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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material under Rule §240.14a-12

 

INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

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INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION
Post Office Drawer 1359
Laredo, Texas 78042-1359

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 16, 2011

        NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of International Bancshares Corporation (the "Company") will be held at IBC's Annex Building, at 2416 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041 on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 3:00 p.m . for the following purposes:

    (1)
    To elect twelve (12) directors of the Company to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified;

    (2)
    To ratify the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011;

    (3)
    To consider and approve a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company's named executives as described in the Compensation, Discussion and Analysis and the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation in the Proxy Statement.

    (4)
    To transact such other business as may lawfully come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

        Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2011 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof. The Company's 2010 Annual Report is being furnished with this Proxy Statement to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 1, 2011. The Annual Report does not constitute a part of this Proxy Statement or proxy solicitation material.

        Pursuant to new rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a proxy card, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet. The enclosed Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are available on our website at www.ibc.com , under the heading "Investors" in the section for "SEC Filings." Additionally, and in accordance with SEC rules, you may access our Proxy Statement and Form 10-K at https://materials.proxyvote.com/459044, which does not have "cookies" that identify visitors to the site.

        In order to ensure the representation of a quorum at the Annual Meeting, shareholders who do not expect to attend the Annual Meeting in person are urged to sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly to the Trust Division, International Bank of Commerce, P. O. Drawer 1359, Laredo, Texas 78042-1359. A return envelope is enclosed for that purpose.

    INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION
    GRAPHIC

Dennis E. Nixon
President

 

 

 
Dated: April 18, 2011    


INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION
1200 San Bernardo Avenue
Laredo, Texas 78040

PROXY STATEMENT

SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES, AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS AND
VOTING OF PROXIES AND SHARES

    Solicitation and Revocation of Proxies

        The Board of Directors of International Bancshares Corporation, a Texas corporation (the "Company") is soliciting proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 3:00 p.m., local time, at IBC Annex , at 2416 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041. The Company will pay for the cost of the proxy preparation and solicitation, including the reasonable charges and expenses of brokerage firms, banks or other nominees for forwarding proxy materials to street name holders.

        It is expected that the solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail. Proxies may also be solicited personally by regular employees of the Company. No additional compensation will be paid to employees for such services. Any shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time prior to the voting of the proxy by giving notice in person or in writing to the Secretary of the Company at 1200 San Bernardo Avenue, Laredo, Texas 78040 or by appearing at the Annual Meeting, giving notice of revocation of the proxy and voting in person. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first sent or given to shareholders is April 18, 2011.

    Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials For Annual Meeting To Be Held On May 16, 2011

        Pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a proxy card, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet. This Proxy Statement and our Annual Report are available on our website at www.ibc.com, under the heading "Investors" in the section for "SEC Filings." Additionally, and in accordance with SEC rules, you may access our Proxy Statement and form 10-K at https://materials.proxyvote.com/459044, which does not have "cookies" that identify visitors to the site, and thus protects your privacy.

    Voting of Proxies and Shares

        Only holders of record of common stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Common Stock"), of the Company at the close of business on April 1, 2011 (the "Record Date"), shall be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. There were 67,701,671 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date held of record by approximately 2,430 shareholders. Each owner of record on the Record Date is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held.

        All shares entitled to vote represented by a properly executed and unrevoked proxy received in time for the Annual Meeting will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions given, but, in the absence of instructions to the contrary, such shares will be voted affirmatively. Persons empowered as Proxies will also be empowered to vote in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Each of the Proxies will have the power to appoint his substitute. Any of the Proxies, or their respective substitutes, who shall be present and acting at the Annual Meeting, shall have and may exercise all the powers granted to the Proxies. If any nominee for director shall be unable to serve, which is not now contemplated, the proxies will be voted for such substitute nominee(s) as the Board of Directors recommends.

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        If you hold your shares in nominee or street name, a "voting instruction form" is the document used to designate your proxy to vote your shares. If your shares are held in street name by a broker, the broker will vote your shares only if you give your broker instructions on the "voting instruction form." If you do not tell your broker how to vote, your broker may vote your shares in favor of ratification of the auditor appointment but may not vote your shares in favor of the non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation program, on the election of directors, or on any other item of business that is not considered a "routine" matter. Under New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Rule 452, brokers are entitled to vote shares held by them for customers on matters deemed "routine" under applicable rules, even though the brokers have not received voting instructions from their customers. Although the Company is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, Rule 452 affects shareholders of the Company since most of the common stock held in "street name" is held with NYSE member brokers. Your broker will return a proxy card without voting on non-routine matters if you do not give voting instructions with respect to these matters. This is referred to as a "broker non-vote." However, your broker is not required to vote your shares if you do not provide instructions.

        A quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting requires representation, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. The judges of election will treat abstentions and broker non-votes as shares that are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. A quorum with respect to any specific proposal to be voted on at the Annual Meeting requires representation, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions will be treated as present and entitled to vote with respect to any proposal submitted to the shareholders for a vote for purposes of determining both the presence of a quorum with respect to such proposal and the approval of such proposal. If a broker indicates on a proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on a particular matter, the holder(s) of such shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to such matter for purposes of determining either the presence of a quorum with respect to such matter or the approval of such matter. With respect to any proposal other than the election of directors, such proposal shall be determined by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Thus, abstentions with respect to any such matter will have the same legal effect as a vote against such matter, while broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of such matter. With respect to the election of directors, the directors shall be elected by a plurality vote of the holders of shares of Common Stock present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Plurality vote means that the nominees receiving the most votes will be elected regardless of the number of votes each nominee receives.

    Annual Meeting Admission

        If you wish to attend the Annual Meeting in person, you must present a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver's license. If you are a beneficial owner of Company Common Stock that is held of record by a bank, broker or other nominee, you will also need proof of ownership to be admitted to the meeting. A recent brokerage statement or a letter from your bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership. No cameras, recording equipment, or electronic devices will be permitted in the meeting.

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PROPOSAL—1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

    Nominees for Election as Director

        Twelve directors, constituting the entire Board of Directors, are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Each director is to hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. The Proxies named in the accompanying proxy card, who have been designated by the Board of Directors of the Company, intend to vote for the following nominees, unless otherwise instructed in such proxy card. Certain information concerning each nominee as of April 1, 2011 is set forth below, including information regarding each nominee's positions, if any, with International Bank of Commerce, the Company's lead bank subsidiary ("IBC"):

Nominee for Director
  Served as Director Since(1)   Age   Principal Occupation and Directorships(2)
Irving Greenblum   1981   81   International Investments & Real Estate and Director of IBC

R. David Guerra

 

1993

 

58

 

Vice President of the Company since 1986 and President of the IBC Branch in McAllen, Texas and Director of IBC

Daniel B. Hastings Jr. 

 

2000

 

63

 

Licensed U.S. Custom Broker and Director of IBC since 2000

Douglas B. Howland(4)

 

2010

 

60

 

CEO of Libcon, Inc., a construction
company and Director of IBC since 2010

Imelda Navarro

 

2002

 

53

 

Treasurer of the Company since 1982 and Senior Executive Vice President
of IBC and Director of IBC since 2002

Sioma Neiman

 

1981

 

82

 

International Entrepreneur

Peggy J. Newman

 

1997

 

79

 

Real Estate Investments; President of Newman Poultry Co. and Director of IBC

Dennis E. Nixon

 

1975

 

68

 

Chairman of the Board of the Company since May 1992 and President of the Company since 1979; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of IBC

Larry A. Norton(4)

 

2010

 

58

 

President of Norton Stores Inc., a family retail sales business and owner of Larry A. Norton & Co., a retail computer sales company and Director of IBC since 2010

Leonardo Salinas(3)

 

1976

 

77

 

Real Estate Investments and Director of IBC

Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr. 

 

1995

 

68

 

Chairman of the Board of Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation; Investments; and Director of IBC

Guillermo F. Trevino

 

2010

 

50

 

President of Southern Distributing and Director of IBC since 2008

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(1)
Includes time served as director of IBC prior to July 28, 1980 when the Company became the successor issuer to IBC. Mr. Trevino was appointed to the Board on March 9, 2010 to fill the vacancy created when Mr. Haynes passed away in October 2009.

(2)
Except as otherwise noted, each nominee has held the office indicated or other offices in the same company for the last ten years. Includes disclosure of any directorships held at any time during the past five years at any public company or registered management investment company.

(3)
Leonardo Salinas, who had served as Vice President of the Company and Senior Executive Vice President of IBC, retired as of June 30, 2000.

(4)
Messrs. Howland and Norton were appointed to the Board on August 5, 2010 to fill the vacant directorships resulting from action by the Board to increase the number of directors. Messrs. Howland and Norton both served on the Board of Commerce Bank, a subsidiary of the Company, for over twenty years.

        None of the nominees for director and none of the executive officers of the Company have a family relationship with any of the other nominees for director or executive officers.

        None of the above nominees is or has been during the last five years a director of any other company which has a class of securities registered under, or is required to file reports under, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") or of any company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

        During the last ten years, none of the above nominees has been involved in any legal proceeding that is material to the evaluation of the ability or integrity of the nominee, as set forth in Item 401 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.


The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" each named nominee.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

    General

        This section includes information about the qualifications, compensation and meetings of the Board of Directors and the qualification, composition, purpose and meetings of the committees of the Board of Directors. This section also discusses the Code of Ethics of the Company.

    Attendance at Board Meetings

        During 2010, the Board of Directors held five meetings. All of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Company's Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such director served, except for Sioma Neiman who attended fewer than 75% of such meetings.

    Executive Sessions of Board of Directors

        In addition to Board meetings, non-employee directors meet periodically in executive session without members of management present. The non-employee directors met in executive session four times during 2010. The non-employee directors review in executive session any related person transaction that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

    Board Nominations

        The Company's Board of Directors does not have a standing nominating committee or any other committee performing similar functions. The Company's Board of Directors has adopted a resolution

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setting forth certain Guidelines Regarding Nomination of Directors (the "Guidelines"). The Company has not established a separate nominating committee because it desires active participation of all Board members in the analysis and process of making nominations. In addition, nominees for selection are recommended to the whole Board of Directors by a majority of the Company's directors who are "independent" as defined in the applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and securities laws. The Board believes that these measures maintain the integrity of the nomination process in the same manner as if it had established a nominating committee. The Guidelines are available on the Company's website at www.ibc.com. There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors since our procedures were disclosed in the Proxy Statement for the 2009 annual meeting.

        Pursuant to the Guidelines, the independent directors seek to recommend individuals as director nominees who have the highest personal and professional integrity, who have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment and who will be most effective, in conjunction with the other nominees to the Board, in collectively serving the long-term interests of the Company's shareholders. The independent directors utilize a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating director nominees. The Board has no formal policy regarding diversity, but diversity is considered by the independent directors when evaluating nominees because the Board believes it is beneficial to the Company for board membership to reflect the diversity of the Company's markets. The independent directors will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders if provided with the following: (i) evidence, in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, of compliance with shareholder eligibility requirements; (ii) the written consent of the candidate(s) for nomination as a director and verification as to the accuracy of the biographical and other information submitted in support of the candidate; (iii) a resume or other written statement of the qualifications of the candidate(s) for nomination as a director; and, (iv) all information regarding the candidate(s) and the submitting shareholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement filed with the SEC if the candidate(s) were nominated for election to the Board of Directors. Any recommendations received from shareholders will be evaluated in the same manner that other potential nominees are evaluated. Any shareholder that wishes to present a director candidate for consideration should submit the information identified above pursuant to the procedures set forth below under "Shareholder Communication with the Board of Directors." In 2010, we received no nominations of board candidates from our shareholders.

    Annual Meeting Attendance

        The Company encourages all members of its Board of Directors to attend the annual meetings of shareholders, but it has not adopted a formal policy requiring attendance. All of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company who were directors at the time of the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders, except for Sioma Neiman, were in attendance at such meeting.

Director Independence

        The Company's Board of Directors has determined that a majority of its members are "independent" as defined in the applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and securities laws. As of April 1, 2011, the following members of the Board of Directors are not independent: Imelda Navarro, Dennis E. Nixon, R. David Guerra, and Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr.

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Director Compensation

        The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to directors, other than the named executive officers, for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Name
  Fees Earned or Paid in Cash($)   All Other Compensation($)(1)   Total($)  
Irving Greenblum     5,700     18,200     23,900  
Daniel B. Hastings, Jr.      5,700     17,300     23,000  
Douglas B. Howland     2,400     18,500     20,900  
Sioma Neiman     2,340     7,700     10,040  
Peggy J. Newman     2,700     17,300     20,000  
Larry A. Norton     2,400     17,000     19,400  
Leonardo Salinas     4,800     18,800     23,600  
Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr.      3,600     7,700     11,300  
Guillermo F. Trevino     4,200     18,200     22,400  

(1)
All directors received certain perquisites from the Company during 2010, but the incremental cost of providing those perquisites was significantly less than the $10,000 disclosure threshold per director. Certain directors of the Company serve as directors of subsidiary banks of the Company, and each such director receives compensation for his or her services as a director of the subsidiary bank in the amount of $900 for each board meeting and $300 for each meeting of a board committee of the subsidiary bank that he or she attends, as well as an additional year-end payment of 5,000.00. The amounts paid to directors of the Company for their services as a director of a subsidiary bank are set forth in the "All Other Compensation" column above.

        Each director of the Company receives compensation for his or her services as a director of the Company in the amount of $900 for each board meeting of the Company and $300 for each meeting of a board committee he or she attends. These director fees are set forth in the "Fees Earned or Paid in Cash" column in the foregoing table. Some of the board meetings of the Company were by telephone conference and the directors are not paid for these meetings. Salaried officers of the Company who are directors are not compensated for committee meetings. No stock options, equity-based awards, or other forms of non-equity incentive plan compensation are granted to non-employee board members. The director fees paid to the named executive officers by the Company and the subsidiary banks are included in the "All Other Compensation" column set forth in the "Summary Compensation Table" below.

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    Director Qualifications and Experience

        The following table identifies the primary experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that contributed to the Board's decision to nominate directors to our Board. This information supplements the biographical information provided above. The vertical axis displays the primary factors or attributes reviewed by the Board of Directors in evaluating a board candidate. The absence of an "X" should not be construed to be a determination that the director lacks such an attribute, only that it was not a factor the Board considered in nominating the individual.

Experience Qualification Or Skill
  Irving
Greenblum
  R. David
Guerra
  Daniel B.
Hastings, Jr.
  Douglas B.
Howland
  Imelda
Navarro
  Sioma
Neiman
  Peggy
Newman
  Dennis E.
Nixon
  Larry A.
Norton
  Leonardo
Salinas
  Antonio R.
Sanchez, Jr.
  Guillermo F.
Trevino

Professional Standing in Chosen field

  x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x

Experience in Financial Services or Related Industry

     

x

         

x

         

x

     

x

 

x

   

Experience Reviewing Financial Statement and Financial Matters

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

Civic and Community Involvement

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

Independent Director

 

x

     

x

 

x

     

x

 

x

     

x

 

x

     

x

Leadership and Team Building Skills

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

Diversity by Race, Gender or Culture

     

x

 

x

     

x

 

x

 

x

         

x

 

x

 

x

Collegial and Insightful

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

        All members of our Board have worked for all or substantial parts of their careers in Texas or Mexico and have significant knowledge of the markets that we serve and extensive ties to local community and business leaders. In addition to each director's qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, set forth below is additional information about the specific qualifications of each director related to such director's business experience.

Irving Greenblum                        Director since 1981

        Mr. Greenblum has been active in the Laredo, Texas business community for over fifty years. He currently is pursuing international investments and real estate transactions in the Laredo, Texas area. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his business experience, his long-standing tenure as a director of the Company, as well as his knowledge of the Texas communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Greenblum should continue serving on the Board.

R. David Guerra                        Director since 1993

        Mr. Guerra has been the President of the IBC Branch in McAllen, Texas since the Company's expansion to that area in 1991. He has been an officer of the Company since 1986. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his experience in banking and his long-standing tenure with the Company, as well as his knowledge of the Texas communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Guerra should continue serving on the Board.

Daniel B. Hastings                        Director since 2000

        Mr. Hastings is an active member of the Laredo business community and a licensed U.S. custom broker. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his experience in international business operations and his long-standing tenure as a director of the Company, as well as his knowledge of the Texas and international communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Hastings should continue serving on the Board.

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Douglas Howland                        Director since 2010

        Mr. Howland has been the CEO of Libcon, Inc., a construction company in Laredo, Texas for more than twenty years. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his experience in business operations and management, as well as his knowledge of the Texas communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Howland should continue serving on the Board.

Dennis E. Nixon                        Director since 1975

        Mr. Nixon has been President of the Company since 1979 and Chairman of the Board of the Company since 1992. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his experience in banking and his years of experience as the chief executive officer of the Company, as well as his knowledge of the communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Nixon should continue serving on the Board.

Imelda Navarro                        Director since 2002

        Ms. Navarro has been Treasurer of the Company since 1982. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of her experience in banking and years of experience as an executive officer at the Company, as well as her knowledge of the communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Ms. Navarro should continue serving on the Board.

Sioma Neiman                        Director since 1981

        Mr. Neiman has been active in the Mexico business community for over fifty years. He currently is an international entrepreneur. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his long-standing tenure as a director of the Company, as well as his knowledge of the international communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Neiman should continue serving on the Board.

Peggy J. Newman                        Director since 1997

        Ms. Newman has been active in the Texas business community for many years. She currently is the President of Newman Poultry Co. and active in real estate investments. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of her experience in business operations and management, her tenure as a director of the Company, as well as her knowledge of the Texas communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Ms. Newman should continue serving on the Board.

Larry Norton                        Director since 2010

        Mr. Norton has been the President of Norton Stores Inc., a family retail sales business and owner of Larry A. Norton & Co., a retail computer sales company in Laredo, Texas for more than twenty years. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his experience in business operations and management, as well as his knowledge of the Texas communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Norton should continue serving on the Board.

Leonardo Salinas                        Director since 1976

        Mr. Salinas served as Vice President of the Company until he retired in 2000. Currently he is involved in real estate investments in Laredo, Texas. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his experience in banking, his long-standing tenure as a director of the Company, as well as his knowledge of the communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Salinas should continue serving on the Board.

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Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr.                        Director since 1995

        Mr. Sanchez is Chairman of the Board of Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his experience in business operations and management, his long-standing tenure as a director of the Company, as well as his knowledge of the Texas communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Sanchez should continue serving on the Board.

Guillermo F. Trevino                        Director since 2010

        Mr. Trevino has been President of Southern Distributing in Laredo, Texas, for more than ten years. Mr. Trevino also serves on the Board of Directors of the San Antonio Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. In addition to the qualifications and attributes described in the foregoing table, it is because of his experience in business operations and management, as well as his knowledge of the Texas communities we serve, that the Board has concluded that Mr. Trevino should continue serving on the Board.

Shareholder Communications With The Board of Directors

        Shareholders may communicate directly with the Board of Directors. All communications should be in writing and directed to the Company's Corporate Secretary at the address below and should prominently indicate on the outside of the envelope that it is intended for the Board of Directors. The Company's Corporate Secretary has the authority to disregard any inappropriate communications or to take other appropriate actions with respect to any such inappropriate communications. If deemed appropriate, the Company's Corporate Secretary will forward correspondence to the Chairman of the Board or any specific director to whom the correspondence is directed. In general, communications relating to corporate governance and long-term corporate strategy are more likely to be forwarded than communications relating to ordinary business affairs, personal grievances and matters as to which the Company tends to receive repetitive or duplicative communications. Also, pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, a special meeting of the Shareholders of the Company shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary of the Company whenever Shareholders holding at least fifty percent (50%) of all the shares entitled to vote at the proposed special meeting make application therefore in writing, which request must state a proper purpose of the meeting and shall be delivered to the Chairman of the Board or the President.

Marisa V. Santos
Corporate Secretary
International Bancshares Corporation
P. O. Drawer 1359
Laredo, Texas 78042

    Code of Ethics

        The Company has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for executive officers (including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer), known as the International Bancshares Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals. The Company also maintains a code of ethics for all employees and directors, known as the International Bancshares Code of Ethics. The International Bancshares Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals and the International Bancshares Code of Ethics are available on the Company's website at www.ibc.com. Any amendment to, or waiver of, the International Bancshares Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals will be disclosed on such Company website.

    Leadership Structure

        Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, the President of the Company shall be the chief executive officer ("CEO"). The board appoints one of its members to be the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of

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the Board position is not deemed or considered an officer position of the Company. The Board does not have a policy on whether the role of Chairman and CEO should be separate or combined, but currently believes that the most effective leadership structure for the Company is to combine these responsibilities. The structure avoids duplication of efforts that can result from the roles being separated and avoids confusion within and outside of the Company with respect to who is the highest ranked officer of the Company. The Board also believes that combining these roles enhances accountability for the Company's performance by avoiding confusion about who is the highest ranked officer. Furthermore, as the Company has combined these roles for almost twenty years separating them could cause significant disruption in oversight and lines of reporting. Nevertheless, depending upon the circumstances, the Board could choose to separate the roles of Chairman and CEO in the future. The Company does not have a designated lead independent director.

        To help ensure oversight by our independent directors, our Audit, Compensation, Stock Option and Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Committees are composed only of independent directors, as defined in the applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and securities laws.

        The entire Board is responsible for overseeing all aspects of management of the Company, including risk oversight.

    The Board's Role in Enterprise Risk Oversight

        The entire Board of Directors is actively involved in overseeing risk management for the Company. The Company's senior risk officers provide a comprehensive risk report to the Board. The full Board also engages in periodic risk management discussions with the senior risk officers, CEO, CFO, and other Company officers as the Board may deem appropriate. All of the directors of the Company are also directors of the Bank, which represents over a majority of the Company's banking assets, except for Mr. Neiman, and as such, the Board of Directors also receives regular reports on risk management matters of the Bank. In addition, each committee of the Board of Directors has been assigned oversight responsibility for specific areas of risk. The committees consider risks within their areas of responsibility, for instance the Compensation Committee considers risks that may result from changes in compensation programs, and our Asset/Liability, Investment, Balance Sheet-Management, Funds Management/Liquidity Interest Rate Risk Committee focuses on risk related to credit and interest rates, among others. The Audit Committee reviews risk related to financial reporting. The senior risk officers report directly to the Board of Directors and indirectly to the CEO for administrative purposes. The Board of Directors believes the combination of the joint CEO and Chairman positions and the roles of the Board and its committees provide the appropriate leadership to help ensure effective risk oversight.


MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

        At December 31, 2010, the Board of Directors had six active committees; the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Stock Option Plan Committee, the Asset/Liability, Investment, Balance Sheet-Management, Funds Management/Liquidity Interest Rate Risk Committee, the Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan Committee and the Profit Sharing Plan Committee.

    Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors during 2010 consisted of Irving Greenblum, Daniel B. Hastings, Jr., Leonardo Salinas, Guillermo F. Trevino (beginning on March 9, 2010), and Messrs. Howland and Norton (beginning on August 5, 2010). The Audit Committee met four times during the 2010 fiscal year. The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to recommend the appointment of the independent auditors; to review annual and quarterly financial reports and to review the results of audits by the internal auditor and the independent auditors. Under applicable law, the Audit Committee is required to review with management and the independent auditors the basis for all financial reports. The

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Board of Directors has adopted a separate Audit Committee Charter. The charter for the Audit Committee is available on the Company's website at www.ibc.com .

        The Company's Board of Directors has determined that none of the Audit Committee members meets the audit committee financial expert criteria as defined by Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act. While it might be possible to recruit a person who qualifies solely as a financial expert, the Board does not believe such a candidate would have the other attributes that the Board seeks for Board and Audit Committee members. The Board has determined it is not in the best interests of the Company to nominate as a director someone who does not have the experience, attributes and qualifications that the Board seeks to further the interests of the Company. All Audit Committee members are "independent", as defined in the applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and securities laws and each has been selected for the Audit Committee by the Board based on the Board's determination that they are fully qualified to (i) review and understand the Company's financial statements, (ii) monitor the performance of management, (iii) monitor the Company's internal accounting operations, (iv) monitor the independent auditors, and (v) monitor the disclosures of the Company to the end that they fairly present the Company's financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Audit Committee has the ability, on its own, to retain independent accountants or other consultants whenever it deems appropriate; however, during 2010 the Audit Committee did not exercise such authority. The Board of Directors believes that this is comparable to having a financial expert on the Audit Committee.

Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan Committee

        During 2010, the Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan Committee of the Board of Directors consisted of Irving Greenblum, Daniel B. Hastings, Jr., Leonardo Salinas (until April 21, 2010) Peggy J. Newman and Guillermo F. Trevino (beginning May 20, 2010). The Long-term Restricted Stock Unit Plan Committee met three times during the 2010 fiscal year, and each member of the Committee attended all three meetings. The Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan Committee's primary function is the administration of the 2009 International Bancshares Corporation Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan, which includes determining the form, terms, conditions and amount of each grant under such Plan. The Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan Committee has the authority to retain outside consultants or separate legal counsel, which authority the Committee did not exercise during 2010. Each member of the Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan Committee is "independent", as defined in applicable NASDAQ Marketplace and SEC Rules.

    Report of the Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan Committee

        The Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Committee of the Board of Directors determines the grants of long-term Restricted Stock to officers, employees, consultants or advisors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the 2009 International Bancshares Corporation Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan (the "LTRSU Plan"). The Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Committee met three times during 2010. The Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Committee determined that the Company should award Long-Term Restricted Stock Units to Dennis E. Nixon during the 2010 fiscal year under the LTRSU Plan. The Committee determined the form, terms, conditions and amount of Mr. Nixon's grant pursuant to the LTRSU Plan. The Committee believes its decision to grant Long-Term Restricted Stock Units during 2010 to Mr. Nixon is consistent with the compensation objectives of the LTRSU Plan.

        This report is submitted on behalf of the Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Plan Committee.

Irving Greenblum            Daniel B. Hastings            Peggy Newman            Guillermo F. Trevino

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    Asset/Liability, Investment, Balance Sheet-Management, Funds Management/Liquidity Interest Rate Risk Committee

        During 2010, the Asset/Liability, Investment, Balance Sheet-Management, Funds Management/Liquidity Interest Rate Risk Committee of the Board of Directors consisted of Dennis E. Nixon; Irving Greenblum; R. David Guerra, Daniel B. Hastings, Guillermo F. Trevino (beginning on March 9, 2010), Douglas B. Howland (beginning on August 5, 2010) and Larry A. Norton (beginning on August 5, 2010. The Asset/Liability, Investment, Balance Sheet-Management, Funds Management/Liquidity Interest Rate Risk Committee met three times during 2010 and all members of the committee were present. The primary function of the committee is to administer the investment activity of the Company, including the review of regulatory compliance.

    The Profit Sharing Plan Committee

        During 2010, the Profit Sharing Plan Committee of the Board of Directors consisted of Irving Greenblum, Daniel B. Hastings, Jr., Peggy J. Newman, Dennis E. Nixon and Guillermo F. Trevino (beginning on May 20, 2010). The Company has a deferred profit sharing plan for full time employees with a minimum of one year of continuous employment. The Profit Sharing Plan Committee met once during 2010 and all members of the Committee attended such meeting, except for Mrs. Newman. The primary function of the Committee is to administer the Employee's Profit Sharing Plan.

    Stock Option Plan Committee

        During 2010, the Stock Option Plan Committee of the Board of Directors consisted of Daniel B. Hastings, Jr., Irving Greenblum, Peggy J. Newman and Guillermo F. Trevino (beginning on May 20, 2010). The Stock Option Plan Committee did not meet during the 2010 fiscal year. The Stock Option Plan Committee's primary function is the administration of the 2005 International Bancshares Corporation Stock Option Plan, which includes taking all final action on the amount, timing, price and other terms of all options granted under such Plan. The Stock Option Plan Committee has the authority to retain outside consultants or separate legal counsel, which authority the Stock Option Plan Committee did not exercise during 2010. Each member of the Stock Option Plan Committee that served during 2010 and who is serving in 2011 is "independent" as defined in applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and securities laws.

    Report of the Stock Option Plan Committee

        The Stock Option Plan Committee of the Board of Directors determines the stock option grants to executive officers and key salaried employees of the Company. The Company did not award stock options to any of its executive officers or key salaried employees of the Company during the 2010 fiscal year. The Stock Option Plan Committee did not meet during the 2010 fiscal year. The primary purpose of the 2005 International Bancshares Corporation Stock Option Plan is to increase the interest of the executives and key salaried employees of the Company, the subsidiary banks and non-bank subsidiaries in the Company's future growth and success through the added incentive created by the opportunity afforded for stock ownership under the Plan. The size of the option grants are determined by the Stock Option Plan Committee based upon a subjective assessment of the respective employee's performance, compensation level and other factors. The exercise price of each option equaled the fair market value of the Common Stock as of the date of grant. The Stock Option Plan Committee believes its decision not to grant stock options during 2010 to any of the executive officers of the Company is consistent with the compensation objectives of the 2005 International Bancshares Corporation Stock Option Plan.

        This report is submitted on behalf of the Stock Option Plan Committee.

Daniel B. Hastings, Jr.

 

Irving Greenblum

 

Peggy J. Newman

 

Guillermo F. Trevino

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