BBVA Compass announces a new card-issuing partnership with American Express

HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass and American Express today announced a new card-issuing partnership, which brings together three global brands — BBVA, American Express and the NBA — through the BBVA Compass NBA American Express^® Card.

The BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card, which will be available in the coming weeks, will be issued by BBVA Compass and accepted on the American Express network. The BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card will be the first credit card bearing the global NBA brand when it launches. BBVA Compass customers can personalize their cards with the logos of their favorite NBA teams, as well as enjoy access to a number of exclusive benefits brought to them by both BBVA Compass and American Express. 

The new partnership and credit card are expected to help BBVA Compass expand across the country, beyond its Sunbelt footprint, by tapping into basketball fans' passions for the NBA and its 30 teams. With the BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card, BBVA Compass also is focusing on expanding its growing digital portfolio, following the success of the bank's first all-digital account, NBA Banking.

Executives from BBVA Compass, American Express and BBVA Compass Brand Ambassador and NBA All-Star Kevin Durant announced the partnership today at a press conference hosted at the New York Stock Exchange.

"American Express is one of the world's most trusted brands and the NBA has some of the world's most passionate fans," said BBVA Compass Chairman and CEO Manolo Sanchez. "Our card brings all of that together to grow our profile and our business in some of the country's most dynamic markets outside of our footprint and far beyond thanks to American Express's vast global network. We certainly were thinking big with this new partnership."

"Both BBVA Compass and American Express share an incredibly strong commitment to delivering the highest levels of customer service, innovation and value, and we look forward to working closely with BBVA Compass as it looks to expand its reach across the U.S.," said William Stredwick, senior vice president, Global Network Partnerships, North America, American Express. "Building on our shared customer commitment, we are delighted to announce our new partnership, which will allow us to help basketball fans celebrate their love for the game and their favorite NBA teams." 

The BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card represents the latest in a series of alliances between BBVA Compass and professional sports leagues that have global appeal. In addition to being the official bank of the NBA in the U.S., the bank has naming rights to BBVA Compass Stadium, home of Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo and the National Women's Soccer League's Houston Dash, and offers a variety of affinity banking products for sports fans. Its parent company, Madrid-based BBVA Group — which has been in business for more than 150 years and now operates in more than 30 countries — sponsors one of the most popular soccer leagues in the world, Liga BBVA.   

All cards subject to approval, including credit approval.

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 www.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 (5th). BBVA Compass earned the top ranking with customers in American Banker's 2014 annual reputation survey of the top 25 largest U.S. retail banks. It also has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration and in 2014 ranked 12th nationally in total SBA loan volume. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at www.bbvacompass.com, by following @BBVACompassNews on Twitter or visiting newsroom.bbvacompass.com. 

Editor's Note:
BBVA Compass is a trade name of Compass Bank.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Since 1997, American Express has partnered with a select group of leading banks and financial institutions around the world to issue American Express-branded products and acquire merchants on to the American Express merchant network. By leveraging its partnerships, global infrastructure and the powerful appeal of the brand, American Express has gained even broader reach for its network worldwide.

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