On February 21, 2007, Sterling Financial Corporation ("Sterling") (Nasdaq: STSA) and Northern Empire Bancshares ("Northern Empire") (Nasdaq: NREB) announced that shareholders of both Sterling and Northern Empire approved the proposed acquisition of Northern Empire by Sterling.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, the last day of trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market for Northern Empire was upon the merger closing date of February 28, 2007.

Investors and security holders may access copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Sterling on its website at www.sterlingfinancialcorporation-spokane.com. The documents filed by Northern Empire may also be obtained by requesting them in writing at Northern Empire Bancshares, 801 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, or by telephone at (707) 591-9000.

As a result of the merger, effective February 28, 2007, this section of the Northern Empire website www.snbank.com was redirected to Sterling Financial Corporation ("Sterling") (Nasdaq: STSA) website www.sterlingfinancialcorporation-spokane.com.

Click here to read the full press release on this approved merger.

If you have any questions regarding this change please contact Mr. Dan Byrne, Sterling Chief Financial Officer at (509) 458-3711 or by email.