BBVA Compass Announces the Appointment of Antonio Garza and Lawrence R. Uhlick to Board of Directors

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BBVA Compass today announced that it has appointed former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of International Bankers Lawrence R. Uhlick to the board of directors of Compass Bank effective immediately. Garza and Uhlick will also serve as directors of the U.S. Holding companies of BBVA.

"With a wealth of experience in diplomacy, banking and regulatory policy, our new directors are exceptionally qualified for the positions to which they've been appointed," said Jose Maria Garcia Meyer, BBVA Country Manager-U.S. and Chairman of BBVA Compass. "The leadership and guidance they will provide as we navigate the uncertain waters of the current economy and simultaneously seek to continue building the BBVA Compass franchise in the U.S. will be invaluable. I look forward to working with both of our new board members."

Currently, Garza is counselor to the leading global law firm, White & Case LLP, in Mexico City and is a partner with ViaNovo, LP, in Austin, Texas, a leading international management and consulting firm. Previously, Garza served as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 2002 to 2009. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, Garza held a number of key positions in his home state of Texas. In 1994, then-Governor George W. Bush appointed him as Texas Secretary of State and Senior Policy Advisor. Garza also served six years as Cameron County Judge, the county's top executive.

Garza also serves on Board of Directors of Basic Energy Services and is a member of the Southern Methodist University Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Advisory Boards of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, the Maguire Energy Institute, Kansas City Southern de Mexico and FameCast.

Garza received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University School of Law. In addition, he has received each university's distinguished alumni awards. Garza is also a member of the State Bar of Texas, the District of Columbia Bar and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Since 1987, Uhlick has held the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of International Bankers, an association which represents internationally headquartered banking/financial institutions from approximately 40 countries that engage in banking, securities, insurance and other financial activities in the United States.

As CEO, Uhlick is responsible for directing all aspects of the association's business operations and legal/lobbying activities in connection with U.S. legislative, regulatory and tax issues affecting its members. Before joining the Institute, Uhlick served Morgan Guaranty Trust Company as Vice President and Assistant Resident Counsel since 1979. Prior to that, Uhlick was Vice President and Counsel of the New York Clearing House Association. From 1970 to 1976, Uhlick practiced law with David Polk & Wardwell.

Uhlick is a member of the American Law Institute, the American Bar Association and its Banking Law Committee, the New York State Bar Association and the Association of the Bar of The City of New York.

Uhlick received his undergraduate degree from Adelphi University and a Master's degree in political science from Syracuse University. He received a J.D. from Syracuse University Law School and an L.L.M. from New York University School of Law.

ABOUT BBVA COMPASS

BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 748 branches including 401 in Texas, 92 in Alabama, 66 in California, 77 in Arizona, 45 in Florida, 36 in Colorado and 22 in New Mexico. BBVA Compass is the 15th largest U.S. commercial bank based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Texas (4th), Alabama (3rd) and Arizona (5th). Additional information concerning BBVA Compass can be found on our website www.bbvacompass.com.

BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of Compass Bancshares, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) (MAD: BBVA). BBVA is a financial services group with more than $785 billion in total assets, 48 million clients, 7,600 branches and approximately 105,000 employees in more than 30 countries. BBVA ranks among the top seven largest financial institutions in the world based on market capitalization and 20th in Global Finance magazine's list of the "World's 50 Safest Banks" for 2009. BBVA provides its customers around the world with a full range of financial services, including commercial and wholesale banking, retail banking services, consumer loans, mortgages, credit cards, securities brokerage, wealth management, pension plan management and insurance. The BBVA Group maintains a leadership position in Spain, Mexico, Latin America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States as well as operations in China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Editor's Note: BBVA Compass is a trade name of Compass Bank and a trademark of Compass Bancshares, Inc.

SOURCE BBVA Compass