustment—net actuarial (losses) gains

 

 

(2,006

)

 

(1,940

)

 

1,935

 

Reclassification adjustment for amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost

 

 

35

 

 

36

 

 

36

 

Net actuarial losses

 

 

1,780

 

 

1,460

 

 

1,887

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(1,329

)

 

(488

)

 

3,860

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

16,267

 

$

6,538

 

$

13,282

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 60


Sterling Bancorp
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS ’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

PREFERRED SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

40,602

 

$

40,113

 

$

39, 440

 

Redemption

 

 

(42,000

)

 

 

 

 

Discount accretion

 

 

1,398

 

 

489

 

 

673

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

 

$

40,602

 

$

40,113

 

COMMON SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

31,139

 

$

22,227

 

$

22,203

 

Common shares issued—public offering

 

 

4,025

 

 

8,625

 

 

 

Common shares issued under stock incentive plan

 

 

61

 

 

287

 

 

24

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

35,225

 

$

31,139

 

$

22,227

 

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

2,615

 

$

2,615

 

$

2,615

 

Repurchase

 

 

(2,615

)

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

 

$

2,615

 

$

2,615

 

CAPITAL SURPLUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

236,437

 

$

178,734

 

$

178,417

 

Common shares issued—public offering

 

 

32,429

 

 

56,256

 

 

 

Restricted shares issued

 

 

(61

)

 

 

 

 

Common shares issued under stock incentive plan and related tax benefits

 

 

 

 

1,190

 

 

185

 

Stock option compensation expense

 

 

394

 

 

257

 

 

132

 

Repurchase of warrants

 

 

1,670

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

270,869

 

$

236,437

 

$

178,734

 

RETAINED EARNINGS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

11,392

 

$

15,828

 

$

19,088

 

Net income

 

 

17,596

 

 

7,026

 

 

9,422

 

Cash dividends paid—common shares

 

 

(11,122

)

 

(8,873

)

 

(10,131

)

Cash dividends paid—preferred shares

 

 

(945

)

 

(2,100

)

 

(1,878

)

Discount accretion on Series A preferred shares

 

 

(1,398

)

 

(489

)

 

(673

)

Balance at end of year

 

$

15,523

 

$

11,392

 

$

15,828

 

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

(12,887

)

$

(12,399

)

$

(16,259

)

Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax

 

 

(1,329

)

 

(488

)

 

3,860

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

(14,216

)

$

(12,887

)

$

(12,399

)

TREASURY SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

(86,556

)

$

(85,168

)

$

(85,024

)

Surrender of shares issued under stock incentive plan

 

 

(24

)

 

(1,388

)

 

(144

)

Balance at end of year

 

$

(86,580

)

$

(86,556

)

$

(85,168

)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

222,742

 

$

161,950

 

$

160,480

 

Net changes during the year

 

 

(1,921

)

 

60,792

 

 

1,470

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

220,821

 

$

222,742

 

$

161,950

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 61


Sterling Bancorp
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

17,596

 

$

7,026

 

$

9,422

 

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations
to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

12,000

 

 

28,500

 

 

27,900

 

Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment

 

 

3,256

 

 

2,436

 

 

2,195

 

Securities gains

 

 

(1,726

)

 

(3,928

)

 

(5,561

)

Income from life insurance policies, net

 

 

(625

)

 

(1,135

)

 

(1,388

)

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

 

 

2,079

 

 

(2,430

)

 

(6,344

)

Proceeds from sale of loans

 

 

370,681

 

 

493,147

 

 

618,857

 

Gains on sales of loans, net

 

 

(6,335

)

 

(8,176

)

 

(9,480

)

Originations of loans held for sale

 

 

(376,674

)

 

(484,395

)

 

(619,863

)

Amortization of premiums on investment securities

 

 

8,914

 

 

6,993

 

 

2,269

 

Accretion of discounts on investment securities

 

 

(467

)

 

(559

)

 

(1,350

)

Decrease (Increase) in accrued interest receivable

 

 

1,442

 

 

721

 

 

(85

)

(Decrease) Increase in accrued interest payable

 

 

(250

)

 

23

 

 

(755

)

(Decrease) Increase in due to factored clients

 

 

(91,543

)

 

9,142

 

 

31,780

 

Increase (Decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

623

 

 

8,742

 

 

(10,150

)

Increase in other assets

 

 

(1,219

)

 

(8,139

)

 

(6,707

)

Loss on OREO

 

 

 

 

64

 

 

32

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

 

(62,248

)

 

48,032

 

 

30,772

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of premises and equipment

 

 

(10,972

)

 

(8,687

)

 

(1,149

)

Net increase in interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

 

(85,945

)

 

(3,545

)

 

(23,009

)

Net (increase) decrease in loans held in portfolio

 

 

(181,334

)

 

(126,361

)

 

13,778

 

Net decrease (increase) in short-term factored receivables

 

 

11,007

 

 

(21,862

)

 

(30,729

)

Proceed from sale of other real estate

 

 

193

 

 

1,259

 

 

1,654

 

Proceeds from calls/sales of securities—available for sale

 

 

275,428

 

 

486,191

 

 

395,632

 

Proceeds from calls of securities—held to maturity

 

 

322,500

 

 

142,380

 

 

40,000

 

Proceed from sales of securities—held to maturity

 

 

2,141

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from prepayments, redemptions or maturities of securities—held to maturity

 

 

47,567

 

 

64,327

 

 

82,059

 

Proceeds from redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

 

 

1,089

 

 

977

 

 

4,725

 

Purchases of securities—held to maturity

 

 

(379,731

)

 

(209,964

)

 

(211,552

)

Proceeds from prepayments, redemptions or maturities—available for sale

 

 

335,663

 

 

210,749

 

 

132,043

 

Purchases of securities—available for sale

 

 

(477,139

)

 

(744,344

)

 

(378,790

)

Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

 

(210

)

 

(1,860

)

 

(503

)

Cash paid in acquisition

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21,333

)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

 

(139,743

)

 

(210,740

)

 

2,826

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

 

195,510

 

 

23,953

 

 

81,752

 

Net increase (decrease) in savings, NOW, money market deposits

 

 

3,216

 

 

(29,808

)

 

27,810

 

Net increase in time deposits

 

 

42,581

 

 

172,952

 

 

113,281

 

Net decrease in Federal funds purchased

 

 

(15,000

)

 

(26,000

)

 

(90,000

)

Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

 

24,297

 

 

6,968

 

 

(23,286

)

Net (decrease) increase in commercial paper and other short-term borrowings

 

 

(4,393

)

 

(51,928

)

 

(118,264

)

(Decrease) Increase in long-term borrowings

 

 

(21,440

)

 

14,173

 

 

(20,000

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

403

 

 

197

 

Proceeds from issuance of common shares

 

 

36,454

 

 

64,881

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid on common shares

 

 

(11,122

)

 

(8,873

)

 

(10,131

)

Cash dividends paid on preferred shares

 

 

(945

)

 

(2,100

)

 

(1,878

)

Net redemption of preferred shares and common share warrants

 

 

(42,945

)

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

206,213

 

 

164,621

 

 

(40,519

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks

 

 

4,222

 

 

1,913

 

 

(6,921

)

Cash and due from banks—beginning of year

 

 

26,824

 

 

24,911

 

 

31,832

 

Cash and due from banks—end of year

 

$

31,046

 

$

26,824

 

$

24,911

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

13,237

 

$

15,559

 

$

20,051

 

Income taxes paid

 

 

5,748

 

 

4,011

 

 

5,759

 

Loans held for sale transferred to portfolio

 

 

1,004

 

 

1,264

 

 

 

Loans in portfolio transferred to other real estate

 

 

2,048

 

 

533

 

 

2,069

 

Due to brokers on purchases of securities held to maturity

 

 

943

 

 

4,998

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 62


Sterling National Bank
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands,
except per share data)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

31,034

 

$

26,792

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

 

126,448

 

 

40,503

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available for sale (at estimated fair value; pledged: $146,429 in 2011 and $95,311 in 2010)

 

 

261,442

 

 

383,994

 

Securities held to maturity (pledged: $206,282 in 2011 and $212,606 in 2010) (estimated fair value: $425,775 in 2011 and $400,453 in 2010)

 

 

407,857

 

 

399,235

 

Total investment securities

 

 

669,299

 

 

783,229

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

43,372

 

 

32,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts

 

 

1,463,182

 

 

1,298,864

 

Less allowance for loan losses

 

 

20,029

 

 

18,238

 

Loans, net

 

 

1,443,153

 

 

1,280,626

 

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan bank stock, at cost

 

 

8,486

 

 

9,365

 

Customers’ liability under acceptances

 

 

4

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

1,742

 

 

1,742

 

Premises and equipment, net

 

 

23,622

 

 

15,902

 

Other real estate

 

 

1,929

 

 

182

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

6,642

 

 

8,109

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

 

 

48,838

 

 

47,408

 

Other assets

 

 

53,136

 

 

73,133

 

Total assets

 

$

2,457,705

 

$

2,319,040

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

$

786,673

 

$

607,914

 

Savings, NOW and money market deposits

 

 

567,021

 

 

565,653

 

Time deposits

 

 

657,848

 

 

615,267

 

Total deposits

 

 

2,011,542

 

 

1,788,834

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—customers

 

 

47,313

 

 

23,016

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—dealers

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

Federal funds purchased

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

Short-term borrowings—other

 

 

 

 

3,490

 

Advances—FHLB

 

 

122,733

 

 

144,173

 

Acceptances outstanding

 

 

4

 

 

 

Accrued interest payable

 

 

1,062

 

 

1,306

 

Due to factored clients

 

 

 

 

91,543

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

64,807

 

 

61,018

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,252,461

 

 

2,133,380

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder’s Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares, $50 par value per share; Authorized and issued, 358,526 shares

 

 

17,926

 

 

17,926

 

Capital surplus

 

 

51,263

 

 

51,263

 

Undivided profits

 

 

146,888

 

 

125,983

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(10,833

)

 

(9,512

)

Total shareholder’s equity

 

 

205,244

 

 

185,660

 

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

 

$

2,457,705

 

$

2,319,040

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 63


Sterling Bancorp
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Sterling Bancorp is a financial holding company, pursuant to an election made under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. Throughout the notes, the term the “Company” refers to Sterling Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries and the term the “bank” refers to Sterling National Bank and its consolidated subsidiaries, while the term the “parent company” refers to Sterling Bancorp but not its subsidiaries. The Company provides a full range of financial products and services, including business and consumer loans, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, asset-based financing, factoring/accounts receivable management services, trade financing, equipment financing, and deposit services. The Company has operations principally in New York and conducts business throughout the United States.

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), which, effective for all interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, principally consist of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”). FASB Codification Topic 105: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles establishes the FASB Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), under authority of federal securities laws, are also sources of authoritative guidance for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the FASB Codification carries an equal level of authority. All non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the FASB Codification is superseded and deemed non-authoritative.

The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Company with specific references to the FASB Codification.

(a) Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and its subsidiaries, principally the bank, after elimination of intercompany transactions.

Generally, U.S. GAAP requires that all entities in which a company has a controlling financial interest be consolidated. The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether it holds ownership of a majority voting interest. However, certain entities may not have voting interests or decision-making abilities because the controlling financial interest is achieved through other arrangements. These variable interest entities (“VIEs”) may still require consolidation even though equity investors do not have the typical characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when an enterprise has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s financial performance and an obligation to absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses or receive a majority of the entity’s expected return. The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE. The parent company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Sterling Bancorp Trust I, is a VIE for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the accounts of this entity are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

(b) General Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make assumptions and estimates which impact the amounts reported in those statements and are, by their nature, subject to change in the future as additional information becomes available or as circumstances vary. Actual results could differ from management’s current estimates, as a result of changing conditions and future events. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these significant estimates. Several accounting estimates are particularly critical and are susceptible to significant near-term change, including the allowance for loan losses and asset impairment judgments, such as other-than-temporary declines in the value of securities and the accounting for income taxes. The judgments used by management in applying these critical accounting policies may be affected by a further and prolonged deterioration or lack of significant improvement in the economic environment, which may result in changes to future financial results. For example, subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for loan losses in future periods, and the inability to collect outstanding principal may result in increased loan losses.

The Company evaluates subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are issued.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the current presentation. Throughout the notes, dollar amounts presented in tables are in thousands, except per share data.

PAGE 64


(c) Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-20, “Receivables (Topic 310)—Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” ASU 2010-20 requires entities to provide disclosures designed to facilitate financial statement users’ evaluation of (i) the nature of credit risk inherent in the entity’s portfolio of financing receivables, (ii) how that risk is analyzed and assessed in arriving at the allowance for credit losses and (iii) the changes and reasons for those changes in the allowance for credit losses. Disclosures must be disaggregated by portfolio segment, the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic method for determining its allowance for credit losses, and class of financing receivables, which is generally a disaggregation of portfolio segment. The required disclosures include, among other things, a roll-forward of the allowance for credit losses as well as information about modified, impaired, nonaccrual and past due loans and credit quality indicators. This guidance became effective for the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2010, as it relates to disclosures required as of the end of a reporting period. Disclosures that relate to activity during a reporting period were required for the Company’s financial statements that include periods beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The effect of adopting this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2010-28, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350 )—When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” ASU 2010-28 modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with the existing guidance which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The provisions of this guidance were effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2011-02, “Receivables (Topic 310)—A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” ASU 2011-02 clarifies which loan modifications constitute troubled debt restructurings and is intended to assist creditors in determining whether a modification of the terms of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring, both for purposes of recording an impairment loss and for disclosure of troubled debt restructurings. In evaluating whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, a creditor must separately conclude, under the guidance clarified by ASU 2011-02, that both of the following exist: (a) the restructuring constitutes a concession; and (b) the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. ASU 2011-02 was effective for the Company on July 1, 2011, and applies retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

d) Newly Issued Not Yet Effective Standards

ASU No. 2011-03, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860)—Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.” ASU 2011-03 is intended to improve financial reporting of repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity. ASU 2011-03 removes from the assessment of effective control (i) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (ii) the collateral maintenance guidance related to that criterion. ASU 2011-03 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)—Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” ASU 2011-04 amends Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” to converge the fair value measurement guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, changes certain principles in Topic 820 and requires additional fair value disclosures. ASU 2011-04 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)—Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2011-05 amends Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income,” to require that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Additionally,

PAGE 65


ASU 2011-05 requires entities to present, on the face of the financial statements, reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement or statements where the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity was eliminated. ASU 2011-05 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Testing Goodwill for Impairment.” ASU 2011-08 amends Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” so that entities testing goodwill for impairment have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the reporting unit (i.e., Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test). If an entity determines, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the two-step impairment test would be required. The ASU does not change how goodwill is calculated or assigned to reporting units, nor does it revise the requirement to test goodwill annually for impairment. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2011-08 effective with its annual period ending December 31, 2011 and such adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210)—Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” ASU 2011-11 amends Topic 210, “Balance Sheet”, to require an entity to disclose both gross and net information about financial instruments, such as sales and repurchase agreements and reverse sale and repurchase agreements and securities borrowing/lending arrangements, and derivative instruments that are eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and/or subject to master netting arrangement or similar agreement. ASU 2011-11 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2013, and is not expected to have significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU 2011-12 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)—Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” ASU 2011-12 defers changes in ASU No. 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments to allow the FASB time to redeliberate whether to require presentation of such adjustments on the face of the financial statements to show the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-12 allows entities to continue to report reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income consistent with the presentation requirements in effect before ASU No. 2011-05. All other requirements in ASU No. 2011-05 are not affected by ASU No. 2011-12. ASU 2011-12 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

(e) Investment Securities

Securities are designated at the time of acquisition as available for sale or held to maturity. Securities that the Company will hold for indefinite periods of time and that might be sold in the future as part of efforts to manage interest rate risk or in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, changes in market conditions or changes in economic factors are classified as available for sale and carried at estimated fair values. Net aggregate unrealized gains or losses are reported, net of taxes, as a component of shareholders’ equity through other comprehensive income. Securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are designated as held to maturity and are carried at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts over the period to maturity. Interest income includes the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of purchase discounts. Gains and losses realized on sales of securities are determined on the specific identification method and are reported in noninterest income.

Securities pledged as collateral are disclosed parenthetically in the Consolidated Balance Sheets if the secured party has the right by contract or custom to sell or repledge the collateral. Securities are pledged by the Company to secure trust and public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, advances from the FHLB and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

A periodic review is conducted by management to determine if the decline in the fair value of any security appears to be other-than-temporary. Factors considered in determining whether the decline is other-than-temporary include, but are not limited to: the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and the Company’s intent to sell. If the decline is deemed to be other-than-temporary, and the Company does not have the intent to sell and will not likely be required to sell, the security is written down to a new cost basis and the resulting credit component of the loss is reported in noninterest income and the remainder of the loss is

PAGE 66


recorded in shareholders’ equity. If the Company intends to sell or will be required to sell, the full amount of the other-than-temporary impairment is recorded in noninterest income.

(f) Loans

Loans (including factored accounts receivable), other than those held for sale, are reported at their principal amount outstanding, net of unearned discounts and unamortized nonrefundable fees and direct costs associated with their origination or acquisition. Interest earned on loans is credited to income based on loan principal amounts outstanding at appropriate interest rates. Origination and other nonrefundable fees net of direct costs and discounts on loans (excluding factored accounts receivable) are credited to income over the terms of the loans using a method that results in an approximately constant effective yield. Nonrefundable fees on the purchase of accounts receivable are credited to “Accounts receivable management/factoring commissions and other fees” at the time of purchase, which, based on our analysis, does not produce results that are materially different from the results under the amortization method specified in FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables.

Mortgage loans held for sale, including deferred fees and costs, are reported at the lower of cost or fair value as determined by outstanding commitments from investors or current investor yield requirements calculated on the aggregate loan basis and are included under the caption “Loans held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized in a valuation allowance by a charge to income. Mortgage loans, including servicing rights, are sold without recourse. Gains or losses resulting from sales of mortgage loans, net of unamortized deferred fees and costs, are recognized when the proceeds are received from investors and are included under the caption “Mortgage banking income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In connection with its mortgage banking activities, the Company has commitments to fund loans held for sale and commitments to sell loans which are considered derivative instruments under FASB Codification Topic 815: Derivatives and Hedging. The fair values of these free-standing derivative instruments were immaterial at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans for which the borrower has been given a concession through a modification of terms and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties are considered troubled debt restructurings and classified as impaired. Under the provisions of FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables, individually identified impaired loans are measured based on the present value of payments expected to be received, using the historical effective loan rate as the discount rate. Alternatively, measurement may also be based on observable market prices; or, for loans that are solely dependent on the collateral for repayment, measurement may be based on the fair value of the collateral. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds fair value, a valuation allowance is required as a component of the allowance for loan losses. Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectibility of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

Nonaccrual loans are those on which the accrual of interest has ceased. Loans, including loans that are individually identified as being impaired under FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables, are generally placed on nonaccrual status immediately if, in the opinion of management, principal or interest is not likely to be paid in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, or when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more and collateral, if any, is insufficient to cover principal and interest. Interest accrued but not collected at the date a loan is placed on nonaccrual status is reversed against interest income. Interest income is recognized on non-accrual loans only to the extent received in cash. However, where there is doubt regarding the ultimate collectibility of the loan principal, cash receipts, whether designated as principal or interest, are thereafter applied to reduce the carrying value of the loan. Loans are restored to accrual status only when interest and principal payments are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

(g) Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 450: Contingencies. Further information regarding the Company’s policies and methodology used to estimate the allowance for loan losses is presented in Note 5—Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses.

PAGE 67


(h) Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

The bank is required to maintain a minimum level of investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) stock based on specific percentages of its outstanding mortgages, total assets or FHLB advances. FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stocks are restricted because they may only be sold to another member institution of the FHLB or FRB at their par values. Due to restrictive terms, and the lack of a readily determinable market value, FHLB and FRB stocks are shown separately in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, carried at cost and evaluated for ultimate recovery of par value.

(i) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired, reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets arose from the parent company’s acquisition of the bank (in 1968) and the acquisition of Sterling Resource Funding Corp (in 2006). Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Codification Topic 350: Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, under which goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite useful life and therefore is not amortized, and the Company is required to complete an annual assessment for any impairment of goodwill. Impairment exists when a reporting unit’s carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value. The Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment testing. The impairment would be treated as an expense in the income statement. There was no impairment expense recorded in 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on our balance sheet and is tested for impairment using either a qualitative method or a two-step approach under ASU 2011-08 that initially involves the estimation of its respective fair value. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, a goodwill impairment loss would be recognized as a charge to expense for any excess of the goodwill carrying amount over its implied fair value.

Other intangible assets consist of acquired customer contracts and assets arising from a purchase of assets as of April 6, 2009. They were initially measured at fair value and then amortized on a straight-line method over their estimated useful life of 2 years.

(j) Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment, excluding land, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation or amortization as applicable. Land is reported at cost. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis and is charged to noninterest expense over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Useful lives are 7 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment, between 3 and 7 years for ATMs, computer hardware and software, and 10 years for building improvements. Amortization of leasehold improvements is charged to noninterest expense over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Maintenance, repairs and minor improvements are charged to noninterest expenses as incurred.

(k) Foreclosed Assets

Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Costs after acquisition are generally expensed. If the fair value of the asset declines, a write-down is recorded through expense. The valuation of foreclosed assets is subjective in nature and may be adjusted in the future because of changes in economic conditions.

(l) Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance Policies

The bank invested in Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”) policies to fund certain future employee benefit costs. In addition, the parent company and the bank own endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies on certain key executives. The cash surrender value, net of surrender charges, of these insurance policies is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Cash surrender value of bank owned and other life insurance policies.” Changes in the cash surrender value, net of surrender charges, of BOLI policies are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the caption “Income from bank owned life insurance policies.” Changes in the cash surrender value, net of surrender charges, of the endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies are netted against premium expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the caption “Employee Benefits.”

(m) Repurchase Agreements

The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase and receives cash as collateral. The agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying value of the securities underlying the agreements remains reflected as an asset.

(n) Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company may be required to recognize certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative.

PAGE 68


(o) Impact of Current Economic Conditions

Current economic conditions, including illiquid credit markets, volatile equity, foreign currency and energy markets, and reduced consumer spending, have combined to increase risk and uncertainty across industries. The Company considers the current economic conditions and their impact on the financial results and operations of the Company discussed above, including the determination of fair value of investment securities or derivative financial instruments the Company holds, the establishment of allowance for loan losses, the impairment of any asset and any other amounts reported in the financial statements of the Company that may be affected in the near term.

(p) Income Taxes

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income tax expense (benefit) is determined by recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance provided for that portion of the assets for which it is more likely than not that it will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and will be adjusted for the effects of future changes in tax laws or rates, if any.

For income tax purposes, the parent company files: a consolidated Federal income tax return; combined New York City and New York State income tax returns; and separate state income tax returns for its out-of-state subsidiaries. The parent company, under tax sharing agreements, either pays or collects current income taxes due to or due from its subsidiaries.

Starting in 2009, New York State Tax law generally requires a REIT that is majority owned by a New York State bank to be included in the bank’s combined New York State tax return. The Company believes that it qualifies for the small-bank exception to this rule. If, contrary to this belief, Sterling Real Estate Holding Company, Inc. were required to be included in the Company’s New York State combined tax return, the Company’s effective tax rate would increase.

Under the small-bank exception, dividends received by the bank from SREHC, a real estate investment trust, are subject to a 60% dividends-received deduction, which results in only 40% of the dividends being subject to New York State tax. Currently, the New York City banking corporation tax operates in the same manner in this respect. The possible reform of the New York State franchise and banking corporation tax laws mentioned under “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS—RISKS RELATED TO THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS—Possible New York State Legislative Changes May Negatively Affect the Amount of Taxes We Pay in Future Years” could eliminate the benefit of the 60% dividends-received deduction or otherwise increase the Company and the bank’s effective New York State (and New York City) tax rates.

(q) Statements of Cash Flows

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from banks. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements.

(r) Stock Incentive Plan

At December 31, 2011, the Company had a share-based employee compensation plan, which is described more fully in Note 17.

Employee stock options generally expire ten years from the date of grant and become non-forfeitable one year from date of grant, although if necessary to qualify to the maximum extent possible as incentive stock options, these options become exercisable in annual installments. Director non-qualified stock options generally expire five years from the date of grant and become non-forfeitable and become exercisable in four annual installments starting one year from the date of grant. Share-based compensation is recognized in compensation expense as described more fully in Note 17 over the period from the date of grant to the date on which the options become non-forfeitable.

(s) Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per common share is computed using the two-class method. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period, excluding participating securities. Participating securities include non-vested share awards such as awards of restricted shares of common shares. Non-vested share awards are considered participating securities because holders of these securities receive non-forfeitable dividends at the same rate as holders of the Company’s common shares. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares determined for the basic earnings per common share computation plus the dilutive effect of stock option compensation using the treasury stock method.

PAGE 69


(t) Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information

“Segment Reporting” topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification establishes standards for the way business enterprises report information about operating segments and establishes standards for related disclosure about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. The statement requires that a business enterprise report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.

During the latter half of 2011, the Company combined its operating segments into one reportable segment, “Community Banking.” All of the Company’s activities are interrelated and each activity is dependent and assessed based on the manner in which it supports the other activities of the Company. For example, lending is dependent upon the ability of the bank to fund itself with retail deposits and other borrowings and to manage interest rate and credit risk. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one operating segment or unit. The Company derives a substantial portion of its revenue and income from providing banking and related financial services and products to customers located primarily in the New York metropolitan area. The financial information in this report reflects the single segment through which the Company conducts its business.

NOTE 2.

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

The Company maintains deposits with other financial institutions in amounts that exceed federal deposit insurance coverage. Management regularly evaluates the credit risk associated with the counterparties to these transactions and believes that the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risks.

The bank is required to maintain average reserves, net of vault cash, on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York against outstanding domestic deposits and certain other liabilities. The reserves maintained, which are reported in cash and due from banks, were $124.6 million and $34.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Average required reserves during 2011 and 2010 were $4.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively.

Beginning on October 9, 2008, the Federal Reserve started to pay interest on required reserve balances and excess balances. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company received interest from the Federal Reserve amounting to $228 thousand, $76 thousand and $87 thousand, respectively.

NOTE 3.

MONEY MARKET INVESTMENTS

The Company’s money market investments include interest-bearing deposits with other banks and Federal funds sold. The following table presents information regarding money market investments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31  —Balance

 

$

126,448

 

$

40,503

 

$

36,958

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate

 

 

0.25

%

 

0.25

%

 

0.24

%

 

—Weighted average original maturity

 

 

3 Days

 

 

7 Days

 

 

5 Days

 

During the year   —Maximum month-end balance

 

 

262,940

 

 

66,858

 

 

78,603

 

 

—Daily average balance

 

 

93,561

 

 

31,960

 

 

36,804

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate earned

 

 

0.24

%

 

0.23

%

 

0.23

%

 

—Range of interest rates earned

 

 

0.03–0.90

%

 

0.06–1.50

%

 

0.06–0.25

%

PAGE 70


NOTE 4.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

$

21,642

 

$

103

 

$

6

 

$

21,739

 

CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)

 

 

5,666

 

 

12

 

 

11

 

 

5,667

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

2,137

 

 

74

 

 

 

 

2,211

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

38

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

37

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

 

98

 

 

 

 

 

 

98

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

29,581

 

 

189

 

 

18

 

 

29,752

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

501

 

 

 

 

 

 

501

 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

101

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

102

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

376

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

383

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank

 

 

251

 

 

 

 

 

 

251

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

30,810

 

 

197

 

 

18

 

 

30,989

 

Obligations of state and political institutions—New York bank qualified

 

 

21,171

 

 

1,606

 

 

 

 

22,777

 

Single-issuer trust preferred securities

 

 

28,506

 

 

214

 

 

1,661

 

 

27,059

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

175,920

 

 

263

 

 

2,876

 

 

173,307

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

15,322

 

 

958

 

 

398

 

 

15,882

 

Total

 

$

271,729

 

$

3,238

 

$

4,953

 

$

270,014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

$

36,026

 

$

64

 

$

372

 

$

35,718

 

CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)

 

 

7,218

 

 

72

 

 

 

 

7,290

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

8,750

 

 

84

 

 

13

 

 

8,821

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

44

 

 

2

 

 

1

 

 

45

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

109

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

52,148

 

 

222

 

 

387

 

 

51,983

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

30,087

 

 

77

 

 

 

 

30,164

 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

59

 

 

9,941

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

49,964

 

 

132

 

 

110

 

 

49,986

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank

 

 

10,000

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

10,031

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

152,199

 

 

462

 

 

556

 

 

152,105

 

Obligations of state and political institutions—New York bank qualified

 

 

39,967

 

 

780

 

 

703

 

 

40,044

 

Single-issuer trust preferred securities

 

 

3,879

 

 

79

 

 

25

 

 

3,933

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

189,091

 

 

278

 

 

311

 

 

189,058

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

5,039

 

 

1

 

 

100

 

 

4,940

 

Total

 

$

390,175

 

$

1,600

 

$

1,695

 

$

390,080

 

PAGE 71


The carrying value and fair value of securities held to maturity are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

Carrying
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal National Mortgage Association)

 

$

3,942

 

$

192

 

$

 

$

4,134

 

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

 

6,474

 

 

305

 

 

 

 

6,779

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

46,937

 

 

3,777

 

 

 

 

50,714

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

23,682

 

 

1,669

 

 

 

 

25,351

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

 

4,132

 

 

603

 

 

 

 

4,735

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

85,167

 

 

6,546

 

 

 

 

91,713

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

104,981

 

 

203

 

 

 

 

105,184

 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

44,992

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

45,026

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

34,991

 

 

49

 

 

9

 

 

35,031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

270,131

 

 

6,832

 

 

9

 

 

276,954

 

Obligations of state and political institutions—New York bank qualified

 

 

137,726

 

 

11,105

 

 

10

 

 

148,821

 

Total

 

$

407,857

 

$

17,937

 

$

19

 

$

425,775

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal National Mortgage Association)

 

$

7,504

 

$

349

 

$

 

$

7,853

 

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

 

11,704

 

 

572

 

 

 

 

12,276

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

70,001

 

 

4,292

 

 

 

 

74,293

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

40,583

 

 

1,931

 

 

 

 

42,514

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

 

4,943

 

 

605

 

 

 

 

5,548

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

134,735

 

 

7,749

 

 

 

 

142,484

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

84,969

 

 

5

 

 

1,405

 

 

83,569

 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

14,991

 

 

 

 

222

 

 

14,769

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

42,493

 

 

4

 

 

608

 

 

41,889

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank

 

 

5,078

 

 

 

 

42

 

 

5,036

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

282,266

 

 

7,758

 

 

2,277

 

 

287,747

 

Obligations of state and political institutions—New York bank qualified

 

 

116,969

 

 

118

 

 

4,381

 

 

112,706

 

Total

 

$

399,235

 

$

7,876

 

$

6,658

 

$

400,453

 

The Company invests principally in obligations of U.S. government corporations and government sponsored enterprises and other investment-grade securities. The fair value of these investments fluctuates based on several factors, including credit quality and general interest rate changes. The Company determined that it is not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell any investments before anticipated recovery.

At December 31, 2011, approximately $95.8 million, representing approximately 14.13%, of the Company’s held to maturity and available for sale securities are comprised of securities issued by financial service companies/banks including single-issuer trust preferred securities (26 issuers), corporate debt (32 issuers) and equity securities (8 issuers). These investments may pose a higher risk of future impairment charges as a result of a lack of significant improvement of the U.S. economy and/or a further deterioration in stock prices of the companies in the financial services industry. The Company would be required to recognize impairment charges on these securities if they suffer a decline in value that is considered other than temporary. Numerous factors, including lack of liquidity for re-sales of certain investment securities, absence of reliable pricing information for

PAGE 72


investment securities, adverse changes in business climate, adverse actions by regulators, or unanticipated changes in the competitive environment could have a negative effect on the Company’s investment portfolio and may result in other-than-temporary impairment on certain investment securities in future periods.

The following table presents information regarding securities available for sale with temporary unrealized losses for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less Than 12 Months

 

12 Months or Longer

 

Total

 

December 31, 2011

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government- sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

$

4,276

 

$

6

 

$

 

$

 

$

4,276

 

$

6

 

CMOs (Government National Mortgage Association)

 

 

3,448

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,448

 

 

11

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

 

1

 

 

22

 

 

1

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

7,724

 

 

17

 

 

22

 

 

1

 

 

7,746

 

 

18

 

Single-issuer trust preferred securities

 

 

11,721

 

 

1,574

 

 

415

 

 

87

 

 

12,136

 

 

1,661

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

139,972

 

 

1,937

 

 

10,607

 

 

939

 

 

150,579

 

 

2,876

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

2,974

 

 

398

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,974

 

 

398

 

Total

 

$

162,391

 

$

3,926

 

$

11,044

 

$

1,027

 

$

173,435

 

$

4,953

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government- sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

$

30,494

 

$

372

 

$

 

$

 

$

30,494

 

$

372

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

7,269

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,269

 

 

13

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

28

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

1

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

 

110

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

110

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

37,901

 

 

387

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,901

 

 

387

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

9,941

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,941

 

 

59

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

9,875

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,875

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

57,717

 

 

556

 

 

 

 

 

 

57,717

 

 

556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligations of state and political institutions—New York bank qualified

 

 

18,716

 

 

703

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,716

 

 

703

 

Single-issuer trust preferred securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,111

 

 

25

 

 

2,111

 

 

25

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

92,392

 

 

311

 

 

 

 

 

 

92,392

 

 

311

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

4,900

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,900

 

 

100

 

Total

 

$

173,725

 

$

1,670

 

$

2,111

 

$

25

 

$

175,836

 

$

1,695

 

At December 31, 2011, the Company held one position in residential mortgage-backed securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation in the available for sale portfolio that was in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. The amount of the unrealized loss ($1 thousand) was insignificant to the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011.

PAGE 73


The following table presents information regarding available for sale single-issuer, trust preferred securities at December 31, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuer

 

Tarp
Recipient

 

Credit
Rating

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Gains/
(Losses)

 

Sterling Bancorp Trust I, 8.375%, due 3/31/2032

 

 

Yes *

 

 

NA

 

$

989

 

$

1,036

 

$

47

 

NPB Capital Trust II, 7.85%, due 9/30/2032

 

 

Yes *

 

 

NA

 

 

126

 

 

130

 

 

4

 

BAC Capital Trust II, 7.00%, due 2/01/2032

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BB+

 

 

300

 

 

251

 

 

(49

)

BAC Capital Trust IV, 5.875%, due 5/03/2033

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BB+

 

 

50

 

 

38

 

 

(12

)

BNY Capital Trust V, 5.95%, due 5/01/2033

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BBB

 

 

50

 

 

51

 

 

1

 

Citigroup Capital VII, 7.125%, due 7/31/2031

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BB

 

 

1,507

 

 

1,452

 

 

(55

)

Citigroup Capital VIII, 6.95%, due 9/15/2031

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BB

 

 

246

 

 

233

 

 

(13

)

Citigroup Capital IX, 6.00%, due 2/14/2033

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BB

 

 

2,881

 

 

2,569

 

 

(312

)

Citigroup Capital X, 6.10%, due 9/30/2033

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BB

 

 

293

 

 

254

 

 

(39

)

Citigroup Capital XVII, 6.35%, due 3/15/2067

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BB

 

 

46

 

 

55

 

 

9

 

First Tennessee Capital II, 6.30%, due 4/15/2034

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BB+

 

 

988

 

 

875

 

 

(113

)

Fleet Capital Trust VIII, 7.20%, due 3/15/2032, owned by Bank of America Corporation

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BB+

 

 

502

 

 

415

 

 

(87

)

Goldman Sachs Capital I, 6.345%, due 2/15/2034

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BB+

 

 

5,937

 

 

5,078

 

 

(859

)

JP Morgan Chase Capital XI, 5.875%, due 6/15/2033

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BBB

 

 

1,623

 

 

1,626

 

 

3

 

JP Morgan Chase Capital XV, 5.875%, due 3/15/2035

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BBB

 

 

2,195

 

 

2,203

 

 

8

 

JP Morgan Chase Capital XVII, 5.85%, due 8/01/2035

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BBB

 

 

2,245

 

 

2,292

 

 

47

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust III, 6.25%, due 3/01/2033

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BB+

 

 

1,043

 

 

923

 

 

(120

)

Keycorp Capital II, 6.875%, due 3/17/2029

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BBB-

 

 

93

 

 

94

 

 

1

 

Keycorp Capital VII, 5.70%, due 6/15/2035

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BBB-

 

 

955

 

 

967

 

 

12

 

PNC Capital Trust D, 6.125%, due 12/15/2033

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BBB

 

 

1,390

 

 

1,408

 

 

18

 

USB Capital Trust XI, 6.60%, due 9/15/2066

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BBB+

 

 

100

 

 

106

 

 

6

 

VNB Capital Trust I, 7.75%, due 12/15/2031

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BBB-

 

 

22

 

 

22

 

 

 

Wachovia Capital Trust IV, 6.375%, due 3/01/2067 owned by Wells Fargo

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BBB+

 

 

50

 

 

56

 

 

6

 

Wells Fargo Capital Trust VII, 5.85%, due 5/01/2033

 

 

Yes *

 

 

BBB+

 

 

424

 

 

428

 

 

4

 

Wells Fargo Capital Trust VIII, 5.625%, due 8/01/2033

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BBB+

 

 

367

 

 

380

 

 

13

 

Wells Fargo Capital IX, 5.625%, due 4/08/2034

 

 

Yes*

 

 

BBB+

 

 

4,084

 

 

4,117

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

28,506

 

$

27,059

 

$

(1,447

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*TARP obligation was repaid prior to December 31, 2011.

PAGE 74


At December 31, 2011, the Company held 26 security positions of single-issuer bank trust preferred securities and 32 security positions of corporate debt securities issued by financial institutions all of which are paying in accordance with their terms and have no deferrals of interest or other deferrals. In addition, management analyzes the performance of the issuers on a quarterly basis, including a review of the issuer’s most recent bank regulatory report to assess credit risk and the probability of impairment of the contractual cash flows of the applicable securities. Based upon management’s fourth quarter review, all of the issuers have maintained performance levels adequate to support the contractual cash flows of the securities.

As of December 31, 2011, management does not have the intent to sell any of the securities classified as available for sale in the tables above and believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell any such securities before recovery of cost.

The following table presents information regarding securities held to maturity with temporary unrealized losses for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less Than 12 Months

 

12 Months or Longer

 

Total

 

December 31, 2011

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

$

14,991

 

$

9

 

$

 

$

 

$

14,991

 

$

9

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

14,991

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,991

 

 

9

 

Obligations of state and political institutions—New York bank qualified

 

 

736

 

 

9

 

 

289

 

 

1

 

 

1,025

 

 

10

 

Total

 

$

15,727

 

$

18

 

$

289

 

$

1

 

$

16,016

 

$

19

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

$

78,564

 

$

1,405

 

$

 

$

 

$

78,564

 

$

1,405

 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

14,769

 

 

222

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,769

 

 

222

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

36,890

 

 

608

 

 

 

 

 

 

36,890

 

 

608

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank

 

 

5,036

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,036

 

 

42

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

135,259

 

 

2,277

 

 

 

 

 

 

135,259

 

 

2,277

 

Obligations of state and political institutions—New York bank qualified

 

 

94,309

 

 

4,103

 

 

2,277

 

 

278

 

 

96,586

 

 

4,381

 

Total

 

$

229,568

 

$

6,380

 

$

2,277

 

$

278

 

$

231,845

 

$

6,658

 

At December 31, 2011, the Company held no security position in obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises in the held to maturity portfolio that were in an unrealized loss position for more then 12 months.

At December 31, 2011, the Company held one position in obligations of state and political institutions in the held to maturity portfolio that was in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. The amount of the unrealized loss ($1 thousand) was insignificant to the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011.

PAGE 75


The following tables present information regarding securities available for sale and securities held to maturity at December 31, 2011, based on contractual maturity. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale

 

Held to maturity

 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMOs (Federal National Mortgage Association)

 

$

21,642

 

$

21,739

 

$

3,942

 

$

4,134

 

CMOs (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

 

 

5,666

 

 

5,667

 

 

6,474

 

 

6,779

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

2,137

 

 

2,211

 

 

46,937

 

 

50,714

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

38

 

 

37

 

 

23,682

 

 

25,351

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

 

98

 

 

98

 

 

4,132

 

 

4,735

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

29,581

 

 

29,752

 

 

85,167

 

 

91,713

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

501

 

 

501

 

 

15,000

 

 

15,077

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,995

 

 

20,024

 

Due after 10 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

69,986

 

 

70,083

 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due within 1 year

 

 

101

 

 

102

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,003

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,992

 

 

40,023

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

376

 

 

383

 

 

10,000

 

 

10,006

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,991

 

 

25,025

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

251

 

 

251

 

 

 

 

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

30,810

 

 

30,989

 

 

270,131

 

 

276,954

 

Obligations of state and political institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due within 1 year

 

 

1,623

 

 

1,639

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

1,230

 

 

1,278

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

3,895

 

 

4,297

 

 

2,203

 

 

2,437

 

Due after 10 years

 

 

14,423

 

 

15,563

 

 

135,523

 

 

146,384

 

Total obligations of state and political institutions

 

 

21,171

 

 

22,777

 

 

137,726

 

 

148,821

 

Single-issuer trust preferred securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 10 years

 

 

28,506

 

 

27,059

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due within 6 months

 

 

37,445

 

 

37,323

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 6 months but within 1 year

 

 

34,150

 

 

33,893

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

 

 

54,772

 

 

54,306

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 2 years but within 5 years

 

 

45,929

 

 

44,248

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

3,255

 

 

3,169

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 10 years

 

 

369

 

 

368

 

 

 

 

 

Total corporate debt securities

 

 

175,920

 

 

173,307

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

15,322

 

 

15,882

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

271,729

 

$

270,014

 

$

407,857

 

$

425,775

 


PAGE 76


Information regarding sales and/or calls of held to maturity securities is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds

 

$

2,141

 

$

 

$

 

Gross gains

 

 

62

 

 

 

 

 

Gross losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calls:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds

 

 

322,500

 

 

142,380

 

 

40,000

 

Gross gains

 

 

104

 

 

368

 

 

 

Gross losses

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

During 2011, $2.1 million of mortgage-backed securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association were sold out of the held to maturity portfolio. Each of the securities sold had been paid down by more than 85% of its original cost. There were no sales of held to maturity securities in 2010 or 2009.

Information regarding sales and/or calls of the available for sale securities is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds

 

$

170,268

 

$

169,517

 

$

233,026

 

Gross gains

 

 

1,493

 

 

3,703

 

 

5,445

 

Gross losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calls:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds

 

 

105,160

 

 

316,674

 

 

162,606

 

Gross gains

 

 

143

 

 

145

 

 

116

 

Gross losses

 

 

 

 

288

 

 

 

Investment securities are pledged to secure trust and public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

NOTE 5.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The major components of domestic loans held for sale and loans held in portfolio are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Loans held for sale, net of valuation reserve ($-0- at December 31, 2011 and $113 at December 31, 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

$

43,372

 

$

32,049

 

Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

 

626,063

 

 

620,136

 

Loans to nondepository institutions

 

 

246,587

 

 

112,882

 

Factored receivables

 

 

172,082

 

 

162,070

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

166,690

 

 

161,054

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

170,153

 

 

127,695

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

85,825

 

 

96,991

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

13,621

 

 

25,624

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

10,376

 

 

11,370

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

10

 

 

15,425

 

Loans held in portfolio, gross

 

 

1,491,407

 

 

1,333,247

 

Less unearned discounts

 

 

18,098

 

 

19,013

 

Loans held in portfolio, net of unearned discounts

 

 

1,473,309

 

 

1,314,234

 

 

 

$

1,516,681

 

$

1,346,283

 

PAGE 77


At December 31, 2011, the bank had qualified loans, with a carrying value of approximately $478.9 million, available to secure borrowings from the FHLB and the FRB; no loans were pledged at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2010, $65.7 million of loans were pledged to secure FHLB borrowings.

Loan Origination/Risk Management

The Company has lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies and non-performing and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions.

The Company maintains an independent loan review process that reviews and validates the credit risk program on a periodic basis. Results of these reviews are presented to management. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by lenders.

Commercial and Loans to Nondepository Institutions
Sterling provides a full range of loans to small and medium-sized businesses with the objective of establishing longer-term relationships. Loans generally range in size up to $20 million, tailored to meet customers’ long- and short-term needs, and include secured and unsecured lines of credit and business installment loans.

Loans generally are collateralized by accounts receivable, inventory, mortgages on residential real estate and other assets. Sterling also provides back-office services, i.e., processing payroll, generating customer invoices, credit collection assistance and related payroll services. The repayment of commercial loans is generally dependent on the creditworthiness and cash flow of borrowers and guarantors, which may be negatively impacted by adverse economic conditions. While these loans are secured, collateral type, marketability, coverage, valuation and monitoring is not as uniform as in other portfolio classes and recovery from liquidation of such collateral may be subject to greater variability.

Factoring
Factoring provides a financing service that combines working capital financing, credit risk protection, and accounts receivable management for companies in a variety of industries. This business may be conducted on a recourse or non-recourse basis, depending upon the need of the client.

In general, Sterling records a receivable for the amount of accounts receivables due from customers of its clients and records a liability for the funds due to the client. Under advance factoring arrangements, clients can draw an advance as accounts receivables are sold/assigned to Sterling. With advance factoring, Sterling normally has recourse against the client if the customer fails to pay. Under collection factoring arrangements, clients sell Sterling their accounts receivables and Sterling provides credit protection to the client guranteeing the collection of the amount due and back office support. Collection factoring is generally under a nonrecourse basis where the principal source of payment for Sterling is through the collection of the receivable from our client’s customer whose credit has been approved by Sterling following a rigorous review process. Also, with collection factoring, Sterling has credit default insurance with a nationally recognized insurance company to provide it with protection against customer default.

Commercial Real Estate
Sterling offers a range of commercial real estate lending including financing on commercial buildings, retail properties and mixed use properties. Loans are predicated on the cash flow of the property, the value of the property determined by an independent appraisal and the strength of personal guarantees, if any. Loans are made at fixed or floating rates. Fixed rate loans are tied to U.S. Treasury or FHLB benchmarks or other indices. Floating rate loans are based on the prime rate.

Commercial real estate loans are subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and industrial loans, in addition to those of real estate loans. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Commercial real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of these loans is generally dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. The properties securing the company’s real estate portfolio are diverse in terms of type and geographic location. This diversity helps reduce the Company’s exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate loans based on collateral, geographic and risk grade criteria.

With respect to loans to developers and builders that are secured by non-owner occupied properties that the Company may originate from time to time, the Company generally requires the borrower to have had an existing relationship with the Company and have a record of success. Construction loans are underwritten utilizing feasibility studies, independent appraisal reviews, sensitivity analysis of absorption and lease rates and financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Construction

PAGE 78


loans are generally based upon estimates of costs and value associated with funds, with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project. Sources of repayment for these types of loans may be pre-committed permanent loans from approved long-term lenders, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Company until permanent financing is obtained. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to timely completion of the project, interest rate changes, government regulation of real property, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing.

Loans are made at fixed or floating rates. Fixed rate loans are tied to U.S. Treasury or FHLB benchmarks and other indices. Floating rate loans are based on the prime rate or other index.

Equipment Financing
Sterling engages in direct lending and indirect lending. Direct lending is when requests for financing originate with an end user seeking to finance equipment up to 60 months. Indirect lending arises through relationships with equipment financing brokers.

In both cases, credit approval is based upon on a full underwriting process that involves the submission of financial and other information, including the applicant’s historical performance, cash flow projections and value of equipment, and for customers who are not public entities, Sterling generally obtains the personal guarantees of the principals of the entities.

Residential Mortgage
Residential mortgage loans, principally on single-family residences, are made primarily for re-sale into the secondary market. Offering both fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loan products, mortgages are focused on conforming credit, government insured FHA and other high-quality loan products. Jumbo loans are also originated for sale into the secondary market, or brokered to third-party providers.

The ability of borrowers to service debt in the residential mortgage loan portfolios is generally subject to personal income which may be impacted by general economic conditions, such as increased unemployment levels. These loans are predominantly collateralized by first and second liens on single family properties. If a borrower cannot maintain the loan, the Company’s ability to recover against the collateral in sufficient amount and in a timely manner may be significantly influenced by market, legal and regulatory conditions.

Concentrations of Credit

There are no industry concentrations, other than loans to nondepository financial institutions (exceeding 10% of loans, gross) of loans held in portfolio. Loans to nondepository financial institutions, which includes the Company’s residential mortgage warehouse funding product and loans to finance companies, represent approximately 16% of all loans. Approximately 68% of loans are to borrowers located in the New York metropolitan area. A further deterioration in economic conditions within the region, including a decline in real estate values, higher unemployment and other factors which could adversely impact small and mid-sized businesses, could have a significant adverse impact on the quality of the Company’s loan portfolio. In addition, a decline in real estate values and higher unemployment within the mid-Atlantic region and North Carolina could adversely impact the Company’s residential real estate loan portfolio.

Approximately 21.0% or $26.9 million and 20.7% or $26.8 million of the Company’s net interest income and noninterest income are related to real estate lending in 2011 and 2010, respectively. Real estate prices in the U.S. market decreased significantly during 2009 and have continued to decrease in 2011. Continuing declines in real estate values could necessitate charge-offs in our mortgage loan portfolio that may impact our operating results. In addition, a sustained period of declining real estate values combined with the continued turbulence in the financial and credit markets would continue to limit our mortgage related revenues.

As of December 31, 2011, approximately 59.0% of the Company’s loan portfolio consisted of commercial and industrial, factored receivables, construction and commercial real estate loans. Because the Company’s loan portfolio contains a number of commercial and industrial, construction and commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in non-performing loans.

Related Party Loans

Loans are made to officers or directors (including their immediate families) of the Company or for the benefit of corporations in which they have a beneficial interest subject to applicable regulations. There were no outstanding balances on such loans in excess of $60 thousand to any individual or entity at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

PAGE 79


Nonperforming Loans

Nonaccrual loans are those on which the accrual of interest has ceased. Loans, including loans that are individually identified as being impaired under FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables, are generally placed on nonaccrual status immediately if, in the opinion of management, principal or interest is not likely to be paid in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, or when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more and collateral, if any, is insufficient to cover principal and interest. Interest accrued but not collected at the date a loan is placed on nonaccrual status is reversed against interest income. Interest income is recognized on nonaccrual loans only to the extent received in cash. Where there is doubt regarding the ultimate collectibility of the loan principal, cash receipts, whether designated as principal or interest, are thereafter applied to reduce the carrying value of the loan. Loans are restored to accrual status when interest and principal payments are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2011 and 2010 totaled $6.4 million and $6.6 million, respectively. The interest income that would have been earned on nonaccrual loans outstanding at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, in accordance with their original terms, is estimated to be $780 thousand, $902 thousand and $1.5 million, respectively, for the years then ended. Applicable interest income actually realized was $200 thousand, $204 thousand and $743 thousand, respectively, for the aforementioned years, and there were no commitments to lend additional funds on nonaccrual loans.

The following table sets forth the amount of nonaccrual loans of the Company at the end of each of the two most recent fiscal years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Nonaccrual loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

834

 

$

1,014

 

Factored receivables

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

370

 

 

892

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

1,991

 

 

1,614

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

3,124

 

 

3,124

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

39

 

 

 

Total nonaccrual loans

 

$

6,358

 

$

6,644

 


The following tables provide information regarding the past due status of loans for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

30-59
Days Past
Due

 

60-89
Days
Past
Due

 

90 &
Over
Past
Due

 

Total
Past
Due

 

Current

 

Total
Loans

 

MEMO
90 & Over
and Still
Accruing

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

23,665

 

$

5,344

 

$

837

 

$

29,846

 

$

594,278

 

$

624,124

 

$

165

 

Loans to nondepository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

246,587

 

 

246,587

 

 

 

Factored receivables

 

 

3,266

 

 

665

 

 

162

 

 

4,093

 

 

167,738

 

 

171,831

 

 

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

546

 

 

386

 

 

370

 

 

1,302

 

 

149,480

 

 

150,782

 

 

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

1,570

 

 

633

 

 

1,991

 

 

4,194

 

 

165,959

 

 

170,153

 

 

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,124

 

 

3,124

 

 

82,701

 

 

85,825

 

 

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,621

 

 

13,621

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

41

 

 

7

 

 

39

 

 

87

 

 

10,289

 

 

10,376

 

 

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

10

 

 

 

Total loans, net of unearned discount

 

$

29,088

 

$

7,035

 

$

6,523

 

$

42,646

 

$

1,430,663

 

$

1,473,309

 

$

165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


PAGE 80


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

30-59
Days Past
Due

 

60-89
Days
Past
Due

 

90 &
Over
Past
Due

 

Total
Past
Due

 

Current

 

Total
Loans

 

MEMO
90 & Over
and Still
Accruing

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

16,899

 

$

4,693

 

$

1,015

 

$

22,607

 

$

595,616

 

$

618,223

 

$

1

 

Loans to nondepository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

112,882

 

 

112,882

 

 

 

Factored receivables

 

 

3,321

 

 

662

 

 

247

 

 

4,230

 

 

157,559

 

 

161,789

 

 

247

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

1,399

 

 

579

 

 

958

 

 

2,936

 

 

141,299

 

 

144,235

 

 

66

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

3,297

 

 

2,515

 

 

1,614

 

 

7,426

 

 

120,269

 

 

127,695

 

 

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

9,626

 

 

 

 

3,124

 

 

12,750

 

 

84,241

 

 

96,991

 

 

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,624

 

 

25,624

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

52

 

 

 

 

 

 

52

 

 

11,318

 

 

11,370

 

 

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,425

 

 

15,425

 

 

 

Total loans, net of unearned discount

 

$

34,594

 

$

8,449

 

$

6,958

 

$

50,001

 

$

1,264,233

 

$

1,314,234

 

$

314

 


Impaired Loans

Management considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is determined that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. Determination of impairment is treated the same across all classes of loans on a loan-by-loan basis. When management identifies a loan as impaired, the impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when the sole remaining source of repayment of the loan is the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In these cases management uses the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs when foreclosure is probable, instead of discounted cash flows. If management determines that the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (net of previous charge-offs, deferred loan fees or costs and unamortized premium or discount), impairment is recognized through an allowance estimate or a charge-off to the allowance.

When the ultimate collectibility of the total principal of an impaired loan is in doubt and the loan is on nonaccrual status, all payments are applied to principal, under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectibility of the total principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt and the loan is on nonaccrual status, contractual interest is credited to interest income when received, under the cash basis method. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

The following tables include the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired financing receivables with the associated allowance amount, if applicable. Management determined the specific allowance based on the present value of the expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when the remaining source of repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In those cases, the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs was used to determine the specific allowance recorded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

Recorded
Investment
in Impaired
Loans

 

Principal
Balance
With No
Allowance

 

Principal
Balance
With
Allowance

 

Related
Allowance

 

Average
Recorded
Investment
in Impaired
Loans

Commercial and industrial

 

$

2,954

 

$

1,395

 

$

2,159

 

$

287

 

$

2,596

 

Loans to nondepository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Factored receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

151

 

 

 

 

151

 

 

17

 

 

230

 

Real estate — residential mortgage

 

 

5,275

 

 

825

 

 

4,966

 

 

1,234

 

 

4,886

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

3,124

 

 

 

 

3,124

 

 

1,113

 

 

3,124

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

11,504

 

$

2,220

 

$

10,400

 

$

2,651

 

$

10,836

 

PAGE 81


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

Recorded
Investment
in Impaired
Loans

 

Principal
Balance
With No
Allowance

 

Principal
Balance
With
Allowance

 

Related
Allowance

 

Average
Recorded
Investment
in Impaired
Loans

Commercial and industrial

 

$

2,236

 

$

584

 

$

4,243

 

$

605

 

$

1,598

 

Loans to nondepository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Factored receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

414

 

 

 

 

414

 

 

33

 

 

1,095

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

4,904

 

 

 

 

4,990

 

 

1,104

 

 

3,681

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

3,124

 

 

 

 

3,124

 

 

1,100

 

 

1,725

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

10,678

 

$

584

 

$

12,771

 

$

2,842

 

$

8,099


The average recorded investment in accruing impaired restructured loans was approximately $6.7 million (commercial and industrial $1.9 million, equipment financing receivables $0.2 million and real estate-residential mortgage $4.7 million), $4.5 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The recognition of interest income on these accruing impaired loans is based upon an individual assessment of each loan; however, interest income is not accrued on a loan that is more than 90 days past due. Interest income recognized on these loans during impairment was approximately $430 thousand (commercial and industrial $95 thousand, equipment financing receivables $8 thousand and real estate-residential mortgage $327 thousand), $60 thousand and $270 thousand for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company had troubled debt restructured loans (“TDRs”) totaling $6.4 million as of December 31, 2011 and $6.2 million as of December 31, 2010. The Company has allocated $1.3 million and $1.1 million of specific reserves to customers with equipment financing receivables and residential real estate loans whose loan terms have been modified in TDRs as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The Company has no commitments to lend additional amounts to customers with outstanding loans that are classified as TDRs.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the terms of $1.7 million of residential real estate loans were modified as TDRs. The modification of terms of such loans included one or a combination of the following: a reduction of the stated interest rate; an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; or a permanent reduction of the recorded investment in the loan. No lease financing receivables were modified during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

Modifications of residential real estate loans involving a reduction of the stated interest rate or an extension of the maturity date were for periods ranging up to 40 years.

The troubled debt restructurings described above increased the allowance for loan losses by $392 thousand for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and resulted in charge-offs of $82 thousand during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, 12 residential real estate loans with a recorded investment of $1.7 million had a payment default, while two lease financing receivables with a recorded investment of $105.1 thousand had a payment default. A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 60 days contractually past due under the modified terms.

PAGE 82


Credit Quality Indicators

As part of the ongoing monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including trends related to (i) the risk grade of loans, (ii) the level of classified loans, (iii) charge-offs, (iv) nonperforming loans and (v) the general economic conditions in the New York metropolitan area.

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company has a process for analyzing non-homogeneous loans, such as commercial and commercial real estate loans, individually by grading the loans based on credit risk. This analysis occurs at varying times based on the type of loan as well as the loan balance and occurs at least once every 18 months for those loans greater than $500,000.

For homogeneous loan pools, such as residential mortgages, leases and consumer loans, the Company uses payment status to identify the credit risk in these loan portfolios. Payment status is reviewed on a daily basis by the Company’s personnel and on a monthly basis with respect to determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The payment status of these homogeneous pools at December 31, 2011 is included in the aging of the recorded investment of past due loans table above. In addition, the total nonperforming portion of these homogeneous loan pools at December 31, 2011 is presented in the recorded investment in nonaccrual loans table above.

The Company utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each of its commercial loans. Loans under $100,000 are not risk rated. Loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 9. A description of the general characteristics of the 9 risk grades is as follows:

Risk Rating 1 & 2/High Quality/Minimal Risk—These loans are well secured by liquid or high-quality, diversified, and readily marketable securities within the bank’s defined margin requirements including cash surrender value of life insurance, or loans to strong privately held obligors secured by real estate with satisfactory loan to value, and support guarantors. They could include loans to publicly traded entities with strong credit ratings (A-l or better) by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s.

Risk Rating 3 & 4/Very Good/Good Quality—These loans can be either unsecured or secured (with monthly monitoring of Accounts Receivable and/or Inventory) to adequately or moderately capitalized privately held obligors with satisfactory sales, revenue, earnings trends, cash flow, and leverage. These secured loans may be monitored in the Asset Based Lending or the Factoring Department to include control of cash receipts and defined formula advances. These categories could include loans to publicly traded entities with credit ratings of A-3 or lower by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s.

Risk Rating 5/Watch List—These loans are to companies with uneven financial performance containing exceptions to loan policy without mitigating factors. Loans may receive this rating when the obligors experience temporary credit and/or structural deficiencies. Such credits have not been criticized by Loan Review. Close supervision is warranted to avoid further deterioration.

Risk Rating 6/Special Mention (OCC Definition)—Other Assets Especially Mentioned (OAEM) are loans that are currently protected but are potentially weak. Loans with special mention ratings have potential weaknesses which may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the bank’s credit position at some future date. Such assets constitute an undue and unwarranted credit risk but not to the point of justifying a classification of substandard. The credit risk may be relatively minor yet constitute an unwarranted risk in light of the circumstances surrounding a specific asset.

Risk Rating 7/Substandard (OCC Definition)—These loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness that jeopardizes the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard assets, does not have to exist in individual assets classified as substandard.

Risk Rating 8/Doubtful (OCC Definition)—These loans have all the weakness inherent in one classified as substandard with the added characteristics that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors which may work to the advantage and strengthening of the asset, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition, or liquidating procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens or additional collateral and refinancing plans.

PAGE 83


Risk Rating 9/Loss (OCC Definition)—These loans are classified as Loss and charged-off because they are determined to be uncollectible and unbankable assets. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be effected in the future. The bank should not be allowed to attempt long-term recoveries while the asset remains booked. Losses should be taken in the period in which they are determined to be uncollectible.

The following table presents weighted average risk grades and classified loans by type of loans as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. Classified loans include loans in Risk Grades 6, 7 and 8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

Weighted
Average Risk
Grade

 

Loans

 

Weighted
Average Risk
Grade

 

Loans

 

Commercial and industrial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grades 1–4

 

 

3.41

 

$

603,375

 

 

3.29

 

$

609,991

 

Risk grade 5

 

 

5.00

 

 

5,006

 

 

5.00

 

 

4,782

 

Risk grade 6

 

 

6.00

 

 

11,872

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 7

 

 

7.00

 

 

3,871

 

 

7.00

 

 

3,450

 

Risk grade 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

3.50

 

$

624,124

 

 

3.32

 

$

618,223

 

Loans to nondepository financial institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grades 1–4

 

 

3.14

 

$

240,154

 

 

3.06

 

$

112,882

 

Risk grade 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 7

 

 

7.00

 

 

6,433

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

3.24

 

$

246,587

 

 

3.06

 

$

112,882

 

Factored receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grades 1–4

 

 

2.84

 

$

170,256

 

 

2.76

 

$

161,789

 

Risk grade 5

 

 

5.00

 

 

1,575

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

2.86

 

$

171,831

 

 

2.76

 

$

161,789

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grades 1–4

 

 

3.89

 

$

150,412

 

 

3.98

 

$

143,335

 

Risk grade 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 7

 

 

7.00

 

 

370

 

 

7.00

 

 

900

 

Risk grade 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk grade 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

3.90

 

$

150,782

 

 

4.00

 

$

144,235

PAGE 84


Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses within the existing loan portfolio and of the risk inherent in various components of the loan portfolio. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risk inherent in the loan portfolio. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are made by charges to the provision for loan losses. Credit exposures deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Recoveries of previously charged off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.

The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology is based on guidance provided by the “Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration and the Office of Thrift Supervision in December 2006 and includes an allowance allocation calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance in FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 450: Contingencies. Accordingly, the methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogeneous risk pools and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions.

The level of the allowance for loan losses relies on a consistent process that requires multiple layers of management review and judgment and of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic, political and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. Portions of the allowance may be allocated to specific credits; however, the entire allowance is available for any credit that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control, including, among other things, the performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward loan classifications.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses includes (1) specific valuation allowances for impaired loans evaluated in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 310: Receivables; (2) formulaic allowances based on historical loss experience by loan category, adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the impact of current conditions; and (3) unallocated general valuation allowances determined in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 450: Contingencies based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company.

The allowance established for losses on specific loans is based on a regular analysis and evaluation of problem loans. Loans are classified based on an internal credit risk grading process that evaluates, among other things: (i) the obligor’s ability to repay; (ii) the underlying collateral, if any; and (iii) the economic environment and industry in which the borrower operates. This analysis is performed at the relationship manager level for all loans. When a loan has a calculated grade of 6 or higher, an analysis is performed to determine whether the loan is impaired and, if impaired, the need to specifically allocate a portion of the allowance for loan losses to the loan. Specific valuation allowances are determined by analyzing the borrower’s ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies, the relative risk grade of the loan and economic conditions affecting the borrower’s industry, among other things.

PAGE 85


Historical valuation allowances are calculated based on the historical loss experience of specific types of loans and the internal risk grade of such loans at the time they were charged-off. The Company calculates historical loss ratios for pools of similar loans with similar characteristics based on the portion of actual charge-offs experienced to the total population of loans in the pool. The historical loss ratios are periodically updated based on actual charge-off experience. A historical valuation allowance is established for each pool of similar loans based upon the product of the historical loss ratio and the total dollar amount of the loans in the pool. During 2010 the Company revised its historical loss ratio calculation to reflect a five year history from a ten year history to reflect the recent loss experience.

The Company’s pool of similar loans includes similarly risk-graded groups of commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans and consumer and other loans.

General valuation allowances are based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company. In general, such valuation allowances are determined by evaluating, among other things:

 

 

Estimated losses in all significant loans

 

 

Existence and effect of any concentrations of credit

 

 

Existence and effect of any geographic concentration

 

 

Other external factors such as competition, legal matters or regulation that may affect risk

 

 

Effect of criticized and classified loans

 

 

Effects from risk arising with international lending

 

 

Effectiveness of internal problem loan identification and risk ratings

 

 

Trends in portfolio volume, maturity and compositions of loans within segments

 

 

Volumes and trends in delinquencies and nonaccrual loans

 

 

Changes in the quality of lending policies and procedures

 

 

Changes in local and national economic conditions

 

 

Experience, ability and depth of lending staff

 

 

Changes in value of underlying collateral

Management evaluates the degree of risk that each one of these components has on the quality of the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis. Each component is determined based on degree of risk. The results are then input into a “general allocation matrix” to determine an appropriate general valuation allowance.

Included in the general valuation allowances are allocations for groups of similar loans with risk characteristics that exceed certain concentration limits established by management. Concentration risk limits have been established, among other things, for certain industry concentrations, large and highly leveraged credit relationships that exceed specified risk grades, and loans originated with policy exceptions that exceed specified risk grades.

Loans are generally charged-off at the earlier of the date when it is determined that collection efforts are no longer productive or the date when they have been identified as losses by management, internal loan review and/or bank examiners. Furthermore, equipment financing receivables and revolving credit lines to small businesses are charged-off at the earlier of the date when payments are 120 days past due or when it is determined that collection efforts are no longer productive.

Factors considered in determining whether collection efforts are no longer productive include any amounts currently being collected, the status of discussions or negotiations with the lessee/borrower, the principal and/or guarantors, the cost of continuing efforts to collect, the status of any foreclosure or other legal actions, the value of the collateral, and any other pertinent factors.

PAGE 86


The following table presents the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2011

 

Balance,
Beginning
of Period

 

Charge-
Offs[1]

 

Recoveries

 

Net
Charge-
Offs[1]

 

Provision
for Loan
Losses

 

Balance,
End of
Period

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

7,454

 

$

2,909

 

$

146

 

$

2,763

 

$

2,956

 

$

7,647

 

Loans to nondepository financial institutions

 

 

564

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

805

 

 

1,369

 

Factored receivables

 

 

1,424

 

 

358

 

 

79

 

 

279

 

 

305

 

 

1,450

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

3,423

 

 

8,266

 

 

2,255

 

 

6,011

 

 

6,103

 

 

3,515

 

Real estate — residential mortgage

 

 

2,497

 

 

1,291

 

 

165

 

 

1,126

 

 

2,119

 

 

3,490

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

2,275

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(124

)

 

2,151

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

310

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(145

)

 

165

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

119

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

15

 

 

104

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(46

)

 

 

Unallocated

 

 

126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

138

 

Total

 

$

18,238

 

$

12,854

 

$

2,645

 

$

10,209

 

$

12,000

 

$

20,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Includes losses on transfers to OREO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for the periods shown:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

Allowance for loan losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

19,872

 

$

16,010

 

Charge-offs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

 

7,212

 

 

4,945

 

Factored receivables

 

 

665

 

 

514

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

22,509

 

 

19,115

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

351

 

 

312

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

129

 

 

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

231

 

 

 

Total charge-offs

 

 

31,097

 

 

24,886

 

Recoveries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

 

312

 

 

1,042

 

Factored receivables

 

 

239

 

 

63

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

902

 

 

345

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

 

 

102

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

48

 

 

 

Total recoveries

 

 

1,501

 

 

1,552

 

Subtract:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

 

 

29,596

 

 

23,334

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

28,500

 

 

27,900

 

Less loss on transfers to other real estate owned

 

 

538

 

 

704

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

18,238

 

$

19,872

 

PAGE 87


The following tables present the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending Allowance Balance

 

Loan Balances

 

 

 

Attributable to Loans
Evaluated for Impairment

 

 

 

 

Evaluated for Impairment

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2011

 

Individually

 

Collectively

 

Total

 

Individually

 

Collectively

 

Total

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

287

 

$

7,360

 

$

7,647

 

$

2,954

 

$

621,170

 

$

624,124

 

Loans to nondepository institutions

 

 

 

 

1,369

 

 

1,369

 

 

 

 

246,587

 

 

246,587

 

Factored receivables

 

 

 

 

1,450

 

 

1,450

 

 

 

 

171,831

 

 

171,831

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

17

 

 

3,498

 

 

3,515

 

 

151

 

 

150,631

 

 

150,782

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

1,234

 

 

2,256

 

 

3,490

 

 

5,275

 

 

164,878

 

 

170,153

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

1,113

 

 

1,038

 

 

2,151

 

 

3,124

 

 

82,701

 

 

85,825

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

165

 

 

165

 

 

 

 

13,621

 

 

13,621

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

104

 

 

104

 

 

 

 

10,376

 

 

10,376

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

10

 

Unallocated

 

 

 

 

 

 

138

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

2,651

 

$

17,240

 

$

20,029

 

$

11,504

 

$

1,461,805

 

$

1,473,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

605

 

$

6,849

 

$

7,454

 

$

2,236

 

$

615,987

 

$

618,223

 

Loans to nondepository institutions

 

 

 

 

564

 

 

564

 

 

 

 

112,882

 

 

112,882

 

Factored receivables

 

 

 

 

1,424

 

 

1,424

 

 

 

 

161,789

 

 

161,789

 

Equipment financing receivables

 

 

33

 

 

3,390

 

 

3,423

 

 

414

 

 

143,821

 

 

144,235

 

Real estate—residential mortgage

 

 

1,104

 

 

1,393

 

 

2,497

 

 

4,904

 

 

122,791

 

 

127,695

 

Real estate—commercial mortgage

 

 

1,100

 

 

1,175

 

 

2,275

 

 

3,124

 

 

93,867

 

 

96,991

 

Real estate—construction and land development

 

 

 

 

310

 

 

310

 

 

 

 

25,624

 

 

25,624

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

119

 

 

119

 

 

 

 

11,370

 

 

11,370

 

Loans to depository institutions

 

 

 

 

46

 

 

46

 

 

 

 

15,425

 

 

15,425

 

Unallocated

 

 

 

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

2,842

 

$

15,270

 

$

18,238

 

$

10,678

 

$

1,303,556

 

$

1,314,234

 

NOTE 6.

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

The following table presents information on premises and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Land and building

 

$

344

 

$

344

 

Furniture and equipment

 

 

15,221

 

 

14,526

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

24,139

 

 

16,085

 

 

 

 

39,704

 

 

30,955

 

Accumulated amortization and depreciation

 

 

16,079

 

 

15,046

 

Premises and equipment, net

 

$

23,625

 

$

15,909

 

PAGE 88


NOTE 7.

INTEREST-BEARING DEPOSITS

The following table presents certain information for interest expense on deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits in domestic offices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings

 

$

8

 

$

11

 

$

18

 

NOW

 

 

372

 

 

472

 

 

620

 

Money Market

 

 

2,475

 

 

2,805

 

 

3,252

 

Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months or less

 

 

2,185

 

 

2,665

 

 

3,493

 

More than three months through twelve months

 

 

1,776

 

 

3,086

 

 

3,807

 

More than twelve months through twenty-four months

 

 

1,215

 

 

270

 

 

295

 

More than twenty-four months through thirty-six months

 

 

235

 

 

212

 

 

345

 

More than thirty-six months through forty-eight months

 

 

142

 

 

23

 

 

8

 

More than forty-eight months through sixty months

 

 

29

 

 

41

 

 

45

 

More than sixty months

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,438

 

 

9,585

 

 

11,883

 

Interest-bearing deposits in foreign offices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months or less

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

4

 

More than three months through twelve months

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Total

 

$

8,438

 

$

9,588

 

$

11,889

 

The aggregate of time certificates of deposit and other time deposits in denominations of $100 thousand or more was $541.8 million and $488.4 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The following table provides certain information with respect to the Company’s deposits at the end of the two most recent fiscal years; there were no foreign deposits at either date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Domestic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand

 

$

765,800

 

$

570,290

 

NOW

 

 

177,495

 

 

200,521

 

Savings

 

 

18,566

 

 

18,931

 

Money Market

 

 

369,362

 

 

342,755

 

Time deposits by remaining maturity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months or less

 

 

249,245

 

 

176,070

 

More than three months through six months

 

 

228,209

 

 

228,635

 

More than six months through twelve months

 

 

130,988

 

 

158,559

 

More than twelve months through twenty-four months

 

 

23,307

 

 

32,645

 

More than twenty-four months through thirty-six months

 

 

25,054

 

 

13,624

 

More than thirty-six months through forty-eight months

 

 

1,045

 

 

5,177

 

More than forty-eight months through sixty months

 

 

 

 

466

 

More than sixty months

 

 

 

 

91

 

Total

 

$

1,989,071

 

$

1,747,764

 

The Company began participating in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) on January 22, 2009. CDARS deposits totaled approximately $164.5 million and $180.7 million at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

PAGE 89


NOTE 8.

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

The following table presents information regarding short-term borrowings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Federal funds purchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31

—Balance

 

$

 

$

15,000

 

$

41,000

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate

 

 

 

 

0.15

%

 

0.16

%

 

—Weighted average original maturity

 

 

 

 

1 Day

 

 

1 Day

 

During the year

—Maximum month-end balance

 

 

60,000

 

 

105,000

 

 

87,000

 

 

—Daily average balance

 

 

10,926

 

 

33,192

 

 

25,075

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate paid

 

 

0.13

%

 

0.22

%

 

0.21

%

 

—Range of interest rates paid

 

 

0.07–0.25

%

 

0.10–0.35

%

 

0.06–0.50

%

Commercial paper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31

—Balance

 

$

13,485

 

$

14,388

 

$

17,297

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate

 

 

0.29

%

 

0.29

%

 

0.31

%

 

—Weighted average original maturity

 

 

44 Days

 

 

45 Days

 

 

34 Days

 

During the year

—Maximum month-end balance

 

 

16,573

 

 

16,927

 

 

17,297

 

 

—Daily average balance

 

 

14,454

 

 

14,718

 

 

13,107

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate paid

 

 

0.30

%

 

0.30

%

 

0.51

%

 

—Range of interest rates paid

 

 

0.20–0.60

%

 

0.20–0.65

%

 

0.15–2.25

%

Short-term borrowings—FHLB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31

—Balance

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—Weighted average original maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the year

—Maximum month-end balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—Daily average balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,411

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.31

%

 

—Range of interest rates paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.45–0.63

%

Short-term borrowings—FRB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31

—Balance

 

$

 

$

 

$

50,000

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.25

%

 

—Weighted average original maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

70 Days

 

During the year

—Maximum month-end balance

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

235,000

 

 

—Daily average balance

 

 

 

 

3,699

 

 

154,726

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate paid

 

 

 

 

0.25

%

 

0.26

%

 

—Range of interest rates paid

 

 

 

 

0.25

%

 

0.25–0.50

%

Short-term borrowings—treasury tax and loan and term Federal funds purchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31

—Balance

 

$

 

$

3,490

 

$

2,509

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—Weighted average original maturity

 

 

 

 

1 Day

 

 

1 Day

 

During the year

—Maximum month-end balance

 

 

23,864

 

 

46,779

 

 

4,262

 

 

—Daily average balance

 

 

3,666

 

 

7,306

 

 

1,864

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate paid

 

 

0.07

%

 

0.25

%

 

 

 

—Range of interest rates paid

 

 

0.00–0.31

%

 

0.00–0.40

%

 

 

Commercial paper is issued by the parent company and is not guaranteed by any subsidiary. The parent company has agreements with banks for back-up lines of credit for which it pays a fee at the annual rate of ¼ of 1% times the line of credit extended. At December 31, 2011, these back-up bank lines of credit totaled $19 million; no lines were used at any time during 2011, 2010 or 2009.

PAGE 90


NOTE 9.

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are secured by obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises and corporate debt obligations with a carrying amount of $68.3 million and $31.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are financing arrangements that mature within two years. At maturity, the securities underlying the agreements are returned to the Company. Information concerning securities sold under agreements to repurchase is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31

—Balance

 

$

47,313

 

$

23,016

 

$

21,048

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate

 

 

0.34

%

 

0.45

%

 

0.46

%

 

—Weighted average original maturity

 

 

21 Days

 

 

35 Days

 

 

36 Days

 

During the year

—Maximum month-end balance

 

 

51,991

 

 

55,998

 

 

80,960

 

 

—Daily average balance

 

 

42,911

 

 

47,674

 

 

72,892

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate paid

 

 

0.43

%

 

0.48

%

 

0.48

%

 

—Range of interest rates paid

 

 

0.25–0.65

%

 

0.35–0.65

%

 

0.25–2.00

%

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—dealers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31

—Balance

 

$

5,000

 

$

5,000

 

$

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate

 

 

1.30

%

 

1.30

%

 

 

 

—Weighted average original maturity

 

 

731 Days

 

 

731 Days

 

 

 

During the year

—Maximum month-end balance

 

 

5,000

 

 

39,893

 

 

 

 

—Daily average balance

 

 

5,186

 

 

5,618

 

 

 

 

—Weighted average interest rate paid

 

 

1.27

%

 

0.79

%

 

 

 

—Range of interest rates paid

 

 

0.13-1.30

%

 

0.25–1.30

%

 

 

NOTE 10.

ADVANCES —FHLB AND LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

These borrowings represent advances from the FHLB and junior subordinated debt securities issued by the parent company.

The following table presents information regarding fixed and floating rate FHLB advances:

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advance

 

Interest

 

Maturity

 

Initial

 

December 31,

 

   Type

 

Rate

 

Date

 

Call Date

 

2011

 

2010

 

Fixed Rate

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Callable

 

 

4.70

%

 

 

2/22/11

 

 

 

2/20/03

 

$

 

$

10,000

 

Callable

 

 

3.19

   

 

1/16/13

 

 

 

1/16/09

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

Callable

 

 

1.96

   

 

2/28/13

 

 

 

3/2/09

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Callable

 

 

1.834

   

 

3/19/13

 

 

 

3/19/09

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Callable

 

 

2.318

   

 

3/19/13

 

 

 

3/19/09

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Callable

 

 

2.53

   

 

5/6/13

 

 

 

2/6/09

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Callable

 

 

2.57

   

 

7/2/18

 

 

 

1/2/09

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Callable

 

 

2.505

   

 

8/8/18

 

 

 

2/9/09

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Callable

 

 

2.94

   

 

9/5/13

 

 

 

3/5/09

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Callable

 

 

2.783

   

 

9/12/13

 

 

 

3/12/09

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Term

 

 

0.53

   

 

8/6/12

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

Term

 

 

2.26

   

 

7/16/12

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

10,000

 

Term

 

 

1.73

   

 

4/12/13

 

 

 

 

 

1,197

 

 

2,024

 

Term

 

 

2.13

   

 

4/14/14

 

 

 

 

 

1,536

 

 

2,149

 

Term

 

 

0.70

   

 

8/4/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Term

 

 

0.55

   

 

3/23/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

Term

 

 

0.61

   

 

9/23/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

Floating Rate

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term

 

 

0.864

   

 

2/10/16

 

 

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

Term

 

 

0.864

   

 

2/10/16

 

 

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

122,733

 

$

144,173

 

Weighted-average interest rate

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.97

%

 

2.42

%

PAGE 91


During the 2011 first quarter, the bank restructured a portion of its FHLB fixed rate callable and term advances by repaying $100 million of existing borrowings and replacing them with $100 million of lower cost, floating rate advances. This transaction resulted in $4.2 million in prepayment penalties that were deferred and will be recognized in interest expense as an adjustment to the cost of these borrowings in future periods. The existing borrowings had an average cost of 2.58% and an average duration of 3.2 years. The new borrowings had an initial average cost of 1.58%, including the deferred adjustment, with an average duration of three months. The relevant accounting treatment for this transaction was provided in ASC 470-50. This transaction was executed as an earnings and interest rate risk strategy, resulting in lower FHLB advance costs and a reduction of average duration.

Under the terms of a collateral agreement with the FHLB, advances are secured by stock in the FHLB and by certain qualifying assets (primarily mortgage-backed securities) having market values at least equal to 110% of the advances outstanding. After the initial call date, each callable advance is callable by the FHLB quarterly from the initial call date, at par.

In February 2002, the Company completed its issuance of trust capital securities (“capital securities”) that raised $25 million ($24.1 million net proceeds after issuance costs). The 8.375% capital securities, due March 31, 2032, were issued by Sterling Bancorp Trust I (the “trust”), a wholly-owned non-consolidated statutory business trust. The trust was formed with initial capitalization of common stock and for the exclusive purpose of issuing the capital securities. The trust used the proceeds from the issuance of the capital securities to acquire $25.8 million junior subordinated debt securities that pay interest at 8.375% (“debt securities”) issued by the parent company. The Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of the trust (which is a VIE); therefore the trust is not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements, but rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a liability. The debt securities are due concurrently with the capital securities which may not be redeemed, except under limited circumstances, until March 31, 2007, and thereafter at a price equal to their principal amount plus interest accrued to the date of redemption. The Company may also reduce outstanding capital securities through open market purchases. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the parent company did not purchase any capital securities. Securities purchased are included in the Company’s securities available for sale and are considered to be outstanding for the payment of dividends but are considered to be redeemed for the calculation of the regulatory capital ratios. During 2011 and 2010, the Company’s tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”) did not purchase any capital securities. During 2009, the Plan purchased in the open market $652 thousand par amount of the capital securities at an aggregate cost of $495 thousand. As a result of these repurchases, the amounts of capital securities held by third parties at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $22.8 million, $22.8 million and $22.8 million, respectively. Dividends and interest are paid quarterly.

The parent company has the right to defer payments of interest on the debt securities at any time or from time to time for a period of up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods with respect to each deferral period. Under the terms of the debt securities, in the event that under certain circumstances there is an event of default under the debt securities or the parent company has elected to defer interest on the debt securities, the parent company may not, with certain exceptions, declare or pay any dividends or distributions on its capital stock or purchase or acquire any of its capital stock.

Payments of distributions on the capital securities and payments on redemption of the capital securities are guaranteed by the parent company on a limited basis. The parent company also entered into an agreement as to expenses and liabilities pursuant to which it agreed, on a subordinated basis, to pay any costs, expenses or liabilities of the trust other than those arising under the capital securities. The obligations of the parent company under the debt securities, the related indenture, the trust agreement establishing the trust, the guarantee and the agreement as to expenses and liabilities, in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the parent company of the trust’s obligations under the capital securities.

The ability of the parent company to obtain funds from its subsidiaries is limited (see Note 16).

Notwithstanding that the accounts of the trust are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the amount of capital securities issued by the trust and held by third parties is included in the Tier 1 capital of the parent company for regulatory capital purposes as allowed by the Federal Reserve Board. In March 2005, the Federal Reserve Board adopted a rule that would continue to allow the inclusion of capital securities issued by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts in Tier 1 capital, but with stricter quantitative limits. Under the final rule, after March 31, 2011, the aggregate amount of capital securities and certain other capital elements is limited to 25% of Tier 1 capital, net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability. Based on the final rule, the parent company continues to include the amount of capital securities held by third parties in Tier 1 capital.

PAGE 92


NOTE 11.

DUE TO FACTORED CLIENTS

Due to factored clients represents amounts due on accounts receivable purchased in excess of the amounts advanced.

Beginning October 1, 2011 the assets and liabilities of Sterling Factors Corporation were transferred to Sterling National Bank which then continued to offer all factoring services. As a result, these amounts are now included in “Noninterest-bearing demand deposits.”

NOTE 12.

PREFERRED SHARES

The parent company is authorized to issue up to 644,389 preferred shares, $5 par value per share, in one or more series. The following table presents information regarding the parent company’s preferred shares issued and outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Series A preferred shares. Issued and outstanding— -0- and 42,000 shares, at liquidation value

 

$

-0-

 

$

42,000

 

Under the provisions of the TARP Capital Purchase Program enacted under EESA, on December 23, 2008, the parent company sold to the U.S. Treasury 42,000 shares of the parent company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Shares, Series A, par value $5.00 per share, having a liquidation preference of $1 thousand per share (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), together with a warrant to purchase 516,817 shares of its common shares, for an aggregate price of $42 million.

Under the standardized terms of the TARP Capital Purchase Program, cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years, and at a rate of 9% per annum thereafter, but are required to be paid only if, as and when declared by the parent company’s Board of Directors. The Series A Preferred Shares have no maturity date and rank senior to the parent company’s common shares with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the parent company. The Series A Preferred Shares qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes.

The warrant has a 10-year term with 50% vesting immediately upon issuance and the remaining 50% vesting on January 1, 2010 if certain qualified equity offerings have not been conducted. As the Company did not conduct any qualified equity offering after the issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares, 100% of the warrant has been vested. The warrant has an exercise price, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, equal to $12.19 per common share.

The parent company may redeem the Series A Preferred Shares three years after the date of the U.S. Treasury’s investment, or earlier if it raises in an equity offering net proceeds equal to the amount of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed. It must raise proceeds equal to at least 25% of the issue price of the Series A Preferred Shares to redeem any Series A Preferred Shares prior to the end of the third year. The redemption price is equal to the sum of the liquidation amount per share and any unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares up to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 the U.S. Treasury may, after consultation with the parent company’s federal regulator, permit the parent company at any time to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares at liquidation value. Upon such redemption, the common share purchase warrant may also be repurchased at its then current fair value.

The Series A Preferred Shares and the warrant issued under the TARP program qualify and are accounted for as permanent equity on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Of the $42 million in total issuance proceeds, $39.4 million and $2.6 million were allocated to the Series A Preferred Shares and the warrant, respectively, based upon their estimated fair values as of December 23, 2008. The resulting discount of $2.6 million recorded for the Series A Preferred Shares was being accreted by a charge to retained earnings over a five-year estimated life of the preferred shares based on the likelihood of their redemption by the parent company within that timeframe. Accretion of discount amounted to $1.4 million in 2011, $489 thousand in 2010 and $673 thousand in 2009.

The proceeds from the issuance to the U.S. Treasury were allocated based on the relative fair value of the warrants as compared with the fair value of the preferred shares. The fair value of the warrants was determined using a valuation model which incorporates assumptions regarding our common share price, dividend yield, expected life of the warrants, share price volatility and the risk-free interest rate. The fair value of the preferred shares was determined based on assumptions regarding the discount rate (market rate) on the preferred shares, which was estimated to be approximately 13% at the date of issuance. The discount on the preferred shares was accreted to liquidation value using a constant effective yield of 6.431% over a five-year term, which is the expected life of the preferred shares.

On April 27, 2011, the parent company paid $42.4 million to the U.S. Treasury for the repurchase in full of the Series A Preferred Shares. As a result of this action, the Series A Preferred Shares were redeemed in full, eliminating an annual

PAGE 93


dividend of $2.1 million. In this connection, in determining net income available to common shareholders, the Company recognized in the second quarter a $1.2 million charge for accelerated accretion which represents the difference between the carrying value and the liquidation value for the repurchased Series A Preferred Shares. On May 18, 2011, the parent company paid approximately $0.95 million to the U.S. Treasury to repurchase the warrant. The parent company’s repurchase of the warrant concluded its participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

NOTE 13.

COMMON SHARES

On March 9, 2011, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 4.025 million common shares at an offering price of $9.60 per share, which resulted in net proceeds of $36.5 million after underwriting discounts and expenses. On March 19, 2010, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 8.625 million common shares at an offering price of $8.00 per share, which resulted in net proceeds of $64.9 million after underwriting discounts and expenses.

The following table provides information regarding the number of common shares issued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of
Shares Issued

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Issued at beginning of year

 

 

31,138,545

 

 

22,226,425

 

Shares issued—public offering

 

 

4,025,000

 

 

8,625,000

 

Shares issued under stock incentive plan

 

 

61,565

 

 

287,120

 

Issued at end of year

 

 

35,225,110

 

 

31,138,545

 

 

 

 

NOTE 14.

TREASURY SHARES

The following table provides information regarding the number of common shares held by the Company:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of
Shares Held

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Held at beginning of year

 

 

4,297,782

 

 

4,119,934

 

Surrender of shares issued under incentive compensation plan

 

 

2,496

 

 

177,848

 

Held at end of year

 

 

4,300,278

 

 

4,297,782

 

PAGE 94


NOTE 15.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Information related to the components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is as follows with related tax effect:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding (losses) gains on available for sale securities and other investments, arising during the period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before tax

 

$

(337

)

$

3,846

 

$

5,564

 

Tax effect

 

 

157

 

 

(1,745

)

 

(2,525

)

Net of tax

 

 

(180

)

 

2,101

 

 

3,039

 

Reclassification adjustment for securities gains included in net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before tax

 

 

(1,726

)

 

(3,928

)

 

(5,561

)

Tax effect

 

 

768

 

 

1,783

 

 

2,524

 

Net of tax

 

 

(958

)

 

(2,145

)

 

(3,037

)

Pension liability adjustment — net actuarial (losses) gains:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before tax

 

 

(3,315

)

 

(3,551

)

 

3,544

 

Tax effect

 

 

1,309

 

 

1,611

 

 

(1,609

)

Net of tax

 

 

(2,006

)

 

(1,940

)

 

1,935

 

Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before tax

 

 

63

 

 

67

 

 

67

 

Tax effect

 

 

(28

)

 

(31

)

 

(31

)

Net of tax

 

 

35

 

 

36

 

 

36

 

Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net actuarial losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before tax

 

 

3,208

 

 

2,673

 

 

3,454

 

Tax effect

 

 

(1,428

)

 

(1,213

)

 

(1,567

)

Net of tax

 

 

1,780

 

 

1,460

 

 

1,887

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

$

(1,329

)

$

(488

)

$

3,860

 


The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 included in shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax
Amount

 

Tax
Effect

 

After-tax
Amount

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized loss on securities

 

$

(1,720

)

$

763

 

$

(957

)

Adjustment for underfunded pension and postretirement life insurance obligations

 

 

(23,925

)

 

10,666

 

 

(13,259

)

Total

 

$

(25,645

)

$

11,429

 

$

(14,216

)

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized gain on securities

 

$

343

 

$

(161

)

$

182

 

Adjustment for underfunded pension and postretirement life insurance obligations

 

 

(23,881

)

 

10,812

 

 

(13,069

)

Total

 

$

(23,538

)

$

10,651

 

$

(12,887

)

PAGE 95


NOTE 16.

RESTRICTIONS ON THE BANK

The parent company depends for its cash requirements on funds maintained or generated by its subsidiaries, principally the bank. Approval by the Comptroller of the Currency is required if the effect of dividends declared would cause the regulatory capital of the bank to fall below specified minimum levels. Additionally, all national banks are limited in the payment of dividends in any year without the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency to an amount not to exceed the net profits (as defined) for that year to date combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two calendar years. Under the foregoing restrictions, as of December 31, 2011 the bank could pay dividends of approximately $47.1 million to the parent company, without regulatory approval.

Federal law also prohibits national banks from paying dividends that would be greater than the bank’s undivided profits after deducting statutory bad debt in excess of the bank’s allowance for loan losses. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), a depository institution, such as the bank, may not pay dividends if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or it is already undercapitalized. The payment of dividends by the parent company and the bank may also be affected or limited by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital.

NOTE 17.

STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

In April 1992, shareholders approved a Stock Incentive Plan (the “SIP”) covering up to 100,000 common shares of the parent company. Under the SIP, key employees of the parent company and its subsidiaries could be granted awards in the form of incentive stock options (“ISOs”), non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock or a combination of these. The SIP is administered by a committee of the Board of Directors. Since the inception of the SIP, shareholders have approved amendments increasing the number of shares covered under the SIP; the total number of shares authorized by shareholders through December 31, 2011 was 2,650,000. The SIP provides for proportional adjustment to the number of shares covered by the SIP and by outstanding awards, and in the exercise price of outstanding stock options, to reflect, among other things, stock splits and stock dividends. After giving effect to stock option and restricted stock awards granted and the effect of the 5% stock dividend effected December 12, 2005, the six-for-five stock split in the form of a stock dividend effected in December 2004, the five-for-four stock split in the form of a stock dividend effected September 10, 2003, the 20% stock dividend paid in December 2002, the 10% stock dividends paid in December 2001 and December 2000, and the 5% stock dividend paid in December 1999, shares available for grant were 616,184 at December 31, 2011. The Company issues new shares to satisfy stock option exercises. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $-0- thousand, $171 thousand and $61 thousand, respectively.

PAGE 96


Stock Options

The following tables present information on the qualified and non-qualified stock options outstanding (after the effect of the stock dividends/splits discussed above) as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and changes during the years then ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Qualified Stock Options

 

 

Number of
Options

 

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

 

Number of
Options

 

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

 

Number of
Options

 

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

 

150,358

 

$

14.43

 

 

204,112

 

$

12.46

 

 

231,898

 

$

12.11

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

(53,754

)

 

6.94

 

 

(24,006

)

 

8.69

 

Forfeited/Lapsed

 

(6,237

)

 

10.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,780

)

 

14.60

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

 

144,121

 

 

14.60

 

 

150,358

 

 

14.43

 

 

204,112

 

 

12.46

 

Options exercisable at end of year

 

 

144,121

 

 

 

 

 

143,502

 

 

 

 

 

190,401

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Non-Qualified Stock Options

 

 

Number of
Options

 

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

 

Number of
Options

 

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

 

Number of
Options

 

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

 

272,389

 

$

19.55

 

 

460,102

 

$

15.49

 

 

533,338

 

$

16.34

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

(149,638

)

 

6.94

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/Lapsed

 

 

(106,050

)

 

24.29

 

 

(38,075

)

 

20.03

 

 

(73,236

)

 

21.65

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

 

166,339

 

 

16.54

 

 

272,389

 

 

19.55

 

 

460,102

 

 

15.49

 

Options exercisable at end of year

 

 

71,339

 

 

 

 

 

177,389

 

 

 

 

 

350,646

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2011, no qualified or NQSO stock options were outstanding, exercisable and in-the-money. The Company believes that all unvested stock options will ultimately vest.

The following table presents information regarding qualified and non-qualified stock options outstanding at December 31, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

 

 

Range of
Exercise
Prices

 

 

Number
Outstanding
at 12/31/11

 

 

Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

 

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise
Price

 

 

Number
Exercisable
at 12/31/11

 

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise
Price

 

Qualified

 

$

14.60

 

 

144,121

 

 

0.10 years

 

$

14.60

 

 

144,121

 

$

14.60

 

Non-Qualified

 

 

14.60–17.99

 

 

166,339

 

 

3.02 years

 

 

16.54

 

 

71,339

 

 

14.60

 

Director NQSOs expire five years from the date of the grant and become exercisable in four annual installments, starting one year from the date of the grant, or upon the earlier of death or disability of the grantee. Employee stock options generally expire ten years from the date of the grant and vest one year from the date of grant, although, if necessary to qualify to the maximum extent possible as ISOs, these options become exercisable in annual installments. Employee stock options which become exercisable over a period of more than one year are generally subject to earlier exercisability upon the termination of the grantee’s employment for any reason from the first anniversary of the grant date. Amounts received upon exercise of options are recorded as common shares and capital surplus. The additional tax benefit received by the Company upon exercise of a NQSO is credited to capital surplus.

PAGE 97


There were no options granted during 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Under the provisions of FASB Codification Topic 718: Compensation—Stock Compensation, the Company recorded compensation expense of $85 thousand, $109 thousand and $132 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for option awards in 2006 and 2007. As of December 31, 2011, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to option awards was $18 thousand, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 0.2 years.

The tax benefit recognized as a credit to capital surplus upon the exercise of NQSOs amounted to approximately $-0- thousand at December 31, 2011, $66 thousand at December 31, 2010 and $-0- at December 31, 2009.

Restricted Stock

On March 25, 2010, the Board of Directors, upon recommendation by the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees, granted a total of 40,000 shares of restricted stock to the eight non-management directors (“2010 director restricted shares”) and 43,728 restricted shares to the Chairman, President, and five Executive Vice Presidents (“2010 officer restricted shares”). The 2010 director restricted shares will vest 25% annually over four years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. The 2010 officer restricted shares vest 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date and are also limited by the 2008 agreement between the Company and the U.S. Treasury. The 2010 director restricted shares and the 2010 officer restricted shares were issued at $9.23 per share, the closing price on the date of the grant. The agreements for both the 2010 director restricted shares and the 2010 officer restricted shares have additional provisions regarding transferability and accelerated vesting of the shares and the continuation of performing substantial services for the Company. As of December 31, 2011, all 83,728 shares were still issued and 10,000 of the 2010 director restricted shares were vested.

On March 24, 2011, the Board of Directors, upon recommendation by the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees, granted a total of 20,000 shares of restricted stock to the eight non-management directors (“2011 director restricted shares”) and 41,565 restricted shares to the Chairman, President and five Executive Vice Presidents (“2011 officer restricted shares”). The 2011 director restricted shares will vest 25% annually over four years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. The 2011 officer restricted shares vest 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date and had been limited by the 2008 agreement between the Company and the U.S. Treasury until the Preferred Shares were redeemed on April 27, 2011. The 2011 director restricted shares and the 2011 officer restricted shares were issued at $9.71 per share, the closing price on the date of the grant. The agreements for both the 2011 director restricted shares and the 2011 officer restricted shares have additional provisions regarding transferability and accelerated vesting of the shares and the continuation of performing substantial services for the Company. As of December 31, 2011, all 61,565 shares were still issued and none were vested.

Under the provisions of FASB Codification Topic 718: Compensation—Stock Compensation, the Company recorded compensation expense of $309 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2011 and a related tax benefit of $138 thousand. As of December 31, 2011, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards was $913 thousand, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 2.8 years.

NOTE 18.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Retirement Plans

The Company has a noncontributory, tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers the majority of employees with one or more years of service of at least 1,000 hours, who are at least 21 years of age. The benefits are based upon years of credited service, primary social security benefits and a participant’s highest average compensation as defined. The funding requirements for the plan are determined annually based upon the amount needed to satisfy the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 funding standards. No employees initially hired after January 2, 2006 were eligible to enter the plan.

The Company also has a noncontributory, supplemental non-qualified, non-funded retirement plan which is designed to supplement the pension plan for key officers.

PAGE 98


The following tables, using a December 31 measurement date for each period presented, set forth the disclosures required for pension benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At or for the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year (Projected Benefit Obligation)

 

$

70,970

 

$

63,054

 

Service cost

 

 

2,147

 

 

2,050

 

Interest cost

 

 

3,933

 

 

3,766

 

Actuarial loss

 

 

1,890

 

 

4,607

 

Benefits paid

 

(1,929

)

 

(2,507

)

Benefit obligation at end of year

$

77,011

 

$

70,970

 

CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of assets at beginning of year

 

$

41,521

 

$

38,010

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

1,672

 

 

4,284

 

Employer contributions

 

 

2,035

 

 

1,735

 

Benefits paid

 

 

(1,929

)

 

(2,507

)

Fair value of assets at end of year

 

$

43,299

 

$

41,522

 

Funded status

 

$

(33,712

)

$

(29,448

)

AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED IN THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSIST OF:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension liability

 

$

(33,712

)

$

(29,448

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax)

 

 

23,889

 

 

23,588

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount Rate

 

Rate of
Compensation
Increase

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS USED TO DETERMINE THE BENEFIT OBLIGATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit pension plan

 

 

5.10

%

5.50

%

 

3.00

%

 

3.00

%

Supplemental retirement plan

 

 

5.10

 

5.50

 

 

3.00

 

 

3.00

 


Components of the net periodic benefit expense and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC COST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

2,147

 

$

2,050

 

$

2,160

 

Interest cost

 

 

3,933

 

 

3,766

 

 

3,355

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(3,305

)

 

(3,020

)

 

(2,618

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

63

 

 

67

 

 

67

 

Recognized actuarial loss

 

 

3,159

 

 

2,672

 

 

3,454

 

Net periodic benefit expense

 

 

5,997

 

 

5,535

 

 

6,418

 

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss (income), after tax

 

 

226

 

 

480

 

 

(3,822

)

Prior service credit, after tax

 

 

(35

)

 

(36

)

 

(36

)

Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)

 

 

191

 

 

444

 

 

(3,858

)

Total recognized in net periodic benefit expense and other comprehensive income or loss

 

$

6,188

 

$

5,979

 

$

2,560

 

PAGE 99



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount Rate

 

Expected Return
on Plan Assets

 

Rate of Compensation
Increase

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS USED TO DETERMINE NET PERIODIC COST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit pension plan

 

 

5.50

%

 

6.00

%

 

5.75

%

 

8.00

%

 

8.00

%

 

8.50

%

 

3.00

%

 

3.00

%

 

3.00

%

Supplemental retirement plan

 

 

5.50

 

 

6.00

 

 

5.75

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

3.00

 

 

3.00

 

 

3.00

 

To determine the expected return on plan assets, we consider historical return information on plan assets, the mix of investments that comprise plan assets and the actual income derived from plan assets.

The accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension plan at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $45.5 million and $42.9 million, respectively.

The tables presented on the previous page and above include the supplemental retirement plan, which is an unfunded plan. The following information is presented regarding the supplemental retirement plan:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

28,581

 

$

25,165

 

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

 

28,521

 

 

25,165

 

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the assets of the defined benefit pension plan:

 

December 31,

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

U.S. government corporation and agency debt obligations

 

 

3

%

 

4

%

Corporate debt obligation

 

 

32

 

 

28

 

Common equity securities

 

 

59

 

 

61

 

Other

 

 

6

 

 

7

 

Total

 

 

100

%

 

100

%

The overall investment strategy of the Plan is to have a diversified portfolio of investments that balance risk and return with the goal of meeting or exceeding the plan’s actuarial return assumptions and shorter term liquidity needs. The asset mix can vary but, to achieve these objectives, it is targeted at 60% equity securities, including up to 10% in the parent company common shares, 25% in corporate obligations and 10% in federal and agency obligations with the balance in other investments including trust preferred securities. The allocation of Plan assets as of December 31, 2011 is shown in the table above. The money market investment positions will vary but, will generally be under 5%. The Plan’s asset allocation and investments are recommended and managed by an independent advisor.

The weighted average expected long-term rate of return is estimated based on current trends in the plan assets as well as projected future rates of returns on those assets. The long-term rate of return considers historical returns, with adjustments to reflect expectations of future returns as determined by the trustee’s investment advisor after consultation with the trustee. These adjustments include consideration of projected future economic conditions, interest rates, industry trends and other factors.

The defined benefit pension plan owns common shares of the parent company which is included in common equity securities above. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of the parent company common shares was $597 thousand and represented approximately 1% of plan assets. At December 31, 2010, the fair value of the parent company common shares was $723 thousand and represented approximately 2% of plan assets.

PAGE 100


The defined benefit pension plan also owns capital securities (see Note 12 for definition) issued by Sterling Bancorp Trust I, a wholly-owned non-consolidated statutory business trust (which is a VIE). At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of the capital securities was $1.2 million and represented approximately 3% of plan assets.

The Company expects to contribute approximately $2.0 million to the defined benefit pension plan in 2012.

The following table presents benefit payments expected to be paid, based on the assumption described below, including the effect of expected future service for the years indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year(s)

 

Defined
Benefit Plan

 

Supplemental
Retirement Plan

 

Total
Benefit Payments

 

2012

 

$

2,128

 

$

27,462

 

$

29,590

 

2013

 

 

2,336

 

 

36

 

 

2,372

 

2014

 

 

2,494

 

 

37

 

 

2,531

 

2015

 

 

2,644

 

 

563

 

 

3,207

 

2016

 

 

2,800

 

 

37

 

 

2,837

 

Years 2017–2021

 

 

17,146

 

 

196

 

 

17,342

 

The cash flows shown above are based on the assumptions used in the annual actuarial valuations of the defined benefit plan. The supplemental retirement plan column is computed assuming that any executive who has reached the age upon which full retirement is assumed for actuarial purposes actually retires in the current year. However, if such an executive does not actually retire in the current year, the obligation will be deferred until a later year. We are not aware of any senior executives who have near-term plans to retire.

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 follow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qualified Pension Plan

 

Supplemental
Retirement Plan

 

Total

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net actuarial loss

 

$

17,517

 

$

17,131

 

$

6,330

 

$

6,352

 

$

23,847

 

$

23,483

 

Prior service cost

 

 

38

 

 

85

 

 

4

 

 

20

 

 

42

 

 

105

 

Total

 

$

17,555

 

$

17,216

 

$

6,334

 

$

6,372

 

$

23,889

 

$

23,588

 

The estimated costs that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic cost in 2012 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qualified Pension Plan

 

Supplemental
Retirement Plan

 

Total

 

Net actuarial loss

 

$

1,892

 

$

734

 

$

2,626

 

Prior service cost

 

 

23

 

 

4

 

 

27

 

Total

 

$

1,915

 

$

738

 

$

2,653

 

Fair Value of Plan Assets: Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

PAGE 101


The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate the fair value of each type of financial instrument:

Equity, Debt, Investment Funds and Other Securities. The fair values for investment securities are determined by quoted market prices, if available (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2). For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3). Discounted cash flows are calculated using spread to swap and LIBOR curves that are updated to incorporate loss severities, volatility, credit spread and optionality. During times when trading is more liquid, broker quotes are used (if available) to validate the model. Rating agency and industry research reports as well as defaults and deferrals on individual securities are reviewed and incorporated into the calculations.

The fair value of the plan assets at December 31, 2011, by asset category, is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2011 Using:

 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

 

Plan Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$

28,306

 

$

28,306

 

$

 

$

 

U.S. government agency obligations

 

 

1,273

 

 

1,273

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

13,493

 

 

13,493

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds and other

 

 

227

 

 

 

 

227

 

 

 

Total Plan Assets

 

$

43,299

 

$

43,072

 

$

227

 

$

 

Savings Plans

As of January 1, 2008, the Company merged its two 401(k) plans into one plan (“new plan”). Eligible employees must complete 1,000 hours of service in order to be eligible for the Company matching contributions. Participants in the new plan eligible for Company matching contributions include any employee hired after January 1, 2006 and employees of two subsidiaries of the bank. Eligible employees may enroll in the new plan on the first day of the month after hire. The Company matches 25% of the eligible employee’s contribution to the plan based on the amount of each participant’s contributions, up to the Internal Revenue Service maximum contribution limit. All participants may immediately invest their individual contributions, as well as any Company matching contribution, in any of a variety of investment alternatives offered under the new plan. Expense for employer match related to the new plan totaled $480 thousand in 2011, $323 thousand in 2010 and $289 thousand in 2009.

Postretirement Life Insurance Benefits

The Company currently provides life insurance benefits to certain officers. The coverage provided depends upon years of service with the Company and the employee’s date of retirement. The Company’s plan for its postretirement benefit obligation is unfunded with a liability of $1.2 million at December 31, 2011 and $1.4 million at December 31, 2010. Net postretirement benefit cost was $125 thousand, $65 thousand and $65 thousand for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Amounts related to the postretirement life insurance plan included in other comprehensive income were $143 thousand at December 31, 2011 and $-0- thousand at December 31, 2010.

PAGE 102


NOTE 19.

INCOME TAXES

The current and deferred tax provisions (benefits) applicable to income before taxes for each of the last three fiscal years are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

FEDERAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

$

(71

)

$

3,615

 

$

9,187

 

Deferred

 

 

2,046

 

 

(1,734

)

 

(5,226

)

Total

 

$

1,975

 

$

1,881

 

$

3,961

 

STATE AND LOCAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

$

2,188

 

$

973

 

$

2,065

 

Deferred

 

 

33

 

 

(696

)

 

(1,118

)

Total

 

$

2,221

 

$

277

 

$

947

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

$

2,117

 

$

4,588

 

$

11,252

 

Deferred

 

 

2,079

 

 

(2,430

)

 

(6,344

)

Total

 

$

4,196

 

$

2,158

 

$

4,908

 

Reconciliations of income tax provisions with taxes computed at Federal statutory rates are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Federal statutory rate

 

 

35

%

 

34

%

 

35

%

Computed tax based on income from continuing operations

 

$

7,627

 

$

3,123

 

$

5,015

 

Increase (Decrease) in tax resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State and local taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit

 

 

1,500

 

 

218

 

 

673

 

Tax-exempt income

 

 

(2,578

)

 

(1,640

)

 

(648

)

Tax benefit related to closed Federal tax audits

 

 

(2,523

)

 

 

 

 

Other permanent items

 

 

170

 

 

457

 

 

(132

)

Total

 

$

4,196

 

$

2,158

 

$

4,908

 

PAGE 103


The components of the net deferred tax asset, included in other assets, are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Difference between financial statement provision for loan losses and tax bad debt deduction

 

$

7,909

 

$

8,275

 

Pension and benefit plans

 

 

10,649

 

 

10,796

 

Available for sale securities

 

 

763

 

 

 

Compensation and other benefits

 

 

1,934

 

 

2,853

 

Deferred rent

 

 

1,324

 

 

1,182

 

Other

 

 

1,127

 

 

1,227

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

23,706

 

 

24,333

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Difference between tax and net book values of fixed assets

 

 

2,029

 

 

738

 

Available for sale securities and other investments deferred tax liability

 

 

 

 

156

 

Other

 

 

79

 

 

534

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

2,108

 

 

1,428

 

Net deferred tax asset

 

$

21,598

 

$

22,905

 

Based on management’s consideration of historical and anticipated future pre-tax income, as well as the reversal period for the items giving rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities, a valuation allowance for deferred assets was not considered necessary at December 31, 2011 and 2010 since it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized.

The current tax net receivable as of December 31, 2011 was approximately $1.7 million. The current tax net payable at December 31, 2010 was approximately $1.6 million.

The Company has accrued $750 thousand in 2011 for state income taxes due to changes in the economic nexus rules governing taxation of business conducted within that state. The Company anticipates filing tax returns under the voluntary disclosure regulations of that state which will limit the Company’s tax exposure to business conducted within that state during the past three years. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax expense and penalties as income tax expense. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Consolidated Balance Sheet included accrued interest related to unrecognized tax expense of $313 thousand and $297 thousand, respectively. The Consolidated Statement of Income included interest expense for 2011, 2010 and 2009 of $16 thousand, $47 thousand and $250 thousand, respectively.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. The Company’s federal income tax returns have been examined through 2009, with 2010 subject to examination. The Company’s New York State tax returns for years 2005 through 2007 are currently under examination and 2008 through 2010 are subject to examination. The Company’s New York City tax returns for 2006 through 2010 are subject to examination.

NOTE 20.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Earnings per common share is computed using the two-class method. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net earnings allocated to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period, excluding participating securities. Participating securities include non-vested share awards such as awards of restricted common shares. Non-vested share awards are considered participating securities because holders of these securities receive non-forfeitable dividends at the same rate as holders of the Company’s common shares. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares determined for the basic earnings per common share computation plus the dilutive effect of stock option compensation using the treasury stock method.

PAGE 104


The following table presents the calculation of net earnings allocated to common shares and a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Distributed earnings allocated to common shares

 

$

11,080

 

$

8,851

 

$

10,131

 

Undistributed earnings allocated to common shares

 

 

4,374

 

 

(4,429

)

 

(3,482

)

Net earnings allocated to common shares

 

$

15,454

 

$

4,422

 

$

6,649

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

30,038,047

 

 

24,492,279

 

 

18,104,619

 

Add dilutive effect of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

 

 

2,765

 

 

21,714

 

Adjusted for assumed diluted computation

 

 

30,038,047

 

 

24,495,044

 

 

18,126,333

 

Options issued with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common shares for each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 have not been included in computation of diluted earnings per share for those respective years. As of December 31, 2011, 310,460 options to purchase shares between $14.60 and $17.99 were not included; as of December 31, 2010, 422,747 options to purchase shares between $10.61 and $26.94 were not included; as of December 31, 2009, 460,822 options to purchase shares between $10.61 and $26.94 were not included.

NOTE 21.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be receivable from selling that asset or payable to transfer that liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability shall not be adjusted for transaction costs. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are independent, knowledgeable, able to transact and willing to transact.

FASB Codification Topic 820: Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures establishes a hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair values hierarchy is as follows:

 

 

Level 1 Inputs—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Examples of financial instruments generally included in this level are U.S. Treasury securities, equity and trust preferred securities that trade in active markets and listed derivative instruments.

 

 

Level 2 Inputs—Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means. Examples of financial instruments generally included in this level are corporate debt, mortgage-backed certificates issued by U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises, equity securities that trade in less active markets and certain derivative instruments.

 

 

Level 3 Inputs—Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. Examples of financial instruments generally included in this level are private equities, certain loans held for sale and other alternative investments.

In general, fair value of securities is based upon quoted market prices, where available (Level 1 inputs). If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon market prices determined by an outside, independent entity that primarily uses as inputs observable market-based parameters (Level 2 inputs). Fair value of loans held for sale is based upon internally developed models that primarily use as inputs observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the Company’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters (Level 3 inputs). Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be

PAGE 105


indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with those of other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Securities available for sale and other investments. Securities classified as available for sale and other investments (included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet) are generally reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. Investments in fixed income securities, exclusive of preferred stock and mortgage-backed securities, are valued based on evaluations provided by Interactive Data Corporation (“IDC”), a leading global provider of market data information. IDC evaluations represent an exit price or their opinion as to what a buyer would pay for a security, typically in an institutional round lot position in a current sale. IDC seeks to utilize market data and observations in its evaluation service, and gives priority to observable benchmark yields and reported trades. IDC utilizes evaluated pricing techniques that vary by asset class and incorporate available market information; because many fixed income securities do not trade on a daily basis, IDC applies available information through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of similar securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing. Model processes such as option-adjusted spread models are used to value securities that have prepayment features. Substantially all securities available for sale evaluated in this manner are deemed to be Level 2 valuations.

For mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises, management considers dealer indicative bids in the valuation process. Indicative bids are estimates of value and do not necessarily represent the price at which the dealer would be willing to transact. Such bids are compared to IDC-evaluated prices for reasonableness as well as consistency with observable market conditions. All mortgage-backed securities are deemed to be valued based on Level 2 inputs.

Publicly traded common and preferred stocks are valued by reference to the market closing price (last trade) on the measurement date (Level 1 inputs). In the unlikely event that no trade occurred on the measurement date, reference would be made to an indicative bid or the last trade most proximate to the measurement date (Level 2 inputs).

The following table summarizes financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value. There were no financial liabilities measured at fair value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1
Inputs

 

Level 2
Inputs

 

Level 3
Inputs

 

Total
Fair Value

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available for sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

 

$

29,752

 

$

 

$

29,752

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

1,237

 

 

 

 

1,237

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

30,989

 

 

 

 

30,989

 

Obligations of state and political institutions—New York bank qualified

 

 

 

 

22,777

 

 

 

 

22,777

 

Single-issuer, trust preferred securities

 

 

27,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,059

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

 

 

173,307

 

 

 

 

173,307

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

15,882

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,882

 

Total marketable securities

 

$

42,941

 

$

227,073

 

$

 

$

270,014

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available for sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

 

$

51,983

 

$

 

$

51,983

 

Agency notes

 

 

 

 

100,122

 

 

 

 

100,122

 

Total obligations of U.S. government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

 

152,105

 

 

 

 

152,105

 

Obligations of state and political institutions—New York bank qualified

 

 

 

 

40,044

 

 

 

 

40,044

 

Single-issuer, trust preferred securities

 

 

3,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,933

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

 

 

189,058

 

 

 

 

189,058

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

4,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,940

 

Total marketable securities

 

$

8,873

 

$

381,207

 

$

 

$

390,080

 

Other investments

 

$

11,838

 

$

6,760

 

$

 

$

18,598

 

PAGE 106


Certain financial assets, such as loans held for sale and collateral-dependent impaired loans are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The following table summarizes the period end fair value of financial assets, based on significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs, measured on a non-recurring basis:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Impaired loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

$

1,298

 

$

1,344

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

2,011

 

 

2,024

 

Other real estate owned, net

 

 

1,929

 

 

182

 

Impaired loans. The fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses is generally based on either recent real estate appraisals or, for loans with modification agreements in place, discounted cash flow analyses. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Other real estate owned. The fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) is generally based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Fair values are generally based on third-party appraisals of the property, resulting in a Level 3 classification. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized.

Impaired loans that are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a principal balance of $4.5 million, with a valuation allowance of $1.2 million at December 31, 2011, resulting in an additional provision for loan losses of $31 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2010, impaired loans had a principal balance of $4.5 million, with a valuation allowance of $1.1 million, resulting in an additional provision for loan losses of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Other real estate owned measured at fair value less costs to sell had a net carrying amount of $1.9 million, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $1.9 million, net of a valuation allowance of $-0- million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, $-0- million of other real estate owned was written down through a charge to noninterest expense. At December 31, 2010, other real estate owned had a net carrying amount of $182 thousand, made up of the outstanding balance of $182 thousand, net of a valuation allowance of $-0- thousand. For the year ended December 31, 2010, $233 thousand of other real estate owned was written down through a charge to noninterest expense.

For those financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but are measured at fair value for disclosure purposes, management follows the same fair value measurement principles and guidance as for instruments recorded at fair value.

Much of the information used to arrive at “fair value” is highly subjective and judgmental in nature and therefore the results may not be precise. The subjective factors include, among other things, estimated cash flows, risk characteristics, credit quality and interest rates, all of which are subject to change. With the exception of investment securities and certain long-term debt, the Company’s financial instruments are not readily marketable and market prices do not exist. Since negotiated prices for the instruments that are not readily marketable depend greatly on the motivation of the buyer and seller, the amounts that will actually be realized or paid per settlement or maturity of these instruments could be significantly different.

PAGE 107


In particular, fair value estimates are made at a point in time, based on relevant market data as well as the best information available about the financial instrument. Illiquid credit markets have resulted in inactive markets for certain of the Company’s financial instruments. As a result, there is no or limited observable market data for these assets and liabilities. Fair value estimates for financial instruments for which no or limited observable market data is available are based on our judgments regarding current economic conditions, liquidity discounts, currency, credit, and interest rate risks, loss experience and other factors, all of which are Level 3 inputs as discussed above. These estimates involve significant judgments and uncertainties and cannot be substantiated by comparison to quoted prices in active markets and cannot be determined with precision. As a result, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in a current sale or immediate settlement of the instrument. In addition, there are inherent uncertainties in any fair value measurement technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique, including discount rates, liquidity risks, and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect these fair value estimates.

A description of the methods, factors and significant assumptions utilized in estimating the fair values for significant categories of financial instruments follows:

Financial Instruments with Carrying Amounts Equal to Fair Value

The carrying amounts for cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with other banks, customers’ liabilities under acceptances, accrued interest receivable, Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, commercial paper, other short-term borrowings, acceptances outstanding, and accrued interest payable, as a result of their short-term nature, are considered to approximate fair value.

Investment Securities

The methods, factors and significant assumptions used to estimate fair values of all securities are described more fully beginning on page 105.

Loans, Net

The fair value of loans held in portfolio which reprice within 90 days reflecting changes in the base rate approximate their carrying amount. For other loans held in portfolio, the fair value is calculated based on discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality and for similar maturities. These calculations have been adjusted for credit risk based on the Company’s historical credit loss experience.

The fair value for secured nonaccrual loans is the value of the underlying collateral which is sufficient to repay each loan. For other nonaccrual loans, the fair value represents book value less a credit risk adjustment based on the Company’s historical credit loss experience.

Deposits

FASB Codification Topic 825: Financial Instruments requires that the fair value of demand, savings, NOW (Negotiable Order of Withdrawal) and certain money market deposits be equal to their carrying amount. The Company believes that the fair value of these deposits, including the value of deposit relationships, is greater than that prescribed by FASB Codification Topic 825.

For other types of deposits with fixed maturities, fair value has been estimated based upon interest rates currently being offered on deposits with similar characteristics and maturities.

Advances—FHLB and Long-Term Borrowings

For advances—FHLB and long-term borrowings, the fair value is calculated based on discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being quoted for debt with similar characteristics and maturities.

Commitments to Extend Credit, Standby Letters of Credit and Financial Guarantees

The fees received for the issuance of commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees, are considered to approximate fair value. Due to the uncertainty involved in attempting to assess the likelihood and timing of a commitment being drawn upon, coupled with lack of an established market and the wide diversity of fee structures, the Company does not believe it is meaningful to provide an estimate of fair value that differs from the amount of consideration received.

PAGE 108


The following is a summary of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

Carrying
Amount

 

Fair
Value

 

Carrying
Amount

 

Fair
Value

 

FINANCIAL ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

31,046

 

$

31,046

 

$

26,824

 

$

26,824

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

 

 

126,448

 

 

126,448

 

 

40,503

 

 

40,503

 

Investment securities

 

 

677,871

 

 

695,789

 

 

789,315

 

 

790,533

 

Loans, net

 

 

1,496,652

 

 

1,505,005

 

 

1,328,045

 

 

1,332,673

 

Customers’ liability under acceptances

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

6,838

 

 

6,838

 

 

8,280

 

 

8,280

 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand, NOW, savings and money market deposits

 

 

1,331,223

 

 

1,331,223

 

 

1,132,497

 

 

1,132,497

 

Time deposits

 

 

657,848

 

 

659,439

 

 

615,267

 

 

617,096

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

 

52,313

 

 

52,313

 

 

28,016

 

 

28,016

 

Federal funds purchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

15,000

 

Commercial paper

 

 

13,485

 

 

13,485

 

 

14,388

 

 

14,388

 

Other short-term borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,490

 

 

3,490

 

Acceptances outstanding

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued interest payable

 

 

1,064

 

 

1,064

 

 

1,314

 

 

1,314

 

Advances—FHLB and long-term borrowings

 

 

148,507

 

 

149,056

 

 

169,947

 

 

173,110

 

PAGE 109


NOTE 22.

CAPITAL MATTERS

The Company and the bank are subject to risk-based capital regulations which quantitatively measure capital against risk-weighted assets, including certain off-balance sheet items. These regulations define the elements of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 components of Total Capital and establish minimum ratios of 4% for Tier 1 capital and 8% for Total Capital for capital adequacy purposes. Supplementing these regulations is a leverage requirement. This requirement establishes a minimum leverage ratio (at least 3% or 4%, depending upon an institution’s regulatory status), which is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by adjusted quarterly average assets (after deducting goodwill). In addition, the bank is subject to the provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) which imposes a number of mandatory supervisory measures. Among other matters, FDICIA established five capital categories ranging from “well capitalized” to “critically undercapitalized.” Such classifications are used by regulatory agencies to determine a bank’s deposit insurance premium, approval of applications authorizing institutions to increase their asset size or otherwise expand business activities or acquire other institutions. Under FDICIA a “well capitalized” bank must maintain minimum leverage, Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios of 5%, 6% and 10%, respectively. The Federal Reserve Board applies comparable tests for holding companies such as the Company. At December 31, 2011, management believes that the Company and the bank exceeded the requirements for “well capitalized” institutions under the tests pursuant to FDICIA and of the Federal Reserve Board.

The following tables present information regarding the Company’s and the bank’s regulatory capital ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

Minimum For Capital Adequacy

 

To Be Well Capitalized

 

As of December 31, 2011

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company

 

$

256,526

 

 

13.71

%

$

149,738

 

 

8.00

%

$

187,173

 

 

10.00

%

The bank

 

 

234,737

 

 

12.63

 

 

148,732

 

 

8.00

 

 

185,915

 

 

10.00

 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company

 

 

235,947

 

 

12.61

 

 

74,869

 

 

4.00

 

 

112,304

 

 

6.00

 

The bank

 

 

214,159

 

 

11.52

 

 

77,366

 

 

4.00

 

 

111,549

 

 

6.00

 

Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Average Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company

 

 

235,947

 

 

9.02

 

 

104,593

 

 

4.00

 

 

130,741

 

 

5.00

 

The bank

 

 

214,159

 

 

8.30

 

 

103,148

 

 

4.00

 

 

128,935

 

 

5.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company

 

$

255,022

 

 

14.68

%

$

138,982

 

 

8.00

%

$

173,728

 

 

10.00

%

The bank

 

 

211,737

 

 

12.32

 

 

137,516

 

 

8.00

 

 

171,895

 

 

10.00

 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company

 

 

236,477

 

 

13.61

 

 

69,491

 

 

4.00

 

 

104,237

 

 

6.00

 

The bank

 

 

193,192

 

 

11.24

 

 

68,758

 

 

4.00

 

 

103,137

 

 

6.00

 

Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Average Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company

 

 

236,477

 

 

10.15

 

 

93,152

 

 

4.00

 

 

116,440

 

 

5.00

 

The bank

 

 

193,192

 

 

8.39

 

 

92,070

 

 

4.00

 

 

115,087

 

 

5.00

 

PAGE 110


NOTE 23.

PARENT COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banking subsidiary

 

 

 

 

$

20,870

 

$

37,285

 

Other banks

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

32

 

Interest-bearing deposits—banking subsidiary

 

 

 

 

 

1,244

 

 

3,443

 

Securities available for sale (at fair value)

 

 

 

 

 

8,571

 

 

6,086

 

Loans, net of unearned discount

 

 

 

 

 

10,127

 

 

15,370

 

Investment in subsidiaries—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banking subsidiary (including goodwill of $22,901 in 2011 and 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

226,403

 

 

206,818

 

Other subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

2,179

 

 

2,160

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

 

 

 

 

 

4,609

 

 

4,104

 

Other assets

 

 

 

 

 

16,728

 

 

15,856

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

290,744

 

$

291,154

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial paper (see Note 10)

 

 

 

 

$

13,485

 

$

14,388

 

Due to subsidiaries—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

992

 

 

992

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

29,672

 

 

27,258

 

Junior subordinated debt (see Note 12)

 

 

 

 

 

25,774

 

 

25,774

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

220,821

 

 

222,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

290,744

 

$

291,154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends and interest from—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banking subsidiary

 

$

1

 

$

2

 

$

39

 

Loans

 

 

92

 

 

208

 

 

95

 

Securities available for sale

 

 

249

 

 

342

 

 

88

 

Other income

 

 

140

 

 

155

 

 

172

 

Total income

 

 

482

 

 

707

 

 

394

 

EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

2,186

 

 

2,189

 

 

2,211

 

Other expenses

 

 

2,937

 

 

3,373

 

 

3,301

 

Total expense

 

 

5,123

 

 

5,562

 

 

5,512

 

Loss before income taxes and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries

 

 

(4,641

)

 

(4,855

)

 

(5,118

)

Benefit for income taxes

 

 

(1,313

)

 

(1,147

)

 

(1,755

)

Loss before equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries

 

 

(3,328

)

 

(3,708

)

 

(3,363

)

Equity in undistributed net income of—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banking subsidiary

 

 

20,905

 

 

10,713

 

 

12,764

 

Other subsidiaries

 

 

19

 

 

21

 

 

21

 

Net income

 

$

17,596

 

$

7,026

 

$

9,422

 

PAGE 111


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

17,596

 

$

7,026

 

$

9,422

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

2,414

 

 

3,246

 

 

(512

)

Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries

 

 

(20,924

)

 

(10,734

)

 

(12,785

)

Security gains

 

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

Increase in other assets

 

 

(1,377

)

 

(4,415

)

 

(2,028

)

Other, net

 

 

(1,383

)

 

1,028

 

 

(97

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(3,674

)

 

(3,864

)

 

(6,000

)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease (increase) in interest-bearing deposits—banking subsidiary

 

 

2,199

 

 

24,498

 

 

(17,039

)

Purchase of securities available for sale

 

 

(109,991

)

 

(62,495

)

 

 

Decrease (Increase) in loans

 

 

5,243

 

 

(209

)

 

(15,111

)

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

 

 

 

 

2,054

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of securities available for sale

 

 

109,250

 

 

54,318

 

 

 

Investment in subsidiaries—banking subsidiary

 

 

 

 

(31,500

)

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

6,701

 

 

(13,334

)

 

(32,150

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in commercial paper

 

 

(903

)

 

(2,909

)

 

5,565

 

Cash dividends paid on common shares

 

 

(11,122

)

 

(8,873

)

 

(10,131

)

Cash dividends paid on preferred shares

 

 

(945

)

 

(2,100

)

 

(1,878

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

403

 

 

197

 

Net proceeds from issuance of common shares

 

 

36,454

 

 

64,881

 

 

 

Net redemption of preferred stock and common stock warrants

 

 

(42,945

)

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(19,461

)

 

51,402

 

 

(6,247

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and due from banks

 

 

(16,434

)

 

34,204

 

 

(44,397

)

Cash and due from banks—beginning of year

 

 

37,317

 

 

3,113

 

 

47,510

 

Cash and due from banks—end of year

 

$

20,883

 

$

37,317

 

$

3,113

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

2,187

 

$

2,174

 

$

2,214

 

Income taxes paid

 

 

5,744

 

 

3,994

 

 

5,757

 

PAGE 112


NOTE 24.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Total rental expenses under cancelable and noncancelable leases for premises and equipment were $6.2 million, $5.8 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which are net of rental income for a sublease of $213 thousand, $218 thousand and $194 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The future minimum rental commitments as of December 31, 2011 under noncancelable leases follow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental

 

Year(s)

 

Commitments

 

2012

 

$

3,833

 

2013

 

 

4,324

 

2014

 

 

4,747

 

2015

 

 

4,518

 

2016

 

 

3,789

 

2017 and thereafter

 

 

22,837

 

Total

 

$

44,048

 

Certain leases included above have escalation clauses and/or provide that the Company pay maintenance, electric, taxes and other operating expenses applicable to the leased property.

In the normal course of business, there are various commitments and contingent liabilities outstanding which are properly not recorded on the balance sheet. Management does not anticipate that losses, if any, as a result of these transactions would materially affect the financial position of the Company.

Loan commitments, approximately 89% of which have an original maturity of one year or less, were approximately $75.5 million as of December 31, 2011. These commitments are agreements to lend to a customer as long as the conditions established in the contract are met. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements because some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon. The bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, by the bank upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held varies but may include cash, U.S. Treasury and other marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventory and property, plant and equipment.

Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees, substantially all of which are within the scope of FASB Codification Topic 460: Guarantees, are written conditional commitments issued by the bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. At December 31, 2011, these commitments totaled $27.8 million of which $21.7 million expire within one year and $6.1 million within two years. Approximately 78% of the commitments are automatically renewable for a period of one year. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The bank holds cash or cash equivalents and marketable securities as collateral supporting those commitments for which collateral is deemed necessary. The extent of collateral held for those commitments at December 31, 2011 ranged from 0% to 100%; the average amount collateralized was approximately 94%.

Other commercial commitments principally consist of commercial letters of credit issued to our trade finance customers to finance the import of various merchandise. At December 31, 2011, these commitments totaled $61.8 million, of which $61.6 million expire within one year. The commercial documents are secured by the underlying merchandise. The majority of these letters of credit require cash payment before the release of documents.

In the normal course of business there are various legal proceedings pending against the Company. Management, after consulting with counsel, is of the opinion that there should be no material liability with respect to such proceedings, and accordingly no provision has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

PAGE 113


NOTE 25.

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Quarter

 

Mar 31

 

Jun 30

 

Sept 30

 

Dec 31

 

Total interest income

 

$

22,754

 

$

24,110

 

$

25,179

 

$

25,021

 

Total interest expense

 

 

3,325

 

 

3,193

 

 

3,307

 

 

3,162

 

Net interest income

 

 

19,429

 

 

20,917

 

 

21,872

 

 

21,859

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

3,000

 

 

3,000

 

 

3,000

 

 

3,000

 

Net securities gains

 

 

729

 

 

380

 

 

420

 

 

197

 

Noninterest income, excluding securities gains

 

 

10,713

 

 

10,488

 

 

11,039

 

 

10,094

 

Noninterest expenses

 

 

22,453

 

 

23,446

 

 

23,770

 

 

24,676

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

5,418

 

 

5,339

 

 

6,561

 

 

4,474

 

Provision (Benefit) for income taxes

 

 

1,475

 

 

1,394

 

 

2,191

 

 

(864

)

Net income

 

 

3,943

 

 

3,945

 

 

4,370

 

 

5,338

 

Dividends on preferred shares and accretion

 

 

644

 

 

1,430

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

3,299

 

 

2,515

 

 

4,370

 

 

5,338

 

Net income available to common shareholders, per average common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

0.12

 

 

0.08

 

 

0.14

 

 

0.17

 

Diluted

 

 

0.12

 

 

0.08

 

 

0.14

 

 

0.17

 

Common share closing price:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

 

10.73

 

 

10.55

 

 

9.92

 

 

8.92

 

Low

 

 

9.48

 

 

8.78

 

 

7.05

 

 

6.67

 

Quarter-end

 

 

10.01

 

 

9.49

 

 

7.26

 

 

8.64

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Quarter

 

Mar 31

 

Jun 30

 

Sept 30

 

Dec 31

 

Total interest income

 

$

24,016

 

$

24,475

 

$

24,702

 

$

23,997

 

Total interest expense

 

 

4,121

 

 

3,937

 

 

3,827

 

 

3,698

 

Net interest income

 

 

19,895

 

 

20,538

 

 

20,875

 

 

20,299

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

6,000

 

 

5,500

 

 

14,000

 

 

3,000

 

Net securities gains

 

 

1,502

 

 

746

 

 

1,171

 

 

509

 

Noninterest income, excluding securities gains

 

 

9,600

 

 

10,615

 

 

11,887

 

 

11,603

 

Noninterest expenses

 

 

21,336

 

 

22,139

 

 

23,753

 

 

24,328

 

Income (Loss) before income taxes

 

 

3,661

 

 

4,260

 

 

(3,820

)

 

5,083

 

Provision (Benefit) for income taxes

 

 

1,098

 

 

1,278

 

 

(1,146

)

 

928

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

2,563

 

 

2,982

 

 

(2,674

)

 

4,155

 

Dividends on preferred shares and accretion

 

 

636

 

 

644

 

 

654

 

 

655

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

 

1,927

 

 

2,338

 

 

(3,328

)

 

3,500

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, per average common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

0.10

 

 

0.09

 

 

(0.12

)

 

0.13

 

Diluted

 

 

0.10

 

 

0.09

 

 

(0.12

)

 

0.13

 

Common share closing price:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

 

10.05

 

 

10.93

 

 

10.28

 

 

10.59

 

Low

 

 

7.27

 

 

8.99

 

 

8.39

 

 

8.71

 

Quarter-end

 

 

10.05

 

 

9.00

 

 

8.69

 

 

10.47

 

PAGE 114


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

CROWE HORWATH LOGO

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Sterling Bancorp (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 and the consolidated statement of condition of Sterling National Bank as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the financial position of Sterling National Bank as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Sterling Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 9, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP
Livingston, New Jersey
March 9, 2012

PAGE 115


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required under the Exchange Act, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of December 31, 2011, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

Any system of internal control, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time. Accordingly, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changed conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The management of the Company assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework. Based on this assessment, the Company’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

Crowe Horwath LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. The report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, is included in this Item under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” below.

PAGE 116


CROWE HORWATH LOGO

(c) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We have audited Sterling Bancorp’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Sterling Bancorp’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Sterling Bancorp maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended of Sterling Bancorp and the consolidated statement of condition of Sterling National Bank as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and our report dated March 9, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP
Livingston, New Jersey
Match 9, 2012

PAGE 117


(e) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PAGE 118


PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information regarding executive officers required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is furnished in a separate disclosure beginning on page 27 at the end of Part I of this report. The other information required by Item 10 will be in the parent company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act within 120 days after December 31, 2011 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 11 will be in the parent company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act within 120 days after December 31, 2011 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

See the information appearing in Note 17 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements beginning on page 96.

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2011, regarding securities issued to all of the Company’s employees under equity compensation plans that were in effect during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, and other equity compensation plan information.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan Category

 

Number of Securities
to be Issued
upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b)

 

Number of Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance under
Equity Compensation
Plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))
(c)

 

Equity Compensation Plans approved by security holders

 

 

310,460

 

$

15.64

 

 

616,184

 

Equity Compensation Plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

310,460

 

$

15.64

 

 

616,184

 

The other information required by Item 12 will be in the parent company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act within 120 days after December 31, 2011 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Item 13 will be in the parent company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act within 120 days after December 31, 2011 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 will be in the parent company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act within 120 days after December 31, 2011 and is incorporated herein by reference.

PAGE 119


PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) The documents filed as a part of this report are listed below:

 

 

 

1.

Financial Statements Sterling Bancorp

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 Sterling National Bank

 

Consolidated Statements of Condition as of December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

 

 

2.

Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

 

 

None

 

 

 

3.

Exhibits


 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

(i)

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the State of New York Department of State on October 28, 2004 (Filed as Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

 

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation filed with the New York Department of State on December 18, 2008. (Filed as Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

 

By-Laws as amended through November 15, 2007 (Filed as Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated November 15, 2007 and filed on November 19, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

 

Pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4) (iii)(A), no instrument which defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant or any of its consolidated subsidiaries is filed herewith. Pursuant to this regulation, the Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the SEC upon request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.

(i)(A)*

 

Sterling Bancorp Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated as of May 20, 2004) (Filed as Exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)(B)*

 

Form of Award Letter for Non-Employee Directors (Filed as Exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)(C)*

 

Form of Award Letter for Officers (Filed as Exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)(D)*

 

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award (Filed as Exhibit 10(A) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated March 18, 2005 and filed on March 24, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)(E)*

 

Form of Award Letter for Officers (Filed as Exhibit 10(i)(E) to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)(F)*

 

Amendment to Sterling Bancorp Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10(i)(F) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated December 29, 2008 and filed on January 5, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)(A)*

 

Sterling Bancorp Key Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (Filed as Exhibit C to the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement, dated March 13, 2001, filed on March 16, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).

* Constitutes a Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement

PAGE 120



   

 

 

 

   

(ii)(B)*

 

Amendment to Sterling Bancorp Key Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10(ii) (B) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated December 29, 2008 and filed on January 5, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(A)*

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreements dated March 22, 2002 for Louis J. Cappelli and John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibits 10(i)(a) and 10(i)(b), respectively, to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(B)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated February 26, 2003 for Louis J. Cappelli and John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibits 3.10(xiv)(a) and 3.10(xiv)(b), respectively, to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(C)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated February 24, 2004 for Louis J. Cappelli and John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibits 10(xv)(a) and 10(xv)(b), respectively, to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(D)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 18, 2005 for Louis J. Cappelli and John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibits 10(B) and 10(C), respectively, to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated March 18, 2005 and filed on March 24, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(E)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 15, 2006 for Louis J. Cappelli and John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibits 10(iii)(E)(a) and 10(iii)(E)(b), respectively, to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(F)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 15, 2007 for Louis J. Cappelli and John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibits 10(iii)(F)(a) and 10(iii)(F)(b), respectively, to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(G)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 13, 2008 for Louis J. Cappelli and John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibits 10(iii)(G)(a) and 10(iii)(G)(b), respectively, to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(H)*

 

Amendments dated December 29, 2008 to Employment Agreements (a) For Louis J. Cappelli and (b) For John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibit 10(iii)(H) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated December 29, 2008 and filed on January 5, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(I)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 12, 2009 for Louis J. Cappelli and John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibits 10(iii)(I)(a) and 10(iii)(I)(b), respectively, to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(J)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 25, 2010 for Louis J. Cappelli and John C. Millman (Filed as Exhibits 10(ii)(J)(a) and 10(iii)(J)(b), respectively, to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(K)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 8, 2011
(a) For Louis J. Cappelli
(b) For John C. Millman

   

 

 

 

   

(iii)(L)*

 

Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 2, 2012
(a) For Louis J. Cappelli
(b) For John C. Millman

   

 

 

 

   

(iv)(A)*

 

Form of Change of Control Severance Agreement entered into May 21, 1999 between the Registrant and each of six executives (Filed as Exhibit 10(ii) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iv)(B)*

 

Amendment to Form of Change of Control Severance Agreement dated February 6, 2002 entered into between the Registrant and each of four executives (Filed as Exhibit 10(ii) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

*     Constitutes a Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement

PAGE 121



   

 

 

 

   

(iv)(C)*

 

Form of Change of Control Severance Agreement dated April 3, 2002 entered into between the Registrant and one executive (Filed as Exhibit 10(i) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iv)(D)*

 

Form of Change of Control Severance Agreement dated June 8, 2004 entered into between the Registrant and one executive (Filed as Exhibit 10(i) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iv)(E)*

 

Form of Change of Control Severance and Retention Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2006, entered into between the Registrant and one officer (Filed as Exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iv)(F)*

 

Form of Change of Control Severance and Retention Agreement, dated as of September 7, 2006, entered into between the Registrant and one officer (Filed as Exhibit 10(iv)(F) to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iv)(G)*

 

Form of Amendment dated December 29, 2008 to Form of Change in Control Severance Agreement between the Registrant and each of three executives (Filed as Exhibit 10(iv)(G) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated December 29, 2008 and filed on January 5, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(iv)(H)*

 

Form of Amendment dated December 29, 2008 to Form of Change in Control Severance and Retention Agreement between the Registrant and each of six executives (Filed as Exhibit 10(iv)(H) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated December 29, 2008 and filed on January 5, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(v)(A)*

 

Form of Waiver, executed by each of Louis J. Cappelli, John C. Millman, John W. Tietjen, Howard M. Applebaum and Eliot Robinson (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated December 23, 2008 and filed on December 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

   

(v)(B)*

 

Form of Letter Agreement, executed by each of Louis J. Cappelli, John C. Millman, John W. Tietjen, Howard M. Applebaum and Eliot Robinson (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated December 23, 2008 and filed on December 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

   

 

 

 

 

11.

   

Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.

 

 

   

 

 

12.

   

Statement re: Computation of Ratios.

 

 

   

 

 

21.

   

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

 

 

   

 

 

23.

   

Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

   

 

 

31.1

   

Certification of the CEO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).

 

 

   

 

 

31.2

   

Certification of the CFO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).

 

 

   

 

 

32.1

   

Certification of the CEO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code. (Pursuant to Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, the certification filed under this Exhibit shall be deemed “furnished” and not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and shall not be otherwise subject to the liability of that section).

 

 

   

 

 

32.2

   

Certification of the CFO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code. (Pursuant to Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, the certification filed under this Exhibit shall be deemed “furnished” and not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and shall not be otherwise subject to the liability of that section).

   

 

 

 

   

101.INS**

 

XBRL Instance Document

   

 

 

 

   

101.SCH**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

   

 

 

 

   

101.CAL**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Label Linkbase

   

 

 

 

   

101.LAB**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

   

 

 

 

   

101.PRE**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase

   

 

 

 

   

101DEF**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase


 

 

*

Constitutes a Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement

 

 

**

As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1993 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

PAGE 122


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

STERLING BANCORP

 

/s/ Louis J. Cappelli

Louis J. Cappelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)


 

March 9, 2012

Date


 

/s/ John W. Tietjen

John W. Tietjen, Executive Vice President

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


 

March 9, 2012

Date

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

 

 

 

March 9, 2012

 

 

/s/ Louis J. Cappelli

(Date)

 

 

Louis J. Cappelli

 

 

 

Director, Chairman and

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

March 9, 2012

 

 

/s/ John W. Tietjen

(Date)

 

 

John W. Tietjen

 

 

 

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

March 9, 2012

 

 

/s/ John C. Millman

(Date)

 

 

John C. Millman

 

 

 

Director

 

 

 

 

March 9, 2012

 

 

/s/ Henry J. Humphreys

(Date)

 

 

Henry J. Humphreys

 

 

 

Director

 

 

 

 

March 9, 2012

 

 

/s/ Joseph M. Adamko

(Date)

 

 

Joseph M. Adamko

 

 

 

Director

 

 

 

 

March 9, 2012

 

 

/s/ Robert W. Lazar

(Date)

 

 

Robert W. Lazar

 

 

 

Director

 

 

 

 

March 9, 2012

 

 

/s/ Eugene T. Rossides

(Date)

 

 

Eugene T. Rossides

 

 

Director

PAGE 123


E X H I B I T   I N D E X

 

10. (iii)(K) Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 8, 2011:
  (a) For Louis J. Cappelli
  (b) For John C. Millman
   
10. (iii)(L) Amendments to Employment Agreements dated March 2, 2012:
  (a) For Louis J. Cappelli
  (b) For John C. Millman
   
11. Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.
   
12. Statement re: Computation of Ratios.
   
21. Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
   
23. Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
   
31.1 Certification of the CEO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13A–14(A).
   
31.2 Certification of the CFO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13A–14(A).
   
32.1 Certification of the CEO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.
   
32.2 Certification of the CFO required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.
   
101.INS* XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
   
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Label Linkbase
   
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
   
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase
   
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase

 

*As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1993 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.