Texas Community Bank is Banking on Laredo with Gift of $1M for TAMIU Banking Academy

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) strongly believes you can always bank on Laredo...and Texas Community Bank (TCB) has concurred, providing a $1 million gift for the new Texas A&M International University Banking Academy of the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business in ceremonies held at TCB's McPherson Road offices on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.

Douglas Macdonald Texas Community Bank president and CEO spoke of TCB’s commitment to the banking industry, the communities it serves, and TAMIU.

“As our name affirms, we are a community bank and believe that partnering with TAMIU, the primary source of this community’s human capital, is a perfect way to elevate our community and prepare generations for growth. Texas Community Bank is all about service and our gift will help ensure our service and all banking services remain superior in Laredo and beyond,” Macdonald observed. 

TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Claudia San Miguel said the University deeply appreciates TCB’s shared vision and generosity.

“This gift is a blessing.  It’s a blessing for the future and a blessing of futures for our students and graduates.  It’s a gift with generational implications that will benefit Laredo and our State for years.  To know that TCB shares this vision and offers such a generous gift to help secure it is truly consequential,” Dr. San Miguel said.

The Banking Academy is dedicated to developing tomorrow’s highly qualified banking and finance executives for South Texas and beyond through co-curricular, action-based learning methods.

Dean of the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, Dr. Luis A. Perez-Batres, who joined the University this summer, said the TCB Gift answers a critical need.

“This gift empowers a bold new venture that answers a critical need for individuals equipped to handle the highly varied banking needs along the U.S-México border and beyond.  We are honored to be the agent that will lead that change forward,” Dr. Perez said.

Directing the Banking Academy will be Dr. Stephen Sears, Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professor and former Dean of the Sanchez School.

Last month, the Matias De Llano Charitable Trust administered by International Bank of Commerce donated $100,000 to the Banking Academy. 

About Texas Community Bank:

Texas Community Bank is a locally owned and operated, community-oriented financial institution with its heart and roots embedded along the South Texas-México border. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vision Bancshares, Inc., a one-bank holding company founded in 2003 by Laredo banker Douglas G. Macdonald and a group of local investors. Macdonald was familiar with the Laredo market and believed that an opportunity existed for a community bank emphasizing personal service.

Since its inception in 2003, TCB has built a stable core deposit and loan base in not only its primary home of Laredo, but also in San Antonio, Somerset, and the border towns of Brownsville, McAllen, and Del Rio. TCB has flourished due to hiring exceptional local bankers in each of its markets. It has assembled teams of experienced and knowledgeable industry professionals that specialize in all facets of banking including deposit and lending, international, investment, technology, and operations. Its extraordinary and rapid growth has been enhanced by offering competitive products and services that meet the financial needs of the communities it serves.  For more, visit: https://www.tx-communitybank.com

About TAMIU:

TAMIU has been recognized as one of the nation's Top Ten-ranked Southern Colleges in Washington Monthly Magazine's 2024 College Guide "Best Bang for the Buck," ranking #5.  TAMIU also earned a # 2 ranking for low net price.  

Niche, a Pittsburgh-based company that annually ranks colleges awarded TAMIU an overall grade of A-.  Other Niche TAMIU rankings included being recognized as the #4 Best Value in Texas, #7, Top Public Universities in Texas, and the #11 Best College in Texas. 

Registration for the Wintermester and Spring 2025 begins Nov. 4, 2024.

University news and information are available online at tamiu.edu and on TAMIU social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.