On February 24, 2009, Sterling Financial Corporation ("Sterling") issued a press release and a report to the community disclosing information regarding Sterling's participation in the Capital Purchase Program of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. A copy of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 and a copy of the report to the community is included as Exhibit 99.2 to this report. The information in this report (including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2) shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

(d) The following exhibits are being furnished herewith:

     Exhibit No.         Exhibit Description

     99.1                Sterling Financial Corporation press release.

     99.2                Sterling Financial Corporation Report to the Community.
                         (text only version)

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.

February 24, 2009 By: /s/ Daniel G. Byrne Date Daniel G. Byrne Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Principal Financial Officer