EXHIBIT 12.2

STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION

COMPUTATION OF RETURN ON AVERAGE ASSETS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2006

	Total Assets
	YTD
12/31/2005		7,558,928,175
01/31/2006		7,600,862,809
02/28/2006		7,693,454,648
03/31/2006		7,840,285,166
04/30/2006		7,992,914,744
05/31/2006		8,047,524,165
06/30/2006		8,044,338,495
07/31/2006		8,724,345,937
08/31/2006		8,888,408,030
09/30/2006		8,912,717,411
10/31/2006		9,010,195,084
11/30/2006		9,038,688,829
12/31/2006		9,828,651,810
		109,181,315,303
Number of Months		13
Average		8,398,562,716
Net Income	$	73,946,355
ROA		0.88	%