HOUSTON, April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Amanda Augustine has joined the BBVA Compass economic research team, a group recognized for its accurate forecasting and economic insight.

Before joining the bank, Augustine worked as a project manager at consulting firm American World Services Corp. in Washington, D.C., focusing on the health care sector.

Led by BBVA Compass Chief Economist Nathaniel Karp, the bank's six-member research team analyzes the U.S. economy and Federal Reserve monetary policy. For its analyses, the economists create models and forecasts for growth, inflation, monetary policy and industries. The economic research team also follows a variety of issues that affect the Sunbelt states where BBVA Compass operates.

"We are pleased to have Amanda join us as her expertise on health care will add depth on a topic that's so important to our economy," said Nathaniel Karp, chief economist for BBVA Compass.

Augustine earned her MBA from the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, and a bachelor's degree in business administration and Spanish from American University in Washington, D.C. She was also an international exchange student at Adolfo Ibanez University in Vina del Mar, Chile. Augustine is proficient in Spanish and Malayalam.

In addition to Karp, the bank's economic research group includes Kim Fraser, Marcial Nava, Shushanik Papanyan and Boyd Nash-Stacey. The team's forecasts and analyses have earned multiple distinctions. Karp was ranked fifth out of more than 50 expert panelists by Pulsenomics for having the most accurate forecasts on its 2014 home price expectations surveys. In 2010, Bloomberg News named Karp and his team the top forecaster of 10-year Treasury yields. In 2011, he earned a sixth-place ranking in unemployment forecasting, and he ranked among the top five for non-farm payroll forecasting in 2010 and 2011. Follow the team's work on Twitter @BBVAResearchUSA.

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