Project Blue Elf takes a new turn as BBVA Compass celebrates the holidays

HOUSTON, Dec. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- After half a decade of bringing holiday joy and toys to students across the country, the BBVA Compass Foundation's Project Blue Elf campaign has shifted its focus to surprise and delight families that participate in the bank's financial education programs.

"It's been an impactful five years of Project Blue Elf, and we felt it was time to realign our holiday efforts with the bank's commitment to financial education," said BBVA Compass Foundation President Reymundo Ocañas. "These families have been working hard to improve their financial knowledge and take advantage of opportunities. The holidays are the perfect time for us to highlight their accomplishments and reward their hard work and dedication." 

For the project's 2018 campaign, the bank piloted a new program hinged on community holiday parties co-hosted by nonprofit organizations participating in BBVA Compass' Center for Financial Education Community Workshops Pilot Program, featuring snacks, sweets, and a cookie decorating station for the children. After a brief greeting from local bank leadership, a selected family was gifted a much-needed big-ticket gift ranging from a washer and dryer set to children's bedroom furniture. BBVA Compass rounded out each gift with an additional $500 gift card for the family.

No one left the event empty handed, though. Community partners received a total of $30,000 in donations to honor their efforts to deliver financial capabilities and help create opportunities for their clients. In addition, each guest received a gift bag containing holiday treats such as chocolate and caramel corn, cookies, a tin of hot chocolate and other holiday items.

"This year's Project Blue Elf events were a completely different experience for our volunteers," said Ocañas. "The toy giveaways from past years were always fun, but this year's events were so meaningful and impactful. They really were an unforgettable opportunity for all of us."

Project Blue Elf events hosted more than 350 families across the bank's footprint, in Birmingham, Ala.; Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth and McAllen, Texas; Jacksonville, Fla., Denver, Colo.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Stockton, Calif.

To learn more about BBVA Compass, visit: www.bbvacompass.com

For more news visit: www.bbva.com and newsroom.bbvacompass.com

About BBVA Group
BBVA BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a strong leadership position in the Spanish market, is the largest financial institution in Mexico, it has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States; and it is also the leading shareholder in Garanti, Turkey's biggest bank for market capitalization. Its diversified business is focused on high-growth markets and it 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. More information about BBVA Group can be found at bbva.com.

About BBVA Compass
BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 645 branches, including 332 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 63 in Arizona, 61 in California, 45 in Florida, 37 in Colorado and 18 in New Mexico. 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 (6th). BBVA Compass has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and ranked 6th nationally in the total number of SBA loans originated in fiscal year 2017. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found under the Investor Relations tab at bbvacompass.com. For more BBVA Compass news, follow @BBVACompassNews on Twitter, visit newsroom.bbvacompass.com, or visit bbva.com.

SOURCE BBVA Compass