MCALLEN, Texas, Feb. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass announced today that Jason Leal has been named its market president of the Upper Rio Grande Valley, where he will lead efforts to increase brand awareness  and represent the bank's interests in the growing market.

Leal will provide leadership for all commercial banking activities, including business development and market leadership coordination, in an area that is experiencing solid growth in the health care and retail industries. He joined the BBVA Compass team eight years ago and most recently served as a commercial underwriting center manager.

"Jason's a proven local leader and a Rio Grande Valley native, so this is a natural fit," said BBVA Compass Texas Border Region CEO Hector Chacon. "He has adapted to change, maintained a strong reputation in the community and has remained committed to our success. I am certain he will continue to establish and strengthen our client relationships in the market and help contribute to our future success."

Leal, who began his career in 1989 at the Rio Grande Valley-based Texas State Bank, has 24 years of banking experience with BBVA Compass and its legacy banks. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Brownsville, is a board member and vice president of Affordable Homes of South Texas, board member and president of the McAllen Country Club, board member and chairman of the Leadership McAllen Alumni Association and was recently placed on the University of Texas-Pan American Foundation Board of Trustees.

Follow @BBVACompassNews on Twitter

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.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140825/139263

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bbva-compass-names-jason-leal-its-market-president-of-the-upper-rio-grande-valley-300042890.html

SOURCE BBVA Compass