EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-61452, 333-44078, 333-69481) of Sterling Financial Corporation of our report dated February 8, 2001 relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Los Angeles, California

March 19, 2003