X0202 5 2005-12-31 0 0 0 0000093451 STERLING BANCORP STL 0001237429 FERRER FERNANDO 650 FIFTH AVENUE 4TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10019 1 0 0 0 Common Stock 157 D Non-qualified stock option (right to buy) 17.73 2004-06-30 2008-06-30 Common Stock 4725 4725 D Non-qualified stock option (right to buy) 18.78 2004-07-31 2008-07-31 Common Stock 4573 4573 D Non-qualified Stock Options (right to buy) 20.34 2005-12-19 2010-06-30 Common Stock 4725 4725 D Non-qualified stock option (right to buy) 21.93 2005-06-30 2009-06-30 Common Stock 4725 4725 D Non-qualified stock option (right to buy) 21.41 2005-07-30 2009-07-30 Common Stock 4573 4573 D Includes securities issued as a result of a stock split in the form of a 5% dividend paid by issuer on December 12, 2005; exercise prices have been adjusted accordingly. Transfer of shares acquired by exercise of non-qualified stock options is restricted to even installments over a four year period commencing on the first anniversary of the grant. On December 15, 2005 the Board of Directors voted to accelerate the vesting and exercisability of any outstanding unvested and unexercisable non-qualified stock options held by non-employee directors, effective as of December 19, 2005; provided, however, that transfer of shares acquired by such exercise is restricted until the date that the option would have been exercisable prior to such change. /s/ Ferrer, Fernando 2006-02-14