EXHIBIT 23.2

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (No.
333-133404) of Sterling Financial Corporation on Form S-4 (the "Registration
Statement") of our report dated February 14, 2006 on the audited consolidated
financial statements for Lynnwood Financial Group and Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2005 and 2004 and for each of the two years in the period then
ended, appearing in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is a part of the
Registration Statement.

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in such
Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

/s/ McGladrey & Pullen LLP

Tacoma, Washington
May 5, 2006