UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 20, 2005

 

 

STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Washington

 

0-20800

 

91-1572822

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

 

 

Identification No.)

 

 

111 North Wall Street, Spokane, Washington 99201

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(509) 458-3711

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 


 

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

 

Item 8.01.  Other Events.

 

                On December 20, 2005, Sterling Financial Corporation (“Sterling”) issued a press release announcing the introduction of a Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase and Sale Plan for existing and prospective shareholders of Sterling’s common stock.

 

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

                (c)  The following exhibit is being filed herewith:

 

 

Exhibit No.             Exhibit Description

 

                   99.1                      Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated December 20, 2005.

 

 

S I G N A T U R E

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

December 20, 2005

 

By:

/s/ Daniel G. Byrne

Date

 

 

Daniel G. Byrne

 

 

Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary, and

 

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated December 20, 2005.

 

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