Sterling Financial Corporation of Spokane, Washington, Announces Third-Quarter 2008 Earnings Conference Call

SPOKANE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sterling Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STSA), today announced that it expects to release third-quarter 2008 earnings at 1:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, October 21, 2008. Sterling plans to host a conference call for investors the next morning, October 22, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. PDT to discuss the company's financial results. To participate in the conference call, domestic callers should dial 210-234-0003 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 continuous replay will be available approximately one hour following the conference call and may be accessed by dialing 203-369-4009. The continuous replay will be offered through December 15, 2008, at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Additionally, Sterling's 2008 third-quarter earnings conference call is being made available online at the company's website, www.sterlingfinancialcorporation-spokane.com. To access this audio presentation call, click on the audio webcast icon.

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 June 30, 2008, Sterling Financial Corporation had assets of $12.70 billion and operated more than 175 depository branches throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California. Visit Sterling's website at www.sterlingfinancialcorporation-spokane.com.