(February 27, 2019) LAREDO, TEXAS -Commerce Bank and IBC Bank-Laredo were proud to support Communities in Schools of Laredo (CIS) as $5,000 title sponsors of their 22^nd Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, February 18. CIS surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. This was the second year that the tournament was held in honor of Yolanda U. Urrabazo, a beloved local educator who taught English literature for 32 years until just before her passing in 2016. Yolanda was the wife of Commerce Bank President & CEO Ignancio Urrabazo, Jr.

"I am humbled and honored to sponsor this important event and organization in loving memory of my wife, Yolanda," said Urrabazo, Jr. "She was a dedicated mother and educator, and was passionate about the importance of supporting the youth in our community. I am grateful that IBC and Commerce Banks' commitments to ‘doing more' and ‘making it happen' allow us to support CIS in their mission of empowering students." 

CIS helps young people stay in school and successfully learn and prepare for life by coordinating the connection of needed community resources in the schools they serve. They currently serve 22 campuses and over 3,000 students across Laredo, Zapata County and Jim Hogg County.  Approximately $20,000-$ 25,000 is raised every year at the annual CIS Golf Tournament. All proceeds are used to award scholarships to CIS graduating students.  Since 1996, the Board of Directors has awarded approximately $1.2 million to CIS students in the counties of Webb, Jim Hogg, and Zapata. Scholarships will be awarded to United Independent School District high school students in May, in honor and memoriam of Yolanda U. Urrabazo.

"The CIS Board of Directors chose Yolanda Urrabazo, in memoriam, because of her exceptional work as a lifetime educator," explained CIS Executive Director Rosaura Rodriguez. "As a beloved teacher, she exemplified the extraordinary traits of good character, inspiring spirit and abundant patience. Like Communities in Schools Laredo, she believed all students can be successful if given the tools that they need. Mrs. Urrabazo will forever be remembered by her students and community as not only an outstanding teacher but also as a phenomenal human being."

Although Communities in Schools is partially funded by the state of Texas, as a non-profit organization, a large portion of the budget must be raised from the local community and businesses. 

"IBC Bank believes in the importance and power of education," explains Dennis E. Nixon, Chairman and CEO of IBC Bank. "We are dedicated to the growth and prosperity of our customers and the communities we serve. We know that investing in our youth, particularly those with the highest need, enables them to grow up to become active, productive and engaged citizens."

Anyone interested in finding out more about the services provided by Communities in Schools of Laredo can visit www.cislaredo.org.

IBC Bank and Commerce Bank are divisions of International Bancshares Corporation (NASDAQ: IBOC), an $11.8 billion multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo, Texas, with 191 facilities and 288 ATMs serving 90 communities in Texas and Oklahoma. IBC Bank's slogan "We Do More" reflects the bank's dedication to the growth and success of both the customers and the communities it has been serving since 1966. International Bancshares Corporation was ranked 22^nd on Forbes' prestigious list of 100 Best Banks in America in 2019. MEMBER FDIC / INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION. Follow our Facebook page, @IBCBankWeDoMore. More information is available at ibc.com.