SFC 8-K Q42013 ER and Dividend

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): January 30, 2014
___________

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:

[x] 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 2.02.     Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 30, 2014, Sterling Financial Corporation ("Sterling") issued a press release regarding its results of operations and financial condition for the periods ended December 31, 2013. The text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. The information included in the press release is considered to be "furnished" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Sterling will include final financial statements and additional analyses for the year ended December 31, 2013 as part of its annual report on Form 10-K.

Item 8.01    Other Events

On January 30, 2014, Sterling announced that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share, payable on February 27, 2014 to shareholders of record as of February 13, 2014.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) The following exhibits are being furnished herewith:

Exhibit No.
Exhibit Description

99.1
Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated January 30, 2014.







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)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
January 30, 2014
 
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 January 30, 2014.