EXHIBIT 12.2

STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF RETURN ON AVERAGE ASSETS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2004

	Total Assets
	YTD
January 2, 2004	5,776,713,061
January 31, 2004	5,752,254,067
February 28, 2004	6,152,051,905
March 31, 2004	6,095,155,069
April 30, 2004	6,246,500,722
May 31, 2004	6,316,603,674
June 30, 2004	6,259,111,259
July 31, 2004	6,400,779,874
August 31, 2004	6,591,990,135
September 30, 2004	6,733,445,597
October 31, 2004	6,776,134,323
November 30, 2004	6,851,506,428
December 31, 2004	6,942,223,535
	82,894,469,649
Number of Months	13
Average	6,376,497,665
Net Income	$	56,305,295
ROA	0.88		%

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