This summer, Dennis E. Nixon, president and CEO of Laredo-based International Bank of Commerce and chairman of International Bancshares Corp., was recognized in the Texas Senate for his remarkable 50 years of service by Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, who currently is dean of the Texas Senate. This acknowledgement highlights Nixon’s dedication and leadership, which have significantly contributed to the growth and success of International Bancshares Corp. and the broader Texas and Oklahoma communities that International Bank of Commerce and its system of banks serve. Nixon has transformed the company into an industry-leading financial institution with assets of approximately $16.5 billion.

The resolution published by Senator Zaffirini highlighted Nixon’s key role in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), his relentless efforts to spur economic development throughout the corporation’s footprint and his pivotal role in promoting and preserving educational opportunities for young people everywhere, with a special focus on minorities and low-to-moderate income individuals. Most notable is Nixon’s stewardship to raise more than $4 million for MD Anderson Cancer Center this past year and a total of $11 million in the past 10 years.

In addition, Nixon:

• Helped create advocacy organizations like the Association of South Texas Communities, Texas Border Coalition, Border Trade Alliance and the Alliance for Security and Trade;
• Served on the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the only director from the southern border of the United States and currently serves as a member of the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue;
• Is a member of the Texas Business Leadership Council; and
• Is a member of the Board of Visitors of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Nixon’s awards and commendations are abundant, including being inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame (2006), winning the International Citizen Award from the World Affairs Council of San Antonio (2008) and being named “Mr. South Texas 2010” by Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association and a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. He has been bestowed the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Award, Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award by the State of Israel, Distinguished Community Service Award by the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning (2016) and Distinguished Business Leader Award from the Texas Association of Business (2018).

“It is an honor to be acknowledged by the Texas Senate, especially from such a respected and revered fellow Laredoan, Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini,” Nixon says. “I am proud of what we have achieved at International Bancshares Corp. and look forward to continuing our mission of ‘Doing More’ for our customers and communities.”

Established in 1966, IBC Bank and Commerce Bank are divisions of International Bancshares Corp. with 166 offices serving 75 communities in Texas and Oklahoma.