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  		UNITED STATES<BR>
  	SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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  	WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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  	FORM 8-K
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  	CURRENT REPORT
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  	Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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  	Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
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  	&nbsp;
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  	April 11, 2006
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  	Sterling Financial Corporation
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  <BR>__________________________________________<BR>
  	(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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  	Pennsylvania
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  	0-16276
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  	23-2449551
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  _____________________<BR>
  	(State or other jurisdiction
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  _____________<BR>
  	(Commission
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  ______________<BR>
  	(I.R.S. Employer
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  	of incorporation)
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  	File Number)
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  	Identification No.)
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  	&nbsp;&nbsp;
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  	101 North Pointe Boulevard, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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  	&nbsp;
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  	17601-4133
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  _________________________________<BR>
  	(Address of principal executive offices)
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  	&nbsp;
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  ___________<BR>
  	(Zip Code)
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  	Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:
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  	717-581-6030
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  	Not Applicable
  <BR>______________________________________________<BR>
  	Former name or former address, if changed since last report
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  	&nbsp;
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  <!-- 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>
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  <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>
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  <B>
  	Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
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  On April 11, 2006, Sterling Financial Corporation (the "Corporation") announced that its three affiliates that comprise the investment services segment have been aligned under the leadership of Gregory A. Church, Chief Executive Officer of Church Capital Management.  The three affiliates being aligned under the Sterling Investment Services Group are Church Capital Management, Bainbridge Securities, and Sterling Financial Trust Company.  These three entities offer customers with wealth management, investment, trust, and securities brokerage services. <br><br>The Corporation's press release, dated April 12, 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.
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  	Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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  (a) N/A<br>(b) N/A<br>(c) Exhibits<br><br>    99.1  Sterling Financial Corporation Press Release dated April 12, 2006
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  	SIGNATURES
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  	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.
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  	Sterling Financial Corporation
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  	&nbsp;&nbsp;
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  <I>
  	April 12, 2006
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  	By:
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  <I>
  	J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
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  <I>
  	Name: J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
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  	Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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  	Exhibit&nbsp;Index
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  	Exhibit No.
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  	Description
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  	99.1
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  	&nbsp;
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  Sterling Financial Corporation Press Release dated April 12, 2006
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metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "htm_11614.htm", "description": "LIVE FILING", "secsgml_size_bytes": 11109}]
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": "06754910"}, "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):
  April 11, 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 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
  On April 11, 2006, Sterling Financial Corporation (the "Corporation") announced that its three affiliates that comprise the investment services segment have been aligned under the leadership of Gregory A. Church, Chief Executive Officer of Church Capital Management.  The three affiliates being aligned under the Sterling Investment Services Group are Church Capital Management, Bainbridge Securities, and Sterling Financial Trust Company.  These three entities offer customers with wealth management, investment, trust, and securities brokerage services.
  The Corporation's press release, dated April 12, 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 April 12, 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
  April 12, 2006
  By:
  J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
  Name: J. Roger Moyer, Jr.
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
  Top of the Form
  Exhibit Index
  Exhibit No.
  Description
  99.1
  Sterling Financial Corporation Press Release dated April 12, 2006