Sterling Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STSA), today announced that it expects to release second-quarter 2009 earnings at 1:30 p.m. PDT on Thursday, July 23, 2009. Sterling plans to host a conference call for investors the next morning, July 24, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. PDT 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-spokane.com. To access this audio presentation call, click on the audio webcast icon. Additionally, you may listen to the live conference call by telephone. To participate in the conference call, domestic callers should dial 517-308-9194 approximately five minutes before the scheduled start time. You will be asked by the operator to identify yourself and provide the password "STERLING" to enter the call. 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 September 15, 2009.

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.

Sterling Financial Corporation
Daniel G. Byrne, 509-458-3711
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
or
Sterling Financial Corporation
Deborah L. Wardwell, CFA, 509-354-8165
VP, Investor Relations Director