Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria BBVA
| Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria BBVA | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Bilbao, Spain |
| Area Served | North America, South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe |
| CEO & Chairman | Francisco Gonzalez |
| COO | Ángel Cano Fernández |
| Products | Retail Banking,Asset Management, Investment Banking |
| Market Value | 70 883,8 m$ |
| Employees | 100,000 (2014) |
| Website | www.bbva.com |
Contents
About BBVA Bank
BBVA operatives in over 30 countries and has over 150 years of experience in banking. BBVA stands for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria. In the 19th century the bank immensely financed infrastructure developments, particularly within the steel industry. However in 1902 the bank merged with Banco del Comercio. This bank was not only interested in financing developments, but it is also a commercial bank offering mortgage loans and so on. Additionally, it provides loans for agriculture and livestock associations. in the 1960´s BBVA expanded by integrating other banks, thus offering other products and services such as the buying and selling of securities. In October 1999, BBVA was formed as it was previously BBV however the merger with bank Argentaria formed BBVA. In 2000 BBVA was selected as the best bank in spain and in the world by Forbes and in 2001 BBVA was announced as the best bank in Latin America by forbes and the best bank in Europe by Lafferty.
Engagement in Cultural Diplomacy
BBVA has an international presence by operating in over 30 different countries. Some of the countries that it has presence in, includes Mexico, China, Argentina, and Brazil. Its use of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter is to allow integration and dialogue of both customers and investors alike from all around the world communication and access with each other as well as the bank and its subsidiaries. They have several foundations that promote and support activities. Some of the activities they support are within the art and humanities field such as music and literature. In addition to that it provides workshops on Economy and Society in local communities with the aim of improving and or boosting social capital. This can be defined as the formation of networks and cohesion of relationships amongst specific and communities or societies, in order for said societies to function effectively. Additionally, since 1993 BBVA has backed the Ruta BBVA program, with the aims to foster cultural exchange between Spanish-speaking countries, including Brazil and Portugal. This program also "embodies the group's vision to work for a better future for people, as part of its Corporate Responsibility policy".
Employment Policy
At BBVA diversity and inclusion is vital and this has been illustrated within the firm as for example, 48% of the workforce are men while 52% of the workforce are women. This also demonstrates that BBVA appreciates and promotes women within their workforce. Additionally the firm has employees from different countries, ethnicities and backgrounds. The firm has invested €42,23m in the training of employees, thus acknowledging the significance of the development of its employees. Additionally, with their evaluation and personal development plan each employee is ensured and assisted professional developments that are specific to said individual. The BBVA Solidarity Race allows employees the opportunities to make a difference within their communities, by donating money which helps underprivileged families to be able to purchase basic necessities. This year the race will take place on 'Sunday 7, December 2014'.
Education
Education is used as the main strategy with regards to BBVA´s social programs, such as improving and promoting financial literacy, training of SME´s and training of young people. BBVA through the BBVA Solidarity Race scheme supports the least privileged families in the management of their household economy. Additionally within remote areas or communities the bank hosts talks on financial literacy and the importance of savings. BBVA also indulges in social campaigns whereby it educates and encourage customers to save and demonstrate to customers effective ways to utilise their income and how to effectively monitor their expenses.
International Internship Programs
BBVA trains young people and in addition to that offers young people internship opportunities in the countries that it is based in. They have an employment portal for students who can apply for internships by sending in their Curriculum Vitae for any vacancies. Interns are employed based on merit thereby eliminating any discrimination.
Grants and Scholarships
BBVA and its subsidiaries offers scholarships to Masters students in Barcelona, Spain. The BBVA Compass Bank Mortgage Graduate Student Scholarship is given to students $2500 annually to support the education of hardworking students.
Notable Activities
Promotion of Human- and Civil Rights
BBVA´s microfinance foundation aims to support entrepreneurs or customers from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to attain sustainable development through ‘Responsible Productive Finance’. This has helped around 27% of its customers from disadvantaged backgrounds rise out of poverty.
Activities in the Field of Humanitarian Aid
In 2013 BBVA allocated €97 million to social programmes, such as the training of underprivileged entrepreneurs as well as educating children with the aim of having a social impact thus creating a fairer and more equal societies.
Supporting Music and Visual Arts
BBVA appreciates art and culture and due to this has its own collection of arts. It has over 3000 major pieces of arts, ranging from Spanish, Italian and Flemish artworks. Their art collections are based on varied themes such as gothic, modernism, romanticism, and "20th century Spanish art".
Supporting Film Industry
The BBVA Mountain Film Festival is an international festival which occurs every year in Spain. This festival is supported by BBVA Bank. This festival was incorporated on 26 September 2006.
Supporting Sport
The firm does support sports specifically football and basketball. For example the Liga BBVA a worldwide competition was an agreement made by BBVA and Professional Football League (LFP) whereby BBVA sponsored this competition. However, in 2010 the BBVA became the 'official bank' - the world's most important basketball league after they signed a long-term agreement with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The agreement with the NBA involves the women's league (WNBA) and the NBA Development League which are both in the United States and Spain.
