EXHIBIT 99.1

Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. Reports Record Net Income of $7.5 Million in 2012; EPS of $1.85 in 2012 Increases 413% From 2011

GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLBH) today reported record 2012 net income with highlights as follows:

Fourth Quarter and 2012 Financial Highlights

• Net income was $7,502,000 in 2012, up 213.0% from $2,397,000 in 2011. Net income increased 112.1% in the fourth quarter of 2012 to $2,187,000 from $1,031,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Net income available to common shareholders was $6,276,000 in 2012, an increase of 413.2% from $1,223,000 in 2011. Net income available to common shareholders increased 158.4% to $1,884,000 in the fourth quarter of 2012 from $729,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Diluted net income per common share increased 413.9% to $1.85 in 2012 from $0.36 in 2011. Diluted net income per common share rose 150% to $0.55 in the fourth quarter of 2012 from $0.22 in the fourth quarter of 2011.
• The net interest margin, computed on a fully taxable basis, decreased to 4.01% in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to 4.14% in the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Residential mortgage loan originations rose to a record $1.23 billion in 2012 from $784 million in 2011.
• Carolina Bank, the subsidiary of Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc., continued to maintain 'Well Capitalized' status, the highest regulatory capital measure. Capital ratios at December 31, 2012 for Carolina Bank improved to 9.23% for Tier 1 leverage, 11.27% for Tier 1 risk-based, and 14.18% for Total risk-based.
• Non-interest bearing demand deposits increased 27.1% in 2012 to $73,032,000 at December 31, 2012.
• Non-performing assets to total assets declined to 2.75% at December 31, 2012 from 4.40% at December 31, 2011.
• CLBH stock increased 200% to $7.35 at December 31, 2012 from $2.45 at December 31, 2011.

Robert T. Braswell, President and CEO of Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. commented, "We are pleased to report record profitability in 2012. Our outstanding financial performance resulted from improved credit quality, stable interest rate margins, and strong results by our mortgage division. Our stock price, which increased 200% during 2012, was one of the best performers in our industry and reflects our outstanding results."

Non-performing assets to total assets decreased to 2.75% at December 31, 2012 from 4.40% at December 31, 2011. Braswell commented, "We continue to maintain a steady focus on improving asset quality and have seen a substantial improvement in credit quality over the past two years. Unlike some of our peers, who have taken massive losses on large problem asset sales with accompanying capital raises, we have maximized shareholder value and avoided shareholder dilution by our steady focus and hard work approach to an industry wide problem."

Braswell further commented, "Our mortgage division originated a record $1.2 billion in residential mortgage loans in 2012 and has been a major contributor to our financial results. Our decision to start a residential mortgage operation in 2007, which was a contrarian strategy at the time, has proven to be a wise move. The mortgage division has expanded over the past few years as origination activity increased during this period of super low interest rates."

About the Company

Carolina Bank, the banking subsidiary of Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. began banking operations on November 25, 1996. The parent company is a North Carolina corporation organized in 2000. The bank is engaged in lending and deposit gathering activities in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina, with operations in four counties: Guilford, Alamance, Forsyth and Randolph. The bank has eight full-service banking locations, four in Greensboro, one in Asheboro, one in High Point, one in Burlington, and one in Winston-Salem and mortgage loan production offices in Burlington, Raleigh, and Hillsborough. The Company's stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol CLBH. Further information is available on the Company's web site: www.carolinabank.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events. These statements are only predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include risks of managing our growth, substantial changes in financial markets, regulatory changes, changes in interest rates, loss of deposits and loan demand to other financial institutions, and changes in real estate values and the real estate market. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to be materially different from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc.
         T. Allen Liles, EVP and CFO
         Telephone: 336-286-8746
         Email: a.liles@carolinabank.com