Carlos Torres Vila, Group Executive Chairman:

BBVA earned €1.32 billion between October and December, its highest quarterly result over the past two years. In 2020 BBVA helped three million clients affected by the pandemic, with about €63 billion in government-backed credit lines and loan deferrals. The sale of the U.S. subsidiary will provide some €8.5 billion in capital to grow in a profitable way across its footprint and increase shareholder distributions. BBVA will make a gross cash payment of €0.059 per share against 2020 earnings, and expects to resume its shareholder distribution policy in 2021 with a payout of 35-40 percent of profits. Additionally, the bank is targeting a buyback of about 10 percent of the Group’s shares, after the close of the sale of the U.S. franchise. All this subject to market conditions and the required approvals.

BBVA earned €1.14 billion in the third quarter of 2020. It is the best quarterly result of the year and far exceeds the figure for 2Q20 (+79.5 percent in current euros, +83.4 percent at constant rates). Compared to the same period a year earlier, the 3Q20 result is 6.8 percent lower (+4.1 percent at constant rates). The strength of recurring revenues and cost containment efforts drove quarterly operating income to grow 13.5 percent yoy at constant exchange rates. In a challenging context marked by the pandemic, BBVA has shown a solid capacity to generate capital, with risk indicators having a positive performance. BBVA’s quarterly results also beat market expectations by 48 percent, as analysts’ consensus expected a result of €773 million.

Onur Genç, BBVA CEO:

BBVA chairman gave the opening presentation at the national meeting of regional bank directors in Mexico today. This year, the meeting took place virtually, where the chairman reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the country. “Mexico will continue to play a fundamental role in our bank’s results thanks to our leading position and the strength of our business model in the country,” he said.

On the occasion of the United Nations’ 75th anniversary, Garanti BBVA signed the Declaration of Business Leaders, sealing its commitment towards creating a fairer, more sustainable and more inclusive world, as well as to take on current global challenges.

In a presentation for investors organized by Bank of America (BoFA) and in which BBVA CEO took part this morning, BBVA raised the Group’s guidance for 2020, thanks mostly to an improvement in its business activity in Mexico. At Group level, recurring revenues in constant euros will grow in 2H20 compared to the previous half of the year thanks to a recovery in new retail loan production and focus on price management. Furthermore, BBVA expects to beat its expectations regarding cost reductions for 2020, and improves its cost of risk expectations for 2020, to a range between 1.5 and 1.6 percent in cumulative terms for the year, thanks to a better performance in Mexico. The Group plans to close 2020 with a fully-loaded CET1 capital ratio above the target range. BBVA’s intention is to resume dividend payments once the existing supervisory recommendation is eliminated and COVID-19 uncertainties dissipate.

Analyst firm reports for the most part agree that BBVA presented solid numbers for the second quarter of 2020 and particularly stress the positive quarterly performance of its capital ratio.

BBVA USA Indirect Auto Executive Melissa Sacher was named to American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking: Next. Now in its second year, the list recognizes the accomplishments of women age 40 and under in the banking industry.

Onur Genç, BBVA CEO:

Turkey’s Garanti BBVA announced its financial results for the first half of the year. Based on the consolidated financials, the bank’s net income in the first six months of the year totaled TL 3.33 billion (approximately €407.61 million). Asset size reached TL 486.67 billion and the bank’s contribution to the economy through cash and non-cash loans was TL 367.14 billion. Actively managing the funding base, deposits continued to be the main source of funding, with 63 percent of assets funded through deposits. The total deposit base reached TL 306.88 billion with 11 percent growth in the first six months of the year. Preserving its strong capital position, the bank’s capital adequacy ratio stood at at 17.4 percent.* The bank’s ROAE (Return on Average Equity) was 13.1 percent and ROAA (Return on Average Assets) was 1.6 percent.

Simple, a subsidiary of BBVA USA, today announced the addition of Carrie Roso to the company’s corporate leadership team. Roso will serve as Director of Marketing for the fintech.

BBVA’s entire branch network in Spain is now operational after the bank reopened the last of the branches that had closed because of the COVID-19 health crisis. The branches will follow strict safety measures, and BBVA is relying on its appointment system—a service that was already available to customers but which is more important than ever—to encourage compliance with health guidelines and provide a better customer experience by cutting waiting times. BBVA Chairman Carlos Torres Vila visited a branch in Madrid to see how employees are handling this phase of the pandemic.

BBVA’s recurring revenues (net interest income and net fees and commissions) grew strongly during the first quarter and the operating income was the highest of the past ten years. Also, the attributable profit absorbed the provisions established to anticipate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. According to BBVA Group Executive Chairman Carlos Torres Vila, “the recurrence of our profits before provisions and our solid capital and liquidity position allow us to face the crisis from a position of strength and to front-load in this first quarter the provisions to hedge against the impact of the pandemic”.

Garanti BBVA founded SALT in 2011 as an autonomous non-profit entity devoted to the dissemination of culture and the development of independent and sustainable content production environments.

As developments with COVID-19 continue to evolve, so does our approach to conducting business safely. At BBVA, we are taking a number of proactive steps to help ensure your access to banking services, while protecting the health and safety of you and our employees.  During this difficult time, we have implemented measures, announced offers and provided resources to minimize the impact on you and your banking needs.

The health crisis caused by the advance of coronavirus in Spain has put businesses and employees to the test. Recommendations and restrictive measures put in place by the government have all but brought commuting to a standstill. BBVA has adopted these measures in record time thanks to the protocols established in its continuity plans and its commitment to flexible work schemes, which has allowed the bank to continue providing the best service while ensuring the health of both its employees and customers and clients.

YouTube started publishing its Ads Leaderboard list in 2017, to showcase the best performing and impactful advertising campaigns on its channels. The streaming giant has just released the list of ads that garnered the best results in Turkey in 2019, and, once again, Garanti BBVA’s campaigns rank high on list. The list is drawn up based on a number of factors, including the number of organic and paid plays, viewing time and the full playthrough ratio of each ad.

The BBVA Annual General Meeting will be held in Bilbao next Friday, March 13. The shareholder meeting (or AGM) is one of a company’s primary corporate governance vehicles. During the meeting, the company’s owners (the shareholders) ratify decisions on topics determined by law and by the corporate bylaws. The AGM includes particular features that are established by corporate law.

Garanti BBVA’s Cash Management service portfolio has been recognized by Global Finance magazine as the best in Turkey. The bank’s Cash Management model, personalized customer solutions, product diversity and market share as some of the key aspects cited by the publication in its assessment.

For the tenth consecutive year, Garanti BBVA was presented the award for the Best Trade Finance Bank by Global Finance magazine. This award confirms yet again Garanti BBVA’s experience and leadership offering its clients unique solutions in the trade finance field.

Carlos Torres Vila, Group Executive Chairman:

• Building Up: BBVA USA announced its involvement in a new 60-story, multi-use tower in downtown Austin.
• Enhancing Answers: BBVA USA announced that it was one of a few firms to beta test Yext Answers, a new search product for websites.
• Delivering Cheer: The BBVA Foundation teamed with its nonprofit partners to spread holiday joy to families participating in its financial education program.

Garanti BBVA Securities assumed the sole financial advisory services role in the largest power plant sale in 2019 in Turkey. The recently announced deal consisted of the sale of Zorlu Rüzgar to renewable energy company, Akfen Yenilenebilir.

Garanti BBVA participated alongside other leading Turkish organizations in the recent Internal Communication Summit organized by HR Magazine. BBVA Garanti director of Talent & Culture Sibel Inal Kaya shared her expertise and insight into best practices, outlining the key elements for effective internal communication management.

BBVA’s Turkish unit has been singled out as the country’s ‘Most Admired Bank’ by business journal Capital. The study is sponsored by T-Systems and conducted by ZENNA Research according to objective research principles.

• Appointments: BBVA USA promotes Dillan Knudson to Houston CEO and Jon Rebello to Austin CEO; the bank also appoints personnel in various business units.
• Entrepreneurship: BBVA USA announces the overall winners for two of the bank’s small business initiatives.
• New Campaign: BBVA USA rolls out its biggest broadcast and digital marketing campaign in a decade.

Ryan Companies, Page and BBVA USA announced today their plans to build a 60 floor multi-use project in the Central Business District (CBD) of Austin, Texas.  The project, located at 311 and 321 West 6th Street, will have 60 floors inclusive of office, residential and parking.

BBVA’s Turkish unit earned top honors in the Enterprise Transformation and Security & Fraud categories at the Finance Technology Awards hosted by IDC Turkey as part of the IDC Finance Summit 2019.

BBVA USA announced today that it has appointed Fernando L. Crespo as Global Wealth Relationship Manager in its Miami office

BBVA USA announced today Murat Kalkan will be responsible for the bank’s mortgage and home equity business across the U.S. including mortgage and home equity originations, servicing, secondary marketing, and portfolio management.

BBVA today testified before the Central Investigating Court number 6 of the Spanish National High Court. The declaration, that will continue at a later date, is yet another example of BBVA’s commitment to full cooperation with the judicial authorities, to whom it has provided documents since the onset of the case, proactively sharing the information obtained from the forensic investigation, carried out by Garrigues, Uría Menéndez y PwC.

• Sustainability: BBVA USA becomes a founding signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking, joining 130 banks worldwide committed to sustainability.
• Open Platform: BBVA Open Platform CEO Abhishek Gupta discusses the benefits of open banking and Banking-as-a-Service.
• Industry Recognitions: BBVA USA Chief Talent & Culture Executive earns Most Powerful Women in Banking recognition, and BBVA Net Cash USA Mobile app wins for best mobile and online experience.

BBVA’s regional advisory board members gathered for their seventh annual meeting in the auditorium of BBVA’s headquarters in Madrid. Antonio Garmendi, Chairman of the Confederation of Employers and Industries in Spain (CEOE), and Carlos Salazar, Chairman of Mexico’s Business Coordinating Council (CEE) were invited to attend as guests. This year’s meeting included participation from advisory board members from across Spain and a delegation of advisory board members from BBVA Mexico. Carlos Torres Vila, BBVA’s Executive Chairman, inaugurated the session, which also included presentations from BBVA CEO Onur Genç and Cristina de Parias, Head of BBVA Spain.

• Community Investment: BBVA and the Montrose Center, along with Houston community leaders, break ground on an affordable, LGBTQ-affirming independent senior living center.
• Retail Banking: BBVA USA Retail Banking Head Çağri Süzer highlights why branches and digital are complementary forces for the bank.
• Small Business: BBVA and the Houston Dynamo announce their annual small business contest.

Emilio Ybarra, the former co-chairman of BBVA, has died. He was 82.

Statement from BBVA chairman Carlos Torres Vila at the opening of the course organized by the Spanish Association of Financial Journalists (APIE) at the Menéndez Pelayo International University in Santander.

BBVA’s new brand  has now been rolled-out across all the countries within the bank’s footprint. The process of deploying the new corporate image will continue for the next six to twelve months, reaching all channels, both physical and virtual, and all customer touchpoints.

BBVA Group Executive Chairman Carlos Torres Vila underscored the Group’s strong commitment to Mexico today. Speaking at the bank’s annual Meeting of Regional Advisors, he noted that the Group has made considerable investments in the country, while sharing its expertise and talent, always focusing on the goal of creating opportunities for Mexican companies, families and its society as a whole. “Mexico has grown with BBVA, and BBVA has grown with Mexico,” he said.

BBVA formally presented its new brand identity and logo, following the announcement to employees on the coming change two months ago.

BBVA names David Puente as global head of Client Solutions, replacing Derek White. Ricardo Martín Manjón will become the new global head of Data.

Garanti has renewed its sponsorship of the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF). The agreement recently signed between Garanti Bank CEO Fuat Erbil and TBF President Hidayet Türkoğlu extends the sponsorship for three more years.

BBVA CEO Onur Genç continues his tour across the Group’s operating countries. After his visit to Spain and Mexico, last week he found himself in Turkey. During his visit to Garanti Bank, Genç was able to witness  firsthand the digital transformation progress that has been made by one of the bank’s leading digitization franchises, led by Fuat Erbil.