HOUSTON, Nov. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass teamed up with WNBA and NBA stars Thursday to share with students at Machan Elementary School in Phoenix the importance of financial literacy and how a solid foundation can open doors to a brighter future.

The event was part of the BBVA Compass Future Builders Program, which uses EverFi's web-based financial literacy program to teach students healthy financial habits and basic money management skills at an early age. The Official Bank of the NBA, BBVA Compass recruited two-time gold medalist and longtime WNBA forward DeLisha Milton-Jones, local legend and current WNBA guard Briann January, and NBA legend and current community ambassador Steven Hunter to lend a hand at the event, which was emceed by a familiar voice in Phoenix sports: NBA legend and current local announcer Eddie Johnson.

"We're proud to partner with the WNBA and NBA to bring basketball stars like DeLisha and Briann directly from the basketball court into the classrooms at Machan to educate young students about the importance of leading fiscally responsible lives," said BBVA Compass Phoenix CEO Brad Parker. "In Phoenix, we've been able to reach more than 1,000 students through this program, and it's only the beginning."

Since 2013, the joint financial literacy initiative has reached more than 65,699 students across the bank's footprint at no cost to the schools — many of them located in low-income communities.

BBVA Compass, the WNBA and the NBA donated 36 tablets and one tablet charging cart to Machan. The WNBA players and NBA legends also visited classrooms and computer labs, where they talked to students about the importance of staying in school.

"The lessons of working, giving, saving and spending are critical tools that need to be taught to our students," said Julie Frost, principal of Machan. "Our goal, through all of our programs, is to have students relate what they are learning inside the classroom to the world outside the four walls. We are very grateful to work with community partners like BBVA Compass, the WNBA and NBA to help give our students the tools they need to succeed."

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. 

Editor's Note:
BBVA Compass is a trade name of Compass Bank.

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SOURCE BBVA Compass