• 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.

In its latest Spain Economic Outlook report – presented today by Jorge Sicilia, Director of BBVA Research and Chief Economist of BBVA Group, and Rafael Doménech, Head of Economic Analysis – BBVA’s research unit upheld the scenario it forecasted three months ago, which envisages a slowdown in Spain’s domestic GDP growth rate to 1.6% in 2020 from the 1.9% rate measured at 2019 year end. For 2021, a slightly more favorable international environment could result in a slight uptick in growth, with rates reverting to the 1.9% range. According to BBVA Research, this scenario would drive the creation of 600,000 jobs over the 2020-2021 timeframe, driving the unemployment rate down to around 12.5 percent, in average, in 2021.

BBVA USA has appointed Jorge Unda as Chief Investment Officer of its asset management units. In his new role, Unda will be responsible for overseeing the asset management functions of both the bank’s Asset Management & Trust division and those of BBVA Wealth Solutions, Inc., a registered investment adviser affiliate of the bank.

BBVA USA today announced the appointment of Carin Marcy Barth as the newest member of BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc. Board of Directors.

BBVA is a large company with lots of stories to tell – so many that four year ago, bbva.com was born. The platform serves to give life to the countless things that a group with a 160 year history and a presence in over 30 countries does.

Sustainability is a core part of BBVA’s strategy. This strategy encompasses the bank’s Pledge 2025, which is founded on three pillars: 1) to secure €100 billion for green financing, sustainable infrastructure projects, social entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. In the 18 months prior to and through June 2019, the bank had already secured €22 billion, close to 20 percent of its goal; 2) to manage environmental and social risks in order to mitigate direct and indirect impacts. BBVA will place an internal price on its CO2 emissions, which will be factored into its decision-making processes. All this will contribute to the bank’s goal of being carbon neutral in 2020; and 3) to engage with all stakeholders in order to collectively advocate for sustainable development within the financial industry. In 2019, the bank spearheaded the initiative that resulted in the Principles for Responsible Banking, and it signed up to the banking sector’s Collective Commitment to Climate Action.

• 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.

BBVA USA Jacksonville Market CEO Nelson Bradshaw was named by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to serve a second term in the Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC). Bradshaw, who serves as the organization’s treasurer, was one of four members announced and the only returning member.

BBVA USA was named one of the Best Regional Banks of 2020 by GOBankingRates, an online resource that helps consumers find the best financial products nationwide.

“We are in a climate emergency. It is currently the most pressing challenge humanity must face, and we have to be fast in taking action,” declared BBVA CEO Onur Genç, who recognized the important role sustainable finance plays in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. In a panel on the financial sector and sustainability at the Climate Change Conference in Madrid, BBVA’s CEO underscored the financial institution’s role in accompanying clients in this crucial environmental transition.

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

BBVA USA announced that its biggest broadcast and digital marketing campaign in a decade will be rolling out Friday and will continue through the remainder of the year and into 2020.

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.

The City of Birmingham last week celebrated the opening of phase one of the new $79.6 million Villas at Titusville housing community and the groundbreaking of phase two, slated for completion in 2020.

BBVA USA announced today that it has promoted Kevin Fretz to the position of BBVA USA Director of Franchise Finance.

Urgency and opportunity are the two defining traits of the current situation that financial institutions are facing in this climate emergency scenario. For Antoni Ballabriga, Global Head of Responsible Business at BBVA, there are “two axes that define this age of responsibility.” At BBVA, “we are lending at interest rates that reward companies that meet measurable sustainable goals.” In his opinion, the financial sector “is taking ownership of its share of responsibility in this transition, although we still have a long way to go.”

BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc., a Sunbelt-based bank holding company (BBVA USA), reported today net income of $183 million for the third quarter of 2019 compared to earnings of $160 million in the second quarter of 2019 and $175 million earned in the third quarter of 2018. Return on average assets and return on average tangible equity¹ for the third quarter of 2019 were 0.76 percent and 8.03 percent, respectively.

• 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.

In its latest Spain Outlook report, presented today by Jorge Sicilia, the Director of BBVA Research and Chief Economist for the BBVA Group, and Rafael Doménech, the Head of Economic Analysis, BBVA Research lowered the forecast for the national GDP growth to 1.9 percent (from 2.3 percent three months ago) and to 1.6 percent for 2020 (from the previous forecast of 1.9 percent). The decrease is explained by a review of economic data carried out by Spain’s national statistics body, the INE, due to the negative trend in some components of demand and the deteriorating international context. Under this scenario, around 750,000 jobs would be created over the two-year period and the unemployment rate would average 13.3 percent next year.

The Laredo Chamber of Commerce recognized three BBVA USA employees during their annual Laredo Chamber of Commerce Recognition of Volunteers & Awards Ceremony last month, with one being named the top volunteer in the area.

The fourth time’s a charm for BBVA USA’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Talent & Culture Executive Rosilyn Houston, who was named Monday to American Banker’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking list.

• 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.

Garanti BBVA appoints Recep Bastug as its new CEO, replacing Fuat Erbil. Recep Bastug also becomes the new Country Manager for BBVA in Turkey. The change is effective as of September 1st, subject to required regulatory approvals.

BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc., a Sunbelt-based bank holding company (BBVA), reported today net income of $160 million for the second quarter of 2019 compared to earnings of $184 million in the second quarter of 2018. Return on average assets and return on average tangible equity¹ for the second quarter of 2019 were 0.69 percent and 7.34 percent, respectively. Net income for the first six months of 2019 totaled $301 million compared to earnings of $393 million for the first six months of 2018. Return on average assets and return on average tangible equity¹ for the first six months of 2019 were 0.65 percent and 7.00 percent, respectively.

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

In its latest Spain Economic Outlook report – presented today by Jorge Sicilia, Director of BBVA Research and Chief Economist of BBVA Group, and Rafael Doménech, Head of Economic Analysis – BBVA’s research service slightly upgrades its domestic GDP growth forecast for 2019 to 2.3% (vs. 2.2% three months ago), and keeps its 2020 forecast unchanged at 1.9%. The economy is expected to continue expanding in the coming months, driven by the progressive recovery of the global environment, a more accommodative monetary policy and declining oil prices. Under this scenario, BBVA Research expects 810,000 new jobs to be created over the coming two-year period, driving the unemployment rate down to around 12.2% by the end of 2020.

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 today initiated its new brand strategy and updated logo originally announced in April, beginning the process of replacing tens of thousands of physical logos — and thousands more digital ones — with the bank’s new mark. In the U.S., crown signage on high rise buildings in Birmingham, Ala., Denver, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston unveiled the new logo today, along with four branch locations. Remaining locations will transition to the new brand in the coming months.

BBVA USA today announced that it has named Kevin McMahon as its new U.S. Head of Engineering, where he will be responsible for the company’s overall information technology strategy.

• Earnings: For the first quarter of 2019, BBVA Compass reports a net income of $141 million.
• Community Investment: The BBVA Compass Foundation donates $1 million to the construction of Avenue Center, a mixed-use community resource center in north Houston.
• Unified Brand: BBVA announces that it will launch a new logo and unify its brand across its footprint, with BBVA becoming the Group’s name globally.

BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc., a Sunbelt-based bank holding company (BBVA Compass), reported today net income of $141 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to earnings of $209 million in the first quarter of 2018. Return on average assets and return on average tangible equity* for the first quarter of 2019 were 0.61 percent and 6.64 percent, respectively.

BBVA today announced to its employees that it will unify its brand and launch a new logo across its footprint, as it advances in its efforts to offer its customers the best products and services, in an increasingly digital environment. The Group held a special Live@BBVA event, watched in real time by its almost 126,000 team members, who attended in person or viewed via streaming. The event was co-hosted by BBVA Group Chairman Carlos Torres Vila and BBVA CEO Onur Genç.

BBVA will become the Group’s name globally. The bank will discontinue the local names in Argentina (Francés), Mexico (Bancomer), Peru (Continental), and the United States (Compass) in the coming months. Garanti, the Group’s franchise in Turkey, will change its name to Garanti BBVA.

• Workplace Equality: BBVA Compass earns a perfect score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2019 Corporate Equality Index.
• Risk Management: BBVA Compass joins 11 other financial institutions to advance best practices for managing third-party risk in the financial services industry.
• Financial Education: On the heels of a successful four-month pilot, BBVA Compass launches its full financial education program for 2019

BBVA Research, the research services arm of BBVA, has released its most recent edition of the “Spain Economic Outlook” where it forecasts a slight slowdown in growth. The report was presented today by BBVA Research Director and BBVA Group Chief Economist, Jorge Sicilia, and Rafael Doménech, Head of Economic Analysis at BBVA Research. The forecast lowers first quarter expectations to 2.2 percent in 2019 and 1.9 percent in 2020 (from 2.4 percent and 2 percent, respectively). Even so, the report signals that an improvement in economic activity could be underpinned by the global economy’s gradual recovery, an increasingly expansionary stance on monetary policy, continued low oil prices, and the positive conclusion to uncertainty stemming from different sources. Consequences of such a scenario would see a salary increase exceeding the inflation rate, an up to 12 percent reduction in unemployment in 2020, and the creation of close to 630,000 jobs over the next two years.

The National Association of Women Business Owners reports 11.6 million women-owned firms in the United States. Access to banking solutions, ranging from small business loans to venture capital and digital applications, has been critical in fueling that growth.

Onur Genç this week visited three of BBVA’s units in South America, in his capacity as BBVA Group CEO. His first stop was Bogotá, where he held a series of meetings with the teams of  BBVA in Colombia, which is led by Country Manager, Óscar Cabrera. The CEO stressed the franchise’s continued market share growth, with a 2 percent increase in seven years, to 10.25 percent. “A bank is only as good as its people. Congratulations on your achievements,” he said.

• Entrepreneurship: BBVA Compass announced three opportunities for small businesses to garner funding.
• Recognitions: BBVA Compass earned recognition from Global Finance magazine, AVA Digital Awards and GoBankingRates.com.
• “Outstanding” Performance: The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta rates BBVA Compass “Outstanding” for CRA performance.

BBVA has decided to present its 2019 first quarter results one day earlier, on April 29th, given the large number of financial sector results presentations the following day.

BBVA Group executive chairman Carlos Torres Vila took advantage of Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra’s visit to Spain to confirm BBVA’s commitment to the country. The bank has had a presence in Peru for nearly 25 years now. “We want to foster access to banking services in Peru through universal, customer-oriented banking,” said the BBVA chairman.

• Earnings: BBVA Compass reported a net income of $196 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.
• Appointments: BBVA Compass appointed Miami Market CEO and new Global Wealth Executive.
• Shutdown Relief: BBVA Compass announced that it will provide financial relief for clients directly impacted by the recent federal government shutdown.

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BBVA regrets the inconveniences caused by the freezing of some customer accounts in Spain, which was undertaken in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering laws.  This legislation requires that banks assume obligations related to the knowledge, monitoring, and control of their customers and their banking activities with the aim of preventing money laundering in the financial system. BBVA has taken the necessary measures to streamline the documentation process and restore the affected accounts to normal activity, once the documentation required by law is in place.

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.

BBVA Compass has named Brian Fricke as its Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), where he will oversee the bank’s Information Security and Engineering Risk functions.

Che Goff knows Corpus Christi. One could surmise that the newly-appointed BBVA Compass Corpus Christi City President got to where he is because of his attachment to the place he calls home.

BBVA CEO Onur Genç, is still embarked on his tour across the different geographies in which the BBVA Group operates. After Spain, his next stop was Mexico, where he met with the BBVA Bancomer team, led by Eduardo Osuna.

Over the course of the work sessions, Onur Genç had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the business plans of BBVA’s Mexican franchise and discussed the countless milestones achieved by the bank in its transformation journey, with an ever increasing portfolio of digital products and services for private customers, corporates and public administrations. “What you have achieved as a team in Mexico is simply marvelous. In all metrics, BBVA Bancomer’s has done a wonderful job. You’re leading the way towards transformation,” he said.