Noninterest Expense (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Noninterest Expense [Abstract]

Schedule of 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	$	171,643
Occupancy and equipment	39,935		42,930		39,878
Data processing	27,984		27,091		24,171
Professional fees	16,143		16,691		13,902
Depreciation	13,093		11,690		12,184
Merger and acquisition	10,837		11,976		1,012
Advertising	7,942		12,688		10,017
OREO operations	7,389		11,829		41,500
Amortization of other intangible assets	6,799		6,780		4,851
Travel and entertainment	5,911		5,756		5,420
FDIC insurance	5,827		7,493		14,328
Other	9,908		11,304		13,484
Total noninterest expense	$	333,312	$	355,253	$	352,390