On Saturday, March 30th, the world came together to celebrate Earth Hour, an initiative promoted by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). Entire cities went dark for an hour to raise awareness and urge people to join the global movement in support of the environment and the protection of the planet. BBVA’s HQ in Spain - Ciudad BBVA – as well as other corporate buildings and headquarters in other countries, including Mexico, the U.S., Colombia, Peru, Uruguay or Argentina, also showcased their commitment to sustainability and the fight against climate change.

BBVA Compass received a perfect score of 100 on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.  The bank joins the ranks of over 570 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

The planet needs all of us. Helping it with a one-hour blackout is something that means very little to each of us, but it is very important to the place where we live — and not just symbolically. For the 12th year since Earth Hour was first launched in 2007 by World Wildlife Fund (WWF, the large independent organization dedicated to the conservation of nature) in 2007, the biggest capitals in the world will turn off their lights to fight climate change.

During March, millions of children and young people will learn how to manage their finances so they can take their economic well-being into their own hands and tap into better opportunities. How does it work? Through initiatives – activities and teaching materials – that have been kicked off for another year by campaigns promoted by Global Money Week (March 25-31) and European Money Week (March 25-29).

In February 2019, BBVA Compass announced that the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta rated it “Outstanding” for CRA performance for its most recent examination period. This three-part series will take a detailed look at the key efforts behind that rating in lending, investment and community giving.

BBVA recently structured the first sustainable loan in RCF format in Spain’s hotel industry. The €65 million credit line with Meliá Hotels International is an example of the Balearic group’s commitment to the fight against climate change.

CSR Europe and PWC have recognized BBVA for its transparency and best practices in tax issues. At an event in Brussels, this European corporate social responsibility network and the global consulting firm presented a report on the best corporate practices for tax matters. In a world where companies are expected to have a sustainable business in every respect, BBVA was one of the large global companies to present its best practices at the event.

Two young friends on a surfing trip to Bali, shocked by the heaps of plastic they found washed up on the beach, returned to the United States with an entrepreneurial vision to clean the ocean. Their company, 4Ocean, promises to remove one pound of trash from oceans and coastlines with the sale of every one of its $20 bracelets, which are made from recycled plastic and glass bottles. In roughly two years, the venture, which now employs more than 150 people around the planet, reports that it has recovered over 4 million pounds of trash.

In 2016 Garanti Bank teamed up with Bahçeşehir University to launch ‘Code the Future with Garanti’, an educational program designed to make a positive impact on local communities by preparing children for the digital age. Entering its fourth year, the program will hold a series of workshops in seven cities across Turkey. Its first stop: Istanbul.

Garanti Bank has launched a new series of training seminars for entrepreneurs. The Garanti Partners Meetup series supports Turkey’s ecosystem of entrepreneurs by providing master classes on relevant topics.