HOUSTON, TX, (April 30, 2010) – Sterling Bank has promoted Kirby Ansel to Regional CEO of its North Houston region.    Ansel was previously Executive Vice President of Sterling’s Commercial & Industrial Banking Group.  In his new role, he will manage Sterling’s North Houston-region Commercial Banking as well as Sterling’s Commercial & Industrial Group. 

Prior to joining Sterling Bank, Ansel was Senior Vice President and Business Banking Director for the Central Houston Division of Wells Fargo/Wachovia.  He was previously a banker at Comerica Bank and NationsBank and its predecessors, InterFirst, First Republic, and First International Bank.  Kirby is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin University and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

About Sterling Bancshares
Houston-based Sterling Bank operates 58 banking centers in the greater metropolitan areas of Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. The Company’s common stock is traded through the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SBIB.”  For more information about Sterling Bank, please visit www.banksterling.com.