MetroBank, founded in 1987 to meet the banking needs of the various ethnic communities in Houston, is committed to providing innovative products and services to area businesses and the culturally diverse communities of Texas. MetroCorp Bancshares, the holding company for MetroBank, and First United Bank, is a pioneer in this arena, and its infrastructure is steeped with expertise of interfacing with multicultural communities. The dynamic cities of Houston, Dallas, San Diego and Los Angeles, where it operates, are among leading-edge cities in the country with evolving multicultural markets. The bank s primary mission is to be the leading commercial bank in the diverse communities it serves. The firm has traditionally served small to medium-sized businesses, as well as retail customers. The foundation of its success truly has been in the ethnic markets - especially the Asian and Hispanic ones - where it has strong ties and direct involvement with the communities.