Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria : BBVA Compass’s “ownership” of client experience a key component to entrepreneurial-minded Florida market

Community-driven

The bank has a network of volunteer chapters across its footprint, led by volunteer chapter officers, including a volunteer chapter president. Before 2017, BBVA Compass' Gainesville market was without a volunteer chapter.

'When Robert came on board as the city president, we had his full support to get a chapter here,' said Colleen Ayres, the bank's Gainesville Volunteer Chapter President and relationship support specialist. 'We proved that we really wanted a volunteer chapter. Our employees were involved in the community before we had a chapter, so we had enough involvement already to establish that group last year.'

The volunteer chapter works regularly on community-driven initiatives with organizations such as Junior Achievement and the Boys and Girls Club of Alachua County, focusing on financial literacy and other important topics.

Their achievements and dedication in their first year of the chapter's existence culminated in being recognized as the bank's Volunteer Chapter of the Year, reaching a staggering 795% of their goal for community service volunteer hours, surpassing other milestones as well. The chapter also represents Ocala, Spring Hill and Inverness, Fla.

How did the group get off to such a good start in its infancy?

'Volunteering is second nature to our employees,' claimed Ayres.

No. 1 spot on the business side

While the Gainesville team's community accolades are certainly worthy of the spotlight, so are their recognitions on the business side.

The market's retail team, led by District Retail Executive Chuck Sprague (who is also the chair of the Junior Achievement chapter), was deemed the no. 1 retail team across the bank in 2017, based off of customer scores. In addition, Alachua County awarded BBVA Compass's Gainesville operations as the Business Partner of the Year for 2017.

BBVA Compass seems to be running well on all cylinders in Central Florida. What does Robert McDaniel attribute the success to?

'Experience,' said McDaniel. 'We have a lot of people who have been in this for a long time, and we have a great partnership between our teams and our lines of business. That helps a lot with our success.'

For more information on BBVA Compass' products and services, go to BBVACompass.com.