UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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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): September 21, 2009
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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:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On September 21, 2009, Sterling Financial Corporation ("Sterling") held a
special meeting of shareholders to vote on the approval of a proposal to amend
Sterling's Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of
authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 750,000,000 shares. The
proposal was approved, with approximately 33,043,838 shares, or 63.06% of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote, voting in favor of the proposal.
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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
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(Registrant)
September 21, 2009 By: /s/ Daniel G. Byrne
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Date Daniel G. Byrne
Executive Vice President, Assistant
Secretary, and Principal Financial
Officer
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