HOUSTON, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass brand ambassador and Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons inspired local students Thursday when he teamed up with BBVA Compass and NBA and WNBA legends to bring the bank's Future Builders financial literacy program to Dallas' Bayles Elementary School.

Parsons joined NBA legend and five-time NBA champion Bruce Bowen, former Dallas Maverick Eduardo Nájera, and WNBA legends Kiesha Brown, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Ashley Robinson on visits to classrooms and computer labs, where they talked to students about the importance of staying in school. Parsons tipped off the event with a speech encouraging students to actively participate in the BBVA Compass Future Builders program, while BBVA Compass later donated tablets to enhance the students' learning experience.  

"Chandler, Bruce and these legendary players are dedicated to the continued improvement of their community and its schools, which reflects our vision at BBVA Compass," said BBVA Compass Chairman and CEO Manolo Sánchez. "Bayles students are full of talent and potential. We're proud to be part of this special partnership to give our future young leaders the tools they need to build a strong financial foundation."

The event is part of the bank's annual effort to bring the Vault financial education program, developed by education technology firm EverFi, into schools across the BBVA Compass footprint at no cost to the schools or school districts. The course features interactive lessons, games and story-based activities that challenge children from an early age to make choices in real-life scenarios to best achieve important goals around saving and job planning.

"It was heartwarming to see these players interacting with our students to teach them about the importance of staying in school and how to make important decisions for themselves," said Bayles Elementary School Principal Nikia Smith. "We are truly grateful for what NBA Cares, WNBA Cares and BBVA Compass have done today for our kids."

BBVA Compass and NBA Cares have presented EverFi's web-based financial literacy program to almost 44,000 students across multiple cities across its footprint since 2013, many in low-income school districts, and reached more than 30,000 students last year alone.

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 www.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 (5th). BBVA Compass earned the top ranking with customers in American Banker's 2014 annual reputation survey of the top 25 largest U.S. retail banks. It also has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration and in 2014 ranked 12th nationally in total SBA loan volume. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at www.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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SOURCE BBVA Compass