Pros
Most of the employees at Sterling are very nice people and are great to work with. Pay was ok if you started at the right amount (max normal pay increase was 3% yearly!). The only way to really get more money is take a better/ different position within the bank. Benefits are only ok - just basic medical, dental, and 401k offerings. Most people tend to work normal hours at sterling without much need to do overtime making the work and life balance at Sterling great.
Cons
Many people in middle management that are not worth anything!!! These people have hired their friends as supervisors and as a result nothing gets done. Most of these department managers I speak of have no formal education and it shows in their ability to communicate effectively with the good people below them that want to do their jobs well. Watch out for any department manager with no post high school education and have been with the bank for 7-14 years...
Merit increases are very low at Sterling and only given once a year. Don't expect to make much more than what you start at unless a rare position that pays better opens up within the company.