EXHIBIT 12.2

STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF RETURN ON AVERAGE ASSETS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2005

	Total Assets
	YTD
12/31/2004		6,942,224,000
01/31/2005		7,122,710,238
02/28/2005		7,163,692,718
03/31/2005		7,014,507,000
04/30/2005		7,053,906,193
05/31/2005		7,077,313,357
06/30/2005		6,743,812,000
07/31/2005		6,765,623,401
08/31/2005		6,803,722,531
09/30/2005		6,796,048,000
10/31/2005		7,156,903,951
11/30/2005		7,412,325,184
12/31/2005		7,558,928,175
		91,611,716,748
Number of Months		13
Average		7,047,055,134
Net Income	$	61,218,903
ROA		0.87	%