Just in the Nick of Time - BBVA Compass Rolls Out Affinity Banking With the Crimson Tide

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan 6. /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BBVA Compass today announced an additional way for University of Alabama students, fans and alumni to show their crimson pride throughout the year by offering new and current Build-to-Order Free Checking® account customers additional customization choices with Crimson Tide-branded check card and checks through a new affinity program called Bama® Banking. This program allows customers - both individuals and small businesses - the opportunity to choose from multiple images that can be emblazoned on Alabama Crimson Tide branded check cards.

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"Affinity programs such as Bama® Banking provide a powerful way for students, fans and alumni to put their support for collegiate programs on display each and every day," said Shelaghmichael Brown, BBVA Compass senior executive vice president and head of retail banking. "We are excited to have The University of Alabama as our first collegiate sports partner and are thrilled that the launch of Bama® Banking coincides with the Crimson Tide's pursuit of another football National Championship. We look forward to growing our program over the succeeding months with The University of Alabama as well as other collegiate sports programs in our Sunbelt footprint."

Customers interested in signing up for Bama® Banking simply need to go to www.bbvacompass.com/bama. Once there, customers with a Build-to-Order Free Checking® account can select Crimson Tide branded images for their check cards. Customers receive one free personalized check card with every consumer Build-to-Order Free Checking® account and three free personalized check cards with Business Build-to-Order Free CheckingSM accounts. Additional personalized check cards on either type of account may be purchased for a $10.00 fee.

For more information on BBVA Compass consumer or Business Build-to-Order Free Checking(SM) and Bama® Banking, please visit www.bbvacompass.com or call 1-800-COMPASS.

ABOUT BBVA COMPASS

BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 748 branches including 401 in Texas, 92 in Alabama, 66 in California, 77 in Arizona, 45 in Florida, 36 in Colorado and 22 in New Mexico. BBVA Compass is the 15th largest U.S. commercial bank based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Texas (4th), Alabama (3rd) and Arizona (5th). Additional information concerning BBVA Compass can be found on our website www.bbvacompass.com.

BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of Compass Bancshares, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) (MAD: BBVA). BBVA is a financial services group with more than $785 billion in total assets, 48 million clients, 7,600 branches and approximately 105,000 employees in more than 30 countries. BBVA ranks among the top seven largest financial institutions in the world based on market capitalization and 20th in Global Finance magazine's list of the "World's 50 Safest Banks" for 2009. BBVA provides its customers around the world with a full range of financial services, including commercial and wholesale banking, retail banking services, consumer loans, mortgages, credit cards, securities brokerage, wealth management, pension plan management and insurance. The BBVA Group maintains a leadership position in Spain, Mexico, Latin America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States as well as operations in China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Editor's Note: BBVA Compass is a trade name of Compass Bank and a trademark of Compass Bancshares, Inc. Bama® is a licensed trademark of the University of Alabama.

SOURCE BBVA Compass