Thursday, September 17, 2015

Alejandro Chapa Salinas & Eduardo X. Vela, Jr.Promoted to Assistant Vice Presidents by Commerce Bank

Alejandro Chapa Salinas Asst VP Alejandro Chapa Salinas Assistant Vice President

Eduardo Vela Asst VP
Eduardo X. Vela Jr. Assistant Vice President

Commerce Bank recently announced the promotion of employees, Alejandro Chapa Salinas, to Assistant Vice President International Department and Eduardo X. Vela, Jr., to Assistant Vice President Commercial Lending.

Chapa's role within the international department includes opening bank accounts for foreign customers, reviewing legal documentation and background checks for personal and business customers, and overseeing the expansion and retention of Mexican business sectors with products and services. Chapa gained firsthand knowledge and experience in Mexico working as legal coordinator and the World Trade Bridge 'Trust Fund' of the State Government of Tamaulipas where he served as legal advisor. Through learning the inner workings of financial institutions, Chapa decided to take his talent and follow in the footsteps of his great grandfather, Ramiro Sanchez, and become a banker. He moved to Laredo in 2008 when he began working for Commerce Bank. He has worked for Commerce Bank for more than six years and served on the bank's Employee Advisory Board (EAB), a unique organization that encourages bank employees and officers to engage in community service and civic involvement.

Vela, a commercial lender for Commerce Bank, has been with the IBC Bank and Commerce Bank family for more than 15 years. His responsibilities include but are not limited to, managing commercial loan and deposit portfolio, building relationships with existing and new commercial customers, obtaining an understanding of the customer's business needs, desires and abilities, as well as serving lending needs of small businesses in Laredo and surrounding areas. He is well versed in SBA lending, including the Section 504 Loan Program. Vela joined IBC Bank as his first job upon graduating college in 2000 as Credit Analyst I and has previously served as Credit Analyst II, Loan Review Analyst and Bank Officer at Commerce Bank and IBC Bank.

'Commerce Bank is committed to the community we serve - domestic and international - and appreciate our employees who go above and beyond on a daily basis,' Commerce Bank President and CEO Ignacio Urrabazo, Jr. said. 'Alejandro and Eddie continue to display the 'we make it happen' spirit, and with their continued dedication, their promotions are well deserved.'

Chapa received his bachelor's degree in law and criminal justice in 2002 from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL). Within the community, Chapa serves on the public relations committee of the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club and he is a facilitator for Commerce Bank's Money Buzz program.

Vela received his bachelor's degree in economics from Texas A&M International University in Laredo, where he is currently completing his master's in business administration in finance. He has previously served as president and as an advisory board member of Leadership Laredo through the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the United Way of Corazon Club and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.

Commerce Bank is a member of International Bancshares Corporation (NASDAQ: IBOC), a $12.1 billion multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo, Texas, with 210 facilities and 320 ATMs serving 88 communities in Texas and Oklahoma. Commerce Bank has been serving the Laredo community since 1982 and has a retail branch network of four locations. Commerce Bank was named Business of the Month by the Laredo Chamber of Commerce in June 2012 in recognition of its strong advocacy and support of entrepreneurial business growth. Visit us on our YouTube channel, IBCBankWeDoMore. MEMBER FDIC / INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION. More information is available at www.ibc.com.

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