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) JULY 17, 2003 STERLING BANCORP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) NEW YORK 1-5273-1 13-2565216 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (STATE OF OTHER JURISDICTION COMMISSION FILE NUMBER (IRS EMPLOYER OF INCORPORATION) 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 OR FORMER ADDRESS, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT) ITEM 5 OTHER EVENTS, INCLUDING INFORMATION FURNISHED UNDER ITEM 12 On July 17, 2003, the Company issued a press release announcing results for the quarter and the six months ended June 30, 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 July 17, 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. STERLING BANCORP (Registrant) DATE: July 18, 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 July 17, 2003