On February 21, 2007, Sterling Financial Corporation ("Sterling") (Nasdaq: STSA) and Northern Empire Bancshares ("Northern Empire") (Nasdaq: NREB) announced that shareholders of both Sterling and Northern Empire approved the proposed acquisition of Northern Empire by Sterling.

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

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

Since 1985 Sonoma National Bank has been an integral part of the engine that drives regional business. The Bank offers proven financial products and superior customer service to small and medium sized businesses, the real estate industry, professionals and consumers. In addition, the Bank serves small business by maintaining five Small Business Administration (SBA) loan production offices in Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, California, and Phoenix, Arizona.

Northern Empire Bancshares, Sonoma National Bank's financial holding company, was incorporated on June 8, 1982 for the purpose of becoming a bank holding company. Sonoma National Bank was organized as a national banking association on March 27, 1984, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Empire Bancshares. The Bank's main downtown Santa Rosa, California office opened its doors on January 25, 1985.

Premier customer service, a community orientation, experienced staff, local credit decisions, courier service, sit-down customer service at eleven branch locations, value-added pricing, and strong Commercial Real Estate and SBA loan programs have increased Sonoma National Bank's visibility in the marketplace and have been instrumental to continued growth.

Generally engaging in commercial banking, Sonoma National Bank accepts Checking, Savings, Money Market, Time Deposit and Individual Retirement Accounts.

As a national banking association, Sonoma National Bank is subject to the National Bank Act and is supervised, regulated and examined by the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Sonoma National is a member of the Federal Reserve System and utilizes Fed Line services. The Bank's deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), up to the maximum legal limits.