SFC8-KforSpecialDividend06-17-13


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): June 17, 2013
_____________________________________________________________

STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington
001-34696
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) 358-8097
(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))





INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 8.01 Other Events
On June 17, 2013, Sterling Financial Corporation announced that its Board of Directors authorized the declaration of a special cash dividend of $0.35 per common share, payable on July 12, 2013 to shareholders of record as of June 28, 2013. The press release for this announcement is included as Exhibit 99.1 of this Report.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)  The following exhibit is being furnished herewith:
Exhibit No.         Exhibit Description
99.1              Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated June 17, 2013.






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)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 17, 2013
 
By:
/s/  Patrick J. Rusnak
Date
 
 
Patrick J. Rusnak
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer





EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
 
99.1
 
Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated June 17, 2013.