8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2007

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STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington	0-20800	91-1572822
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

111 North Wall Street, Spokane, Washington 99201
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(509) 458-3711
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o      Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o      Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 8.01. Other Events.

     On October 22, 2007, Sterling Financial Corporation (“Sterling”) issued a press release announcing a quarterly cash dividend of $0.095 per share of common stock payable to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2007. The dividend is expected to be paid on January 11, 2007. The text of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (d) The following exhibit is being filed herewith:

Exhibit No.	Exhibit Description
99.1	Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated October 22, 2007.

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S I G N A T U R E

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
October 22, 2007	By:	/s/ Daniel G. Byrne
Date		Daniel G. Byrne Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary, and Principal Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Exhibit Description
99.1	Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated October 22, 2007.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

For Release October 22, 2007 — 6:00 p.m. PDT

STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND OF $0.095 PER SHARE

     Spokane, Washington, October 22, 2007 — Sterling Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STSA) announced today that its board of directors unanimously approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.095 per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid on January 11, 2008, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2007. All communications regarding the cash dividend will be forwarded to shareholders through American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Sterling’s transfer agent.

     Harold B. Gilkey, chairman and chief executive officer, commented, “Sterling’s board of directors has approved an increase in the dividend for the quarter. This increase reflects the board’s confidence in our ability to generate strong cash flow supporting both a dividend payment and Sterling’s growth initiatives. Future cash dividend payments will be subject to ongoing review and approval by the board of directors on a quarterly basis.”

     Based on the closing price of Sterling Financial Corporation’s common stock on Monday, October 22, 2007, of $23.37 per share, the forthcoming dividend would represent an annual yield of approximately 1.63 percent.

ABOUT STERLING

     Sterling Financial Corporation of Spokane, Washington is a bank holding company, of which the principal operating subsidiaries are Sterling Savings Bank and Golf Savings Bank. Sterling Savings Bank is a Washington State-chartered, federally insured commercial bank, which opened in April 1983 as a stock savings and loan association. Sterling Savings Bank, based in Spokane, Washington, has financial service centers throughout Washington, California, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Through Sterling Savings Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Action Mortgage Company and INTERVEST-Mortgage Investment Company, it operates loan production offices throughout the western region. Sterling Savings Bank’s subsidiary Harbor Financial Services provides non-bank investments, including mutual funds, variable annuities and tax-deferred annuities and other investment products through regional representatives throughout Sterling Savings Bank’s branch network.

     Golf Savings Bank is a Washington State-chartered and FDIC insured savings bank. Golf Savings Bank’s primary focus is the origination of single-family residential mortgage loans.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This report contains forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts and pertain to Sterling’s future operating results. These forward-looking statements are within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about Sterling’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this report that are not historical facts. When used in this report, the words “expects,” anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to significant

business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Sterling’s control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements because of numerous possible risks and uncertainties. These include but are not limited to: the possibility of adverse economic developments that may, among other things, increase default and delinquency risks in Sterling’s loan portfolios; shifts in interest rates that may result in lower interest rate margins; shifts in the demand for Sterling’s loan and other products; lower-than-expected revenue or cost savings in connection with acquisitions; changes in accounting policies; changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; and changes in laws, regulations and the competitive environment.

Contact: Daniel G. Byrne
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
509-458-3711