EXHIBIT 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               CONTACT:
                                                    Dennis E. Nixon
                                                    Chairman & CEO
                                                    International Bancshares
                                                    Corporation
                                                    956/726-7611

                                                    Debby S. Dudley
                                                    PR Coordinator
                                                    214/535-9212 cellular


                      INTERNATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE (IBC) GAINS
                            FINAL APPROVAL TO ENTER HOUSTON

LAREDO, TX. (November 6, 1997).....Having received final regulatory approvals,
International Bank of Commerce (IBC) today completed the purchase of University
Bank in Houston, finalizing IBC's strategically planned entry into the Houston
market, announced Dennis E. Nixon, Chairman and CEO of International Bancshares
Corporation.

With headquarters at 5615 Kirby Drive, University Bank's five citywide branches
completed operations Wednesday, November 5, 1997, as University Bank, and opened
Thursday, morning, November 6, 1997, as fully operating branches of IBC.

Recognizing the important role local leadership plays in each IBC market, Dennis
E. Nixon has announced the hiring of local banker Jay Rogers as president of
IBC-Houston to oversee and direct activities of the five citywide branch
offices. Rogers comes to IBC with over 20 years of commercial lending
experience, most recently with Compass Bank-Houston where he managed over $250
million in assets.

"The Houston market is a critical link to IBC's continued growth. We are
confident that Jay Rogers' proven success will continue as he and his Houston
team establish IBC as a major player in this dynamic metroplex," said Dennis E.
Nixon. "Jay understands that as a Texas-owned and operated financial institution
managed by local experts, IBC is able to do more by delivering fast turnaround
on loan decisions, and by extending the highly personal service that Texans
value."

IBC's first five Houston branches lay the foundation for a regional hub to
manage its growing chain of branches in the Texas Upper Gulf Coast. Earlier this
year, IBC acquired five branches from Bank of America in communities south of
Houston, specifically Rosenberg, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Freeport, and Texas
City. The University Bank acquisition extends IBC's presence to over 75
locations in 24 Texas communities.

International Bancshares Corporation is a $4 billion multi-bank holding company
headquartered in Laredo, Texas, with facilities in San Antonio, McAllen,
Brownsville, Zapata, throughout the Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi, Bay City,
Port Lavaca, and the upper gulf coast.