In general, banks are able to continue with business as usual during a government shutdown. Accounts can be opened, transactions can be processed, loans can be funded. However, there are some areas that rely heavily on federal employees in specific situations.

Chris Hadfield was the first Canadian astronaut to live aboard the International Space Station, spending almost 4,000 hours in space. Hadfield is one of the most experienced and accomplished astronauts in the world; he was responsible for the shuttle´s communications during 25 launches, was NASA’s director of operations, chief of robotics at the Johnson Space Center, and chief of operations for the International Space Station. He also served as commander of the International Space Station where he led a record number of scientific experiments, in addition to becoming one of the most popular astronauts in history taking photos and recording educational videos about life in space, for which he has received much praise. His music video of his gravity-free version of David Bowie’s Space Oddity is his most popular video.

Considered to be one of the most influential psychologists of recent times, Daniel Goleman burst onto the international scene as the best-selling author of 'Emotional Intelligence'. Goleman maintains that we should teach our children how to practice and develop emotional intelligence. The psychologist stresses the fundamental importance that our ability to focus our attention plays in today's world, either as a way to practice self-control, to improve our ability to empathize with others, or better understand the world around us, and so there are benefits to training it: "Attention is like a muscle. if we don't use it, it gets weak: if we exercise it, it gets strong." he declares.

With regards to media reports related to Grupo Cenyt, which if found to be true would be extremely serious, BBVA informs that in June 2018 it opened an investigation into the hiring and services rendered by this company. It also commissioned an external law firm to proceed with an independent review of all facts and available documents. Both actions are currently underway.

Should any irregularities be detected during these reviews, BBVA will adopt the pertinent internal measures and take the appropriate legal actions and, as always, will fully cooperate with law authorities.

A neurologist and a mother: that's how Frances Jensen, one of the most respected international researchers of the adolescent brain, defines herself. She is chair of the Neurology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. In her latest work 'The Teenage Brain'. "Teenagers are learning machines," states this neurologist, although she qualifies that "they learn both the good and the bad equally well." From her privileged position as a scientist, teacher, and mother, Jensen explores and dispels myths about adolescence and provides practical advice on how to get through this complex stage of life.

Adam Alter is a psychologist and professor in the Psychology Department at New York University, and a regular contributor to prestigious media like The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, Wired, and Popular Science. Alter is the author of the U.S. best-selling book., ‘Irresistible’, where he describes behavior that is harmful and addictive for our children and uses examples that will resonate with many. "If they always find the answer using a screen, children won’t learn to self-regulate.” Interaction with technology when children are present is the best example, which is why he warns, “children are interested in whatever their parents are paying attention to.”