Noninterest Expense

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Noninterest Expense [Abstract]

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest Expense:

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

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Employee compensation and benefits	$	45,803	$	46,485	$	88,239	$	93,866
Occupancy and equipment	9,567		10,932		19,426		21,219
Data processing	6,471		7,033		13,048		13,463
Professional fees	2,985		4,800		8,937		7,789
Depreciation	3,058		2,923		5,992		5,836
OREO operations	2,549		3,337		4,579		5,329
Advertising	1,759		3,774		4,195		6,928
FDIC insurance	1,634		1,989		3,564		3,846
Amortization of other intangible assets	1,711		1,791		3,370		3,196
Merger and acquisition	2,268		2,262		3,304		8,397
Travel and entertainment	1,513		1,535		2,684		2,599
Other	2,360		746		6,269		3,788
Total noninterest expense	$	81,678	$	87,607	$	163,607	$	176,256