Texas A&M International University

Francisco González Rodríguez
Donation Speech

Thank you, Dr. Keck, for your generous introduction, and all of you, distinguished guests, faculty, students, and friends, who join us to celebrate this exciting new partnership. Today we are proud to present a gift from the Laredo National Bank-BBVA Group to Texas A&M International University. We are delighted that you join us for this very special occasion on a very special campus in a very special city.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, more easily known as BBVA, is an international banking organization headquartered in Bilbao, Spain.

Last year (2005) we acquired The Laredo National Bank, the fifteenth largest bank in Texas that has served two nations since 1892. LNB, part of the BBVA Group, has grown to approximately $3.5 billion in assets and has 46 branches throughout South Texas. While relatively new to Laredo, BBVA Group is a large, multi-national, publicly traded company.

We provide a diversified range of products and services to more than 35 million customers in more than 32 countries through our network of 7,410 branches with more than one million shareholders. BBVA employs more than 92,000 employees, and our assets at the end of 2005 were approximately $462 billion.

Throughout the world BBVA has demonstrated our leadership for and commitment to education in general and to higher education in particular–as well as to the arts, business, community service, and economic development. You can count on us to be a good corporate partner and neighbor as we build upon the excellent records and relationships established by LNB. LNB-BBVA Group will personify a corporate culture, mission, and vision that underscores as a core component, “Working Toward a Better Future for People.”

Our priority goals include using our strengths to establish and strengthen lasting relationships with increasingly satisfied customers in Spain, Europe, and Mexico and in other American countries and places where we have a presence. BBVA seeks to create a better future through a management program that will build upon its cornerstones of people, teamwork, ethical principles, and technology. The hallmarks of our customer service in Laredo and beyond are focusing on our customers and on our communities while doing our part to improve local circumstances and to enhance a mutual quest for excellence.

Accordingly, to translate our goals into action, today LNB-BBVA Group is proud to announce a $1 million Endowed Gift to create the BBVA-Laredo National Bank Professorship in International Finance in the College of Business Administration at Texas A&M International University. This Endowed Chair is consistent with our vision, our business strategy, and our commitment to this community that we proudly serve. We believe that this gift will strengthen our ties as we foster innovative research and scholarly growth while enhancing the pursuit of excellence in international finance.

Thank you so much.

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