South America’s GDP will recover in 2017 after four years of economic slowdown, while Mexico will bear the impact of the uncertainty surrounding US policies, which is likely to hinder its growth prospects. These are the key conclusions of BBVA Research's Latin America Outlook Q1 2017 report.

BBVA’s current strategy to accelerate the sale of the Spanish real estate assets has resulted in the first wholesale transaction of 2017. BBVA’s portfolio consists of almost 3,500 units. The operation had been dubbed Project Buffalo.

The UN has declared February 11th the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to promote female scientists and engage women in engineering, research, mathematics and technology. In celebration of this day, BBVA explains its passion for numbers in hopes of inspiring new generations.

Fundación Másfamilia has honored a group of companies, including BBVA, for their commitment to the work/life balance of their employees and for their efforts in terms of equality and diversity.

BBVA was one of the companies distinguished by the Másfamilia Foundation for “its long-term commitment to the preservation of work-life values in its business culture.” The financial institution earned the EFR quality stamp ten years ago. The Foundation awards the EFR stamp to recognize companies that promote work-family-personal life balance, equality and diversity.

BBVA Compass Chairman Manolo Sánchez, who immigrated to the U.S. from Spain, was honored last week in his adopted hometown with an Arrival Award from the University of Houston Law School’s Immigration Clinic.

After two consecutive years of contraction, Latin America will be able to post positive growth figures in 2017, between 1.2% and 1.3%, according to projections by BBVA Research, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank .

On Jan. 23 BBVA Compass, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Downtown Management District and Visit Houston joined Houston Bike Share to cut the ribbon at its newest Bcycle station in Downtown Houston. The opening of the “Crawford Island” station was celebrated in tandem with the launch of Houston Bike Share’s “BBVA Compass Free Rides” program, an initiative offering free Bcycle rides in Houston from Jan. 27 through Feb. 5.

The BBVA Global Markets Research team presented the conclusions of its 2017 strategic equity report. According to BBVA analysts, the positive cyclical momentum is set to continue, with the metal & mining, oil & gas, construction materials, healthcare and telecommunications sectors becoming the best performing industries in Europe. In Spain, the Real Estate sector is expected to be the most dynamic in 2017.

As expected, the ECB left its monetary policy and interest rates untouched and did not make any significant announcements at its January meeting. Mario Draghi’s comments on inflation do deserve special attention, however.