IBC Bank in Six of the Top Ten Best Performing Economic Cities

LAREDO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Brookings Institution ranked the economic recession, recovery and strength of the country’s 100 biggest metropolitan areas, and the Texas and Oklahoma cities of San Antonio, Austin, Houston, McAllen, Oklahoma City and Tulsa all ranked in the top ten. IBC Bank’s presence in these six cities is evidence of the bank’s strong commitment and dedication to answering the financial needs of all its customers.

“As America begins to recover from the greatest economic crisis in the post-war era, it is going to be the people and the economic engines of business in Texas and Oklahoma that lead the way,” IBC Chairman and CEO Dennis E. Nixon said. “Our bank is performing in the most stable banking environment. IBC’s prudent and sound business practices have placed us in a unique position to continue providing the financing and investment opportunities to support the recovery. IBC is proud to take a lead role in helping businesses succeed and remain on the forefront of the recovery.”

The report compared quarterly indicators of economic recession and recovery in the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas, which includes those with at least 500,000 residents as of 2007 that collectively contain two-thirds of the nation’s jobs and generate three-quarters of the GDP. These indicators included employment, unemployment rate, wages, gross metropolitan product, housing prices and real-estate owned properties. The report also examined indicators through the first quarter of 2009 in the areas of employment, unemployment, wages, output, home prices, and foreclosure rates for the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas.

IBC’s strength and sound business practices have been recognized by several publications and institutions. IBC was recognized by the American Bankers Association’s Banking Journal as the eleventh top performing bank in the country, and in 2008 Hispanic Business Magazine recognized IBC as the number one Hispanic-owned financial institution in the country and the top Hispanic-owned business in Texas ranking sixth nationally.

IBC also placed in the top 150 out of more than 8,500 U.S. banks in rankings by American Banker including the nation’s largest banks and thrifts with the most assets and the highest five-year return on equity. In February, IBC Bank ranked No. 18 on Bank Director Magazine’s Bank Performance Scorecard of Top 150 Banks and Thrifts in the United States. Additionally, the National Bankers Association has awarded IBC its coveted High Performance Bank Award many times in recognition of leadership qualities and excellence in overall performance and service.

International Bancshares Corporation (NASDAQ: IBOC) is a $12.1 billion multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo, Texas, with more than 270 facilities and more than 440 ATMs serving 102 communities in Texas and Oklahoma.