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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;30, 2005</B>


<DIV align="Right" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-&#95;&#95;&#95;</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</DIV>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 20%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>FORM S-8</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B></DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>Under</B></DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>The Securities Act of 1933</B></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 20%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</B></DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 20%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Pennsylvania</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>23-2449551</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(State or Other Jurisdiction<BR>
of Incorporation or Organization)</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</B></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>






<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>101 North Pointe Boulevard<BR>
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601<BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 20%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>Sterling Financial Corporation 2005 Directors Stock Compensation Plan and Policy<BR>
(Full title of the Plan)</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 20%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>Copy To:</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>J. Roger Moyer, Jr.</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>Jean Svoboda, General Counsel</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>President, Chief Executive Officer and Director</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>Vice President and Secretary</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>Sterling Financial Corporation</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>Sterling Financial Corporation</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>101 North Pointe Boulevard</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>1097 Commercial Avenue</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601-4133</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>East Petersburg, Pennsylvania 17520-0038</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>(Name and Address of Agent For Service)</B></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>(717)&nbsp;581-6005</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(717)&nbsp;735-4908</B></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Helevetica,Arial,Sans-serif"><B>(Telephone Number, including area code, of agent for service)</B></DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 20%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="62%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of Each Class of Securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Amount To Be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>To Be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Registered (1)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Per Unit (2)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Aggregate Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, $5.00 par value per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">100,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">20.98</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">2,098,000.00</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 0px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">246.93</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares
of Registrant&#146;s common stock in respect of the securities
identified in the above table by reason of any stock dividend,
stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction
effected without the Registrant&#146;s receipt of consideration which
results in an increase in the number of the outstanding shares of
Registrant&#146;s common stock.</TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Calculated solely for the purposes of this offering under Rule
457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the
average of the high and low prices of the Registrant&#146;s common
stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on June 27, 2005.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">







<DIV align="left">
<!-- TOC -->
</DIV>
<DIV align="left">
<A name="tocpage"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#101">PART I</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">1</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#102">PART II</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:45px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#103">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">2</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:45px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#104">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">2</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:45px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#105">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">2</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:45px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#106">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">2</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:45px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#107">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">3</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:45px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#108">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">3</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:45px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#109">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">3</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#110">SIGNATURES</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">5</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#111">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">8</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
<TR><TD colspan="9"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;<A HREF="w10395exv5.htm">OPINION AND CONSENT OF JEAN SVOBODA, GENERAL COUNSEL</A></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;<A HREF="w10395exv23w1.htm">CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP</A></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;<A HREF="w10395exv99w1.htm">STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION 2005 DIRECTORS STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN AND POLICY</A></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<!-- /TOC -->
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="12%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">EXHIBIT 4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended Articles of Incorporation</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">EXHIBIT 4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">EXHIBIT 5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Counsel</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">EXHIBIT 23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">EXHIBIT 23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Counsel</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">EXHIBIT 24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">EXHIBIT 99.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Sterling Financial Corporation 2005 Directors Stock Compensation Plan and Policy</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left">
<A name="101"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART I</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Information Required in the<BR>
Section&nbsp;10(a) Prospectus</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 (plan information and
registrant information and employee plan annual information) will be sent or given to employees as
specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). Such
documents need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission either as part of this
Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 of the
Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Form S-8 (Part&nbsp;II hereof), taken together, constitute a prospectus
that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">1
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV align="left">
<A name="102"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART II</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Information Required in the Registration Statement</B>


<DIV align="left">
<A name="103"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. </B><U><B>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</B></U><B>.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sterling Financial Corporation (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) hereby incorporates by reference into
this Registration Statement the following documents previously filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;):


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December&nbsp;31, 2004 filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;30,
2005 pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;);</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the
Registrant&#146;s Annual Report referred to in (a)&nbsp;above; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock contained in the
Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3 (No.&nbsp;33-55131)
filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;18, 1994, and as amended by
Registrant&#146;s Rule 424(b) prospectus, filed with the Commission on
December&nbsp;23, 1998, and by Amendment No.&nbsp;1 filed with the
Commission on January&nbsp;16, 2001) and including any other
amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such
description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement and
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered
hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to
be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
of filing such documents, except as to specific sections of such statements as set forth therein.
Unless expressly incorporated into this Registration Statement, a report furnished on Form 8-K
prior or subsequent to the date hereof shall not be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document
which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.

<DIV align="left">
<A name="104"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. </B><U><B>Description of Securities</B></U><B>.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<DIV align="left">
<A name="105"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. </B><U><B>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</B></U><B>.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Certain legal matters in connection with the Plan have been passed upon for Sterling
Financial Corporation by Jean Svoboda, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Sterling
Financial Corporation. As of June&nbsp;27, 2005, Ms.&nbsp;Svoboda owns options to purchase shares of
Sterling Financial Corporation&#146;s common stock.

<DIV align="left">
<A name="106"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. </B><U><B>Indemnification of Directors and Officers</B></U><B>.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The general corporate law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as applicable to the
Registrant, together with the Registrant&#146;s By-laws, provides the Registrant&#146;s officers and
directors with a broad range of limitation from liability and indemnification for actions and
inactions in connection with the performance of their duties. Aside from matters involving
criminal statutes or tax laws, directors are not personally liable for monetary damages for any
action or inaction taken unless the director has breached or failed to perform his or her duties of
office and such breach or failure constitutes willful misconduct or recklessness. The Registrant&#146;s
officers and directors are entitled to be indemnified if they are named as a party or threatened to
be named as a party to any type of proceeding as a result of actions or inactions taken while in
the course of their association with the Registrant provided that such action or inaction was in
good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of
the Registrant. Officers and directors of the Registrant will be presumed to be entitled to this
indemnification absent breaches of fiduciary duty, lack of good faith or self-dealing and will be
entitled to be indemnified unless their conduct is determined by a court to have constituted
willful misconduct or recklessness.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To the extent that a director or officer of the Registrant has been successful on the merits
or otherwise in defense of any action or proceeding relating to third party actions relating to
derivative actions or in defense of any, claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonable incurred in
connection therewith.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
the Registrant acknowledges that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.

<DIV align="left">
<A name="107"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. </B><U><B>Exemption from Registration Claimed</B></U><B>.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<DIV align="left">
<A name="108"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. </B><U><B>Exhibits</B></U><B>.</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="9" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Incorporated by Reference</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Filed</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit Description</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Form</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>File No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Filing Date</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Herewith</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended Articles of
Incorporation of Sterling
Financial Corporation, as
currently in effect.
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">8-K
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">000-16276
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">(i)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>April&nbsp;30, 2002</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws
of Sterling Financial
Corporation, as currently in
effect.
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">10-Q
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">000-16276
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap colspan="3" align="center" valign="top">3(ii)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;10, 2005</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion and Consent of Jean
Svoboda, General Counsel
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Jean Svoboda,
General Counsel
(contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5).
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney
(incorporated by reference to
the Signature Page of this
Registration Statement).
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Sterling Financial
Corporation 2005 Directors Stock
Compensation Plan and Policy
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<A name="109"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. </B><U><B>Undertakings</B></U><B>.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1)&nbsp;to file, during any period in which
offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i)&nbsp;to
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii)&nbsp;to reflect in the
prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or
the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement -
notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective Registration
Statement; and (iii)&nbsp;to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information
in the Registration Statement; provided, however, that clauses (1)(i) and (1)(ii) shall not apply
if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those clauses is
contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement; (2)&nbsp;that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and (3)&nbsp;to remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
indemnification provisions summarized in Item&nbsp;6 or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that,
in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV align="left">
<A name="110"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City Lancaster, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, on June&nbsp;28,
2005.


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>Sterling Financial Corporation</B> <BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">J. Roger Moyer, Jr.     &nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>




<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS</B>, that the undersigned officers and directors of
Sterling Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint J.
Roger Moyer, Jr. and Jean Svoboda and each of them, the lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with
full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments
which said attorneys and agents, and any one of them, determine may be necessary or advisable or
required to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any
rules or regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with
this Registration Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power and authority,
the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the undersigned officers
and directors in the capacities indicated below to this Registration Statement, to any and all
amendments, both pre-effective and post-effective, and supplements to this Registration Statement,
and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in conjunction with this
Registration Statement or amendments or supplements thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby
ratifies and confirms that all said attorneys and agents, or any one of them, shall do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in several counterparts.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>IN WITNESS WHEREOF</B>, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the
date indicated.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities
and on the dates indicated.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"> <B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John E. Stefan
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
John E. Stefan
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chairman of the Board and Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June&nbsp;28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June&nbsp;28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"> <B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Tito L. Lima
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Tito L. Lima
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Douglas P. Barton
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Douglas P. Barton
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Principal Accounting Officer&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Richard H. Albright, Jr.
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Richard H. Albright, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Michael A. Carenzo
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Michael A. Carenzo
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Anthony D. Chivinski
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Anthony D. Chivinski
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Bertram F. Elsner
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Bertram F. Elsner
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Howard E. Groff, Jr.
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Howard E. Groff, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Joan R. Henderson
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Joan R. Henderson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Terrence L. Hormel
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Terrence L. Hormel
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ David E. Hosler
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
David E. Hosler
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Vice Chairman and Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ William E. Miller, Jr.
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
William E. Miller, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">6
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"> <B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ W. Garth Sprecher
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
W. Garth Sprecher
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Glenn R. Walz
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Glenn R. Walz
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 28, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">7
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left">
<A name="111"></A>
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="9" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Incorporated by Reference</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Filed</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit Description</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Form</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>File No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Filing Date</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Herewith</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended Articles of
Incorporation of Sterling
Financial Corporation., as
currently in effect.
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">8-K
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">000-16276
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">(i)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>April&nbsp;30, 2002</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws
of Sterling Financial
Corporation., as currently in
effect.
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">10-Q
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">000-16276
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap colspan="3" align="center" valign="top">3(ii)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;10, 2005</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion and Consent of Jean
Svoboda, General Counsel
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Jean Svoboda,
General Counsel
(contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5).
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney
(incorporated by reference to
the Signature Page of this
Registration Statement).
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Sterling Financial
Corporation 2005 Directors Stock
Compensation Plan and Policy
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>X</B></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">8
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "STERLING FINANCIAL CORP /PA/", "cik": "0000811671", "assigned-sic": "6021", "irs-number": "232449551", "state-of-incorporation": "PA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-126258", "film-number": "05927591"}, "business-address": {"street1": "NORTH POINTE BANKING CORP", "street2": "101 NORTH POINTE BLVD", "city": "LANCASTER", "state": "PA", "zip": "17601-4133", "phone": "7175816030"}}
sv8
Table of Contents
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2005
Registration No. 333-___
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Pennsylvania
23-2449551
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
101 North Pointe Boulevard
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Sterling Financial Corporation 2005 Directors Stock Compensation Plan and Policy
(Full title of the Plan)
Copy To:
J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
Jean Svoboda, General Counsel
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Vice President and Secretary
Sterling Financial Corporation
Sterling Financial Corporation
101 North Pointe Boulevard
1097 Commercial Avenue
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601-4133
East Petersburg, Pennsylvania 17520-0038
(Name and Address of Agent For Service)
(717) 581-6005
(717) 735-4908
(Telephone Number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Title of Each Class of Securities
Amount To Be
Offering Price
Proposed Maximum
Amount of
To Be Registered
Registered (1)
Per Unit (2)
Aggregate Offering Price
Registration Fee
Common Stock, $5.00 par value per share
100,000
$
20.98
$
2,098,000.00
$
246.93
(1)
This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares
of Registrant's common stock in respect of the securities
identified in the above table by reason of any stock dividend,
stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction
effected without the Registrant's receipt of consideration which
results in an increase in the number of the outstanding shares of
Registrant's common stock.
(2)
Calculated solely for the purposes of this offering under Rule
457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the
average of the high and low prices of the Registrant's common
stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on June 27, 2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
1
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
2
Item 4. Description of Securities
2
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
2
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
2
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
3
Item 8. Exhibits
3
Item 9. Undertakings
3
SIGNATURES
5
EXHIBIT INDEX
8
OPINION AND CONSENT OF JEAN SVOBODA, GENERAL COUNSEL
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
STERLING FINANCIAL CORPORATION 2005 DIRECTORS STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN AND POLICY
EXHIBIT 4.1
Amended Articles of Incorporation
EXHIBIT 4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws
EXHIBIT 5
Opinion of Counsel
EXHIBIT 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
EXHIBIT 23.2
Consent of Counsel
EXHIBIT 24
Power of Attorney
EXHIBIT 99.1
Sterling Financial Corporation 2005 Directors Stock Compensation Plan and Policy
PART I
Information Required in the
Section 10(a) Prospectus
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 (plan information and
registrant information and employee plan annual information) will be sent or given to employees as
specified by Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Such
documents need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission either as part of this
Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 of the
Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Form S-8 (Part II hereof), taken together, constitute a prospectus
that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
1
Table of Contents
PART II
Information Required in the Registration Statement
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
.
Sterling Financial Corporation (the "Registrant") hereby incorporates by reference into
this Registration Statement the following documents previously filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"):
(a)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on March 30,
2005 pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act");
(b)
All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the
Registrant's Annual Report referred to in (a) above; and
(c)
The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-55131)
filed with the Commission on August 18, 1994, and as amended by
Registrant's Rule 424(b) prospectus, filed with the Commission on
December 23, 1998, and by Amendment No. 1 filed with the
Commission on January 16, 2001) and including any other
amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such
description.
All reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement and
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered
hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to
be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
of filing such documents, except as to specific sections of such statements as set forth therein.
Unless expressly incorporated into this Registration Statement, a report furnished on Form 8-K
prior or subsequent to the date hereof shall not be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document
which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
Item 4.
Description of Securities
.
Not applicable.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
.
Certain legal matters in connection with the Plan have been passed upon for Sterling
Financial Corporation by Jean Svoboda, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Sterling
Financial Corporation. As of June 27, 2005, Ms. Svoboda owns options to purchase shares of
Sterling Financial Corporation's common stock.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
.
The general corporate law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as applicable to the
Registrant, together with the Registrant's By-laws, provides the Registrant's officers and
directors with a broad range of limitation from liability and indemnification for actions and
inactions in connection with the performance of their duties. Aside from matters involving
criminal statutes or tax laws, directors are not personally liable for monetary damages for any
action or inaction taken unless the director has breached or failed to perform his or her duties of
office and such breach or failure constitutes willful misconduct or recklessness. The Registrant's
officers and directors are entitled to be indemnified if they are named as a party or threatened to
be named as a party to any type of proceeding as a result of actions or inactions taken while in
the course of their association with the Registrant provided that such action or inaction was in
good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of
the Registrant. Officers and directors of the Registrant will be presumed to be entitled to this
indemnification absent breaches of fiduciary duty, lack of good faith or self-dealing and will be
entitled to be indemnified unless their conduct is determined by a court to have constituted
willful misconduct or recklessness.
2
Table of Contents
To the extent that a director or officer of the Registrant has been successful on the merits
or otherwise in defense of any action or proceeding relating to third party actions relating to
derivative actions or in defense of any, claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonable incurred in
connection therewith.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
the Registrant acknowledges that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed
.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
Exhibit
Incorporated by Reference
Filed
Number
Exhibit Description
Form
File No.
Exhibit
Filing Date
Herewith
4.1
Amended Articles of
Incorporation of Sterling
Financial Corporation, as
currently in effect.
8-K
000-16276
3
(i)
April 30, 2002
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws
of Sterling Financial
Corporation, as currently in
effect.
10-Q
000-16276
3(ii)
May 10, 2005
5
Opinion and Consent of Jean
Svoboda, General Counsel
X
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
X
23.2
Consent of Jean Svoboda,
General Counsel
(contained in Exhibit 5).
X
24
Power of Attorney
(incorporated by reference to
the Signature Page of this
Registration Statement).
X
99.1
Sterling Financial
Corporation 2005 Directors Stock
Compensation Plan and Policy
X
Item 9.
Undertakings
.
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) to file, during any period in which
offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) to
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) to reflect in the
prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or
the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement -
notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration
Statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information
in the Registration Statement; provided, however, that clauses (1)(i) and (1)(ii) shall not apply
if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those clauses is
contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
3
Table of Contents
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement; (2) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and (3) to remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
indemnification provisions summarized in Item 6 or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that,
in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
4
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City Lancaster, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, on June 28,
2005.
Sterling Financial Corporation
By:
/s/ J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS
, that the undersigned officers and directors of
Sterling Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint J.
Roger Moyer, Jr. and Jean Svoboda and each of them, the lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with
full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments
which said attorneys and agents, and any one of them, determine may be necessary or advisable or
required to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any
rules or regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with
this Registration Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power and authority,
the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the undersigned officers
and directors in the capacities indicated below to this Registration Statement, to any and all
amendments, both pre-effective and post-effective, and supplements to this Registration Statement,
and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in conjunction with this
Registration Statement or amendments or supplements thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby
ratifies and confirms that all said attorneys and agents, or any one of them, shall do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in several counterparts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the
date indicated.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities
and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ John E. Stefan
John E. Stefan
Chairman of the Board and Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
June 28, 2005
5
Table of Contents
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Tito L. Lima
Tito L. Lima
Chief Financial Officer
June 28, 2005
/s/ Douglas P. Barton
Douglas P. Barton
Principal Accounting Officer
June 28, 2005
/s/ Richard H. Albright, Jr.
Richard H. Albright, Jr.
Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ Michael A. Carenzo
Michael A. Carenzo
Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ Anthony D. Chivinski
Anthony D. Chivinski
Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ Bertram F. Elsner
Bertram F. Elsner
Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ Howard E. Groff, Jr.
Howard E. Groff, Jr.
Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ Joan R. Henderson
Joan R. Henderson
Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ Terrence L. Hormel
Terrence L. Hormel
Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ David E. Hosler
David E. Hosler
Vice Chairman and Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ William E. Miller, Jr.
William E. Miller, Jr.
Director
June 28, 2005
6
Table of Contents
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ W. Garth Sprecher
W. Garth Sprecher
Director
June 28, 2005
/s/ Glenn R. Walz
Glenn R. Walz
Director
June 28, 2005
7
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Incorporated by Reference
Filed
Number
Exhibit Description
Form
File No.
Exhibit
Filing Date
Herewith
4.1
Amended Articles of
Incorporation of Sterling
Financial Corporation., as
currently in effect.
8-K
000-16276
3
(i)
April 30, 2002
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws
of Sterling Financial
Corporation., as currently in
effect.
10-Q
000-16276
3(ii)
May 10, 2005
5
Opinion and Consent of Jean
Svoboda, General Counsel
X
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
X
23.2
Consent of Jean Svoboda,
General Counsel
(contained in Exhibit 5).
X
24
Power of Attorney
(incorporated by reference to
the Signature Page of this
Registration Statement).
X
99.1
Sterling Financial
Corporation 2005 Directors Stock
Compensation Plan and Policy
X
8