Document:

Exhibit

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 31, 2016 to be effective on July 1, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), by and among Sterling Bancorp, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Sterling National Bank, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (the “Bank”; and together with the Company, “Sterling”), and  James P. Blose (“Executive”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed by Sterling as its Executive Vice President and General Counsel and party to that certain Retention Letter Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2015, by and among Executive, the Company and the Bank (the “Prior Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of Sterling and its shareholders to assure that Sterling will have the continued dedication of Executive and, in order to accomplish this objective, the Company Board and the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “Bank Board”) have caused the Company and the Bank, respectively, to enter into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, effective as of the Effective Date, the Company and the Bank desire to continue to employ Executive as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company and the Bank pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the Prior Agreement shall terminate; and
WHEREAS, Executive desires to serve in such positions pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and obligations hereinafter set forth, the Company, the Bank and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1.Employment.  Subject to the terms set forth herein, the Company and the Bank agree to employ Executive as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company and the Bank, and Executive hereby accepts such employment.  As Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company and the Bank, Executive shall have such authority, perform such duties, and fulfill such responsibilities commonly incident to such positions, as well as those that are delegated to Executive by the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.  While employed, Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer, and Executive shall devote his full business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company and the Bank, and shall use his best efforts to advance the interests of the Company and the Bank; provided that, Executive may engage in outside activities in accordance with Section 5.
2.    Employment Period.
(a)    Duration.  Executive’s period of employment with Sterling under this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and shall continue until December 31, 2018 (or, if a Change in Control occurs prior to such anniversary, the second anniversary of the date of the Change in Control, if later), unless terminated prior thereto by either Sterling or Executive in accordance with Section 6 hereof (such period of employment being the “Employment Period”).
(b)    Employment Following Termination of Employment Period.  Nothing in this Agreement shall mandate or prohibit a continuation of Executive’s employment following the expiration of the Employment Period upon such terms and conditions as the Company, the Bank and Executive may agree.
3.    Compensation.  In exchange for the on-going services of Executive hereunder, the Bank shall provide the following:
(a)    Base Salary.  In consideration for the services performed by Executive during the Employment Period, the Bank shall pay to Executive an annual salary (“Base Salary”) of $350,000.  The Base Salary shall be paid in approximately equal installments in accordance with the Bank’s customary payroll practices. Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually during the Employment Period for possible upward adjustment, and Executive’s Base Salary shall not be reduced without Executive’s consent.  The term Base Salary, as utilized in this Agreement, shall refer to Base Salary as it may be increased.
(b)    Annual Bonus.  For each fiscal year of the Company during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s Short-Term Incentive Plan (or any successor thereto) (the “Annual Bonus Plan”).  Executive’s target annual bonus under the Annual Bonus Plan shall be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company Board and shall be commensurate with the target annual bonus opportunity available to other similarly situated senior executives of Sterling generally (the “Target Bonus”).  The actual amount of Executive’s annual bonus shall depend upon the achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee of the Company Board, with the actual bonus to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company Board.   The terms and conditions of the Annual Bonus Plan and the payments to Executive thereunder shall be applied on a basis not less favorable to Executive than to other similarly situated senior executives of Sterling generally.  The Compensation Committee of the Company Board shall periodically review Executive’s Target Bonus percentage and may in its discretion increase Executive’s annual bonus opportunity.  The term Target Bonus, as utilized in this Agreement, shall refer to the Target Bonus as it may be increased.  Annual bonuses awarded to Executive under the Annual Bonus Plan are referred to herein as “Annual Bonuses.”  The payment of any such Annual Bonus shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of the applicable Annual Bonus Plan.
(c)    Long-Term Compensation.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in any equity and/or other long-term compensation programs established by the Company from time to time for senior executive officers.  Executive’s target annual equity award opportunity shall be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company Board and shall be no less favorable than the target equity award opportunity available to other similarly situated senior executives of Sterling generally, with the actual award to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company Board on a basis not less favorable to Executive than to other similarly situated senior executives of Sterling generally.
(d)    Employee Benefit Plans; Paid Time Off.
(i)    Benefit Plans.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be an employee of the Company and the Bank, and shall be entitled to participate, on terms and conditions not less favorable to Executive than other similarly situated senior executives of Sterling generally, in Sterling’s (A) tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plans (currently, Sterling’s 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan); (B) group life, health and disability insurance plans; and (C) any other employee benefit plans and programs and perquisites in accordance with Sterling’s customary practices with respect to other similarly situated senior executives of Sterling generally; provided that Executive’s participation shall be subject to the terms of such plans and programs (including being a member of the class of employees currently eligible to commence participation in the plan or program); and provided, further, that nothing herein shall limit Sterling’s right to amend or terminate any such plans or programs.
(ii)    Paid Time Off.  Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation time each year during the Employment Period (measured on a fiscal or calendar year basis, in accordance with Sterling’s usual practices), as well as sick leave, holidays and other paid absences in accordance with Sterling’s policies and procedures for senior executives.  Any unused paid time off during an annual period may be carried forward into the following year to the extent permitted under Sterling’s policies and procedures and Executive shall be compensated for any unused paid time off to the extent provided for under Sterling’s policies and procedures as applicable to other similarly situated senior executives of Sterling generally.
(e)    Expenses.  The Bank shall reimburse Executive for Executive’s ordinary and necessary business expenses and travel and entertainment expenses incurred in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement upon presentation to the Bank of an itemized account of such expenses in such form as the Bank may reasonably require.
4.    Principal Place of Employment.  Executive’s principal place of employment during the Employment Period shall be at the Company’s principal executive offices or at such other location upon which the Company and Executive may mutually agree, and subject to travel to such other locations as shall be necessary to fulfill the employment duties.
5.    Outside Activities and Board Memberships.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall not provide services on behalf of any financial institution or other entity or business that competes with the Company, the Bank or any of their affiliates (each, a “competitive business”), or any subsidiary or affiliate of any such competitive business, as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, agent, sole proprietor, partner, joint venturer, corporate officer or director; nor shall Executive acquire, by reason of purchase during the Employment Period, the ownership of more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding equity interest in any such competitive business.  In addition, during the Employment Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, acquire a beneficial interest, or engage in any joint venture in real estate with Sterling.  Subject to the foregoing, Executive may serve on boards of directors of unaffiliated corporations, subject to approval by the Company Board, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and boards of directors of not-for-profit organizations and trade associations, subject to approval by the Company in accordance with Sterling’s policies and procedures.  Except as specifically set forth herein, Executive may engage in personal business and investment activities, including real estate investments and personal investments in the stocks, securities and obligations of other financial institutions (or their holding companies).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Executive’s outside activities, services, personal business and investments materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement.  Nothing in this Section 5 shall limit any of Executive’s obligations under Section 9 hereof.
6.    Termination of Employment.
(a)    Termination by Sterling without Cause.
(i)    Sterling shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment at any time during the Employment Period without Cause by giving notice to Executive as described in Section 6(f).  For sake of clarity, neither termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 6(e) nor upon or after expiration of the Employment Period shall constitute a termination without Cause for purposes of this Section 6.
(ii)    In the event that Sterling terminates Executive’s employment during the Employment Period without Cause:
(A)    The Bank shall pay or provide to Executive any Accrued Obligations;
(B)    If such termination occurs other than as provided in Section 6(a)(ii)(C) below, then, subject to Section 6(g), the Bank shall pay to Executive, (I) within sixty (60) days following the date of termination, a lump sum cash payment (the “Severance Payment”) in an amount equal to one (1) year of Executive’s Base Salary (in the amount in effect immediately prior to termination of employment) and the amount of Executive’s Target Bonus for the fiscal year that includes Executive’s date of termination of employment, and (II) eighteen (18) consecutive monthly cash payments (commencing with the first month following Executive’s termination of employment, and continuing until the eighteenth month following Executive’s termination of employment) each equal to the monthly COBRA premium in effect as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment for the level of coverage in effect for Executive under Sterling’s group health plan (the “COBRA Payments” and, together with the Severance Payment, the “Severance Benefits”); and
(C)    If such termination occurs upon or within twenty-four (24) months after a Change in Control, or Executive reasonably demonstrates (or the Bank agrees) that such termination was at the request of a third party who had indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control, then, subject to Section 6(g), the Bank shall (I) pay to Executive, within sixty (60) days following the date of termination, a lump sum cash payment (the “CIC Severance Payment”) equal to two (2) times the sum of (x) Executive’s Base Salary immediately prior to termination of employment plus (y) the amount of Executive’s Target Bonus for the fiscal year that includes Executive’s date of termination of employment, and (II) pay to Executive on a monthly basis commencing with the first month following Executive’s termination of employment, and continuing until the eighteenth month following Executive’s termination of employment, the COBRA Payments (together with the CIC Severance Payment, the “CIC Severance Benefits”).
(b)    Termination by the Company for Cause.  Sterling shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment at any time during the Employment Period for Cause by giving notice to Executive as provided in Section 6(f) hereof.  In the event Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, Sterling’s sole obligation shall be to pay or provide to Executive any Accrued Obligations.
(c)    Resignation by Executive without Good Reason.  Executive may resign from employment during the Employment Period without Good Reason at any time by giving notice to the Bank as described in Section 6(f).  In the event Executive resigns from employment without Good Reason, Sterling’s sole obligation shall be to pay or provide to Executive any Accrued Obligations.
(d)    Resignation by Executive for Good Reason.  Executive may resign from employment under this Agreement for Good Reason by giving notice to the Bank as described in Section 6(f).  In the event Executive resigns from employment for Good Reason, (i) the Bank shall pay or provide to Executive any Accrued Obligations, and (ii) if such resignation occurs upon or within twenty-four (24) months after a Change in Control, Executive shall, subject to Section 6(g), be entitled to the CIC Severance Benefits to the same extent as if Executive’s employment was terminated by Sterling without Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(ii)(C) as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment for Good Reason.  
(e)    Termination by Reason of Death or Disability of Executive.
(i)    In the event of Executive’s death during the Employment Period, Sterling’s sole obligation shall be to pay to Executive’s legal representatives any Accrued Obligations.
(ii)    Sterling shall be entitled to terminate Executive’s employment due to Executive’s Disability.  If Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated due to Executive’s Disability, Sterling’s sole obligation shall be to pay or provide to Executive any Accrued Obligations.
(f)    Notice; Effective Date of Termination.  Notice of termination of employment under this Agreement shall be communicated by or to Executive (on one hand) or Sterling (on the other hand) in writing in accordance with Section 14.  Termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement (the “Termination Date”) shall be effective on the earliest of :
(i)    immediately after Sterling gives notice to Executive of Executive’s termination without Cause, unless the parties agree to a later date, in which case, termination shall be effective as of such later date;
(ii)    immediately upon approval by the Company Board of termination of Executive’s employment for Cause;
(iii)    immediately upon Executive’s death;
(iv)    in the case of termination by reason of Executive’s Disability, the date on which Executive is determined to be permanently disabled for purposes of Sterling’s long-term disability plan or policy that covers Executive; or
(v)    thirty (30) days after Executive gives written notice to Sterling of Executive’s resignation from employment under this Agreement (including for Good Reason), provided that the Company or the Bank may set an earlier termination date at any time prior to the date of termination of employment, in which case Executive’s resignation shall be effective as of such other date.
(g)    General Release of Claims.  Executive shall not be entitled to any of the Severance Benefits pursuant to Section 6(a)(ii)(B) or the CIC Severance Benefits pursuant to Section 6(a)(ii)(C) or 6(d) in the event Executive’s employment terminates without Cause or for Good Reason, unless, in each case, (A) Executive has executed and delivered to the Company a general release of claims (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A) (the “Release”) and (B) such Release has become irrevocable under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act not later than fifty-six (56) days after the Termination Date.  Executive’s entitlement to the Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, are further conditioned upon complying with the terms of Sections 6(k), 8, 9(a) and 9(b) hereof, subject to written notice by the Bank and a reasonable opportunity for Executive to cure, if subject to cure.  Sterling shall deliver to Executive a copy of the Release not later than three (3) days after the Termination Date pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(d) hereof.  In the event that the fifty-six (56) day period referenced above begins and ends in different taxable years of Executive, any payments or benefits under this Agreement that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the payment or settlement of which is conditioned on the effectiveness of the Release shall be paid in the later taxable year.
(h)    No Other Severance Benefits.  Executive acknowledges and agrees the Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, and other rights and benefits provided under this Agreement upon termination are in lieu of, and not in addition to, any payments and/or benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled under any severance plan, policy or program of Sterling.
(i)    Payment of Obligations.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any payment obligation of the Bank under this Agreement may be satisfied in whole or in part by payment by the Company, the Bank or any affiliate, and any such payment shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be treated as if made by the Bank.
(j)    Resignation from Positions.  Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall promptly (i) resign from all positions (including, without limitation, any management, officer or director position) with Sterling and its affiliates and (ii) relinquish any power of attorney, signing authority, trust authorization or bank account signatory authorization that Executive may hold on behalf of Sterling or its affiliates.  Executive’s execution of this Agreement shall be deemed the grant by Executive to the officers of the Company and the Bank of a limited power of attorney to sign in Executive’s name and on Executive’s behalf such documentation as may be necessary or appropriate for the limited purposes of effectuating such resignations and relinquishments.
(k)    Return of Property.  On or before the Termination Date, Executive shall return to the Company any and all Company or Bank property, including but not limited to any computer or other electronic equipment, and any documents, files, computer records, or other materials belonging to, or containing confidential or proprietary information obtained from, the Company that are in Executive’s possession, custody, or control, including but not limited to any such materials that may be at Executive’s home or that may be stored on any electronic devices not belonging to the Company.  Upon the Company’s request, Executive shall destroy any copies, including electronic copies, of any Company information, including any Company confidential information, as described in Section 8 of this Agreement.
(l)    Golden Parachute Limit.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that any portion of the CIC Severance Benefits or any other payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive in connection with a “change in ownership or control” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) of the Company occurring following the Effective Date (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (collectively, the “Total Benefits”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), the Total Benefits shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Benefits is subject to the Excise Tax; provided, however, that no such reduction in the Total Benefits shall be made if by not making such reduction, Executive’s Retained Amount (as hereinafter defined) would be greater than Executive’s Retained Amount if the Total Benefits are so reduced.  All determinations required to be made under this Section 6(l) shall be made by tax counsel or a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm or other professional organization that is a certified public accounting firm recognized as an expert in determinations and calculations for purposes of Section 280G of the Code selected by the Company prior to a Change in Control and reasonably acceptable to Executive (“Tax Counsel”), which determinations shall be conclusive and binding on Executive and the Company absent manifest error.  All fees and expenses of Tax Counsel shall be borne solely by the Company.  Prior to any reduction in Executive’s Total Benefits pursuant to this Section 6(l), Tax Counsel shall provide Executive and the Company with a report setting forth its calculations and containing related supporting information.  In the event any such reduction is required, the Total Benefits shall be reduced in the following order:  (i) the COBRA Payments, (ii) the CIC Severance Payment, (iii) any other portion of the Total Benefits that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code (other than Total Benefits resulting from any accelerated vesting of equity awards), (iv) Total Benefits that are subject to Section 409A of the Code in reverse order of payment, and (v) Total Benefits that are not subject to Section 409A and arise from any accelerated vesting of equity awards.  The parties hereto hereby elect to use the applicable federal rate that is in effect on the date this Agreement is entered into for purposes of determining the present value of any payments provided for hereunder for purposes of Section 280G of the Code.  “Retained Amount” shall mean the present value (as determined in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of the Total Benefits net of all federal, state and local taxes imposed on Executive with respect thereto.  In connection with making determinations under this Section 6(l), the Tax Counsel shall take into account the value of any reasonable compensation for services to be rendered by Executive before or after the Change in Control, including any noncompetition provisions that may apply to Executive, and Sterling shall cooperate in the valuation of any such services, including any noncompetition provisions.
7.    Certain Definitions.
(a)    “Accrued Obligations” means (i) any accrued and unpaid Base Salary of Executive through the date of termination of employment, payable pursuant to the Bank’s standard payroll policies, (ii)  any earned and unpaid bonus of Executive under the Annual Bonus Plan for any completed fiscal year prior to the date of termination of employment, (iii) any compensation and benefits to the extent payable to Executive based on Executive’s participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement of Sterling through the date of termination of employment, payable in accordance with the terms of such plan, program or arrangement, and (iv) any expense reimbursement to which Executive is entitled under Sterling’s standard expense reimbursement policy (as applicable) and Sections 3(e) and 10 hereof.
(b)    “Cause” means Executive’s failure or refusal to substantially perform Executive’s duties hereunder, personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, breach of the Bank’s Code of Ethics, material violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley requirements for officers of public companies that in the reasonable opinion of the Company Board will likely cause substantial financial harm or substantial injury to the reputation of the Company or the Bank, willfully engaging in actions that in the reasonable opinion of the Company Board will likely cause substantial financial harm or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company or the Bank, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than routine traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order, or material breach of any provision of this Agreement.  The cessation of employment of Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Company Board at a meeting of the Company Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to Executive and Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel for Executive, to be heard before the Company Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, Executive is guilty of the conduct described in first sentence of this Section 7(b), and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.  For purposes hereof, no act or failure to act, on the part of Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith or without an objectively reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company and the Bank.  Any act, or failure to act, based upon the direction of the Company Board or the Bank Board based upon the advice of counsel for the Company or the Bank shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company or the Bank.
(c)    “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Company occurring after the Effective Date:
(i)    any “person” (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), other than any employee benefit plan of Sterling or any affiliate, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of Company’s outstanding securities; or
(ii)    individuals who constitute the Company Board on the date hereof (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this clause (ii), considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or
(iii)    the Company consummates a merger, consolidation, share exchange, division or other reorganization or transaction of the Company (a “Fundamental Transaction”) with any other corporation, other than a Fundamental Transaction that results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power immediately after such Fundamental Transaction of (A) the Company’s outstanding  securities, (B) the surviving entity’s outstanding securities, or (C) in the case of a division, the outstanding securities of each entity resulting from the division; or
(iv)    the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or winding up of the Company; or
(v)    the consummation of an agreement for the sale or disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the Company’s or the Bank’s assets.
(d)    “Disability” means that Executive is deemed disabled for purposes of Sterling’s long-term disability plan or policy that covers Executive.
(e)    “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events (without Executive’s consent):
(i)    a material reduction of any element of the compensation and benefits required to be provided to Executive in accordance with any of the provisions of Section 3;
(ii)    a material adverse change in Executive’s functions, duties, or responsibilities with the Company or the Bank, which change would cause Executive’s position to become one of materially lesser responsibility, importance or scope;
(iii)    Sterling requiring Executive to be based at any office or location other than as provided in Section 4 resulting in an increase in Executive’s commute of thirty (30) miles or more; or
(iv)    a material breach of this Agreement by the Company or the Bank.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such event shall constitute “Good Reason” unless (A) Executive shall have given written notice of such event to the Bank within ninety (90) days after the initial occurrence thereof, (B) the Bank shall have failed to cure the situation within thirty (30) days following the delivery of such notice (or such longer cure period as may be agreed upon by the parties), and (C) Executive terminates employment within thirty (30) days after expiration of such cure period.
8.    Confidentiality.  In the course of Executive’s employment with and involvement with Sterling and its affiliates, Executive has obtained, or may obtain, secret or confidential information, knowledge or data concerning Sterling’s and its affiliates’ businesses, strategies, operations, clients, customers, prospects, financial affairs, organizational and personnel matters, policies, procedures and other nonpublic matters, or concerning those of third parties.  Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of Sterling and its affiliates, all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to Sterling or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by Executive during Executive’s employment by Sterling or any of its affiliates and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by Executive or representatives of Executive in violation of this Agreement).  All records, files, memoranda, reports, customer lists, documents and the like (whether in paper or electronic format) that Executive has used or prepared during Executive’s employment shall remain the sole property of Sterling and shall be promptly returned to Sterling’s premises upon any termination of employment. After termination of Executive’s services with Sterling, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Bank or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Bank and those designated by it. The confidentiality provision contained herein is in addition to and not in limitation of Executive’s duties as an officer and director under applicable law.  For purposes of this Section 8 and Section 9, references to the Company, the Bank, Sterling and their affiliates shall include their predecessor and any successor entities.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for a disclosure of a trade secret that (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.  Further, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congress, and any federal Inspector General, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation.  Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that he has made such reports or disclosures.
9.    Nonsolicitation; Noncompetition; Post-Termination Cooperation.
(a)    Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, while employed and for a period of eighteen (18) months following his termination of employment with Sterling for any reason, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Bank, either directly or indirectly, (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee or independent contractor of the Company, the Bank or any of their respective affiliates to leave the Company, the Bank or any such affiliate, (ii) hire any person who was an employee or independent contractor of the Company, the Bank or any of their respective affiliates until six (6) months after such individual’s relationship with the Company, the Bank or such affiliate has been terminated, (iii) induce or attempt to induce any client, customer or other business relation (whether (A) current, (B) former, within the six (6) months after such relationship has been terminated or (C) prospective, provided that there are demonstrable efforts or plans to establish such relationship) of the Company, the Bank or any of their respective affiliates to cease doing business or to reduce the amount of business they have customarily done or contemplate doing with the Company, the Bank or any such affiliate, whether or not the relationship between the Company, the Bank or any such affiliate and such client, customer or other business relation was originally established, in whole or in part, through Executive’s efforts, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such client, customer or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company, the Bank or any such affiliate, on the other hand.
(b)    Executive acknowledges that, in the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Bank and their respective affiliates (including their predecessor and any successor entities), Executive has become familiar, or will become familiar, with the Company’s, the Bank’s and their respective affiliates’ trade secrets and with other confidential information, knowledge or data concerning the Company, the Bank, their respective affiliates and their respective predecessors, and that Executive’s services have been and will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company, the Bank and their respective affiliates.  Therefore, Executive agrees that, while employed and for a period of twelve (12) months following his termination of employment with Sterling other than a resignation by the Executive for good reason prior to a change of control (the “Noncompetition Period”), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, be employed by (whether as an employee, director consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, and whether or not for compensation) or render services in any capacity to a Competing Business (as defined below), in any country in which the Company, the Bank or any of their respective affiliates conducts business.  For purposes of this Agreement, a “Competing Business” shall mean any person, firm, corporation or other entity, in whatever form, engaged in the business in which the Company, the Bank and their respective affiliates engage, including the sale or servicing of banking and financial products and services, including business and consumer lending, asset-based financing, residential mortgage warehouse funding, factoring/accounts receivable management services, equipment financing, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, deposit services (including municipal deposit services) and trade financing, sale of annuities, life and health insurance products, title insurance services, real estate investment trusts and investment advisory services.  Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding equity interest in any entity which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such entity.
(c)    Executive hereby agrees that prior to accepting employment with any other person or entity during the Noncompetition Period, Executive shall provide such prospective employer with written notice of this Section 9, with a copy of such notice delivered promptly to the Bank.
(d)    During the Employment Period and following the cessation of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall, upon reasonable notice, (i) furnish such information and assistance to the Company, the Bank and/or their respective affiliates, as may reasonably be requested by the Company, the Bank or such affiliates, with respect to any matter, project, initiative or effort for which Executive is or was responsible or has relevant knowledge or had substantial involvement in while employed by the Company or the Bank under this Agreement, and (ii) cooperate with the Company, the Bank and their respective affiliates during the course of all third-party proceedings arising out of the Company, the Bank and their respective affiliates’ business about which Executive has knowledge or information.
(e)    Executive acknowledges and agrees that:  (i) the purposes of the foregoing covenants, including without limitation the noncompetition covenant of Section 9(b), are to protect the goodwill and trade secrets and confidential information of the Company, the Bank and their respective affiliates; and (ii) because of the nature of the business in which the Company, the Bank and their respective affiliates are engaged, and because of the nature of the trade secrets and confidential information to which Executive has access, it would be impractical and excessively difficult to determine the actual damages of the Company and its affiliates in the event Executive breached any of the covenants of Section 8 or this Section 9.  Executive understands that the covenants may limit Executive’s ability to earn a livelihood in a Competing Business during the Noncompetition Period.  Executive acknowledges that the Company would be irreparably injured by a violation of Section 8 or this Section 9, and that it is impossible to measure in money the damages that will accrue to the Company by reason of a failure by Executive to perform any of Executive’s obligations under Section 8 or this Section 9.  Accordingly, if the Company or its affiliates institutes any action or proceeding to enforce any of the provisions of Section 8 or this Section 9, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Executive hereby waives the claim or defense that the Company or its affiliates have an adequate remedy at law, and Executive shall not urge in any such action or proceeding the defense that any such remedy exists at law.  Furthermore, in addition to other remedies that may be available (including, without limitation, termination of the obligation for the Company and the Bank to pay compensation or benefits hereunder due to Executive’s failure to comply in all material respects with the restrictive covenants in Section 8, 9(a) or 9(b), subject to written notice by the Bank and a reasonable opportunity for Executive to cure, if subject to cure), the Company and its affiliates shall be entitled to specific performance and other injunctive relief, without the requirement to post a bond.  If any of the covenants set forth in Section 8 or this Section 9 are finally held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable (whether in whole or in part), such covenant shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, and the remaining covenants shall not be affected thereby.  Any termination of Executive’s services or of this Agreement shall have no effect on the continuing operation of Section 8 and this Section 9, which shall survive in accordance with their terms.  
10.    Section 409A of the Code.  This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (including the exceptions thereto), to the extent applicable, and the Company shall administer and interpret this Agreement in accordance with such requirements.  If any provision contained in this Agreement conflicts with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (or the exemptions intended to apply under this Agreement), this Agreement shall be deemed to be reformed to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (or the applicable exemptions thereto).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of determining Executive’s entitlement to the payment or receipt of amounts or benefits that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, Executive’s employment shall not be deemed to have terminated unless and until Executive incurs a “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A of the Code.  Reimbursement of any expenses provided for in this Agreement shall be made promptly upon presentation of documentation in accordance with Sterling’s policies with respect thereto as in effect from time to time (but in no event later than the end of the calendar year following the year such expenses were incurred); provided, however, that in no event shall the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement hereunder during a calendar year affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if a payment or benefit under this Agreement that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code is payable or provided due to a “separation from service” for purposes of the rules under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(2) (payments to specified employees upon a separation from service) and Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” (as determined under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(i) and related Company procedures), such payment shall, to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, be made on the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive’s separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of Executive’s death).  Any installment payments that are delayed pursuant to this Section 10 shall be accumulated and paid in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the date of Executive’s separation from service (or, if earlier, upon Executive’s death), and the remaining installment payments shall begin on such date in accordance with the schedule provided in this Agreement.  The Severance Benefits and CIC Severance Benefits are intended not to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code to the extent such Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits are covered by (a) the “short-term deferral exception” set forth in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4), (b) the “two times severance exception” set forth in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), or (c) the “limited payments exception” set forth in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(D).  The short-term deferral exception, the two times severance exception and the limited payments exception shall be applied to the Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, in order of payment in such manner as results in the maximum exclusion of such Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, from treatment as deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code.  Each installment of the Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, and any other payments or benefits that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.  In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement.  
11.    Additional Termination and Suspension Provisions
(a)    If Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by a notice served under Section 8(e)(3) or (g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(e)(3) and (g)(1)), all obligations of the Company and the Bank under this Agreement shall be suspended as of the date of service unless stayed by appropriate proceedings.  If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Company and the Bank may in their discretion (but subject in all events to the requirements of Code Section 409A), (i) pay Executive all of the compensation withheld while the Company’s and the Bank’s obligations under this Agreement were suspended and (ii) reinstate (in whole) any of the Company’s and the Bank’s obligations which were suspended, and in exercising such discretion, the Company and the Bank shall consider the facts and make a decision promptly following such dismissal of charges and act in good faith in deciding whether to pay any withheld compensation to Executive, and to reinstate any suspended obligations of the Company and the Bank.
(b)    If Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) or (g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(e)(4) or (g)(1)), all obligations of the Company and the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the parties shall not be affected.
(c)    If the Bank is in default, as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (12 U.S.C. §§ 1813(x)(1)), all obligations of the Company and the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but this provision shall not affect any vested rights of the parties.
(d)    All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent determined that continuation of this Agreement is necessary for the continued operation of the Bank, (i) by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or other applicable banking regulator (the “Regulator”), at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended; or (ii) by the Regulator, at the time the Regulator approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Regulator to be in an unsafe or unsound condition.  Any rights of the parties that have already vested, however, shall not be affected by such action.
(e)    If, after the Effective Date:
(i)    any regulation applicable to the Company or the Bank is amended or modified, or if any new regulation applicable to the Company or the Bank becomes effective, and such amended, modified, or new regulation requires the inclusion in this Agreement of a provision not presently included in this Agreement, then the foregoing provisions of this Section shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to give effect in this Agreement to any such amended, modified or new regulation; and
(ii)    any regulation applicable to the Company or the Bank is amended or modified, or if any new regulation applicable to the Company or the Bank becomes effective, and such amended, modified, or new regulation permits the exclusion of a limitation in this Agreement on the payment to Executive of an amount or benefit provided for presently in this Agreement, then the foregoing provisions of this Section shall be deemed amended to the extent permissible to exclude from this Agreement any such limitation previously required to be included in this Agreement by a regulation prior to its amendment, modification or repeal.
12.    Arbitration.  Any dispute or controversy arising out of, under, in connection with, or relating to this Agreement or any amendment hereof shall be submitted to binding arbitration before one arbitrator in New York County, New York, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association for expedited arbitration, and any judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. 
13.    Indemnification and Insurance
(a)    To the extent that Sterling provides its senior executive officers with coverage under a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, Sterling shall provide such coverage to Executive on substantially the same basis.  Sterling shall indemnify Executive (and Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators) to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by Executive in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of Executive’s having been an officer of the Company or the Bank (whether or not Executive continues to be an officer at the time of incurring such expenses or liabilities and for a period of six years following Executive’s termination of employment with Sterling), such expenses and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys’ fees and the cost of reasonable settlements (such settlements must be approved by the Company Board).  Any such indemnification shall be made consistent with Regulations and Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k), and the regulations issued thereunder in 12 C.F.R. Part 359.
(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made by the Bank unless the Bank gives the Regulator, to the extent required, at least sixty (60) days’ notice of its intention to make such indemnification.  Such notice shall state the facts on which the action arose, the terms of any settlement and any disposition of the action by a court.  Such notice, a copy thereof, and a certified copy of the resolution containing the required determination by the Company Board shall be sent to the Regulator, to the extent required.  The notice period for any such notice shall run from the date of such receipt.  No such indemnification shall be made if the Regulator advises the Bank in writing within such notice period, of its objection thereto.
14.    Notices.  The persons or addresses to which notices, mailings or deliveries shall be made may change from time to time by notice given pursuant to the provisions of this Section.  Any notice or other communication given pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be deemed to have been given (a) if sent by messenger, upon personal delivery to the party to whom the notice is directed; (b) if sent by reputable overnight courier, one business day after delivery to such courier; (c) if sent by facsimile or email, on the date it is actually received; and (d) if sent by mail, three business days following deposit in the United States mail, properly addressed, postage prepaid, certified or registered mail with return receipt requested.  All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be addressed as follows:
	
		
	If to Executive:
	At the address most recently on the books and records of the Bank.

	If to the Company or the Bank:
	Sterling Bancorp or Sterling National Bank, as applicable
21 Scarsdale Road
Yonkers, New York  10707
Attention:  President

	 
	 

15.    Amendment.  No modifications of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
16.    Miscellaneous
(a)    Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Executive, his legal representatives and estate and intestate distributees, and the Company and the Bank and their successors and assigns, including any successor by merger or consolidation or a statutory receiver or any other person or firm or corporation to which all or substantially all of the assets and business of the Company or the Bank, as applicable, may be sold or otherwise transferred.  Any such successor of the Company or the Bank shall be deemed to have assumed this Agreement and to have become obligated hereunder to the same extent as the Company or the Bank, as applicable, and Executive’s obligations hereunder shall continue in favor of such successor.
(b)    Severability.  A determination that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
(c)    Waiver.  Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any terms, covenants or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant or condition.  A waiver of any provision of this Agreement must be made in writing, designated as a waiver, and signed by the party against whom its enforcement is sought.  Any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power hereunder at any one or more times shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.
(d)    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts by original signature, facsimile or any generally accepted electronic means (including transmission of a pdf containing executed signature pages), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
(e)    Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to conflicts of law principles, except to the extent governed by federal law in which case federal law shall govern.  Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise are subject to all applicable banking laws and regulations, including, without limitation, 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(f)    Withholding.  The Company and the Bank may withhold from any amounts payable to Executive hereunder all federal, state, city or other taxes that the Company or the Bank may reasonably determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation (it being understood, that Executive shall be responsible for payment of all taxes in respect of the payments and benefits provided herein).
(g)    Headings and Construction.  The headings of sections in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not intended to qualify the meaning of any Section.  Any reference to a Section number shall refer to a Section of this Agreement, unless otherwise specified.
(h)    Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes in its entirety any and all prior agreements, understandings or representations relating to the subject matter hereof, including without limitation, the Prior Agreement and the “Change in Control Agreement” as defined in the Prior Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Bank have caused this Agreement to be executed and Executive has hereunto set his hand, all as of the Effective Date specified above.
STERLING BANCORP
By: _/s/ Jack L. Kopnisky________________ 
       Name: Jack L. Kopnisky 
       Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
STERLING NATIONAL BANK
By: _/s/ Jack L. Kopnisky ________________ 
       Name: Jack L. Kopnisky 
       Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE
_/s/ James P. Blose_____________________ 
James P. Blose
 

Exhibit A
RELEASE AGREEMENT
THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT (hereinafter “Agreement”) is made and entered into on the [_____] day of [____________________], 20[__] by and between Sterling Bancorp (the “Company”) and James P. Blose (“Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are parties to an Employment Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2016 (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Executive is eligible, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Employment Agreement, to receive certain compensation  and benefits in connection with certain terminations of Executive’s services to the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Company agreeing to provide the compensation and benefits under Section [__] of the Employment Agreement to Executive and of other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties, it is agreed as follows:
1.    In exchange for the consideration referenced above, Executive hereby completely, irrevocably, and unconditionally releases and forever discharges the Company, and any of its predecessor or affiliated companies, and each and all of their officers, agents, directors, supervisors, employees, representatives, and their successors and assigns, and all persons acting by, through, under, for, or in concert with them, or any of them, in any and all of their capacities (hereinafter individually or collectively, the “Released Parties”), from any and all charges, complaints, claims, and liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected (hereinafter referred to as “claim” or “claims”) which Executive at any time heretofore had or claimed to have or which Executive may have or claim to have regarding events that have occurred as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, those based on:  any employee welfare benefit or pension plan governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (hereinafter “ERISA”) (provided that this release does not extend to any vested benefits of Executive under Company’s pension and welfare benefit plans as of the date of Executive’s termination of services); the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (race, color, religion, sex and national origin discrimination and harassment); the Civil Rights Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. § 1981) (discrimination); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (hereinafter “ADEA”); the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, as amended; the Americans With Disabilities Act, as amended (hereinafter “ADA”); § 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended (wage and hour matters); the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended (family leave matters); the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act; the Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; any other federal, state, or local laws or regulations regarding employment discrimination or harassment, wages, insurance, leave, privacy or any other matter, including those of the State of New York; any negligent or intentional tort; any contract, policy or practice (implied, oral, or written); or any other theory of recovery under federal, state, or local law, including, but not limited to, any and all claims which Executive may now have or may have had, arising from or in any way whatsoever connected with Executive’s employment, service, or contacts, or termination of Executive’s employment, with the Company or any other of the Released Parties; as well as any and all claims for compensatory or punitive damages, back pay, front pay, fringe benefits, attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses or other equitable relief.  
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the released claims do not include, and this Agreement does not release, any: (a) rights to compensation and benefits provided under Section [__] of the Employment Agreement; and (b) rights to indemnification Executive may have under applicable law, the bylaws or certificate of incorporation of the Company, any applicable director and officer liability policy or under the Employment Agreement, as a result of having served as an officer or director of the Company or any of its affiliates.  The Parties also agree that the release provided by Executive in this Agreement does not include a release for (i) any rights or claims that arise after Executive signs this Agreement; (ii) any claim to challenge the release under the ADEA; or (iii) any rights that cannot be waived by operation of law. 
Executive further acknowledges and agrees that he has not filed, assigned to others the right to file, reported, or provided information to a government agency, nor are there pending, any complaints, charges, or lawsuits by or on his behalf against Sterling or any Released Party with any governmental agency or any court, except for any filings, reports or information he may have made or provided pursuant to Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or other applicable whistleblower laws or regulations.   In addition, Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Executive’s ability to report (by way of filing a charge or complaint, or otherwise) possible violations of law or regulation, or make other legally-protected disclosures under applicable whistleblower laws or regulations (including pursuant to Section 21F of the Exchange Act), without notice to or consent from the Company, to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”).  Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information to such Government Agencies, without notice to the Company.   
To the extent permitted by law, Executive agrees that Executive will not cause or encourage any future legal proceedings to be maintained or instituted against any of the Released Parties.  To the extent permitted by law, Executive agrees that Executive will not accept any monetary remedy or recovery arising from any charge filed or proceedings or investigation conducted by the EEOC or by any state or local human rights or employment rights enforcement agency relating to any of the matters released in this Agreement. However, nothing in this Agreement prohibits or shall be construed to prohibit Executive from receiving a reward from the SEC pursuant to Section 21F of the Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder or, to the extent required by law, from another government agency pursuant to another applicable whistleblower law or regulation in connection therewith.
2.    Older Workers Benefit Protection Act /ADEA Waiver:
(a)    Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised Executive in writing to consult with an attorney of Executive’s choice before signing this Agreement, and Executive has been given the opportunity to consult with an attorney of Executive’s choice before signing this Agreement.
(b)    Executive acknowledges that Executive has been given the opportunity to review and consider this Agreement for a full twenty-one (21) days before signing it, and that, if Executive has signed this Agreement in less than that time, Executive has done so voluntarily in order to obtain sooner the benefits of this Agreement.
(c)    Executive further acknowledges that Executive may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days after signing it, provided that this Agreement will not become effective until such seven (7) day period has expired.  To be effective, any such revocation must be in writing and delivered to Company’s principal place of business by the close of business on the seventh (7th) day after signing the Agreement and must expressly state Executive’s intention to revoke this Agreement.  Provided that Executive does not timely revoke this Agreement, the eighth (8th) day following Executive’s execution hereof shall be deemed the “Effective Date” of this Agreement.
3.    This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the Company of any acts of unlawful conduct, wrongdoing or discrimination against Executive, and the Company specifically disclaims any liability to Executive on the part of itself, its employees, and its agents.
4.    This Agreement cannot be amended, modified, or supplemented in any respect except by written agreement entered into and signed by the parties hereto.
5.    The Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws.  Any disputes arising hereunder shall be resolved in accordance with Section 12 of the Employment Agreement.
6.    Executive hereby acknowledges that Executive has read and understands the terms of this Agreement and that Executive signs it voluntarily and without coercion. Executive further acknowledges that Executive was given an opportunity to consider and review this Agreement and the waivers contained in this Agreement, that Executive has done so and that the waivers made herein are knowing, conscious and with full appreciation that Executive is forever foreclosed from pursing any of the rights so waived.
7.    The Agreement may be signed in counterparts, and each counterpart shall be considered an original for all purposes.

PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY; IT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and Executive has executed this Agreement, as of the date first written above.

James P. Blose
______________________________________
STERLING BANCORP
By: __________________________________ 
       Name: 
       Title:
STERLING NATIONAL BANK
By: __________________________________ 
       Name: 
       Title:Exhibit

STERLING BANCORP (FKA PROVIDENT NEW YORK BANCORP)
ID:  80-0091851
400 Rella Boulevard
Montebello, NY  10901

  
Notice of Grant of Stock Options and Stock Option Award Agreement (“Option Agreement” or “Stock Option Award Agreement”)

_______________________________________        Option Number:     _________
Name of Option Holder                        Plan:          2015

                
Address                    City            State        Zip Code

Effective __________ (“Grant Date”), you have been granted [an) Incentive][a Nonqualified] Stock Option to buy __________ shares of STERLING BANCORP (FKA PROVIDENT NEW YORK BANCORP) (the “Company”) Common  Stock (“Shares”) at an Exercise Price of $_______ per Share.

Options for the following Shares will become vested on the dates shown.
                        
	
				
	Number of Shares   
	Vesting Date
	   
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

By your signature and the Company’s signature below, you and the Company agree that these options are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the  Plan and the Option Agreement (including Exhibit A), all of which are attached and made a part of this document.

STERLING BANCORP (FKA PROVIDENT NEW YORK BANCORP)

________________________________________________    _____________________________
Print Name:                            Date:
Title:        

OPTION HOLDER:

 

________________________________________________    _____________________________
Print Name:                            Date:

             

 

EXHIBIT A

STERLING BANCORP 2015 OMNIBUS EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN
NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT

General Terms and Conditions

Section 1.    Incentive Stock Option.  If the Option has been granted to an Option Holder who is a non-employee director, it is a Nonqualified Stock Option (“NQSO”).  If the Option has been granted to an individual who is an employee and is designated as an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”), Sterling Bancorp (the “Company”) intends the Option evidenced hereby to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  If the Option or any part of the Option does not qualify as an “incentive stock option” under the Code, the Option, or the part not qualifying, shall be treated as an NQSO.   

Section 2.    Exercise Period.  (a)  Subject to section 2(b), the Option Holder shall have the right to purchase all or any portion of the optioned Shares at any time during the period (“Exercise Period”) commencing on the Vesting Date that the Option may be exercised  (the “Earliest Exercise Date”) and ending on the earliest to occur of the following dates:

(i)    the date and time of the Option Holder’s termination of service with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries that is a termination for Cause;

(ii)    last day of the 3-month period commencing on the date and time of the termination of all service with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries due to a discharge that is not a termination for Cause;

(iii)    the last day of the 1-year period commencing on the date and time of termination of all service with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries due to death, disability or Retirement, and

(iv)    the last day of the ten (10) year period following the date on which the Option was granted. 

(b)    If the Option is designated as an ISO, in order to preserve the favorable tax treatment applicable to incentive stock options, the Option may not be exercised more than three (3) months after termination of employment for reasons other than total and permanent disability (within the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the Code) or more than one (1) year after termination of employment due to total and permanent disability.
    
(c)    To become vested in an Option, the Option Holder must be in continuous service with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries during the period beginning on the grant date and ending on the vesting date.  In addition, the disinterested members of the Compensation Committee must determine in its discretion that the Option Holder's performance as an officer or employee has been satisfactory.  In general, performance is considered satisfactory if the Option Holder has been the subject of a formal written performance appraisal within the most recent twelve (12) months and received a salary increase or one-time payment in lieu of a salary increase and no material negative change in the performance level has occurred.   If performance is not determined to have been satisfactory, or, if the Option Holder terminated service with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries prior to a vesting date, any Options granted hereunder that are scheduled to vest on that vesting date, and any Shares issued upon exercise of such an Option, are deemed forfeited for that Option Holder.  Options that are forfeited will be immediately canceled and will cease to be exercisable.  Any Shares that are forfeited must be returned to the Company in exchange for a payment equal to the Exercise Price paid for the Shares or their Fair Market Value on the date forfeited, whichever is less.

Page 1 of 5

(d)     In the event of the Option Holder’s termination of service with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries due to death or disability, unvested Options with a vesting date that occurs during the calendar year of termination or the following calendar year, and any Shares issued upon exercise of such Options, will be deemed vested as of the termination of service date.  

(e)    If the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries terminates the Option Holder’s employment without Cause or the Option Holder terminates his or her employment with Good Reason or due to Retirement, the Option Holder will forfeit any Options that are scheduled to vest on or after that date in accordance with Section 2(c) above.      
    
(f)    All Options outstanding and which are not exercisable and then vested shall become fully exercisable and vested if both (1) a Change in Control occurs, and (2) at any time after the Change in Control and during the twenty-four (24) month period ending on the second anniversary of the Change in Control, the Option Holder’s service with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason.     

Section 3.    Exercise Price.  During the Exercise Period, and after the applicable Earliest Exercise Date, the Option Holder shall have the right to purchase all or any portion of the optioned Shares at the Exercise Price per Share.  

Section 4.    Method of Exercise.  The Option Holder may, at any time during the Exercise Period provided by section 2, exercise his or her right to purchase all or any part of the optioned Shares then available for purchase; provided, however, that the minimum number of optioned Shares which may be purchased shall be one hundred (100) or, if less, the total number of optioned Shares then available for purchase. The Option Holder shall exercise such right by:

(a)    giving written notice to the Compensation Committee, in the form attached hereto as Appendix A; and

(b)    delivering to the Compensation Committee full payment of the Exercise Price for the optioned Shares to be purchased.    
    
The date of exercise shall be the earliest date practicable following the date the requirements of this section 4 have been satisfied.  Payment shall be made (i) in United States dollars by certified check, money order, official bank check or personal check made payable to the order of Sterling Bancorp, (ii) with the Compensation Committee’s approval, in Shares duly endorsed for transfer and with all necessary stock transfer tax stamps attached (or using a “constructive delivery” method approved by the Compensation Committee), already owned by the Option Holder for more than six (6) months as of the exercise date and having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date the Option is exercised equal to the aggregate Exercise Price to be paid, such Fair Market Value to be determined in such manner as may be provided by the Compensation Committee or as may be required in order to comply with or conform to the requirements of any applicable laws or regulations, (iii) if and to the extent permitted by the Compensation Committee, by directing the Company to withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option (or a portion thereof) being exercised a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price to be paid (a “cashless exercise”), or (iv) in a combination of (i), (ii) and (iii).  In lieu thereof, payment for any Shares to be purchased upon exercise of an Option may also be made by delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the Company, together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the Exercise Price and applicable tax withholding amounts (if any).

Section 5.    Delivery and Registration of Optioned Shares.  As soon as is practicable following the date on which the Option Holder has satisfied the requirements of section 4, the Compensation 

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Committee shall take such action as is necessary to cause the Company to issue a stock certificate evidencing the Option Holder’s ownership of the optioned Shares that have been purchased.  The Option Holder shall have no right to vote or to receive dividends, nor have any other rights with respect to the optioned Shares, prior to the date as of which such optioned Shares are transferred to the Option Holder on the stock transfer records of the Company, and no adjustments shall be made for any dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date as of which such transfer is affected.  The obligation of the Company to deliver Shares under this Stock Option Award Agreement shall, if the Compensation Committee so requests, be conditioned upon the receipt of a representation as to the investment intention of the person to whom such Shares are to be delivered, in such form as the Compensation Committee shall determine to be necessary or advisable to comply with the provisions of applicable federal, state or local law.

Section 6.    No Right to Continued Service.  Nothing in this Stock Option Award Agreement nor any action of the Board or Compensation Committee with respect to this Stock Option Award Agreement shall be held or construed to confer upon the Option Holder any right to a continuation of service by the Company, Sterling National Bank or any of their subsidiaries.  The Option Holder may be dismissed or otherwise dealt with as though this Stock Option Award Agreement had not been entered into.

Section 7.    Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreement. This Stock Option Award Agreement, including the grant and vesting of the Option, is conditioned upon the execution and delivery of the standard Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreement required by the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries, as applicable (the “Non-Solicitation Agreement”), on or prior to the date of this Stock Option Award Agreement and such Non-Solicitation Agreement remaining in full effect during the entire term of this Stock Option Award Agreement and the Option.  In the event the Option Holder fails to execute and deliver the Non-Solicitation Agreement on or prior to the date of this Stock Option Award Agreement or revokes or violates such Non-Solicitation Agreement at any time during the term of this Stock Option Award Agreement and the Option, the Option Holder will forfeit the Option.  For the avoidance of doubt, a new Non-Solicitation Agreement does not need to be executed with each equity grant awarded to the Option Holder; rather, the Option Holder need only have a single executed Non-Solicitation Agreement in effect and on file with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries, as applicable.
        
Section 8.      Application of Clawback Policy.  Notwithstanding anything in this Stock Option Award Agreement to the contrary, the Option shall be subject to adjustment and/or recovery, in whole or in part, following the date on which they become vested and payable if and to the extent (i) required by any applicable law, rule or regulation or (ii) provided under the terms of any clawback policy or other policy of similar import adopted by the Company and in effect on the date the Option become vested and payable. 

Section 9.    Taxes.  Where any person is entitled to receive Shares pursuant to the exercise of the Option granted hereunder, the Company shall have the right to require such person to pay to the Company the amount of any tax which the Company is required to withhold with respect to such Shares, or, in lieu thereof, to retain, or to sell without notice, a sufficient number of Shares to cover the amount required to be withheld.  

Section 10.    Notices.  Any communication required or permitted to be given under the Plan, including any notice, direction, designation, comment, instruction, objection or waiver, shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given at such time as it is delivered personally or five (5) days after mailing if mailed, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to such party at the address listed below, or at such other address as one such party may by written notice specify to the other party:

(a)    If to the Compensation Committee:

Sterling Bancorp
c/o Sterling National Bank
400 Rella Boulevard

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Montebello, New York 

Attention:    Compensation Committee and Corporate Secretary

(b)    If to the Option Holder, to the Option Holder's address as shown in the Company's records.

Section 11.    Restrictions on Transfer.  The Option granted hereunder is not transferable by any Option Holder, except that:  (i) an Option Holder may transfer an NQSO to his or her family members during his or her lifetime; and (ii) any Option Holder may transfer Options remaining unexercised at his or her death to a beneficiary or by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  Any permitted transfer to family members during an Option Holder’s lifetime shall be effected by written notice to the Company given in such form and manner as the Compensation Committee may prescribe and shall be recognized only if such notice is received by the Company prior to the death of the person giving it.  Thereafter, the permitted transferee shall have, with respect to such Option, all of the rights, privileges and obligations which would attach thereunder to the Recipient except the right to transfer the Option to family members. If a privilege of the Option depends on the life, service, employment or other status of the transferor, such privilege of the Option for the transferee shall continue to depend on the life, service, employment or other status of the transferor. The Compensation Committee shall have full and exclusive authority to interpret and apply the provisions of this Plan to transferees to the extent not specifically described herein.

Section 12.    Successors and Assigns.  This Stock Option Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company and the Option Holder and their respective heirs, successors and assigns.  

Section 13.    Construction of Language.  Whenever appropriate in the Award Agreement, words used in the singular may be read in the plural, words used in the plural may be read in the singular, and words importing the masculine gender may be read as referring equally to the feminine or the neuter.  Any reference to a section shall be a reference to a section of this Stock Option Award Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.  Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them under the Plan.

Section 14.    Governing Law.  This Stock Option Award Agreement shall be construed, administered and enforced according to the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof, except to the extent that such laws are preempted by federal law. The federal and state courts having jurisdiction in Rockland County, New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim, action, complaint or lawsuit brought under the terms of the Plan.  By accepting any Option granted under this Stock Option Award Agreement, the Option Holder, and any other person claiming any rights under the Award Agreement, agrees to submit himself or herself, and any such legal action as he or she shall bring under the Plan, to the sole jurisdiction of such courts for the adjudication and resolution of any such disputes.  

Section 15.    Amendment.  This Stock Option Award Agreement may be amended, in whole or in part and in any manner not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, at any time and from time to time, by written agreement between the Company and the Option Holder.  This Stock Option Award Agreement amends and supersedes any Stock Option Award Agreement bearing the same grant date.

Section 16.    Plan Provisions Control.  This Stock Option Award Agreement and the rights and obligations created hereunder shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan and the provisions of this Stock Option Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference, shall control.  By signing this Stock Option Award Agreement, the Option Holder acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan.  The Option Holder acknowledges that he or she may not and will not rely on any statement of account or other communication or document issued in connection with the Plan other than the Plan, this Stock Option Award 

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Agreement, and any document signed by an authorized representative of the Company that is designated as an amendment of the Plan or this Stock Option Award Agreement.

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APPENDIX A TO STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 4 of the General Terms and Conditions of my Stock Option Award Agreement that I elect to purchase the number of Shares set forth below at the Exercise Price set forth in my Stock Option Award Agreement:

Stock Option Award Agreement dated: ____________

Number of Shares being purchased: ____________

Total Exercise Price: $____________

This Notice of Exercise is accompanied by the following (check one):

            certified check, money order, official bank check or personal check made payable to the order of the Company in an amount equal to the Exercise Price;

_____ Shares of the Company already in my possession with a Fair Market Value of $            ;*

_____ I direct the Company to withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option (or portion thereof) being exercised a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price to be paid (a “cashless exercise”); 

OR
_____ A combination of the above; I have specified below how I will pay for the Exercise Price and the specific amount for each payment option: 
    
	
		
	

$__________
	Payment made in certified check, money order, official bank check or personal check

	$__________
	Other Company stock in my possession*

	$__________
	Cashless exercise

	$__________
	Total Exercise Price

I agree to provide to the Company such additional documents or information as may be required pursuant to the Company's 2015 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan.

OPTION HOLDER

By:                                                           

Print Name:    __________________________

*     If I elect to exercise by exchanging shares I already own, I will constructively return shares that I already own to purchase the new option shares.  If my shares are in certificate form, I must attach a separate statement indicating the certificate number of the shares I am treating as having exchanged.  If the shares are held in “street name” by a registered broker, I must provide the Company with a notarized statement attesting to the number of shares owned that will be treated as having been exchanged.  I will keep the shares that I already own and treat them as if they are shares acquired by the option exercise.  In addition, I will receive additional shares equal to the difference between the shares I constructively exchanged and the total new option shares that I acquired.

 

DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY

General Information:  Use this form to designate the Beneficiary(ies) who may exercise Options outstanding to you at the time of your death.

	
							
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	Name of Person Making Designation:

                                                    
	Social Security Number:

                                  

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION:
	Complete sections A and B. If no percentage shares are specified, each Beneficiary in the same class (primary or contingent) shall have an equal share.  If any designated Beneficiary predeceases you, the shares of each remaining Beneficiary in the same class (primary or contingent) shall be increased proportionately.

	A.  PRIMARY BENEFICIARY(IES).  I hereby designate the following person as my primary Beneficiary under the Plan, reserving the right to change or revoke this designation at any time prior to my death (attach additional sheets as necessary):

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	Name
	Address
	Relationship
	Birth date
	Share

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	Total=100 percent

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	B.  CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY(IES).  I hereby designate the following person(s) as my contingent Beneficiary(ies) under the Plan to receive benefits only if all of my primary Beneficiaries should predecease me, reserving the right to change or revoke this designation at any time prior to my death as to all outstanding Options:

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	Name
	Address
	Relationship
	Birth date
	Share

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	Total = 100 percent

	 
	 

	

SIGN
HERE
	I understand that this Beneficiary Designation shall be effective only if properly completed and received by the Corporate Secretary of Sterling Bancorp prior to my death, and that it is subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.  I also understand that an effective Beneficiary designation revokes my prior designation(s) with respect to all outstanding Options.

	

                                                                
Your signature
	

                           
Date

-------------------------------------------  Internal Use Only ------------------------------------------------

 

	
		
	This Beneficiary Designation was received by the Corporate Secretary of Sterling Bancorp on the date indicated.

By              ________________________  ________________
Authorized Signature                                                  Date       

	Comments

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