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: September 13, 2013
(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) 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))




    




Item 8.01.     Other Events.

On September 13, 2013, Sterling Financial Corporation and its principal operating subsidiary, Sterling Savings Bank, received final regulatory approval for the previously announced acquisition of Commerce National Bank (“CNB”).

The acquisition of CNB is expected to be completed on October 1, 2013, subject to satisfaction of the closing conditions set forth in the related Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger.



    




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)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 16, 2013
 
By:
/s/  Patrick J. Rusnak
 

Date
 
 
Patrick J. Rusnak
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer