On August 7, 2009, Sterling Bank, a Texas banking corporation wholly owned by Sterling Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company"), entered into a definitive purchase and assumption agreement (the "Agreement") to acquire approximately $500 million in deposits and nineteen Texas bank branches from First Bank, a Missouri state-chartered bank. In addition, Sterling Bank will also purchase approximately $230 million of performing business and consumer-related Texas-based loans from First Bank. The Agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

The foregoing description of the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.

On August 10, 2009, the Company published a slide show presentation concerning the proposed acquisition of First Bank on the investor relations page of the Company's website at www.banksterling.com. A copy of the slide presentation is set forth as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Pursuant to General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K and Securities and Exchange Commission Release No. 33-8176, the slide presentation attached as Exhibit 99.1 is not "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is not subject to the liabilities of that section, and its not deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but is instead furnished for purposes of that instruction.

On August 7, 2009, Sterling Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into the Agreement, as described above under "Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement." A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are furnished as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K:

Exhibit No.       Description of Exhibit

10.1              Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated August 7, 2009, by and
                  between Sterling Bank and First Bank.

99.1              Slide Presentation dated August 10, 2009.

99.2              Press Release dated August 10, 2009.