Dear Team,

We wanted to write to you again to express our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of two of our employees who passed away due to earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Unfortunately there are five more colleagues under the rubble. We have been trying our true best for their salvation in coordination with authorities, but the situation is so dire in Turkey that we still don’t know how they are. Another colleague that was rescued is in critical condition at a hospital.

The two massive earthquakes in southeastern Turkey affected 10 provinces of a quite wide geography. This is a densely populated region of Turkey and the extension of this tragedy is growing every hour. There are more than 6,000, mostly multi-story buildings, reported as collapsed and it is feared that the death toll might continue to rise. We employ 1,773 colleagues and have 236 branches in the affected region.

For both of us, these past few days have been one of the most shocking periods of our lives. We have come to witness some of the saddest stories that can ever be experienced. We have seen families torn apart with loved ones under the rubble in freezing weather, sometimes alive, with no possible way to lift them out of the collapsed buildings. These are trying times for all of our colleagues in Turkey. We send our deepest sympathies to all and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.

As you may know we have started a campaign to raise funds from employees that want to help their affected counterparts in Turkey. Thanks to all that have already participated. It is one of the many actions that we are putting in place, and there will be more. We will do everything within our reach to alleviate the pain of our suffering colleagues and their families. Like we did during COVID, or after natural disasters in Mexico or the U.S., BBVA will stand by our people and the societies where we operate.

It is during these very complicated times when the best of BBVA emerges. Thanks to all for your support,

Carlos and Onur.