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)     FEBRUARY 20, 2003
                                                 -------------------------------

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:            1-5273-1
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                                Sterling Bancorp
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             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



         New York                                      13-2565216
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(State of other jurisdiction                           (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, FORMER ADDRESS AND FORMER FISCAL YEAR, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST
                                    REPORT)






ITEM 5

OTHER EVENTS

On February 20, 2003, the Company issued a press release announcing the
declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 payable on March 31, 2003 to
shareholders of record on March 15, 2003. The press release is included herein
as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

(a)   Financial Statements of the Business Acquired.
      Not Applicable


(b)   Pro Forma Financial Information
      Not Applicable

(c)   Exhibits

      99.1  Press Release dated February 20, 2003








                                    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: February 28, 2003





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 February 20, 2003