BBVA Compass Helps Businesses Prepare for Potential Cash Flow Disruptions From Regulation Change

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BBVA Compass today unveiled its informational  website for businesses that is intended to help them prepare for the upcoming amendment to Regulation E. The website also contains a downloadable flyer that businesses may print and provide to customers whose debit card transactions have been denied. The flyer explains the recent regulatory changes and how those changes may impact debit card and ATM transactions. By taking this proactive approach to assisting businesses of all sizes in understanding the recent regulatory changes, BBVA Compass is hoping to help them mitigate any potential disruptions in cash flow stemming from increased point-of-sale transaction denials.

"A steady cash flow is the lifeblood to a business of any size," said Shelaghmichael Brown, senior executive vice president and head of Retail Banking. "After the August 15 automatic opt out date, many consumers who did not realize that changes have been made to their standard overdraft protection will have transactions denied at the point of sale, potentially interrupting that cash flow to the business. Until all consumers become knowledgeable about how their standard overdraft protection has changed, businesses need to be prepped and ready to respond to these disruptions quickly and effectively."

In addition to the informational website, throughout the summer and up to the August 15th automatic opt out date, BBVA Compass will be conducting a mail, online banking, email and phone call campaign, all in effort to educate its business and merchant services customers about the amendment to Regulation E and its potential effects to their business. BBVA Compass is also prepared with suggestions to help businesses manage the change, including making sure front line employees are equipped and prepared for an increased number of point-of-sale transaction denials and suggesting additional avenues for payment options.

"No matter how much consumer education banks are conducting on this new choice to opt in or opt out of standard overdraft practices, it is likely some consumers will still be unaware of the automatic opt out date of August 15," said Rick Claypoole, senior vice president and head of consumer deposit products. "As a result businesses of all sizes will be affected in some way, particularly given that August 15 is a Sunday and that weekend is typically big for back-to-school shopping. As a financial institution that holds itself accountable to both our customers and our business partners, we consider it part of our responsibility to educate businesses and customers alike about these upcoming changes."

Businesses seeking to learn more about the upcoming change to Regulation E may visit www.bbvacompass.com/yourchoice/business/. Consumers seeking to learn more or who need assistance in making the choice that is most appropriate for their financial situation are encouraged to stop by a local branch, call 1-800-COMPASS or visit www.bbvacompass.com/yourchoice.

ABOUT BBVA COMPASS

BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 724 branches including 387 in Texas, 92 in Alabama, 65 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). For the second consecutive year, BBVA Compass was named as a "Lender of the Year" by the Small Business Administration (SBA). 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 $765 billion in total assets, 48 million clients, 7,500 branches and approximately 104,000 employees in more than 30 countries. BBVA ranks among the top 20 largest financial institutions in the world based on market capitalization and 20 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. Compass Bank, member FDIC.

SOURCE BBVA Compass