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Sterling Savings Bank of Spokane, Wash., Recognized Nationally as Mortgage Originator

Sterling originated $1.05 billion in mortgage loans in the first six months of 2010. With the addition of $732.1 million in the third quarter, Sterling's year-to-date mortgage loan production, as of Sept. 30, 2010, is $1.79 billion.

"Our ranking demonstrates Sterling's momentum and growth within this important market. We are proud of our designation," said Ezra Eckhardt, president and chief operating officer of Sterling.

Donn Costa, EVP of Sterling's Home Loan Division, adds, "It is our goal to be one of America's great banks. It is our strategy to continue to grow the mortgage loan division and to increase market share in the communities we currently serve, as well as to grow our presence in northern California by offering quality home-loan products."

Sterling's Home Loan Division combines the former Golf Savings Bank mortgage origination unit with Sterling's Home Loan Division. Golf Savings Bank merged with Sterling Savings Bank on August 2, 2010.

About Sterling Financial Corporation

Sterling Financial Corporation of Spokane, Wash., is the bank holding company for Sterling Savings Bank, a commercial bank. The bank is state chartered and federally insured. Sterling offers banking products and services, mortgage lending, construction financing and investment products to individuals, small businesses, commercial organizations and corporations. As of Sept. 30, 2010, Sterling Financial Corporation had assets of $10.03 billion and operated 178 depository branches throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California. Visit Sterling's website at www.sterlingfinancialcorporation-spokane.com.

Sterling Savings Bank ranked "Highest Customer Satisfaction with Retail Banking in the Northwest Region" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Retail Banking Satisfaction Studyâ„ . Sterling Savings Bank received the highest numerical score among retail banks in the Northwest region in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Retail Banking Satisfaction Studyâ„ . The study was based on 47,673 total responses measuring 6 providers in the Northwest Region (OR, WA) and measures opinions of consumers with their primary banking provider. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January 2010. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

Sterling Savings Bank
Media contact:
Cara L. Coon, (509) 626-5348
cara.coon@sterlingsavings.com
or
Investor contact:
Daniel G. Byrne, (509) 458-3711
David Brukardt, (509) 863-5423