Regulatory Capital (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Regulatory Capital [Abstract]

Schedule of Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations

The following table sets forth the respective regulatory capital positions for Sterling and Sterling Bank:

	Actual				Adequately Capitalized				Well-Capitalized
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	(in thousands)
As of December 31, 2013
Tier 1 leverage ratio
Sterling	$	1,138,988	11.6	%	$	393,693	4.0	%	$	492,117	5.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,112,281		11.3	%	393,604		4.0	%	492,005		5.0	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
Sterling	1,138,988		14.9	%	306,509		4.0	%	459,764		6.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,112,281		14.5	%	306,681		4.0	%	460,021		6.0	%
Total risk-based capital ratio
Sterling	1,235,422		16.1	%	613,018		8.0	%	766,273		10.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,208,768		15.8	%	613,361		8.0	%	766,701		10.0	%
As of December 31, 2012
Tier 1 leverage ratio
Sterling	1,115,834		12.1	%	367,909		4.0	%	459,886		5.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,100,443		12.0	%	368,053		4.0	%	460,066		5.0	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
Sterling	1,115,834		17.5	%	255,750		4.0	%	383,625		6.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,100,443		17.2	%	255,875		4.0	%	383,812		6.0	%
Total risk-based capital ratio
Sterling	1,196,773		18.7	%	511,499		8.0	%	639,374		10.0	%
Sterling Bank	1,181,421		18.5	%	511,749		8.0	%	639,687		10.0	%