Noted hacker Kevin Mitnick gives BBVA Compass' Jacksonville clients the download on cybersecurity

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, former black hat hacker turned security consultant Kevin Mitnick headlined BBVA Compass' knowledge sharing forum Bright Perspectives: Jacksonville and led the minds of Northeast Florida clients on dynamic business technology topics such as cybersecurity.

Mitnick — who was once one of the FBI's Most Wanted because he hacked into 40 major corporations just for the challenge — is now a cybersecurity advisor to Fortune 500 companies and governments worldwide and a public speaker for forums such as Bright Perspectives: Jacksonville. Mitnick provided BBVA Compass' Northeast Florida clients with a first-hand outlook and unique insight into how to protect and control their financial lives during the era of digital growth.

BBVA Compass Northeast Florida CEO Nelson Bradshaw stated that Mitnick's feature in the local forum accents BBVA Compass as a digital leader and service organization invested in the financial success of Jacksonville.

"Bright Perspectives provided the Jacksonville community with value that reaches beyond banking products and services," said Bradshaw. "Mitnick's event appearance is a forward-thinking initiative for the Jacksonville market, essentially creating an opportunity to foster bright financial futures for the clients, businesses and communities of Northeast Florida."

BBVA Compass is a top five bank in Jacksonville, ranking No. 4 in terms of deposit market share. However, Bradshaw said that it is BBVA Compass' commitment to being a digital knowledge-services institution which can put the bank over the top during Jacksonville's market growth.

According to BBVA Research USA, the bank's in-house economist team, the Jacksonville economy is expected to see growth throughout the next two years, with a predicted gross domestic product (GDP) increase from 3.4% in 2017 to 4.0% in 2018. The research team also highlights that the city's labor market is progressing at levels not seen since prior to the nation's economy drop in 2016.

Bradshaw stated that if Jacksonville's economy is growing, then so are its businesses, which is all the reason to educate Jacksonville's business clients about cybersecurity.

"Forums like Bright Perspectives can be impactful to our Jacksonville area clients who may experience business growth thanks to a rising economy," said Bradshaw. "This forum builds awareness about cybersecurity, potentially helping our local business clients to be proactive in guarding their finances as their business' activities increase."

In addition to Jacksonville, BBVA Compass' Bright Perspectives series will land in cities throughout the bank's Sunbelt footprint, including, but not limited to, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Birmingham and Phoenix.

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 BBVA Group is the largest financial institution in Spain and Mexico, has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt region of the United States and is also the leading shareholder in Garanti, Turkey's largest bank based on market capitalization. Its diversified business is focused on high-growth markets and it 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 bbva.com.

About BBVA Compass
BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 674 branches, including 345 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 75 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 20 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 (4th). BBVA Compass was recently named Best Digital Bank in North America by global finance magazine Euromoney and the best regional bank in the South & West and best mobile app in Money magazine's 2015-2016 list of the Best Banks in America. To learn more about BBVA Compass, visit www.bbvacompass.com. For more BBVA Compass news, visit newsroom.bbvacompass.com and follow @BBVACompassNews.

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

SOURCE BBVA Compass

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