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)         OCTOBER 10, 2002
                                                 -------------------------------

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 October 10, 2002, the Company issued a press release announcing results
for the quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2002. 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 October 10, 2002

                                    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:  October 11, 2002
       -----------------------



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 October 10, 2002