If only securities being registered on
this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.
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If any of the securities being registered
on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the
following box.
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If this Form is filed to register additional
securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
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If this Form is a post-effective amendment
filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement
number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
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If this Form is a registration statement
pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.
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If this Form is a post-effective amendment
to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes
of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
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If an emerging growth company that prepares
its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended
transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B)
of the Securities Act.
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Description
of the Notes of BBVA
This section describes the general terms
and provisions of the indenture dated as of July 28, 2016 (the “senior indenture”) between BBVA as issuer and
The Bank of New York Mellon as trustee, which sets forth certain provisions with respect to the senior notes that may be offered
by BBVA, the indenture dated as of June 25, 2019 (the “senior non-preferred indenture”) between BBVA as issuer and
The Bank of New York Mellon as trustee, which sets forth certain provisions with respect to the senior non-preferred notes that
may be offered by BBVA and the indenture dated as of July 28, 2016 (the “subordinated indenture”) between BBVA
as issuer and The Bank of New York Mellon as trustee, which sets forth certain provisions with respect to the subordinated notes
that may be offered by BBVA. In this section “Description of the Notes of BBVA”, we will refer to the senior notes,
the senior non-preferred notes and the subordinated notes as the “notes” and the senior indenture, the senior non-preferred
indenture and the subordinated indenture as the “indentures”. In this section, “Description of the Notes of BBVA,”
the term “holder” shall mean the person in whose name the notes are registered, unless otherwise indicated herein or
in the applicable prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of a particular series of notes
and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those notes. If there is any conflict between the prospectus
supplement and this prospectus, then the terms and provisions in the prospectus supplement apply unless they are inconsistent with
the terms of the indentures or the supplemental indenture or Board resolution creating a particular series of notes.
Material information about the notes and
indentures is summarized below and in the applicable prospectus supplement. Because this is only a summary, however, it does not
contain all the details found in the full text of the indentures and the notes. If you would like additional information, you should
read the indentures and the notes as well as the supplemental indenture or Board resolution creating a particular series of notes
or the officer’s certificate for such series. Whenever we refer to specific provisions of or terms defined in the indentures
in this prospectus we incorporate by reference into this prospectus such specific provisions of or terms defined in the indentures.
BBVA may issue future notes under other
indentures or documentation which contain provisions different from those included in the indentures described here. BBVA is not
prohibited under the notes or indentures from paying any amounts due under any of its obligations at a time when they are in default
or have failed to pay any amounts due under the notes or indentures.
The senior notes will be issued under the
senior indenture, the senior non-preferred notes will be issued under the senior non-preferred indenture and the subordinated notes
will be issued under the subordinated indenture. Each of such indentures has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration
statement that includes this prospectus and is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Under the provisions of the Trust Indenture
Act, if the same institution acts as trustee under more than one indenture of BBVA (such as the senior indenture, the senior non-preferred
indenture, the subordinated indenture or the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture), upon a default in any series
of securities issued under any such indenture, the trustee may be deemed to have a conflicting interest and may be required to
resign under any other indentures and a successor trustee will be appointed thereunder.
General
The indentures do not limit the aggregate
principal amount of notes that BBVA may issue under them.
Neither the indentures nor the notes will
limit or otherwise restrict the amount of other indebtedness or other securities which BBVA or any of its subsidiaries may incur
or issue. BBVA can issue notes from time to time in one or more series, up to any aggregate principal amount that BBVA may authorize.
The notes will be direct, unconditional and unsecured debt obligations of BBVA.
The indentures provide that there may be
more than one trustee under such indentures, each with respect to one or more series of notes. Any trustee may resign or be removed
with respect to any series of notes issued under the indentures and a successor trustee may be appointed.
BBVA or any of its subsidiaries may at
any time purchase senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated notes at any price in the open market or otherwise in
accordance with prevailing Spanish law and the Bank of Spain’s requirements or, in the case of the subordinated notes or
senior non-preferred notes, the Applicable Banking Regulations (as defined herein).
Terms of the Notes Specified in the Applicable Prospectus
Supplement
The applicable prospectus supplement will
describe the terms of the offered notes, including, where applicable, some or all of the following:
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the title of the notes and series in which these notes will be included;
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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the notes;
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with respect to a series of senior notes or subordinated notes, whether the notes may be converted into or exercised or exchanged
for debt or equity securities of BBVA or one or more third parties, the terms on which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur,
including whether conversion, exercise or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at BBVA’s option, the period
during which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur, the initial conversion, exercise or exchange price or rate and the circumstances
or manner in which the amount of securities issuable or deliverable upon conversion, exercise or exchange may be adjusted;
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the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which the notes will be issued;
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if any of the notes are to be issuable in global form, when they are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether beneficial
owners of interests in such notes may exchange such interests for notes of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized
form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur; (ii) the name of the depository with
respect to any global note; and (iii) the form of any legend or legends that must be borne by any such note in addition to
or in lieu of that set forth in the relevant indenture;
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the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates will be determined, on which the principal
of the offered notes is payable and, if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion payable or the method or methods
by which the portion of the principal amount of the notes payable on such date or dates is determined;
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the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the offered notes will bear interest, if any, or the method or
methods, if any, by which such rate or rates will be determined and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
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the date or dates from which interest on the notes, if any, will accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date
or dates will be determined;
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the date or dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable, the date or dates on which payment of such interest, if
any, will commence and the regular record dates for the interest payment dates, if any;
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whether and under what circumstances additional amounts on the notes must be payable;
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the notice, if any, to holders of the notes regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate note and the manner
of giving such notice;
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if certificates representing the notes will be issued in temporary or permanent global form, the manner in which any principal,
premium, if any, or interest payable on those global notes will be paid if other than as provided in the indentures;
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each office or agency where, subject to the terms of the indenture, the principal, premium and interest, if any, and additional
amounts, if any, on the notes will be payable, where the notes may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange and where
notices or demands to or upon BBVA in respect of the notes or the indenture may be served;
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whether any of the notes are to be redeemable at the option of BBVA or, with respect to a series of senior notes or subordinated
notes, of the holder thereof (including pursuant to any redemption provisions in addition to those set forth in the prospectus)
and, if so, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such
notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of BBVA or, with respect to a series of senior notes or subordinated
notes, the holder and the terms and provisions of such redemption;
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with respect to a series of senior notes or subordinated notes, whether BBVA is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such
notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of any holder thereof and, if so, the period or periods
within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such notes must be redeemed or purchased,
in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such notes;
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the denomination in which the notes will be issuable;
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whether any of the notes will be issued as original issue discount notes;
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if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such notes that shall be payable
upon declaration of acceleration of maturity thereof or the method by which such portion is to be determined;
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if other than U.S. dollars, the currencies or currency units or composite currencies in which the principal, premium, if any,
interest, if any, and additional amounts, if any, for the notes will be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent of
such currencies in U.S. dollars;
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whether the notes are senior notes issued pursuant to the senior indenture, senior non-preferred notes issued pursuant to the
senior non-preferred indenture or subordinated notes issued pursuant to the subordinated indenture or whether the relevant prospectus
supplement includes notes of each such type;
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if BBVA or a holder may elect payment of the principal, premium, and interest or additional amounts, if any, on the notes in
a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency different from the one in which the notes are denominated
or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which and terms and conditions on which such election may be made, as well
as the time and manner of determining the exchange rate;
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whether the amount of payments of principal of, premium and interest, if any, on or any additional amounts on the notes may
be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods which may, but need not be, based on one or more currencies,
currency units or composite currencies, commodities, equity or other indices, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and
the manner in which these amounts will be determined;
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any deletions, modifications or additions to the events of default or covenants of BBVA with respect to the notes set forth
in the relevant indenture;
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with respect to a series of senior notes or subordinated notes, the defeasance provisions of the relevant indenture applicable
to such notes and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the defeasance provisions of the relevant
indenture;
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if any notes are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such notes to be authenticated
and delivered;
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if any of the notes are to be issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue
or upon exchange of a temporary note) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions,
then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
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the identity of the trustee(s) and, if other than the applicable trustee, the identity of each security registrar, paying agent
and authenticating agent;
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the “Stated Intervals” and the “Record Date” for purposes of Sections 312(a) (in the case of non-interest
bearing notes) and 316(c), respectively, of the Trust Indenture Act;
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the deed of issuance (
escritura de emisión
), if required, which shall be in Spanish language, related to the
notes;
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any material U.S. federal or Spanish income tax considerations applicable to the notes to the extent not described in this
prospectus;
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any deletions from (which may be in its entirety), modifications or additions to the additional amounts payable with respect
to the notes; and
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any other terms of the notes, which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the relevant indenture (as amended, if
applicable, by the relevant supplemental indenture).
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BBVA may issue notes as original issue
discount notes. An original issue discount note is a note, including a zero coupon note, offered at a discount from the principal
amount of the note due at its maturity. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the amount payable in the event of an
acceleration and other special factors applicable to any original issue discount notes.
Payments of Additional Amounts
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, any amounts to be paid with respect to the notes shall be paid without withholding or deduction for or on
account of any and all present or future taxes or duties of whatever nature unless such withholding or deduction is required by
law. Except as otherwise provided herein, in the event any such withholding or deduction is imposed or levied on any payment on
senior notes or subordinated notes or on payment of interest on senior non-preferred notes, by or on behalf of Spain or any political
subdivision or authority thereof or therein having the power to tax, BBVA will pay to the relevant holder such additional amounts
as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received by the holder, after such withholding or deduction equals, in the case
of senior notes and the subordinated notes, the respective amounts of principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, and sinking
fund payments, if any, and in the case of senior non-preferred notes, the amount of interest, if any, which would otherwise have
been receivable in respect of the notes in the absence of such withholding or deduction; except that no such additional amounts
will be payable with respect to any note:
(a) to, or to a third party on behalf of,
a holder who is liable for such taxes or duties by reason of such holder (or the beneficial owner for whose benefit such holder
holds such note) having some connection with Spain other than the mere holding of such note (or such beneficial interest) or the
mere crediting of the note to such holder’s account; or
(b) presented for payment (where presentation
is required) more than 30 days after the Relevant Date (as defined herein) except to the extent that the holder would have been
entitled to additional amounts on presenting the same for payment on such thirtieth day assuming that day to have been a business
day in such place of presentment; or
(c) in respect of any tax, assessment or
other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the failure by the holder or beneficial owner of that note to
comply with certification, information or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the
holder or beneficial owner of that note, if compliance is required by statute or by regulation of Spain or of any political subdivision
or taxing authority thereof or therein as a precondition to reduction of or relief or exemption from the tax, assessment or other
governmental charge; or
(d) presented for payment (where presentation
is required) by or on behalf of a holder who would be able to avoid such withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant note
to another paying agent; or
(e) in the event that such note is
redeemed pursuant to a Redemption for Failure to List (as such term is defined below under “—Redemption—Early
Redemption of Senior Notes, Senior Non-Preferred Notes and Subordinated Notes for Listing Reasons”).
Additional amounts will also not be paid
with respect to any payment to a holder who is a fiduciary, partnership, limited liability company or person other than the sole
beneficial owner of that payment, to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of Spain (or any political subdivision
thereof) to be included in the income, for Spanish tax purposes, of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary, member
of such partnership, interest holder in that limited liability company or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to
such additional amounts had it been the holder.
No additional amounts will be paid by BBVA
or any paying agent on account of any deduction or withholding from a payment on, or in respect of, the notes where such deduction
or withholding is imposed pursuant to any agreement with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in connection with Sections 1471-1474
of the Code (as defined herein) and the U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder (“FATCA”), any intergovernmental agreement
between the United States and Spain or any other jurisdiction with respect to FATCA, or any law, regulation or other official guidance
enacted in any jurisdiction implementing, or relating to, FATCA or any intergovernmental agreement.
As used above, “Relevant Date”
means the date on which any payment first becomes due and payable, except that if the full amount of the moneys payable has not
been received by the paying agent on or prior to such due date, it means the first date on which, the full amount of such moneys
having been so received and being available for payment to the holders and notice to that effect is duly given to the holders in
accordance with the provisions set forth under “—Notices” below.
Any reference to, in the case of senior
notes and the subordinated notes, principal, interest, premium or sinking funds, and, in the case of senior non-preferred notes,
interest, shall be deemed to include additional amounts to the extent payable in respect thereof.
Redemption
The applicable prospectus supplement will
indicate, if applicable, the date or dates on or after which, or the period or periods, if any, during which and the price or prices
at which BBVA or, with respect to a series of senior notes or subordinated notes, the holders of the notes may, pursuant to any
redemption provisions in addition to those set forth below, redeem the notes, and the other terms and provisions of such redemption.
Common Terms
BBVA may, subject to the restrictions described
in this section and, in the case of subordinated notes, to the prior approval of the relevant authority and, in the case of the
senior non-preferred notes, in compliance with Applicable Banking Regulations (as defined below) and, if required, with the prior
consent of the Regulator (as defined below), redeem the notes of any series it has issued. Subject to such restrictions, BBVA may,
at its option, redeem the notes of any series, in each case at any time with not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days’
notice (90 days’ notice with respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series) given in the manner described under
“—Notices” below and in the applicable prospectus supplement and indenture.
Except as otherwise specified below or
in the relevant prospectus supplement, the redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount (or such other redemption
amount as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement) plus interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption.
If BBVA or, with respect to a series of
senior notes or subordinated notes, the holders (where applicable) elect to redeem the notes of any series, the applicable redemption
price will become due and payable on such notes or portion thereof to be redeemed and, if applicable, they will cease to accrue
interest from the redemption date, unless BBVA fails to pay the redemption price on such redemption date.
If BBVA or, with respect to a series of
senior notes or subordinated notes, the holders (where applicable) have elected to redeem the notes of any series but prior to
the deposit with the trustee or with a paying agent, as the case may be, of the redemption price with respect to such redemption
(or in the case of senior non-preferred notes, prior to the payment of the redemption price to the holders) the Relevant Spanish
Resolution Authority exercises its Spanish Bail-in Power with respect to such notes, the relevant redemption notice shall be automatically
rescinded and shall be of no force and effect, and no payment of the redemption price (and any accrued interest and additional
amounts payable under the relevant indenture) will be due and payable.
Early Redemption of Senior Notes, Senior Non-Preferred
Notes and Subordinated Notes for Taxation Reasons
Unless otherwise provided in the notes
of any series, all (but not less than all) of the senior notes or subordinated notes of any series, and all or part of the senior
non-preferred notes of any series, may be redeemed at the option of BBVA, if, as a result of any change in or amendment to the
laws or regulations of Spain (including any treaty to which Spain is a party) or any political subdivision or any authority or
agency thereof or therein having power to tax, or any change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations,
which change, amendment, application or interpretation becomes effective on or after the date of the applicable prospectus supplement
(or, in the case of senior non-preferred notes, on or after the issue date), either (i) BBVA would become obligated to pay
additional amounts in making any payments under the notes, as described in the section entitled “—Payments of Additional
Amounts” above, with respect to such payment, or (ii) BBVA would not be entitled to claim a deduction in computing tax
liabilities in Spain in respect of any interest to be paid on the next interest payment date on such notes or the value of such
deduction to BBVA would be materially reduced,
provided
that in the case of (i) above BBVA is not permitted to give
notice to the trustee of the redemption earlier than 60 days (90 days with respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series)
prior to the earliest date on which BBVA would be obligated to deduct or withhold tax or pay additional amounts were a payment
on the notes then due.
Early Redemption of Senior Notes, Senior Non-Preferred
Notes and Subordinated Notes for Listing Reasons
If any series of notes is not listed on
an organized market in an Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) country by the date that
is 45 days prior to the initial interest payment date on such series of notes, BBVA may, at its option and having given no less
than 15 days’ notice (which notice will be irrevocable) to the holders of such series of notes (ending on a day which is
no later than the business day immediately preceding such initial interest payment date) in accordance with the terms described
below under “—Notices” and in the applicable prospectus supplement and indenture, redeem all (but not less than
all) of the outstanding notes of such series (any such redemption, a “Redemption for Failure to List”) at the redemption
price;
provided
that from and including the issue date of the notes of such series to and including such interest payment
date, BBVA will use its reasonable efforts to obtain or maintain such listing, as applicable.
In the event of a Redemption for Failure
to List, if required by the relevant Spanish law and regulation, BBVA will withhold tax and will pay interest in respect of the
principal amount of the notes redeemed net of the Spanish withholding tax applicable to such payments (currently 19%). If this
were to occur, BBVA would not pay additional amounts and beneficial owners would have to follow the procedures set forth in the
relevant prospectus supplement in order to apply directly to the Spanish tax authorities for any refund to which they may be entitled.
Early Redemption of Senior Non-Preferred Notes
upon an Eligible Liabilities Event
BBVA may redeem all (but not less than
all) of the senior non-preferred notes of a series at the redemption price if an Eligible Liabilities Event (as defined below)
occurs on or after the issue date of such senior non-preferred notes.
“Eligible Liabilities Event”
means, when used with respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series, a change (or any pending change which the Regulator
(as defined below) considers sufficiently certain) in Spanish law or Applicable Banking Regulations (as defined below) on or after
the issue date of such notes or any official a pplication or interpretation thereof, that results (or is likely to result) in such
senior non-preferred notes not being (or ceasing to be) fully eligible for inclusion in the Eligible Liabilities Amount (as defined
below); provided that an Eligible Liabilities Event shall not occur where such ineligibility for inclusion of such senior non-preferred
notes in the Eligible Liabilities Amount is due to the remaining maturity of such senior non-preferred
notes being less than any period prescribed by any applicable
eligibility criteria under the Applicable Banking Regulations (or any other regulations applicable in Spain from time to time)
which was effective on the issue date of such senior non-preferred notes.
“Applicable Banking Regulations”
means, when used with respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series, at any time the laws, regulations, requirements,
guidelines and policies relating to capital adequacy, resolution and/or solvency then applicable to BBVA and/or the BBVA Group
including, without limitation to the generality of the foregoing, CRD V (as defined below), the BRRD (as defined below), the SRM
Regulation and those laws, regulations, requirements, guidelines and policies relating to capital adequacy, resolution and/or solvency
then in effect in Spain (whether or not such regulations, requirements, guidelines or policies have the force of law and whether
or not they are applied generally or specifically to BBVA and/or the BBVA Group).
“BRRD” means, when used with
respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series, Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of the
European Union of May 15 establishing the framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment
firms or such other directive as may come into effect in place thereof, as implemented into Spanish law by Law 11/2015 and RD 1012/2015,
as amended, replaced or supplemented from time to time (including as amended by Directive 2019/879 of the European Parliament and
the Council of May 20, 2019) and including any other relevant implementing or developing regulatory provisions.
“CRD V” means any or any combination
of the CRD Directive (as defined below), the CRR (as defined below) and any CRD Implementing Measures (as defined below).
“CRD Directive” means, when
used with respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series, Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council
of June 26 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment
firms, amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directives 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC, as amended, replaced or supplemented from
time to time (including as amended by Directive 2019/878 of the European Parliament and the Council of May 20, 2019).
“CRD Implementing Measures”
means, when used with respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series, any regulatory capital rules implementing or developing
the CRD Directive or the CRR which may from time to time be introduced, including, but not limited to, delegated or implementing
acts (regulatory technical standards) adopted by the European Commission, national laws and regulations, and regulations and guidelines
issued by the Regulator, the European Banking Authority or any other relevant authority, which are applicable to BBVA (on a standalone
basis) or the BBVA Group (on a consolidated basis), including, without limitation, Law 10/2014 and any other regulation, circular
or guidelines implementing or developing Law 10/2014, as amended, replaced or supplemented from time to time.
“CRR” means, when used with
respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series, Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of June 26, on the prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms, as amended, replaced or supplemented
from time to time (including as amended by Regulation 876/2019 of the European Parliament and the Council of May 20, 2019).
“Eligible Liabilities Amount”
means the amount of eligible liabilities of BBVA or the BBVA Group for the purposes of Article 45 of the BRRD or Applicable Banking
Regulations or any other regulations applicable in Spain from time to time.
“Regulator” means, when used
with respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Spain or the Relevant Spanish
Resolution Authority, as applicable, or such other or successor authority having primary bank supervisory authority, in each case,
with respect to prudential or resolution matters in relation to BBVA and/or the BBVA Group from time to time.
Form, Transfer, Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable
prospectus supplement, each series of notes will be issued in registered form only, without coupons. There will not be any service
charge for any transfer or exchange of notes payable to BBVA, but BBVA may require payment to cover any tax or other governmental
charge payable and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the trustee) that may be imposed in that regard.
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement
provides otherwise, the principal, premium and interest (and any additional amounts) on the notes of a particular series will be
payable, and transfer or exchange of the notes will be registrable, at the corporate trust office of The Bank of New York Mellon
under the applicable indenture. However, if specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, BBVA may elect to pay any interest
by check mailed to the address of the entitled person as it appears in the security register at the close of business on the regular
record date for the interest or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement
provides otherwise, payment of interest on and any additional amounts with respect to a note on any interest payment date will
be made to the person in whose name the note is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
Global Certificates
BBVA may issue the notes of a series in
whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates representing the notes. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable
prospectus supplement, DTC will act as securities depository for the notes. Therefore, BBVA will issue the notes only as registered
securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s nominee) and will deposit with DTC one or more registered
certificates representing in aggregate the total number of such notes.
As long as DTC or its nominee is the registered
holder of a global certificate representing notes, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and
holder of the notes represented by that global certificate for all purposes under the applicable indenture and the notes. Except
as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a note represented by a global certificate will not be entitled to have the
notes represented by such global certificate registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery
of certificated notes and will not be considered the holders of such notes under the applicable indenture. Accordingly, each person
owning a beneficial interest in a note represented by a global certificate must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person
is not a participant in DTC, on the procedures of the participant in DTC through which the person owns its interest, to exercise
any rights of a beneficial owner under the applicable indenture.
Beneficial interests in notes of any series
represented by a global certificate will be exchangeable for notes of such series represented by individual security certificates,
or certificated notes, and registered in the name or names of owners of such beneficial interests as specified in instructions
provided by DTC to the trustee only if: (i) the depository is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository
or has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor depository is not appointed
by BBVA within 60 days of the date BBVA is so informed in writing; (ii) BBVA executes and delivers to the trustee a company
order to the effect it has elected to cause the issuance of definitive registered securities, (iii) an event of default has
occurred and is continuing with respect to the securities, or (iv) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition
to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by the relevant prospectus supplement.
Outstanding Notes
In determining whether the holders of the
requisite principal amount of outstanding notes of a series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent
or waiver under the notes of such series or the relevant indenture, any note owned by BBVA or any other obligor upon the notes
or any affiliate of BBVA or such other obligor (if any such notes are so owned), will be deemed not to be outstanding. In addition,
(i) the portion of the principal amount of an original issue discount note (if any) that will be outstanding will be the amount
that would be declared due and payable as of the date of determination, (ii) the principal amount of a note denominated in a foreign
currency will be the dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such note, of the principal amount (or,
in the case of an original issue discount note, the dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such note of the amount
determined in (i) above) of such note and (iii) the principal amount of an indexed note that will be outstanding will be the principal
face amount determined on the date of its original issuance.
Modifications and Waivers
Modification of the Indenture with Consent
of Holders
BBVA and the applicable trustee may amend
or modify the applicable indenture, may modify the rights of holders under such indenture and may waive any future compliance with
such indenture by BBVA with the consent, as evidenced in an Act or Acts (as defined in the relevant indenture), of the holders
of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes of each series affected thereby voting as a class. However,
the modification, amendment or waiver may not, without the consent or the affirmative vote of the holder of each note affected:
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change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium or installment of interest on or any additional amounts with
respect to, any note, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon (except that holders of not less than
75% in principal amount of outstanding notes of a series may consent by Act, on behalf of the holders of all of the outstanding
notes of such series, to the postponement of the stated maturity of any installment of interest for a period not exceeding three
years from the original stated maturity of such installment (which original stated maturity shall have been fixed, for the avoidance
of doubt, prior to any previous postponements of such installment)) or any additional amounts with respect thereto;
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change any premium payable upon the redemption of such notes or otherwise;
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change the obligation of BBVA to pay additional amounts;
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reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount note (if any) that would be due and payable upon a declaration
of acceleration of the maturity of the note or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy;
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change the redemption provisions;
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with respect to the senior notes and subordinated notes, adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of the holder;
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change the place of payment or currency in which the payment of principal, any premium, interest or any additional amounts
is payable;
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impair the right to take legal action to enforce the payment when due of principal, any premium, interest or any additional
amounts with respect to the notes;
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reduce the percentage in principal amount of notes outstanding the consent of whose holders is required to modify or amend
the indenture or the terms and conditions of the notes or to waive a default under or compliance with any note or reduce the requirement
for a quorum or voting;
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modify the provisions governing modification of such indenture with the consent of holders or give waivers of past defaults,
and the consequences of such defaults, except to increase the percentage of outstanding notes of such series the consent of whose
holders is required to modify and amend such indenture or to give any such waiver and except to provide that additional provisions
of such indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of each holder of notes affected thereby; or
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change in any manner adverse to the interests of the holders of outstanding notes of any series the terms and conditions of
the obligations of BBVA in respect of the due and punctual payment of principal, premium or interest, if any, thereon or, with
respect to the senior notes and subordinated notes, any sinking fund payments, if any, provided in respect thereof;
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except in each case with respect to any modification or amendment
of the applicable indenture which is entered into as a result of, and to the extent required by, the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in
Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority or, with respect to the senior non-preferred notes, a substitution or modification
of such notes pursuant to the provisions summarized in “—Substitution and Modification of Senior Non-Preferred Notes”
below (in which case neither the consent nor the affirmative vote of any holder of any note affected will be required).
Subject to payment of the trustee’s
fees and expenses and other amounts due to the trustee, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
notes of any series on behalf of the holders of all the notes of such series may, by Act, waive any past default under the indenture
and its consequences with respect to that series, except a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest
on or any additional amounts with respect to, any notes of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision of the relevant
indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note of such series.
Modification of the Indenture without Consent
of Holders
BBVA and the applicable trustee may modify
and amend the applicable indenture without the consent of the holders to:
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evidence the succession of another entity to BBVA, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of BBVA in such
indenture and in the notes;
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add to the covenants of BBVA for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of notes or to surrender any right or power
conferred upon BBVA, provided that, in the case of a series of senior non-preferred notes, the notes do not cease to be fully eligible
for inclusion in the Eligible Liabilities Amount as a result thereof and subject further to compliance with the Applicable Banking
Regulations;
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establish the form or terms of notes of any series;
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evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment of a successor trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions
of such indenture to provide for or facilitate the administration of trusts under the indenture;
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cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any defect or inconsistency in such indenture, or make any other provisions with
respect to matters or questions arising under such indenture which do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of notes
of any series in any material respect;
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add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the terms or purposes of issue, authentication
and delivery of notes or, with respect to a series of senior notes or subordinated notes, the authorized amount of the notes;
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supplement any of the provisions of such indenture to such extent as shall be necessary, in the case of a series of senior
notes or subordinated notes, to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of notes and, in the case of a
series of senior non-preferred notes, to permit the discharge of any series of notes, in each case provided such action does not
adversely affect the interests of any holders of notes of such series or any other series in any material respect;
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add any additional events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of notes;
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secure any notes, provided that, in the case of a series of senior non-preferred notes, the notes do not cease to be fully
eligible for inclusion in the Eligible Liabilities Amount as a result thereof and subject further to compliance with the Applicable
Banking Regulations;
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delete, amend or supplement any provision of such indenture or any indenture supplement thereto, provided such actions will
not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of notes then outstanding immediately prior thereto;
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with respect to the senior non-preferred notes, delete, amend or supplement any provision of such indenture or any indenture
supplement thereto as a result of, and to the extent necessary to effect, the substitution or modification of any series of notes
pursuant to the provisions summarized in “—Substitution and Modification of Senior Non-Preferred Notes” below;
or
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delete, amend or supplement any provision of such indenture or any indenture supplement thereto as a result of, and to the
extent required by, the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority.
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Substitution and Modification of Senior Non-Preferred
Notes
Notwithstanding anything set forth in this
prospectus or the senior non-preferred indenture to the contrary, if an Eligible Liabilities Event occurs and is continuing in
respect of a series of senior non-preferred notes, BBVA may substitute all (but not only some) of such senior non-preferred notes
or modify the terms of all (but not only some) of such senior non-preferred notes, without any requirement for the consent or approval
of the holders of such senior non-preferred notes, so that the notes are substituted for, or their terms are modified to, become,
or remain, Qualifying Securities (as defined below), subject to: (i) having given not less than 30 nor more than 90 days’
notice to the holders thereof and to the trustee (which notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date for substitution
or, as applicable, modification), (ii) the prior consent of the Regulator if required pursuant to Applicable Banking Regulations,
and (iii) any variation in the terms of such senior non-preferred notes resulting from such modification or, if such senior
non-preferred notes are substituted, any difference between the terms of such senior non-preferred notes and those of the Qualifying
Securities for which they are substituted, not being materially prejudicial to the interests of holders of such senior non-preferred
notes, and BBVA having delivered an officer’s certificate to the trustee to that effect not less than five business days
prior to (i) in the case of a substitution of the senior non-preferred notes, the issue date of the relevant Qualifying Securities
for which such senior non-preferred notes are substituted or (ii) in the case of a modification of the terms and conditions
of the senior non-preferred notes, the date such modification becomes effective.
For the purposes of the immediately preceding
paragraph, in the case of a modification of the terms and conditions of a series of senior non-preferred notes, any variation in
the ranking of such senior non-preferred notes resulting from any such modification or, if such senior non-preferred notes are
substituted, any difference between their ranking and that of the Qualifying Securities for which such senior non-preferred notes
are substituted, shall be deemed not to be prejudicial to the interests of holders where the ranking of the senior non-preferred
notes or, if the senior non-preferred notes are substituted, of the Qualifying Securities for which such senior non-preferred notes
are substituted, following such substitution or modification, as the case may be, is at least the same ranking as was applicable
to such senior non-preferred notes on the issue date of such senior non-preferred notes.
For the purposes of the second immediately
preceding paragraph, the notice to be delivered by BBVA shall specify the relevant details of the manner in which the relevant
substitution or modification shall take effect and where the holders of the series of senior non-preferred notes to be substituted
or modified can inspect or obtain copies of, if such senior non-preferred notes are modified, the new terms and conditions of the
senior non-preferred notes of such series or, if such senior non-preferred notes are substituted, the Qualifying Securities for
which they are substituted. Such substitution or modification will be effected without any cost or charge to such holders.
If the senior non-preferred notes of a
series are substituted in accordance with the provisions described above, such senior non-preferred notes shall cease to bear interest
from (and including) the date of substitution thereof.
Each holder and beneficial owner of the
senior non-preferred notes of any series shall, by virtue of its acquisition of the senior non-preferred notes of any series or
any beneficial interest therein, be deemed to accept the substitution or modification of the terms of the senior non-preferred
notes of such series as set forth above and to grant to BBVA and the trustee full power and authority to take any action and/or
to execute and deliver any document in its name and/or on its behalf which is necessary or convenient to complete the substitution
or modification of the terms of the senior non-preferred notes of such series, as applicable. By its acquisition of a
senior non-preferred note, each holder (which, for these purposes,
includes each beneficial owner), to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, will be deemed to have waived any and all
claims, in law and/or in equity, against the trustee for, agreed not to initiate a suit against the trustee in respect of, and
agreed that the trustee shall not be liable for, any action that the trustee takes, or abstains from taking, in either case in
connection with the substitution or modification of the terms of the senior non-preferred notes upon the occurrence of an Eligible
Liabilities Event.
“Qualifying Securities” means,
with respect to a series of senior non-preferred notes which is subject to any substitution or modification pursuant to the provisions
described above, at any time, any securities issued by BBVA that:
(i) contain terms which comply with the
then current requirements for inclusion in the Eligible Liabilities Amount as provided under Applicable Banking Regulations, as
applicable;
(ii) have the same denomination and aggregate
outstanding principal amount, the same currency in which payments shall be payable, the same rate of interest and terms for the
determination of any applicable rate of interest, the same date of maturity and the same dates for payment of interest as such
series of senior non-preferred notes immediately prior to any substitution or modification pursuant to the provisions described
under this “—Substitution and Modification of Senior Non-Preferred Notes”;
(iii) have the same or higher ranking as
is applicable to such series of senior non-preferred notes on the issue date of such series of senior non-preferred notes as described
under “—Senior Non-Preferred Notes—Ranking of Senior Non-Preferred Notes” below;
(iv) preserve any existing rights under
the senior non-preferred notes to any accrued interest which has not been paid in respect of the period from (and including) the
interest payment date last preceding the date of any substitution or modification pursuant to the provisions described under this
“—Substitution and Modification of Senior Non-Preferred Notes”; and
(v) are listed or admitted to trading on
any stock exchange as selected by BBVA, if such series of senior non-preferred notes was listed or admitted to trading on a stock
exchange immediately prior to the relevant substitution or modification pursuant to the provisions described under this “—Substitution
and Modification of Senior Non-Preferred Notes”.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance of Senior Notes
and Subordinated Notes
BBVA may discharge the relevant indenture
with respect to any series of senior notes or subordinated notes that have not already been delivered to the applicable trustee
for cancellation and that have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or,
if redeemable at the option of BBVA, are to be called for redemption within one year, by (i) depositing or causing to be deposited
with the applicable trustee, in trust, funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such notes,
including principal, interest, premium and any additional amounts to the date of such deposit (if such notes have become due and
payable) or to the maturity date of such notes, as the case may be; (ii) paying or causing to be paid all other sums payable by
BBVA with respect to such notes; and (iii) delivering to the relevant trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of
counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent set forth in the relevant indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge
of such indenture as to such series of notes have been complied with.
BBVA may also elect to have its obligations
under the relevant indenture discharged with respect to the outstanding senior notes or subordinated notes of any series (“legal
defeasance”). Legal defeasance means that BBVA will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented
by the outstanding senior notes or subordinated notes of such series under the relevant indenture, except for:
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the rights of holders of such notes to receive principal, any premium, interest and any additional amounts when due from the
trust described below;
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the obligations of BBVA to issue temporary notes, register the transfer of notes, replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen notes, pay additional amounts, maintain an office or agency for payment and hold money for payments in trust;
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the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the applicable trustee; and
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the defeasance provisions of the applicable indenture.
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In addition, BBVA may elect to have its
obligations released with respect to certain covenants in the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture (“covenant
defeasance”). Any omission to comply with any obligations so released will not constitute a default or an event of default
with respect to the notes of any series.
In order to exercise either legal defeasance
or covenant defeasance with respect to outstanding senior notes or subordinated notes of or within any series:
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BBVA must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the applicable trustee, in trust, money, in U.S. dollars
or in the foreign currency in which such notes are payable at stated maturity, or U.S. government obligations or a combination
of money and U.S. government obligations applicable to such notes which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest
in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge when due all of the principal, interest
and any premium of such notes and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon;
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the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the
applicable indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which BBVA is a party or by which it is bound;
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no event of default or event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default with respect to
the outstanding notes of that series may have occurred and be continuing on the date of the establishment of such a trust, and
in the case of legal defeasance, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;
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BBVA must have delivered to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel of recognized standing to the effect that the beneficial
owners of such notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the legal defeasance
or covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only,
the opinion of counsel must refer to and be based upon a letter ruling of the Internal Revenue Service received by BBVA, a Revenue
Ruling published by the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law occurring after the date
of the relevant prospectus supplement;
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BBVA must have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent to such defeasance have been complied with;
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the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance must not cause the applicable trustee to have a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act (assuming all relevant notes are in default within the meaning of such Act);
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the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance must not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment
company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless such trust shall be registered under such
Act or exempt from registration thereunder; and
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in the case of the subordinated notes, BBVA shall have delivered to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel substantially
to the effect that (i) the trust funds deposited to effect the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not be subject
to any rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness (as defined below under “—Subordinated Notes—Subordination of
Subordinated Notes”), including those arising under the applicable subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture,
and (ii) after the second anniversary following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, except that if a court were
to rule under any such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained property of BBVA, no opinion is given as to
the effect of such laws on the trust funds except in certain limited circumstances set forth in the subordinated indenture.
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Unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement, if, after BBVA has deposited funds or U.S. government obligations to effect legal defeasance or covenant
defeasance with respect to senior notes or subordinated notes of any series,
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the holder of a note of such series is entitled to elect and does elect to receive payment in a currency other than that in
which such deposit has been made in respect of such note; or
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a “conversion event” (as defined below for purposes of this section) occurs in respect of the foreign currency
in which such deposit has been made; then,
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the indebtedness represented by such note shall be deemed to
have been and will be fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal, any premium, interest and any additional
amounts on such note as it becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount or other property so deposited into
the currency in which such note becomes payable as a result of such election or such conversion event based on the applicable market
exchange rate for such currency in effect on the second business day prior to such payment date, except, with respect to a conversion
event, for such foreign currency in effect at the time of the conversion event.
In this section “Description of the
Notes of BBVA”, a “conversion event” means the cessation of use of (i) a foreign currency both by the government
of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other
public institutions of or within the international banking community,
or (ii) the euro both within the European monetary system and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of
or within the European Union.
In the event BBVA effects covenant defeasance
with respect to any senior notes or subordinated notes and such notes are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of
any event of default, the amount in money and U.S. government obligations deposited in trust will be sufficient to pay amounts
due on such notes at the time of their stated maturity. They may not, however, be sufficient to pay amounts due on such notes at
the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. In this case, BBVA will remain liable to make payment of such
amounts due at the time of acceleration.
The applicable prospectus supplement may
further describe the provisions permitting legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions
described above, with respect to the senior notes or subordinated notes of a particular series.
In addition, upon the exercise of the Spanish
Bail-in Power with respect to a series of senior notes or subordinated notes which results in the redemption, cancellation, or
the conversion into other securities, of all the Amounts Due on the notes of such series or such notes otherwise ceasing to be
outstanding, the applicable indenture (and any relevant supplemental indenture) shall be deemed to be satisfied and discharged
as to such series and such notes shall thereafter be deemed to be not “outstanding”.
Satisfaction and Discharge of Senior Non-Preferred Notes
Subject to compliance with the Applicable
Banking Regulations and, if required, the prior consent of the Regulator, BBVA may discharge the senior non-preferred indenture
with respect to any senior non-preferred notes of a series that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation
and that have become due and payable, by (i) depositing or causing to be deposited with the trustee, in trust, funds in an amount
sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such senior non-preferred notes, including principal, interest, premium
and any additional amounts to the date of such deposit; (ii) paying or causing to be paid all other sums payable by BBVA with respect
to such notes; and (iii) delivering to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that
all conditions precedent set forth in the senior non-preferred indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such indenture
as to such series of notes have been complied with.
In addition, upon the exercise of the Spanish
Bail-in Power with respect to a series of senior non-preferred notes resulting in the redemption, cancellation, or the conversion
into other securities, of all the Amounts Due on such senior non-preferred notes or such senior non-preferred notes otherwise ceasing
to be outstanding, the senior non-preferred indenture shall be deemed to be satisfied and discharged as to such series and such
senior non-preferred notes shall thereafter be deemed to be not “outstanding”.
Notices
All notices to holders of registered notes
shall be validly given if in writing and mailed first-class postage prepaid to them at their respective addresses in the register
maintained by the applicable trustee or security registrar. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice given to the holder of a
global security representing senior non-preferred notes shall be sufficiently given if such notice is given in accordance with
the applicable procedures of the relevant depository.
The Trustee
The Bank of New York Mellon, the trustee
currently appointed pursuant to the indentures, has its corporate trust office located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286
and the indentures will be administered by The Bank of New York Mellon acting (except with respect to its role as security registrar)
through its London Branch at One Canada Square, London E14 5AL, United Kingdom or such other location in New York or England as
notified by the trustee to BBVA from time to time. The trustee and any trustee appointed pursuant to the senior indenture, the
senior non-preferred indenture or the subordinated indenture shall have and be subject to all the duties and responsibilities specified
with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act.
By its acquisition of any notes offered
hereunder, each holder thereof, to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, waives any and all claims, in law and/or in
equity, against the trustee for, agrees not to initiate a suit against the trustee in respect of, and agrees that the trustee shall
not be liable for, any action that the trustee takes, or abstains from taking, in either case in accordance with the exercise of
the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to the notes of such series. Additionally,
by its acquisition of any notes of any series offered hereunder, each holder thereof acknowledges and agrees that, upon the exercise
of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to such series of notes, (a) the trustee
shall not be required to take any further directions from holders of the notes of such series with respect to any portion of the
notes of such series that is written down, converted to equity and/or cancelled under the provision of the applicable indenture
which
authorizes holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the notes of a series to direct certain actions relating to the notes of such series, and (b) the applicable indenture
shall not impose any duties upon the trustee whatsoever with respect to the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant
Spanish Resolution Authority; provided, however, that notwithstanding the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant
Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to notes of a series, so long as any notes of such series remain outstanding, there shall
at all times be a trustee for the notes of such series in accordance with the relevant indenture, and the resignation and/or removal
of the applicable trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee shall continue to be governed by the relevant indenture, including
to the extent no additional supplemental indenture or amendment is agreed upon in the event the notes of such series remain outstanding
following the completion of the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power.
Subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act, the applicable trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the applicable indenture
at the request of any holder of notes, unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory
to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby.
BBVA and some of its subsidiaries maintain
deposits with and conduct other banking transactions with The Bank of New York Mellon in the ordinary course of business.
Successor Trustees
Any trustee in respect of the notes of
a series may resign or be removed by holders of a majority in principal amount of notes of such series at any time, effective upon
the acceptance by a successor trustee of the respective appointment. The indentures provide that any successor trustee will have
a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and shall be a corporation, association, company or business trust
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any of its states or territories or the District of Columbia
and in good standing. No person shall accept its appointment as a successor trustee with respect to the notes of a series unless
at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible under the relevant indenture.
Repayment of Funds
In the case of the senior notes and the
subordinated notes, all monies paid by BBVA to the applicable trustee or a paying agent for payment of principal, premium or interest
and any additional amounts on any notes which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after that payment has been made will be
repaid to BBVA, and in the case of the senior non-preferred notes, all such monies which remain unclaimed at the end of two years
after that payment has become due and payable will be paid to BBVA, in each case on BBVA’s request, and all liability of
the applicable trustee or the paying agent related to it will cease, and, if permitted by law, the holder of the applicable note
will look only to BBVA for any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect.
Prescription
All claims against BBVA for payment of
principal, premium, interest or additional amounts on or in respect of the notes will become void unless made within the earlier
of (i) six years or (ii) any applicable shorter period provided for under New York law, starting from the later of the
date on which that payment first became due and the date on which the full amount was received by the applicable trustee or the
paying agent.
Consolidation, Merger and Conveyance of Assets; Assumption
Except as provided by the events of default
with respect to the senior notes, nothing contained in the indentures or in any of the notes shall prevent any consolidation, amalgamation
or merger (and, in the case of the senior non-preferred notes, any reconstruction) of BBVA with or into any other person or persons
(whether or not affiliated with BBVA), or successive consolidations, amalgamations or mergers (and, in the case of the senior non-preferred
notes, any successive reconstructions) in which BBVA or the successor or successors of BBVA shall be a party or parties, or shall
prevent any sale, conveyance or lease (and, in the case of the senior non-preferred notes, any transfer) of the property of BBVA
as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, to any other person (whether or not affiliated with BBVA);
provided that
the person formed by or into which BBVA is consolidated, amalgamated or merged (or in the case of senior non-preferred notes, any
person formed by any reconstruction, consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any transferee or lessee of BBVA’s assets)
shall assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), interest and additional amounts, if any, on
the notes in accordance with the provisions thereof and the indentures, and the performance of every covenant of the indentures
on the part of BBVA to be performed or observed.
Any holding company or wholly-owned subsidiary
of BBVA may assume BBVA’s obligations under the notes of any series without the consent of any holder, provided that certain
conditions are satisfied, including that the successor entity has ratings for long-term senior debt (in the case of senior notes
and senior non-preferred notes) or long-term subordinated debt (in the case of subordinated notes) assigned by Standard &
Poor’s Ratings Services or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. which are the same as or
higher than the credit rating for long-term senior or subordinated
debt, as the case may be, of BBVA (or, if applicable, the previous successor entity) immediately prior to such assumption.
Upon any such assumption, all of BBVA’s
direct obligations under the notes of the relevant series and, with respect to such notes, all of BBVA’s direct obligations
under the relevant indenture shall immediately be discharged, and the successor entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for,
and may exercise every right and power of, BBVA under the indenture with respect to any such notes with the same effect as if such
successor entity had been named as BBVA in the indenture.
In the event of any merger, consolidation,
sale, conveyance or lease (or, in the case of the senior non-preferred notes, in the event of any reconstruction, consolidation,
amalgamation, merger, sale, transfer, conveyance or lease), or in the case of any assumption of obligations under the notes of
any series permitted by the relevant indenture by a successor, if the acquiring, resulting or successor person is not incorporated
or tax resident in Spain, additional amounts under the notes will be payable for taxes imposed by the jurisdiction of incorporation
or tax residence of such person (subject to exceptions equivalent to those that apply to the obligation to pay additional amounts
for taxes imposed by the laws of Spain) rather than taxes imposed by Spain. In addition, if the acquiring, resulting or successor
person is not incorporated or tax resident in Spain, it will also be entitled to redeem the notes in the circumstances described
under “—Redemption—Early Redemption of Senior Notes, Senior Non-Preferred Notes and Subordinated Notes for Taxation
Reasons” for any change or amendment to, or change in the application or official interpretation of, the laws or regulations
of such acquiring, resulting or successor person’s jurisdiction of incorporation or tax residence, which change or amendment
must occur subsequent to the date of the merger, consolidation, sale, conveyance, lease (or, in the case of the senior non-preferred
notes, the date of any reconstruction, consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale, transfer, conveyance or lease) or assumption.
An assumption of the obligations of
BBVA under any series of notes may be considered for U.S. federal income tax purposes to be a deemed exchange by the beneficial
owners of the notes of such series for new notes. In that case, U.S. taxpayers could be required to recognize a taxable gain or
loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may be subject to certain other adverse U.S. tax consequences. U.S. beneficial owners
of notes should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state and local income tax consequences of an assumption.
Governing Law
The notes and the indentures will be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into
and, in each case, performed in said state, except that the authorization and execution by BBVA of the indentures and the authorization,
issuance and execution of the notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with Spanish law. In addition, certain provisions
of the notes and the indentures related to the status of the notes and, where applicable, the subordination of the notes, and in
the case of the senior non-preferred notes, the waiver of the right of set-off and the agreement with respect to the exercise of
the Spanish Bail-in Power, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Spanish law.
Submission to Jurisdiction
Except as provided in the paragraph immediately
below, BBVA will irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or state court in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture or the notes and will irrevocably
waive, to the extent it may effectively do so, any objection which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit or proceeding.
Notwithstanding the above, the senior non-preferred
indenture and the senior non-preferred notes provide that the Spanish courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction in respect of any
suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the senior non-preferred indenture or the senior non-preferred notes arising out
of, relating to or in connection with the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority and
accordingly each of BBVA, the trustee and each holder of any senior non-preferred notes will submit, to the extent it may effectively
do so, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Spanish courts in relation to any such suit or proceeding. Each of BBVA, the trustee
and each holder of any senior non-preferred notes will further irrevocably waive, to the extent it may effectively do so, any objection
to the Spanish courts on the grounds that they are an inconvenient or inappropriate forum in respect of any such suit or proceeding.
Senior Notes
The senior notes will constitute direct,
unconditional, unsubordinated and unsecured indebtedness of BBVA and will rank
pari passu
among themselves and with all
other present and future unsubordinated and unsecured indebtedness of BBVA, but in the event of insolvency only to the extent permitted
by Spanish Law 22/2003 of July 9 (
Ley Concursal
), as amended, replaced or supplemented
from time to time (the “Insolvency Law”), regulating
insolvency proceedings in Spain, or other laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights in Spain.
Events of Default
Except as provided in the second paragraph
immediately below, “event of default”, wherever used with respect to the senior notes of any series, means any one
of the following events, unless, with respect to a particular series of senior notes, such event is specifically deleted or modified
in or pursuant to supplemental indentures or Board resolutions creating such series of senior notes or in the officer’s certificate
for such series:
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·
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default by BBVA in the payment of the principal of any senior note of such series when due and payable at its maturity and
such default is not remedied within 14 days;
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·
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default by BBVA in the payment of any interest on or any additional amounts payable in respect of any senior note of such series
when such interest becomes or such additional amounts become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 21
days;
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·
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default by BBVA in the payment of any premium or deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a senior
note of such series, and such default is not remedied in 30 days;
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·
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default in the performance or breach of certain covenants or warranties of BBVA in the senior indenture or the senior notes,
and continuance of such breach or default for a period of 30 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail,
to BBVA by the trustee or to BBVA and the trustee by any holder or the holders of any outstanding senior notes of such series a
written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice
of Default” under the senior indenture;
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·
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an order is made by any competent court commencing insolvency proceedings (
procedimientos concursales
) against BBVA
or an order of any competent court or administrative agency is made or a resolution is passed by BBVA for the dissolution or winding
up of BBVA, except in any such case for the purpose of a reconstruction or a merger or amalgamation which has been approved by
an Act of the holders of the senior notes of such series, or where the entity resulting from any such reconstruction or merger
or amalgamation is a financial institution (
entidad de crédito
according to Article 1 of Law 10/2014) and will have
a rating for long-term senior debt assigned by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Service
or Fitch Ratings Ltd. equivalent to or higher than the rating for long-term senior debt of BBVA immediately prior to such reconstruction
or merger or amalgamation;
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·
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BBVA is adjudicated or found bankrupt or insolvent by any competent court, or any order of any competent court or administrative
agency is made for, or any resolution is passed by BBVA to apply for, judicial composition proceedings with its creditors for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee or other similar official in insolvency proceedings (
procedimientos concursales
) in
relation to BBVA or of a substantial part of its assets (unless in the case of an order for a temporary appointment, such appointment
is discharged within 30 days);
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·
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BBVA (except for the purpose of an amalgamation, merger or reconstruction approved by an Act of the holders of the senior notes
of such series, or where the entity resulting from any such amalgamation, merger or reconstruction will have a rating for long-term
senior debt assigned by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Service or Fitch Ratings Ltd.
equivalent to or higher than the rating for long-term senior debt of BBVA immediately prior to such amalgamation, merger or reconstruction)
ceases or threatens to cease to directly or indirectly carry on the whole or substantially the whole of its business; or
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·
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a holder of a security interest takes possession of the whole or any substantial part of the assets or business of BBVA or
an order of any competent court or administrative agency is made for the appointment of an administrative or other receiver, manager,
administrator or similar official in relation to BBVA or in relation to the whole or any substantial part of the business or assets
of BBVA (in each case, other than in connection with a Resolution or an Early Intervention with respect to BBVA), or a distress
or execution is levied or enforced upon or sued out against any substantial part of the business or assets of BBVA and is not discharged
within 30 days.
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For the purpose of the above definition,
a report by the external auditors from time to time of BBVA as to whether any part of the business or assets of BBVA is “substantial”
shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive.
Notwithstanding the above, any Resolution
or Early Intervention with respect to BBVA will not, in and of itself and without regard to any other fact or circumstance, constitute
a default or an event of default under the fifth and sixth bullet points set forth above or any provision of the senior indenture
with respect to the senior notes of any series. In addition, neither (i) a reduction or cancellation, in part or in full,
of the Amounts Due on the senior notes of any series, or the conversion thereof into another security or obligation of BBVA or
another person, in each case as a result of the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish
Resolution Authority with respect to BBVA, nor (ii) the
exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to the senior notes of any series,
will constitute an event of default or default under the senior indenture or the senior notes of any series. See “—Agreement
with Respect to the Exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power”. In addition, no repayment or payment of Amounts Due on the senior
notes of any series will become due and payable or be paid after the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish
Resolution Authority if, and to the extent that, such amounts have been reduced, converted, cancelled, amended or altered as a
result of such exercise.
If an event of default with respect to
the senior notes of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the applicable trustee, acting pursuant to
an Act of the holders of the senior notes of the relevant series, with respect to all outstanding senior notes of such series,
or the holder of any outstanding senior note of the relevant series, with respect to such senior note held by such holder, may
declare the principal, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the senior notes of such series, of such senior notes or
senior note, as the case may be, to be due and payable immediately in accordance with the terms of the senior indenture.
At any time after such a declaration of
acceleration with respect to the senior notes or a senior note, as the case may be, of any series has been made and before a judgment
or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the applicable trustee as provided in the senior indenture, the holders
of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior notes of such series may, by Act rescind and annul such
declaration and its consequences if:
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(i)
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BBVA has paid or deposited with the applicable trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay:
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(A)
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all overdue installments of any interest on and additional amounts with respect to all senior notes of such series;
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(B)
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the principal of and any premium on any senior notes of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration
of acceleration and interest thereon and any additional amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by or provided
for in such senior notes;
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(C)
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to the extent that payment of such interest or additional amounts is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of any interest
and additional amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such senior notes; and
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(D)
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all sums paid or advanced by the applicable trustee and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the applicable trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the applicable trustee under the senior indenture;
and
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(ii)
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all events of default with respect to senior notes of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of and any premium
and interest on, and any additional amounts with respect to senior notes of such series which have become due solely by such declaration
of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in the senior indenture.
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No such rescission shall affect any subsequent
default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Subject to payment of the applicable trustee’s
fees and expenses, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior notes of any series on
behalf of the holders of all the senior notes of such series may, by Act waive any past event of default under the senior indenture
with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium, or interest
on, or any additional amounts with respect to, any senior note of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision of the senior
indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of outstanding senior notes of such series.
No holder of any of the senior notes of
any series has the right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the senior indenture, or for the appointment
of a receiver or trustee, or any remedy thereunder, unless (i) such holder has previously given written notice to the applicable
trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the senior notes of such series; (ii) the holders of not less than
25% in principal amount of the outstanding senior notes of such series have made written request to the applicable trustee to institute
proceedings in respect of such event of default as trustee under the senior indenture with respect to such series of senior notes
and such holder or holders have offered to the applicable trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the
costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (iii) the applicable trustee has failed to
institute any such proceeding within 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and (iv) the
applicable trustee has not received any direction inconsistent with such written request during such 60-day period by the holders
of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior notes of such series.
Except as set forth in the immediately
following paragraph, notwithstanding any other provision in the senior indenture and the senior notes, the right of each holder
is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, any premium and, subject to certain provisions in the senior
indenture with respect to payment of defaulted interest, interest on, and any additional amounts with respect to, his or her senior
note or notes on or after the respective maturity or maturities therefor specified in such senior notes (or, in the case of redemption,
on or after the redemption date or, in the case of repayment at the option of such holder if provided in or pursuant to the senior
indenture, on or after the date such repayment is due) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, which cannot be impaired or affected without the consent
of such holder, except that holders of not less than 75% in principal amount of outstanding senior notes of a series may consent
by Act on behalf of the holders of all outstanding senior notes of such series, to the postponement of the maturity of any installment
of interest for a period not exceeding three years from the original maturity of such installment (which original maturity shall
have been fixed, for the avoidance of doubt, prior to any previous postponements of such installment).
The senior notes of any series may be subject
to the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power, and no holder of any senior note shall have any claim against BBVA in connection
with or arising out of any such exercise.
Within 90 days after the occurrence of
any default under the senior indenture known to the applicable trustee with respect to the senior notes of any series, such trustee
shall transmit by mail to all holders of senior notes of such series entitled to receive reports, notice of such default, unless
such default shall have been cured or waived. Except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any), or interest, if any, on, or additional amounts with respect to, any senior note of such series, such trustee may withhold
such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or responsible
officers of such trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the holders of
senior notes of such series. For the purpose of this paragraph, the term “default” means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default with respect to senior notes of such series.
Senior Non-Preferred Notes
Ranking of Senior Non-Preferred Notes
The senior non-preferred notes shall be
direct, unconditional, unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of BBVA and, upon the insolvency (
concurso de acreedores
)
of BBVA, in accordance with and to the extent permitted by the Insolvency Law and other applicable laws relating to or affecting
the enforcement of creditors’ rights in Spain (including, without limitation, Additional Provision 14.2 of Law 11/2015),
the payment obligations of BBVA under the senior non-preferred notes with respect to claims for principal (which claims will constitute
ordinary claims (as defined below)) will rank:
(i) junior to any (a) privileged claims
(
créditos privilegiados
) (which shall include, among other claims, any claims in respect of deposits for the purposes
of Additional Provision 14.1 of Law 11/2015), (b) claims against the insolvency estate (
créditos contra la masa
)
and (c) Senior Preferred Obligations (as defined below);
(ii)
pari passu
without any preference
or priority among themselves and with all other Senior Non-Preferred Obligations (as defined below); and
(iii) senior to all subordinated obligations
of, or claims against, BBVA (
créditos subordinados
), present and future,
such that any claim for principal in respect of the senior non-preferred
notes will be satisfied, as appropriate, only to the extent that all claims ranking senior to it have first been satisfied in full
and then pro rata with any claims ranking
pari passu
with it, in each case as provided above.
Claims of holders in respect of interest
on the senior non-preferred notes of any series accrued but unpaid as of the commencement of any insolvency proceeding in respect
of BBVA shall constitute subordinated claims (
créditos subordinados
) against BBVA ranking in accordance with the
provisions of the Insolvency Law (including, without limitation, junior to claims on account of principal in respect of contractually
subordinated obligations of BBVA, unless otherwise provided by the Insolvency Law or other applicable laws relating to or affecting
the enforcement of creditors’ rights in Spain). No further interest on the senior non-preferred notes of any series shall
accrue from the date of declaration of the insolvency of BBVA.
Prior to any voluntary or necessary declaration
of insolvency of BBVA under the Insolvency Law or any voluntary or mandatory liquidation of BBVA or similar procedure, BBVA may
be subject to an Early Intervention or Resolution, or to any other exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power, and the senior non-preferred
notes of any series may be subject to the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power, in which case no holder of any senior non-preferred
note shall have any claim against BBVA in connection with or arising out of any such exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power.
Each holder and beneficial owner of senior
non-preferred notes by his or her acceptance thereof, to the extent permitted by Spanish law, authorizes and directs the applicable
trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the ranking of the senior non-preferred
notes as provided in the senior non-preferred indenture and as summarized herein and appoints the applicable trustee his or her
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes, including, if required, to grant any private or public documents on such holder’s
or beneficial owner’s behalf.
“ordinary claims” means the
class of claims with respect to unsecured, non-privileged and unsubordinated obligations (
créditos ordinarios
) of
BBVA which, upon the insolvency (
concurso de acreedores
) of BBVA and pursuant to the Insolvency Law and other applicable
laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights in Spain, rank (i) junior to privileged claims (
créditos
privilegiados
) (which shall include, among other claims, any claims in respect of deposits for the purposes of Additional Provision
14.1 of Law 11/2015 and any secured claims), and claims against the insolvency estate (
créditos contra la masa
) and
(ii) senior to subordinated claims (
créditos subordinados
).
“Senior Non-Preferred Obligations”
(
créditos ordinarios no preferentes
) means the obligations of BBVA with respect to (i) the payment of principal
under the senior non-preferred notes and (ii) all other ordinary claims, present and future, which, upon the insolvency (
concurso
de acreedores
) of BBVA are expressed to rank within the ordinary claims but junior to Senior Preferred Obligations.
“Senior Preferred Obligations”
means the obligations of BBVA with respect to all ordinary claims, present and future, other than Senior Non-Preferred Obligations.
Waiver of Right of Set-off
Subject to applicable law, neither any
holder or beneficial owner of the senior non-preferred notes of any series nor the trustee acting on behalf of the holders may
exercise, claim or plead any right of set-off, compensation or retention in respect of any amount owed to it by BBVA in respect
of, or arising under, or in connection with, the senior non-preferred notes of such series or the senior non-preferred indenture
and each of them shall be deemed to have waived all such rights of set-off, compensation or retention. If, notwithstanding the
above, any amounts due and payable to any holder or beneficial owner of a senior non-preferred note of any series or any interest
therein by BBVA in respect of, or arising under, the senior non-preferred notes of such series are discharged by set-off, such
holder or beneficial owner shall, subject to applicable law, immediately pay an amount equal to the amount of such discharge to
BBVA (or, if any voluntary or involuntary liquidation of BBVA shall have occurred, the liquidator or administrator of BBVA, as
the case may be) and, until such time as payment is made, shall hold an amount equal to such amount in trust (where possible) or
otherwise for BBVA (or the liquidator or administrator of BBVA, as the case may be) and, accordingly, any such discharge shall
be deemed not to have taken place.
Events of Default
“Event of default”, wherever
used with respect to senior non-preferred notes of any series, means (whatever the reason for such event of default and whether
it shall be voluntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order,
rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) that, except as set forth in the immediately succeeding paragraph,
an order shall have been made by any competent court commencing insolvency proceedings (
procedimiento concursal
) against
BBVA or an order of any competent court or administrative agency shall have been made or a resolution shall have been passed by
BBVA for the dissolution or winding up of BBVA (except (i) in the case of a reconstruction, consolidation, amalgamation or
merger carried out in compliance with the requirements set forth under “—Consolidation, Merger and Conveyance of Assets;
Assumption” with respect to the senior non-preferred notes (in this case, even without being approved by an Act of the holders
of such series of notes) or (ii) in any such case for the purpose of a reconstruction or a consolidation or an amalgamation or
a merger which has been approved by an Act of the holders of the senior non-preferred notes of such series).
Notwithstanding any other provision of
the senior non-preferred indenture, any Resolution or Early Intervention with respect to BBVA will not, in and of itself and without
regard to any other fact or circumstance, constitute a default or an event of default under the immediately preceding paragraph
or any provision of the senior non-preferred indenture with respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series. In addition,
neither (i) a reduction or cancellation, in part or in full, of the Amounts Due on the senior non-preferred notes of any series,
or the conversion thereof into another security or obligation of BBVA or another person, in each case as a result of the exercise
of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to BBVA, nor (ii) the exercise of the
Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to the senior non-preferred notes of any series,
will constitute an event of default or default under the senior non-preferred indenture or the senior non-preferred notes of any
series or otherwise constitute non-performance of a contractual obligation, or entitle the holders of the senior non-preferred
notes of any such series to any remedies, which are hereby expressly waived. See “—Agreement with Respect to the Exercise
of the Spanish Bail-in Power”. In addition, no repayment or payment of Amounts Due on the senior non-preferred notes of any
series will become due and payable or be paid after the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution
Authority if, and to the extent that, such amounts have been reduced, converted, cancelled, amended or altered as a result of such
exercise.
If an event of default with respect to
the senior non-preferred notes of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the principal, or such lesser
amount as may be provided for in the senior non-preferred notes of such series (if applicable), of such outstanding senior non-preferred
notes or senior non-preferred note, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have been declared, and shall become, immediately and
automatically due and payable.
For the avoidance of doubt, only an event
of default (rather than any breach or default under the senior non-preferred indenture or the senior non-preferred notes of any
series) may give rise to a declaration of acceleration pursuant to the provisions summarized above.
At any time after such a declaration of
acceleration with respect to the senior non-preferred notes or a senior non-preferred note, as the case may be, of any series has
been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the applicable trustee as provided
in the senior non-preferred indenture, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior non-preferred
notes of such series may, by Act, rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
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(i)
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BBVA has paid or deposited with the applicable trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay:
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(A)
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all overdue installments of any interest on and additional amounts with respect to all senior non-preferred notes of such series;
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(B)
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the principal of and any premium on any senior non-preferred notes of such series which have become due otherwise than by such
declaration of acceleration and interest thereon and any additional amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by
or provided for in such senior non-preferred notes;
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(C)
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to the extent that payment of such interest or additional amounts is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of any interest
and additional amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such senior non-preferred notes; and
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(D)
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all sums paid or advanced by the applicable trustee and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the applicable trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the applicable trustee under the senior non-preferred
indenture; and
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(ii)
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all events of default with respect to senior non-preferred notes of such series shall have been cured or waived as provided
in the senior non-preferred indenture.
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No such rescission shall affect any subsequent
default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Subject to payment of the applicable trustee’s
fees and expenses and other amounts due to the trustee, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
senior non-preferred notes of any series on behalf of the holders of all the senior non-preferred notes of such series may, by
Act, waive any past default under the senior non-preferred indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a
default in the payment of the principal of or any premium, or interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, any senior
non-preferred note of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision of the senior non-preferred indenture that cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding senior non-preferred notes of such series.
No holder of any of the senior non-preferred
notes of any series has the right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the senior non-preferred
indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or any other remedy thereunder, unless (i) such holder has previously
given written notice to the applicable trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the senior non-preferred notes
of such series; (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding senior non-preferred notes of
such series have made written request to the applicable trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default as
trustee under the senior non-preferred indenture with respect to such series of senior non-preferred notes and such holder or holders
have offered to the applicable trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance
with such request; (iii) the applicable trustee has failed to institute any such proceeding within 60 days after its receipt
of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and (iv) the applicable trustee has not received any direction inconsistent
with such written request during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior
non-preferred notes of such series.
Except as set forth in the immediately
following paragraph, notwithstanding any other provision in the senior non-preferred indenture and the senior non-preferred notes,
the right of each holder is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, any premium and, subject to certain
provisions in the senior non-preferred indenture with respect to payment of defaulted interest, interest on, and any additional
amounts with respect to, his or her senior non-preferred note or notes on or after the respective maturity or maturities therefor
specified in such senior non-preferred notes (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date) and to institute
suit for the enforcement of any such payment, which cannot be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder, except that
holders of not less than 75% in principal amount of outstanding senior non-preferred notes of a series may consent by Act, on behalf
of the holders of all outstanding senior non-preferred notes of such series, to the postponement of the maturity of any installment
of interest for a period not exceeding three years from the original maturity of such installment (which original maturity shall
have been fixed, for the avoidance of doubt, prior to any previous postponements of such installment).
The senior non-preferred notes of any series
may be subject to the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power, and no holder of any senior non-preferred note shall have any claim
against BBVA in connection with or arising out of any such exercise.
Within 90 days after the occurrence of
any default under the senior non-preferred indenture known to the applicable trustee with respect to the senior non-preferred notes
of any series, such trustee shall transmit by mail to all holders of senior non-preferred notes of such series entitled to receive
reports, notice of such default, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that the trustee shall
be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee
of directors and/or responsible officers of such trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the
best interest of the holders of senior non-preferred notes of such series. For the purpose of this paragraph, the term “default”
means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default with respect to senior non-preferred
notes of such series.
Subordinated Notes
Subordination of Subordinated Notes
BBVA’s obligations under the subordinated
notes, whether on account of principal, interest or otherwise, will constitute direct, unconditional and subordinated obligations.
Subject to mandatory provisions of Spanish law, in the event of insolvency (
concurso
) of BBVA under the Insolvency Law,
the obligations of BBVA on account of principal of the subordinated notes will fall within the category of subordinated credits
(
créditos subordinados
) (as defined in the Insolvency Law) and will rank in right of payment after Senior Indebtedness
(as defined below) and will at all times rank
pari passu
among themselves and
pari passu
with all other present and
future subordinated credits (
créditos subordinados
) (as defined in the Insolvency Law) of BBVA, except for certain
subordinated obligations expressed, by law or by their terms, to rank senior or junior to the subordinated notes. Accordingly,
no amount shall be payable to the holders of subordinated notes until the claims with respect to all Senior Indebtedness (other
than as aforesaid) admitted in the insolvency (
concurso
) of BBVA under the Insolvency Law have been satisfied pursuant to
the laws of Spain. Additional detail on the status of the securities may be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Prior to any voluntary or necessary declaration
of insolvency (
concurso
) of BBVA under the Insolvency Law or any voluntary or mandatory liquidation of BBVA or similar procedure,
BBVA may be subject to an Early Intervention or Resolution and the subordinated notes of any series may be subject to the exercise
of the Spanish Bail-in Power, in which case no holder of any subordinated note shall have any claim against BBVA in connection
with or arising out of any such exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power.
Except as provided above, nothing contained
in the subordinated indenture or in any of the subordinated notes will affect the obligation of BBVA to make, or prevent BBVA from
making, at any time, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the subordinated notes or on account
of the purchase or other acquisition of subordinated notes or prevent the application by the applicable trustee of any moneys deposited
with it under the subordinated indenture to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest,
if any, on the subordinated notes, unless such trustee shall have received written notice of any event prohibiting the making of
such payment.
Any renewal or extension of the time of
payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument
creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done
all without notice to or assent from the holders of the subordinated notes or the applicable trustee.
No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification,
extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in
respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness
is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable
document, will in any way alter or affect any of the subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture or of the subordinated
notes relating to the subordination thereof.
Each holder of subordinated notes by his
or her acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the applicable trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary
or appropriate to effectuate the subordination of the subordinated notes as provided in the subordinated indenture and as summarized
herein and appoints the applicable trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes, including, if required, to grant
any private or public documents on such holder’s behalf.
The applicable trustee’s claims under
the subordinated indenture are not subordinated.
“Senior Indebtedness” means,
with respect to BBVA, all rights and claims, whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or thereafter created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and all amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and
refundings of indebtedness or obligations represented by such
rights and claims, (i) of privileged creditors (
acreedores privilegiados
), unsecured and unsubordinated creditors (
acreedores
comunes
), those subordinated creditors referred to in art. 92.1 of the Insolvency Law and insolvency estate creditors (
acreedores
contra la masa
) of BBVA, in each case as determined in accordance with the Insolvency Law; or (ii) if such Insolvency
Law is no longer in effect, all of such rights and claims of all creditors of BBVA, unless in any such case the instrument by which
the indebtedness or obligations represented by such rights and claims are created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed by BBVA, or
are evidenced, provides that they are subordinate, or are not superior, in right of payment to the subordinated notes.
Events of Default
“Event of default”, wherever
used with respect to subordinated notes of any series, means any one of the following events, unless, with respect to a particular
series of subordinated notes, such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to supplemental indentures or Board
resolutions creating such series of subordinated notes or in the officer’s certificate for such series:
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an order is made by any competent court commencing insolvency proceedings (
procedimientos concursales
) against BBVA
or an order of any competent court or administrative agency is made or a resolution is passed by BBVA for the dissolution or winding
up of BBVA, except in any such case for the purpose of a reconstruction or a merger or amalgamation which has been approved by
an Act of the holders relating to such series, or where the entity resulting from any such reconstruction or merger or amalgamation
is a financial institution (
entidad de crédito
according to Article 1 of Law 10/2014) and will have a rating for
long-term senior debt assigned by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Service or Fitch Ratings
Ltd. equivalent to or higher than the rating for long-term senior debt of BBVA immediately prior to such reconstruction or merger
or amalgamation; or
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any other event of default that may be specified pursuant to the subordinated indenture.
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Notwithstanding the above, any Resolution
or Early Intervention with respect to BBVA will not, in and of itself and without regard to any other fact or circumstance, constitute
a default or an event of default under the first bullet point set forth above or any provision of the subordinated indenture with
respect to the subordinated notes of any series. In addition, neither (i) a reduction or cancellation, in part or in full,
of the Amounts Due on the subordinated notes of any series, or the conversion thereof into another security or obligation of BBVA
or another person, in each case as a result of the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority
with respect to BBVA, nor (ii) the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with
respect to the subordinated notes of any series, will constitute an event of default or default under the subordinated indenture
or the subordinated notes of any series. See “—Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power”.
In addition, no repayment or payment of Amounts Due on the subordinated notes of any series will become due and payable or be paid
after the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority if, and to the extent that, such amounts
have been reduced, converted, cancelled, amended or altered as a result of such exercise.
If an event of default with respect to
the subordinated notes of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the applicable trustee, acting pursuant
to an Act of the holders of the subordinated notes of the relevant series, with respect to all outstanding subordinated notes of
such series, or the holder of any outstanding subordinated note of the relevant series, with respect to such subordinated note
held by such holder, may declare the principal, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the subordinated notes of such
series (if applicable), of such subordinated notes or subordinated note, as the case may be, to be due and payable immediately
in accordance with the terms of the subordinated indenture.
At any time after such a declaration of
acceleration with respect to the subordinated notes or a subordinated note, as the case may be, of any series has been made and
before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the applicable trustee as provided in the subordinated
indenture, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated notes of such series may,
by Act, rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
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(i)
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BBVA has paid or deposited with the applicable trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay:
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(A)
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all overdue installments of any interest on and additional amounts with respect to all subordinated notes of such series;
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(B)
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the principal of and any premium on any subordinated notes of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration
of acceleration and interest thereon and any additional amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by or provided
for in such subordinated notes;
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(C)
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to the extent that payment of such interest or additional amounts is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of any interest
and additional amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such subordinated notes; and
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(D)
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all sums paid or advanced by the applicable trustee and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the applicable trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the applicable trustee under the subordinated indenture;
and
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(ii)
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all events of default with respect to subordinated notes of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of and
any premium and interest on, and any additional amounts with respect to subordinated notes of such series which have become due
solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in the subordinated indenture.
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No such rescission shall affect any subsequent
default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Subject to payment of the applicable trustee’s
fees and expenses, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated notes of any series
on behalf of the holders of all the subordinated notes of such series may, by Act, waive any past event of default under the subordinated
indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium,
or interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, any subordinated note of such series or in respect of a covenant or
provision of the subordinated indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of outstanding subordinated
notes of such series.
No holder of any of the subordinated notes
of any series has the right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the subordinated indenture, or
for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or any remedy thereunder, unless (i) such holder has previously given written
notice to the applicable trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the subordinated notes of such series; (ii) the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated notes of such series have made written request
to the applicable trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default as trustee under the subordinated indenture
with respect to such series of subordinated notes and such holder or holders have offered to the applicable trustee reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (iii) the applicable
trustee has failed to institute any such proceeding within 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity;
and (iv) the applicable trustee has not received any direction inconsistent with such written request during such 60-day period
by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated notes of such series.
Except as set forth in the immediately
following paragraph, notwithstanding any other provision in the subordinated indenture and the subordinated notes, the right of
each holder is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, any premium and, subject to certain provisions
in the subordinated indenture with respect to payment of defaulted interest, interest on, and any additional amounts with respect
to, his or her subordinated note or notes on or after the respective maturity or maturities therefor specified in such subordinated
notes (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date or, in the case of repayment at the option of such holder
if provided in or pursuant to the subordinated indenture, on or after the date such repayment is due) and to institute suit for
the enforcement of any such payment, which cannot be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder, except that holders
of not less than 75% in principal amount of outstanding subordinated notes of a series may consent by Act, on behalf of the holders
of all outstanding subordinated notes of such series, to the postponement of the maturity of any installment of interest for a
period not exceeding three years from the original maturity of such installment (which original maturity shall have been fixed,
for the avoidance of doubt, prior to any previous postponements of such installment).
The subordinated notes of any series may
be subject to the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power, and no holder of any subordinated note shall have any claim against BBVA
in connection with or arising out of any such exercise.
Within 90 days after the occurrence of
any default under the subordinated indenture known to the applicable trustee with respect to the subordinated notes of any series,
such trustee shall transmit by mail to all holders of subordinated notes of such series entitled to receive reports, notice of
such default, unless such default shall have been cured or waived. Except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal
of (or premium, if any), or interest, if any, on, or additional amounts with respect to, any subordinated note of such series,
such trustee may withhold such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of
directors and/or responsible officers of such trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the best
interest of the holders of subordinated notes of such series. For the purpose of this paragraph, the term “default”
means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default with respect to subordinated
notes of such series.
Perpetual Subordinated Debt
BBVA may not issue subordinated notes under
the subordinated indenture that do not have a stated maturity or which are otherwise treated as equity for U.S. federal income
tax purposes.
Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of the Spanish Bail-in
Power
Notwithstanding any other term of the notes
of any series, the indentures or any other agreements, arrangements, or understandings between BBVA and any holder, by its acquisition
of any notes offered hereunder, each holder (which, for the purposes of this section, includes each holder of a beneficial interest
in the notes) acknowledges, accepts, consents to and agrees to be bound by: (i) the exercise and effects of the Spanish Bail-in
Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority, which may be imposed with or without any prior notice with respect to the notes
of any series, and may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof: (1) the reduction or cancellation
of all, or a portion, of the Amounts Due on the notes of any series; (2) the conversion of all, or a portion, of the Amounts
Due on the notes of any series into shares, other securities or other obligations of BBVA or another person (and the issue to or
conferral on the holder of any such shares, securities or obligations), including by means of an amendment, modification or variation
of the terms of the notes; (3) the cancellation of the notes of any series; (4) the amendment or alteration of the maturity
of the notes of any series or amendment of the amount of interest payable on the notes of any series, or the date on which the
interest becomes payable, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; and (ii) the variation of the terms of the
notes of any series or the rights of the holders thereunder or under the relevant indenture, if necessary, to give effect to the
exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority.
By its acquisition of any notes offered
hereunder, each holder thereof acknowledges and agrees that neither a reduction or cancellation, in part or in full, of the Amounts
Due on the notes of any series or the conversion thereof into another security or obligation of BBVA or another person, in each
case as a result of the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to BBVA,
nor the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to the notes of a series
shall: (i) give rise to a default or event of default for purposes of Section 315(b) (Notice of Defaults) and Section 315(c)
(Duties of the Trustee in Case of Default) of the Trust Indenture Act or (ii) be a default or an event of default with respect
to the notes or under the relevant indenture. By its acquisition of any notes offered hereunder, each holder further acknowledges
and agrees that no repayment or payment of Amounts Due on the notes of any series will become due and payable or be paid after
the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority if, and to the extent that, such amounts
have been reduced, converted, cancelled, amended or altered as a result of such exercise.
By its acquisition of any notes offered
hereunder, each holder thereof, to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, waives any and all claims, in law and/or in
equity, against the trustee for, agrees not to initiate a suit against the trustee in respect of, and agrees that the trustee shall
not be liable for, any action that the trustee takes, or abstains from taking, in either case in accordance with the exercise of
the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to the notes of such series. Additionally,
by its acquisition of any notes of any series offered hereunder, each holder thereof acknowledges and agrees that, upon the exercise
of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to such series of notes, (i) the trustee
shall not be required to take any further directions from holders of the notes of such series with respect to any portion of the
notes of such series that is written down, converted to equity and/or cancelled under the provision of the applicable indenture
which authorizes holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the notes of a series to direct certain actions
relating to the notes of such series, and (ii) the applicable indenture shall not impose any duties upon the trustee whatsoever
with respect to the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to a series
of notes, so long as any notes of such series remain outstanding, there shall at all times be a trustee for the notes of such series,
and the resignation and/or removal of the applicable trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee shall continue to be governed
by the relevant indenture, including to the extent no additional supplemental indenture or amendment is agreed upon in the event
the notes of such series remain outstanding following the completion of the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power.
By its acquisition of any notes offered
hereunder, each holder further agrees to be deemed to have authorized, directed and requested the relevant depository (including,
if applicable, DTC) and any direct participant therein or other intermediary through which it holds such notes to take any and
all necessary action, if required, to implement the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power with respect to the notes as it may be
imposed, without any further action or direction on the part of such holder.
Upon the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in
Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to the notes of a series, BBVA or the Relevant Spanish Resolution
Authority (as the case may be) will provide a written notice to the depository as soon as practicable regarding such exercise of
the Spanish Bail-in Power for purposes of notifying the holders of the notes of such series. BBVA will also deliver a copy of such
notice to the trustee for information purposes.
If BBVA or, with respect to a series of
senior notes or subordinated notes, the holders (where applicable) have elected to redeem the notes of any series but prior to
(with respect to a series of senior notes or subordinated notes) the deposit with the trustee or with a paying agent, as the case
may be, or (with respect to a series of senior non-preferred notes), prior to the payment to holders, of the redemption price with
respect to such redemption the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority exercises its Spanish Bail-in Power with respect to such notes,
the relevant redemption notice shall be automatically rescinded and shall be of no force and effect, and no
payment of the redemption price (and any accrued interest and
additional amounts payable under the relevant indenture) will be due and payable.
Upon the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in
Power with respect to a series of notes which results in the redemption, cancellation, or the conversion into other securities,
of all the Amounts Due on the notes of such series or such notes otherwise ceasing to be outstanding, the applicable indenture
shall be deemed satisfied and discharged as to such series and such notes shall thereafter be deemed to be not “outstanding”.
Subsequent Holders’ Agreement
Holders (which, for the purposes of this
section, includes each holder of a beneficial interest in the notes) of any notes offered hereunder that acquire such notes in
the secondary market or otherwise shall be deemed to acknowledge, agree to be bound by and consent to the same provisions specified
herein to the same extent as the holders of any notes offered hereunder that acquire such notes upon their initial issuance, including,
without limitation, with respect to the acknowledgement and agreement to be bound by and consent to the terms of the notes related
to the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power set forth under “—Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of the Spanish
Bail-in Power”.
Description
of the Contingent Convertible Preferred Securities of BBVA
This section describes the general terms
and provisions of the indenture dated as of September 25, 2017 (the “contingent convertible preferred securities indenture”)
between BBVA, as issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, which sets forth certain provisions with respect to the contingent
convertible preferred securities that may be offered by BBVA. A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of a particular
series of contingent convertible preferred securities and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those
contingent convertible preferred securities. In this section, “Description of the Contingent Convertible Preferred Securities
of BBVA,” the term “holder” shall mean the person in whose name the notes are registered, unless otherwise indicated
herein or in the applicable prospectus supplement. If there is any conflict between the prospectus supplement and this prospectus,
then the terms and provisions in the prospectus supplement apply unless they are inconsistent with the terms of the contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture or the supplemental indenture or Board resolution creating a particular series of contingent
convertible preferred securities.
Material information about the contingent
convertible preferred securities and the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture is summarized below and in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Because this is only a summary, however, it does not contain all the details found in the full text of the
contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and the contingent convertible preferred securities. If you would like additional
information, you should read the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and the contingent convertible preferred
securities as well as the supplemental indenture or Board resolution creating a particular series of contingent convertible preferred
securities or the officer’s certificate for such series. Whenever we refer to specific provisions of or terms defined in
the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture in this prospectus we incorporate by reference into this prospectus such
specific provisions of or terms defined in the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture.
BBVA may issue future contingent convertible
preferred securities under other indentures or documentation which contain provisions different from those included in the contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture described here. BBVA is not prohibited under the contingent convertible preferred securities
or the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture from paying any amounts due under any of its obligations at a time
when an Enforcement Event (as defined below) has occurred or when they have failed to pay any amounts due under the contingent
convertible preferred securities or the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture.
The contingent convertible preferred securities
indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. The contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Under the provisions of the Trust Indenture
Act, if the same institution acts as trustee under the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and under another
indenture of BBVA (such as the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture), upon a default in any series of securities issued
under any such other indenture, the trustee may be deemed to have a conflicting interest and may be required to resign under the
contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and a successor trustee will be appointed.
General
The contingent convertible preferred securities
indenture does not limit the aggregate liquidation preference of contingent convertible preferred securities that BBVA may issue
under it.
Neither the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture nor the contingent convertible preferred securities will limit or otherwise restrict the amount of other indebtedness
or other securities which BBVA or any of its subsidiaries may incur or issue, including the issuance of further contingent convertible
preferred securities. BBVA can issue contingent convertible preferred securities from time to time in one or more series, up to
any aggregate liquidation preference that BBVA may authorize. Unless previously converted into Common Shares, the contingent convertible
preferred securities will constitute direct, unconditional and unsecured obligations of BBVA.
The contingent convertible preferred securities
indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under such indenture, each with respect to one or more series of notes.
Any trustee may resign or be removed with respect to any series of contingent convertible preferred securities issued under the
contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and a successor trustee may be appointed.
BBVA or any of its subsidiaries may purchase
contingent convertible preferred securities at any price in the open market or otherwise, in accordance with Articles 77 and 78
of CRR, Article 29 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 241/2014 and/or any other Applicable Banking Regulations in force
at the relevant time. Such contingent convertible preferred securities purchased may be held, reissued, resold or surrendered to
the relevant Paying Agent (as defined below) and/or the relevant registrar for cancellation, except that contingent convertible
preferred securities purchased by BBVA must be surrendered to the relevant Paying Agent and/or the relevant registrar for cancellation
in accordance with Applicable Banking Regulations.
The holders of any series of contingent
convertible preferred securities are not entitled to receive notice of or to attend any extraordinary or ordinary meetings of Shareholders
of BBVA and will have no voting rights with respect thereto.
The contingent convertible preferred securities
are BBVA’s subordinated non-step-up non-cumulative convertible preferred securities convertible into BBVA’s ordinary
shares only upon the occurrence of certain events. The contingent convertible preferred securities are not deposits and are not
insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency of the United States or
Spain.
BBVA may issue contingent convertible preferred
securities in one or more series. The relevant prospectus supplement for any particular series of contingent convertible preferred
securities will describe the terms of the offered contingent convertible preferred securities, including, but not limited to, some
or all of the following terms, to the extent such terms differ from or are in addition to those set forth in this prospectus:
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the specific designation and Liquidation Preference (as defined below) of the contingent convertible preferred securities;
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how to calculate Distributions (as defined below), if any, and the terms or circumstances under which any such Distributions
may be cancelled in whole or in part, if any;
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the date or dates from which Distributions, if any, will accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates
will be determined;
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the price or prices at which they will be issued;
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the terms on which the contingent convertible preferred securities may or are required to convert into ordinary shares of BBVA
and any specific terms relating to the conversion or exchange feature, including upon the occurrence of certain events relating
to our financial condition;
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whether payments are subject to certain conditions that relate to our financial condition, including our capital ratios;
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the times and places at which any Distributions are payable;
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the terms and conditions of any mandatory redemption;
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the terms and conditions, if any, under which BBVA may elect to substitute or vary the terms of the contingent convertible
preferred securities;
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the currency or currencies in which Liquidation Preference and Distributions are denominated and in which BBVA will make any
payments;
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any index used to determine the amount of any payments on the contingent convertible preferred securities;
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any restrictions that apply to the offer, sale and delivery of the contingent convertible preferred securities;
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whether and under what circumstances, if other than those described in this prospectus, BBVA will pay additional amounts on
the contingent convertible preferred securities following certain developments with respect to withholding tax or information reporting
laws and whether, and on what terms, if other than those described in this prospectus, BBVA may redeem the contingent convertible
preferred securities following those developments;
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the clearing system or systems on which the contingent convertible preferred securities will be cleared and settled; and
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any listing on a securities exchange.
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Holders of contingent convertible preferred
securities shall have no voting rights except those described under the heading “—Modification and Waiver” below,
unless and until such contingent convertible preferred securities are converted into BBVA’s ordinary shares, in which case
holders will have the voting rights described under “Description of BBVA Ordinary Shares”.
Certain Defined Terms
In this “Description of the Contingent
Convertible Preferred Securities of BBVA”, the following terms have the following meanings:
“Accounting Currency” means
euro or such other primary currency used in the presentation of the BBVA Group’s accounts from time to time;
“Additional Amounts” has the
meaning set forth under “—Additional Amounts”;
“Additional Tier 1 Capital”
means Additional Tier 1 capital
(capital de nivel 1 adicional)
as provided under Applicable Banking Regulations;
“Additional Tier 1 Instrument”
means any contractually subordinated obligation of BBVA constituting an Additional Tier 1 instrument (
instrumento de capital
de nivel 1 adicional
) in accordance with Applicable Banking Regulations;
“ADS Depositary” means The
Bank of New York Mellon, as the depositary under BBVA’s deposit agreement (see “Description of BBVA American Depositary
Shares”) or any successor ADS depositary;
“Agents” means the agents appointed
in accordance with the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or any applicable supplemental indenture and shall
include any Paying Agent, contingent convertible preferred security registrar, Paying and Conversion Agent, Calculation Agent and
Authenticating Agent;
“Applicable Banking Regulations”
means, when used with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, at any time the laws, regulations,
requirements, guidelines and policies relating to capital adequacy, resolution and/or solvency then applicable to BBVA and/or the
BBVA Group including, without limitation to the generality of the foregoing, CRD IV, the BRRD and those laws, regulations, requirements,
guidelines and policies relating to capital adequacy, resolution and/or solvency then in effect in Spain (whether or not such regulations,
requirements, guidelines or policies have the force of law and whether or not they are applied generally or specifically to BBVA
and/or the BBVA Group);
“Authenticating Agent” means,
when used with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, any person authorized by the trustee pursuant
to the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture to act on behalf of the trustee to authenticate contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series. Initially, and unless otherwise specified, The Bank of New York Mellon, acting through its
principal corporate trust office in New York will act as Authenticating Agent;
“BRRD” means Directive 2014/59/EU
of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union of May 15, 2014 establishing a framework for the recovery
and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, as implemented into Spanish law, as amended or supplemented from time
to time, or any such other directive as may come into effect in place thereof, and including any other relevant implementing regulatory
provisions;
“Business Day” means, unless
otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday
nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in the City of
New York, London, Madrid or any other place or places where the Liquidation Preference (and premium, if any) of, or any Distributions
on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of that series are payable;
“Calculation Agent” means,
when used with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, any person authorized by BBVA as the party
responsible for calculating the Distribution Rate and/or such other amount(s) from time to time in relation to such series of contingent
convertible preferred securities;
“Capital Event” means, when
used with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, a change (or any pending change which the Regulator
considers to be sufficiently certain) in Spanish law or Applicable Banking Regulations that results (or would result) in any of
the outstanding aggregate Liquidation Preference of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series ceasing to be
included in, or counting towards, the BBVA Group’s or BBVA’s Tier 1 Capital;
“Capital Reduction” means the
adoption, in accordance with Article 418.3 of the Spanish Companies Act, by a general shareholders’ meeting of BBVA of a
resolution of capital reduction by reimbursement of cash contributions (
restitución de aportaciones
) to shareholders
by way of a reduction in the nominal value of the shares of such shareholders in the capital of BBVA. A resolution of capital reduction
for the redemption of any Common Shares previously repurchased by BBVA will not be considered a Capital Reduction for the purposes
of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture;
“Capital Reduction Conversion”
has the meaning specified in “—Conversion—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction” below;
“Capital Reduction Notice”
has the meaning specified in “—Conversion—Conversion Procedures” below, which notice shall specify the
Election Period and the procedures for holders to deliver an Election Notice;
“Capital Reduction Notice Date”
means the date on which a Capital Reduction Notice is deemed to be given;
“Cash Dividend” means (i) any
Dividend which is to be paid or made in cash (in whatever currency), but other than falling within paragraph (b) of the definition
of “Spin-Off” and (ii) any Dividend determined to be a Cash Dividend pursuant to paragraph (a) of the definition
of “Dividend”, but a Dividend falling within paragraph (c) or (d) of the definition of “Dividend”
shall be treated as being a Non-Cash Dividend;
“CET1 Capital” means, at any
time, the common equity tier 1 capital of BBVA or the BBVA Group, respectively, as calculated by BBVA in accordance with Chapter
2 (Common Equity Tier 1 Capital) of Title I (Elements of Own Funds) of Part Two (Own Funds) of the CRR and/or Applicable Banking
Regulations at such time, including any applicable transitional, phasing in or similar provisions;
“CET1 ratio” means, at any
time, with respect to BBVA or the BBVA Group, as the case may be, the reported ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the aggregate
amount (in the Accounting Currency) of the CET1 Capital of BBVA or the BBVA Group, respectively, at such time divided by the Risk
Weighted Assets Amount of BBVA or the BBVA Group, respectively, at such time, all as calculated by BBVA;
“Clearing System” means DTC
or any of the European Clearing Systems, as applicable;
“Closing Price” means, in respect
of a Common Share and in relation to any dealing day, the price per Common Share quoted by the Relevant Stock Exchange as the closing
price or closing auction price of a Common Share on such dealing day;
“Common Shares” means ordinary
shares in the capital of BBVA, each of which confers on the holder one vote at general meetings of BBVA and is credited as fully
paid up;
“Conversion” means a Trigger
Conversion or a Capital Reduction Conversion, as the case may be;
“Conversion Event” means a
Trigger Event or a Capital Reduction, as the case may be;
“Conversion Notice” means a
Trigger Event Notice or a Capital Reduction Notice, as the case may be;
“Conversion Notice Date” means
the Trigger Event Notice Date or the Capital Reduction Notice Date, as the case may be;
“Conversion Price” has the
meaning specified under “—Conversion—Conversion Price”;
“Conversion Settlement Date”
means the date on which the relevant Common Shares are to be delivered following Conversion, which shall be as soon as practicable
and in any event not later than one month following (or such other period as Applicable Banking Regulations may require) the relevant
Conversion Notice Date;
“Conversion Shares Depository”
means, when used with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, a reputable independent financial
institution, trust company or similar entity to be appointed by BBVA on or prior to any date when a function ascribed to the Conversion
Shares Depository is required to be performed to perform such functions and who will hold Common Shares in Iberclear or any of
its participating entities in a designated trust or custody account for the benefit of the holders of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series and otherwise on terms consistent with the terms of the contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series and the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture;
“CRD IV” means any or any combination
of the CRD IV Directive, the CRR and any CRD IV Implementing Measures;
“CRD IV Directive” means, when
used with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament
and of the Council of June 26, on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions
and investment firms, amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directives 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC, as amended or supplemented
from time to time, or such other directive as may come into effect in place thereof;
“CRD IV Implementing Measures”
means, when used with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, any regulatory capital rules implementing
the CRD IV Directive or the CRR which may from time to time be introduced, including, but not limited to, delegated or implementing
acts (regulatory technical standards) adopted by the European Commission, national laws and regulations, and regulations and guidelines
issued by the Regulator, the European Banking Authority or any other relevant authority, which are applicable to BBVA (on a standalone
basis) or the BBVA Group (on a consolidated basis), including, without limitation, Law 10/2014 and any other regulation, circular
or guidelines implementing or developing Law 10/2014;
“CRR” means, when used with
respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 of the European Parliament
and of the Council of June 26, on the prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation
(EU) No. 648/2012, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or such other regulation as may come into effect in place
thereof;
“Current Market Price” means,
in respect of a Common Share at a particular date, the average of the daily Volume Weighted Average Price of a Common Share on
each of the five consecutive dealing days ending on the dealing day immediately preceding such date (the “Relevant Period”)
(rounded if necessary to the nearest cent with 0.5 cents being rounded upwards); provided that if at any time during the Relevant
Period the Volume Weighted Average Price shall have been based on a price ex-Dividend (or ex-any other entitlement) and during
some other part of that period the Volume Weighted Average Price shall have been based on a price cum-Dividend (or cum-any other
entitlement), then:
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·
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if the Common Shares to be issued and delivered are not entitled to receive the Dividend (or entitlement) in question, the
Volume Weighted Average Price on the dates on which the Common Shares shall have been based on a price cum-Dividend (or cum-any
other entitlement) shall for the purposes of this definition be deemed to be the amount thereof reduced by an amount equal to the
Fair Market Value of any such Dividend or entitlement per Common Share as at the date of the first public announcement relating
to such Dividend or entitlement, in any such case, determined on a gross basis and disregarding any withholding or deduction required
to be made for or on account of tax, and disregarding any associated tax credit; or
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·
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if the Common Shares to be issued and delivered are entitled to receive the Dividend (or entitlement) in question, the Volume
Weighted Average Price on the dates on which the Common Shares shall have been based on a price ex-Dividend (or ex-any other entitlement)
shall for the purposes of this definition be deemed to be the amount thereof increased by an amount equal to the Fair Market Value
of any such Dividend or entitlement per Common Share as at the date of the first public announcement relating to such Dividend
or entitlement, in any such case, determined on a gross basis and disregarding any withholding or deduction required to be made
for or on account of tax, and disregarding any associated tax credit,
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and provided further that:
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(i)
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if on each of the dealing days in the Relevant Period the Volume Weighted Average Price shall have been based on a price cum-Dividend
(or cum-any other entitlement) in respect of a Dividend (or other entitlement) which has been declared or announced but the Common
Shares to be issued and delivered are not entitled to receive that Dividend (or other entitlement) the Volume Weighted Average
Price on each of such dates shall for the purposes of this definition be deemed to be the amount thereof reduced by an amount equal
to the Fair Market Value of any such Dividend or entitlement per Common Share as at the date of first public announcement relating
to such Dividend or entitlement; and
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(ii)
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if the Volume Weighted Average Price of a Common Share is not available on one or more of the dealing days in the Relevant
Period (disregarding for this purpose the proviso to the definition of Volume Weighted Average Price), then the average of such
Volume Weighted Average Prices which are available in the Relevant Period shall be used (subject to a minimum of two such prices)
and if only one, or no, such Volume Weighted Average Price is available in the Relevant Period the Current Market Price shall be
determined in good faith by an Independent Financial Adviser.
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In making any calculation or determination
of Current Market Price or Volume Weighted Average Price, such adjustments (if any) shall be made as an Independent Financial Adviser
determines in good faith appropriate to reflect any consolidation or sub-division of the Common Shares or any issue of Common Shares
by way of capitalization of profits or reserves, or any like or similar event;
“dealing day” means a day on
which the Relevant Stock Exchange or relevant stock exchange or securities market is open for business and on which Common Shares,
Securities, Spin-Off Securities, options, warrants or other rights (as the case may be) may be dealt in (other than a day on which
the Relevant Stock Exchange or relevant stock exchange or securities market is scheduled to or does close prior to its regular
weekday closing time);
“Delivery Notice” means a notice
in the form for the time being currently available from the specified office of any Paying and Conversion Agent which contains
the relevant account and related details for the delivery of any Common Shares (or ADSs) and such other information as is required
in accordance with the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture, and which is required to be delivered in connection
with a conversion of the contingent convertible preferred securities and the delivery of the Common Shares (or ADSs);
“Distributable Items” shall
have the meaning given to such term in CRD IV, as interpreted and applied in accordance with Applicable Banking Regulations;
“Distribution” means the non-cumulative
cash distribution, if any, in respect of a series of contingent convertible preferred securities in a Distribution Period;
“Distribution Payment Date”
shall have the meaning as determined in the relevant prospectus supplement;
“Distribution Period” means
the period from and including one Distribution Payment Date (or, in the case of the first Distribution Period, the date of issuance)
to but excluding the next Distribution Payment Date;
“Distribution Rate” means the
rate at which the contingent convertible preferred securities of a series accrue Distributions in accordance with “—Payments—Distributions”
below;
“Dividend” means any dividend
or distribution to Shareholders in respect of the Common Shares (including a Spin-Off) whether of cash, assets or other property
(and for these purposes a distribution of assets includes without limitation an issue of Common Shares or other Securities credited
as fully or partly paid up by way of capitalization of profits or reserves), and however described and whether payable out of share
premium account, profits, retained earnings or any other capital or revenue reserve or account, and including a distribution or
payment to Shareholders upon or in connection with a reduction of capital, provided that:
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(i)
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a Dividend in cash is announced which is to be, or may at the election of a Shareholder or Shareholders be, satisfied by the
issue or delivery of Common Shares or other property or assets, or where a capitalization of profits or reserves is announced which
is to be, or may at the election of a Shareholder or Shareholders be, satisfied by the payment of cash, then the Dividend in question
shall be treated as a Cash Dividend of an amount equal to the greater of (A) the Fair Market Value of such cash amount and
(B) the Current Market Price of such Common Shares as at the first date on which the Common Shares are traded ex-the relevant
Dividend on the Relevant Stock Exchange or, as the case may be, the record date or other due date for establishment of entitlement
in respect of the relevant capitalization or, as the case may be, the Fair Market Value of such other property or assets as at
the date of the first public announcement of such Dividend or capitalization or, in any such case, if later, the date on which
the number of Common Shares (or amount of such other property or assets, as the case may be) which may be issued and delivered
is determined; or
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(ii)
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there shall be any issue of Common Shares by way of capitalization of profits or reserves (including any share premium account
or capital redemption reserve) where such issue is, or is expressed to be, in lieu of a Dividend (whether or not a Cash Dividend
equivalent or amount is announced or would otherwise be payable to Shareholders, whether at their election or otherwise), the Dividend
in question shall be treated as a Cash Dividend of an amount equal to the Current Market Price of such Common Shares as at the
first date on which the Common Shares are traded ex-the relevant Dividend on the Relevant Stock Exchange or, as the case may be,
the record date or other due date for establishment of entitlement in respect of the relevant capitalization or, in any such case,
if later, the date on which the number of Common Shares to be issued and delivered is determined;
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(b)
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any issue of Common Shares falling within subparagraphs (a) and (b) of “—Conversion—Conversion Price—Anti-Dilution
Adjustment of the Floor Price” below shall be disregarded;
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(c)
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a purchase or redemption or buy back of share capital of BBVA by or on behalf of BBVA in accordance with any general authority
for such purchases or buy backs approved by a general meeting of Shareholders and otherwise in accordance with the limitations
prescribed under the Spanish Companies Act for dealings generally by a company in its own shares shall not constitute a Dividend
and any other purchase or redemption or buy back of share capital of BBVA by or on behalf of BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group
shall not constitute a Dividend unless, in the case of a purchase or redemption or buy back of Common Shares by or on behalf of
BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group, the weighted average price per Common Share (before expenses) on any one day (a “Specified
Share Day”) in respect of such purchases or redemptions or buy backs (translated, if not in the Share Currency, into the
Share Currency at the Prevailing Rate on such day) exceeds by more than 5% the average of the daily Volume Weighted Average Price
of a Common Share on the five dealing days immediately preceding the Specified Share Day or, where an announcement (excluding,
for the avoidance of doubt for these purposes, any general authority for such purchases, redemptions or buy backs approved by a
general meeting of Shareholders or any notice convening such a meeting of Shareholders) has been made of the intention to purchase,
redeem or buy back Common Shares at some future date at a specified price or where a tender offer is made, on the five dealing
days immediately preceding the date of such announcement or the date of first public announcement of such tender offer (and regardless
of whether or not a price per Common Share, a minimum price per Common Share or a price range or a formula for the determination
thereof is or is not announced at such time), as the case may be, in which case such purchase, redemption or buy back shall be
deemed to constitute a Dividend in the Share Currency in an amount equal to the amount by which the aggregate price paid (before
expenses) in respect of such Common Shares purchased, redeemed or bought back by BBVA or, as the case may be, any member of the
BBVA Group
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(translated where appropriate
into the Share Currency as provided above) exceeds the product of (i) 105% of the daily Volume Weighted Average Price of a Common
Share determined as aforesaid and (ii) the number of Common Shares so purchased, redeemed or bought back;
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(d)
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if BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group shall purchase, redeem or buy back any depositary or other receipts or certificates
representing Common Shares, the provisions of paragraph (c) above shall be applied in respect thereof in such manner and with
such modifications (if any) as shall be determined in good faith by an Independent Financial Adviser; and
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(e)
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where a dividend or distribution is paid or made to Shareholders pursuant to any plan implemented by BBVA for the purpose of
enabling Shareholders to elect, or which may require Shareholders, to receive dividends or distributions in respect of the Common
Shares held by them from a person other than (or in addition to) BBVA, such dividend or distribution shall for the purposes of
these contingent convertible preferred securities of any series be treated as a dividend or distribution made or paid to Shareholders
by BBVA, and the provisions of the contingent convertible preferred securities and the contingent convertible preferred securities
indenture, including references to BBVA paying or making a dividend, shall be construed accordingly;
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“Election Notice” has the meaning
specified in “—Conversion—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction” below;
“Election Period” has the meaning
specified in “—Conversion—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction” below;
“equity share capital” means,
in relation to any entity, its issued share capital excluding any part of that capital which, in respect of dividends and capital,
does not carry any right to participate beyond a specific amount in a distribution;
“Enforcement Event” has the
meaning specified under “—Enforcement Events and Remedies—Enforcement Events” below;
“European Clearing System”
means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear Bank”), as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and/or
Clearstream Banking,
société anonyme
(“Clearstream Luxembourg”);
“Existing Shareholders” has
the meaning specified in the definition of “Newco Scheme”;
“Fair Market Value” means,
with respect to any property on any date, the fair market value of that property as determined by an Independent Financial Adviser
in good faith provided that (a) the Fair Market Value of a Cash Dividend shall be the amount of such Cash Dividend; (b) the
Fair Market Value of any other cash amount shall be the amount of such cash; (c) where Securities, Spin-Off Securities, options,
warrants or other rights are publicly traded on a stock exchange or securities market of adequate liquidity (as determined by an
Independent Financial Adviser in good faith), the Fair Market Value (i) of such Securities or Spin-Off Securities shall equal
the arithmetic mean of the daily Volume Weighted Average Prices of such Securities or Spin-Off Securities and (ii) of such
options, warrants or other rights shall equal the arithmetic mean of the daily closing prices of such options, warrants or other
rights, in the case of both (i) and (ii) above during the period of five dealing days on the relevant stock exchange or securities
market commencing on such date (or, if later, the first such dealing day such Securities, Spin-Off Securities, options, warrants
or other rights are publicly traded) or such shorter period as such Securities, Spin-Off Securities, options, warrants or other
rights are publicly traded; and (d) where Securities, Spin-Off Securities, options, warrants or other rights are not publicly
traded on a stock exchange or securities market of adequate liquidity (as aforesaid), the Fair Market Value of such Securities,
Spin-Off Securities, options, warrants or other rights shall be determined by an Independent Financial Adviser in good faith, on
the basis of a commonly accepted market valuation method and taking account of such factors as it considers appropriate, including
the market price per Common Share, the dividend yield of a Common Share, the volatility of such market price, prevailing interest
rates and the terms of such Securities, Spin-Off Securities, options, warrants or other rights, including as to the expiry date
and exercise price (if any) thereof. Such amounts shall, in the case of (a) above, be translated into the Share Currency (if
such Cash Dividend is declared or paid or payable in a currency other than the Share Currency) at the rate of exchange used to
determine the amount payable to Shareholders who were paid or are to be paid or are entitled to be paid the Cash Dividend in the
Share Currency; and in any other case, shall be translated into the Share Currency (if expressed in a currency other than the Share
Currency) at the Prevailing Rate on that date. In addition, in the case of (a) and (b) above, the Fair Market Value shall
be determined on a gross basis and disregarding any withholding or deduction required to be made for or on account of tax, and
disregarding any associated tax credit;
“Floor Price” means the price
determined in the relevant prospectus supplement, subject to adjustment in accordance with “—Conversion—Conversion
Price—Anti-Dilution Adjustment of the Floor Price” below;
“further contingent convertible preferred
securities” means any instruments or securities which are similar to the contingent convertible preferred securities and
are contingently convertible into Common Shares other than at the option of the holders thereof;
“Iberclear” means the Spanish
clearing and settlement system (
Sociedad de Gestión de los Sistemas de Registro, Compensación y Liquidación
de Valores, S.A.U.
);
“Independent Financial Adviser”
means an independent financial institution or financial adviser of international repute appointed by BBVA at its own expense;
“Liquidation Distribution”
means the Liquidation Preference per contingent convertible preferred security plus, if applicable, where not cancelled or deemed
cancelled pursuant to, or otherwise subject to the limitations on payment set out in, “—Payments—Distributions”,
an amount equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions for the then current Distribution Period to (but excluding) the date of payment
of the Liquidation Distribution;
“Liquidation Event” has the
meaning set forth under “—Payments—Liquidation Distribution”;
“Liquidation Preference” shall
have the meaning set forth in the relevant prospectus supplement;
“Maximum Distributable Amount”
means, at any time, any maximum distributable amount required to be calculated at such time in accordance with (a) Article
48 of Law 10/2014 and any provision developing Article 48 of Law 10/2014, and any other provision of Spanish law transposing
or implementing Article 141 of the CRD IV Directive and/or (b) Applicable Banking Regulations;
“Newco Scheme” means a scheme
of arrangement or analogous proceeding (“Scheme of Arrangement”) which effects the interposition of a limited liability
company (“Newco”) between the Shareholders of BBVA immediately prior to the Scheme of Arrangement (the “Existing
Shareholders”) and BBVA, provided that:
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(a)
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only ordinary shares of Newco or depositary or other receipts or certificates representing ordinary shares of Newco are issued
to Existing Shareholders;
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(b)
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immediately after completion of the Scheme of Arrangement the only shareholders of Newco or, as the case may be, the only holders
of depositary or other receipts or certificates representing ordinary shares of Newco, are Existing Shareholders and the Voting
Rights in respect of Newco are held by Existing Shareholders in the same proportions as their respective holdings of such Voting
Rights immediately prior to the Scheme of Arrangement;
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(c)
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immediately after completion of the Scheme of Arrangement, Newco is (or one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of Newco are)
the only ordinary shareholder (or shareholders) of BBVA;
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(d)
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all Subsidiaries of BBVA immediately prior to the Scheme of Arrangement (other than Newco, if Newco is then a Subsidiary) are
Subsidiaries of BBVA (or of Newco) immediately after completion of the Scheme of Arrangement; and
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(e)
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immediately after completion of the Scheme of Arrangement, BBVA (or Newco) holds, directly or indirectly, the same percentage
of the ordinary share capital and equity share capital of those Subsidiaries as was held by BBVA immediately prior to the Scheme
of Arrangement;
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“Non-Cash Dividend” means any
Dividend which is not a Cash Dividend, and shall include a Spin-Off;
“Notice Cut-off Date” shall
have the meaning set forth under “—Conversion—Conversion Procedures”;
“Parity Securities” means any
instrument issued or guaranteed by BBVA (including the guarantee thereof), which instrument or guarantee ranks
pari passu
with the contingent convertible preferred securities;
“Paying Agent”, when used with
respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, means any person (which may include BBVA) authorized
by BBVA to pay the Liquidation Preference (and premium, if any) of, or Distributions on, or any Additional Amounts with respect
to, the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series on behalf of BBVA, which expression shall include the Principal
Paying Agent. Except as otherwise specified in the relevant prospectus supplement, The Bank of New York Mellon, acting through
its London Branch (or a successor thereof) will act as Paying Agent in respect of the contingent convertible preferred securities
of any series;
“Paying and Conversion Agent”
means, when used with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, the Principal Paying Agent and
any other paying and conversion agent appointed in accordance with the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or
any supplemental indenture with respect to such series and includes any successors thereto appointed from time to time in accordance
with the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or any such supplemental indenture;
“Payment Business Day” means
(i) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including
dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in New York City and London and (ii) in the case of contingent
convertible preferred securities in definitive form only, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments
and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the relevant place of
payment;
“Performance Obligation” has
the meaning specified in “—Enforcement Events—Enforcement Events and Remedies”;
“Prevailing Rate” means, in
respect of any currencies on any day, the spot rate of exchange between the relevant currencies prevailing as at 12 noon (London
time) on that date as appearing on or derived from Reuters page ECB37 or, if not available, from any other Reference Page or, if
such a rate cannot be determined at such time, the rate prevailing as at 12 noon (London time) on the immediately preceding day
on which such rate can be so determined or, if such rate cannot be so determined by reference to the Reference Page, the rate determined
in such other manner as an Independent Financial Adviser in good faith shall prescribe;
“Principal Paying Agent”, when
used with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, means The Bank of New York Mellon, acting through
its London branch (or a successor thereof) except as otherwise specified in the relevant prospectus supplement;
“Recognized Stock Exchange”
means an organized regularly operating, recognized stock exchange or securities market in a country that is a member of the Organization
for Economic Co-operation and Development;
“Redemption Price” means, per
contingent convertible preferred security, the Liquidation Preference plus, if applicable, where not cancelled or deemed cancelled
pursuant to, or otherwise subject to the limitations on payment set out in “—Payments—Distributions”, an
amount equal to any accrued and unpaid Distributions for the then current Distribution Period to (but excluding) the date fixed
for the redemption of the contingent convertible preferred securities of the relevant series;
“Reference Date” means, in
relation to a Retroactive Adjustment, the date as of which the relevant Retroactive Adjustment takes effect or, if that date is
not a dealing day, the succeeding dealing day;
“Reference Market Price” means,
in respect of a Common Share at a particular date, the arithmetic mean of the Closing Price per Common Share on each of the five
consecutive dealing days on which such Closing Price is available ending on the dealing day immediately preceding such date, rounding
the resulting figure to the nearest cent (with 0.5 cents being rounded upwards);
“Reference Page” means the
relevant page or any successor page on Bloomberg or Reuters or any successor service or such other information service provider
that displays the relevant information;
“Regulator” means, when used
with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, the European Central Bank or the Bank of Spain (
Banco
de España
), as applicable, or such other or successor authority having primary bank supervisory authority, in each case
with respect to prudential matters in relation to BBVA and/or the BBVA Group from time to time;
“Relevant Stock Exchange” means
the Spanish Stock Exchanges or if at the relevant time the Common Shares are not at that time listed and admitted to trading on
the Spanish Stock Exchanges, the principal stock exchange or securities market on which the Common Shares are then listed, admitted
to trading or quoted or accepted for dealing;
“Retroactive Adjustment” has
the meaning specified in “—Conversion—Conversion Price—Anti-Dilution Adjustment of the Floor Price”
below;
“Risk Weighted Assets Amount”
means at any time, with respect to BBVA or the BBVA Group, as the case may be, the aggregate amount (in the Accounting Currency)
of the risk weighted assets of BBVA or the BBVA Group, respectively, calculated in accordance with CRR and/or Applicable Banking
Regulations at such time;
“Scheme of Arrangement” has
the meaning specified in the definition of “Newco Scheme”;
“Securities” means any securities
including, without limitation, shares in the capital of BBVA, or options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase
or acquire shares in the capital of BBVA;
“Selling Agent” has the meaning
specified in “—Conversion—Failure to Deliver a Delivery Notice” below;
Share Currency” means euro or such
other currency in which the Common Shares are quoted or dealt in on the Relevant Stock Exchange at the relevant time or for the
purposes of the relevant calculation or determination;
“Shareholders” means the holders
of Common Shares;
“Spanish Companies Act” means
the Royal Legislative Decree 1/2010, of July 2, approving the consolidated text of the Spanish Companies Act (
Ley de Sociedades
de Capital
), as amended, replaced or supplemented from time to time;
“Spanish Insolvency Law” means
Law 22/2003 (Ley Concursal) of July 9, regulating insolvency proceedings in Spain, as amended or supplemented from time to
time, or an equivalent legal provision which replaces it in the future.
“Spin-Off” means:
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(a)
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a distribution of Spin-Off Securities by BBVA to Shareholders as a class; or
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(b)
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any issue, transfer or delivery of any property or assets (including cash or shares or other securities of or in or issued
or allotted by any entity) by any entity (other than BBVA) to Shareholders as a class or, in the case of or in connection with
a Newco Scheme, Existing Shareholders as a class (but excluding the issue and allotment of ordinary shares (or depositary or other
receipts or certificates representing such ordinary shares) by Newco to Existing Shareholders as a class), pursuant in each case
to any arrangements with BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group;
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“Spin-Off Securities” means
equity share capital of an entity other than BBVA or options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase equity share
capital of an entity other than BBVA;
“SSM Regulation” means Council
Regulation (EU) No. 1024/2013 of October 15, conferring specific tasks on the European Central Bank concerning policies
relating to the prudential supervision of credit institutions;
“Subsidiary” means any entity
over which BBVA may have, directly or indirectly, control in accordance with Article 42 of the Spanish Commercial Code (
Código
de Comercio
) and/or Applicable Banking Regulations;
“Tax Event” in respect of any
series of contingent convertible preferred securities, means that as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations
applicable in Spain (except as provided in “—Substitution of Issuer”), or any change in the application or binding
official interpretation or administration of any such laws or regulations which change or amendment, or change in the application
or binding official interpretation or administration, becomes effective on or after the date of issue of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series (a) BBVA would not be entitled to claim a deduction in computing its taxation liabilities
in Spain (except as provided in “—Substitution of Issuer”) in respect of any Distribution to be made on the next
Distribution Payment Date or the value of such deduction to BBVA would be materially reduced, or (b) BBVA would be required
to pay Additional Amounts, or (c) the applicable tax treatment of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such
series would be materially affected;
“Tier 1 Capital” means at any
time, with respect to BBVA or the BBVA Group, as the case may be, the Tier 1 capital of BBVA or the BBVA Group, respectively, as
calculated by BBVA in accordance with Chapters 1, 2 and 3 (Tier 1 capital, Common Equity Tier 1 capital and Additional Tier 1 capital)
of Title I (Elements of own funds) of Part Two (Own Funds) of the CRR and/or Applicable Banking Regulations at such time, including
any applicable transitional, phasing in or similar provisions;
“Tier 2 Capital” means Tier
2 capital (
capital de nivel 2
) as provided under Applicable Banking Regulations;
“Tier 2 Instrument” means any
contractually subordinated obligation of BBVA constituting a Tier 2 instrument (
instrumento de capital de nivel 2
) in accordance
with Applicable Banking Regulations;
“Trigger Conversion” has the
meaning specified in “—Conversion—Conversion Procedures” below;
“Trigger Event” in respect
of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities, means if, at any time, as determined by BBVA, the CET1 ratio of BBVA
or the BBVA Group is less than 5.125%;
“Trigger Event Notice” has
the meaning specified in “—Conversion—Conversion Procedures” below;
“Trigger Event Notice Date”
means the date on which a Trigger Event Notice is deemed to be given;
“Volume Weighted Average Price”
means, in respect of a Common Share, Security or, as the case may be, a Spin-Off Security on any dealing day, the order book volume-weighted
average price of a Common Share, Security or, as the case may be, a Spin-Off Security published by or derived (in the case of a
Common Share) from the Reference Page or (in the case of a Security (other than Common Shares) or Spin-Off Security) from the principal
stock exchange or securities market on which such Securities or Spin-Off Securities are then listed or quoted or dealt in, if any
or, in any such case, such other source as shall be determined in good faith to be appropriate by an Independent Financial Adviser
on such dealing day, provided that if on any such dealing day such price is not available or cannot otherwise be determined as
provided above, the Volume Weighted Average Price of a Common Share, Security or a Spin-Off Security, as the case may be, in respect
of such dealing day shall be the Volume Weighted Average Price, determined as provided above, on the immediately preceding dealing
day on which the same can be so determined or as an Independent Financial Adviser might otherwise determine in good faith to be
appropriate.
In making any calculation or determination
of Current Market Price or Volume Weighted Average Price, such adjustments (if any) shall be made as an Independent Financial Adviser
determines in good faith appropriate to reflect any consolidation or sub-division of the Common Shares or any issue of Common Shares
by way of capitalization of profits or reserves, or any like or similar event; and
“Voting Rights” means the right
generally to vote at a general meeting of Shareholders of BBVA (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, stock of any other
class or classes shall have, or might have, voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).
References to any act or statute or any
provision of any act or statute shall be deemed also to refer to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof or any statutory
instrument, order or regulation made in accordance therewith or under such modification or re-enactment.
References to any issue or offer or grant
to Shareholders or Existing Shareholders “as a class” or “by way of rights” shall be taken to be references
to an issue or offer or grant to all or substantially all Shareholders or Existing Shareholders, as the case may be, other than
Shareholders or Existing Shareholders, as the case may be, to whom, by reason of the laws of any territory or requirements of any
recognized regulatory body or any other stock exchange or securities market in any territory or in connection with fractional entitlements,
it is determined not to make such issue or offer or grant.
Payments
All payments in respect of the contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series will be subject in all cases to any fiscal or other laws and regulations applicable
thereto (including FATCA, any regulations or agreements thereunder, any official interpretation thereof, any intergovernmental
agreements with respect thereto, or any law implementing an intergovernmental agreement or any regulations or official interpretations
relating thereto), but without prejudice to the provisions of “—Additional Amounts” below.
Distributions
Prior to conversion, the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series will accrue Distributions as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with the provisions
of, the relevant prospectus supplement.
Distributions Discretionary
BBVA may elect, in its sole and absolute
discretion, to cancel the payment of any Distribution on any particular series of contingent convertible preferred securities in
whole or in part at any time and for any reason.
Distributions on the contingent convertible
preferred securities will be non-cumulative. Accordingly, if any Distribution (or any part thereof) is not paid in respect of the
contingent convertible preferred securities of any series as a result of any election of BBVA to cancel such Distribution in accordance
with this section “—Distributions Discretionary” or the limitations on payment set out in “—Restrictions
on Payments” below then the right of the holders to receive the relevant Distribution (or such part thereof) in respect of
the relevant Distribution Period will be extinguished and BBVA will have no obligation to pay such Distribution (or such part thereof)
accrued for such Distribution Period or to pay any interest thereon, whether or not Distributions on the contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series are paid in respect of any future Distribution Period.
No such election to cancel the payment
of any Distribution (or any part thereof) pursuant to this section “—Distributions Discretionary” or non-payment
of any Distribution (or any part thereof) as a result of the limitations on payment set out in “—Restrictions on Payments”
below will constitute an event of default, an Enforcement Event or the occurrence of any event related to the insolvency of BBVA
or entitle holders to take any action to cause such Distribution (or part thereof) to be paid or the liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of BBVA or in any way limit or restrict
BBVA from making any distribution or equivalent payment in connection with any instrument ranking junior to the contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series (including, without limitation, any CET1 Capital of BBVA or the BBVA Group) or in respect of
any Parity Security or other security, except to the extent Applicable Banking Regulations otherwise provide.
Restrictions on Payments
Payments of Distributions on the contingent
convertible preferred securities of a series shall be made only out of Distributable Items of BBVA.
To the extent that (i) BBVA has insufficient
Distributable Items to make Distributions on the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series scheduled for payment
in the then current financial year and any interest payments or distributions that have been paid or made or are scheduled or required
to be paid or made out of Distributable Items of BBVA in the then current financial year, in each case excluding any portion of
such payments already accounted for in determining the Distributable Items of BBVA, and/or (ii) the Regulator, in accordance
with Article 68 of Law 10/2014 and/or Article 16 of the SSM Regulation and/or with Applicable Banking Regulations then in force,
requires BBVA to cancel the relevant Distribution in whole or in part, then BBVA will, without prejudice to the right set forth
under “—Distributions Discretionary” above to cancel at its discretion the payment of any such Distributions
on the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series at any time, make partial or, as the case may be, no payment
of the relevant Distribution on the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series.
No payments will be made on the contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series (whether by way of a repayment of the Liquidation Preference, the payment of any
Distribution or otherwise) if and to the extent that such payment would cause a breach of any regulatory restriction or prohibition
on payments on Additional Tier 1 Instruments pursuant to Applicable Banking Regulations (including, without limitation, any such
restriction or prohibition relating to any Maximum Distributable Amount applicable to BBVA and/or the BBVA Group).
Agreement to Distribution Cancellation
By acquiring contingent convertible preferred
securities of any series, holders (which, for the purposes of this section includes holders of a beneficial interest in the contingent
convertible preferred securities) acknowledge and agree that:
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(a)
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Distributions are payable solely at BBVA’s discretion, and no amount of Distribution shall become or remain due and payable
in respect of the relevant Distribution Period to the extent that it has been cancelled or deemed cancelled by BBVA as set forth
under “—Distributions Discretionary” above and/or as a result of the limitations on payment set forth under “—Restrictions
on Payments” above; and
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(b)
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a cancellation or deemed cancellation of any Distribution (in whole or in part) in accordance with the terms of the contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture and the contingent convertible preferred securities shall not constitute an Enforcement
Event or other default under the terms of the contingent convertible preferred securities or the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture, or the occurrence of any event related to the insolvency of BBVA or entitle holders to take any action to
cause such Distribution to be paid or the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of BBVA or in any way limit or restrict BBVA from
making any distribution or equivalent payment in connection with any instrument ranking junior to the contingent convertible preferred
securities of such series (including, without limitation, any CET1 Capital of BBVA or the BBVA Group) or in respect of any Parity
Security or other Security, except to the extent Applicable Banking Regulations otherwise provide.
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Distributions will only be due and payable
on a Distribution Payment Date to the extent they are not cancelled or deemed cancelled previously or thereafter in accordance
with the provisions described under “—Distributions”, “—Liquidation Distribution” and “—Conversion”.
Any Distributions cancelled or deemed cancelled (in each case, in whole or in part) in the circumstances described herein shall
not be due and shall not accumulate or be payable at any time thereafter, and holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities
shall have no rights thereto or to receive any additional Distributions or compensation as a result of such cancellation or deemed
cancellation.
Notice of Distribution Cancellation
If practicable, BBVA will provide notice
of any cancellation or deemed cancellation of Distributions on any particular series of contingent convertible preferred securities
(in each case, in whole or in part) to the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series through the
relevant depositary (or, if the contingent convertible preferred securities are held in definitive form, to the holders of the
contingent convertible preferred securities directly at their addresses shown on the register for the contingent convertible preferred
securities) and to the trustee directly on or prior to the relevant Distribution Payment Date. Failure to provide such notice will
have no impact on the effectiveness of, or otherwise invalidate, any such cancellation or deemed cancellation
of Distributions (and accordingly, such Distributions will not
be due and payable), will not constitute an Enforcement Event with respect to such series of contingent convertible preferred securities,
or give the holders or beneficial owners of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series any rights as a result
of such failure.
Liquidation Distribution
Except as set forth in the following paragraph,
in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or winding-up of BBVA (a “Liquidation Event”), holders of
the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series (unless previously converted into Common Shares in accordance with
“—Conversion” below) shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of BBVA available for distribution to holders
of such series, the Liquidation Distribution. Such entitlement will arise before any distribution of assets is made to holders
of Common Shares or any other instrument of BBVA ranking junior to the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series.
If, before the occurrence of a Liquidation
Event, a Conversion Event occurs but the relevant conversion of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series
into Common Shares is still to take place, holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series will be entitled
to receive out of the relevant assets of BBVA a monetary amount equal to that which holders of such contingent convertible preferred
securities of such series would have received on any distribution of the assets of BBVA if such conversion had taken place immediately
prior to such Liquidation Event.
After payment of the relevant entitlement
in respect of a contingent convertible preferred security as described in this section, such contingent convertible preferred security
will confer no further right or claim to any of the remaining assets of BBVA.
Subordination
Unless previously converted into Common
Shares (as set forth in “—Conversion”), the obligations of BBVA under the contingent convertible preferred securities
of any series will constitute direct, unconditional, unsecured and subordinated obligations of BBVA and, in case of insolvency
(
concurso de acreedores
) of BBVA, in accordance with Additional Provision 14.3 of Law 11/2015 and the Spanish Insolvency
Law but only to the extent permitted by the Spanish Insolvency Law or any other applicable laws relating to or affecting the enforcement
of creditors’ rights in Spain and subject to any other ranking that may apply as a result of any mandatory provision of law
(or otherwise), for so long as the obligations of BBVA in respect of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series
constitute an Additional Tier 1 Instrument of BBVA, such contingent convertible preferred securities will rank with respect to
claims for any Liquidation Preference of such contingent convertible preferred securities:
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(i)
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any unsubordinated obligations of BBVA (including where those obligations subsequently become subordinated pursuant to Article
92.1º of the Spanish Insolvency Law); and
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(ii)
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any claim for principal in respect of any other contractually subordinated obligations of BBVA, present and future, not constituting
Additional Tier 1 Capital of BBVA for the purposes of Section 3.(a) of Additional Provision 14 of Law 11/2015 (other than,
to the extent permitted by law, any Parity Securities, whether so ranking by law or their terms);
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(i)
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each other claim for any Liquidation Preference of contingent convertible preferred securities;
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(ii)
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all other claims in respect of any liquidation preference or otherwise for principal in respect of contractually subordinated
obligations of BBVA under any outstanding Additional Tier 1 Instruments, present and future; and
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(iii)
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any other Parity Securities (whether so ranking by law or their terms), to the extent permitted by law; and
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(c)
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senior to the Common Shares or any other subordinated obligations of BBVA which by law rank junior to the contingent convertible
preferred securities (including, to the extent permitted by law, any contractually subordinated obligations of BBVA expressed by
their terms to rank junior to the contingent convertible preferred securities).
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Unless previously converted into Common
Shares, to the extent the obligations of BBVA in respect of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series cease
to constitute an Additional Tier 1 Instrument of BBVA but constitute a Tier 2 Instrument of BBVA, the payment obligations of BBVA
under the contingent convertible preferred securities will rank, in accordance with Section 3.(b) of Additional Provision
14 of Law 11/2015 but not otherwise and subject to any other ranking that may apply as a result of any mandatory provision of law
(or otherwise), as if the contingent convertible preferred securities were a Tier 2 Instrument.
To the extent the obligations of BBVA in
respect of any outstanding contingent convertible preferred securities cease to constitute either an Additional Tier 1 Instrument
or a Tier 2 Instrument of BBVA, the payment obligations of BBVA under such
contingent convertible preferred securities will rank, in accordance
with Section 3.(a) of Additional Provision 14 of Law 11/2015 but not otherwise and subject to any other ranking that may apply
as a result of any mandatory provision of law (or otherwise), as if the contingent convertible preferred securities were contractually
subordinated obligations of BBVA not constituting Additional Tier 1 Capital or Tier 2 Capital of BBVA.
The obligations of BBVA under the contingent
convertible preferred securities are subject to, and may be limited by, the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant
Spanish Resolution Authority.
BBVA agrees with respect to any series
of contingent convertible preferred securities and each holder and beneficial owner of contingent convertible preferred securities
of any series, by his or her acquisition of a contingent convertible preferred security, will be deemed to have agreed to the above
described subordination. To the extent permitted by Spanish law, each such holder and beneficial owner will be deemed to have irrevocably
waived his or her rights of priority which would otherwise be accorded to him or her under the laws of Spain, to the extent necessary
to effectuate the subordination provisions of the contingent convertible preferred security. In addition, each holder and beneficial
owner of contingent convertible preferred securities of any series by his or her acquisition of the securities, to the extent permitted
by Spanish law, authorizes and directs the applicable trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate
to effectuate the subordination of the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities as provided in the contingent convertible
preferred securities indenture and as summarized herein and appoints the applicable trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all
such purposes.
Redemption and Repurchase
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement, the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series are perpetual securities in respect of which
there is no fixed redemption date or maturity date. Holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series may
not require any redemption of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series at any time.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement, the contingent convertible preferred securities are only redeemable in accordance with the following provisions
of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture described in this section “—Redemption and Repurchase”.
Pre-Conditions to Redemptions and Repurchases
As of the date of this prospectus, Article
78(1) of the CRR provides that the Regulator will give its consent to redemption of the contingent convertible preferred securities
provided that either of the following conditions is met:
(a) on or before such redemption of the
contingent convertible preferred securities, BBVA replaces the contingent convertible preferred securities with instruments qualifying
as Tier 1 Capital of an equal or higher quality on terms that are sustainable for the income capacity of BBVA; or
(b) BBVA has demonstrated to the satisfaction
of the Regulator that its Tier 1 Capital and Tier 2 Capital would, following such redemption, exceed the requirements set forth
in article 92(1) of the CRR and the combined buffer requirement as defined in point (6) of article 128 of the CRD IV Directive
by a margin that the Regulator may consider necessary on the basis of article 104(3) of the CRD IV Directive.
No vote of the outstanding holders of the
contingent convertible preferred securities of any series will be required for BBVA to redeem and cancel the contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series.
Optional Redemption
Except as provided below under “—Redemption
Due to a Capital Event” or “—Redemption Due to a Tax Event” and in the relevant prospectus supplement,
any series of contingent convertible preferred securities shall not be redeemable prior to the fifth anniversary of the date of
issuance of the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities (or such other period as Applicable Banking Regulations may
require). All, and not only some, of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series may be redeemed at the option
of BBVA at any time on or after the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance of such contingent convertible preferred securities
at the Redemption Price, in accordance with Articles 77 and 78 of CRR, Article 29 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No
241/2014 and/or any other Applicable Banking Regulations then in force.
Redemption Due to a Capital Event
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement, if, on or after the issue date of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, there is
a Capital Event, the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series may be redeemed, in whole but not in part, at the
option of BBVA at any time at the Redemption Price, in accordance with Articles 77 and 78 of CRR, Article 29 of the Commission
Delegated Regulation (EU) No 241/2014 and/or any other Applicable Banking Regulations then in force.
As of the date of this prospectus, Article
78(4) provides that the Regulator may only permit BBVA to redeem any series contingent convertible preferred securities before
the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance of contingent convertible preferred securities of such series in the case of a Capital
Event if, in addition to meeting one of the conditions referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) of article 78(1) (as described
above), there is a change in the regulatory classification of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series that
would be likely to result in their exclusion from own funds or reclassification as a lower quality form of own funds, the Regulator
considers such change to be sufficiently certain and BBVA demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Regulator that the regulatory
classification was not reasonably foreseeable at the date of issuance of contingent convertible preferred securities of such series.
Redemption Due to a Tax Event
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement, if, on or after the date of issuance of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities, there
is a Tax Event, the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series may be redeemed, in whole but not in part, at the
option of BBVA at any time at the Redemption Price, in accordance with Articles 77 and 78 of CRR, Article 29 of the Commission
Delegated Regulation (EU) No 241/2014 and/or any other Applicable Banking Regulations then in force.
Prior to any notice of redemption of such
contingent convertible preferred securities pursuant to the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture, BBVA shall provide
the trustee with (i) an officer’s certificate of BBVA stating that BBVA is entitled to effect such redemption and setting
forth in reasonable detail a statement of circumstances showing that a Tax Event has occurred; and (ii) an opinion of counsel
to the effect that a Tax Event has occurred.
Article 78(4) provides that the Regulator
may only permit BBVA to redeem the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series before the fifth anniversary of the
date of issuance of contingent convertible preferred securities of such series in the case of a Tax Event if, in addition to meeting
one of the conditions referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) of article 78(1) (as described above), there is a change in the
applicable tax treatment of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series and BBVA demonstrates to the satisfaction
of the Regulator that such change is material and was not reasonably foreseeable at the date of issuance of contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series.
Redemption Procedures
The decision to redeem the contingent convertible
preferred securities of a series must be irrevocably notified by BBVA to holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 calendar days’ notice prior to the relevant redemption date (unless
a shorter period is specified in the contingent convertible preferred securities to be redeemed) (i) through the filing of
a relevant information (
información relevante
) announcement with the CNMV and its publication in accordance with
the rules and regulations of any applicable stock exchange or other relevant authority and (ii) in the manner and to the extent
required by the provisions described under “—Notices” below (in which case, such notice may be given at BBVA’s
request by the trustee in the name and at the expense of BBVA, provided BBVA has requested the trustee to so give notice in writing
accompanied by a copy of the form of notice, and the trustee shall give such notice by the fifth Business Day following its receipt
of such request).
Failure to give notice in the manner above
provided to the holder of any contingent convertible preferred securities designated for redemption, or any defect in the notice
to any such holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other contingent convertible preferred
securities.
Any notice of redemption will state: the
redemption date; the Redemption Price; that on the redemption date the Redemption Price will, subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture become due and payable upon each contingent convertible
preferred security being redeemed and that Distributions will cease to accrue on or after that date; the place or places where
the contingent convertible preferred securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; and the CUSIP, Common
Code and/or ISIN number or numbers, if any, with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities being redeemed.
If BBVA gives notice of redemption of the
contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, then on or prior to the relevant redemption date, BBVA will (except
as otherwise provided in this section “—Redemption and Repurchase”):
(a) irrevocably deposit with the Principal
Paying Agent funds (in the currency in which the contingent convertible preferred securities to be redeemed are payable) sufficient
to pay the Redemption Price; and
(b) give the Principal Paying Agent irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the holders thereof.
If the notice of redemption has been given
on any series of contingent convertible preferred securities, and the funds deposited and instructions and authority to pay given
as required above, then on the date of such deposit:
(a) Distributions on the contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series shall cease to accrue (unless such deposit is made prior to the redemption date, in which case
Distributions on the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series shall cease to accrue on the redemption date);
(b) such contingent convertible preferred
securities of such series will no longer be considered outstanding (except as otherwise provided in this section “—Redemption
and Repurchase”, if there is a Trigger Event prior to the redemption date or if the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority
exercises its Spanish Bail-in Power with respect to such contingent convertible preferred securities prior to the payment of the
Redemption Price to the holders); and
(c) the holders of contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series will no longer have any rights as holders except the right to receive the Redemption Price
(except as otherwise provided in this section “—Redemption and Repurchase” if there is a Trigger Event prior
to the redemption date).
Subject to the following paragraph, if
in connection with any series of contingent convertible preferred securities BBVA improperly withholds or refuses to pay the Redemption
Price of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series, Distributions will continue to accrue, subject as provided
in “—Distributions Discretionary” or “—Restrictions on Payments”, at the rate specified from
(and including) the Redemption Date to (but excluding) the date on which the Redemption Price is deposited with the Principal Paying
Agent.
BBVA may not give a notice of redemption
with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of a series if a Trigger Event Notice has been given with respect
to such series. If any notice of redemption of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities has been given and a Trigger
Event with respect to such series occurs prior to the redemption date, the relevant redemption notice shall be automatically rescinded
and shall be of no force and effect, there shall be no redemption of the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities on
such redemption date and, instead, the Trigger Conversion of the contingent convertible preferred securities shall take place as
provided under “—Conversion Upon Trigger Event”.
If a Capital Reduction Notice has been
given with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of a series, BBVA may not give a notice of redemption with
respect to such series until the end of the Election Period. If a redemption notice is given by BBVA after the end of the Election
Period, unless otherwise provided in the relevant prospectus supplement, BBVA may redeem all (but not part) of the aggregate Liquidation
Preference of contingent convertible preferred securities of such series which remains outstanding following the Capital Reduction
Conversion. If any notice of redemption of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities has been given and a Capital
Reduction with respect to such series occurs prior to the redemption date, the Capital Reduction will be disregarded for all purposes
of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture with respect to such series of contingent convertible preferred securities
and there shall be no conversion of such series of contingent convertible preferred securities as provided in “Conversion—Conversion
Upon Capital Reduction” and, instead, the redemption of the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities shall take
place as provided in this section.
If BBVA has elected to redeem the contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series but, prior to the payment of the Redemption Price to holders, the Relevant Spanish
Resolution Authority exercises its Spanish Bail-in Power with respect to such series of contingent convertible preferred securities,
the relevant redemption notice shall be automatically rescinded and shall be of no force and effect, there shall be no redemption
and consequently no payment of the Redemption Price (and any other amounts payable in accordance with the terms of such contingent
convertible preferred securities) will be due and payable.
Non-payment of Redemption Price
If in connection with any series of contingent
convertible preferred securities BBVA improperly withholds or refuses to pay the Redemption Price of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series, Distributions will continue to accrue, subject as
provided in “—Distributions” above, at the
rate specified from (and including) the redemption date to (but excluding) the date on which the Redemption Price is deposited
with the Principal Paying Agent.
Purchases of Contingent Convertible Preferred
Securities
Unless otherwise provided in the relevant
prospectus supplement, BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group, may purchase or otherwise acquire any of the outstanding contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series at any price in the open market or otherwise in accordance with Articles 77 and
78 of CRR, Article 29 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 241/2014 and/or any other Applicable Banking Regulations in
force at the relevant time.
Under the current Applicable Banking Regulations,
an institution requires the prior permission of the Regulator to effect the repurchase of Additional Tier 1 Instruments (article
77(b) of CRR) and, subject to certain limited exceptions (article 78(4) of CRR), these may not be repurchased before five years
after the date of issuance (article 52.1(i) of CRR).
Notwithstanding any other provision of
the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and subject to compliance with the provisions of any applicable law (including
the Spanish Companies Act and the Applicable Banking Regulations), BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group may exercise such rights
as it may from time to time enjoy to purchase or redeem or buy back any shares of BBVA (including Common Shares) or any depositary
or other receipts or certificates representing the same without the consent of the holders.
Conversion
Conversion Upon Trigger Event
If the Trigger Event occurs at any time
on or after the issue date of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities, then BBVA will:
(a) not pay any Distribution on the contingent
convertible preferred securities of such series, including any accrued and unpaid Distributions, which shall be deemed to be cancelled
by BBVA in accordance with “—Distributions” above; and
(b) irrevocably and mandatorily (and without
any requirement for the consent or approval of the holders or beneficial owners of contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series) convert all the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series into Common Shares (the “Trigger
Conversion”) to be delivered on the relevant Conversion Settlement Date. If the Trigger Event occurs, the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series will be converted in whole and not in part.
For the purposes of determining whether
the Trigger Event has occurred, BBVA will (A) calculate the CET1 ratio based on information (whether or not published) available
to management of BBVA, including information internally reported within BBVA pursuant to its procedures for ensuring effective
ongoing monitoring of the capital ratios of BBVA and the BBVA Group and (B) calculate and publish the CET1 ratio on at least
a quarterly basis. BBVA’s calculation shall be binding on the trustee and the holders and beneficial owners of the relevant
series of contingent convertible preferred securities.
A Trigger Event will not constitute an
event of default, an Enforcement Event or the occurrence of any event related to the insolvency of BBVA or entitle holders to take
any action to cause the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of BBVA.
Conversion Upon Capital Reduction
Except as provided in the penultimate paragraph
under “—Redemption and Repurchase—Redemption Procedures”, if a Capital Reduction occurs at any time on
or after the issue date of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities, then BBVA will, subject as provided below,
irrevocably and mandatorily (and without any requirement for the consent or approval of the holders or beneficial owners of contingent
convertible preferred securities of such series) convert all the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series into
Common Shares (a “Capital Reduction Conversion”) to be delivered on the relevant Conversion Settlement Date and on
such Conversion Settlement Date pay to the holders, as applicable, where not cancelled or deemed cancelled pursuant to, or otherwise
subject to the limitations on payment set out in, “—Payments—Distributions”, an amount equal to the accrued
and unpaid Distributions for the then current Distribution Period up to (but excluding) such Conversion Settlement Date.
Notwithstanding the above, if a Capital
Reduction occurs at any time on or after the issue date of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities, each holder
of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series will have the right to elect that all (but not part) of its contingent
convertible preferred securities shall not be converted, in which case all contingent convertible preferred securities of such
holder shall remain outstanding and no payment of any accrued and unpaid Distributions on such contingent convertible preferred
securities shall be made in respect of such contingent convertible preferred securities to that holder on
the relevant Conversion Settlement Date (without prejudice to
any payment of such Distributions or any other Distributions that may accrue in respect of those contingent convertible preferred
securities). To exercise such right, a holder must complete, sign and deposit at the specified office of any Paying and Conversion
Agent a duly completed and signed notice of election (an “Election Notice”), in the form then obtainable from the specified
office of such Paying and Conversion Agent on or before the tenth Business Day immediately following the Capital Reduction Notice
Date (the period from (and including) the Capital Reduction Notice Date to (and including) such tenth Business Day, the “Election
Period”). In the case of any contingent convertible preferred securities represented by a Global Security held by or on behalf
of a Clearing System, an Election Notice may be delivered within the Election Period by the holder giving notice to the Principal
Paying Agent of such election in accordance with the standard procedures of the relevant Clearing System (which may include notice
being given on such holder’s instruction by the relevant Clearing System to the Principal Paying Agent by electronic means)
in a form acceptable to such Clearing System from time to time.
An Election Notice shall be irrevocable.
Each Paying and Conversion Agent shall inform the Principal Paying Agent within two Business Days of the end of such Election Period
of the Election Notices received during the Election Period and the Principal Paying Agent shall notify BBVA of the details of
the relevant holders that have duly submitted an Election Notice within the Election Period (including the aggregate Liquidation
Preference of contingent convertible preferred securities held by such holders) by no later than the immediately following Business
Day.
Any relevant contingent convertible preferred
securities in respect of which a duly completed and signed Election Notice is not received during the Election Period shall be
converted into Common Shares. Any contingent convertible preferred securities not converted upon a Capital Reduction as a result
of holders delivering a duly completed and signed Election Notice during the Election Period shall remain outstanding and, notwithstanding
any of the above, may be the subject of Conversion on the occurrence of a Trigger Event.
A Capital Reduction will not constitute
an event of default, an Enforcement Event or the occurrence of any event related to the insolvency of BBVA or entitle holders to
take any action to cause the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of BBVA.
Upon Conversion
Except as provided below with respect to
fractions, the number of Common Shares to be issued on Conversion in respect of each contingent convertible preferred security
of any series to be converted shall be determined by dividing the Liquidation Preference of such contingent convertible preferred
security by the relevant Conversion Price in effect on the relevant Conversion Notice Date rounded down to the nearest whole number
of Common Shares. Fractions of Common Shares will not be issued on Conversion or pursuant to the provisions described in the fifth
paragraph from the bottom under “—Anti-Dilution Adjustment of the Floor Price” and no cash payment or other adjustment
will be made in lieu thereof. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, if one or more Delivery Notices and the related
contingent convertible preferred securities are received by or on behalf of a Paying and Conversion Agent such that the Common
Shares to be delivered by or on behalf of the Conversion Shares Depository are to be registered in the same name or delivered to
the same Clearing System participant account, the number of such Common Shares to be delivered in respect thereof shall be calculated
on the basis of the aggregate Liquidation Preference of such contingent convertible preferred securities being so converted and
rounded down to the nearest whole number of Common Shares.
Upon any Trigger Conversion of any series
of contingent convertible preferred securities, holders (and beneficial owners) of any contingent convertible preferred security
shall have no claim against BBVA in respect of (i) any Liquidation Preference (and premium, if any) of such series of contingent
convertible preferred securities converted into Common Shares or (ii) any accrued and unpaid Distributions cancelled or otherwise
unpaid in respect of contingent convertible preferred securities of such series, and the contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series shall cease to represent any right other than the right to receive Common Shares from or on behalf of the Conversion
Shares Depository.
Upon any Capital Reduction Conversion of
any series of contingent convertible preferred securities, holders (and beneficial owners) of any contingent convertible preferred
securities, other than holders of contingent convertible preferred securities in respect of which such holders have elected not
to convert such contingent convertible preferred securities in accordance with the provisions described under “—Conversion
Upon Capital Reduction”, shall have no claim against BBVA in respect of any Liquidation Preference (and premium, if any)
of such series of contingent convertible preferred securities, and the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series
converted into Common Shares, other than contingent convertible preferred securities in respect of which holders have elected not
to convert such contingent convertible preferred securities in accordance with the provisions described under “—Conversion
Upon Capital Reduction”, shall cease to represent any right other than the right to receive Common Shares from or on behalf
of the Conversion Shares Depository. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect BBVA’s obligation upon any Capital Reduction
Conversion to pay to the holders, as applicable, where not cancelled or deemed cancelled pursuant to, or otherwise subject to the
limitations on payment set out in, “—Payments—Distributions”, and except as set out under “—Conversion
Upon Capital Reduction”, an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions for the then current Distribution Period
up to (but excluding) the Conversion Settlement Date.
On or prior to the Conversion Settlement
Date, BBVA shall deliver to the Conversion Shares Depository such number of Common Shares (subject as provided above with respect
to fractions) as is required to satisfy in full BBVA’s obligation to deliver Common Shares (i) in respect of a Trigger
Conversion, of the aggregate Liquidation Preference of contingent convertible preferred securities of such series outstanding on
the Trigger Event Notice Date, and (ii) in respect of a Capital Reduction Conversion, of the aggregate Liquidation Preference
of contingent convertible preferred securities of such series outstanding on the Capital Reduction Notice Date, other than contingent
convertible preferred securities in respect of which such holders have elected not to convert such contingent convertible preferred
securities in accordance with the provisions described under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction”.
The obligation of BBVA to issue and deliver
Common Shares to a holder of contingent convertible preferred securities of any series on the relevant Conversion Settlement Date
shall be satisfied by the delivery of such Common Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository. Receipt of the relevant Common Shares
by the Conversion Shares Depository shall discharge BBVA’s obligations in respect of the contingent convertible preferred
securities converted, other than, in the case of a Capital Reduction, as provided under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction”
with respect to the payment of accrued and unpaid Distributions for the then current Distribution Period up to (but excluding)
the Conversion Settlement Date, where not cancelled or deemed cancelled pursuant to, or otherwise subject to the limitations on
payment set out in, “—Payments—Distributions”, and except as set out under “—Conversion Upon
Capital Reduction”.
Except as set forth in the immediately
preceding paragraph with respect to a Capital Reduction, if a Conversion Event occurs, holders shall have recourse to BBVA only
for the issue and delivery of the relevant Common Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository. After such delivery by BBVA of the
relevant Common Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository, holders of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities
so converted shall have recourse to the Conversion Shares Depository only for the delivery to them of such Common Shares, in the
circumstances described under “—Settlement Procedures” below.
Conversion Price
“Conversion Price” means, in
respect of a Conversion Notice Date, if the Common Shares are:
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(a)
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then admitted to trading on a Relevant Stock Exchange, the higher of:
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(i)
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the Reference Market Price of a Common Share (translated into U.S. dollars at the Prevailing Rate, if applicable);
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(ii)
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the Floor Price (translated into U.S. dollars at the Prevailing Rate, if applicable); and
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(iii)
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the nominal value of a Common Share (translated into U.S. dollars at the Prevailing Rate, if applicable); or
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(b)
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not then admitted to trading on a Relevant Stock Exchange, the higher of (ii) and (iii) above.
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Anti-Dilution Adjustment of the Floor Price
For the purposes of this section “—Anti-Dilution
Adjustment of the Floor Price” only (a) references to the “issue” of Common Shares or Common Shares being
issued shall, if not otherwise expressly specified in this “Description of the Contingent Convertible Preferred Securities
of BBVA”, include the transfer and/or delivery of Common Shares, whether newly issued and allotted or previously existing
or held by or on behalf of BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group, and (b) Common Shares held by or on behalf of BBVA or any
member of the BBVA Group (and which, in the case of sub-paragraphs (d) and (f) below, are not entitled to receive the relevant
right or other entitlement) shall not be considered as or treated as in issue or issued or entitled to receive any Dividend, right
or other entitlement.
References to any issue or offer or grant
to Shareholders or Existing Shareholders “as a class” or “by way of rights” shall be taken to be references
to an issue or offer or grant to all or substantially all Shareholders or Existing Shareholders, as the case may be, other than
Shareholders or Existing Shareholders, as the case may be, to whom, by reason of the laws of any territory or requirements of any
recognized regulatory body or any other stock exchange or securities market in any territory or in connection with fractional entitlements,
it is determined not to make such issue or offer or grant.
Upon the happening of any of the events
described below and unless otherwise provided in the relevant prospectus supplement, the Floor Price of any series of contingent
convertible preferred securities shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:
(a) If and whenever there shall be a consolidation,
reclassification, redesignation or subdivision affecting the number of Common Shares, the Floor Price shall be adjusted by multiplying
the Floor Price in force immediately prior to such consolidation, reclassification, redesignation or subdivision by the following
fraction:
where:
A is the aggregate number of
Common Shares in issue immediately before such consolidation, reclassification, redesignation or subdivision, as the case may be;
and
B is the aggregate number of
Common Shares in issue immediately after, and as a result of, such consolidation, reclassification, redesignation or subdivision,
as the case may be.
Such adjustment shall become effective
on the date the consolidation, reclassification, redesignation or subdivision, as the case may be, takes effect.
(b) If and whenever BBVA shall issue any
Common Shares credited as fully paid to Shareholders by way of capitalization of profits or reserves (including any share premium
account or capital redemption reserve) other than (i) where any such Common Shares are or are to be issued instead of the
whole or part of a Dividend in cash which Shareholders would or could otherwise have elected to receive, (ii) where Shareholders
may elect to receive a Dividend in cash in lieu of such Common Shares or (iii) where any such Common Shares are or are expressed
to be issued in lieu of a Dividend (whether or not a cash Dividend equivalent or amount is announced or would otherwise be payable
to Shareholders, whether at their election or otherwise), the Floor Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the Floor Price in force
immediately prior to such issue by the following fraction:
where:
A is the aggregate number of
Common Shares in issue immediately before such issue; and
B is the aggregate number of
Common Shares in issue immediately after such issue.
Such adjustment shall become effective
on the date of issue of such Common Shares.
(c) (i) If and whenever BBVA shall pay
any Extraordinary Dividend to its Shareholders, the Floor Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the Floor Price in force immediately
prior to the Effective Date by the following fraction:
where:
A is the Current Market Price
of one Common Share on the Effective Date; and
B is the portion of the Fair
Market Value of the aggregate Extraordinary Dividend attributable to one Common Share, with such portion being determined by dividing
the Fair Market Value of the aggregate Extraordinary Dividend by the number of Common Shares entitled to receive the relevant Dividend.
Such
adjustment shall become effective on the Effective Date or, if later, the first date upon which the Fair Market Value of the relevant
Extraordinary Dividend can be determined.
“Effective Date”
means, in respect of this sub-paragraph (c)(i), the first date on which the Common Shares are traded ex-the relevant Cash Dividend
on the Relevant Stock Exchange.
“Extraordinary Dividend”
means, in respect of this sub-paragraph (c)(i), any Cash Dividend which is expressly declared by BBVA to be a capital distribution,
extraordinary dividend, extraordinary distribution, special dividend, special distribution or return of value to its Shareholders
or any analogous or similar term (including any distribution made as a result of any Capital Reduction), in which case the Extraordinary
Dividend shall be such Cash Dividend.
(ii) If and whenever BBVA shall
pay or make any Non-Cash Dividend to Shareholders, the Floor Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the Floor Price in force immediately
prior to the Effective Date by the following fraction:
where:
A is the Current Market Price
of one Common Share on the Effective Date; and
B is the portion of the Fair
Market Value of the aggregate Non-Cash Dividend attributable to one Common Share, with such portion being determined by dividing
the Fair Market Value of the aggregate Non-Cash Dividend by the number of Common Shares entitled to receive the relevant Non-Cash
Dividend (or, in the case of a purchase, redemption or buy back of Common Shares or any depositary or other receipts or certificates
representing Common Shares by or on behalf of BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group, by the number of Common Shares in issue immediately
following such purchase, redemption or buy back, and treating as not being in issue any Common Shares, or any Common Shares represented
by depositary or other receipts or certificates, purchased, redeemed or bought back).
Such adjustment shall become
effective on the Effective Date or, if later, the first date upon which the Fair Market Value of the relevant Non-Cash Dividend
is capable of being determined as provided herein.
“Effective Date”
means, in respect of this sub-paragraph (c)(ii), the first date on which the Common Shares are traded ex-the relevant Dividend
on the Relevant Stock Exchange or, in the case of a purchase, redemption or buy back of Common Shares or any depositary or other
receipts or certificates representing Common Shares by or on behalf of BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group, the date on which
such purchase, redemption or buy back is made (or, in any such case if later, the first date upon which the Fair Market Value of
the relevant Dividend is capable of being determined as provided herein) or in the case of a Spin-Off, the first date on which
the Common Shares are traded ex-the relevant Spin-Off on the Relevant Stock Exchange.
(iii) For the purposes of this
sub-paragraph (c), Fair Market Value shall (subject as provided in paragraph (a) of the definition of “Dividend”
and in the definition of “Fair Market Value”) be determined as at the Effective Date.
(iv) In making any calculations
for the purposes of this sub-paragraph (c), such adjustments (if any) shall be made as an Independent Financial Adviser may determine
in good faith to be appropriate to reflect (A) any consolidation or sub-division of any Common Shares or (B) the issue
of Common Shares by way of capitalization of profits or reserves (or any like or similar event) or (C) any increase in the
number of Common Shares in issue in BBVA’s financial year in question.
(d) If and whenever BBVA shall issue Common
Shares to its Shareholders as a class by way of rights, or BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group or (at the direction or request
or pursuant to any arrangements with BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group) any other company, person or entity shall issue or grant
to the Shareholders as a class by way of rights, any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase or otherwise
acquire any Common Shares, or any Securities which by their terms of issue carry (directly or indirectly) rights of conversion
into, or exchange or subscription for, or the right to acquire, any Common Shares (or shall grant any such rights in respect of
existing Securities so issued), in each case at a price per Common Share which is less than 95% of the Current Market Price per
Common Share on the Effective Date, the Floor Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the Floor Price in force immediately prior
to the Effective Date by the following fraction:
where:
A is the number of Common Shares
in issue on the Effective Date;
B is the number of Common Shares
which the aggregate consideration (if any) receivable for the Common Shares issued by way of rights, or for the Securities issued
by way of rights, or for the options or warrants or other rights issued or granted by way of rights and for the total number of
Common Shares deliverable on the exercise thereof, would purchase at such Current Market Price per Common Share; and
C is the number of Common Shares
to be issued or, as the case may be, the maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued upon exercise of such options, warrants
or rights calculated as at the date of issue of such options, warrants or rights or upon conversion or exchange or exercise of
rights of subscription or purchase or other rights of acquisition in respect thereof at the initial conversion, exchange, subscription,
purchase or acquisition price or rate,
provided
that if at the Effective Date such number of Common Shares is to be determined by reference to the application of a formula or
other variable feature or the occurrence of any event at some subsequent time, then for the purposes of this sub-paragraph (d),
“C” shall be determined by the application of such formula or variable feature or as if the relevant event occurs
or had occurred as at the Effective Date and as if such conversion, exchange, subscription, purchase or acquisition had taken
place on the Effective Date.
Such adjustment shall become effective
on the Effective Date.
“Effective
Date” means, in respect of this sub-paragraph (d), the first date on which the Common Shares are traded ex-rights, ex-options
or ex-warrants on the Relevant Stock Exchange.
(e) If and whenever BBVA or any member
of the BBVA Group or (at the direction or request or pursuant to any arrangements with BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group) any
other company, person or entity shall issue any Securities (other than Common Shares or options, warrants or other rights to subscribe
for or purchase or otherwise acquire any Common Shares or Securities which by their terms carry (directly or indirectly) rights
of conversion into, or exchange or subscription for, or rights to otherwise acquire, Common Shares) to the Shareholders as a class
by way of rights or grant to the Shareholders as a class by way of rights any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for
or purchase or otherwise acquire any Securities (other than Common Shares or options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for
or purchase or otherwise acquire Common Shares or Securities which by their term carry (directly or indirectly) rights of conversion
into, or exchange or subscription for, rights to otherwise acquire, Common Shares), the Floor Price shall be adjusted by multiplying
the Floor Price in force immediately prior to the Effective Date by the following fraction:
where:
A is the Current Market Price
of one Common Share on the Effective Date; and
B is the Fair Market Value
on the Effective Date of the portion of the rights attributable to one Common Share.
Such adjustment shall become effective
on the Effective Date.
“Effective Date” means, in
respect of this sub-paragraph (e), the first date on which the Common Shares are traded ex-the relevant Securities or ex-rights,
ex-option or ex-warrants on the Relevant Stock Exchange.
(f) If and whenever BBVA shall issue (otherwise
than as mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) above) wholly for cash or for no consideration any Common Shares (other than Common
Shares issued on conversion of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities or on the exercise of any rights of conversion
into, or exchange or subscription for or purchase of, or right to otherwise acquire Common Shares) or if and whenever BBVA or any
member of the BBVA Group or (at the direction or request or pursuance to any arrangements with BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group)
any other company, person or entity shall issue or grant (otherwise than as mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) above) wholly for
cash or for no consideration any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase or otherwise acquire any Common
Shares (other than the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, which term shall for this purpose include any
further contingent convertible preferred securities), in each case at a price per Common Share which is less than 95% of the Current
Market Price per Common Share on the date of the first public announcement of the terms of such issue or grant, the Floor Price
shall be adjusted by multiplying the Floor Price in force immediately prior to the Effective Date by the following fraction:
where:
A is the number of Common Shares
in issue immediately before the issue of such Common Shares or the grant of such options, warrants or rights;
B is the number of Common Shares
which the aggregate consideration (if any) receivable for the issue of such Common Shares or, as the case may be, for the Common
Shares to be issued or otherwise made available upon the exercise of any such options, warrants or rights, would purchase at such
Current Market Price per Common Share on the Effective Date; and
C is the number of Common Shares
to be issued pursuant to such issue of such Common Shares or, as the case may be, the maximum number of Common Shares which may
be issued upon exercise of such options, warrants or rights calculated as at the date of issue of such options, warrants or rights,
provided that if at the Effective Date, such number of Common
Shares is to be determined by reference to the application of a formula or other variable feature or the occurrence of any event
at some subsequent time, then for the purposes of this sub-paragraph (f), “C” shall be determined by the application
of such formula or variable feature or as if the relevant event occurs or had occurred as at the Effective Date and as if such
conversion, exchange, subscription, purchase or acquisition had taken place on the Effective Date.
Such adjustment shall become effective
on the Effective Date.
“Effective Date” means, in
respect of this sub-paragraph (f), the date of issue of such Common Shares or, as the case may be, the grant of such options, warrants
or rights.
(g) If and whenever BBVA or any member
of the BBVA Group or (at the direction or request of or pursuant to any arrangements with BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group)
any other company, person or entity (otherwise than as mentioned in sub-paragraphs (d), (e) or (f) above) shall issue wholly
for cash or for no consideration any Securities (other than contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, which term
shall for this purpose include any further contingent convertible preferred securities) which by their terms of issue carry (directly
or indirectly) rights of conversion into, or exchange or subscription for, purchase of, or rights to otherwise acquire, Common
Shares (or shall grant any such rights in respect of existing Securities so issued) or Securities which by their terms might be
reclassified/redesignated as Common Shares, and the consideration per Common Share receivable upon conversion, exchange, subscription,
purchase, acquisition or redesignation is less than 95% of the Current Market Price per Common Share on the date of the first public
announcement of the terms of issue of such Securities (or the terms of such grant), the Floor Price shall be adjusted by multiplying
the Floor Price in force immediately prior to the Effective Date by the following fraction:
where:
A is the number of Common Shares
in issue immediately before such issue or grant (but where the relevant Securities carry rights of conversion into or rights of
exchange or subscription for, purchase of, or rights to otherwise acquire Common Shares which have been issued, purchased or acquired
by BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group (or at the direction or request or pursuant to any arrangements with BBVA or any member
of the BBVA Group) for the purposes of or in connection with such issue, less the number of such Common Shares so issued, purchased
or acquired);
B is the number of Common Shares
which the aggregate consideration (if any) receivable for the Common Shares to be issued or otherwise made available upon conversion
or exchange or upon exercise of the right of subscription, purchase or acquisition attached to such Securities or, as the case
may be, for the Common Shares to be issued or to arise from any such reclassification/ redesignation would purchase at such Current
Market Price per Common Share; and
C is the maximum number of
Common Shares to be issued or otherwise made available upon conversion or exchange of such Securities or upon the exercise of such
right of subscription attached thereto at the initial conversion, exchange, subscription, purchase or acquisition price or rate
or, as the case may be, the maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued or arise from any such reclassification/ redesignation;
provided
that if at the Effective Date such number of Common Shares is to be determined by reference to the application of a formula or
other variable feature or the occurrence of any event at some subsequent time (which may be when such Securities are converted
or exchanged or rights of subscription, purchase or acquisition are exercised or, as the case may be, such Securities are reclassified/redesignated
or at such other time as may be provided), then for the purposes of this sub-paragraph (g), “C” shall be determined
by the application of such formula or variable feature or as if the relevant event occurs or had occurred as at the Effective
Date and as if such conversion, exchange, subscription, purchase or acquisition or, as the case may be, reclassification, redesignation
had taken place on the Effective Date.
Such adjustment shall become effective
on the Effective Date.
“Effective Date” means, in
respect of this sub-paragraph (g), the date of issue of such Securities or, as the case may be, the grant of such rights.
(h) If and whenever there shall be any
modification of the rights of conversion, exchange, subscription, purchase or acquisition attaching to any Securities (other than
the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, which term for this purpose shall include any further contingent
convertible preferred securities) pursuant to sub-paragraph (g) above (other than in accordance with the terms (including
terms as to adjustment) applicable to such Securities upon issue) so that following such modification the consideration per Common
Share receivable has been reduced and is less than 95% of the Current Market Price per Common Share on the date of the first public
announcement of the proposals for such modification, the Floor Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the Floor Price in force
immediately prior to the Effective Date by the following fraction:
where:
A is the number of Common Shares
in issue immediately before such modification (but where the relevant Securities carry rights of conversion into or rights of exchange
or subscription for, or purchase or acquisition of, Common Shares which have been issued, purchased or acquired by BBVA or any
member of the BBVA Group (or at the direction or request or pursuant to any arrangements with BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group)
for the purposes of or in connection with such Securities, less the number of such Common Shares so issued, purchased or acquired);
B is the number of Common Shares
which the aggregate consideration (if any) receivable for the Common Shares to be issued or otherwise made available upon conversion
or exchange or upon exercise of the right of subscription, purchase or acquisition attached to the Securities so modified would
purchase at such Current Market Price per Common Share or, if lower, the existing conversion, exchange, subscription, purchase
or acquisition price or rate of such Securities; and
C is the maximum number of
Common Shares which may be issued or otherwise made available upon conversion or exchange of such Securities or upon the exercise
of such rights of subscription, purchase or acquisition attached thereto at the modified conversion, exchange, subscription, purchase
or acquisition price or rate but giving credit in such manner as an Independent Financial Adviser in good faith shall consider
appropriate for any previous adjustment under this sub-paragraph (h) or sub-paragraph (g) above;
provided
that if at the Effective Date such number of Common Shares is to be determined by reference to the application of a formula or
other variable feature or the occurrence of any event at some subsequent time (which may be when such Securities are converted
or exchanged or rights of subscription, purchase or acquisition are exercised or at such other time as may be provided) then for
the purposes of this sub-paragraph (h), “C” shall be determined by the application of such formula or variable feature
or as if the relevant event occurs or had occurred as at the Effective Date and as if such conversion, exchange, subscription,
purchase or acquisition had taken place on the Effective Date.
Such adjustment shall become effective
on the Effective Date.
“Effective Date” means, in
respect of this sub-paragraph (h), the date of modification of the rights of conversion, exchange, subscription, purchase or acquisition
attaching to such Securities.
(i) If and whenever BBVA or any member
of the BBVA Group or (at the direction or request of or pursuant to any arrangements with BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group)
any other company, person or entity shall offer any Securities in connection with which the Shareholders as a class are entitled
to participate in arrangements whereby such Securities may be acquired by them (except where the Floor Price falls to be adjusted
under sub-paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above or sub-paragraph (j) below (or would fall to be so adjusted if the
relevant issue or grant was at less than 95% of the Current Market Price per Common Share on the relevant dealing day under sub-paragraph
(e) above)) the Floor Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the Floor Price in force immediately before the Effective Date
by the following fraction:
where:
A is the Current Market Price
of one Common Share on the Effective Date; and
B is the Fair Market Value
on the Effective Date of the portion of the relevant offer attributable to one Common Share.
Such adjustment shall become effective
on the Effective Date.
“Effective Date” means, in
respect of this sub-paragraph (i), the first date on which the Common Shares are traded ex-rights on the Relevant Stock Exchange.
(j) If BBVA determines that a reduction
to the Floor Price should be made for whatever reason, the Floor Price will be reduced (either generally or for a specified period
as notified to holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such relevant series) in such manner and with effect
from such date as BBVA shall determine and notify to the holders of the relevant series of contingent convertible preferred securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
in this section “Anti-Dilution Adjustment of the Floor Price”:
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where the events or circumstances giving rise to any
adjustment of the Floor Price have already resulted or will result in an adjustment to the Floor Price or where the events or
circumstances giving rise to any adjustment arise by virtue of any other events or circumstances which have already given or will
give rise to an adjustment to the Floor Price or where more
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than one event which gives
rise to an adjustment to the Floor Price occurs within such a short period of time that, in the opinion of BBVA, a modification
to the operation of the adjustment provisions is required to give the intended result, such modification shall be made to the operation
of the adjustment provisions as may be determined in good faith by an Independent Financial Adviser to be in its opinion appropriate
to give the intended result; and
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such modification shall be made to the operation of
the anti-dilution adjustment terms described in this section “Anti-Dilution Adjustment of the Floor Price” as may
be determined in good faith by an Independent Financial Adviser to be in its opinion appropriate (A) to ensure that an adjustment
to the Floor Price or the economic effect thereof shall not be taken into account more than once and (B) to ensure that the
economic effect of a Dividend is not taken into account more than once;
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and in each case, any such modification shall be
conclusive and binding on all parties (including the holders and beneficial owners of any contingent convertible preferred security)
save in the case of manifest error.
For the purpose of any calculation of the
consideration receivable or price pursuant to sub-paragraphs (d), (f), (g) and (h) above, the following provisions shall apply:
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the aggregate consideration receivable or price for
Common Shares issued for cash shall be the amount of such cash;
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(A) the aggregate consideration receivable or price
for Common Shares to be issued or otherwise made available upon the conversion or exchange of any Securities shall be deemed to
be the consideration or price received or receivable for any such Securities and (B) the aggregate consideration receivable
or price for Common Shares to be issued or otherwise made available upon the exercise of rights of subscription attached to any
Securities or upon the exercise of any options, warrants or rights shall be deemed to be that part (which may be the whole) of
the consideration or price received or receivable for such Securities or, as the case may be, for such options, warrants or rights
which are attributed by BBVA to such rights of subscription or, as the case may be, such options, warrants or rights or, if no
part of such consideration or price is so attributed, the Fair Market Value of such rights of subscription or, as the case may
be, such options, warrants or rights as at the relevant Effective Date as referred to in sub-paragraphs (d), (f), (g) or (h) above,
as the case may be, plus in the case of each of (A) and (B) above, the additional minimum consideration receivable or price
(if any) upon the conversion or exchange of such Securities, or upon the exercise of such rights of subscription attached thereto
or, as the case may be, upon exercise of such options, warrants or rights and (C) the consideration receivable or price per
Common Share upon the conversion or exchange of, or upon the exercise of such rights of subscription attached to, such Securities
or, as the case may be, upon the exercise of such options, warrants or rights shall be the aggregate consideration or price referred
to in (A) or (B) above (as the case may be) divided by the number of Common Shares to be issued upon such conversion or exchange
or exercise at the initial conversion, exchange or subscription price or rate;
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if the consideration or price determined pursuant to the two provisions immediately above (or any component thereof) shall
be expressed in a currency other than the Share Currency, it shall be converted into the Share Currency at the Prevailing Rate
on the relevant Effective Date (in the case of the second provision immediately above) or the relevant date of first public announcement
(in the case of the first provision immediately above);
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in determining the consideration or price pursuant to the above, no deduction shall be made for any commissions or fees (howsoever
described) or any expenses paid or incurred for any underwriting, placing or management of the issue of the relevant Common Shares
or Securities or options, warrants or rights, or otherwise in connection therewith; and
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the consideration or price shall be determined as provided above on the basis of the consideration or price received, receivable,
paid or payable regardless of whether all or part thereof is received, receivable, paid or payable by or to BBVA or another entity.
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If the Conversion Settlement Date in relation
to the Conversion of any contingent convertible preferred security of any series shall be after the record date in respect of any
consolidation, reclassification, redesignation or sub-division as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) above, or after the record
date or other due date for the establishment of entitlement for any such issue, distribution, grant or offer (as the case may be)
as is mentioned in sub-paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) or (i) above, or after the date of the first public announcement of the
terms of any such issue or grant as is mentioned in sub-paragraphs (f) or (g) above or of the terms of any such modification
as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (h) above, but before the relevant adjustment to the Floor Price (if applicable) becomes
effective pursuant to the provisions described in this section “—Anti-Dilution Adjustment of the Floor Price”
(such adjustment, a “Retroactive Adjustment”), then BBVA shall (conditional upon the relevant adjustment becoming effective)
procure that there shall be delivered to the Conversion Shares Depository, for onward delivery to the holders of the relevant contingent
convertible preferred securities, in accordance with the instructions contained in the Delivery Notices received by the Conversion
Shares Depository, such additional number of Common Shares (if any) (the “Additional Common Shares”) as, together with
the Common Shares issued on Conversion of the contingent convertible preferred securities (together with any fraction of a Common
Share not so delivered to any relevant holder), is equal to the number of Common Shares which would have been required to be issued
and delivered on such Conversion if the relevant adjustment to the Floor Price had been made and become effective immediately prior
to the relevant
Conversion Notice Date (subject as provided above with respect
to fractions), provided that, where applicable, if the Conversion Shares Depository and/or the holders, as the case may be, shall
be entitled to receive the relevant Dividend in respect of the Common Shares to be issued or delivered to them, then no such Retroactive
Adjustment shall be made in relation to such Dividend and Additional Common Shares shall not be issued and delivered to the Conversion
Shares Depository and holders in relation thereto. If Additional Common Shares are required under the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture, all references to the issue and/or delivery of Common Shares in the contingent convertible preferred securities
indenture shall be construed accordingly.
If any doubt shall arise as to whether
an adjustment is required to be made to the Floor Price or as to the appropriate adjustment to the Floor Price, BBVA may at its
discretion appoint an Independent Financial Adviser and, following consultation between BBVA and such Independent Financial Adviser,
a written determination of such Independent Financial Adviser in respect thereof shall be conclusive and binding on all parties
(including the holders and beneficial owners of any contingent convertible preferred security), save in the case of manifest error.
No adjustment will be made to the Floor
Price where Common Shares or other Securities (including rights, warrants and options) are issued, offered, exercised, allotted,
purchased, appropriated, modified or granted to, or for the benefit of, employees or former employees (including directors holding
or formerly holding executive or non-executive office or the personal service company of any such person) or their spouses or relatives,
in each case, of BBVA or any member of the BBVA Group or any associated company or to a trustee or trustees or intermediary to
be held for the benefit of any such person, in any such case pursuant to any share or option or similar scheme.
On any adjustment, if the resultant Floor
Price has more decimal places than the initial Floor Price, it shall be rounded down to the same number of decimal places as the
initial Floor Price. No adjustment shall be made to the Floor Price where such adjustment (rounded down if applicable) would be
less than 1% of the Floor Price then in effect. Any adjustment not required to be made pursuant to the above, and/or any amount
by which the Floor Price has been rounded down, shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment, and
such subsequent adjustment shall be made on the basis that the adjustment not required to be made had been made at the relevant
time and/or, as the case may be, that the relevant rounding down had not been made.
Notice of any adjustments to the Floor
Price shall be given by BBVA to holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series through the filing of
a relevant information (
información relevante
) announcement with the CNMV and its publication in accordance with
the rules and regulations of any applicable stock exchange or other relevant authority and in accordance with “—Notices”
below promptly after the determination thereof.
Conversion Procedures
If a Trigger Event occurs at any time on
or after the issue date of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities, then BBVA will notify the Regulator and the
holders of such series of contingent convertible preferred securities immediately upon BBVA’s determination that a Trigger
Event has occurred (i) through the filing of a relevant information (
información relevante
) announcement with
the CNMV and its publication in accordance with the rules and regulations of any applicable stock exchange or other relevant authority
and (ii) in accordance with “—Notices” below (together, the “Trigger Event Notice”). Any failure
by BBVA to give a Trigger Event Notice or otherwise notify the holders of a Trigger Event will have no impact on the effectiveness
of, or otherwise invalidate, any Trigger Conversion, will not constitute an Enforcement Event with respect to such series of contingent
convertible preferred securities, or give the holders or beneficial owners of the contingent convertible preferred securities of
such series any rights as a result of such failure.
If a Capital Reduction occurs at any time
on or after the issue date of any series of contingent convertible preferred securities, then BBVA will notify the Regulator and
the holders of such series of contingent convertible preferred securities immediately (i) through the filing of a relevant
information (
información relevante
) announcement with the CNMV and its publication in accordance with the rules and
regulations of any applicable stock exchange or other relevant authority and (ii) in accordance with “—Notices”
below (together, the “Capital Reduction Notice”). Any failure by BBVA to give a Capital Reduction Notice or otherwise
notify the holders of a Capital Reduction, will have no impact on the effectiveness of, or otherwise invalidate, any Capital Reduction,
will not constitute an Enforcement Event with respect to such series of contingent convertible preferred securities, or give the
holders or beneficial owners of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series any rights as a result of such failure.
A Conversion Notice shall be a written
notice specifying the following:
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that a Trigger Event or a Capital Reduction has occurred, as the case may be;
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in the case of a Capital Reduction Notice, the Conversion Price;
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in the case of a Capital Reduction Notice, the Election Period and the procedures holders must follow with respect to timely
submission of Election Notices;
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in the case of a Capital Reduction Notice, the expected Conversion Settlement Date, which shall be as soon as practicable and
in any event not later than one month following (or such other period as Applicable Banking Regulations may require) the Conversion
Notice Date;
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the contact details of the Conversion Shares Depository and Paying and Conversion Agent and the procedures holders of the contingent
convertible preferred securities must follow to obtain delivery of the Common Shares;
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that the contingent convertible preferred securities (other than, in the case of a Capital Reduction, contingent convertible
preferred securities which holders elect not to convert in accordance with the provisions described under “—Conversion
Upon Capital Reduction”) shall remain in existence for the sole purposes of evidencing the holder’s right to receive
Common Shares from or on behalf of the Conversion Shares Depository and, in the case of a Capital Reduction, of evidencing the
holder’s right to receive payment of accrued and unpaid Distributions for the then current Distribution Period up to (but
excluding) the Conversion Settlement Date as provided under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction”, where not cancelled
or deemed cancelled pursuant to, or otherwise subject to the limitations on payment set out in, “—Payments—Distributions”;
and
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a request that holders and beneficial owners (or the custodian, broker, nominee or other representative thereof) of such contingent
convertible preferred securities complete a Delivery Notice to be delivered, together with the relevant contingent convertible
preferred securities held by them (other than, in the case of a Capital Reduction, contingent convertible preferred securities
which holders elect not to convert in accordance with the provisions described under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction”),
to the specified office of the Paying and Conversion Agent, with a copy of such Delivery Notice to the trustee, no later than five
Business Days (in the relevant place of delivery) prior to the relevant Conversion Settlement Date (the “Notice Cut-off Date”).
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In the case of a Trigger Event, BBVA shall
further notify the holders of the relevant series of contingent convertible preferred securities of the expected Conversion Settlement
Date and of the Conversion Price within ten (10) Business Days of the Conversion Notice Date in accordance with “—Notices”
below.
The Conversion Notice Date shall be deemed
to be the date on which the Trigger Event Notice or the Capital Reduction Notice, as the case may be, is communicated through the
filing of a relevant information (
información relevante
) announcement with the CNMV and is published in accordance
with the rules and regulations of any applicable stock exchange or other relevant authority.
Upon BBVA’s determination that a
Trigger Event has occurred or upon BBVA’s adoption of a Capital Reduction measure, it shall, prior to giving a Conversion
Notice, deliver to the trustee a certificate stating that a Conversion Event has occurred, which the trustee shall accept without
any further enquiry as sufficient evidence of such matters, and such certificate will be conclusive and binding on the trustee,
the holders and beneficial owners of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series. BBVA shall provide a copy
of the Conversion Notice to the trustee as soon as it is available.
Within two (2) Business Days after
its receipt of the Conversion Notice, the trustee shall transmit the Conversion Notice to the depositary and BBVA expects that,
promptly following its receipt of the Conversion Notice, pursuant to the relevant procedures then in effect, the depositary shall
post the Conversion Notice to, if DTC is acting as depositary, its Reorganization Inquiry for Participants System (or in the case
of any other depositary, its equivalent).
If a Trigger Event occurs, the contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series will be converted in whole and not in part, and if a Capital Reduction occurs, the
contingent convertible preferred securities of any series will be converted in whole and not in part except for contingent convertible
preferred securities in respect of which such holders have elected not to convert such contingent convertible preferred securities
in accordance with the provisions described under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction”.
Notwithstanding anything set forth in this
prospectus to the contrary, except in the case of a Capital Reduction with respect to any contingent convertible preferred securities
in respect of which the holders have elected not to convert such contingent convertible preferred securities in accordance with
the provisions described under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction” (as the case may be), upon a Conversion,
(i) subject to the right of holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities relating to a breach of the Performance
Obligation (as defined below) in the event of a failure by BBVA to issue and deliver any Common Shares to the Conversion Shares
Depository on the Conversion Settlement Date and, in the case of a Capital Reduction, the right of holders to receive payment of
accrued and unpaid Distributions for the then current Distribution Period up to (but excluding) the Conversion Settlement Date
as provided under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction” (where not cancelled or deemed cancelled pursuant to,
or otherwise subject to the limitations on payment set out in, “—Payments—Distributions” and except as
provided under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction”), the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture
shall impose no duties upon the trustee whatsoever with regard to a Conversion (except the limited duties set forth in the contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture in respect of a global security which is surrendered for conversion in part upon a Capital
Reduction), and the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities converted or to be converted shall have no rights
whatsoever under the contingent convertible
preferred securities indenture or such contingent convertible
preferred securities to instruct the trustee to take any action whatsoever and (ii) as of the Conversion Notice Date, except
for any indemnity and/or security provided by any holders of such contingent convertible preferred securities in such direction
or related to such direction, any direction previously given to the trustee by any holders of such contingent convertible preferred
securities shall cease automatically and shall be null and void and of no further effect.
BBVA’s obligations to indemnify the
trustee in accordance with the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture shall survive any Conversion.
Agreement and Waiver with Respect to Conversion
The contingent convertible preferred securities
of any series are not convertible into Common Shares at the option of holders of contingent convertible preferred securities of
any series at any time and are not redeemable in cash as a result of a Conversion Event. Notwithstanding any other provision herein,
by its acquisition of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, each holder and beneficial owner shall be
deemed to have (i) agreed to all the terms and conditions of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series,
including, without limitation, those related to (x) Conversion following a Trigger Event or Capital Reduction, as the case
may be, and (y) the appointment of the Conversion Shares Depository, the issuance of the Common Shares to the Conversion Shares
Depository (or to the relevant recipient in accordance with the terms of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such
series or the Conversion Notice), and acknowledged that such events in (x) and (y) may occur without any further action on
the part of the holders or beneficial owners of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series or the trustee,
(ii) agreed that effective upon, and following, the Conversion, no amount shall be due and payable to the holders of the contingent
convertible preferred securities so converted (other than any accrued and unpaid Distributions to be paid upon a Capital Reduction
Conversion in accordance with the provisions set forth under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction” (where not
cancelled or deemed cancelled pursuant to, or otherwise subject to the limitations on payment set out in, “—Payments—Distributions”,
and except as provided under “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction”)), and BBVA’s liability to pay any such
amounts (including the Liquidation Preference (and premium, if any) of, or any Distribution in respect of (other than any accrued
and unpaid Distributions to be paid upon a Capital Reduction Conversion in accordance with the provisions set forth under “—Conversion
Upon Capital Reduction” (where not cancelled or deemed cancelled pursuant to, or otherwise subject to the limitations on
payment set out in, “—Payments—Distributions”, and except as provided under “—Conversion Upon
Capital Reduction”)), except as noted below under “—Settlement Procedures” with respect to certain stamp
and similar taxes, shall be automatically released, and the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities so converted
shall not have the right to give a direction to the trustee with respect to the Conversion Event and any related Conversion, (iii) waived,
to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, any claim against the trustee arising out of its acceptance of its trusteeship
under, and the performance of its duties, powers and rights in respect of, the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture
and in connection with the contingent convertible preferred securities so converted or to be converted, including, without limitation,
claims related to or arising out of or in connection with a Conversion Event and/or any Conversion and (iv) authorized, directed
and requested DTC, the European Clearing Systems and any direct participant in DTC, the European Clearing Systems or other intermediary
or depositary through which it holds such contingent convertible preferred securities to be converted to take any and all necessary
action, if required, to implement the Conversion without any further action or direction on the part of such holder or beneficial
owner of such contingent convertible preferred securities or the trustee.
Settlement Procedures
Delivery of the Common Shares to the holders
of converted contingent convertible preferred securities upon a Conversion Event shall be made in accordance with the following
procedures. BBVA may make changes to these procedures to the extent such changes are reasonably necessary, in the opinion of BBVA,
including to reflect changes in clearing system practices.
Holders of any series of contingent convertible
preferred securities cleared and settled through DTC may elect to have their Common Shares delivered in the form of Common Shares
or ADSs in accordance with the procedures described below. The obligation to deliver ADSs if a holder elects to have its Common
Shares delivered in such form will apply only if on the relevant Conversion Settlement Date BBVA continues to maintain an ADS depositary
facility. For further information on the ADSs and BBVA’s current ADS deposit agreement, see “Description of BBVA American
Depositary Shares”.
In order to obtain delivery of the relevant
Common Shares, or, if indicated in the relevant Delivery Notice, ADSs, upon any Conversion from the Conversion Shares Depository,
the relevant holder or beneficial owner (or the custodian, broker, nominee or other representative thereof) must deliver its contingent
convertible preferred securities (other than, in the case of a Capital Reduction, contingent convertible preferred securities which
holders elect not to convert in accordance with “—Conversion Upon Capital Reduction”) and a duly completed Delivery
Notice to the specified office of the Paying and Conversion Agent, with a copy of such Delivery Notice to the trustee, on or before
the Notice Cut-off Date. The Delivery Notice shall contain: (i) the name of the holder or beneficial owner (or the custodian,
broker, nominee or other representative thereof) of the contingent convertible preferred securities to be converted; (ii) the
aggregate Liquidation Preference held by such holder or beneficial owner (or the custodian, broker, nominee
or other representative thereof) of such converted contingent
convertible preferred securities on the date of such notice; (iii) the name in which the Common Shares or ADSs, as applicable,
are to be registered, if applicable; (iv) whether Common Shares or ADSs are to be delivered to the holder or beneficial owner
of such contingent convertible preferred securities; (v) the details of the DTC, Iberclear or other clearing system account
(subject to the limitations set out below) to which the Common Shares or ADSs are to be credited (or, if the Common Shares are
not a participating security in Iberclear or another clearing system, the address to which the Common Shares should be delivered;
and, as the case may be, details of the registered account in BBVA’s ADS facility if direct registration ADSs are to be issued);
(vi) any relevant certifications and/or representations as may be required by applicable law and regulations; and (vii) such
other details as may be required by the Paying and Conversion Agent or any relevant Clearing System.
If the contingent convertible preferred
securities are held through DTC, the Delivery Notice must be given and the contingent convertible preferred securities delivered
in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC (which may include the notice being given to the Paying and Conversion Agent
by electronic means) and in a form acceptable to DTC and the Paying and Conversion Agent. With respect to any contingent convertible
preferred securities held in definitive form, the Delivery Notice must be delivered to the specified office of the Paying and Conversion
Agent together with the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities, except as otherwise indicated in the relevant Conversion
Notice.
Subject as provided in this section “Settlement
Procedures” and provided that the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities and a duly completed Delivery Notice
have been delivered not later than the Notice Cut-off Date, the Paying and Conversion Agent shall give instructions to the Conversion
Shares Depository that the Conversion Shares Depository shall deliver the relevant Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole
number of Common Shares) to, or shall deposit part or all of such Common Shares with the ADS Depositary on behalf of, the holder
or beneficial owner (or the custodian, broker, nominee or other representative thereof) of the relevant contingent convertible
preferred securities completing such Delivery Notice or its nominee in accordance with the instructions given in such Delivery
Notice on the applicable Conversion Settlement Date.
Any Delivery Notice shall be irrevocable.
Failure properly to complete and deliver a Delivery Notice and deliver the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities
may result in such Delivery Notice being treated as null and void and BBVA shall be entitled to procure the sale of any applicable
Common Shares to which the relevant holder may be entitled in accordance with the provisions described in “—Failure
to Deliver a Delivery Notice” below. Any determination as to whether any Delivery Notice has been properly completed and
delivered as provided in this section “—Settlement Procedures” shall be made by BBVA in its sole discretion,
acting in good faith, and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the relevant holders and beneficial
owners (and any custodian, broker, nominee or other representative thereof).
Delivery
of ADSs
In respect of any Common Shares that holders
elect to receive in the form of ADSs as specified in the Delivery Notice, the Conversion Shares Depository shall deposit with the
custodian for the ADS Depositary the relevant number of Common Shares to be issued upon Conversion of the relevant contingent convertible
preferred securities, and the ADS Depositary shall issue the corresponding number of ADSs to the DTC Participant account or registered
ADS facility account specified by such holders (per the ADS-to-Common Share ratio in effect on the Conversion Settlement Date).
However, the issuance of the ADSs by the ADS Depositary may be delayed until the depositary bank or the custodian receives confirmation
that all required approvals have been given and that the Common Shares have been duly transferred to the custodian and that all
applicable depositary fees and payments have been paid to the ADS Depositary. For further information on the ADSs or the ADS deposit
agreement, see “Description of BBVA American Depositary Shares”.
Failure to Deliver a Delivery Notice
If a duly completed Delivery Notice and
the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities are not delivered to the Paying and Conversion Agent as provided in the
contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and in the relevant Conversion Notice on or before the Notice Cut-off Date,
then at any time following the Notice Cut-off Date and prior to the 10th Business Day after the Conversion Settlement Date, BBVA
may in its sole and absolute discretion (and the relevant holders and beneficial owners of such contingent convertible preferred
securities shall be deemed to agree thereto), elect to appoint a person (the “Selling Agent”) to procure that all Common
Shares held by the Conversion Shares Depository in respect of which the applicable contingent convertible preferred securities
and duly completed Delivery Notice have not been delivered on or before the Notice Cut-off Date as aforesaid be sold by or on behalf
of the Selling Agent as soon as reasonably practicable.
Subject to the deduction by or on behalf
of the Selling Agent of any amount payable in respect of its liability to taxation and the payment of any capital, stamp, issue,
registration and/or transfer taxes and duties (if any) and any fees or costs incurred by or on behalf of the Selling Agent in connection
with the issue, allotment and sale of any Common Shares pursuant to the preceding paragraph, and the conversion of any proceeds
of such sale into U.S. dollars, the net proceeds of such sale, converted into U.S. dollars at the Prevailing Rate on the Notice
Cut-off Date, if necessary, shall as soon as reasonably practicable be distributed ratably to the
relevant holders in such manner and at such time as BBVA shall
determine and notify to the relevant holders. Such payment shall for all purposes discharge the obligations of BBVA, the Conversion
Shares Depository, the Paying and Conversion Agent and the Selling Agent to such holders in respect of the relevant Conversion.
BBVA, the Conversion Shares Depository,
the Paying and Conversion Agent and the Selling Agent shall have no liability in respect of the exercise or non-exercise of any
discretion or power pursuant to this section “—Failure to Deliver a Delivery Notice” or in respect of any sale
of any Common Shares, whether for the timing of any such sale or the price at or manner in which any such Common Shares are sold
or the inability to sell any such Common Shares. Furthermore, BBVA, the Conversion Shares Depository, the Paying and Conversion
Agent and the Selling Agent shall have no liability to any holder or beneficial owner of the contingent convertible preferred securities
for any loss resulting from such holder’s or beneficial owner’s failure to receive any Common Shares or ADSs, or from
any delay in the receipt thereof, in each case as a result of such holder or beneficial owner (or custodian, nominee, broker or
other representative thereof) failing to duly submit a Delivery Notice and the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities
on a timely basis or at all.
If the applicable contingent convertible
preferred securities and Delivery Notice are not delivered to the Paying and Conversion Agent on or before the Notice Cut-off Date
and BBVA does not appoint the Selling Agent by the 10th Business Day after the Conversion Settlement Date, or if any Common Shares
are not sold by the Selling Agent in accordance with this section “—Failure to Deliver a Delivery Notice”, the
Conversion Shares Depository shall continue to hold any Common Shares not sold by the Selling Agent until a duly completed Delivery
Notice and the relevant contingent convertible preferred securities are so delivered. However, any holder or beneficial owner (or
custodian, broker, nominee or other representative thereof) of such contingent convertible preferred securities delivering a Delivery
Notice after the Notice Cut-off Date will have to provide evidence of its entitlement to the relevant Common Shares, or if the
holder so elects, ADSs, satisfactory to the Conversion Shares Depository in its sole and absolute discretion in order to receive
delivery of such Common Shares or ADSs (if so elected to be deposited with the ADS Depositary on its behalf).
Certain Taxes and Other Costs
A holder of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series or Selling Agent must pay (in the case of the Selling Agent by means of deduction from the net
proceeds of sale referred to in “—Failure to Deliver a Delivery Notice”) any taxes and capital, stamp, issue,
registration and transfer taxes or duties arising on Conversion (other than any capital, stamp, issue, registration and transfer
taxes or duties payable in Spain by BBVA in respect of the issue and delivery of the Common Shares in accordance with a Delivery
Notice delivered pursuant to the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture which shall be paid by BBVA) and such holder
or the Selling Agent (as the case may be) must pay (in the case of the Selling Agent, by way of deduction from the net proceeds
of sale as aforesaid) all, if any, taxes or duties arising by reference to any disposal or deemed disposal of a contingent convertible
preferred security or interest therein.
Any costs incurred by the Conversion Shares
Depository or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Conversion Shares Depository in connection with the holding by the Conversion
Shares Depository of any Common Shares and any amount received in respect thereof shall be deducted by the Conversion Shares Depository
from such amount (or, if such deduction is not possible, paid to the Conversion Shares Depository, by the relevant holder) prior
to the delivery of such Common Shares and/or payment of such amount to the relevant holder.
If BBVA shall fail to pay any capital,
stamp, issue, registration and transfer taxes or duties for which it is responsible as provided above, the holder or Selling Agent,
as the case may be, shall be entitled (but shall not be obliged) to tender and pay the same and BBVA as a separate and independent
obligation, undertakes to reimburse and indemnify each holder or Selling Agent, as the case may be, in respect of any payment thereof
and any penalties payable in respect thereof.
Status of the Common Shares
The Common Shares issued on Conversion
will be fully paid and will in all respects rank
pari passu
with the fully paid Common Shares in issue on the relevant Conversion
Notice Date, except in any such case for any right excluded by mandatory provisions of applicable law and except that such Common
Shares will not rank for (or, as the case may be, the relevant holder shall not be entitled to receive) any rights, distributions
or payments the record date or other due date for the establishment of entitlement for which falls prior to the Conversion Settlement
Date.
Additional Amounts
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant
prospectus supplement, all payments of Distributions payable in respect of contingent convertible preferred securities by BBVA
will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties, assessments
or governmental charges (collectively “Taxes”) of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of Spain or any
political subdivision thereof or any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax, unless
the withholding or deduction of such taxes, duties, assessments
or governmental charges is required by law. In that event, BBVA shall (to the extent such payment can be made out of Distributable
Items of BBVA on the same basis as for payment of any Distribution) pay, in respect of any withholding or deduction imposed on
payments of Distributions only (and not Liquidation Preference (and premium, if any) or other amount), such additional amounts
(“Additional Amounts”) as will result in holders of any series of outstanding contingent convertible preferred securities
receiving such amounts as they would have received in respect of such Distributions had no such withholding or deduction been required.
BBVA shall not be required to pay any Additional
Amounts in relation to any payment in respect of any contingent convertible preferred security:
(a) to, or to a third party on behalf of,
a holder if the holder or the beneficial owner of contingent convertible preferred securities of any series is liable for such
Taxes in respect of such contingent convertible preferred security by reason of his having some connection with Spain other than
the mere holding of such contingent convertible preferred security; or
(b) to, or to a third party on behalf of,
a holder if the holder or the beneficial owner of contingent convertible preferred securities fails to provide BBVA or the trustee
or Paying Agent (as BBVA may determine in connection with each series of contingent convertible preferred securities) acting on
behalf of BBVA the information concerning such holder or beneficial owner as may be required in order to comply with any procedures
that may be implemented to comply with any interpretation of Royal Decree 1065/2007, as amended, made by the Spanish Tax Authorities;
or
(c) to, or to a third party on behalf of,
a holder if the holder or the beneficial owner of contingent convertible preferred securities of any series failed to make any
necessary claim or to comply with any certification, identification or other requirements concerning the nationality, residence,
identity or connection with the taxing jurisdiction of such holder or beneficial owner, if such claim or compliance is required
by statute, regulation or administrative practice of the taxing jurisdiction of BBVA as a condition to relief or exemption from
such taxes; or
(d) presented for payment (where presentation
is required) more than 30 days after the Relevant Date, except to the extent that the relevant holder would have been entitled
to such Additional Amounts on presenting the same for payment on the expiry of such period of 30 days; or
(e) to, or to a third party on behalf of,
individuals resident for tax purposes in Spain; or
(f) to, or to a third party on behalf of,
a Spanish-resident legal entity subject to Spanish corporation tax if the Spanish tax authorities determine that the contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series do not comply with exemption requirements specified in the Reply to a Consultation
of the Directorate General for Taxation (
Dirección General de Tributos
) dated July 27, 2004, and require a withholding
to be made.
In addition, Additional Amounts will not
be payable with respect to any Taxes that are imposed in respect of any combination of the items listed in (a) through (f)
set forth above.
Additional Amounts will also not be paid
with respect to any payment to a holder who is a fiduciary, a partnership, a limited liability company or person other than the
sole beneficial owner of that payment, to the extent that payment would be required by the laws of Spain (or any political subdivision
thereof) to be included in the income, for tax purposes, of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, a member of
that partnership, an interest holder in that limited liability company or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to
the Additional Amounts had it been the holder.
No Additional Amounts will be paid by BBVA
or any paying agent on account of any deduction or withholding from a payment on, or in respect of, the Distributions where the
withholding or deduction is required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code or otherwise imposed
pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (“FATCA”), any regulations or agreements thereunder, any official
interpretations thereof, any intergovernmental agreements with respect thereto (including the intergovernmental agreement between
the United States and Spain on the implementation of FATCA), or any law implementing an intergovernmental agreement or any regulations
or official interpretations relating thereto.
For the purposes of this section:
“Relevant Date” means, in respect
of any payment, the date on which such payment first becomes due and payable, except that, if the full amount of the moneys payable
has not been duly received by the Principal Paying Agent on or prior to such due date, it means the date on which, the full amount
of such moneys having been so received and being available for payment to holders, notice to that effect is duly given to the holders
in accordance with“—Notices” below.
Except where the context requires otherwise,
any reference in this prospectus and, if applicable, the relevant prospectus supplement to Distributions in respect of the contingent
convertible preferred securities shall be deemed to include any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto.
Undertakings
So long as any contingent convertible preferred
security of a series remains outstanding, BBVA shall, unless approved by a majority in aggregate Liquidation Preference of such
series:
(a) not make any issue, grant or distribution
or take or omit to take any other action if the effect thereof would be that, on Conversion, Common Shares could not, under any
applicable law then in effect, be legally issued as fully paid;
(b) if any offer is made to all (or as
nearly as may be practicable all) Shareholders (or all (or as nearly as may be practicable all) such Shareholders other than the
offeror and/or any associates of the offeror) to acquire all or a majority of the issued Common Shares, or if a scheme is proposed
with regard to such acquisition (other than a Newco Scheme), give notice of such offer or scheme to the holders at the same time
as any notice thereof is sent to the Shareholders (or as soon as practicable thereafter) that details concerning such offer or
scheme may be obtained from the specified offices of the Paying and Conversion Agent and, where such an offer or scheme has been
recommended by the board of directors of BBVA, or where such an offer has become or been declared unconditional in all respects
or such scheme has become effective, use all commercially reasonable endeavors to procure that a like offer or scheme is extended
to the holders of any Common Shares issued during the period of the offer or scheme arising out of any Conversion and/or to the
holders;
(c) in the event of a Newco Scheme, take
(or shall procure that there is taken) all necessary action to ensure that such amendments are made to the contingent convertible
preferred securities indenture immediately after completion of the Scheme of Arrangement as are necessary to ensure that the contingent
convertible preferred securities may be converted into or exchanged for ordinary shares in Newco (or depositary or other receipts
or certificates representing ordinary shares of Newco)
mutatis mutandis
in accordance with and subject to the contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture and the ordinary shares of Newco are:
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(i)
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admitted to the Relevant Stock Exchange; or
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(ii)
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listed and/or admitted to trading on another Recognized Stock Exchange,
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and the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities
of the relevant series (which, for this purpose, includes holders of a beneficial interest in the Contingent Convertible Preferred
Securities of such series) irrevocably authorize BBVA to make such amendments to the contingent convertible preferred securities
indenture without the need for any further authorization from the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of
such series;
(d) issue, allot and deliver Common Shares
upon Conversion subject to and as provided in “—Conversion” above;
(e) use all reasonable endeavors to ensure
that its issued and outstanding Common Shares and any Common Shares issued upon Conversion will be admitted to listing and trading
on the Relevant Stock Exchange or will be listed and/or admitted to trading on another Recognized Stock Exchange;
(f) at all times keep in force the relevant
resolutions needed for issue, free from pre-emptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued Common Shares to enable Conversion
of the contingent convertible preferred securities, and all rights of subscription and exchange for Common Shares, to be satisfied
in full; and
(g) where the provisions of “—Conversion”
above require or provide for a determination by an Independent Financial Adviser or a role to be performed by a Conversion Shares
Depository or a Paying and Conversion Agent, BBVA shall use all reasonable endeavors promptly to appoint such persons for such
purposes.
Modification and Waiver
BBVA and the trustee may make certain modifications
and amendments to the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture with respect
to any series of contingent convertible preferred securities without the consent of the holders of such contingent convertible
preferred securities for any of the following purposes:
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·
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to evidence the succession of another person to BBVA
and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of BBVA in the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture
and in the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series;
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·
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to add to the covenants of BBVA for the benefit of
the holders of all or any series of contingent convertible preferred securities (and, if such covenants are to be for the benefit
of less than all series of contingent convertible preferred securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included
solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power conferred upon BBVA by the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture;
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·
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to add any additional Enforcement Events;
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·
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to make changes to procedures relating to Conversion,
delivery of the Common Shares, or ADSs, as applicable, provided, however, that, unless such changes are made as a result of any
change in, or amendment to, any relevant laws or regulations, no such change shall adversely affect the interests of the holders
of contingent convertible preferred securities of any series in any material respect;
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·
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to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions
of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture, or any supplemental indenture, provided, however, that any such
addition, change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no outstanding contingent convertible preferred security
of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture effecting such addition, change or elimination which
would be adversely affected by such addition, change or elimination and in respect of which such supplemental indenture would
apply;
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·
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to establish the form or terms of contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series as permitted by the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture;
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·
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to change any place of payment, so long as any required
place of payment is maintained;
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·
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to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement
any provision of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provision of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or in any supplemental indenture;
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·
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to vary, substitute or change specified terms of any
series of contingent convertible preferred securities subject to the conditions set forth in the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture, provided such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of contingent convertible preferred
securities of any series in any material respect;
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·
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to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
under the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture by a successor trustee with respect to the contingent convertible
preferred securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of the contingent convertible
preferred securities indenture;
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·
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to change or eliminate any provision of the contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture so as to conform with the current provisions or any future provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act;
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·
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to name a different trustee for a particular series
of contingent convertible preferred securities;
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·
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to delete, amend or supplement any provision contained
in the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or in any supplemental indenture as a result of, and to the extent
required by, the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority;
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·
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to delete, amend or supplement any provision contained
in the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or in any supplemental indenture as a result of, and to the extent
required by, Applicable Banking Regulations;
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·
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with respect to any contingent convertible preferred
security (including a global security), to amend any such contingent convertible preferred security to conform to the description
of the terms of such contingent convertible preferred security in the prospectus, prospectus supplement, product supplement, pricing
supplement or any other similar offering document related to the offering of such contingent convertible preferred security; and
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·
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to change or modify any provision of the contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture as necessary to ensure that the contingent convertible preferred securities of any
series shall be convertible into ordinary shares of Newco in the event of a Newco Scheme.
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Other modifications and amendments may
be made to the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture with the consent
of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Liquidation Preference of the outstanding contingent convertible preferred
securities of each series affected by the modification or amendment, voting as one class. However, no modifications or amendments
may be made without the consent of the holder of each contingent convertible preferred security affected that would:
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change the terms of any contingent convertible preferred
security to reduce the Liquidation Preference (or premium, if any) payable upon the redemption of, or the Distributions payable
on any contingent convertible preferred security
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(without
prejudice to the provisions described herein, including under “—Payments—Distributions” and “—Agreement
to Distribution Cancelation”), or change the obligation of BBVA (or its successor) to pay Additional Amounts (except as
contemplated below under “—Substitution of Issuer”) on the contingent convertible preferred securities, or the
currency in which payments under the contingent convertible preferred securities are to be made, or impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any such payment when due and payable on or with respect to any contingent convertible preferred security,
or modify the calculation of and any adjustment to, the Conversion Price;
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·
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reduce the percentage in aggregate Liquidation Preference
of the outstanding contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any
such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions
of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or of certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided
for in the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or reduce the requirements for a quorum or voting;
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change in any manner adverse to the interests of the
holders of any contingent convertible preferred securities the subordination provisions of the contingent convertible preferred
securities or the terms and conditions of the obligations of BBVA in respect of the due and punctual payment of any amounts due
and payable on the contingent convertible preferred securities; or
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·
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modify the requirements applicable to the modifications
and amendments referred to above or to the waiver of past Enforcement Events, except to increase any required percentage or to
provide that certain other provisions of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture cannot be modified or waived
without the consent of the holder of each outstanding contingent convertible preferred security affected thereby;
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except in each case with respect to any modification or amendment
of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture which is entered into as a result
of, and to the extent required by, the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority or Applicable
Banking Regulations, as the case may be (in which case neither the consent nor the affirmative vote of any holder of an outstanding
contingent convertible preferred security affected shall be required).
Additional Issuances
BBVA may, from time to time, without the
consent of the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, issue additional contingent convertible
preferred securities of one or more of the series of contingent convertible preferred securities issued under the contingent convertible
preferred securities indenture having the same ranking and same Distribution Rate, redemption terms and other terms as the contingent
convertible preferred securities of such series except for the price to the public, original Distribution accrual date, issue date
and first Distribution Payment Date. Any such additional contingent convertible preferred securities, together with the contingent
convertible preferred securities of the relevant series, will constitute a single series of contingent convertible preferred securities
under the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and shall be included in the definition of “contingent convertible
preferred securities” in the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture where the context so requires. There is
no limitation on the amount of contingent convertible preferred securities that BBVA may issue under the contingent convertible
preferred securities indenture.
BBVA may, from time to time, without the
consent or sanction of the holders of contingent convertible preferred securities of any series: (i) take any action required
to issue additional Parity Securities or authorize, create and issue one or more series of Parity Securities ranking equally with
the contingent convertible preferred securities of any such series, as to the participation in the profits and/or assets of BBVA,
without limit as to the amount; or (ii) take any action required to authorize, create and issue one or more classes or series
of shares of BBVA or securities mandatorily convertible into Common Shares of BBVA ranking junior or senior to the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any such series, as to the participation in the profits and/or assets of BBVA.
By acquiring a contingent convertible preferred
security of any series, each holder and beneficial owner of contingent convertible preferred securities agrees to renounce any
rights of seniority or preference that may be conferred upon it (if any) under applicable Spanish law (to the extent permitted
under applicable Spanish law) over any holder of such Parity Securities issued by BBVA from time to time.
The contingent convertible preferred securities
of any series do not grant the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series pre-emption rights in
respect of any possible future issues of Parity Securities or any other securities by BBVA or any Subsidiary.
Substitution of Issuer
BBVA may, without the consent of holders
of any contingent convertible preferred securities of any series outstanding, consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any
other person or persons (whether or not affiliated with BBVA) or sell, convey or transfer or lease its properties and assets as
an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any person (whether or not affiliated with BBVA), provided that (a) any person
formed by any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any transferee or lessee of BBVA’s assets shall expressly assume,
by a supplemental indenture in form satisfactory to the trustee, all obligations of BBVA under the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture; (b) immediately after giving effect to such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, transfer
or lease, no Enforcement Event and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Enforcement Event, shall
have occurred and be continuing; (c) BBVA shall have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion
of counsel in such forms as are required in the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture; and (d) immediately
prior to such assumption, the successor entity shall have ratings for long-term senior debt assigned by Standard & Poor’s
Ratings Services or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (or their respective successors) which are the same as, or higher than,
the credit rating for long-term senior debt of BBVA (or, if applicable, the previous successor entity) assigned by Standard &
Poor’s Ratings Services or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (or their respective successors).
In addition, any holding company of BBVA
or any wholly-owned subsidiary of BBVA may without the consent of the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities
of any series, assume the obligations of BBVA (or of any person which shall have previously assumed the obligations of BBVA) under
the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series, provided that (a) the successor entity shall expressly assume
such obligations by an amendment to the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture in form satisfactory to the trustee;
(b) immediately after giving effect to such assumption of obligations, no Enforcement Event and no event which, after notice
or lapse of time or both, would become an Enforcement Event, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (c) BBVA shall have
delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel in such forms as are required in the contingent
convertible preferred securities indenture.
Following any of the events described in
the preceding two paragraphs, BBVA will be released from all its obligations under the applicable contingent convertible preferred
securities and contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and any supplemental indentures. In addition, Additional Amounts
under the contingent convertible preferred securities of the relevant series will be payable in respect of taxes imposed by the
jurisdiction of incorporation or tax residence of the successor entity (subject to exceptions equivalent to those that apply to
the obligation to pay Additional Amounts for taxes imposed in Spain) rather than taxes imposed by Spain. In addition, the successor
entity will also be entitled to redeem the contingent convertible preferred securities in the circumstances described above under
the section “—Redemption Due to a Tax Event”, except that if such successor entity is not incorporated or tax
resident in Spain (a) references to Spain in the definition of “Tax Event” shall be deemed to refer to the successor
entity’s jurisdiction of incorporation or tax residence, and (b) the change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations
of such jurisdiction of incorporation or tax residence or of any political subdivision thereof or any authority or agency therein
or thereof having power to tax, or the change in the application or binding official interpretation or administration of any such
laws or regulations giving rise to a Tax Event shall become effective subsequent to the date of the relevant merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, conveyance, transfer, lease or assumption, as the case may be.
An assumption of the obligations of
BBVA under any series of contingent convertible preferred securities might be considered for U.S. federal income tax purposes to
be an exchange by the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series for new contingent convertible
preferred securities, resulting in recognition of taxable gain or loss for these purposes and possible other adverse tax consequences
for such holders. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state and local income tax consequences
of an assumption.
Governing Law
The contingent convertible preferred securities
of any series, the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and any supplemental indentures (except as set forth herein
and therein) will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made
or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state, except that the authorization and execution by BBVA of
the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture, the authorization, issuance and execution by BBVA of the contingent
convertible preferred securities and the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture related to the subordination of
the contingent convertible preferred securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Spain.
Waiver of Right of Set-off
Subject to applicable law, neither any
holder or beneficial owner of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series nor the trustee acting on behalf of
the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series may exercise, claim or plead any right of set-off,
compensation or retention in respect of any amount owed to it by BBVA in respect of, or arising under, or in
connection with, the contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series or the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and each holder and beneficial owner of the contingent
convertible preferred securities of such series, by virtue of its holding of any contingent convertible preferred securities of
such series or any interest therein, and the trustee acting on behalf of the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series, shall be deemed to have waived all such rights of set-off, compensation or retention. If, notwithstanding the above,
any amounts due and payable to any holder or beneficial owner of a contingent convertible preferred security of any series or any
interest therein by BBVA in respect of, or arising under, the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series are discharged
by set-off, such holder or beneficial owner shall, subject to applicable law, immediately pay an amount equal to the amount of
such discharge to BBVA (or, if a Liquidation Event shall have occurred, the liquidator or administrator of BBVA, as the case may
be) and, until such time as payment is made, shall hold an amount equal to such amount in trust (where possible) or otherwise for
BBVA (or the liquidator or administrator of BBVA, as the case may be) and, accordingly, any such discharge shall be deemed not
to have taken place.
Trustee and Agents
Unless stated otherwise in the relevant
prospectus supplement, the trustee for the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series will be The Bank of New York
Mellon acting (except for its role as contingent convertible preferred security registrar) through its London Branch. The trustee
makes no representations, and shall not be liable with respect to, the information set forth in the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part.
Unless stated otherwise in the relevant
prospectus supplement, The Bank of New York Mellon acting through its London Branch will initially act as Principal Paying Agent
for the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series. BBVA may appoint additional or successor agents (together, the
“
Agents
”).
BBVA will procure that there will be, at
all times at which contingent convertible preferred securities of any series are outstanding, a Principal Paying Agent and a Calculation
Agent. BBVA may change the Principal Paying Agent and Calculation Agent without prior notice to the holders of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series. Furthermore, BBVA is entitled to terminate the appointment of any Agent. In the event of such
termination or such Agent being unable or unwilling to continue to act as Agent in the relevant capacity, BBVA will appoint another
agent in accordance with the provisions of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture.
Agreement and Acknowledgment with Respect to the Exercise
of the Spanish Bail-in Power
Notwithstanding any other term of the contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series, the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or any other agreements,
arrangements, or understandings between BBVA and any holder of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, by
its acquisition of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, each holder (which, for the purposes of this
section, includes each holder of a beneficial interest in the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series) acknowledges,
accepts, consents to and agrees to be bound by: (i) the exercise and effect of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish
Resolution Authority, which may be imposed with or without any prior notice with respect to the contingent convertible preferred
securities of any series, and may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof: (A) the reduction
or cancellation of all, or a portion, of the Amounts Due on the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series; (B) the
conversion of all, or a portion, of the Amounts Due on the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series into shares,
other securities or other obligations of BBVA or another person (and the issue to or conferral on the holder of any such shares,
securities or obligations), including by means of an amendment, modification or variation of the terms of the contingent convertible
preferred securities; (C) the cancellation of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series; (D) the
amendment or alteration of the maturity, if any, of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series or amendment
of the Liquidation Preference or Distributions payable on the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, or the
date on which Distributions become payable, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; and (ii) the variation
of the terms of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series or the rights of the holders thereunder or under
the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture, if necessary, to give effect to the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in
Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority.
By its acquisition of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series, each holder acknowledges and agrees that neither a reduction or cancellation, in part or in
full, of the Amounts Due on the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series or the conversion thereof into another
security or obligation of BBVA or another person, in each case as a result of the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the
Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to BBVA, nor the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish
Resolution Authority with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of a series shall: (i) give rise to a
default or event of default for purposes of Section 315(b) (Notice of Defaults) and Section 315(c) (Duties of the Trustee
in Case of Default) of the Trust Indenture Act; or (ii) be a default or an Enforcement Event with respect to the contingent
convertible preferred securities or under the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture. By its acquisition of the
contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, each holder further acknowledges and agrees that no repayment or payment
of Amounts
Due on the contingent convertible preferred securities of any
series shall become due and payable or be paid after the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution
Authority if, and to the extent that, such amounts have been reduced, converted, cancelled, amended or altered as a result of such
exercise.
By its acquisition of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series, each holder, to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, waives any and all claims,
in law and/or in equity, against the trustee for, agrees not to initiate a suit against the trustee in respect of, and agrees that
the trustee shall not be liable for, any action that the trustee takes, or abstains from taking, in either case in accordance with
the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to the contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series. Additionally, by its acquisition of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any
series, each holder acknowledges and agrees that, upon the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution
Authority with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series: (i) the trustee shall not be required
to take any further directions from the holders with respect to any portion of the contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series that is written down, converted to equity and/or cancelled under the provision of the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture which authorizes holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding Liquidation Preference of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of a series to direct certain actions relating to the contingent convertible preferred securities of such
series; and (ii) the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture shall not impose any duties upon the trustee whatsoever
with respect to the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to the contingent
convertible preferred securities of a series, so long as any contingent convertible preferred securities of such series remain
outstanding, there shall at all times be a trustee for the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series in accordance
with the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture, and the resignation and/or removal of the trustee and the appointment
of a successor trustee shall continue to be governed by the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture, including to
the extent no additional supplemental indenture or amendment is agreed upon in the event the contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series remain outstanding following the completion of the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power.
By its acquisition of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series, each holder shall be deemed to have authorized, directed and requested the relevant depositary,
Clearing Systems and any direct participant in any relevant Clearing System or other intermediary through which it holds such contingent
convertible preferred securities to take any and all necessary action, if required, to implement the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in
Power with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities as it may be imposed, without any further action or direction
on the part of such holder.
Upon the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in
Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series,
BBVA or the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority (as the case may be) shall provide a written notice to the relevant depositary
as soon as practicable regarding such exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power for purposes of notifying the holders of such contingent
convertible preferred securities. BBVA shall also deliver a copy of such notice to the trustee for information purposes.
If BBVA has elected to redeem the contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series but, prior to the payment of the Redemption Price to holders, the Relevant Spanish
Resolution Authority exercises its Spanish Bail-in Power with respect to such series of contingent convertible preferred securities,
the relevant redemption notice shall be automatically rescinded and shall be of no force and effect, there shall be no redemption
and consequently no payment of the Redemption Price (and any other amounts payable under the contingent convertible preferred securities
indenture) will be due and payable.
By its acquisition of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series, each holder acknowledges, accepts, consents to and agrees to be bound by (i) the exercise
and effect of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority, which may be imposed with or without any
prior notice, with respect to any Common Shares that may be delivered to it upon the Conversion (if any) of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series, and (ii) the variation of the terms of such Common Shares to give effect to the exercise
of the Spanish Bail-in Power by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority.
Enforcement Events and Remedies
There are no events of default under any
series of contingent convertible preferred securities. In addition, under the terms of the contingent convertible preferred securities
indenture none of the following will be an Enforcement Event or give rise to a default for the purposes of Section 315(b)
(Notice of Defaults) and Section 315(c) (Duties of the Trustee in Case of Default) of the Trust Indenture Act: (i) the
cancellation or the deemed cancellation of any Distribution (in each case, in whole or in part) or the failure by BBVA to provide
notice of any such cancellation or deemed cancellation, (ii) a Trigger Event or the failure by BBVA to provide notice of any
such Trigger Event, (iii) a Capital Reduction or the failure by BBVA to provide notice of any such Capital Reduction, and
(iv) the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power, the exercise of any other resolution tool by the Relevant Spanish Resolution
Authority or any action in compliance therewith.
Enforcement Events
Each of the following events described
in clauses (i) and (ii) is an “Enforcement Event” with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities
of any series:
(i) the breach of any term, obligation
or condition binding on BBVA under the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series (other than any of BBVA’s
payment obligations under or arising from the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series, including payment of
any Liquidation Preference (and premium, if any), Distributions or Additional Amounts (including upon a Capital Reduction), payment
of the Redemption Price or payment of any damages awarded for breach of any obligations) (a “Performance Obligation”);
or
(ii) the occurrence of a Liquidation Event.
Neither the exercise of the Spanish Bail-in
Power nor the exercise of any other resolution tool by the Relevant Spanish Resolution Authority or any action in compliance therewith
shall constitute an Enforcement Event or other default under the terms of the contingent convertible preferred securities or the
contingent convertible preferred securities indenture.
Remedies
The sole remedies of the holders of the
contingent convertible preferred securities of a series and the trustee under the contingent convertible preferred securities of
such series or the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture upon the occurrence of an Enforcement Event shall be (1) with
respect to the first Enforcement Event listed above, to seek enforcement of the relevant Performance Obligation, and (2) with
respect to the second Enforcement Event listed above, to enforce the entitlement set forth under “—Liquidation Distribution”.
For the avoidance of doubt, the breach
by BBVA of any Performance Obligation shall not give the trustee and/or the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities
of any series a claim for damages, and, in such circumstances, the sole and exclusive remedy that the trustee and/or the holders
of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series may seek under the contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series and the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture is specific performance under New York law. By its
acquisition of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, each holder and beneficial owner of the contingent
convertible preferred securities of such series will acknowledge and agree that such holder and beneficial owner will not seek,
and will not direct the trustee to seek, a claim for damages against BBVA in respect of a breach by BBVA of a Performance Obligation
and that the sole and exclusive remedy that such holder, beneficial owner and the trustee may seek under the contingent convertible
preferred securities of such series and the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture for a breach by BBVA of a Performance
Obligation is specific performance.
No Other Remedies
Other than the limited remedies specified
above, no remedy against BBVA shall be available to the trustee (acting on behalf of the holders of the contingent convertible
preferred securities of any series) or to the holders of the contingent convertible preferred securities of any series, whether
for the recovery of amounts owing in respect of such contingent convertible preferred securities or under the contingent convertible
preferred securities indenture, or in respect of any breach by BBVA of any of BBVA’s obligations under or in respect of the
terms of such contingent convertible preferred securities or under the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture in
relation thereto.
Notwithstanding the limitations set forth
in this section, (1) the trustee shall have such powers as are required to be authorized to it under the Trust Indenture Act
in respect of the rights of the holders under the provisions of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture and (2) nothing
shall impair the rights of a holder of the contingent convertible preferred securities under the Trust Indenture Act, absent such
holder’s consent, to sue for any payment due but unpaid with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities,
provided that, in the case of (1) and (2), any payments in respect of, or arising from, the contingent convertible preferred
securities of such series including any payments or amounts resulting or arising from the enforcement of any rights under the Trust
Indenture Act in respect of the contingent convertible preferred securities shall be subject to the subordination provisions of
the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture. For the avoidance of doubt, such limitations shall not apply to BBVA’s
obligations to pay the fees and expenses of, and to indemnify, the trustee.
Trustee’s Duties
If an Enforcement Event has occurred and
is continuing, the trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the contingent convertible preferred securities
indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances
in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate Liquidation Preference of the outstanding contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series waive any past Enforcement Event that results from a breach by BBVA of a Performance Obligation. Holders of a majority
of the aggregate Liquidation Preference of the outstanding contingent convertible preferred securities of any series may not waive
any past Enforcement Event that results from a Liquidation Event or any Enforcement Event in respect of a covenant or provision
of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder
of each outstanding contingent convertible preferred security of such series affected.
The holders of a majority in aggregate
Liquidation Preference of the outstanding contingent convertible preferred securities of any series shall have the right to direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the trustee with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series. However, this direction
(a) must not be in conflict with any rule of law, the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or the contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series and (b) the trustee shall not determine that the action so directed would be
unjustly prejudicial to the holders of any contingent convertible preferred securities of any series not taking part in the direction.
The trustee may also take any other action, not inconsistent with such direction, that it deems proper.
Limitation on Suits
No holder or beneficial owner of contingent
convertible preferred securities shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such
contingent convertible preferred securities, the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture, or for the appointment
of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy, except as described below.
Before a holder of the contingent convertible
preferred securities may bypass the trustee and bring its own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce
its rights or protect its interests relating to the contingent convertible securities, the following must occur:
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·
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the holder must have given the trustee written notice
that a continuing Enforcement Event has occurred and remains uncured;
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·
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the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate Liquidation
Preference of the outstanding contingent convertible preferred securities of the relevant series must have made a written request
to the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of the Enforcement Event in its own name, as trustee;
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·
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such holder has offered to the trustee reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
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·
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the trustee must have failed to institute any proceeding
for 60 days after receipt of the above notice, request and offer of indemnity, and
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·
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the trustee must not have received an inconsistent
direction from the majority in Liquidation Preference of all outstanding contingent convertible preferred securities of the relevant
series during such 60-day period,
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it being understood and intended that no one or more holders
of contingent convertible preferred securities of a particular series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of,
or by availing of, any provision of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or any contingent convertible preferred
security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such holder or holders of any contingent convertible preferred
security, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other such holder or holders or to enforce any right
under the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable
benefit of all holders of contingent convertible preferred securities of such series or holders of any other contingent convertible
preferred security.
Notices
All notices to holders of registered contingent
convertible preferred securities shall be validly given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to them at their
respective addresses in the register maintained by the trustee, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest
date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice given to the holder of a global security
shall be sufficiently given if such notice is given in accordance with the applicable procedures of the relevant depositary.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or record of an act of holders or other document provided or permitted by the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the trustee by any holder, or any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver by BBVA, shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished
or filed in writing to or with the trustee at its corporate trust office.
No Obligations to Beneficial Owners
None of BBVA, the trustee, any Paying Agent
or the contingent convertible preferred security registrar shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner
in a global security, any agent member (including, for purposes of this section, any participant in the depositary) or other person
with respect to the accuracy of the records of the depositary or its nominee or of any agent member, with respect to any ownership
interest in the contingent convertible preferred securities or with respect to the delivery to any agent member, beneficial owner
or other person (other than the depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under
or with respect to such contingent convertible preferred securities. All notices and communications to be given to the holders
and all payments to be made to holders under the contingent convertible preferred securities and the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the holders (which shall be the depositary or its nominee
in the case of the global security). The rights of beneficial owners in the global security shall be exercised only through the
depositary subject to the applicable procedures. BBVA, the trustee, each Paying Agent and the contingent convertible preferred
security registrar shall be entitled to rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the depositary
with respect to its members and any beneficial owners. BBVA, the trustee, each Paying Agent and the contingent convertible preferred
security registrar shall be entitled to deal with the depositary, and any nominee thereof, that is the registered holder of any
global security for all purposes of the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture relating to such global security
(including the payment of Liquidation Preference and Distributions and Additional Amounts, if any, and the giving of instructions
or directions by or to the owner or holder of a beneficial ownership interest in such global security) as the sole holder of such
global security and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof. None of BBVA, the trustee, any Paying Agent or
the contingent convertible preferred security registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of
the depositary with respect to such global security, for the records of any such depositary, including records in respect of beneficial
ownership interests in respect of any such global security, for any transactions between the depositary and any agent member or
between or among the depositary, any such agent member and/or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such global security,
or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such global security.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect
to any global security, nothing herein shall prevent BBVA, the trustee, or any agent of BBVA or the trustee from giving effect
to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depositary (or its nominee), as a holder, with respect
to such global security or shall impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global security,
the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as holder of such
global security.
Subsequent Holders’ Agreement
Holders and beneficial owners of any contingent
convertible preferred securities of any series that acquire the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series or beneficial
interests therein in the secondary market shall be deemed to acknowledge and agree to be bound by and consent to the same provisions
specified herein and in the contingent convertible preferred securities to the same extent as the holders and beneficial owners
of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series that acquire the contingent convertible preferred securities
of such series upon their initial issuance, including, without limitation, with respect to the acknowledgment and agreement to
be bound by and consent to the terms of the contingent convertible preferred securities of such series, including, without limitation,
in relation to Distribution cancellation, the Conversion, the Spanish Bail-in Power (see “—Agreement and Acknowledgment
with Respect to the Exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power”) and the limitations on remedies specified in “
—
Enforcement
Events and Remedies” above.
The Trustee
The Bank of New York Mellon acting (except
with respect to its role as contingent convertible preferred security registrar) through its London Branch, One Canada Square,
London E14 5AL, is the trustee under the indenture with respect to the contingent convertible preferred securities. The trustee
shall have and be subject to all the duties and responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust
Indenture Act. Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the
powers vested in it by the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture at the request of any holder of contingent convertible
preferred securities, unless offered indemnity satisfactory to the trustee in its sole discretion by the holder against the costs,
expense and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. BBVA and certain of its subsidiaries may maintain deposit accounts and
conduct other banking transactions with The Bank of New York Mellon in the ordinary course of its business. The Bank of New York
Mellon is also the book-entry depositary and Principal Paying Agent with respect to BBVA’s contingent convertible preferred
securities. The Bank of New York Mellon is the depositary with respect to the American Depositary Shares representing certain of
BBVA’s preference shares and BBVA’s ordinary shares.
Consent to Service of Process
Under the contingent convertible preferred
securities indenture, BBVA irrevocably designates BBVA, S.A., New York Branch, as its authorized agent for service of process in
any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the contingent convertible preferred securities indenture or any supplemental
indentures or any contingent convertible preferred securities brought in any federal or state court in The City of New York, New
York and we irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of those courts.
Spanish
Tax Considerations
The following is a summary of the material
Spanish tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares, ADSs, senior notes, senior non-preferred
notes, subordinated notes and contingent convertible preferred securities. This summary is not a complete analysis or listing of
all the possible tax consequences of such transactions and does not address all tax considerations that may be relevant to all
categories of potential purchasers, some of whom may be subject to special rules. In particular, this tax section does not address
the Spanish tax consequences applicable to “look-through” entities (such as trusts or estates) that may be subject
to the tax regime applicable to such non-Spanish entities under the Spanish Non-Resident Income Tax Law or the tax treatment of
the notes following any exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power with respect to such securities.
Accordingly, prospective investors should
consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of their purchase, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs,
senior notes, senior non-preferred notes, subordinated notes and contingent convertible preferred securities including the effect
of tax laws of any other jurisdiction, based on their particular circumstances.
This information has been prepared in accordance
with the following Spanish tax legislation in force at the date of this prospectus and is subject to amendment in subsequent prospectus
supplements:
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(i)
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of general application, First Additional Provision
of Law 10/2014. Consideration has also been given to Royal Decree 1065/2007, of July 27 (“RD 1065/2007”);
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(ii)
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for individuals resident for tax purposes in Spain
which are subject to the Individual Income Tax (“IIT”), Law 35/2006 of November 28, on the IIT and on the Partial
Amendment of the Corporate Income Tax Law, the Non-Residents Income Tax Law and the Net Wealth Tax Law, and Royal Decree 439/2007,
of March 30 promulgating the IIT Regulations, along with Law 29/1987, of December 18 on Inheritance and Gift Tax;
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(iii)
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for legal entities resident for tax purposes in Spain
which are subject to the Corporate Income Tax (“CIT”), Law 27/2014 of November 27 promulgating the CIT Law, and
Royal Decree 634/2015, of July 10 promulgating the CIT Regulations; and
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(iv)
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for individuals and entities who are not resident
for tax purposes in Spain which are subject to Non-Residents Income Tax (“NRIT”), Royal Legislative Decree 5/2004
of March 5 promulgating the Consolidated Text of the NRIT Law and Royal Decree 1776/2004, of July 30 promulgating the
NRIT Regulations, along with Law 29/1987, of December 18 on Inheritance and Gift Tax.
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As used herein, the following terms have
the following meanings:
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(i)
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The “Treaty” means the Convention between
the United States and Spain for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on
income, together with the related Protocol, both signed February 22, 1990.
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(ii)
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A “U.S. Resident” means a U.S. Holder
(as defined below under “U.S. Tax Considerations”) that is a resident of the United States for purposes of the Treaty
and entitled to the benefits of the Treaty and whose holding is not effectively connected with a permanent establishment (as defined
by the Treaty) in Spain through which such holder carries on or has carried on business or with a fixed base in Spain from which
such holder performs or has performed independent personal services.
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For purposes of Spanish law and the Treaty,
an owner of BBVA ADSs will generally be treated as the owner of the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs. Holders of ordinary shares,
or ADSs who are not U.S. Residents should consult their own tax advisors, particularly as to the applicability of any Double Tax
Treaty referred to as a “DTT”.
The statements regarding Spanish tax laws
set out below are based on interpretations of those laws as in force on the date of this document and are subject to any change
in such law that may take effect after such date. Such statements also assume that each obligation in the deposit agreement and
any related agreement will be performed in full accordance with their terms.
Ordinary Shares or ADSs
Individuals and Legal Entities with no Tax Residency in
Spain
Non-Resident Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de no Residentes)
1.
Investors with no Tax Residency in Spain not acting through a permanent establishment in Spain
Taxation
of dividends
Under
Spanish law, dividends paid by a Spanish resident company to a non-Spanish resident holder of ordinary shares or ADSs are subject
to the Spanish NRIT and therefore a 19% withholding tax is currently applied on the gross amount of dividends.
However,
under the Treaty, a U.S. Resident is entitled to the Treaty-reduced rate of 15%, as a general rule, or 10% if the U.S. Resident
is a corporation which owns more than 25% of the voting rights of the ordinary shares of BBVA.
In
practice, on any dividend payment date, U.S. Residents will be subject to a withholding of 19% of the gross amount of dividends.
However, U.S. Residents will be entitled to a refund of the amount withheld in excess of the Treaty-reduced rate, according to
the procedure set forth by the Spanish legislation. To benefit from the Treaty reduced rate, a U.S. Resident must provide to BBVA
or to the Spanish resident depositary, if any, through which its ordinary shares are held, a certificate from the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service (“IRS”) on Form 6166 stating that, to its best knowledge, such holder is a U.S. Resident within the
meaning of the Treaty. The IRS certificate of residence is valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance. The issuance
of Form 6166 by the IRS may be subject to substantial delay.
Quick
Refund Process
. Under the standard procedure agreed to between The Bank of New York Mellon and its Spanish resident depositary,
unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of BBVA ADSs claiming tax relief through the “Quick
Refund” process must submit their valid IRS certificate of residence by the last day of the month in which the record date
for receipt of the relevant dividend occurs.
The IRS certificate of residence will then
be provided to the Spanish depositary before the fifth day following the end of the month in which the dividend record date occurs.
Otherwise, the U.S. Resident may afterwards obtain a refund of the amount withheld in excess of the Treaty-reduced rate, directly
from the Spanish tax authorities, following the standard refund procedure established by Spanish regulations. See “—Spanish
Refund Procedure” below.
Spanish Refund Procedure.
According
to Spanish regulations on the NRIT, approved by Royal Decree 1776/2004, dated July 30, 2004 (“NRIT Regulations”),
a refund for the amount withheld in excess of the Treaty-reduced rate can be obtained from the relevant Spanish tax authorities.
To pursue the refund claim, the U.S. Resident is required to file:
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·
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The relevant Spanish tax form (currently, Form 210);
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·
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The IRS certificate of residence (IRS Form 6166 for
U.S. Residents); and
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·
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A certificate evidencing Spanish NRIT withheld regarding
the dividends, which may generally be obtained from the U.S. resident’s broker.
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Taxation of capital gains
Capital gains realized by U.S. Residents
from the disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs will not be taxed in Spain, if (i) the seller has not maintained a direct
or indirect holding of at least 25% of the ordinary shares outstanding during the twelve months preceding the disposition of the
shares, and (ii) the gain is not obtained through a country or territory defined as a tax haven under applicable Spanish regulations.
Additionally, capital gains derived from
the transfer of ordinary shares in an official Spanish secondary stock market by any holder who is resident in a country that has
entered into a DTT with Spain containing an exchange of information clause (including the Treaty), will be exempt from taxation
in Spain. This exemption is not applicable to capital gains obtained by a U.S. Resident through a country or territory defined
as a tax haven under applicable Spanish regulations.
Non Spanish holders must submit a Spanish
Tax Form (currently Form 210) within the time periods set out in the applicable Spanish regulations and to pay the corresponding
tax or establish an exemption. In particular, where any of the exemptions mentioned above applies, the seller will be obliged to
file with the Spanish tax authorities the relevant Spanish tax form (currently, Form 210) together with the certificate of tax
residence issued by the tax authorities of the country of residence (IRS Form 6166 for U.S. residents) evidencing its entitlement
to the exemption.
2.
Investors with no Tax Residency in Spain acting through a permanent establishment in Spain
Taxation
of dividends
If the ordinary shares form part of the
assets of a permanent establishment in Spain of a person or legal entity who is not resident in Spain for tax purposes, the tax
rules applicable to income deriving from such ordinary shares are the same as those for legal entities with tax residency in Spain
described in “—Legal Entities with Tax Residency in Spain—Corporate Income Tax (Impuesto sobre Sociedades)—Taxation
of dividends” below.
Ownership of the ordinary shares by investors
who are not resident for tax purposes in Spain will not in itself create the existence of a permanent establishment in Spain.
Taxation of capital gains
If the ordinary shares form part of the
assets of a permanent establishment in Spain of a person or legal entity who is not resident in Spain for tax purposes, the tax
rules applicable to capital gains derived from such ordinary shares are the same as those for legal entities with tax residency
in Spain described in “—Legal Entities with Tax Residency in Spain—Corporate Income Tax (Impuesto sobre Sociedades)—Taxation
of capital gains” below.
Spanish Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio)
Individuals resident in a country with
which Spain has entered into a DTT in relation to Wealth Tax (and the United States and Spain have not entered into such a DTT)
would generally not be subject to such tax. Otherwise, non-Spanish resident individuals with properties and rights located in Spain,
or that can be exercised within the Spanish territory, in excess of €700,000 would be subject to Wealth Tax at the applicable
rates, ranging between 0.2% and 2.5%, without prejudice to any exemption which may apply, on the value of the ordinary shares or
ADSs which they hold as at the end of the relevant fiscal year.
Legal entities are not subject to Wealth
Tax.
Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones
y Donaciones)
Unless otherwise provided under an applicable
DTT (and the United States and Spain have not entered into such a DTT), transfers of ordinary shares upon death or by gift to individuals
not resident in Spain are subject to Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax (Law 29/1987), if the ordinary shares or ADSs are located
in Spain or the rights attached to such ordinary shares or ADSs are exercisable in Spain, regardless of the residence of the heir
or the beneficiary. In this regard, the Spanish tax authorities may argue that all ordinary shares and all ADSs are located in
Spain for Spanish tax purposes. If such a view were to prevail, non-resident holders in Spain who inherit or receive a gift of
ordinary shares or ADSs would be subject to tax at an effective tax rate that depends on all relevant factors and that ranges between
0% and 81.6% for individuals. Gifts granted to non-Spanish resident corporations will be generally subject to Spanish NRIT as capital
gains, subject to the exemptions referred to above under section “—
Taxation of Capital Gains
”.
Individuals with Tax Residency in Spain
Individual Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas
Físicas)
Taxation of dividends
According
to the IIT Law the following, amongst others, must be treated as gross capital income: income received by a Spanish shareholder
in the form of dividends, consideration paid for attendance at shareholders’ meetings, income from the creation or assignment
of rights of use or enjoyment of the shares and any other income received by such shareholder in his condition as shareholder.
Gross capital income is reduced by any
administration and custody expenses (but not by those incurred in individualized portfolio management). The net amount is included
in the relevant Spanish shareholder’s savings taxable base at the applicable rate (currently varying from 19% to 23%).
The payment to Spanish shareholders of
dividends or any other distribution will be generally subject to a withholding tax at the then-applicable rate (currently set at
19%). Such withholding tax is creditable from the IIT payable; if the amount of tax withheld is greater than the amount of the
net IIT payable, the taxpayer is entitled to a refund of the excess withheld in accordance with the IIT Law.
Taxation
of capital gains
Gains or losses recorded by a shareholder
subject to IIT as a result of the transfer of ordinary shares qualify for the purposes of the IIT Law as capital gains or losses
and are subject to taxation according to the general rules applicable to capital gains. The amount of capital gains or losses is
equal to the difference between the shares’ acquisition value (plus any fees or taxes incurred) and the transfer value, which
is the listed value of the shares as of the transfer date or, if higher, the agreed transfer price, less any fees or taxes incurred.
Capital gains or losses arising from the
transfer of shares held by a Spanish shareholder are included in such Spanish savings taxable base at the applicable rate (currently
varying from 19% to 23%).
Capital gains arising from the transfer
of shares are not subject to withholding tax on account of IIT. Losses arising from the transfer of ordinary shares admitted to
trading on certain official stock exchanges will not be treated as capital losses if ordinary shares of the same kind have been
acquired during the period between two months before and two months after the date of the transfer which originated the loss. In
these cases, the capital losses are included in the taxable base upon the transfer of the remaining ordinary shares by the taxpayer.
Net Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio)
Individuals with tax residency in Spain
are currently subject to Wealth Tax to the extent that their net worth exceeds €700,000, without prejudice to any exemption
which may apply and the laws and regulations in force in each Autonomous Region, at the applicable rates, ranging between 0.2%
and 2.5%, on the value of the relevant securities which they hold as at the end of 2019.
Inheritance and Gift Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)
Individuals resident in Spain for tax purposes
who acquire ownership or other rights over any relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy will be subject to the Spanish
Inheritance and Gift Tax in accordance with the applicable Spanish regional and State rules. The effective tax rates currently
range between 0% and 81.6%, depending on relevant factors.
Legal Entities with Tax Residency in Spain
Corporate Income Tax (Impuesto sobre Sociedades)
Taxation
of dividends
Dividends from BBVA received by corporate
Spanish shareholders, less any expenses inherent to holding the ordinary shares, must be included in the CIT taxable base. The
general CIT tax rate is 25%.
With respect to
s
hareholders that
(i) hold, directly or indirectly, at least 5% in BBVA’s stock or incurred a tax acquisition cost higher than €20 million;
and (ii) hold such participation for at least one year prior to the relevant distribution date or commit to hold such participation
for the time needed to complete such one-year holding period, dividends will be exempt from CIT as a general rule.
If the relevant requirements of this exemption
are met with respect to a particular shareholder, and provided that the minimum one year holding period requirement is complied
with on the distribution date in respect of the ordinary shares, dividends will not be subject to withholding tax. Otherwise, dividends
will be taxed at the applicable CIT tax rate of the taxpayer and a withholding will apply (currently set at 19%). This CIT withholding
will be credited against the taxpayer’s annual CIT due, and if the amount of tax withheld is greater than the amount of the
annual CIT due, the taxpayer will be entitled to a refund of the excess withheld.
Taxation
of capital gains
Gains or losses arising from the sale of
ordinary shares by a shareholder that is a Spanish CIT taxpayer must be included in its taxable base. The general CIT tax rate
is 25%. Gains arising from the sale of ordinary shares will not be subject to withholding tax on account of CIT.
For CIT payers that (i) hold, directly
or indirectly, at least 5% in BBVA’s stock or incurred a tax acquisition cost higher than €20 million; and (ii) hold
such participation for at least one year prior to the relevant transfer, capital gains will be exempt from CIT as a general rule.
Otherwise, capital gains will be taxed at the CIT rate applicable to the relevant taxpayer.
In the case where more than 70% of the
company’s revenues derive from dividends and capital gains arising from the transfer of shares, the application of the participation
exemption is subject to particularly complex restrictions, substantially requiring that the
shareholder holds an indirect participation of at least 5% in
the share capital of the company’s subsidiaries. CIT payers are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding compliance
of the requirements for application of the aforesaid participation exemption.
Capital gains deriving from the disposal
of ordinary shares will not be subject to withholding tax on account of CIT.
Net Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio)
Legal entities are not subject to Wealth
Tax.
Inheritance and Gift Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)
Legal entities resident in Spain for tax
purposes (and NRIT taxpayers acting through a permanent establishment in Spain, as described above) which acquire ownership or
other rights over the ordinary shares by inheritance, gift or legacy are not subject to the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax.
Spanish Transfer Tax
Transfers of ordinary shares or ADSs will
be exempt from Spanish Transfer Tax or Value Added Tax. Additionally, no Spanish Stamp Duty will be levied on the subscription
for, acquisition of or transfer of ordinary shares or ADSs.
BBVA Rights to Subscribe for Ordinary Shares
The material Spanish tax consequences of
the acquisition, ownership and disposition of rights to subscribe for BBVA shares will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Senior Notes, Senior Non-Preferred Notes and Subordinated
Notes
References in this section to holders of
senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated notes, as the case may be (hereinafter, the relevant securities) are to
the owners of a beneficial interest in the relevant securities, or beneficial owners, of the relevant securities. The statements
regarding Spanish law and practice set forth below assume that the relevant securities will be issued, and transfers thereof will
be made, in accordance with the Spanish law.
Whatever the nature and residence of the
holders of relevant securities, the acquisition and transfer of the relevant securities will be exempt from indirect taxes in Spain,
i.e.
, exempt from Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty, in accordance with the Consolidated Text of such tax promulgated by Royal
Legislative Decree 1/1993, of September 24 and exempt from Value Added Tax, in accordance with Law 37/1992, of December 28
regulating such tax.
Tax Rules for Senior Notes, Senior Non-Preferred Notes
and Subordinated Notes Listed on a Regulated Market, a Multilateral Trading Facility or an Organized Market
The following summary assumes that the
relevant securities will be listed on a Regulated Market, a Multilateral Trading Facility or an Organized Market.
Individuals with Tax Residency in Spain
Individual
Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas)
Income obtained by holders who are IIT
taxpayers, both as interest and income obtained in connection with the transfer, redemption or repayment of the relevant securities,
shall be considered income on investments obtained from the assignment of an individual’s capital to third parties, as defined
in Section 25.2 of IIT Law, and therefore will be taxed as savings income at the applicable rate (currently varying from 19%
to 23%).
The above mentioned income will be subject
to the corresponding IIT withholding at the applicable tax rate (currently 19%). Under RD 1065/2007, income obtained in respect
of the notes will not be subject to withholding tax in Spain, provided certain requirements are met, including that the relevant
paying agent provides BBVA, in a timely manner, with certain information. See “—Tax Reporting and Withholding Obligations
of the Issuer”.
Nevertheless, withholding tax at the applicable
rate (currently 19%) may have to be deducted by other entities (such as depositaries or financial entities), provided that such
entities are resident for tax purposes in Spain or have a permanent establishment in Spanish territory.
Net
Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio)
Individuals with tax residency in Spain
are currently subject to Wealth Tax to the extent that their net worth exceeds €700,000, without prejudice to any exemption
which may apply and the laws and regulations in force in each Autonomous Region, at the applicable rates, ranging between 0.2%
and 2.5%, on the value of the relevant securities which they hold as at the end of the relevant fiscal year.
Inheritance
and Gift Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)
Individuals resident in Spain for tax purposes
who acquire ownership or other rights over any relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy will be subject to the Spanish
Inheritance and Gift Tax in accordance with the applicable Spanish regional and State rules. The effective tax rates currently
range between 0% and 81.6%, depending on relevant factors.
Legal Entities with Tax Residency in Spain
Corporate
Income Tax (Impuesto sobre Sociedades)
Both distributions periodically received
and income derived from the transfer, redemption or repayment of the relevant securities are subject to CIT (at the current general
tax rate of 25%) in accordance with the rules for this tax.
Pursuant to Section 44.5 of RD 1065/2007,
there is no obligation to withhold on income payable to CIT taxpayers (which for the sake of clarity, include Spanish tax resident
investment funds and Spanish tax resident pension funds). Consequently, BBVA will not withhold tax on interest payments to Spanish
CIT taxpayers or on income derived from the transfer, redemption or repayment of the relevant securities provided that the relevant
formalities described in “—Tax Reporting and Withholding Obligations of the Issuer” are complied with.
However, in the case of notes held by a
Spanish resident entity and deposited with a Spanish resident entity acting as depositary or custodian, payments of interest under
the notes or income obtained upon the transfer, redemption or repayment of the notes may be subject to withholding tax at the current
rate of 19%. Such withholding will be made by the depository or custodian, if the notes do not comply with the exemption requirements
specified in the ruling issued by the Directorate General for Taxation (Dirección General de Tributos) on July 27,
2004, which requires that the relevant securities be placed outside Spain in another OECD country and traded on an organized market
in an OECD country.
For information on withholdings on payments
of interest on the relevant securities see “—Tax Reporting and Withholding Obligations of the Issuer”.
Net
Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio)
Legal entities are not subject to Wealth
Tax.
Inheritance
and Gift Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)
Legal entities resident in Spain for tax
purposes (and NRIT taxpayers acting through a permanent establishment in Spain, as described below) which acquire ownership or
other rights over the relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy are not subject to the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax.
Individuals and Legal Entities with no Tax Residency in Spain
Non-Resident
Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de no Residentes)
|
(a)
|
Investors with no Tax Residency in Spain acting
through a permanent establishment in Spain
|
If
the relevant securities form part of the assets of a permanent establishment in Spain of a person or legal entity who is not resident
in Spain for tax purposes, the tax rules applicable to income deriving from such securities are, generally, the same as those
previously set out for Spanish CIT taxpayers. See “—
Legal Entities with Tax Residency in Spain—Corporate
Income Tax
(
Impuesto sobre Sociedades
)”. Ownership of the senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated
notes by investors who are not resident for tax purposes in Spain will not in itself create the existence of a permanent establishment
in Spain.
|
(b)
|
Investors with no Tax Residency in Spain not acting
through a permanent establishment in Spain
|
Income
obtained by holders who are not tax resident in Spain acting for these purposes without a permanent establishment within Spain
is exempt from NRIT, provided certain requirements are met, including that the relevant paying agent provides BBVA, in a timely
manner, with certain information. See “—Tax Reporting and Withholding Obligations of the Issuer”.
Net
Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio)
Individuals resident in a country with
which Spain has entered into a DTT in relation to Wealth Tax (and the United States and Spain have not entered into such a DTT)
would generally not be subject to such tax. Otherwise, non-Spanish resident individuals with properties and rights located in Spain,
or that can be exercised within the Spanish territory, in excess of €700,000 would be subject to Wealth Tax at the applicable
rates, ranging between 0.2% and 2.5%, without prejudice to any exemption which may apply, on the value of the relevant securities
which they hold as at the end of the relevant fiscal year.
As a consequence of the European Court
of Justice judgment (Case C-127/12), the Net Wealth Tax Law has been amended by Law 26/2014, of November 27. As a result, non-Spanish
tax resident individuals who are residents in the European Union or in the European Economic Area can apply the legislation of
the region in which the highest value of the assets and rights of the individuals are located.
Inheritance
and Gift Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)
Individuals resident in Spain for tax purposes
who acquire ownership or other rights over any relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy will be subject to the Spanish
Inheritance and Gift Tax in accordance with the applicable Spanish regional and State rules. The effective tax rates currently
range between 0% and 81.6%, depending on relevant factors.
Individuals not resident in Spain for tax
purposes who acquire ownership or other rights over senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated notes by inheritance,
gift or legacy, will be subject to the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax in accordance with the applicable Spanish regional and
state rules, unless they reside in a country for tax purposes with which Spain has entered into a DTT in relation to Inheritance
Tax. In such case, the provisions of the relevant DTT will apply. The United States and Spain have not entered into a DTT in relation
to Inheritance Tax.
A judgment from the European Court of Justice
dated September 3, 2014 declared that the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax is against the principle of free movement of capital
within the European Union as Spanish residents are granted tax benefits that, in practice, allow them to pay much lower taxes than
non-residents. According to Law 26/2014, of November 27, it will be possible to apply tax benefits approved in some Spanish
regions to European Union residents by following certain specific rules.
In addition, in its rulings of February
19, 2018 and March 21 and 22, 2018, the Spanish Supreme Court declared that the ruling of the European Court of Justice referred
to above shall also be applicable if the deceased, heir or donee resides outside a Member State of the European Union or the European
Economic Area. The General Directorate for Taxation has recently ruled in accordance with these rulings (V3151-18 and V3193-18).
Legal entities resident in Spain for tax
purposes (and NRIT taxpayers acting through a permanent establishment in Spain) which acquire ownership or other rights over the
relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy are not subject to the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax.
Non-Spanish resident legal entities which
acquire ownership or other rights over the relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy are not subject to the Spanish Inheritance
and Gift Tax. Such acquisitions will be subject to NRIT (as described above), subject to the provisions of any applicable DTT entered
into by Spain. In general, DTTs provide for the taxation of this type of income in the country of residence of the beneficiary.
Tax
Reporting and Withholding Obligations of the Issuer
In accordance with Section 44 of RD
1065/2007 (“Section 44”), income obtained from debt securities which are originally listed on an organized market
in an OECD country, will be paid free of Spanish withholding tax provided that the relevant paying agent provides BBVA with a statement
containing the following information:
|
(i)
|
identification of the securities;
|
|
(iii)
|
total amount of income paid on the relevant date;
and
|
|
(iv)
|
total amount of the income corresponding to each clearing
house located outside Spain.
|
In accordance with Section 44, the
relevant paying agent should provide BBVA with the statement referred to above on the business day immediately prior to the relevant
payment of income. If the paying agent fails to deliver such statement on a timely basis, the related payment will be subject to
Spanish withholding tax (currently at the general rate of 19%). In such an event, BBVA will pay the relevant holder such additional
amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amount received by such holder after such withholding equals the sum of the respective
amounts of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, which would otherwise have been receivable in respect of the relevant
securities in the absence of such withholding, except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or the relevant prospectus supplement.
Tax Rules for Senior Notes, Senior Non-Preferred Notes
and Subordinated Notes not Listed on a Regulated Market, a Multilateral Trading Facility or an Organized Market
Withholding on Account of IIT, CIT and NRIT
If the senior notes, senior non-preferred
notes or subordinated notes are not listed on a regulated market, a multilateral trading facility or an organized market and originally
registered with the entities that manage clearing systems located outside Spain recognized by Spanish law or by the law of another
OECD country, interest payments to beneficial owners in respect of such securities will be subject to withholding tax, currently
at a rate of 19%, except if an exemption from Spanish tax or a reduced withholding tax rate is provided by an applicable convention
for the avoidance of double taxation entered into between Spain and the country of residence of the relevant beneficial owner.
The treaty generally provides for a withholding rate of 10% for U.S. Residents.
Net Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio)
Individuals with tax residency in Spain
are currently subject to Wealth Tax to the extent that their net worth exceeds €700,000, without prejudice to any exemption
which may apply and the laws and regulations in force in each Autonomous Region, at the applicable rates, ranging between 0.2%
and 2.5%, on the value of the relevant securities which they hold as at the end of the relevant fiscal year.
Individuals resident in a country with
which Spain has entered into a DTT in relation to Wealth Tax (and the United States and Spain have not entered into such a DTT)
would generally not be subject to such tax. Otherwise, non-Spanish resident individuals with properties and rights located in Spain,
or that can be exercised within the Spanish territory, in excess of €700,000 would be subject to Wealth Tax at the applicable
rates, ranging between 0.2% and 2.5%, without prejudice to any exemption which may apply, on the value of the relevant securities
which they hold as at the end of the relevant fiscal year.
As a consequence of the European Court
of Justice judgment (Case C-127/12), the Net Wealth Tax Law has been amended by Law 26/2014, of November 27. As a result, non-Spanish
tax resident individuals who are residents in the European Union or in the European Economic Area can apply the legislation of
the region in which the highest value of the assets and rights of the individuals are located.
Inheritance and Gift Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)
Individuals resident in Spain for tax purposes
who acquire ownership or other rights over any relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy will be subject to the Spanish
Inheritance and Gift Tax in accordance with the applicable Spanish regional and State rules. The effective tax rates currently
range between 0% and 81.6%, depending on relevant factors.
Individuals not resident in Spain for tax
purposes who acquire ownership or other rights over senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated notes by inheritance,
gift or legacy, will be subject to the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax in accordance with the applicable Spanish regional and
state rules, unless they reside in a country for tax purposes with which Spain has entered into a DTT in relation to Inheritance
Tax. In such case, the provisions of the relevant DTT will apply. The United States and Spain have not entered into a DTT in relation
to Inheritance Tax.
However, a judgment from the European Court
of Justice dated September 3, 2014 declared that the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax is against the principle of free movement
of capital within the European Union as Spanish residents are granted tax benefits that, in practice, allow them to pay much lower
taxes than non-residents. According to Law 26/2014, of November 27, it will be possible to apply tax benefits approved in
some Spanish regions to European Union residents by following certain specific rules.
In addition, in its rulings of February
19, 2018 and March 21 and 22, 2018, the Spanish Supreme Court declared that the ruling of the European Court of Justice referred
to above shall also be applicable if the deceased, heir or donee resides outside a Member
State of the European Union or the European Economic Area. The
General Directorate for Taxation has recently ruled in accordance with these rulings (V3151-18 and V3193-18).
Legal entities resident in Spain for tax
purposes (and NRIT taxpayers acting through a permanent establishment in Spain) which acquire ownership or other rights over the
relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy are not subject to the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax.
Non-Spanish resident legal entities which
acquire ownership or other rights over the relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy are not subject to the Spanish Inheritance
and Gift Tax. Such acquisitions will be subject to NRIT (as described above), subject to the provisions of any applicable DTT entered
into by Spain. In general, DTTs provide for the taxation of this type of income in the country of residence of the beneficiary.
Contingent Convertible Preferred Securities and Ordinary
Shares
Acquisition of the Contingent Convertible Preferred Securities
and Ordinary Shares
The issue of, subscription for, transfer
and acquisition of the contingent convertible preferred securities and ordinary shares is exempt from Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty
and Value Added Tax.
Contingent Convertible Preferred Securities
Individuals with Tax Residency in Spain
Individual
Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas)
Income obtained by holders who are IIT
taxpayers, both as interest and income obtained in connection with the transfer, redemption or repayment of the contingent convertible
preferred securities, shall be considered income on investments obtained from the assignment of an individual’s capital to
third parties, as defined in Section 25.2 of IIT Law, and therefore will be taxed as savings income at the applicable rate
(currently varying from 19% to 23%).
The above mentioned income will be subject
to the corresponding IIT withholding at the applicable tax rate (currently 19%). Under RD 1065/2007, income obtained in respect
of the contingent convertible preferred securities will not be subject to withholding tax in Spain, provided certain requirements
are met, including that the relevant paying agent provides BBVA, in a timely manner, with certain information (see “—Tax
Reporting and Withholding Obligations of the Issuer”).
Nevertheless, withholding tax at the applicable
rate (currently 19%) may have to be deducted by other entities (such as depositaries or financial entities), provided that such
entities are resident for tax purposes in Spain or have a permanent establishment in Spanish territory.
Net
Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio)
Individuals with tax residency in Spain
are currently subject to Wealth Tax to the extent that their net worth exceeds €700,000, without prejudice to any exemption
which may apply and the laws and regulations in force in each Autonomous Region, at the applicable rates, ranging between 0.2%
and 2.5%, on the value of the relevant securities which they hold as at the end of 2019.
Inheritance
and Gift Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)
Individuals resident in Spain for tax purposes
who acquire ownership or other rights over any relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy will be subject to the Spanish
Inheritance and Gift Tax in accordance with the applicable Spanish regional and State rules. The effective tax rates currently
range between 0% and 81.6%, depending on relevant factors.
Legal Entities with Tax Residency in Spain
Corporate
Income Tax (Impuesto sobre Sociedades)
Both Distributions periodically received
and income derived from the transfer, redemption or repayment of the contingent convertible preferred securities are subject to
CIT (at the current general tax rate of 25%) in accordance with the rules for this tax.
Pursuant to Section 44.5 of RD 1065/2007,
there is no obligation to withhold on income payable to CIT taxpayers (which for the sake of clarity, include Spanish tax resident
investment funds and Spanish tax resident pension funds). Consequently, BBVA will not withhold tax on interest payments to Spanish
CIT taxpayers or on income derived from the transfer, redemption or repayment of the
relevant securities provided that the relevant formalities described
in “—Tax Reporting and Withholding Obligations of the Issuer” are complied with.
However, in the case of securities held
by a Spanish resident entity and deposited with a Spanish resident entity acting as depositary or custodian, payments of interest
under the contingent convertible preferred securities or income derived from the transfer, redemption or repayment of the contingent
convertible preferred securities may be subject to withholding tax at the current rate of 19%. Such withholding will be made by
the depository or custodian, if the contingent convertible preferred securities do not comply with the exemption requirements specified
in the ruling issued by the Directorate General for Taxation (Dirección General de Tributos) on July 27, 2004, which
requires that the relevant securities be placed outside Spain in another OECD country and traded on an organized market in an OECD
country.
For information on withholdings on Distribution
payments on the relevant securities see “—Tax Reporting and Withholding Obligations of the Issuer”.
Net
Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio)
Legal
entities are not subject to Wealth Tax.
Inheritance
and Gift Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)
Legal
entities resident in Spain for tax purposes (and NRIT taxpayers acting through a permanent establishment in Spain, as described
below) which acquire ownership or other rights over the relevant securities by inheritance, gift or legacy are not subject to
the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax.
Individuals and Legal Entities with no Tax Residency in Spain
Non-Resident
Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de no Residentes)
|
(a)
|
Investors with no Tax Residency in Spain acting
through a permanent establishment in Spain
|
If
the contingent convertible preferred securities form part of the assets of a permanent establishment in Spain of a person or legal
entity who is not resident in Spain for tax purposes, the tax rules applicable to income deriving from such securities are, generally,
the same as those previously set out for Spanish CIT taxpayers. See “
2. Contingent convertible preferred securities—2(b)
Legal Entities with Tax Residency in Spain—Corporate Income Tax (Impuesto sobre Sociedades
)”. Ownership of the
contingent convertible preferred securities by investors who are not resident for tax purposes in Spain will not in itself create
the existence of a permanent establishment in Spain.
|
(b)
|
Investors with no Tax Residency in Spain not acting
through a permanent establishment in Spain
|
Income
obtained by holders who are not tax resident in Spain acting for these purposes without a permanent establishment within Spain
is exempt from NRIT, provided certain requirements are met, including that the relevant paying agent provides BBVA, in a timely
manner, with certain information (see “—Tax Reporting and Withholding Obligations of the Issuer”).
Wealth
Tax
Individuals resident in a country with
which Spain has entered into a DTT in relation to Wealth Tax would generally not be subject to such tax (Spain and the United States
have not entered into such DTT). Otherwise, non-Spanish resident individuals whose properties and rights are located in Spain,
or that can be exercised within the Spanish territory, exceed €700,000 would be subject to Wealth Tax at the applicable rates,
ranging between 0.2% and 2.5%, without prejudice to any exemption or reductions which may apply. Therefore, such individuals should
take into account the value of the contingent convertible preferred securities which they hold as at the end of 2019.
Legal entities are not subject to Wealth
Tax.
As a consequence of the European Court
of Justice judgment (Case C-127/12), the Net Wealth Tax Law has been amended by Law 26/2014, of November 27. As a result, Non-Spanish
tax resident individuals who are residents in the European Union or in the European Economic Area can apply the legislation of
the region in which the highest value of the assets and rights of the individuals are (i) located, (ii) can be exercised or
(iii) must be fulfilled.
Inheritance
and Gift Tax
The transfer of the contingent convertible
preferred securities to individuals by inheritance, legacy or donation shall be subject to the general rules of Inheritance and
Gift Tax in accordance with the applicable Spanish and State rules even if title passes outside Spain and neither the heir nor
the beneficiary, as the case may be, is resident in Spain for tax purposes, without prejudice to the provisions of any DTT signed
by Spain. The United States and Spain have not entered into a DTT in relation to Inheritance Tax.
The effective tax rate, after applying
all relevant factors, ranges between 0% and 81.6%.
However, a judgment from the European Court
of Justice dated September 3, 2014 declared that the Spanish Inheritance Tax Act is against the principle of free movement
of capital within the European Union as Spanish residents are granted tax benefits that, in practice, allow them to pay much lower
taxes than non-residents. According to Law 26/2014, of 27th November, it will be possible to apply tax benefits approved in some
Spanish regions to residents in the European Union or in the European Economic Area by following certain specific rules.
In addition, in its rulings of February
19, 2018 and March 21 and 22, 2018, the Spanish Supreme Court declared that the ruling of the European Court of Justice referred
to above shall also be applicable if the deceased, heir or donee resides outside a Member State of the European Union or the European
Economic Area. The General Directorate for Taxation has recently ruled in accordance with these rulings (V3151-18 and V3193-18).
In the event that the beneficiary is an
entity other than a natural person, the income obtained shall be subject to NRIT and without prejudice, in the latter event, to
the provisions of any DTT that may apply.
Tax Reporting and Withholding Obligations of the Issuer
In accordance with Section 44 of RD
1065/2007, income obtained from debt securities which are originally listed on an organized market in an OECD country, will be
paid free of Spanish withholding tax provided that the relevant paying agent provides BBVA with a statement containing the following
information:
|
(i)
|
identification of the securities;
|
|
(iii)
|
total amount of income paid on the relevant date;
and
|
|
(iv)
|
total amount of the income corresponding to each clearing
house located outside Spain.
|
In accordance with Section 44, the
relevant paying agent should provide BBVA with the statement referred to above on the business day immediately prior to the relevant
payment of income. If the paying agent fails to deliver such statement on a timely basis, the related payment will be subject to
Spanish withholding tax (currently at the general rate of 19%). In such an event, BBVA will pay the relevant holder such additional
amounts as may be necessary had no such withholding or deduction been required except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus
or the relevant prospectus supplement.
Ordinary Shares
The material Spanish tax consequences of
the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares into which the contingent convertible preferred securities are convertible
upon the occurrence of certain events are described under “—Ordinary Shares or ADSs”.
U.S.
Tax Considerations
The
following discussion describes material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of BBVA ADSs, ordinary
shares, contingent convertible preferred securities, senior notes, senior non-preferred notes and subordinated notes. The material
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of rights to acquire ordinary shares issued
by BBVA will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This discussion applies only to U.S. Holders described below
that hold ordinary shares, ADSs, contingent convertible preferred securities, senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated
notes as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Further, this discussion applies only to U.S. Holders that purchase
the ordinary shares, ADSs, contingent convertible preferred securities, senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated
notes in their initial offering and in the case of senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated notes at the “issue
price”, which will equal the first price to the public (not including bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations
acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) at which a substantial amount of the notes of the relevant
series is sold for money. This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular investor,
including the special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)
(which may require U.S. investors to conform the timing of their income accruals to their financial statements), the potential
application of the provisions of the Code known as the Medicare Contribution tax, any alternative minimum tax considerations and
tax consequences that may apply to persons subject to special rules, such as:
|
·
|
certain financial institutions;
|
|
·
|
dealers and certain traders in securities or foreign currencies;
|
|
·
|
persons holding ADSs, ordinary shares, contingent convertible preferred securities, senior notes, senior non-preferred notes
or subordinated notes as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale, conversion transaction or integrated transaction;
|
|
·
|
persons whose “functional currency” for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;
|
|
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tax-exempt organizations, “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs”;
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partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
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persons who own or are deemed to own 10% or more of our shares by vote or value; and
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persons holding ADSs, ordinary shares, contingent convertible preferred securities, senior notes, senior non-preferred notes
or subordinated notes in connection with a trade or business conducted outside the United States.
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This
summary does not address the tax treatment of the ADS, ordinary shares, contingent convertible preferred securities, senior notes,
senior non-preferred notes or subordinated notes on or following any exercise of the Spanish Bail-in Power with respect to such
securities.
A “U.S. Holder” is a person
that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is a beneficial owner of ordinary shares, ADSs, contingent convertible preferred securities,
senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated notes, as applicable, is eligible for benefits of the Treaty (as defined
in “Spanish Tax Considerations” above) and is:
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a citizen or individual resident of the United States;
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a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any
state therein or the District of Columbia; or
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an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.
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If a partnership holds ordinary shares,
ADSs, contingent convertible preferred securities, senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated notes, the U.S. federal
income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment of the partnership.
Partnerships holding ordinary shares, ADSs, contingent convertible preferred securities, senior notes, senior non-preferred notes
or subordinated notes and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal income
tax treatment of their investment in such securities.
The summary is based upon the tax laws
of the United States including the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury
regulations, as well as the Treaty, all as of the date hereof. These laws are
subject to change, possibly with retroactive
effect. In addition, in the case of ADSs this summary is based in part on representations of the depositary and assumes that each
obligation provided for in or otherwise contemplated by BBVA’s deposit agreement or any other related document will be performed
in accordance with its terms. Prospective purchasers of the ADSs, ordinary shares, contingent convertible preferred securities,
senior notes, senior non-preferred notes or subordinated notes are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the U.S., Spanish
or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of such securities in their particular circumstances, including
the effect of any U.S. state or local tax laws.
This discussion is subject to any additional
discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxation contained in the applicable prospectus supplement. Accordingly, U.S. Holders
should also consult the applicable prospectus supplement for any additional discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxation with
respect to the specific securities offered thereunder.
Except as specifically described below
under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” this discussion assumes that BBVA is not, and will not become,
a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
BBVA ADSs or Ordinary Shares
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S.
Holders of ADSs will generally be treated as the owners of the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs. Accordingly,
no gain or loss will be recognized if a U.S. Holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs
and vice-versa.
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns
that parties to whom depositary shares are pre-released or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between U.S. holders and the
issuer of the security underlying a depositary share may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax
credits for U.S. holders of depositary shares. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of
tax applicable to dividends received by certain noncorporate U.S. Holders, described below. Accordingly, the creditability of Spanish
taxes and the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, described below,
could be affected by future actions that may be taken by the parties to whom depositary shares are pre-released or such intermediaries.
Taxation of Distributions
The amount of any distributions, before
reduction for any Spanish income tax withheld by BBVA or its paying agent, paid with respect to ADSs or ordinary shares (other
than certain
pro rata
distributions of BBVA’s capital stock or rights to subscribe for shares of its capital stock)
will be includible in the income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary dividend income, to the extent paid out of BBVA’s current or
accumulated earnings and profits as determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles. Because BBVA does not maintain
calculations of its earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally
will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. The amount of such dividends will be treated as foreign-source dividend income and
will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction” generally allowed to U.S. corporations under the Code.
Subject to applicable limitations and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury, dividends paid to
non-corporate U.S. Holders may be taxable at favorable rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Non-corporate U.S. Holders
should consult their tax advisors to determine the availability of these favorable rates in their particular circumstances.
The amount of a dividend distribution will
equal the U.S. dollar value of the euro received, calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date such distribution
is received (which, for U.S. Holders of ADSs, will be the date such distribution is received by the depositary), whether or not
the distribution is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date
of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend
income. If the dividend is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain
or loss on the conversion date. In general, any foreign currency gain or loss will be U.S.-source ordinary gain or loss.
Subject to applicable limitations that
vary depending upon a U.S. Holder’s circumstances and subject to the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the
U.S. Treasury, a U.S. Holder will be entitled to a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability for any non-refundable
Spanish NRIT taxes withheld by BBVA or its paying agent at a rate not in excess of the applicable rate under the Treaty. Spanish
taxes withheld at a rate in excess of the applicable treaty rate or that are otherwise refundable under Spanish law will not be
eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder U.S. federal income tax liability. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit
is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and, therefore,
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of foreign tax credits in their particular circumstances.
In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, U.S. Holders may elect to deduct all foreign taxes paid or accrued in a taxable year
(including any Spanish NRIT withholding tax) in computing their taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations under
U.S. federal income tax law.
Sale and Other Disposition of ADSs or
Ordinary Shares
Gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder
on the sale or exchange of ADSs or ordinary shares will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as capital gain or loss in an amount
equal to the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares and the amount realized on the
disposition, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder
has held the ordinary shares or ADSs for more than one year. Gain or loss, if any, will generally be U.S.-source for foreign tax
credit purposes. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
BBVA Contingent Convertible Preferred Securities
Characterization of the Contingent Convertible
Preferred Securities
BBVA believes that the contingent convertible
preferred securities will be treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the remainder of this discussion so assumes.
Taxation of Distributions
Distributions made with respect to contingent
convertible preferred securities (including amounts withheld in respect of Spanish taxes, if any, and any additional amounts paid
in respect thereto) will be includible in the income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary dividend income, to the extent paid out of BBVA’s
current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles. Because BBVA does
not maintain calculations of its earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions
generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. The amount of such dividends will be treated as foreign-source dividend
income and will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction” generally allowed to U.S. corporations under
the Code. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. Holders may be taxable at the favorable rate
applicable to long-term capital gains. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors to determine the availability
of this favorable rate in their particular circumstances.
The amount of a distribution paid in euro
will equal the U.S. dollar value of the euro received, calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date such
distribution is received, whether or not the U.S. Holder in fact converts euro received into U.S. dollars at that time. If the
dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign
currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if such dividend
is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of its receipt. In general, any foreign currency gain or loss will be U.S.-source
ordinary gain or loss.
Subject to applicable limitations that
vary depending upon a U.S. Holder’s circumstances, a U.S. Holder may be entitled to a credit against its U.S. federal income
tax liability for any non-refundable Spanish NRIT taxes withheld by BBVA or its paying agent at a rate not in excess of the applicable
rate under the Treaty. Spanish taxes withheld at a rate in excess of the applicable treaty rate or that are otherwise refundable
under Spanish law will not be eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder U.S. federal income tax liability. The limitation on foreign
taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. The rules governing foreign tax
credits are complex and, therefore, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of foreign tax credits
in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, U.S. Holders may elect to deduct all foreign taxes
paid or accrued in a taxable year (including any Spanish NRIT withholding tax) in computing their taxable income, subject to generally
applicable limitations under U.S. federal income tax law.
Sale, Redemption and Other Disposition
of Contingent Convertible Preferred Securities
Gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder
on the sale, redemption or other disposition of contingent convertible preferred securities (other than the receipt of ordinary
shares or ADSs upon conversion, which will be treated as described below under “—Conversion”) will be subject
to U.S. federal income tax as capital gain or loss (assuming in the case of a redemption that the U.S. Holder does not own and
is not deemed to own any of our ADSs or ordinary shares) in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax
basis in the contingent convertible preferred securities and the amount realized on the disposition, in each case as determined
in U.S. dollars. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the contingent convertible preferred
securities for more than one year. Any gain or loss will generally be U.S.-source for foreign tax credit purposes. The deductibility
of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Conversion
Conversion of contingent convertible preferred
securities into ordinary shares or ADSs will generally be treated as a tax-free recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs received will generally be equal to the U.S. Holder’s tax
basis in the contingent convertible preferred securities and the holding period in the ordinary shares or ADSs received will generally
include the holding period of the contingent convertible preferred securities. Ordinary
shares or ADSs received upon conversion will
otherwise generally be treated as described under “—BBVA ADSs or Ordinary Shares” above.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
Based upon certain proposed Treasury regulations
(“Proposed Regulations”) we believe that we were not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our 2018 taxable
year. However, because there can be no assurance that the Proposed Regulations will be finalized in their current form and because
PFIC status depends upon the composition of a company’s income and assets and the market value of its assets from time to
time, there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year.
In general, if we were treated as a PFIC
for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owned ADSs, ordinary shares or contingent convertible preferred securities, gain
recognized by such U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of an ADS, an ordinary share or a contingent convertible preferred
security would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADS, the ordinary share or the contingent
convertible preferred security. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before
we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at
the highest rate in effect for ordinary income of taxpayers of the U.S. Holder’s type for such taxable year, and an interest
charge would be imposed on the resulting tax liability for such taxable year. Similar rules would apply to any distribution in
respect of ADSs, ordinary shares or contingent convertible preferred securities to the extent in excess of 125% of the average
of the annual distributions on ADSs, ordinary shares or contingent convertible preferred securities received by the U.S. Holder
during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter. Certain elections may be available
(including a mark-to-market election) to U.S. Holders that may result in alternative treatment.
Additionally, if a U.S. Holder owns ADSs,
ordinary shares or contingent convertible preferred securities during any year in which we are a PFIC, such U.S. Holder would be
required to file annual returns (including reporting with respect to distributions received from BBVA and any gain realized on
the sale or other taxable disposition of ADSs, ordinary shares or contingent convertible preferred securities). Furthermore, if
we are a PFIC in any taxable year in which we make a distribution or the prior taxable year, the favorable tax rates discussed
above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.
BBVA Senior, Senior Non-Preferred or Subordinated Notes
Characterization of the Notes
We believe that the notes should be treated
as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the remainder of this discussion so assumes. However, there is no direct legal
authority as to the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of an instrument such as the notes that is denominated as a debt instrument
and has significant debt features, but is subject to statutory bail-in powers such as the Spanish Bail-in Power. Therefore, prospective
investors should consult their tax advisers as to the proper characterization of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In addition, it is expected, and this discussion assumes, that any floating rate note should be treated as a “variable rate
debt instrument” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If that is not the case, the applicable prospectus supplement will
describe the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of floating rate notes.
Payments of Interest
Interest paid on a note will be taxable
to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is received in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method
of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes, provided that the interest is qualified stated interest (as defined below).
The amount of interest taxable as ordinary
income will include amounts withheld in respect of Spanish taxes, and additional amounts paid in respect thereof, if any. Interest
income earned by a U.S. Holder with respect to a note will constitute foreign source income for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
which may be relevant in calculating a U.S. Holder’s foreign tax credit limitation. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible
for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. Spanish taxes withheld at a rate not exceeding
the Treaty rate from interest income on a note which are not otherwise refundable under Spanish tax law may be eligible for credit
against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to generally applicable limitations and conditions.
The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and, therefore, U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding
the availability of foreign tax credits in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, U.S. Holders
may elect to deduct Spanish taxes withheld, in computing their taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations. An
election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year.
Special rules governing the treatment of
interest paid with respect to original issue discount notes and foreign currency notes are described below.
Original Issue Discount
A note that is issued at an issue price
that is less than the note’s “stated redemption price at maturity” will be considered to have been issued at
an original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and will be referred to as an “original issue discount note”)
unless the note satisfies a
de minimis
threshold (as described below) or is a Short-Term Note (as defined below). The “stated
redemption price at maturity” of a note will equal the sum of all payments required under the note other than payments of
“qualified stated interest”. “Qualified stated interest” is stated interest unconditionally payable (other
than in debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually during the entire term of the note and equal to the outstanding principal
balance of the note multiplied by a single fixed rate or, subject to certain conditions, certain floating rates.
If the difference between a note’s
stated redemption price at maturity and its issue price is less than a prescribed
de minimis
amount,
i.e.
, generally
1/4 of 1 percent of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity, then the note
will not be considered to have original issue discount.
A U.S. Holder of original issue discount
notes will be required to include any qualified stated interest payments in income in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method
of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, U.S. Holders of original issue discount notes that have a term
of more than one year from their date of issuance will be required to include original issue discount in income for U.S. federal
income tax purposes as it accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method based on a compounding of interest, before the receipt
of cash payments attributable to this income. Under this method, U.S. Holders of original issue discount notes generally will be
required to include in income increasingly greater amounts of original issue discount in successive accrual periods.
A U.S. Holder may make an election to include
in gross income all interest that accrues on any note (including stated interest, original issue discount and
de minimis
original issue discount as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium) in accordance with a constant yield method based on the compounding
of interest (a “constant yield election”).
In general, a floating rate note providing
for one or more qualified floating rates of interest, a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates, a single objective
rate, or a single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is a qualified inverse floating rate, as such terms are defined in
applicable Treasury regulations, generally should not be treated as a contingent payment debt instrument, provided that the interest
accrues or is paid at least annually and provided further that the issue price of the note does not exceed the total noncontingent
principal payments due under the note by more than an amount equal to the lesser of (x) 0.015 multiplied by the product of the
total noncontingent principal payments and the number of complete years to maturity from the issue date or (y) 15% of the total
noncontingent principal payments. A “qualified floating rate” is any variable rate where variations in the value of
such rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency
in which the floating rate notes is denominated. An “objective rate” is generally a rate that is determined using a
single fixed formula and that is based on objective financial or economic information. A “qualified inverse floating rate”
is an objective rate that is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate if variations in the rate can reasonably be
expected to inversely reflect contemporaneous variations in the qualified floating rate (disregarding for those purposes any cap,
floor, governor or similar restriction).
If a floating rate note provides for two
or more qualified floating rates that can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same values throughout the term of the
note, the qualified floating rates together constitute a single qualified floating rate. If interest on a debt instrument is stated
at a fixed rate for an initial period of one year or less followed by a variable rate that is either a qualified floating rate
or an objective rate for a subsequent period, and the value of the variable rate on the issue date is intended to approximate the
fixed rate, the fixed rate and the variable rate together constitute a single qualified floating rate or objective rate. Two or
more rates will be conclusively presumed to meet the requirements of the preceding sentences if the values of the applicable rates
on the issue date are within 1/4 of one percent of each other. If a floating rate note provides for stated interest that is unconditionally
payable in cash or property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually throughout the term thereof, then all
stated interest on such note will constitute qualified stated interest and will therefore not be treated as having been issued
with original issue discount unless the note is issued at a “true” discount (
i.e.
, at a price below the note’s
stated principal amount) in excess of the specified
de minimis
amount described in “—Original Issue Discount”
above. If floating rate notes are issued with original issue discount, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of such notes will
be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
A note that matures one year or less from
its date of issuance (taking into account the last possible date the note could be outstanding in accordance with its terms) (a
“Short-Term Note”) will be treated as being issued at a discount and none of the interest paid on the note will be
treated as qualified stated interest. In general, a cash method U.S. Holder of a Short-Term Note is not required to accrue the
discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless it elects to do so (but should include in income any stated interest upon
receipt). Accrual method U.S. Holders and cash method U.S. Holders who so elect are required to include the discount in income
as it accrues on a straight-line basis, unless an election is made to accrue the discount according to a constant yield method
based on daily compounding. In the case of a U.S. Holder who is not required and does not elect to include the discount in income
currently, any gain realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of the Short-Term Note will be ordinary income to the extent of
the discount accrued on a straight-line basis (or, if elected, according to a constant yield method based on daily compounding)
through the date of
sale, exchange or retirement. In addition,
those holders will be required to defer deductions for any interest paid on indebtedness incurred to purchase or carry Short-Term
Notes in an amount not exceeding the accrued discount until the accrued discount is included in income.
Amortizable Bond Premium
If a U.S. Holder purchases a note for an
amount that is greater than the sum of all amounts payable on the note other than qualified stated interest, the U.S. Holder will
be considered to have purchased the note with amortizable bond premium. In general, amortizable bond premium with respect to any
note will be equal in amount to the excess of the purchase price over the sum of all amounts payable on the note other than qualified
stated interest and the U.S. Holder may elect to amortize this premium, using a constant-yield method, over the remaining term
of the note. Special rules may limit the amount of bond premium that can be amortized during certain accrual periods in the case
of notes that are subject to unconditional optional redemption. A U.S. Holder may generally use the amortizable bond premium allocable
to an accrual period to offset qualified stated interest required to be included in the U.S. Holder’s income with respect
to the note in that accrual period. A U.S. Holder who elects to amortize bond premium must reduce the U.S. Holder’s tax basis
in the note by the amount of the premium amortized in any year. An election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable debt
obligations then owned and thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder and may be revoked only with the permission of the Internal Revenue
Service.
If a U.S. Holder makes a constant-yield
election (as described under “—Original Issue Discount” above) for a note with amortizable bond premium, such
election will result in a deemed election to amortize bond premium for all of the U.S. Holder’s debt instruments with amortizable
bond premium and may be revoked only with the permission of the Internal Revenue Service with respect to debt instruments acquired
after revocation.
Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Notes
Upon the sale, exchange or retirement of
a note, a U.S. Holder will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange
or retirement and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. Gain or loss, if any, will generally be U.S.-source for
purposes of computing a U.S. Holder’s foreign tax credit limitation. For these purposes, the amount realized does not include
any amount attributable to accrued interest. Amounts attributable to accrued interest are treated as interest as described under
“—Payments of Interest” above. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note generally will equal such U.S.
Holder’s initial investment in the note increased by any original issue discount included in income and decreased by any
bond premium previously amortized and principal payments previously received.
Except as described below under “—Foreign
Currency Notes”, gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a note will generally be capital gain or loss
and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or retirement the note has been held for more than
one year. Exceptions to this general rule apply in the case of a Short-Term Note, to the extent of any accrued discount not previously
included in the U.S. Holder’s taxable income. See “—Original Issue Discount” above. The deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations.
Foreign Currency Notes
The rules applicable to Notes denominated
in, or the payments on which are determined by reference to, a single currency other than U.S. dollars (referred to in this section
as "Foreign Currency Notes") could require some or all of the gain or loss on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Foreign
Currency Note to be re-characterised as ordinary income or loss. The rules applicable to foreign currency notes are complex and
their application may depend on the U.S. Holder’s particular U.S. federal income tax situation. For example, various elections
are available under these rules, and whether a U.S. Holder should make any of these elections may depend on the U.S. Holder’s
particular U.S. federal income tax situation. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of foreign currency notes.
A U.S. Holder who uses the cash method
of accounting and who receives a payment of qualified stated interest (or who receives proceeds from a sale, exchange or other
disposition attributable to accrued interest) in a foreign currency with respect to a foreign currency note will be required to
include in income the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency payment (determined based on a spot rate on the date the payment
is received) regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time, and this U.S. dollar value
will be the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the foreign currency.
An accrual-method U.S. Holder will be required
to include in income the U.S. dollar value of the amount of interest income (including original issue discount, but reduced by
amortizable bond premium to the extent applicable) that has accrued and is otherwise required to be taken into account with respect
to a foreign currency note during an accrual period. Any original issue discount will be determined in the relevant foreign currency.
The U.S. dollar value of the accrued income will be determined by translating the income at the average rate of exchange for the
accrual period or, with respect to an accrual period that spans two taxable years, at the average rate for the partial period within
the taxable year. A U.S. Holder may elect to translate interest income
(including original issue discount) into U.S.
dollars at the spot rate on the last day of the interest accrual period (or, in the case of a partial accrual period, the spot
rate on the last day of the taxable year) or, if the date of receipt is within five business days of the last day of the interest
accrual period, the spot rate on the date of receipt. A U.S. Holder that makes this election must apply it consistently to all
debt instruments from year to year and cannot revoke the election without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. A U.S. Holder
may recognize U.S.-source ordinary income or loss (which will not be treated as interest income or expense) with respect to accrued
interest income on the date the interest payment or proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition attributable to accrued
interest is actually received. The amount of ordinary income or loss recognized will equal the difference between the U.S. dollar
value of the foreign currency payment received (determined based on a spot rate on the date the payment is received) in respect
of the accrual period and the U.S. dollar value of interest income that has accrued during the accrual period (as determined above).
Rules similar to these rules apply in the case of cash-method U.S. Holders who are required to currently accrue original issue
discount.
If an election to amortize bond premium
is made, amortizable bond premium taken into account on a current basis will reduce interest income in units of the relevant foreign
currency. Exchange gain or loss is realized on amortized bond premium with respect to any period by treating the bond premium amortized
in the period in the same manner as it would have been treated on the sale, exchange or retirement of the foreign currency note,
as described below. Any exchange gain or loss will be U.S.-source ordinary income or loss as described below. If the election to
amortize bond premium is not made, any bond premium will be taken into account in determining the overall gain or loss on the notes
and any loss realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a foreign currency note will be a capital loss to the extent attributable
to the bond premium.
A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in a foreign
currency note, and the amount of any subsequent adjustment to the U.S. Holder’s tax basis (including adjustments for original
issue discount included as income and any bond premium previously amortized or principal payments received), will be the U.S. dollar
value of the foreign currency amount paid for such foreign currency note, or of the foreign currency amount of the adjustment,
determined on the date of the purchase or adjustment. A U.S. Holder who purchases a foreign currency note with previously owned
foreign currency will recognize U.S.-source ordinary income or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the U.S.
Holder’s tax basis in the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar fair market value of the foreign currency note on the date
of purchase.
Gain or loss realized upon the sale, exchange
or retirement of a foreign currency note that is attributable to fluctuations in currency exchange rates will be U.S.-source ordinary
income or loss that will not be treated as interest income or expense. Gain or loss attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates
will equal the difference between (i) the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency purchase price of the note, determined on the
date the payment is received or the note is disposed of, (or if the note is traded on an established securities market, on the
settlement date if the U.S. Holder is a cash basis U.S. Holder or an electing accrual basis U.S. Holder); and (ii) the U.S. dollar
value of the foreign currency purchase price of the note, determined on the date the U.S. Holder acquired the note. Payments received
attributable to accrued interest will be treated in accordance with the rules applicable to interest income described above. The
foreign currency gain or loss will be recognized only to the extent of the total gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder on the
sale, exchange or retirement of the foreign currency note. Any gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder in excess of the foreign
currency gain or loss will be capital gain or loss (except in the case of a Short-Term Note, to the extent of any discount not
previously included in the U.S. Holder’s income).
A U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in
any foreign currency received on the sale, exchange or retirement of a foreign currency note equal to the U.S. dollar value of
the foreign currency, determined at the time of sale, exchange or retirement. Provided the foreign currency notes are traded on
an established securities market, a cash-method U.S. Holder who buys or sells a foreign currency note is required to translate
units of foreign currency paid or received into U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the settlement date of the purchase or sale. Accordingly,
no exchange gain or loss will result for such holders from currency fluctuations between the trade date and the settlement of the
purchase or sale. An accrual-method U.S. Holder may elect the same treatment for all purchases and sales of foreign currency notes,
provided the foreign currency notes are traded on an established securities market. This election cannot be revoked without the
consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
A U.S. Holder may be required to file a
reportable transaction disclosure statement with the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax return, if such U.S. Holder realizes
a loss on the sale or other disposition of a foreign currency note and such loss is greater than applicable threshold amounts,
which differ depending on the status of the U.S. Holder. A U.S. Holder that claims a deduction with respect to a foreign currency
note should consult its tax adviser regarding the need to file a reportable transaction disclosure statement.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments of dividends, distributions or
interest on, and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of, ADSs, ordinary shares, contingent convertible preferred securities
or notes that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries generally are subject
to information reporting and backup withholding unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient or, in the case of backup withholding,
the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding
has occurred. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be
allowed as a credit against the holder’s
U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely
furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals
and certain specified U.S. entities may be required to report information relating to securities issued by a non-U.S. person, subject
to certain exceptions (including an exception for securities held in accounts maintained by financial institutions, which accounts
may be reportable if maintained by non-U.S. financial institutions). U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their
reporting obligations with respect to the ADSs, ordinary shares, contingent convertible preferred securities or notes.
Potential FATCA withholding
Certain provisions of the Code and U.S.
Treasury regulations commonly known as FATCA, as well as certain intergovernmental agreements between the United States and certain
other countries (including Spain), together with local country implementing legislation, may impose 30% withholding on certain
payments made in respect of the notes, contingent convertible preferred securities, ADSs and ordinary shares (“FATCA withholding”),
to the extent such payments are considered “foreign passthru payments” (which term is not yet defined). FATCA withholding
would apply only if the payments are made to a recipient (including an intermediary) that is a “foreign financial institution”
that has not entered into an agreement with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service pursuant to FATCA or otherwise established an exemption
from FATCA withholding. FATCA withholding will not apply to notes treated as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes that are
issued are issued before (and not materially modified after) the date that is six months after the date on which final U.S. Treasury
regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payments” are published. In addition, under proposed Treasury regulations
(the preamble to which specifies that taxpayers may rely on them pending finalization) FATCA withholding will not apply prior to
the date that is two years after the date that is two years after the final U.S. Treasury regulations defining the term “foreign
passthru payments” are published. It is not yet clear whether or to what extent payments on the ADSs, ordinary shares, contingent
convertible preferred securities or notes will be treated as foreign passthru payments.
The United States has entered into intergovernmental
agreements with Spain and many other jurisdictions to implement FATCA. It is not yet certain how the United States and these jurisdictions
will address “foreign passthru payments” or if FATCA withholding will be required at all under such agreements.
If FATCA withholding is required, none
of BBVA, the trustee or any paying agent will pay any additional amounts with respect to any amounts so withheld. Prospective investors
and beneficial owners of notes, contingent convertible capital securities, ADSs and ordinary shares should consult their tax advisers
as to how these rules may apply to payments they receive under the notes, contingent convertible capital securities, ADSs and ordinary
shares and their ability to obtain a refund of any FATCA withholding.
Benefit
Plan Investor Considerations
The Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and Section 4975 of the Code, impose certain requirements on (a) employee
benefit plans subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), Keogh plans or other arrangements
subject to Section 4975 of the Code, (c) entities whose underlying assets include “plan assets” by reason
of any such plan’s or arrangement’s investment therein (we refer to the foregoing collectively as “Plans”)
and (d) persons who are fiduciaries with respect to Plans. In addition, certain governmental, church and non-U.S. plans (“Non-ERISA
Arrangements”) are not subject to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, but may be subject to other
laws that are substantially similar to those provisions (each, a “Similar Law”).
In addition to ERISA’s general fiduciary
standards, Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a
Plan and persons who have specified relationships to the Plan,
i.e.
, “parties in interest” as defined in ERISA
or “disqualified persons” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code (we refer to the foregoing collectively as “parties
in interest”) unless exemptive relief is available under an exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. Parties in
interest that engage in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities
under ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code. We and the underwriters, agents and dealers through which the securities described
in this prospectus may be sold, and our and their current and future affiliates (collectively, the “Transaction Parties”),
may be parties in interest with respect to many Plans. Thus, a Plan fiduciary considering an investment in the securities described
in this prospectus should also consider whether such an investment might constitute or give rise to a prohibited transaction under
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. For example, the securities may be deemed to represent a direct or indirect sale of property,
extension of credit or furnishing of services between us and an investing Plan which would be prohibited if we are a party in interest
with respect to the Plan unless exemptive relief were available under an applicable exemption.
In this regard, each prospective purchaser
that is, or is acting on behalf of, a Plan, and proposes to purchase the securities described in this prospectus, should consider
the exemptive relief available under the following prohibited transaction class exemptions, or PTCEs: (A) the in-house asset
manager exemption (PTCE 96-23), (B) the insurance company general account exemption (PTCE 95-60), (C) the bank collective investment
fund exemption (PTCE 91-38), (D) the insurance company pooled separate account exemption (PTCE 90-1) and (E) the qualified
professional asset manager exemption (PTCE 84-14). In addition, ERISA Section 408(b)(17) and Section 4975(d)(20) of the
Code may provide a limited exemption for the purchase and sale of securities and related lending transactions, provided that neither
the issuer of the securities nor any of its affiliates have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any investment
advice with respect to the assets of the Plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the Plan pays no more, and
receives no less, than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction (the so-called “service provider exemption”).
There can be no assurance that any of these statutory or class exemptions will be available with respect to transactions involving
the securities described in this prospectus.
Each purchaser or holder of a security
covered by this prospectus, and each fiduciary who causes any entity to purchase or hold a security covered by this prospectus,
shall be deemed to have represented and warranted, on each day such purchaser or holder holds such securities, that either (A) it
is neither a Plan nor a Non-ERISA Arrangement and it is not purchasing or holding securities on behalf of or with the assets of
any Plan or Non-ERISA arrangement or (B) its purchase, holding and subsequent disposition of such securities shall not constitute
or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or violate any
provision of Similar Law.
Fiduciaries of any Plans and Non-ERISA
Arrangements should consult their own legal counsel before purchasing the securities described in this prospectus. We also refer
you to the portions of the offering circular addressing restrictions applicable under ERISA, the Code and Similar Law.
Each purchaser of a security covered by
this prospectus will have exclusive responsibility for ensuring that its purchase, holding and subsequent disposition of the security
does not violate the fiduciary or prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law. Nothing herein shall be construed
as a representation that an investment in the securities described in this prospectus would meet any or all of the relevant legal
requirements with respect to investments by, or is appropriate for, Plans or Non-ERISA Arrangements generally or any particular
Plan or Non-ERISA Arrangement.