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November 5, 2008

Banks merge; present check to Boys and Girls Club

By David Ball

PORT NECHES — PORT NECHES — When Gary Hegel, president and chief executive officer of BBVA Compass Bank spoke at the podium at their Port Neches branch Wednesday morning for a celebration, he had three topics in mind.

One being the merger of three banks into one: Texas State Bank, Compass Bank and BBVA and became BBVA Compass Bank a few months ago.

His next two items of business were to thank the local bank team for their hard work and give away some money — specifically $50,000 to the Salvation Army’s Boys and Girls Club of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange

“This is a worthy cause and a statement to the communities we do business in,” Hegel said. “We are one of the largest, healthiest and strongest banks in the world, but we also deliver all our services locally. We’re directed by our local teams.”

Captain Leo Ortiz of the Salvation Army in Port Arthur said the donation will help with tuition for the kids in the Boys and Girls Club and maybe purchase additional material and supplies.

“Like Texas State Bank, BBVA Compass has a strong commitment to the communities in which it operates,” said Ronnie Wardwell, regional executive for Compass’ community Banking Division. “The donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs reemphasizes our dedication and passion for people. We look forward to further growing our relationship with quality organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs, with a long-term goal of establishing financial literacy programs.”

“BBVA’s guiding principles emphasize the importance of building a better future for people,” Manolo Sanchez, senior executive vice president of Compass’ community banking division. “Customers can look to the BBVA Compass brand as a blending of the best of BBVA, and international financial leader with strength and stability, and Compass Bank, a regional leader in providing a broad array of products and services designed to meet clients’ financial needs.”

Hegel added the merger means more financial strength, more lending and financial products into the market.

BBVA has 600 branches nationally in Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, and New Mexico with 380 offices in Texas — Texas is the center of gravity.

“Sixty percent of our banks in Texas and we’re among the top 25 largest banks in the U.S.,” he said.

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