-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Dp3XvOpLWch8kd9qIiPa/vAuf+ZvKlCq/nBflibqOfOra/kbTw5d4T2DuAnAguhZ
 5ksqB6GaK+bGll5rWX5vbA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000891106-03-000014.txt : 20030825
<SEC-HEADER>0000891106-03-000014.hdr.sgml : 20030825
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030825135750
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000891106-03-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030821
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030825

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARNETT RODNEY W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185261

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20800
		FILM NUMBER:		03864049

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		111 N. WALL STREET
		CITY:			SPOKANE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			99201

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STERLING FINANCIAL CORP /WA/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000891106
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6036]
		IRS NUMBER:				911572822
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		111 N WALL ST
		CITY:			SPOKANE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			99201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5094583711

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		111 NORTH WALL STREET
		CITY:			SPOKANE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			99201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c001185261d20030825f4f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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ty><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>250</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Non-Statutory Stock Option</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>7.78</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-08-21</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate><value>2003-08-21</value></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>X</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>250</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>7.78</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactio
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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