BBVA Momentum lands in U.S. as accelerator, training ground for social entrepreneurs

HOUSTON, March 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass is putting out the call to social entrepreneurs in Texas who are eager to scale up so that they can have greater impact on people's lives. The bank will select up to 20 to participate in BBVA Momentum, an intensive seven-month training program for entrepreneurs who want to change the world through their work.

BBVA Momentum has been operating since 2011 in several countries throughout the BBVA footprint, but this marks its first foray into the U.S. The program already has driven the expansion of 92 companies with high social impact in Spain, Mexico and Peru. The companies selected to participate have focused on a variety of social problems, whether it's the treatment of cognitive impairment in the elderly or helping the neediest citizens build their own homes out of sustainable materials. Jointly, they employ 3,200 people and their activities have benefited more than a million people. 

"BBVA Momentum is a model program, and we're so proud to offer it here in the U.S. now," said BBVA Compass Director of Corporate Responsibility & Reputation Reymundo Ocañas. "We're combining ambitious, socially minded people and companies with the experts at the bank who can teach them how to scale up and have even more impact. What we're doing, together, is exactly how the world should work. In the end, we're going to help these companies help more people."

The social entrepreneurs selected to participate in the program will be given seven months of online and in-person training. The online training will be provided by the Corporate Learning Alliance, a joint initiative between the Financial Times and Spain's IE Business School, while the in-person training will be conducted at a Texas university. Several networking opportunities are also built into the program, giving entrepreneurs the chance to learn from previous BBVA Momentum participants and investors. And finally, BBVA Compass will select those businesses considered most sustainable and with the highest social impact for further investment opportunities.

Interested social entrepreneurs should go to momentum.bbva.com to view the official rules and to register and apply. The deadline to apply is March 31.*

* NO PURCHASE OR OBLIGATION NECESSARY TO APPLY OR BE SELECTED. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF SELECTION.

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 BBVA Group is the largest financial institution in Spain and Mexico, has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt region of the United States and is also the leading shareholder in Garanti, Turkey's largest bank based on 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 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 344 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 75 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 19 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 (5th). BBVA Compass was recently named Best Digital Bank in North America by global finance magazine Euromoney and the best regional bank in the South & West and best mobile app in Money magazine's 2015-2016 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.

SOURCE BBVA Compass

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