BAI Names BBVA Compass Executive, Rick Claypoole, BAI Maverick Banker of the Year

CHICAGO, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- BAI named BBVA Compass' Rick Claypoole BAI Maverick Banker of the Year. The award recognizes Rick's role as the designer of the innovative and popular Build-to-Order (BTO) checking account for the Birmingham, AL-based financial institution. Rick, director of consumer deposits for BBVA Compass, received the honor last night at the annual BAI Mavericks in Banking executive forum held in Washington D.C.

BBVA Compass' BTO Free Checking is the industry's first truly customizable checking account. This customer-centric innovation lets customers choose which features they want. Benefits of the account include a strong base of free core features, such as online banking and bill pay. Then customers select from a variety of premium features to customize their account. These options range from no fee to use another bank's ATM to earning interest on the account balance. Each BTO account provides two premium features, and additional options can be added for a small monthly fee. To give customers greater flexibility, account features can be changed as often as daily, and there is no minimum balance or direct deposit requirement.

"As the financial services industry has become increasingly commoditized, it is more challenging than ever for financial institutions to differentiate themselves," said Debbie Bianucci, president and chief executive officer of BAI. "The bold, fresh approach Rick and BBVA Compass took gives consumers the ability to build the account best suited to their own lifestyle and financial position, and to modify that account as their lifestyle or financial position changes. This is the kind of breakthrough idea that keeps the customer at the center of the banking process, and is critical in helping financial institutions stand out from others in the market."

Since Rick joined BBVA Compass in 2006, he has been pivotal in developing products that customers want today and that will continue to meet their needs tomorrow. The BBVA Compass BTO now makes up more than 80% of all new checking accounts opened at the institution. Recently Business BTO was launched, allowing small business owners to design the checking account that meets the needs of their growing companies.

"Rick and BBVA Compass' work is a great example of the qualities required to be a Maverick in Banking," said Ben Narey, director, U.S. Banking and Capital Markets, Microsoft. "It's imperative that today's banks continue to find new ways to provide customers with a connected banking experience, both in the branch and in their digital lives. Microsoft congratulates all Mavericks for their continued focus and open-minded approach to putting the customer first. We are proud to work with BAI on the Mavericks in Banking executive forum and to honor these individuals and their organizations for their efforts to deliver new services and value to banking customers."

Finalists for the BAI Maverick Banker of the Year award, also honored at BAI Mavericks in Banking, include Randy L. Carmon, executive vice president, chief operating officer and director for West Texas-based Vista Bank; Kevin Morrison, assistant vice president for H&R Block, Kansas City, MO; and Ken Olan, executive vice president and chief retail and marketing officer for Texas-based First Victoria National Bank.  

About BAI Maverick Banker of the Year Award

The BAI Maverick Banker of the Year award was launched in 2008 in conjunction with BAI Mavericks in Banking – a radically different creative forum and community for an exclusive group of executives who thrive on innovative ways to address business challenges. The forum encourages open debate among executives who are energized by the business challenges and inevitable changes that face the retail banking industry. The BAI Maverick Banker of the Year is chosen from a group of finalists from a variety of financial services organizations. Each finalist is a thought leader who helped their organization unleash new ideas to better connect with and serve customers while enabling their people to achieve great results. The BAI Maverick Banker of the Year award, BAI Mavericks in Banking executive forum, and its associated online community are brought to the industry with exclusive sponsorship from Microsoft Corp. Learn more at www.bai.org/mavericksinbanking.

About BAI

BAI is the financial services industry's partner for breakthrough information and intelligence needed to innovate and stay relevant in an evolving marketplace. For more than 80 years, we have focused on advancing the industry by offering unbiased education and research. Our offerings are as diverse as the industry, and include premier events such as BAI Retail Delivery, groundbreaking research and performance metrics, professional learning and development programs, and in-depth editorial coverage through the online publication, BAI Banking Strategies. Learn more at www.BAI.org.

BAI is Bank Administration Institute and BAI Center.

SOURCE BAI