Gesturing to the mint colored typewriter on the table, BBVA US Director of Risk Technology and Productivity Amory Booher said, “Technology has a lifecycle with a start and end date. For instance, the computer changed how we interacted with typewriters. Similarly, artificial intelligence and cognitive capabilities are changing how we interact with computers. We don’t know if these technological advancements will be as significant as going from the typewriter to the computer, but it’s incumbent on us to understand how these technologies are being applied so we can use them to make our lives better.”

BBVA Compass Head of Business Development Pepe Olalla recently spoke with Bank Innovation’s Tatjana Kulkarni in an interview posted in two articles, Zelle and Insurance on the Roadmap for BBVA Compass’s Mobile App and How the Innovation Team at BBVA Compass Focuses on Needs, Revenue.

It’s true that interest rates on mortgages are increasing, but it could still be a good time to refinance. As with so many things in life, it all depends on your unique financial situation.

According to RealtyTrac, as of April 2018, there were more than 600,000 properties in the U.S. in some stage of foreclosure. While the numbers of foreclosed homes are significantly lower than at the peak of the U.S. Housing Crisis, with more than a half million lender owned homes on the market, buyers still have a solid opportunity to find a good deal.

BBVA Compass recently reported a 30 percent increase year-over-year in mobile active customers.*

According to a recent study from Citigroup, it’s a trend the bank should expect to see continue, as customers increasingly use mobile banking apps over most others. BBVA Compass Head of Business Development Pepe Olalla agrees but also says increased adoption of the mobile app among BBVA Compass customers can also be attributed to a digital strategy which incorporates design and customer feedback to deliver a solution that guides customers on their financial journey.

When it comes to buying a home, understanding which mortgage option is right is key. When constructing a home from the ground up, the same is true, but the options for financing are slightly different.

Generally, new construction financing falls into two types of loans, construction-to-permanent and construction only.

Being self-employed doesn’t mean homeownership isn’t attainable. In fact, lenders are willing and able to loan money to the entrepreneurial minded. People who are self-employed and seeking to buy their own home simply need to be aware of a few more things.

In December 2017, President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), a tax overhaul that sought to cut corporate and individual income taxes and stimulate the economy. As part of the tax package, the standard deduction was increased across all tax brackets and rules for mortgage interest deductions changed.

BBVA Compass last week announced that Celie Niehaus had been named as its Chief Compliance Officer and newest member of the bank’s management committee. Niehaus has a long history in risk management across multiple financial institutions. We took some time to sit down with her to understand how a largely regulatory function like compliance could contribute to the digital aspirations of a financial institution. As it turns out, compliance, just like banking, is itself in a state of evolution. To find out more, read on.

Over the past several years, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has gradually increased the federal funds interest rates both as a response to favorable economic conditions and in order to curb inflation. In a rising interest rate environment such as this, lending is affected as banks set their own interest rates according to the prime rate, which is mostly determined by the aforementioned federal funds rate.

The second installment of BBVA Compass popular Sign In & Win Sweepstakes which awards customers for using their BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App, is now underway.

The sweepstakes, which started in June and wraps January 2, 2019, boasts a total of $35,000 in customer prizes, which includes one $10,000 grand prize, eight $1,000 monthly prizes and 34 weekly prizes of $500. According to BBVA Compass Director of Digital Engagement, ATM & Branch Distribution, Cody Sparks, in its first year, the sweepstakes proved to be a key driver of increased mobile adoption.

BBVA Compass, the U.S. subsidiary of global financial services group BBVA, announced last Wednesday that Celie Niehaus has been named the bank’s Chief Compliance Officer and a member of its Management Committee.

Black Knight, Inc.’s latest Mortgage Monitor Report indicates that taken together, rising interest rates and home prices have affected housing affordability, resulting in a more than $100 increase in monthly payment on a 30-year mortgage used to purchase a median-priced U.S. home.

Long gone are the days when banks would send canceled checks from the previous month’s transactions so  customers could balance their checkbooks and manage their accounts. Today, the proliferation of digital money movement means transferring of money in and out of bank accounts has become real-time and a daily process. The BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App makes daily account management an easier task with customizable real-time alert notifications.

Visitors to BBVA Compass branches on May 3 were treated to a sea of blue-clad team members waiting to give them special treatment as part of the bank’s first-annual Customer Appreciation Day.

The start of sweet summertime means that the school year for most kids in the United States is drawing to a close. If you’re a parent, you may be thinking about how to say thanks to a special teacher that has been meaningful in your own child’s life. The good news is that there are myriad ways to recognize teachers for the effort, caring and education they’ve provided throughout the school year.

When your debit or credit card is lost or stolen, it can take time and effort to report it as such – time that you might not have when trying to avoid fraudulent charges. With the BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App you are in control of your financial life, which means you can quickly and easily report your card lost or stolen, directly in the app.

At BBVA Compass, digital transformation has been taking place across the bank from Engineering to Talent & Culture. Leading the charge for the transformation of the bank’s products and services has been the bank’s Business Development unit, under the leadership of Pepe Olalla.

In honor of the men and women who give of themselves to serve the public everyday, BBVA Compass has designated May Everyday Heroes month.

For many Americans, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, replete with BBQs, time with friends and family and the first foray into the pool. But, even as we set about celebrating the freedom we have, it’s incumbent on us to not forget those who gave their all in service to our country.

Having the BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App on your phone is like carrying the bank in your pocket. The many functionalities of the app mean that you are more in control of your financial life, and able to make decisions based on your needs. This is particularly true with the app’s patent-pending Payments and Transfers function.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston today unveiled the newest addition to its Susan and Fayez S. Sarofim Campus, the new Glassell School of Art and  BBVA Compass Roof Garden and The Brown Foundation, Inc. Plaza.

President and CEO of BBVA Compass Onur Genç was on hand to help MFAH Director Gary Tinterow and MFAH Chair Richard D. Kinder announce the completion of the project.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Athletics (UAB), BBVA Compass and Birmingham Legion FC celebrated the stadium expansion of BBVA Compass Field Wednesday on the campus of UAB.

The BBVA Compass Field stadium expansion includes a state-of-the-art 4,000-seat grandstand, along with a permanent concessions stand, bathrooms and ticket office. An additional 40×20 video board will also be added to enhance the fan experience.

BBVA Compass in April announced a new addition to its Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) benefit, Rethink, an award-winning program that provides support to parents raising children with learning and behavioral challenges, or developmental disabilities.

Mobile means digital, which means real time access, anytime, all the time. Paper statements that show transactions from a month ago may no longer make sense. The BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App allows customers to decide for themselves.

The changes and updates to functionality in the BBVA Compass Mobile Banking app continue to impress customers, judging by a stout 30 percent year-over-year jump in mobile active customers.*

An eat-in kitchen. Open floor plan. Shiplap for days. For home remodeling show junkies, the inspiration for home renovation is never ending.

Payroll doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App, small business owners can pay employees directly through the app.

BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc., a Sunbelt-based bank holding company (BBVA Compass), reported today net income of $209 million for the first quarter of 2018 compared to $52 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 ($173 million(1) adjusted for the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) and $121 million earned during the first quarter of 2017. Earnings in the quarter represented a 20 percent increase from adjusted earnings(1) in the fourth quarter and a 73 percent increase from year ago levels. Return on average assets and return on tangible equity(2) for the first quarter of 2018 were 0.96 percent and 10.51 percent, respectively.

Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit are very similar financial tools, used by homeowners with a need for a quick source of funding.

Part of the lure of a good credit card rewards program is the possibility of significant bonuses for the money you spend. So, why do so many points go unredeemed?

As a business owner, you’re constantly on the go. Adding the BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App to the arsenal of tools you use to manage your business can help.

The longer you own your home, typically the more equity you build. Many people wait to tap into this equity, while others use it to strengthen their financial footing.

One of the ways a homeowner might put their home equity to work for them is with a home equity line of credit (HELOC). BBVA Compass Director of Mortgage and Home Equity Originations Jose Pascual shares his top three reasons that homeowners might want to consider a HELOC.

BBVA Compass recently announced the launch of the digital BBVA Compass Express Personal Loan to customers and prospects across its footprint.* The timing of the announcement was auspicious given that it was released nearly one year after the date from when the bank booked its first ever end-to-end digital loan. Now, just over a year later, the bank has achieved a record for one-week consumer loan production, with online originations officially exceeding branch production in that same week.

Among the many perks of homeownership is the equity you build over time as your home appreciates and your total loan amount decreases. Equity is an asset that you can use in a variety of ways, including borrowing against it in the form of a Home Equity Line of Credit, or HELOC.

If you’re a homeowner and in the market for a loan, a HELOC may be the right option for you. To find out more, read on to understand what a HELOC is and how it works.

Check deposit is a key component to the functionality of the BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App.

Depositing checks is a common transaction for many, and one which can be done from wherever the customer might be, with the BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App. With mobile deposit via the app, customers can deposit their hard earned money anytime, anywhere. The app takes customers through the process, step-by-step, even helping snap the picture of the front and back of the check.

Digital transformations are most effective when customers are not aware their bank has undergone one, says BBVA Compass Head of Retail Banking Çağrı Süzer.

The BBVA Compass Mobile Banking App has won multiple awards for its functionality, including most recently being recognized as a 2017 Mobile Banking Leader for Ease of Use by Javelin Strategy & Research.

From depositing checks to setting up direct deposits from the app and transferring funds, BBVA Compass has worked hard to put the power of the bank in customer’s hands, giving them always-on access and powerful functionality to conduct their financial lives as they see fit. With so much functionality, and more constantly being added, BBVA Compass has created a series of videos that explains the functionality and empowers the consumer to stay in control of their own financial journey.

When it comes to credit cards and rewards, not all are created equal, but once you know what’s right for you, rewards systems can be a nice source of extra income and perk

Rewarding, simple and secure. All apt descriptors of the new BBVA Compass Rewards Card, the newest credit card offering from the U.S. subsidiary of the global financial services group BBVA. Available today, the new credit card offers rewards to customers for every purchase they make, with no cap on earnings, and boasts an easy to understand rewards structure that earns 1.5 percent in rewards for every $1 spent across all categories, and the ability to garner 2 percent in rewards with a qualifying bank relationship.

For Kevin Cox, the adage ‘time is money’ was never more true than when he applied for the BBVA Compass Express Personal Loan.

The Locust Fork, Ala. resident was the bank’s first digital customer for the personal loan product, starting and completing his journey from application to funding in fewer than 13 hours. According to Cox, when it comes to his financial life, ease and convenience are everything, and the BBVA Compass Express Personal Loan fit the bill precisely.

On the surface, personal loans and payday loans may sound similar, and in some instances, payday loans – with fast funding – may even sound like a better option, but play close attention, because they are decidedly not the same thing. Read on.

In a strong show of support Wednesday, the Senate passed a bipartisan financial regulatory reform bill by a favorable vote of 67-31.

The bill, S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, includes an easing of regulations particularly for small banks, community lenders and regional banks and is widely seen as the most significant revision to financial rules since the sweeping regulatory reform known as Dodd-Frank was passed in the wake of the financial meltdown in 2010.

When it comes to obtaining credit, there are many different types of loans for many different uses, from buying a home to paying for education and remodeling. When it comes to the way those loans are repaid, two of the most common are installment and revolving.

Let’s take a look at the fundamental differences of each.

BBVA Compass customer David Everett never imagined when he deposited his Christmas bonus via the BBVA Compass Mobile App that he’d be rewarded with $10,000 simply for doing so.

So, when he got the January phone call saying he was the bank’s Sign In & Win Sweepstakes grand prize winner, Everett didn’t believe it. According to Director of Multi-Channel Sales and Promotion Cody Sparks, the fact that it was so easy to deposit his check – and in the process win $10,000 – is precisely why the bank conducted the sweepstakes.

According to a study from Spectrem Group’s Market Insights Report 2017, there are just 10.8 million millionaires in the United States. Assuming you’re not one of them – and let’s face it, most of us aren’t – there are certain purchases that require a loan. Loans for these purchases – houses and cars among them – most often take the form of an installment loan, which begs the question: What exactly is an installment loan?

BBVA Compass, the U.S. subsidiary of the global financial services group BBVA, now offers near instantaneous decisioning and potential same day funding for both customers and non-customers with the footprint wide(1) opening of the fully digital BBVA Compass Express Personal Loan.

With the Express Personal Loan, customers and prospects can consolidate debt or fund large purchases with a low-interest personal loan that provides near instantaneous decisioning. Applicants with a BBVA Compass checking account can get same day funding upon loan approval. The loan, which represents months of effort across the entirety of the bank, underscores BBVA Compass’ drive to digital transformation and achieving excellence in customer experience.

Some of the brightest stars from the worlds of entertainment, sports and more came together last night to raise funds for the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) at the nonprofit’s annual Oscars watch party and dinner in West Hollywood.

Now in its 26th year, the Academy Awards Viewing Party was hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish. As one of the co-sponsors, BBVA Compass was honored to bring its brand ambassadors, the Roca Brothers of the Michelin three-star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, to design and prepare dinner for the event’s more than 900 guests, all in support of EJAF’s important fundraising initiatives addressing the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the United States, Canada and Latin America.

At BBVA Compass, helping customers adapt to an increasingly digital reality is an effort being undertaken by all customer facing units of the bank, including telephone agents.

Historically a role that provided traditional customer service support, the agents are now doubling up to  combine service ​support with digital sales & self serve (DIY) education. According to BBVA Compass Director of the Contact Center Deborah Catley, the agents’ ultimate goal is to contribute to digital transformation in two parts: reinforcing the learning the customer receives from their in-branch bankers and guiding and answering questions related to applying for new products through digital channels.

On the road to home ownership, it can feel like every turn includes another unexpected charge or fee, with one of the final being closing costs.

‘Closing costs’ is an umbrella term that encompasses various fees collected by those who perform all the final tasks that ultimately allow a home buyer to sign on the dotted line of their mortgage loan. The fees, which typically range from 3 to 5 percent of the cost of the home, include various charges like appraisal,  underwriting and recording fees, among other charges. According to BBVA Compass Director of Real Estate Originations Jose Pascual, the number and total amount of fees can vary.

Let’s talk Private Mortgage Insurance, or as it’s more commonly known, “PMI.”

If you’re buying a house and in the process of obtaining a home loan, chances are good you’ve at least heard the term. Chances are even better you’re acutely aware of PMI if you’re planning a down payment of less than 20 percent, because PMI is the premium you’ll have to pay to insure the lender against loan default.

Taking on a mortgage might be the single most important financial decision a person makes, and accordingly, it may also be one of the most complicated. Simply understanding the type of mortgage loan that is right for your situation can be confusing at best.

In this article, we’ll wade through industry terminology to boil each option down to its essence, so you can better know which may be right for you and your home buying situation. We’ll also review some of the terms you might hear bandied about – Conforming, Conventional – to understand how they fit into the bigger picture.

Since landing in the United States in 2004, BBVA has heralded the impending arrival of banking’s digital revolution, even as it boldly proclaimed that it would lead the industry as it transformed.

Just 14 years later, the proclamations have come true, and recently reported numbers show the bank’s own transformation in countries around the globe is proceeding as planned. The bank’s subsidiary in the U.S. – BBVA Compass – is playing an increasingly outsize role in that transformation, with digital at the forefront of its own strategy for profitable growth.

Former Marine and new back end developer Jake Downard gets his day started early. While we could easily attribute that to his Marine training, he’s more likely to tell you that it’s because he’s just excited about his job.

Downard is a part of a team of back end developers at BBVA Compass, but he’s among an elite group trained at one of Birmingham’s newest programs to help develop a tech workforce among the underemployed and unemployed in the burgeoning tech city. The program, dubbed I Am Bham, is part of the Innovate Birmingham Workforce Development program, a set of three educational pathways that were funded by a nearly $6 million America’s Promise grant awarded to the city in 2016. BBVA Compass is among the program’s 30 some odd hiring partners.

When it comes to how much home you can afford, the answer is not always as cut and dried as the pre-qualification you receive from your lender, says BBVA Compass Director of Real Estate Originations Jose Pascual.

Pascual says that lenders do their best with what they’re given in order to pre-qualify customers for an affordable amount, but there are considerations outside their purview that borrowers should also consider.

Deciding to buy a home ranks among the biggest decisions a person can make, which is why it’s wise to go into the process with eyes wide open to your unique financial situation. Doing so will help ensure that before pen hits paper on the loan application, the approval that will get you the house of your dreams is in the proverbial bag.

There are a few steps anyone looking to get a home loan – aka mortgage – can take before application in order to be sure that they are best positioned for approval.

BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc., (BBVA Compass), reported today net income of $52 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, a 42 percent decrease from the $89 million earned during the fourth quarter of 2016. Included in fourth quarter 2017 results is income tax expense of approximately $121 million related to the revaluation of net deferred tax assets at the lower statutory tax rate mandated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (non-cash charge). Excluding the impact of this item, adjusted net income(1) for the quarter was $173 million, a 33 percent increase from third quarter 2017 and a 94 percent increase from the fourth quarter 2016.

Net income for full-year 2017 totaled $461 million, an increase of 24 percent from the $372 million earned during the full-year of 2016. Excluding the impact of the non-cash charge, adjusted net income for the full-year 2017 was $582 million, up 57 percent.

Around seven years ago, in the wake of recently enacted regulatory changes, the availability of free checking accounts started a slow descent into oblivion as banks grappled with how to adjust business models.

Fast forward to today, and banks are still grappling with the issue, as evidenced by a recent bank’s announcement that it would be eliminating its free checking account and moving customers into an account charging a $12 monthly fee  – unless the customer maintains a direct deposit of $250 or more, or a minimum daily balance of $1,500