Brownsville, Texas (June 22, 2021) - IBC Bank-Brownsville recently announced the promotions of key employees in various departments within the financial institution.  The local promotions are part of a corporate wide recognition of personnel elevated within their areas of expertise.

"The Do More mantra of our bank is exemplified in the work ethic of these bank officers" said IBC Bank Chairman and CEO Al Villarreal. "Thanks to their commitment to our customers, dedication to the progress of our community, and vast knowledge in banking these are well-deserved promotions." 

Richard Eric Abete was promoted to Senior Vice President in the Commercial Lending Department.  Abete received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Brownsville.  He has been with IBC Bank since 2003. His community involvement includes serving as 1st Vice Chairman of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of the Episcopal Day School. He has also been active in the Boy Scouts of American, the Brownsville Heritage Council, the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Brownsville, the City of Brownsville Charter Review Committee, the North Brownsville Rotary Club and was voted 2019 Banker of the Year by the Brownsville Herald Reader's Choice. 

Graciela Balli was promoted to Assistant Vice President in the Credit Department. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Brownsville. She has been with IBC Bank for 9 years. 

Claudia Vianney Celvera was promoted to First Vice President in the Retail Banking Department. She has been with IBC Bank since February of 1999. Claudia Celvera is currently serving as treasurer for CAFAV in Brownsville. 

Francisco J. Lopez was promoted to First Vice President in the Commercial Lending Department. Lopez received his Bachelor of Business Administration in finance Finance from the University of Texas at Brownsville. His community work includes service serving as Vice Chair of the United Way of Southern Cameron County, Vice-Chair of Finance for the Boy Scouts of America and as EAB officer liaison for the IBC employee organizationEmployee Advisory Board. He has been with IBC Bank since 2006. 

Denise Michelle Novigrod was promoted to First Vice President. She has been with IBC Bank since May of 2001. Her leadership role as Head Teller  inTeller in the Retail Banking Department has gained strengthened her knowledge and experience in this aspect of the banking business. 

Liliana Pena Peña was promoted to Assistant Vice President in the International Department. Lilia Penña obtained an Associate Degree in Accounting from TSC College. She has been with IBC Bank since October of 1999. Her community service work includes membership in the Brownsville Junior Service League. 

Claudia San Miguel was promoted to Bank Officer in the Commercial Lending Department. Claudia San Miguel obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and has been with IBC Bank since February of 2015. 

Cesar Augusto Valdez was promoted to Senior Vice President in the Credit Department.  Valdez has been with IBC Bank since April of 2005. He obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at Brownsville.  His community work includes service on the board of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, and as a member of the Fair and Responsible Committee with the Consumer Bankers Association. 

Brownsville 
IBC Bank-Brownsville is a member of International Bancshares Corporation (NASDAQ: IBOC), a $14.9 billion multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo, Texas, with 186 facilities and 280 ATMs serving 87 communities in Texas and Oklahoma. IBC Bank's slogan "We Do More" reflects the bank's dedication to the growth and success of the customers and the communities it has been serving since 1966. IBC Bank-Brownsville was recognized as The Brownsville Herald "Reader's Choice" for favorite bank in 2020. IBC Bank-Brownsville has been serving the area since 1984 and has a retail branch network of 12 locations. MEMBER FDIC / INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION. Follow our Facebook and Instagram page, @IBCBankWeDoMore. More information is available at ibc.com.