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)  December 9, 2003

 


 

STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Washington

 

0-20800

 

91-1572822

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

111 North Wall Street, Spokane, Washington 99201

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

(509) 458-3711

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

 

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 



 

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

 

Item 5.  Other Events.

 

On December 9, 2003, Sterling Financial Corporation announced that its acquisition of Klamath First Bancorp, Inc. and the merger of Klamath First Federal Savings and Loan Association with and into Sterling Savings Bank had been approved by the Office of Thrift Supervision subject to satisfactory compliance with certain conditions, including receipt of shareholder approval.  On December 11, 2003, Sterling Financial Corporation and Klamath First Bancorp, Inc. will each hold a special meeting of shareholders to vote on the merger proposal.

 

Item 7.  Exhibits.

 

(c)  The following exhibits are being furnished herewith:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press release text of Sterling Financial Corporation dated December 9, 2003.

 

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)

 

 

 

 

 

December 9, 2003

 

By:

/s/ William R. Basom

Date

 

 

William R. Basom

 

 

 

Vice President, Treasurer, and
Principal Accounting Officer

 

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