BBVA aims to become the bank that customers trust, the one that helps them make the best financial decisions by offering them tailored advice.  Data is the essential raw material for making those decisions. In this regard, customer consent is necessary and to obtain it, “it will be essential to create a circle of trust with the customer,” said BBVA CEO Carlos Torres Vila. He spoke during a breakfast meeting in Madrid organized by the Association for Management Progress (APD - Asociación para el Progreso de la Dirección) and sponsored by AXIS, on the challenges facing the financial sector.

In April 2010, when smartphone penetration was still very low in Argentina, BBVA Francés launched an innovative communication channel to be closer to its customers. FrancésGo was the first mobile channel in the financial sector. It allowed customers to obtain information about BBVA Francés card promotions by text message (SMS that all types of devices could receive), segmented by area, type and brand. At the time, customers had to send the word “GO” to a four-digit number. And that's how it all started.

ShareAction, one of the most important observers of responsible investing, has published a study on the 15 biggest European banks, analyzing how we manage the risks and opportunities related to climate change. This study follows the guide for investors on discussing climate change with their bank that was published a few months ago.

In November, BBVA Compass published a series of articles that underscored its efforts of being an inclusive and digital bank committed to the customers, clients and communities throughout its footprint. Top articles of the month were centered around a recognition for the award-winning BBVA Compass Mobile Banking app; the bank's recent achievement from the Human Rights Campaign; dinners held for the bank's Denver clients; and the bank's new agreement with entertainment presenter, AEG.

BBVA has appointed María Abascal as Global Director of Institutional Relations. Abascal brings to the post more than 15 years of experience in the analysis of economic, financial, regulatory and institutional affairs in the public and private sector. Prior to her new appointment, since June 2010 she had been BBVA Research’s Chief Economist for Regulation and Public Policies.

The Banker magazine has selected BBVA Bancomer and Garanti Bank as the best banks in Mexico and Turkey, respectively, as part of its 2017 Bank of the Year awards. The magazine, a member of the Financial Times group, noted the strength of both banks and underscored their commitment to digital transformation.

BBVA today announced an agreement with a subsidiary of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (Cerberus) to create a joint venture (JV) for its real estate business in Spain, reducing almost entirely its exposure to non core real estate assets. On the closing of the operation, BBVA will sell an 80% stake in the JV to Cerberus for about €4 billion. The transaction marks a milestone in BBVA Group’s strategy.

BBVA received a binding offer from The Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) for its 68.19% stake in BBVA Chile and other related businesses such as the life insurance arm for about $2.2 billion (1.85 billion euros)¹. The offer does not include the automobile financing activity of Grupo Forum, that will continue to be 100% owned by BBVA.

Creating Opportunities is BBVA Compass’ mission and brand promise. The person tasked with leading the team that brings that brand to life through multiple channels was honored this past week by the marketing leadership community organization, The CMO Club.

The Bilbao headquarters of BBVA was one of the stops on a tour of Spain by future U.S. leaders. BBVA is the only Spanish financial institution involved in the “U.S. Young Leaders” program, which was launched in 2000 by Fundación Consejo España-Estados Unidos and the US-Spain Council.