FROM THE CEO
In
Real Estate, Real Talk
The only constant in the New York metro area commercial real estate
market is change. Connect sat down with David S. Bagatelle, Sterling
National Bank’s Executive Vice President and President, New York Metro
Market, and talked to him about how he helps clients move forward.
Q. WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST ABOUT
THE NEW YORK AREA’S REAL ESTATE?
A. The resilience of the market. We don't believe you will see the
fluctuations on the downside of this market.
Q. WHAT NEW INNOVATIONS AND PRODUCTS FROM STERLING
ARE CONNECTING WITH CLIENTS’ CHANGING NEEDS?
A. Historically, unsophisticated clients are asking for more complex cash
management products and services. These revolve around online services
that can be accessed anywhere by our clients—including PC, tablet, and
phone—and online banking security to assure payments, receipts, and
confidential client information are not compromised. Also, our clients are
more and more looking for information on interest rate swaps.
Q. HOW DOES YOUR EXPERTISE HELP ESTABLISHED CLIENTS GROW
THEIR REAL ESTATE BUSINESSES?
A. I look at Sterling as a giant networking machine. We can get to virtually
anyone in the market, and this access is a huge plus for our clients. Our
clients often ask for our views of the market and particular deals. Most
loan and deposit products are a commodity—the differentiator for us is the
advice we give.
Q. WHAT CAN A NEW CLIENT EXPECT FROM THEIR PARTNERSHIP
WITH STERLING THAT THEY WON’T GET ANYWHERE ELSE?
A. To sum it up in a few words: advice, speed, creativity, pragmatism,
access, and an “above and beyond" attitude.
4 | SNB.COM // CONNECT STRATEGY SPRING 2017 // RANKED BY FORBES’ 2017 “AMERICA’S 100 BEST BANKS”
this
issue of
Connect,
we’re tackling
strategy—how
to build one, and
what to consider
as you set yours
into motion.
Why strategy?
You can’t meet
key business
goals without
critical knowl-
Jack L. Kopnisky edge, techniques
President & CEO that work, and
Sterling National Bank a strong plan of
action grounded in strategic insights.
You also can’t be successful without a
strong corporate vision for both your
internal and external stakeholders.
Everyone has to be on the same page
when it comes to vision and goals before
effective strategizing can begin. Which
brings us to some exciting news.
Sterling recently entered into a merger
with Astoria Financial Corporation. Like
the decisions your business faces every
day, the decision to merge was the result
of careful strategic planning.
Growing and cultivating a high
performing regional bank with a
diversified business mix serving the
needs of business owners and consumers
in the greater New York City metropolitan
area is not a simple task. Sometimes it
requires bringing together two companies
with extremely complementary strengths
to provide exceptional solutions to our
combined customer base.
By strategically joining forces, Sterling
and Astoria will create one of the leading
banking enterprises in the NYC metro-
politan area and will be well positioned
to deliver performance and value for our
customers, shareholders, employees, and
communities.
We are excited to share more informa-
tion about this merger and how it will
benefit you in the future. In the meantime,
we hope this issue of Connect will give you
the strategic insights you need to achieve
your vision in 2017.
Sincerely,