Note 11 - Operating Segment Information (Detail) - Selected Operating Segment Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Total interest income	$ 16,181	$ 16,737	$ 32,579	$ 34,188
Total interest expense	2,536	3,489	5,290	7,240
Net interest income	13,645	13,248	27,289	26,948
Provision for loan losses	200	1,245	600	1,575
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	13,445	12,003	26,689	25,373
Noninterest income	1,760	1,571	3,563	3,230
Noninterest expenses	11,312	10,023	22,245	21,786
Income (loss) before income tax provision	3,893	3,551	8,007	6,817
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	1,267	1,188	2,613	2,328
Net income (loss)	2,626	2,363	5,394	4,489
MetroBank [Member]
Total interest income	12,147	12,628	24,557	25,690
Total interest expense	1,614	2,357	3,351	4,928
Net interest income	10,533	10,271	21,206	20,762
Provision for loan losses	200	1,200	600	1,500
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	10,333	9,071	20,606	19,262
Noninterest income	2,005	1,836	4,062	3,749
Noninterest expenses	8,349	7,496	16,862	16,498
Income (loss) before income tax provision	3,989	3,411	7,806	6,513
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	1,312	1,099	2,472	2,093
Net income (loss)	2,677	2,312	5,334	4,420
Metro United [Member]
Total interest income	4,027	4,103	8,008	8,486
Total interest expense	576	794	1,245	1,638
Net interest income	3,451	3,309	6,763	6,848
Provision for loan losses		45		75
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	3,451	3,264	6,763	6,773
Noninterest income	92	66	176	143
Noninterest expenses	2,782	2,528	5,173	5,245
Income (loss) before income tax provision	761	802	1,766	1,671
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	251	311	674	693
Net income (loss)	510	491	1,092	978
Other Segments [Member]
Total interest income	7	6	14	12
Total interest expense	346	338	694	674
Net interest income	(339)	(332)	(680)	(662)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	(339)	(332)	(680)	(662)
Noninterest income	(337)	(331)	(675)	(662)
Noninterest expenses	181	(1)	210	43
Income (loss) before income tax provision	(857)	(662)	(1,565)	(1,367)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(296)	(222)	(533)	(458)
Net income (loss)	(561)	(440)	(1,032)	(909)
Consolidated Company [Member]
Total interest income	16,181	16,737	32,579	34,188
Total interest expense	2,536	3,489	5,290	7,240
Net interest income	13,645	13,248	27,289	26,948
Provision for loan losses	200	1,245	600	1,575
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	13,445	12,003	26,689	25,373
Noninterest income	1,760	1,571	3,563	3,230
Noninterest expenses	11,312	10,023	22,245	21,786
Income (loss) before income tax provision	3,893	3,551	8,007	6,817
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	1,267	1,188	2,613	2,328
Net income (loss)	$ 2,626	$ 2,363	$ 5,394	$ 4,489