Regulatory Capital

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Banking and Thrift [Abstract]

Regulatory Capital

Regulatory Capital:

The following table sets forth the respective regulatory capital positions for Sterling and Sterling Bank:

	Actual				Adequately Capitalized				Well-Capitalized
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	(in thousands)
As of December 31, 2012
Tier 1 leverage ratio
Sterling	$	1,115,834	12.1	%	$	367,909	4.0	%	$	459,886	5.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,100,443		12.0	%	368,053		4.0	%	460,066		5.0	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
Sterling	1,115,834		17.5	%	255,750		4.0	%	383,625		6.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,100,443		17.2	%	255,875		4.0	%	383,812		6.0	%
Total risk-based capital ratio
Sterling	1,196,773		18.7	%	511,499		8.0	%	639,374		10.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,181,421		18.5	%	511,749		8.0	%	639,687		10.0	%
As of December 31, 2011
Tier 1 leverage ratio
Sterling	1,045,761		11.4	%	366,048		4.0	%	457,560		5.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,019,016		11.1	%	366,018		4.0	%	457,523		5.0	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
Sterling	1,045,761		17.8	%	234,859		4.0	%	352,288		6.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,019,016		17.4	%	234,468		4.0	%	351,705		6.0	%
Total risk-based capital ratio
Sterling	1,120,563		19.1	%	469,718		8.0	%	587,147		10.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,093,697		18.7	%	468,936		8.0	%	586,171		10.0	%