BBVA Compass economists examine mobile banking, crowdfunding, other trends in latest quarterly report

HOUSTON, July 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The financial industry faces its most dramatic transformation in modern history because of increased online and mobile device usage, which will make banks more productive but also boost competition from nonbanks, BBVA Compass economists say in their latest report.

This "transformation will result in a more efficient financial system that will be in a stronger position to support economic growth and wealth creation," the economists say.

Every quarter, the bank's economic research team publishes its Economic Outlook, a report focused on a variety of issues that affect the U.S. as a whole as well as the Sunbelt states where BBVA Compass operates.

In the recently released second quarter outlook, the economists examined the U.S. economy, interest rates and technology topics, including mobile banking and crowdfunding, also known as crowdsourcing. The increasingly popular trend of crowdfunding allows businesses and individuals the opportunity to raise money from a large pool of people and provides an unprecedented source of capital, the bank's economists say.

"To succeed in this new hyperconnected and competitive environment, banks will have to follow a customer-centric approach and offer simple, user-friendly and effective products, with a high level of transparency and security," Chief Economist Nathaniel Karp wrote.

Banks are ahead of the curve in mobile technologies, the bank's economists say, after examining a 2012 Federal Reserve Board survey about mobile banking.

"Mobile banking will increase the productivity of the industry as banks will have more information and ways to efficiently target users; however, these technologies are also bringing more competitors: highly sophisticated platforms with innovative business models and very low operating costs," according to the economists.

Economists also conducted a state-by-state budget analysis in the wake of the recession that led to unprecedented fiscal imbalances. The fiscal situation has improved greatly, with states such as California reporting budget surpluses for the first time since the recession. However, states need to make tough longer-term decisions about how to manage crises and balance fiscal prudency with broad initiatives on infrastructure and education, among other choices.

The economists' fiscal stress test, which measures the cyclical and structural risk factors as it relates to a state's fiscal situation, found Tennessee the least stressed and California, despite its progress, the most stressed. Texas and North Dakota also measured well in part because of strong oil and gas industries.

Karp and his team analyze the U.S. economy and Federal Reserve monetary policy. For their analyses, the economists create models and forecasts for economic variables such as growth and inflation, as well as for monetary policy and other industries.

The bank's economic research group includes Kim Fraser, Jason Frederick, Boyd Nash-Stacey, Marcial Nava, Shushanik Papanyan and Alejandro Vargas. Follow their work on Twitter @BBVAResearchUSA.

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. 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 688 branches, including 352 in Texas, 90 in Alabama, 78 in Arizona, 64 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 21 in New Mexico. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 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.

SOURCE BBVA Compass