HOUSTON, Sept. 26, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an effort to give our investors timely information regarding our financial performance in light of the current credit crisis and volatility in the markets, MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc. (NasdaqGS:MCBI - News) has advanced the date of its earnings release to Wednesday, October 22, 2008, after market close.

On Thursday, October 23, 2008, management of MetroCorp will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. CT (11:00 a.m. ET) to discuss the results. A brief management presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. To participate by phone, U.S. callers may dial 877-407-8291 (international callers may dial 201-689-8345).

A live webcast of the call and subsequent audio archive will also be accessible from MetroCorp's website at http://www.metrobank-na.com in the Investor Relations section.

MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc. (NasdaqGS:MCBI - News) provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking services through its wholly owned subsidiaries, MetroBank, N.A. and Metro United Bank. The Company has thirteen full-service banking locations in the greater Houston, and Dallas, Texas metropolitan areas, and six full-service banking locations in the greater San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, California metropolitan areas. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had consolidated assets of $1.58 billion. For more information, visit the Company's web site at http://www.metrobank-na.com.

The MetroCorp Bancshares Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2894

          MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc.
          George M. Lee, President and CEO
          713-776-3876
          investor-relations@metrobank-na.com