Instituto de Banca y Comercio
 the IBC logo | |
| Type | Private, For-Profit, Technical |
|---|---|
| Established | 1974 |
| President | Guillermo Nigaglioni |
Administrative staff | 1,600 |
| Students | 21,000 |
| Location | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Campus | San Juan, Ponce, Mayagüez, Caguas, Manatí, Cayey, Fajardo, Guayama, Humacao, Carolina, Arecibo, Bayamón |
| Website | www.ibanca.net |
Instituto de Banca y Comercio (IBC) is a private, post-secondary institution of a non-traditional character, which offers short training programs and associate’s degrees to young adults and adults in the Business, Technical/Vocational, Health, Beauty, and Culinary Arts fields. It operates under the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History
Instituto de Banca y Comercio was founded by Mr. Fidel Alonso-Valls in 1974 in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, where it only had two classrooms and 15 students. Initially, it was an institution specialized in preparing tellers for the banking industry in Puerto Rico. Hence its original name, International Banking School.
Since then, it has maintained a steady growth and development, and branched out to the careers with the highest demand on the Island. It currently has 12 campuses and eight learning sites, covering Puerto Rico from coast to coast; an annual student population of over 21,000, and approximately 1,600 employees.
In March 2007, Instituto de Banca y Comercio was acquired by Leeds Equity Partners, an investment firm in New York.
The Institution’s success is due to the capability and sense of commitment of its professors, the location of its units, the attention offered to students, the use of modern technological resources and the innovative way in which it has managed the educational process, preserving its academic excellence within a changing environment that has been incorporated into the curricula to keep it current.
Accreditations
Since 1978, Instituto de Banca y Comercio is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award diplomas. All of its programs are authorized by the Puerto Rico Council of Education. The campuses in San Juan (2006) and Ponce (2009) are authorized by the Puerto Rico Council of Education’s Higher Education Division, and accredited by ACICS to award associate’s degrees. All the units are authorized by the Federal Department of Education to participate in the Title IV programs of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
It’s also approved to accept students via Vocational Rehabilitation, Work Investment Act (WIA), Corrections Administration, and approved for the training of students under the various GI Bill programs.
Locations
Campuses
- San Juan (1975)
- Ponce (1983)
- Mayagüez (1984)
- Cayey (1986)
- Guayama (1986)
- Manatí (1992)
- Fajardo (1991)
- Caguas (2000)
- Humacao (2008)
- Carolina (2009)
- Arecibo (2009)
- Bayamón (2010)
Learning Sites
- Adjuntas
- Aguadilla
- Barranquitas
- Lajas
- Los Colobos
- Moca
- Naranjito
- Yauco
Academic Programs
Commercial Programs
- Banking Operations
- Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing
- Tourism and Hotels
- Computer Systems Administration
- Information Systems Specialist
Culinary Programs
- Regional and International Cuisine
- Bartending
- International Pastry and Baking
Technical Programs
- Plumbing Technician
- Computer Repairs and Network Technician
- Electricity with PLC
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning with PLC
- Sound and Security Alarm Technician
Beauty Programs
- Cosmetology
- Barbering and Hairstyling
- Nail Technology
- Advanced Hairstyling and Design
- Esthetics
Health Programs
- Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
- Practical Nursing
- Respiratory Care Technician
- Home Health Care Assistant
- Dental Assistant with Expanded Functions
- Surgical Technician
- Professional Massage Therapist
Programs vary by location.
Member of EduK Group
Instituto de Banca y Comercio is a member of EduK Group, Inc.
EduK Group was initially organized in 2004 as the advisory entity for its member institutions. Founded and headquartered in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, the member institutions include four established post-secondary educational institutions, offering a diverse number of programs leading to a certificate, diploma, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees. The institutions are Instituto de Banca y Comercio (IBC), National University College (NUC), Ponce Paramedical College (POPAC) and Florida Technical College (FTC). It also includes two specialized schools: the Digital Animation and Visual Effects (DAVE) School, and LaSalle Computer Learning Center, both divisions of Florida Technical College, Inc. and located in Florida.
EduK’s focus is serving the fast-growing Hispanic market. EduK is dedicated to becoming the leading provider of post-secondary education to the Hispanic market and communities. The combined experience of its institutions in the education field, their stability and evolution have led them to a combined annual enrollment of over 27,000 students, positioning EduK as the leader in career-focused education on the Island.