HOUSTON, May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass is kicking off National Small Business Week by saluting small business entrepreneurs this month through a series of educational workshops, events and videos to inspire and educate small business owners across the U.S.

BBVA Compass has been a longtime champion for small businesses, and recently added Sandra Lee to its roster of brand ambassadors to help broaden its outreach to the important segment. Lee, who came from nothing and built a business empire as one of the country's most respected lifestyle experts, will visit the bank's small business clients across the country to share her own story and to help tell theirs. She is bolstering the bank's #BrightFutures platform, which puts forth 10 bright principles that serve as a roadmap to success.

"Small businesses are fundamental to our communities, providing 55 percent of all jobs and accounting for over half of all sales in the U.S.," said Lonnie Hayes, small business segment director for BBVA Compass. "They are at the forefront of the U.S. economy – a sector that continues rapid growth."

The bank will also host two educational webinars during the month, and will shine a spotlight on its "Bright Ideas for Business" content hub. The hub, designed to give insight to aspiring entrepreneurs, will showcase a series of videos of clients and their real-life small business success stories. To watch the first two episodes, which feature Sandra Lee with Houston-based business owners, click here. 

The bank's two free webinars will explore topics including "Business Credit and Access to Capital," to help participants understand the power of building and maintaining business credit and how to obtain what is needed to start and grow a business. The second webinar on "Cyber Security" will be held on May 24. Click here to register. The bank will also distribute 100 gift cards to small business owners across the U.S.

After a summer hiatus, Lee, who has made stops in Houston and Jacksonville, Fla., will be in Birmingham, Ala., Austin and San Antonio, Texas, and La Jolla, Calif., starting in September.

"I know what it's like to succeed as a small business owner, and I know what it's like to struggle," Lee said. "I'm partnering with BBVA Compass because we share the belief that everyone deserves a bright future, no matter where or how they begin."

BBVA Compass is a SBA National Preferred Lender, and ranks sixth in unit volume among the top SBA 7(a) lenders nationwide, processing more than 1,400 loans for more than $250 million during the 2015 fiscal year. In an effort to bolster small businesses across its footprint, BBVA Compass in 2015 donated $1 million from its BBVA Compass Foundation to LiftFund, the nation's largest nonprofit microlender.

To learn more about BBVA Compass' efforts in small business, click here. 

About BBVA Group
BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of BBVA Compass Bancshares Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) (MAD: BBVA). The BBVA Group is the largest financial institution in Spain and Mexico, has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt region of the United States and is also the leading shareholder in Garanti, Turkey's largest bank based on market capitalization. Its diversified business is focused on high-growth markets and it 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 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 674 branches, including 345 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 75 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 recently earned top nods for best mobile app and best regional bank in the South & West in Money magazine's annual list of the Best Banks in America. 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