Sterling Financial Corporation of Spokane, Washington, to Present at D.A. Davidson Financial Services Conference

Sterling Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STSA), a leading community bank in the western region, today announced that Harold B. Gilkey, chairman and chief executive officer, and Daniel G. Byrne, executive vice president and chief financial officer, have been invited to present at the 11th Annual D.A. Davidson Financial Services Conference in Seattle, Washington.

Sterling is scheduled to present on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at 4:15 p.m. PDT. Investors may access a copy of Sterling's presentation at www.sterlingfinancialcorporation-spokane.com immediately following the event.

About Sterling Financial Corporation

Sterling Financial Corporation of Spokane, Washington, is the bank holding company for Sterling Savings Bank, a commercial bank, and Golf Savings Bank, a savings bank focused on single-family mortgage originations. Both banks are 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 March 31, 2009, Sterling Financial Corporation had assets of $12.82 billion and operated more than 175 depository branches throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California. Visit Sterling's website at www.sterlingfinancialcorporation-spokane.com.