On April 23, 2009, Sterling Financial Corporation ("Sterling") issued a press release and financial supplement thereto regarding its results of operations and financial condition for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and the financial supplement is included as Exhibit 99.2 to this report. The information included in the press release text and the financial supplement is considered to be "furnished" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Sterling will include final financial statements and additional analyses for the period ended March 31, 2009, as part of its quarterly report on Form 10-Q covering that period.

(d) The following exhibits are being furnished herewith:

     Exhibit No.      Exhibit Description

     99.1             Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated
                      April 23, 2009.
     99.2             Financial supplement of Sterling Financial Corporation.

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.

April 23, 2009 By: /s/ Daniel G. Byrne Date Daniel G. Byrne
Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary, and Principal Financial Officer