Noninterest Expense	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Noninterest Expense [Abstract]
Non Interest Expenses	Noninterest Expense:The following table details the components of Sterling's noninterest expense:  Years Ended December 31, 2013 2012 2011 (in thousands)Employee compensation and benefits$181,544 $189,025 $171,643Occupancy and equipment39,935 42,930 39,878Data processing27,984 27,091 24,171Professional fees16,143 16,691 13,902Depreciation13,093 11,690 12,184Merger and acquisition10,837 11,976 1,012Advertising7,942 12,688 10,017OREO operations7,389 11,829 41,500Amortization of other intangible assets6,799 6,780 4,851Travel and entertainment5,911 5,756 5,420FDIC insurance5,827 7,493 14,328Other9,908 11,304 13,484Total noninterest expense$333,312 $355,253 $352,390