Derivatives And Hedging

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

General Discussion of Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Derivatives and Hedging

Derivatives and Hedging:

From time to time, Sterling enters into interest rate swap transactions with loan customers. The interest rate risk on these swap transactions is hedged by Sterling entering into offsetting interest rate swap agreements with various unaffiliated counterparties (“broker-dealers”). Both customer and broker-dealer related interest rate derivatives are carried at fair value, which includes consideration of counterparty credit risk.

As part of its mortgage banking activities, Sterling makes commitments to prospective borrowers on residential mortgage loan applications, which may have the interest rates locked for a period of 10 to 60 days or longer, if extended (“interest rate lock commitments”). The interest rate lock commitments fair valued below are exclusive of the anticipated fallout. These interest rate lock commitments, and loans held for sale that have not been committed to investors, give rise to interest rate risk. Sterling hedges the interest rate risk arising from these mortgage banking activities by entering into forward sales agreements on MBS with third parties (“forward commitments”).

Residential mortgage loans held for sale that were not committed to investors were $269.6 million and $419.1 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The following table summarizes Sterling’s mortgage banking operations and interest rate swaps:

	March 31, 2013
			Fair Value
	Notional		Asset		Liability
	(in thousands)
Interest rate lock commitments, net	$	263,446	$	7,517	$	0
Forward commitments	413,000		0		2,522
Interest rate swaps - broker-dealer	28,810		0		1,827
Interest rate swaps - customer	29,856		1,790		0
	December 31, 2012
			Fair Value
	Notional		Asset		Liability
	(in thousands)
Interest rate lock commitments, net	$	242,061	$	9,035	$	0
Forward commitments	531,000		0		1,881
Interest rate swaps - broker-dealer	44,846		0		2,144
Interest rate swaps - customer	36,158		2,148		0

The fair value of these derivatives is included in other assets and liabilities, respectively. Gains and losses on Sterling’s mortgage banking derivative transactions are included in mortgage banking income, while gains and losses on Sterling’s interest rate swap agreements are included in other noninterest income. The following table sets forth these gains and losses:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
	(in thousands)
Mortgage banking operations	$	(10,168	)	$	(2,362	)
Other noninterest income	76			(612		)

Also included in mortgage banking income were loan servicing fees of $2.7 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.