EXHIBIT 99

Contact: Patrick E. Phelan
Chief Financial Officer
MCB Financial Corporation
Telephone (415)459-2265
Fax (415)454-0715

PRESS RELEASE

MCB FINANCIAL CORPORATION ADOPTS SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

SAN RAFAEL, CA, January 25, 1999 . . .  The Board of Directors of MCB Financial 
Corporation (OTC:  MCBF) announced today that it has adopted a Shareholder 
Rights Plan and declared a dividend distribution of one Preferred Share Purchase
Right for each outstanding share of the Company's Common Stock.  The record date
for the distribution is February 8, 1999.  The plan is not designed to deter 
acquisition proposals, but is designed to discourage takeovers that involve 
abusive tactics or do not provide fair value to shareholders.

Each Preferred Share Purchase Right will entitle shareholders to buy one one-
hundredth of a share of the Company's Series A Junior Participating Preferred 
Stock at an exercise price of $37.  Each one one-hundredth of a share of such 
Preferred Stock is intended to be the economic equivalent of one share of Common
Stock.  After a person or group (other than an exempt person or group) acquires 
10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or announces a tender offer, the 
consummation of which would result in ownership by a person or group of 10% or 
more of the outstanding Common Stock, the Rights will become exercisable by 
persons other than the acquiring person, unless the Board of Directors has 
approved the transaction in advance.  Shareholders of the Company who currently 
beneficially own more than 10% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock may 
acquire up to an additional 1% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock without
causing the rights to be exercisable.  In addition, upon the occurrence of 
certain events, (i) the holders of Rights would be entitled to purchase either 
Common Stock or securities of an acquiring entity at half of market value, or 
(ii) the Board of Directors may, at its option, exchange part or all of the 
Rights for shares of Common Stock.  Prior to the acquisition by a person or 
group of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, the Rights are redeemable 
for $0.001 per Right at the option of the Board of Directors.  The Rights will 
expire on January 30, 2009.

Charles O. Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated "The adoption of 
the Shareholder Rights Plan is part of an ongoing effort by the Board to protect
and maximize the value of the shareholders' investment in the Company and to 
give them the optimum opportunity to participate in the long-term value of the 
Company.  The Board determined that adopting the Shareholder Rights Plan is an 
effective and reasonable method to safeguard the interests of our shareholders."

MCB Financial Corporation is the parent company of Metro Commerce Bank.  Metro 
Commerce Bank and its branch offices, along with its SBA and construction loan 
divisions, serve customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern 
California with offices located in San Rafael, San Francisco, South San 
Francisco, Hayward and Upland.  MCB Financial Corporation's stock trades over-
the-counter under the ticker symbol of MCBF.