UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) APRIL 15, 2004

                                STERLING BANCORP
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             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

          NEW YORK                     1-5273-1                  13-2565216
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(STATE OF OTHER JURISDICTION    COMMISSION FILE NUMBER         (IRS EMPLOYER
     OF INCORPORATION)                                       IDENTIFICATION NO.)

  650 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK                            10019-6108
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(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                          (ZIP CODE)

                                 (212) 757- 3300
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              (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

                                       N/A
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          (FORMER NAME OR FORMER ADDRESS, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT)




ITEMS 9 AND 12
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

     The following information is furnished pursuant to Item 9 of Form 8K,
"Regulation FD Disclosure" and Item 12 of Form 8K, "Results of Operations and
Financial Condition".

     On April 15, 2004, the Company reported its results for the quarter ended
March 31, 2004. A copy of the Company's press release containing this
information is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 8-K and is
incorporated herein by reference.




                                    SIGNATURE

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

                                             STERLING BANCORP
                                               (Registrant)

DATE: April 16, 2004                     BY: /s/ JOHN W. TIETJEN
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             JOHN W. TIETJEN
                                             Executive Vice President, Treasurer
                                             and Chief Financial Officer



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

99.1        Press Release dated April 15, 2004