BBVA Compass kicks off Project Blue Elf with assist from brand ambassador James Harden

- Bank's signature holiday program kicks off at Crespo Elementary School

- Project Blue Elf to reach nearly 5,000 children across the bank's footprint

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Dec 03, 2015, 03:49 ET

BBVA Compass brand ambassador James Harden takes an "elfie" with a student at Houston ISD's Crespo Elementary during the kickoff of BBVA Compass' Project Blue Elf, its signature holiday initiative, which will promote financial literacy and deliver toys to 5,000 children at schools in 27 markets across the bank's footprint, including 430 kindergarten, first- and second-grade students at Crespo.

Students at Houston ISD's Crespo Elementary give high-fives to BBVA Compass volunteers ahead of the kickoff event for the bank's Project Blue Elf initiative. The initiative will promote financial literacy and deliver toys to 5,000 children at schools in 27 markets across the bank's footprint, including 430 kindergarten, first- and second-grade students at Crespo.

BBVA Compass corporate logo

HOUSTON, Dec. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass brand ambassador James Harden and basketball legend Robert Horry traded in their team colors for BBVA Compass blue Thursday to help kick off the bank's annual Project Blue Elf initiative with a special seasonal twist at Crespo Elementary School in Southeast Houston.

Now in its third year, the BBVA Compass Foundation's signature holiday initiative will promote financial literacy and deliver toys to 5,000 children at schools in 27 markets across the bank's footprint, including the 430 kindergarten, first- and second-grade students at Crespo. This year's program also introduced a new component: 12 Days of Brightness, a surprise-and-delight initiative to deliver random acts of brightness to unsuspecting nonprofits and individuals in local communities in 12 markets in 12 days.

"Project Blue Elf is back, bigger and better," BBVA Compass Chairman and CEO Manolo Sanchez said. "It has become a special seasonal tradition for us, and helps us deliver on our mission and our brand promise of banking on a brighter future for our employees, for our clients and for the places we call home."

Harden and Horry joined Sanchez and Carlos Torres, president and COO of the bank's Spain-based parent company, BBVA, and more than 50 bank volunteers at the event Thursday. They helped deliver toys and took "elfies" (a holiday version of the selfie) with students to share on social media using the #LiveBright hashtag.

To kick off day one of the 12 Days of Brightness campaign, a Project Blue Elf street team decked out as blue elves traveled in a "BBVA Compass Brightness" car wrapped with a large blue bow to surprise KIPP Connect and two Houston-area nonprofits, Avenue CDC and SEARCH Homeless Services. KIPP Connect and Avenue CDC both were given an iMac, while SEARCH Homeless Services received a $250 gift card.

The next 11 stops in the 12 Days of Brightness campaign will be in Birmingham, Ala.; Montgomery, Ala.; Mobile, Ala.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Phoenix; Austin, Texas; Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas; San Antonio; Laredo, Texas; and Stockton, Calif.

About BBVA Group

BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of BBVA Compass Bancshares Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) (MAD: 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.