Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA) is a Spain-based international financial group. The Company’s activities are focused in such business units as banking, pension and insurance in Spain and Portugal, Mexico and South America. BBV and Argentaria announced their planned merger on 19th October 1999. The goal was to continue creating value. The new bank (BBVA) had the advantages of significant size, a strong capital base, a considerable financial structure and appropriate geographic diversification of its business and risks. As a result there was a greater profit potential. In the USA and Puerto Rico, the Bank only comprises banking business. In addition, The Company has two cross-sectorial business units, Corporate and Investment Banking and Global Retail & Business Banking, which includes retail banking, commercial and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) banking, payment systems, consumer finance and private banking, among others. BBVA is a parent company of Grupo Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, which comprises such entities as BBVA Banco Frances SA and BBVA International Limited, among others. In December 2013, the Company sold of the entirety of its about 98.92% direct and indirect interest in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (Panama) SA (BBVA Panama) to Leasing Bogota SA, Panama.