BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass named local certified public accountant and businessman Gary Evans to its Fort Payne advisory board to help boost the bank's business development activities in DeKalb County.

Evans is a certified public accountant and shareholder at MDA Professional Group P.C., the largest public accounting firm in northeast Alabama, and provides accounting and tax services to businesses in a variety of industries, including financial, health care and entertainment.

"Gary is an ideal BBVA Compass board member because his accounting experience means he understands the needs of businesses. Plus, he knows Fort Payne," said Todd O'Brien, BBVA Compass' Gadsden and Fort Payne market president. "Gary has lived and worked in Fort Payne for 17 years and can help us as we work to give our community the best products and services."

Evans began his career as an audit manager at Savannah, Ga.-based Hancock, Askew & Co.,  a regional accounting firm. In 1997, he moved to Fort Payne to join Borders & Associates P.C. as a shareholder and certified public accountant. In 2004, Evans opened Evans & Company P.C., which merged with MDA Professional Group in 2012.

Evans was born in Gadsden and earned his accounting degree from Georgia Southern University. He currently serves on the boards of directors for Terrapin Hills Country Club and the DeKalb Interfaith Medical Clinic. 

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 673 branches, including 342 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 77 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 20 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 has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration and recently earned the top ranking with customers in American Banker's 2014 annual reputation survey of the top 25 largest U.S. retail banks. 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, Member FDIC.

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SOURCE BBVA Compass