Sterling Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STSA) (the "Company"), today announced that it expects to release 2013 third-quarter earnings after 1 p.m. PT on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013. The Company plans to host a conference call for investors the next morning, Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, at 8 a.m. PT to discuss the company's financial results.

A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed at the Company's website, www.sterlingfinancialcorporation.com. To access this audio presentation call, click on the audio webcast icon. Additionally, you may listen to the live conference call by telephone by dialing 212-287-1835 approximately five minutes before the scheduled start time and provide the password STERLING. A webcast replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website approximately one hour following the completion of the call. The webcast replay will be offered through Nov. 25, 2013.

About Sterling Financial Corporation

Sterling Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STSA) of Spokane, Washington, is the bank holding company for Sterling Savings Bank, a Washington state chartered and federally insured commercial bank. Sterling Savings Bank does business as Sterling Bank in Washington, Oregon and Idaho and as Argent Bank in California, offering banking products and services, mortgage lending, and trust and investment products to individuals, small businesses, corporations and other commercial organizations. As of June 30, 2013, Sterling Financial Corporation had assets of $9.94 billion and operated depository branches in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. Visit Sterling Financial Corporation's website at www.sterlingfinancialcorporation.com.

Sterling Financial Corporation
Investor contact:
Patrick Rusnak, 509-227-0961
patrick.rusnak@bankwithsterling.com
or
Media contact:
Cara L. Coon, 509-626-5348
cara.coon@bankwithsterling.com