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): November 12, 2004

 

 

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 November 12, 2004, Sterling Financial Corporation (“Sterling”) issued a press release announcing that Sterling has called for redemption of the Sterling Financial Corporation Floating Rate Notes Due June 15, 2006.  The text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

 

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

                (c)  The following exhibits are being furnished herewith:

 

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated November 12, 2004.

 

 

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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 15, 2004

By:

   /s/ Daniel G. Byrne

 

   Date

 

Daniel G. Byrne

 

 

 

Executive Vice President-Finance and

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2