Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Adoption of New Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Update ("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 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2012 and did not have a material 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 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and did not have a material 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, 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 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. ASU No. 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 was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. d) Newly Issued Not Yet Effective Standards 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 a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. ASU No. 2012-02, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.” ASU 2012-02 gives entities the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity must perform the quantitative impairment test. If, under the quantitative impairment test, the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an entity should recognize an impairment loss in the amount of that excess. Permitting an entity to assess qualitative factors when testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment results in guidance that is similar to the goodwill impairment testing guidance in ASU 2011-08. ASU 2012-02 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2013 (early adoption permitted) and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. ASU No. 2012-06, “Business Combinations (Topic 805)—Subsequent Accounting for an Indemnification Asset Recognized at the Acquisition Date as a Result of a Government-Assisted Acquisition of a Financial Institution (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” ASU 2012-06 clarifies the applicable guidance for subsequently measuring an indemnification asset recognized as a result of a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution and, subsequently, a change in the cash flows expected to be collected on the indemnification asset occurs (as a result of a change in cash flows expected to be collected on the assets subject to indemnification), the reporting entity should subsequently account for the change in the measurement of the indemnification asset on the same basis as the change in the assets subject to indemnification. Any amortization of changes in value should be limited to the contractual term of the indemnification agreement (that is, the lesser of the term of the indemnification agreement and the remaining life or the indemnified assets). ASU 2012-06 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2013 (early adoption permitted) and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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 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.
Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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, 2012 and 2011. 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 nonaccrual 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.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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). 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 2012, 2011 or 2010. 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 two years.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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 seven years for furniture, fixtures and equipment, between three and seven years for ATMs, computer hardware and software, and ten 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.
Real Estate, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
Life Insurance, Corporate or Bank Owned [Text Block]	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. 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.”
Repurchase and Resale Agreements Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
Impact of Recent Economic Conditions Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impact of Recent 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 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.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock Incentive Plan The Company's share-based employee compensation plan, which is described more fully in Note 16, expired during 2012. 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 nonqualified 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.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Update ("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 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2012 and did not have a material 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 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and did not have a material 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, 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 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 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 was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

d) Newly Issued Not Yet Effective Standards

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 a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2012-02, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.” ASU 2012-02 gives entities the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity must perform the quantitative impairment test. If, under the quantitative impairment test, the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an entity should recognize an impairment loss in the amount of that excess. Permitting an entity to assess qualitative factors when testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment results in guidance that is similar to the goodwill impairment testing

guidance in ASU 2011-08. ASU 2012-02 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2013 (early adoption permitted) and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2012-06, “Business Combinations (Topic 805)—Subsequent Accounting for an Indemnification Asset Recognized at the Acquisition Date as a Result of a Government-Assisted Acquisition of a Financial Institution (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” ASU 2012-06 clarifies the applicable guidance for subsequently measuring an indemnification asset recognized as a result of a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution and, subsequently, a change in the cash flows expected to be collected on the indemnification asset occurs (as a result of a change in cash flows expected to be collected on the assets subject to indemnification), the reporting entity should subsequently account for the change in the measurement of the indemnification asset on the same basis as the change in the assets subject to indemnification. Any amortization of changes in value should be limited to the contractual term of the indemnification agreement (that is, the lesser of the term of the indemnification agreement and the remaining life or the indemnified assets). ASU 2012-06 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2013 (early adoption permitted) and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 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.

Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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, 2012 and 2011.

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 nonaccrual 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.

Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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). 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 2012, 2011 or 2010.

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 two years.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 seven years for furniture, fixtures and equipment, between three and seven years for ATMs, computer hardware and software, and ten 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.

Real Estate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Life Insurance, Corporate or Bank Owned [Text Block]

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. 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.”

Repurchase and Resale Agreements Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Impact of Recent Economic Conditions Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impact of Recent 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 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.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock Incentive Plan

The Company's share-based employee compensation plan, which is described more fully in Note 16, expired during 2012.

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 nonqualified 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.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.