BBVA Compass, NBA Cares help Birmingham students learn from past while preparing for future

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 30 BBVA Compass volunteers came together Thursday afternoon with former NBA players at P.D. Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham, Ala., to discuss the importance of education, financial literacy and community involvement with nearly 900 students.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130913/DA79454)

The visit marked the 19^th BBVA Compass NBA Cares event, a service program sponsored by the bank and the NBA to help students across the bank's footprint understand the difference that education, fitness and money management can make in their lives. The event, which took place during a week commemorating Birmingham's role in the civil rights movement, also provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of community involvement and the vital role young people can play in society.  

"Our city's celebration is a reminder that past efforts have shaped our communities into what they are today," said Rosilyn Houston, BBVA Compass regional retail executive. "We want to remind young people of this and inspire them to play an active role in improving our communities for future generations."

Houston joined Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Director Ahmed Ward, Birmingham City Councilor James "Jay" Roberson and NBA luminaries Robert Horry and Bob Lanier on an interactive leadership panel that encouraged students to stand up for causes that affect local communities.  Also featured in the panel was the Rev. Gwendolyn Webb, a Jackson-Olin alum and participant in the Children's Crusade marches of 1963, when Birmingham students took to the streets for several days to protest against segregation.

"As someone who was part of the civil rights movement and a graduate of this school, it's great to see young people wanting to build character," said Webb.

Following the panel, students participated in two financial literacy programs. The first program, BBVA Compass' Get Smart About Credit, taught the fundamentals of credit management. The second — a Web-based program administered by educational technology company EverFi — engaged students in lessons on managing their personal finances.

"Both programs arm young adults with knowledge they can carry throughout their lives," said Houston. "Our goal is to help each student develop a strong financial foundation on which they can continue to build."

BBVA Compass and the NBA also donated 30 tablet computers and a mobile computer cart to the school, as well as provided faculty with 100 tickets to Saturday's BBVA Compass Concert for Human Rights hosted by Jamie Foxx.

"It's important for our students to know they are supported beyond the walls of the school," said Janice Drake, Jackson-Olin High School principal. "Partnerships like this one demonstrate that our community is willing to get involved to help our students achieve success in school and in life."

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 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 688 branches, including 352 in Texas, 90 in Alabama, 78 in Arizona, 64 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 21 in New Mexico. 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 has been recognized as one of the leading Small Business Administration lenders and was recently awarded the 2013 Celent Model Bank Award for its new core banking platform. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at www.bbvacompass.com.

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

SOURCE BBVA Compass