MESA, Ariz., Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Students at Roosevelt Elementary School learned some of the finer points of fitness from three basketball luminaries and also got some lessons on financial literacy as part of Team. Works. In Schools, a joint initiative by BBVA Compass and WNBA Cares.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121211/DA28194)

NBA legend Felipe Lopez, WNBA legend Bridget Pettis and Phoenix Mercury guard Alexis Hornbuckle guided students through fitness and basketball activities during a WNBA FIT clinic, which encourages students to live an active and healthy lifestyle.

Meantime, the newest element of the initiative – BBVA Compass' Financial Scholars Program – was introduced to sixth-grade students during an interactive Financial Knowledge Bowl, a trivia question-and-answer session.

Additionally, BBVA Compass volunteers will join sixth-grade students in the computer lab where staff from EverFi — the leading educational technology platform that teaches, assesses and certifies students in critical life skills — will provide the group with an overview of the web-based Vault™ program. The 2.5-hour, interactive curriculum introduces students to financial literacy skills in an effort to help them cultivate good financial habits at an early age. BBVA Compass has brought this program to Phoenix elementary schools at no cost to schools or taxpayers.

"It was great to see the kids out there having fun," said BBVA Compass Phoenix City President Lynne Herndon. "Seeing the light bulbs go off over their heads when they started to understand what it means to be financially responsible was a gratifying thing, especially since the bank's top corporate citizenship priority in supporting public education is financial literacy."

The BBVA Compass Foundation also donated 189 new books directly to students in kindergarten through second grade through the bank's Reading Counts literacy program. Thirty-one tablet computers and a laptop were donated to the school as well.

"We are proud to take part in a program that shares our commitment to education and provides students with the resources they need to succeed," said Roosevelt Elementary Principal Darlene Shumway. "After today's volunteer efforts, our students should have a greater sense of pride in their school and education."

This marks the third consecutive year that BBVA Compass and WNBA Cares have teamed up for the Team. Works. In Schools initiative. The event marks the 14th hands-on service project since the program's inception in 2010.

About BBVA Group
BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of BBVA Compass Bancshares Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) (MAD: BBVA). BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a solid position in Spain, is the largest financial institution in Mexico, and has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt region of the United States. Its diversified business is geared toward high-growth markets and relies on technology as a key sustainable competitive advantage. BBVA ranks among the leading eurozone banks in terms of return on equity and efficiency. Corporate responsibility is at the core of its business model. BBVA fosters financial education and inclusion, and supports scientific research and culture. It operates with the highest integrity, a long-term vision and applies best practices. More information about the BBVA Group can be found at www.bbva.com.

About BBVA Compass
BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 709 branches, including 368 in Texas, 93 in Alabama, 79 in Arizona, 65 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 21 in New Mexico. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 20 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (5th). BBVA Compass has been recognized as one of the leading Small Business Administration lenders and ranked third in American Banker's 2012 reputation study of the leading 30 banks in the U.S. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at www.bbvacompass.com.

Editor's Note:
BBVA Compass is a trade name of Compass Bank.

About the WNBA
The WNBA – which features 12 teams and is the most successful women's professional team sports league in the world – is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity.  The league will tip off its 17^th season in the spring of 2013.

Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase breast and women's health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education. For more information on the WNBA, log on to www.wnba.com.

About EverFi
EverFi, Inc. is the leading education technology company focused on teaching, assessing, and certifying K-12 and college students in the critical skills they need for life. The company teams with major corporations and foundations to provide the programs at no cost to K-12 schools. EverFi operates in over 3,800 schools in the United States including 46 of the 100 largest school districts. Learn more at www.everfi.com

About Vault
Vault™ - Understanding Money is an interactive, new-media learning platform specifically designed to introduce financial literacy skills early in a child's cognitive development. Course topics include saving, budgeting, responsibility and decision-making, credit and debt, careers, income, charity, and more. The course features interactive lessons, games, and story-based activities that challenge kids to make choices in real-life scenarios to best achieve important goals around saving and job planning. The 2.5-hour curriculum aligns with both state and national standards. 

SOURCE BBVA Compass