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.

Sonoma Bank (parent company Northern Empire Bancshares) thanks you for your business and looks forward to serving you in the future as Sterling Savings Bank. We are happy that we are going to be part of Sterling, and we know you will be too.

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