SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 20, 2011

PROVIDENT NEW YORK BANCORP

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	0-25233	80-0091851
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File No.)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
400 Rella Boulevard, Montebello, New York		10901
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (845) 369-8040

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

Effective December 20, 2011, the Registrant amended its bylaws to eliminate the stock ownership guidelines for directors, which are being replaced by a separate policy for directors and certain executive officers. A copy of the amended and restated bylaws is attached to this report as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

3.1 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Provident New York Bancorp

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

	PROVIDENT NEW YORK BANCORP
DATE: December 22, 2011	By:	/s/ Daniel G. Rothstein
		Daniel G. Rothstein
		Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
3.1	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Provident New York Bancorp