Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information:

Sterling's operations are divided into two primary business segments that represent its core businesses:

• Community Banking - providing traditional banking services through the retail banking, private banking and commercial banking groups, including the originating and servicing of commercial real estate, owner occupied CRE and C&I loans.

• Home Loan Division - originating and selling residential real estate loans through its mortgage banking operations, on both a servicing-retained and servicing-released basis.

The Other and Eliminations caption represents intercompany eliminations. In 2012, Sterling combined its previously identified Commercial Real Estate segment into its Community Banking segment. This reflected organizational realignments surrounding the internal decision making and performance assessment functions. Segment results for the comparable period presented have been restated to reflect current period presentation.

	As of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	Community Banking		Home Loan Division		Other and Eliminations			Total
	(in thousands)
Interest income	$	92,787	$	5,178	$	0		$	97,965
Interest expense	22,493		0		1,119			23,612
Net interest income	70,294		5,178		(1,119		)	74,353
Provision for credit losses	4,000		0		0			4,000
Noninterest income	19,178		12,761		(352		)	31,587
Noninterest expense	72,776		14,614		1,259			88,649
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	12,696	$	3,325	$	(2,730	)	$	13,291
Total assets	$	9,529,511	$	1,057	$	(28,287	)	$	9,502,281

	As of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
	Community Banking		Home Loan Division			Other and Eliminations			Total
	(in thousands)
Interest income	$	102,344	$	1,295		$	(402	)	$	103,237
Interest expense	29,038		503			(47		)	29,494
Net interest income	73,306		792			(355		)	73,743
Provision for credit losses	10,089		(89		)	0			10,000
Noninterest income	19,723		9,932			327			29,982
Noninterest expense	78,026		10,282			0			88,308
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	4,914	$	531		$	(28	)	$	5,417
Total assets	$	9,376,881	$	3,162		$	(27,574	)	$	9,352,469