BBVA Compass adds the Spurs' Becky Hammon, Legend Bruce Bowen to roster of brand ambassadors

Bank enlists Alamo City superstars

-- They join decorated Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard

-- Bank renews sports marketing and sponsorship agreement with team

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Dec 21, 2015, 11:44 ET

BBVA Compass corporate logo

HOUSTON, Dec. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass, the Official Bank of the NBA, announced today it is adding two San Antonio Spurs superstars to its growing roster of brand ambassadors — Becky Hammon, the first full-time female coach in the NBA, and three-time NBA Champion Bruce Bowen — and extending its sponsorship agreement with the team.

The bank now has a powerhouse trio from San Antonio on its team of ambassadors, with Hammon and Bowen joining decorated Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, who was named a BBVA Compass local brand ambassador last year. Leonard has been recognized as one of the most talented young players in the league, clinching the 2014 Finals MVP title and also the 2014-15 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

"We've chosen a trio of talented individuals to represent our brand in one of our most important markets," said BBVA Compass Chairman and CEO Manolo Sanchez. "They're champions and pioneers, and they're the kind of ambassadors who can inspire us to set higher goals and reach them."

As brand ambassadors, Hammon and Bowen will join Leonard to boost the bank's brand in multiple ways — from advertising campaigns to community involvement activities.

WNBA legend Hammon made NBA history in August 2014, when she was hired as an assistant coach for the Spurs, making her the first full-time, salaried female assistant coach in the league. She was asked to lead the Spurs during the 2015 NBA Summer League presented by Samsung, becoming the first female head coach of a Summer League team and the first female to win the title.

NBA legend and three-time NBA Champion Bowen was signed by the Spurs in the 2001-2002 season, and took home three championship trophies with the team in 2003, 2005 and 2007. He was touted as one of the best defenders in the league, and secured a spot on the NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams eight times throughout his career. Since Bowen retired in 2009, he has continued to be active in the San Antonio community. Earlier this month, Bowen helped surprise people on the San Antonio River Walk with gift cards as part of the bank's signature holiday initiative, Project Blue Elf, and its 12 Days of Brightness campaign.

BBVA Compass has been a team partner of the Spurs since 2011, in addition to serving as the Official Bank of the NBA since 2010.

About BBVA Group

BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of BBVA Compass Bancshares Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) (MAD: BBVA). BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a solid position in Spain, is the largest financial institution in Mexico and has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt region of the United States. Its diversified business is geared toward high-growth markets and relies on technology as a key sustainable competitive advantage. Corporate responsibility is at the core of its business model. BBVA fosters financial education and inclusion, and supports scientific research and culture. It operates with the highest integrity, a long-term vision and applies the best practices. The Group is present in the main sustainability indexes. More information about the BBVA Group can be found at bbva.com.

About BBVA Compass

BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 672 branches, including 341 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 77 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 20 in New Mexico, and commercial and private client offices throughout the U.S. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (4th). BBVA Compass has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration, and its mobile app recently earned the Mobile Banking Leader in Functionality Award for the second consecutive year from Javelin Strategy & Research. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at bbvacompass.com, by following @BBVACompassNews on Twitter or visiting newsroom.bbvacompass.com.