X0304 4 2012-03-02 0000891106 STERLING FINANCIAL CORP /WA/ STSA 0001343400 Eckhardt Ezra 111 N. WALL STREET SPOKANE WA 99201 1 COO - Sterling Financial Corp. Common Stock 2012-03-02 4 A 0 610 0 A 46698 D Common Stock 10072 I 401k Common Stock 925 I Spouse IRA Grant of salary stock in the form of mandatorily deferred Restricted Stock Units as approved by Sterling's board of directors on December 8, 2010. Future RSUs are to be granted each payroll period and will be calculated using the closing price of Sterling's common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market as of the last trading day in each payroll period. Units vest immediately upon grant, however, delivery of the awarded shares is deferred until future distribution dates provided in the Agreement between Sterling and Mr. Eckhardt. /s/ Daniel G. Byrne, attorney-in-fact 2012-03-06