Wikipedia's Jimmy Wales, noted hacker Kevin Mitnick join BBVA Compass Bright Perspectives series

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Technology's leading thinkers to tour with bank

- They will alternate as headliners for series of 10 events that kicks off Thursday

- Bank clients to hear from two leading thinkers on cybersecurity, era of open information

HOUSTON, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass is putting two individuals who embody technology's full potential and also its perils on the roster of speakers for the bank's Bright Perspectives forums, with Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales and renowned former black-hat hacker Kevin Mitnick alternating as headliners for the series of client events starting Thursday in Denver.

The series is part of the bank's efforts to bring leading minds and fresh insights to clients on topics such as business, economics and technology, and previously featured former President George W. Bush and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Mitnick and Wales will stop in several cities across the U.S. to share their thoughts on cybersecurity's new frontiers and how open content and open-sourced technology is changing society and how businesses must adapt in order to compete. Mitnick will be performing live demonstrations of the latest threats hackers are using to compromise organizations.

"Jimmy Wales and Kevin Mitnick are going to be speaking on ideas that are consuming the thoughts of business-builders everywhere — how to stay open in a society that demands it, and how to stay safe at the same time," said BBVA Compass Chairman and CEO Manolo Sánchez. "These are two of the best possible sources to capture the zeitgeist of this moment in American business."

Wales co-founded Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that's supported by a collection of grassroots volunteers, in 2001. The site epitomizes the open-source platform — anyone can create, add or edit a Wikipedia entry — and it logs multiple billions of visits each month. Wales has become one of the most vocal, eloquent advocates for free speech and Internet freedom.

Once one of the FBI's Most Wanted because he hacked into 40 major corporations just for the challenge, Mitnick is now a trusted security consultant to the Fortune 500 and governments worldwide. He and his team now maintain a 100 percent successful track record of being able to penetrate the security of any system they are paid to hack into using a combination of technical exploits and social engineering.

"The financial industry itself is undergoing an intense, rapid digital transformation," said Sánchez. "BBVA Compass is on the forefront of that change, and we're using that focus to enhance our clients' perspectives through our Bright Futures campaign."

Wales and Mitnick join BBVA Compass' newest brand ambassador and self-made entrepreneur Sandra Lee as keynote speakers in this year's Bright Perspectives events.  

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 673 branches, including 345 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 75 in Arizona, 61 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 recently earned top nods for best mobile app and best regional bank in the South & West in Money magazine's annual list of the Best Banks in America. 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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To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wikipedias-jimmy-wales-noted-hacker-kevin-mitnick-join-bbva-compass-bright-perspectives-series-300258546.html

SOURCE BBVA Compass

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