Sterling Bancorp reports Q4 EPS 0c, consensus 3c

Reports Q4 CET1 capital ratio 23.01%. "The Company's fourth quarter and year-end results reflect a continuation of both the accomplishments and challenges that have characterized the last few years. The long-running saga of the Advantage Loan Program continues to be felt in the operating expense lines of our earnings. The institutional damage from this program has been far reaching, and we are finally beginning to enjoy the fruits of our labor. We have tried to right-size the balance sheet in order to maintain strong capital levels, improve margins and effectively utilize liquidity. The legal investigation and consultant costs have swamped our profitability in most quarters. We have been successful in building a strong internal control environment and carefully addressing a long list of deficiencies. Those successes were realized in the closure of the Formal Agreement entered into with the OCC in 2019. Nonetheless, the DOJ investigation remains ongoing and continues to occupy substantial time and resources. As promised, we continue to offer our full cooperation in their work and are hopeful for resolution. Unfortunately, we continue to have little visibility into the timing or outcome of their investigation," said Thomas O'Brien, chairman, president, and CEO.