Noninterest Expense

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Noninterest Expense [Abstract]

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest Expense:

The following table details the components of Sterling’s noninterest expense:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012		2011
	(in thousands)
Employee compensation and benefits	$	47,381	$	43,850
OREO operations	1,992		11,400
Occupancy and equipment	10,287		9,822
Data processing	6,430		6,080
Insurance	2,339		4,504
Professional fees	2,989		3,058
Depreciation	2,913		3,012
Advertising	3,154		1,960
Travel and entertainment	1,064		1,236
Merger and acquisition	6,135		0
Amortization of other intangible assets	1,405		1,225
Other	2,560		2,161
Total noninterest expense	$	88,649	$	88,308