Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes: During the three months ended September 30, 2012, Sterling did not recognize any federal or state income tax expense, while during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, Sterling recorded a $288.8 million income tax benefit, which was the result of reversing substantially all of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Sterling did not recognize any federal or state income tax expense during the comparable periods of 2011. As of September 30, 2012, the net deferred tax asset was $280.4 million, including $273.0 million of net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. As of December 31, 2011, Sterling had a fully reserved net deferred tax asset of $327.0 million, including $285.0 million of net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. The deferred tax asset valuation allowance was established during 2009 due to the three year cumulative loss and uncertainty at that time regarding Sterling's ability to generate future taxable income. Reversal of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2012, which marked the sixth consecutive quarter of profitability for Sterling. Prior to reversing the allowance, management analyzed both positive and negative evidence that could affect the realization of the deferred tax asset. Based on the earnings performance trend and projections of income through 2013, improvement in asset quality, higher net interest margin and improvements in other key financial ratios, expectations of continued profitability, the length of the carry-forward period for its net operating losses and tax credits, an analysis of the reversal of existing temporary differences, and an evaluation of its loss carry-back ability and tax planning strategies, Sterling determined that it was more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset would be realized. This assessment was updated as of September 30, 2012, resulting in the same conclusion. With regard to the deferred tax asset, the benefits of Sterling’s accumulated tax losses would be reduced in the event of an “ownership change,” as determined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. During 2010, in order to preserve the benefits of these tax losses, Sterling’s shareholders approved a protective amendment to the restated articles of incorporation and Sterling’s board adopted a tax preservation rights plan, both of which restrict certain stock transfers that would result in an investor acquiring more than 4.95% of Sterling’s total outstanding common stock.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]

Income Taxes:

During the three months ended September 30, 2012, Sterling did not recognize any federal or state income tax expense, while during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, Sterling recorded a $288.8 million income tax benefit, which was the result of reversing substantially all of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Sterling did not recognize any federal or state income tax expense during the comparable periods of 2011. As of September 30, 2012, the net deferred tax asset was $280.4 million, including $273.0 million of net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. As of December 31, 2011, Sterling had a fully reserved net deferred tax asset of $327.0 million, including $285.0 million of net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards.

The deferred tax asset valuation allowance was established during 2009 due to the three year cumulative loss and uncertainty at that time regarding Sterling's ability to generate future taxable income. Reversal of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2012, which marked the sixth consecutive quarter of profitability for Sterling. Prior to reversing the allowance, management analyzed both positive and negative evidence that could affect the realization of the deferred tax asset. Based on the earnings performance trend and projections of income through 2013, improvement in asset quality, higher net interest margin and improvements in other key financial ratios, expectations of continued profitability, the length of the carry-forward period for its net operating losses and tax credits, an analysis of the reversal of existing temporary differences, and an evaluation of its loss carry-back ability and tax planning strategies, Sterling determined that it was more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset would be realized. This assessment was updated as of September 30, 2012, resulting in the same conclusion.

With regard to the deferred tax asset, the benefits of Sterling’s accumulated tax losses would be reduced in the event of an “ownership change,” as determined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. During 2010, in order to preserve the benefits of these tax losses, Sterling’s shareholders approved a protective amendment to the restated articles of incorporation and Sterling’s board adopted a tax preservation rights plan, both of which restrict certain stock transfers that would result in an investor acquiring more than 4.95% of Sterling’s total outstanding common stock.