IBC Bank, H-E-B Launch Operation Care Drop to Support Troops Overseas
Local branches serve as drop-off stations for supplies and treats

HOUSTON, TX – November 11, 2008 – To extend gratitude and support to U.S. troops overseas, IBC Bank and H-E-B have initiated Operation Care Drop which will launch on Veteran’s Day. Through this community-wide effort, 35 local IBC Bank branches (including locations in Angleton, Bryan, Dickinson, Freeport, Friendswood, Galveston, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kempwood, Kingwood, Lake Jackson, League City, Richmond, The Woodlands and Wharton) and more than 130 branches throughout Texas will serve as drop-off stations for care package supplies from Nov. 11 through Nov. 30. As the holidays approach, this program serves as an opportunity for the community to show its appreciation for and encouragement to the men and women fighting overseas for our freedom.

“In keeping with IBC’s ‘do more’ philosophy, we are excited to partner with H-E-B to encourage the community to support our heroes overseas. Through our efforts with H-E-B, we are making it easy for our customers and the public to contribute when and where it is convenient for them,” IBC Chairman and CEO Dennis E. Nixon said. “Through our partnership with Operation Interdependence® in 2007, we saw an enormous response from the public, and we look forward to the project’s success again this year.”

Participating in Operation Care Drop is easy and convenient. “Drop Zone” boxes are located in participating IBC traditional and H-E-B in-store branches. To help pack and ship the goods overseas, IBC and H-E-B are working with Operation Interdependence® (OI), the premier Civilian-to-Military Delivery System® in the United States.

Citizens can support Operation Care Drop by:

• Purchasing pre-made care bags or care package supplies from participating H-E-Bs and placing them in the “Drop Zone” box at any IBC Bank branch. A “shopping list” of suggested donation items (gum, travel-size toiletries, playing cards, etc.) is conveniently available at branches. Supplies must fit inside a quart-sized plastic bag. Donors can also contribute approved items in bulk quantity for later assembly.
• Writing a letter of support or thanks to a soldier. Words of kindness and encouragement go a long way to boost morale and spread the spirit of patriotism.

The following H-E-B locations in the Houston area are participating in Operation Care Drop:

About IBC Bank

IBC Bank is a subsidiary of International Bancshares Corporation (NASDAQ: IBOC), an $11.5 billion multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo, Texas, with 263 facilities and 420 ATMs serving 101 communities in Texas and Oklahoma.

About H-E-B

For more than 100 Years, H-E-B has been an innovative retailer. Known for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at every day low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 67,000 Partners and serves millions of customers in more than 150 communities throughout Texas and Mexico. For more information, visit www.heb.com.

About Operation Interdependence®

Since its founding in 2001, Operation Interdependence, OI, has become the fastest growing volunteer organization in the U.S., with participants in 19 countries, all 50 states and more than 8,000 cities across the U.S. The OI logistical civilian-to-military delivery system provides a secure and streamlined means for the American people to deliver their well wishes to those in harm’s way on their behalf without overloading the military delivery system.