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: January 30, 2012
(Date of earliest event reported)
Sterling Financial Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| Washington | 001-34696 | 91-1572822 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
111 North Wall Street, Spokane, Washington 99201
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and 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)) |
| Item 8.01. | Other Events. |
On January 30, 2012, Sterling Financial Corporation’s principal operating subsidiary, Sterling Savings Bank (the “Bank”), was notified by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Washington Department of Financial Institutions that the Bank’s Interagency Bank Merger Application and Application for Consent to Exercise Trust Powers filed in connection with the pending acquisition of certain assets and operations of First Independent Bank were approved.
The transaction with First Independent Bank is expected to be completed on February 29, 2012, subject to satisfaction of the closing conditions set forth in the related Purchase and Assumption Agreement and other customary closing conditions.
SIGNATURES
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 hereunto duly authorized.
| STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION (Registrant) | ||||||
| February 3, 2012 | By: | /s/ Patrick J. Rusnak | ||||
| Date | Patrick J. Rusnak | |||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||