August 30, 2010
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20549
| Re: | Intervest Bancshares Corporation |
Registration Statement on Form S-1
Request for Acceleration of Effectiveness
File No. 333-167911
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In accordance with Rule 461 of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, we hereby join Intervest Bancshares Corporation (the “Company”) in requesting that the Company’s above-referenced Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, be accelerated so that it will become effective on September 1, 2010, at 3:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as practicable.
Very truly yours,
SANDLER O’NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P. | ||
| By: | Sandler O’Neill & Partners Corp., | |
| By: | /s/ Jennifer A. Docherty | |
| Jennifer A. Docherty | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
