BBVA opens two new Woodlands locations

HOUSTON – BBVA Compass opened two new branches this weekend in The Woodlands, Texas, expanding the bank’s presence in the thriving master planned community north of Houston.

The new locations bring the number of BBVA Compass branches in The Woodlands to six. Located in the highly trafficked areas surrounding Woodlands Parkway and Research Forest, the locations offer a level of convenience the bank expects will draw new clients into the fold.

“Our expansion better positions us to serve more of the area’s residents,” said Amos McDonald, North Houston retail executive for BBVA Compass. “As a longstanding member of the community, we are committed to helping those who live and work in The Woodlands to meet their financial goals.” The Woodlands has grown rapidly in the last 15 years, and was named by Houstonia magazine as one of Houston’s hottest neighborhoods last year. Its population boasts more than 108,000 residents, including 1,900 employers and 54,500 employees.

“A number of the area’s employers are energy companies, which count foreign nationals among their local employees,” McDonald said. “Our parent company, BBVA, is a global banking heavyweight with a strong energy practice and a reputation for being aggressively innovative, so we have the expertise to help these enterprises succeed.”

BBVA Compass hosted grand opening celebrations for its newest branches — Terramont Village at 10000 Woodlands Parkway and Alden Bridge at 8100 Research Forest — on Saturday, March 1. During the Alden Bridge event, Bruce Tough, chairman of The Woodlands Township, lauded the bank’s contribution to the community.

“The Woodlands Township is excited to see BBVA Compass expand throughout our area,” Tough said. “The bank contributes to the vitality and economic growth of our community. Its employees have been great partners and neighbors in our area, sponsoring key annual events and giving back in a multitude of ways.”

The grand opening events also featured ribbon-cuttings hosted by the Magnolia Parkway and Montgomery County Hispanic chambers of commerce. Former NBA player Robert Horry and Dynamo and Rockets dancers and mascots were also on-hand for the events.

Gil Staley, CEO of The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership, also attended the grand opening celebrations and said that BBVA Compass’ growth in The Woodlands is symbolic of the area’s stature as a major work center in the Houston region.

PHOTO: BBVA Compass and local dignitaries in The Woodlands celebrate the bank’s new Alden Bridge location at 8100 Research Drive on Saturday. They were joined by former Houston Rockets player Robert Horry, in back, and two dancers for the Houston Rockets.

The Woodlands and bank execs, from left to right: President of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau Nick Wolda; Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber Member Roy Villareal; BBVA Compass South and East Texas Retail Executive Larry Franco; BBVA Compass North Houston Retail Executive Amos McDonald; Chairman of The Woodlands Township Bruce Tough; Branch Retail Executive Charles Gonzalez, BBVA Compass Head of Wealth & Retail Banking Jeff Talpas; and CEO of The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership Gil Staley.