October 29, 2013

BY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION

Mr. Amit Pande

Accounting Branch Chief

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, DC 20549

Re:    Sterling Financial Corporation (“Sterling”)

Extension Request

Dear Mr. Pande:

Earlier today, via a telephone conversation, Ms. Babette Cooper of your office approved an extension for the Sterling comment letter response with regard to the conference call held with you and other SEC staff on October 10, 2013 to November 1, 2013. This letter is intended to formalize said communication and approval.

Kindly direct any comments or questions to me at (509) 227-0961, or in my absence, Andrew J. Schultheis at (509) 838-7239.

Sincerely,

STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION

By:         /s/ Patrick J. Rusnak        

Patrick J. Rusnak

Executive Vice President

Chief Financial Officer