Homebuyers Incentives on Qualifying Properties

SPOKANE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sterling Savings Bank (“Sterling”), a subsidiary of Sterling Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: STSA), today announced an incentive program for buyers of Sterling-owned properties. All single-family residences and condominiums currently owned by Sterling qualify for this incentive.

Incentives are offered beginning Jan. 3, 2011 with closing by March 31, 2011. The suite of incentives include:

• Up to 4 percent of the purchase price (up to $20,000) for transactions where an offer is received on or after Jan. 3, 2011 and is closed by Feb. 15, 2011 (3.5 percent if closed by March 31, 2011).
• Up to $600 seller contribution toward a 2-year home warranty plan (independent home warranty provider of buyer’s choice).
• Buyer’s choice of either a big screen TV or moving assistance up to $750.

For more information and to browse qualifying properties, please stop by a local branch or visit www.sterlingavailableproperties.com.

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 Study^SM. 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 Study^SM. 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.

CONTACT:

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

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Washington

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Professional Services  Banking  Finance

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