Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas — Rafael Medrano, executive vice president and chief lending officer at Texas National Bank, described the Bank On INT internship program as an investment in students, employers, and the future of the Rio Grande Valley during remarks at the program’s second-year launch on June 5, 2026.
Medrano spoke at the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony held at Edinburg City Council Chambers, where representatives from the City of Edinburg, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), and regional banking institutions gathered to formally launch the second cohort of the paid internship program.
He thanked UTRGV, the City of Edinburg, EEDC, participating students, and community banks for supporting the initiative, which provides undergraduate students with hands-on experience in the financial services industry.
“I really am proud of what the community banking group has done for this program,” Medrano said. “I think it’s indicative of their investment in the community and in our students.”
Medrano said the program benefits multiple stakeholders, including students, educational institutions, employers, and the regional economy.
“At the end of the day, we’re all investing in our future,” he said.
A central theme of Medrano’s remarks was the importance of helping students explore career paths before graduation. He noted that many young people enter college without a clear understanding of the professional opportunities available to them and said internships provide valuable exposure to real-world work environments.
“This is another tool where we’re letting the students succeed,” Medrano said. “We’re putting them in a real-world experience.”
Medrano said the program allows students to determine whether a career in banking aligns with their interests while gaining practical experience and professional connections.
He also discussed the possibility of expanding banking education opportunities at UTRGV. Medrano noted that the Texas Bankers Association has partnered with universities in other parts of the state and suggested that a similar collaboration could be explored locally.
“Maybe that’s the next step, right? Having a banking program through UTRGV,” Medrano said.
Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa also spoke about opportunities available to students in the region and encouraged them to consider building their careers in the Rio Grande Valley.
“The Valley opens up so many opportunities, not just for business down here, but statewide,” Ochoa said. “Congratulations on making the decision to work here for the financial institutions in the Rio Grande Valley.”
The Bank On INT program was established through a partnership among the City of Edinburg, EEDC, UTRGV, and regional banking institutions to connect students with paid internships while helping employers develop and retain local talent. Organizers have described the initiative as a workforce development effort designed to strengthen the region’s future workforce and support long-term economic growth.
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