Onur Genç has just been named the next CEO of the BBVA Group. He is excited, beyond happy and somewhat surprised. As the announcement is made public we meet him for a quick chat.

The Board of Directors of BBVA approved the succession plan for the company’s chief executive officer (CEO). Onur Genç, who is currently the CEO of BBVA Compass and U.S. country manager for BBVA, will replace Carlos Torres Vila as Group CEO. The succession is expected to take place on Dec. 31, 2018.

BBVA’s family of podcasts is growing. The Group is launching two new programs this week that will join its collection of audio content. ‘Deep Talks’ is a monthly interview with people who managed to transform their environment. The first person featured in the podcast is BBVA Group Executive Chairman Francisco González. Meanwhile, ‘Data Stories’ aims to explain the world of data and its importance in people’s everyday lives. The podcasts are part of the bank’s commitment to sharing knowledge and content.

Because safety is our top priority, many BBVA Compass branches along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast were closed on Oct. 10 due to Hurricane Michael. Below are the branches’ current status. We will continue to provide any updates as they become available. Online Banking and the BBVA Compass Mobile Banking app are still available, and you can also call us at 1-800-COMPASS.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Science has awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2018 to U.S. Scientists William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer in Economic Sciences. Nordhaus, who earlier this year won the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change, has developed the first model capable of integrating economic and environmental data to identify the most efficient policies against global warming. Romer has pioneered the use of technology in macroeconomic research.

The Board of Directors of BBVA approved the succession plan for the company’s chairman. The plan establishes that CEO Carlos Torres Vila is to replace Francisco González as group executive chairman when he leaves his post, which is expected to take place on Dec. 31st, 2018. The succession ensures the continuity of the transformation process which has placed BBVA at the forefront of the global financial industry.

Political concerns in Italy and the intensification of geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Turkey set a cautious tone in financial markets last week. The tone was not alleviated by the possibility of an easing in trade disputes between China and U.S.

BBVA Compass’ hometown of Birmingham recently made national news in Forbes for its efforts in becoming the Silicon Valley of the South.

As the trade war between China and the U.S. continues to escalate, both sides exchanged salvos in early July with the U.S. imposing 25 percent tariffs on $34 billion worth of imports from China, followed by a similar response from China.

Top news and articles from BBVA Compass in June reflected the bank’s commitment to being a digital leader and engine of opportunity for customers, small businesses and communities throughout its footprint. The bank also positioned itself as a financial education resource, publishing a series of informational articles on homeownership.

The rise of fintech platforms has yielded an uptick in banking industry innovation. Newsworthy developments seemingly come in waves, bombarding the news cycle and drowning consumers with vast amounts of information.

BBVA Compass‘ record quarterly earnings for the first quarter of 2018 was top news on bbva.com for the month of April. Other leading news in April and May reflected the bank’s commitment to small businesses, financial education, and being an engine of opportunity locally and within its communities. The bank also published a series of articles that spotlighted its culture, employees and digital transformation.

BBVA Group Executive Chairman Francisco González has been distinguished with the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle, in the grade of Plaque. The Aztec Eagle is the highest distinction awarded by the Mexican government at international level. The award stands as a testament to  Francisco González’s outstanding career, “which has allowed to benefit Mexican society through projects in healthcare and education, stimulating young entrepreneurs in Mexico.”

BBVA Compass continues to create opportunities for its clients, consumers and communities throughout its footprint, focusing on impactful hyper-local initiatives. Published on the bank’s global news platform, bbva.com, the articles below highlight BBVA Compass’ commitment to being an engine of opportunity within the communities it serves, and a bank with a mission of providing insights and services that help position its clients and consumers for a bright financial future.

BBVA Compass assembled a worldly-wise panel in Houston last week to help its Global Markets clients, all of whom maintain assets outside the U.S., sort through the barrage of global economic news to better understand the risks.

This year, the World Economic Forum at Davos is attracting plenty of attention. From the long-awaited speech by U.S. President Donald Trump to the criticisms of American protectionism and support for global cooperation expressed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, no leader misses their moment in the spotlight to send messages to the world community.

BBVA-owned content be available through a number of channels, including iVoox, Apple podcasts, bbva.com and BBVA’s social media profiles. BBVA’s first proposal for the new channel is Blink, a weekly program offering practical information on personal finance, fintech solutions, work methodologies and tips to help users make the best financial decisions.

In December, BBVA Compass published a series of articles that captured its brand promise of “creating opportunities,” honing in on efforts and investments that will positively impact underserved communities throughout the bank’s footprint. The bank also positioned itself as an engine of opportunity for people, highlighting its commitment to helping customers digitally and through an array of financial services.

Sustainable Development is essential to achieving more peaceful and just societies and the United Nations counts on the private sector to help in this effort. The BBVA Microfinance Foundation (BBVAMF) has contributed its experience in the finance sector to the report entitled “Business and SDG 16: contributing to peaceful, just and inclusive societies,” drawn up by the Sustainable Development Goals Fund and the University of Pennsylvania.

In November, BBVA Compass published a series of articles that underscored its efforts of being an inclusive and digital bank committed to the customers, clients and communities throughout its footprint. Top articles of the month were centered around a recognition for the award-winning BBVA Compass Mobile Banking app; the bank’s recent achievement from the Human Rights Campaign; dinners held for the bank’s Denver clients; and the bank’s new agreement with entertainment presenter, AEG.

This isn’t an article about magic or a secret trick for using cell phones. It’s simply about using the voice assistants that any mobile device contains: Siri for Apple and the popular “OK Google” for Android. Both allow users to send messages while leaving the smartphone on the table, untouched.

Here are today’s top stories:

The volume of credit granted to companies in Spain increased by 6% in the first quarter of 2017, according to data from DBK Informa Observatorio Sectorial DBK, coverd by Cinco Días. SMEs are responsible for most of the movement in this indicator, which is forecasted to pick up in the second quarter this year.

Global CO2 emissions were nearly stagnate for the third year in a row. Total CO2 emissions reached 35.8 gigatons in 2016, which represents a 0.3% increase over the previous year. Published by El Periódico, the data come from the estimates of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, and the Netherlands’ Environmental Assessment Agency.

Here are today’s top stories:

Digital or electronic payments remain on the rise due to the growing number of transactions in emerging economies. The consulting firm Capgemini and the bank BNP Paribas estimate that there will be €726 billion of transactions of this kind by 2020 – a 10.9% increase,  Europa Press reports.

Here are today’s top stories:

They’re always popular with users of Android mobiles and they’re a fixture on any smartphone. Weather applications allow you to be always informed, in real time, about the meteorological conditions at a given place. Some of these apps are free, others have a cost; some are well known and others are just making a name for themselves in the market.

Last month, BBVA Compass showcased its digital prowess with headline stories about BBVA Open Talent, its 2017 online banking award from Javelin Strategy & Research, and Tuyyo, BBVA’s new money transfer mobile app. The bank also published articles that highlighted it as an engine of opportunity for its employees and the communities throughout its footprint. The bank wrapped up its month of stories on Oct. 27, releasing its third quarter earnings.

Here are today’s top stories:

Changes in the digital transformation can now be observed in 50% of the companies that have decided to reshape their businesses around these new technologies, according to a Fujitsu report covered by Europa Press. The purpose of the report was to shed light on how companies are adapting to the new digital challenges and how these challenges will impact the future.

Here are today’s top stories:

Some professional skills are directly related to salaries, according to a report by the Bank of Spain, using OECD data, and covered by Cinco Días. The report indicates that being good at math, for example, could increase employee salaries up to 22%.

Digital business and digital transformation are the most important strategic priorities for banks, according to a recent study by Gartner. The report says that 26% of executives surveyed in financial institutions cite this as their principal goal, compared to 17% in other industries. The figures were based on a survey of 3,160 CIOS (Chief Information Officers) in a total of 98 countries.

These are the stories that will mark today´s news agenda:

Here are today’s top stories:

The opening of the Mexican gasoline market has not been enough to make up for the enormous disparities with the country’s main trade partner, the U.S. According to Consusef’s National Household Survey covered by El Universal, Mexican families spend an average of 3.38% of household income on gasoline, compared to 2.4% in the U.S.

Corporate cybersecurity systems are increasingly important to protect the data companies store online – both their data and their customers’. However, according to a Fortinet survey covered by Europa Press, 49% of those in charge of technology in Spanish companies feel that it is not a priority for the senior management.

Here are today’s top stories:

Here are today’s top stories:

Artificial intelligence (AI) remains a challenge for companies around the world. According to SAS data covered by Europa Press, just 20% of European companies are prepared to face the challenge of implementing this technology.

Here are today’s top stories:

Some 22% of companies that were founded in Spain 25 years ago remain active, according to a study published by Informa D&B and covered by EFE. Of the 76,844 companies that were created in 1992, 16,589 remain in operation.

From January to September 2017, BBVA obtained a net attributable profit of €3.45 billion – practically the same amount earned in all of 2016 and 23.3% more than earnings from the same period last year. Recurring income, cost containment and a decline in impairment losses on financial assets were the main factors driving this growth.

Here are today’s top stories:

Legal services firms are now exploring the potential of new technologies in order to apply them to their everyday work. According to a study by the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, published in Expansión, 23% of the tasks carried out in this field are automated, therefore making it a budding market for so-called “legaltech”.

Here are today’s top stories:

This coming Sunday, October 29th, at 3:00 a.m., Spain’s time will change for the second time in 2017. Clocks will be set back an hour to 2:00 a.m., so we’ll get to sleep an extra hour. This will mark the end of Daylight Savings Time, which began on March 31st.