Document:

Exhibit 10.2

 Exhibit 10.2 

AMENDED AND RESTATED 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 This
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 8, 2015 (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
Luis Massiani (“Executive”). 
 WITNESSETH: 

WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed by the Company as its Chief Financial Officer and party to that certain Employment Agreement,
dated as of November 1, 2013, 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 Chief Financial Officer 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 Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the
Bank, and Executive hereby accepts such employment. As Chief Financial Officer 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 Chief Executive Officer, and Executive shall devote his or her full business time and attention to the business and affairs
of the Company and the Bank, and shall use his or her 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. 

(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 $400,000. 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 increased to
$450,000 effective as of January 1, 2016 and shall be reviewed at least annually during the Employment Period for possible upward adjustment. 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 from time to time. 
 (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 from time to time. 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. 

  
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 (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 supplemental long-term disability; 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. 
 (f) Initial Equity
Award. Promptly following the Effective Date, Executive shall be granted a performance share award under the Company’s 2015 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) having an aggregate grant date value equal to
$1 million, which award shall shall have substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in the performance share award agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B. 

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 

  
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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
(I) pay to Executive, within sixty (60) days following the date of termination, a lump sum cash payment (the “Severance Payment”) equal to 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, a cash payment 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 

  
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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. 

  
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 (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 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 date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder. Executive’s entitlement to the Severance
Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, are further conditioned upon Executive returning to Sterling all property of Sterling within seven (7) days following the date of Executive’s termination of employment with Sterling and
complying with the terms of Sections 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 Executive’s termination of employment hereunder 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. 

  
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 (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) 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(k) 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(k), 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(k), 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. 

  
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 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) with respect to any termination without Cause, 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 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 

  
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 (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. 

  
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 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. 
 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 or her 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 which any client, customer or other business relation has customarily done or contemplates 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. 

  
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 (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 or her termination of employment with Sterling for any reason (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 locale of 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, 

  
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the Bank, Sterling 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. 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 is 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 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 

  
 -12- 

 
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. 

  
 -13- 

 (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 OCC or other applicable banking regulator (the “Regulator”), at the time the FDIC 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 any regulation applicable to the Company or the Bank shall hereafter be adopted, amended or modified, or if any new regulation
applicable to the Company or the Bank and effective after the date of this Agreement: 
 (i) shall require 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) shall permit 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 

  
 -14- 

 
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 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, upon electronic or telephonic confirmation of receipt from the receiving facsimile machine; 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:	  	 Luis Massiani
 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

400 Rella Boulevard
 Montebello, New York 10901

Attention: General Counsel

 15. Amendment. No modifications of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and
signed by the parties hereto. 

  
 -15- 

 16. Miscellaneous 

(a) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Executive, his or her legal representatives
and estate and intestate distributees, and the Company and the Bank, 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, 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 instrument 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. 

  
 -16- 

 [Signature Page Follows] 

  
 -17- 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Bank have caused this Agreement to be executed and
Executive has hereunto set his or her 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/ Luis Massiani

	Luis Massiani

 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 Luis Massiani (“Executive”). 

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are parties to an Employment Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2015 (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 6 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); any other federal, state, or local laws or regulations regarding employment discrimination or harassment, wages, insurance,
leave, privacy or any other matter; 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, and whether for compensatory or punitive
damages, or other equitable relief, 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, with the
Company or any other of the Released Parties. 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 6 of the Employment Agreement; (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; and (c) any
claims that Executive may not by law release through a settlement agreement such as this. 
 2. 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 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. 

3. 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 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. 
 (d) The Parties also agree that the release provided by
Executive in this Agreement does not include a release for claims under the ADEA arising after the date Executive signs this Agreement. 

4. Executive shall promptly turn over to the Company any and all 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 any such materials that may be at Executive’s home. 

5. 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. 

 6. This Agreement cannot be amended, modified, or supplemented in any respect except by written
agreement entered into and signed by the parties hereto. 
 7. 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. 
 8. 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. 

9. 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. 
  

			
	Luis Massiani
	
	  

	
	STERLING BANCORP
		
	By:	 	  

	Name:	 	
	Title:	 	
	
	STERLING NATIONAL BANK
		
	By:	 	  

	Name:	 	
	Title:	 	

 EXHIBIT B 

FORM OF AWARD AGREEMENT 

(See Exhibit 10.4, Special Performance Award Notice and Agreement for Luis Massiani (CFO))Exhibit 10.3

 Exhibit 10.3 
  

 
 STERLING BANCORP 

ID: 80-0091851 
 21
Scarsdale Road 
 Yonkers, NY 10707 
 2015
CEO Special Performance Award Notice and Award Agreement 
  
  

 

											
	 Jack L. Kopnisky
	 		 	Award Number:	 		 	  

	Name of Award Holder	 		 	Plan:	 		 	2015

 At the address most recently on the books and records of the Company.

  

									
	Address	 		 	City	 	State	 	Zip

  
  

Effective December 8, 2015 (“Award Date”), you have been granted a Performance Award of 180,505 shares of STERLING BANCORP (the
“Company”) Common Stock (the “Performance Award Shares”). This Performance Award is conditioned upon achievement of any one or more of three Performance Goals and, after achievement of the Performance Goals, satisfaction of the
Service Vesting Condition. 
 The total Fair Market Value of the Performance Award on the Award Date is $3,000,000. 

The Performance Period commences on the Award Date and ends on December 31, 2018. The three Performance Goals are set forth in Exhibit B hereto and
achievement of any one or more thereof will be determined during the Performance Period. 
 The Vesting Date is December 31, 2018, subject to
compliance with the satisfaction of the Service Vesting Condition after achievement of any one or more of the three Performance Goals during the Performance Period. 
  

 
 By your signature and the Company’s signature
below, you and the Company agree that this Performance Award is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this 2015 CEO Special Performance Award Notice and Award Agreement (including Exhibit A and
Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part hereof). 
  
  

 

					
	STERLING BANCORP	 		 	
			
	 /s/ Louis J. Cappelli
	 		 	 12/08/15

	Print Name: Louis J. Cappelli	 		 	Date
	Title: Chairman of the Board of Directors	 		 	
			
	AWARD HOLDER	 		 	
			
	 /s/ Jack L. Kopnisky
	 		 	 12/08/15

	Print Name: Jack L. Kopnisky	 		 	Date

 EXHIBIT A 

STERLING BANCORP 

2015 OMNIBUS EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN 

2015 CEO SPECIAL PERFORMANCE AWARD NOTICE AND AWARD
AGREEMENT 
 General Terms and Conditions 

Section 1. Size and Type of Performance Award; Performance Goals. This Performance Award is granted under Article VI of the Sterling
Bancorp 2015 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The total number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) of Sterling Bancorp (the “Company”) covered by this Performance Award (the
“Performance Award Shares”) are listed on the 2015 CEO Special Performance Award Notice and Award Agreement (the “Award Notice”), and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. 

After achievement of one or more of the three Performance Goals during the Performance Period, Performance Award Shares relating to such
achieved Performance Goal(s) will be settled in Shares of Restricted Stock which will be designated “Escrow,” registered in your name and held by the Compensation Committee, together with a stock power executed by you in favor of the
Compensation Committee. You may forfeit Performance Award Shares and Shares of Restricted Stock, as set forth in Section 2 below. 

Your employment with the Company, Sterling National Bank, and/or any of their subsidiaries constitutes adequate consideration for the issuance
(after achievement of any one or more of the three Performance Goals during the Performance Period) of the Shares of Restricted Stock to you having a value at least equal to the par value of such Shares of Restricted Stock, but the Service Vesting
Condition described below will nevertheless determine your right to acquire unrestricted ownership of the Shares of Restricted Stock. 

Section 2. Vesting. 

(a) Service Vesting Condition. You must remain in the continuous service of the Company, Sterling
National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries through the December 31, 2018 vesting date (the “Vesting Date”) specified in this Award Notice (the “Service Vesting Condition”) in order to vest any Shares of
Restricted Stock you receive upon the achievement of one or more of the three Performance Goals during the Performance Period. 
 (b)
Vesting Date. The Vesting Date for any Shares of Restricted Stock you receive as the result of achievement of any one or more of the three Performance Goals is specified in this Award Notice. If the Service Vesting Condition is
satisfied on the Vesting Date, you will obtain unrestricted ownership of the Shares of Restricted Stock on that Vesting Date. 
 (c)
Forfeitures. If you terminate service with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries prior to the Vesting Date, you will forfeit this Performance Award in its entirety. If you remain in continuous service
with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries through the Vesting Date but one or more of the applicable Performance Goals are not achieved, you will forfeit any Performance Award Shares which depended on achievement of
the unsatisfied Performance Goal(s). When you forfeit Performance Award Shares, all of your interest in the Performance Award Shares will be canceled and when you forfeit Shares of Restricted Stock such Shares of Restricted Stock will be cancelled
and any stock certificate or other evidence of ownership must be returned to the Company. You agree to take any action and execute and deliver any document that the Company requests to effect the return of your unvested Shares of Restricted Stock.
In the event you do not cooperate with the Company in this regard, you hereby appoint and designate the Company as your attorney-in-fact for the purpose of taking any action and signing any document, in your name, which the Company determines is
necessary to enforce the forfeiture. 

  
 Page 1 of 4 

 (d) Change in Control. The Service Vesting Condition applicable to your
Shares of Restricted Stock shall be deemed satisfied and such Shares of Restricted Stock shall become free of all restrictions and become fully vested and transferable if prior to the Vesting Date (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, your service with the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries is
terminated without Cause or for Good Reason (and you will forfeit any Performance Award Shares for which the Performance Goals have not been attained prior to termination). 

(e) Death or Disability. In the event your service terminates due to death or disability prior to the Vesting
Date, you will receive the Shares of Restricted Stock, if any, that you received after achievement of one or more of the three Performance Goals prior to your termination free of all restrictions and such will become fully vested and transferable
(and you will forfeit any Performance Award Shares for which the Performance Goals have not been attained prior to termination). 

(f) Termination without Cause, Termination for Good Reason and Retirement. If the Company, Sterling National Bank
and/or any of their subsidiaries terminates your employment without Cause or you terminate your employment with Good Reason or due to Retirement prior to the Vesting Date, you will receive your Shares of Restricted Stock, if any, that you received
after achievement of one or more of the three Performance Goals prior to your termination free of all restrictions and such will become fully vested and transferable (and you will forfeit any Performance Award Shares for which the Performance Goals
have not been attained prior to termination). 
 (g) Definition of Service. For purposes of determining the vesting on
the Vesting Date of any Shares of Restricted Stock you receive upon the achievement of one or more of the three Performance Goals, you will be deemed to be in the service of the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries for so
long as you serve in any capacity as an employee, officer, non-employee director or consultant of the Company, Sterling National Bank and/or any of their subsidiaries. 

(h) Application of Clawback Policy. Notwithstanding anything in this Award Notice to the contrary, any Shares of
Restricted Stock and any related dividends shall be subject to adjustment and/or recovery, in whole or in part, following the Vesting Date (i.e., December 31, 2018) 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 Vesting Date. 

Section 3. Dividends. Dividends or distributions paid on any Shares of Restricted Stock you receive upon the achievement of
one or more of the three Performance Goals, whether or not in cash, will not be paid to you currently. Instead, they will become vested, accumulated and paid to you if, as and when such Shares of Restricted Stock become vested and will be subject to
the same Service Vesting Condition as the Shares of Restricted Stock. 
 Section 4. Voting and Tender Rights. You will not
have the right to vote, or direct the voting of, Shares of Restricted Stock, or the right to respond, or direct the response with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock to any tender offer, exchange offer or other offer made to the holder of Shares,
unless and until the applicable Service Vesting Condition has been satisfied and ownership of record of the Shares has been transferred to you. 

Section 5. No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in this Award Notice, or any action of the Board or the Compensation Committee
with respect to this Award Notice, shall be held or construed to confer upon you any right to a continuation of service by the Company, Sterling National Bank, or any of their subsidiaries. You may be dismissed or otherwise dealt with as though this
Award Notice had not been entered into. 

  
 Page 2 of 4 

 Section 6. Taxes. Where you or any other person is entitled to receive Shares pursuant
to the Award granted hereunder, the Company shall have the right to require you or 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 7. 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: 
 If to you, to your address as shown in the Company’s records. 

If to the Compensation Committee: 

Sterling Bancorp 
 c/o Sterling
National Bank 
 21 Scarsdale Road 

Yonkers, NY 10707 
 Attention:
Compensation Committee and Corporate Secretary 
 Section 8. Restrictions on Transfer. The Performance Award granted hereunder,
including, without limitation, any Shares of Restricted Stock you receive after achievement of one or more of the three Performance Goals, shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation or assignment, nor shall such award be liable
for or subject to debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts, nor shall it be transferable by you other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise permitted by the Plan. To name a beneficiary, complete the
attached Appendix A and file it with the Corporate Secretary of the Company. 
 Section 9.
Successors and Assigns. This Award Notice shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company and you and the Company’s and your respective heirs, successors and assigns. 

Section 10. Construction of Language. Whenever appropriate in this Award Notice, 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 Award
Notice, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them under the Plan. 

Section 11. Governing Law. This Award Notice shall be construed, administered and enforced according to the laws of the State
of New York without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof, except to the extent that such laws are preempted by federal law. The federal and state courts having jurisdiction in Westchester County, New York shall have exclusive
jurisdiction over any claim, action, complaint or lawsuit brought under the terms of the Plan. By accepting the Performance Award granted under this Award Notice, you and any other person claiming any rights under this Award Notice, 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 12. Amendment. This Award Notice 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 you. This Award Notice amends and supersedes any award notice bearing the same effective date. 

  
 Page 3 of 4 

 Section 13. Plan Provisions Control. This Award Notice and the rights and obligations
created hereunder shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan that would apply if this Award Notice were being made under the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan and the provisions of this Award
Notice, the terms of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference, shall control. By signing this Award Notice, you acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Plan. You acknowledge that you may not and will not rely on any statement of account or
other communication or document issued in connection with the Award other than the Plan, this Award Notice, or any document signed by an authorized representative of the Company that is designated as an amendment of the Plan or this Award Notice.

  
 Page 4 of 4 

 APPENDIX A TO 2015 CEO SPECIAL
PERFORMANCE AWARD NOTICE AND AWARD AGREEMENT 

Beneficiary Designation Form 

 

															
		 	 GENERAL
 INFORMATION
	  	Use this form to designate the Beneficiary(ies) who may receive Shares of Restricted Stock that become vested at 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:	 	

															
							
		  	Name	  	Address	  	Relationship	  	Birthdate	  	 	Share	  	 	
		  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	 	                    	% 	 	
	  	  	  
	  		  		  				 	
		  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	 	                    	% 	 	
	  	  	  
	  		  		  				 	
		  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	 	                    	% 	 	
	  	  	  
	  		  		  	 	Total = 100	% 	 	
			
		  	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 Awards:	    	 	
							
		  	Name	  	Address	  	Relationship	  	Birthdate	  	 	Share	  	 	
		  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	 	                    	% 	 	
	  	  	  
	  		  		  				 	
		  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	 	                    	% 	 	
	  	  	  
	  		  		  				 	
		  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	 	                    	% 	 	
	  	  	  
	  		  		  	 	Total = 100	% 	 	

															
					
		 	 S
 I

G
 N
	  	 H
 E

R
 E
	    	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 Awards.	 	
	 	  	    	  

 
	    	  

 
	 	
	 	  	    	 Your Signature

 
	    	 Date
  
	  		 	

 
  

									
		 	  
  
	 	Internal Use Only	 	  
  
	  	

  

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

 
	 	 	 	 Date

 
	  	 	 	 

 EXHIBIT B 

STERLING BANCORP 
 2015
OMNIBUS EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN 
 2015 CEO SPECIAL PERFORMANCE-BASED
STOCK AWARD NOTICE  
 PERFORMANCE GOALS 

[APPLICABLE MEASURES AND TARGETS TO BE
DETERMINED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE]

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00252-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00252-of-00352.parquet"}]]