BBVA Compass loaded sleigh with NBA superstars, technology, generosity for Project Blue Elf

HOUSTON, Dec. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass loaded its sleigh with NBA superstars, the latest high-tech gadgets, generous employees and the elements of surprise and delight for Project Blue Elf, its signature holiday initiative that wrapped this month after more than doubling its reach to 7,000 people.

Project Blue Elf, now in its third year, was an opportunity for the bank to pay it forward as more than 600 employees in 27 markets volunteered their time to help build up their communities. This year's program also introduced a new component: 12 Days of Brightness, where "street teams" delivered random acts of brightness to unsuspecting nonprofits and individuals in local communities across the country.

"The objective of Project Blue Elf is to spread holiday cheer, and I'm pleased to say we more than met that goal," said BBVA Compass Chairman and CEO Manolo Sanchez. "This is a good-will initiative that is woven into the fabric of our bank and underscores our brand promise of building better, brighter futures."

Volunteers in each market presented a financial literacy activity called "Sam's Silly Savings Spot," which is designed to teach children the safest places to keep and save their money, and ultimately reached a total of 5,000 children. All school visits concluded with a surprise unveiling of new toys for each child to keep. Volunteers also took "elfies" (a holiday version of the selfie) with students to share on social media using the #LiveBright hashtag.

For the 12 Days of Brightness, a BBVA Compass Brightness car traveled to 12 of the 27 markets in as many days. A total of 27 nonprofits were treated to iPads, iMacs, TVs and gift cards, while more than 2,000 people were given $25 gift cards by Blue Elf volunteers.

NBA players and BBVA Compass brand ambassadors James Harden and Chandler Parsons, NBA legends Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen, and country music talent Tyler Dial all participated in Project Blue Elf events across the bank's footprint.

The BBVA Compass Project Blue Elf initiative ran from Dec. 3-23 and visited these markets:

• Albuquerque, N.M.
• Austin, Texas
• Beaumont, Texas
• Birmingham, Ala.
• Brownsville, Texas
• Dallas
• Decatur, Ala.
• Denver
• El Paso, Texas
• Fort Worth, Texas
• Gainesville, Fla.
• Houston
• Huntsville, Ala.
• Jacksonville, Fla.
• Laredo, Texas
• McAllen, Texas
• Mobile, Ala.
• Montgomery, Ala.
• New York
• Los Angeles
• Phoenix
• Riverside, Calif.
• San Antonio
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• Stockton, Calif.
• Tucson, Ariz.

About BBVA Group

BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of BBVA Compass Bancshares Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA BBVA 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 the 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 672 branches, including 341 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 77 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 20 in New Mexico, and commercial and private client offices throughout the U.S. 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 has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration, and its mobile app recently earned the Mobile Banking Leader in Functionality Award for the second consecutive year from Javelin Strategy & Research. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at bbvacompass.com, by following @BBVACompassNews on Twitter or visiting newsroom.bbvacompass.com. 

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

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SOURCE BBVA Compass