BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Texas Regional Bank (TRB) have announced an expanded partnership that includes the launch of the UTRGV Debit Card.
Jamie Brown-Rosas, director of business development for Texas Regional Bank, said the idea for the card grew out of the relationship her bank has with the university.
“We’ve been friends and partners for a long time and we’ve worked on different programs together for a number of years. It all starts with relationships,” Brown-Rosas told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.
She said Texas Regional Bank is committed to UTRGV.
"We will continue to help the next generation of leaders in the Rio Grande Valley by providing the support and resources needed to succeed. Our partnership itself is not new, but launching the Vaqueros debit card is an exciting initiative our community can rally behind,” Brown-Rosas said.
The new UTRGV-branded debit card is now available to all TRB customers with a checking account. Brown-Rosas said opening a new account can be done quickly and easily at GoUTRGV.com/TRB or at a local branch. She said current account holders can request a UTRGV debit card by visiting their local branch and bringing an approved form of identification.
UTRGV Athletics and Texas Regional Bank will celebrate the launch of the UTRGV debit card at the UTRGV Madness on Friday, Nov. 3, at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said that during the pre-madness tailgate from 7-8:30 p.m. in the fieldhouse parking lot, attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for a chance to win up to $500 in TRB’s Texas Tornado, a machine that blows money around while the contestant attempts to grab as much cash as possible. One registrant will be chosen to participate during madness, Conque said. It begins at 9 p.m. with doors opening at 8:30 p.m.
Any fans purchasing tickets for a Vaqueros home game of any sport at the box office using a UTRGV debit card will receive a $1 discount.
"Our relationship with Texas Regional Bank goes back a long way. We are most grateful for their loyal support, and we are proud to find new and exciting ways to partner together," Conque said. "Having a UTRGV debit card sends a strong message that you care deeply about the Valley's Division I team and our student-athletes who represent the Rio Grande Valley every day."
Jason Leal is chief experience officer (CXO) at TRB and a UTRGV alum. He said the new debit card is part of a larger partnership, as Texas Regional Bank staff provides financial education services to UTRGV students, faculty, staff, and parents.
"Texas Regional Bank is committed to community growth and education," Leal said. "Our partnership with UTRGV shows our ongoing dedication to supporting local institutions that make a difference. This exclusive UTRGV-branded debit card is more than a financial product; it's a testament to the synergies between education and community development."
Leal pointed out that TRB employs many UTRGV students and graduates in various roles from intern to CXO throughout a 32-branch network that includes two locations in Brownsville, two in Edinburg, two in Harlingen, three in McAllen, one in Mission, one in San Benito, and one in Weslaco.
He said that with assets of approximately $2.6 billion, Texas Regional Bank is a full-service financial institution offering core banking, trust, wealth management, mortgage, international banking, insurance, foreign exchange, and economic development services throughout the Valley, Houston, the DFW Metroplex, and the Texas Hill Country.
