STERLING BANCORP
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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)
  March 18, 2005
   
     
Commission File Number:
  1-5273-1
   

Sterling Bancorp


(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
New York   13-2565216
 
(State of other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
650 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York   10019-6108
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

212-757-3300


(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A


(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14-a12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


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 EX-10.(A): FORM OF NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AWARD
 EX-10.(B): AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 EX-10.(C): AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 


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ITEM 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

      Pursuant to the Sterling Bancorp Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), on March 22, 2005, the Company granted to certain officers nonqualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 99,000 Common Shares of the Company at an exercise price of $28.28 per share. The options will become exercisable as to 10% of the grant on the first anniversary of the date of grant, an additional 15% on the second anniversary, an additional 25% on the third anniversary and the remaining 50% on the fourth anniversary and will expire six years from the date of grant (subject to earlier termination as provided in the Plan). The form of award letter for nonqualified stock options under the Plan is filed as Exhibit 10(A) to this report.

      On March 18, 2005, the Company amended its Employment Agreement with Mr. Louis J. Cappelli by extending the term of the Agreement through December 31, 2009.

      On March 18, 2005, the Company amended its Employment Agreement with Mr. John C. Millman by extending the term of the Agreement through December 31, 2007.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

     
Exhibit    
Number    
10.(A)
  Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award
 
   
10.(B)
  Amendment to Employment Agreement with Mr. Louis J. Cappelli
 
   
10.(C)
  Amendment to Employment Agreement with Mr. John C. Millman

 


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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.

         
Date:
  March 24, 2005    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Monica S. Lercher    
       
  Name: Monica S. Lercher    
  Title: Corporate Secretary and First Vice President    
     
     

 


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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit    
Number    
10.(A)
  Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award
 
   
10.(B)
  Amendment to Employment Agreement with Mr. Louis J. Cappelli
 
   
10.(C)
  Amendment to Employment Agreement with Mr. John C. Millman