content: <!-- CoverPageHeader start -->
  <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN">
  <HTML>
  <HEAD>
  <TITLE> Sterling Financial Corporation (Form: 8-K) </TITLE>
  </HEAD>
  <BODY TEXT="#000000" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" ALINK="#0000FF" HLINK="#FF0000" VLINK="#800080">
  <A NAME="DOCUMENT_TOP">&nbsp;</A>
  <P>
  <!-- CoverPageHeader end --><!-- CoverPageTitle START -->
  <A NAME="DOCUMENT_TOP">&nbsp;</A>
  <HR NOSHADE>
  <P>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="4">
  		UNITED STATES<BR>
  	SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  </FONT>
  <BR>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  </FONT>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="5">
  	FORM 8-K
  </FONT>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="3">
  	CURRENT REPORT
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD WIDTH="51%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="44%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	May 12, 2006
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  </CENTER>
  <!-- CoverPageTitle END --><!-- CoverPageRegistrant START -->
  <P ALIGN="CENTER"><!-- -->
  <FONT SIZE="6">
  	Sterling Financial Corporation
  </FONT>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <BR>__________________________________________<BR>
  	(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  </FONT>
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD WIDTH="33%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="34%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="33%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Pennsylvania
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	0-16276
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	23-2449551
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  _____________________<BR>
  	(State or other jurisdiction
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  _____________<BR>
  	(Commission
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  ______________<BR>
  	(I.R.S. Employer
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	of incorporation)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	File Number)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Identification No.)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	101 North Pointe Boulevard, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	17601-4133
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  _________________________________<BR>
  	(Address of principal executive offices)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  ___________<BR>
  	(Zip Code)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD WIDTH="51%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="44%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	717-581-6030
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Not Applicable
  <BR>______________________________________________<BR>
  	Former name or former address, if changed since last report
  </FONT>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  <!-- CoverPageRegistrant END --><P><FONT SIZE="2">
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
  simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
  of the following provisions:</FONT>
  </P>
  <P><FONT SIZE="2">
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)<br>
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)<br>
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))<br>
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))<br>
  </P></FONT><!-- PageBreak START -->
  <P>
  <HR NOSHADE>
  <DIV ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE:ALWAYS">
  <A HREF="#DOCUMENT_TOP">
  <U>
  <B>
  <FONT SIZE="2">Top of the Form</FONT>
  </B>
  </U>
  </A>
  </DIV>
  <!-- PageBreak END --><!-- Item START -->
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <B>
  	Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.
  </B>
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  On May 17, 2006, MaryAnn Detwiler tendered her resignation as Chief Accounting Officer of Sterling Financial Corporation, effective immediately.  Ms. Detwiler is leaving the Corporation to pursue other career opportunities. On an interim basis, the functions of the Chief Accounting Officer will be assumed by Tito L. Lima, the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer.
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <!-- Item END -->
  <BR><BR><BR><BR><!-- Item START -->
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <B>
  	Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
  </B>
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  On May 17, 2006, Sterling Financial Corporation announced that E. Dennis Ginder had been appointed as Senior Vice President of Business Services and that Gregory S. Lefever had vacated the role of Senior Vice President of High Net Worth Services in order to accept the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Lancaster County, N.A., effective May 12, 2006.  Bank of Lancaster County is an affiliate of the Corporation and the position of President had been held by E. Dennis Ginder.  <br><br><br>The Corporation's press release, dated May 17, 2006 and attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1, is incorporated herein by reference in this Item 7.01 in satisfaction of the public disclosure requirements of Regulation FD.  The press release attached hereto is being "furnished" to the Securities and Exchange Commission and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.  It may be incorporated by reference in another filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Securities Act of 1933 only if, and to the extent that, such subsequent filing specifically references the information incorporated by reference.
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <!-- Item END -->
  <BR><BR><BR><BR><!-- Item START -->
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <B>
  	Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  </B>
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  (a) N/A<br>(b) N/A<br>(c) Exhibits<br><br>    99.1  Sterling Financial Corporation Press Release dated May 17, 2006
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <!-- Item END -->
  <BR><BR><BR><BR><P ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="FONT-SIZE: 10PT"></P><!-- PageBreak START -->
  <P>
  <HR NOSHADE>
  <DIV ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE:ALWAYS">
  <A HREF="#DOCUMENT_TOP">
  <U>
  <B>
  <FONT SIZE="2">Top of the Form</FONT>
  </B>
  </U>
  </A>
  </DIV>
  <!-- PageBreak END --><!-- SignatureHeader START -->
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <B>
  	SIGNATURES
  </B>
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
  	registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  	undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <!-- SignatureHeader END --><!-- Signature START -->
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD WIDTH="19%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="34%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="3%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="1%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="43%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD COLSPAN="3" VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Sterling Financial Corporation
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	May 17, 2006
  </I>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	By:
  </I>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	Jean Svoboda
  </I>
  <BR>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	Name: Jean Svoboda
  </I>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	Title: General Counsel and Secretary
  </I>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <!-- Signature END --><!-- PageBreak START -->
  <P>
  <HR NOSHADE>
  <DIV ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE:ALWAYS">
  <A HREF="#DOCUMENT_TOP">
  <U>
  <B>
  <FONT SIZE="2">Top of the Form</FONT>
  </B>
  </U>
  </A>
  </DIV>
  <!-- PageBreak END --><P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Exhibit&nbsp;Index
  </FONT>
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="60%">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD WIDTH="8%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="15%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="77%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  
  <BR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD NOWRAP ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="1">
  <B>
  	Exhibit No.
  </B>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="1">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD NOWRAP ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="1">
  <B>
  	Description
  </B>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD NOWRAP ALIGN="CENTER">
  <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="1">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD NOWRAP ALIGN="CENTER">
  <HR ALIGN="LEFT" SIZE="1" WIDTH="88%" NOSHADE>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  
  
  
  
  
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="8%" nowrap>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <DIV ALIGN="LEFT">
  	99.1
  </DIV>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="15%">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="77%">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  Sterling Financial Corporation Press Release dated May 17, 2006
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR></TABLE></CENTER><!-- HTMLFooter START -->
  </BODY>
  </HTML>
  <!-- HTMLFooter END -->
metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "htm_12557.htm", "description": "LIVE FILING", "secsgml_size_bytes": 11667}]
metadata_filer: {"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": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-16276", "film-number": "06849098"}, "business-address": {"street1": "NORTH POINTE BANKING CORP", "street2": "101 NORTH POINTE BLVD", "city": "LANCASTER", "state": "PA", "zip": "17601-4133", "phone": "7175816030"}}
text: Sterling Financial Corporation (Form: 8-K)
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
  May 12, 2006
  Sterling Financial Corporation
  __________________________________________
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Pennsylvania
  0-16276
  23-2449551
  _____________________
  (State or other jurisdiction
  _____________
  (Commission
  ______________
  (I.R.S. Employer
  of incorporation)
  File Number)
  Identification No.)
  101 North Pointe Boulevard, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  17601-4133
  _________________________________
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
  (Zip Code)
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
  717-581-6030
  Not Applicable
  ______________________________________________
  Former name or former address, if changed since last report
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
  simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
  of the following provisions:
  [  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  [  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  [  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  [  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Top of the Form
  Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.
  On May 17, 2006, MaryAnn Detwiler tendered her resignation as Chief Accounting Officer of Sterling Financial Corporation, effective immediately.  Ms. Detwiler is leaving the Corporation to pursue other career opportunities. On an interim basis, the functions of the Chief Accounting Officer will be assumed by Tito L. Lima, the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer.
  Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
  On May 17, 2006, Sterling Financial Corporation announced that E. Dennis Ginder had been appointed as Senior Vice President of Business Services and that Gregory S. Lefever had vacated the role of Senior Vice President of High Net Worth Services in order to accept the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Lancaster County, N.A., effective May 12, 2006.  Bank of Lancaster County is an affiliate of the Corporation and the position of President had been held by E. Dennis Ginder.
  The Corporation's press release, dated May 17, 2006 and attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1, is incorporated herein by reference in this Item 7.01 in satisfaction of the public disclosure requirements of Regulation FD.  The press release attached hereto is being "furnished" to the Securities and Exchange Commission and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.  It may be incorporated by reference in another filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Securities Act of 1933 only if, and to the extent that, such subsequent filing specifically references the information incorporated by reference.
  Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  (a) N/A
  (b) N/A
  (c) Exhibits
  99.1  Sterling Financial Corporation Press Release dated May 17, 2006
  Top of the Form
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
  	registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  	undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  Sterling Financial Corporation
  May 17, 2006
  By:
  Jean Svoboda
  Name: Jean Svoboda
  Title: General Counsel and Secretary
  Top of the Form
  Exhibit Index
  Exhibit No.
  Description
  99.1
  Sterling Financial Corporation Press Release dated May 17, 2006