Noninterest Expense

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Noninterest Expense [Abstract]

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest Expense:

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

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
	(in thousands)
Employee compensation and benefits	$	46,485	$	41,836	$	93,866	$	85,686
OREO operations	3,337		14,452		5,329		25,852
Occupancy and equipment	10,932		10,156		21,219		19,978
Data processing	7,033		6,608		13,463		12,688
FDIC insurance	1,989		3,439		3,846		7,393
Professional fees	4,800		3,352		7,789		6,410
Depreciation	2,923		3,014		5,836		6,026
Advertising	3,774		2,768		6,928		4,727
Travel and entertainment	1,535		1,359		2,599		2,595
Merger and acquisition	2,262		0		8,397		0
Amortization of other intangible assets	1,791		1,224		3,196		2,449
Other	746		3,379		3,788		6,091
Total noninterest expense	$	87,607	$	91,587	$	176,256	$	179,895