Noninterest Expense

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Noninterest Expense [Abstract]

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest Expense:

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

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Employee compensation and benefits	$	47,058	$	45,636	$	135,297	$	139,502
Occupancy and equipment	9,959		11,034		29,385		32,253
Data processing	7,252		7,137		20,300		20,600
Professional fees	3,093		4,929		12,030		12,718
Depreciation	3,358		2,918		9,350		8,754
Merger and acquisition	3,896		1,584		7,200		9,981
OREO operations	1,877		4,008		6,456		9,337
Advertising	1,830		3,442		6,025		10,370
Amortization of other intangible assets	1,676		1,792		5,046		4,988
FDIC insurance	1,129		2,159		4,693		6,005
Travel and entertainment	1,467		1,420		4,151		4,019
Other	2,739		3,349		9,008		7,137
Total noninterest expense	$	85,334	$	89,408	$	248,941	$	265,664