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Fourth quarter U.S. Regional Watch conducted from the campus of The University of Arizona on Monday, December 14 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BBVA Compass today announced that it will hold a teleconference and webcast to discuss economic results from its recently completed fourth quarter U.S. Regional Watch at 11:00 a.m. Central Time on Monday, December 14, 2009. Hosted in conjunction with The University of Arizona Eller College of Management, the presentation will discuss economic data and analysis from the BBVA Compass U.S. Regional Watch, a quarterly publication that offers a detailed look at key issues that impact the U.S. economy and the economies of the Sunbelt Region. "It is clear that the worst of the recession has passed," said Nathaniel Karp, BBVA Compass U.S. chief economist. "The economy expanded in the third quarter, financial conditions are stabilizing, residential investment grew for the first time since 2005, consumer spending is picking up and business inventories are more in-line with sales. Nevertheless, the economy is still weak, the unemployment rate broke 10% for the first time since 1983 and many challenges lie ahead." The fourth quarter U.S. Regional Watch provides timely information on a number of subjects including: -- Global Outlook -- U.S. Economic Outlook -- Regional Economic Outlook - Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico and Texas -- Exports: Trends at the State Level -- State Economic Forecasts -- Estimating Potential State GDP -- State Fiscal Update In addition, this quarter's publication includes an article on the "Arizona-Sonora Border Region" written by research partner The University of Arizona Eller College of Management, and an article on "The Recession and Workforce in Alabama" written by The University of Alabama Center for Business & Economic Research. BBVA Compass' fourth quarter U.S. Regional Watch teleconference and webcast will take place from the campus of The University of Arizona. The presentation will be conducted by Nathaniel Karp, BBVA Compass U.S. chief economist with supporting commentary from Marshall J. Vest, director of the Economic and Business Research Center (EBR) at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management. Interested parties may access the call via either the Internet or telephone. Internet access to the call and to the supporting slide presentation will be available through BBVA Compass' website at http://www.bbvacompass.com/. Click on the link labeled U.S. Regional Watch to access the webcast and slide presentation. For telephone access, dial 877-833-0673 (domestic) or 706-758-5063 (international), conference ID 45823398. Telephone participants are requested to dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call to allow time for all participants to log in. A live question and answer session will follow the presentation. Questions can also be submitted by e-mail to . A replay of the teleconference will be available through BBVA Compass' website and by telephone at 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291 (conference ID 45823398) until midnight on December 28, 2009. ABOUT BBVA COMPASS BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 748 branches including 410 in Texas, 92 in Alabama, 66 in California, 77 in Arizona, 45 in Florida, 36 in Colorado and 22 in New Mexico. BBVA Compass is the 15th largest U.S. commercial bank based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Texas (4th), Alabama (3rd) and Arizona (5th). Additional information concerning BBVA Compass can be found on our website at http://www.bbvacompass.com/. BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of Compass Bancshares, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BBVA (NYSE:BBV) (MAD: BBVA). BBVA is a financial services group with more than $785 billion in total assets, 48 million clients, 7,600 branches and approximately 105,000 employees in more than 30 countries. BBVA ranks among the top seven largest financial institutions in the world based on market capitalization and 20th in Global Finance magazine's list of the "World's 50 Safest Banks" for 2009. BBVA provides its customers around the world with a full range of financial services, including commercial and wholesale banking, retail banking services, consumer loans, mortgages, credit cards, securities brokerage, wealth management, pension plan management and insurance. The BBVA Group maintains a leadership position in Spain, Mexico, Latin America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States as well as operations in China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA ELLER COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT The Eller College of Management at The University of Arizona is internationally recognized for pioneering research, innovative curriculum, distinguished faculty, excellence in entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the Economic and Business Research Center (EBR). EBR continues its proud service to the citizens of Arizona by providing information and research on the economy that is vital to decision makers in both the public and private sectors. Editor's note: BBVA Compass is the brand name of Compass Bank and is a trademark of Compass Bancshares, Inc. DATASOURCE: BBVA Compass CONTACT: Ed Bilek, External Communications of BBVA Compass, +1-205-297-3331, Web Site: http://www.bbvacompass.com/

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