INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers. (b) Sterling Financial Corporation ("Sterling") hereby discloses the departure of former CEO and Co-Founder, Harold B. Gilkey, from the Sterling Board of Directors, effective October 19, 2009. 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, 2009 By: /s/ Daniel G. Byrne ---------------- ------------------------------------ Date Daniel G. Byrne Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Principal Financial Officer </TEXT> </DOCUMENT>