Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Form 20-F

 

 

 

 

 

Commission file number: 1-10110

 

 

 

 

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

BANK BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

 

 

 

Kingdom of Spain

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

Plaza de San Nicolás, 4

48005 Bilbao

Spain

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Javier Malagón Navas

Paseo de la Catellana, 81

28046 Madrid

Spain

Telephone number +34 91 537 7000

Fax number +34 91 537 6766

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and /or facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

 

 

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

The number of outstanding shares of each class of stock of the Registrant as of December 31, 2008 was:

Ordinary shares, par value €0.49 per share — 3,747,969,121

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

 

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

 

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17 o   Item 18 þ

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o     No þ

 

 

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS

 

The terms below are used as follows throughout this report:

 

 

First person personal pronouns used in this report, such as “we”, “us”, or “our”, mean BBVA.

 

In this report, “$”, “U.S. dollars”, and “dollars” refer to United States Dollars and “€” and “euro” refer to Euro.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Annual Report contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include words such as “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “project”, “anticipate”, “should”, “intend”, “probability”, “risk”, “VaR”, “target”, “goal”, “objective” and similar expressions or variations on such expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The accompanying information in this Annual Report, including, without limitation, the information under

 

 

identifies important factors that could cause such differences.

 

Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, among others:

 

 

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, including, without limitation, changes in our business or acquisition strategy or planned capital expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Accounting Principles

 

Under Regulation (EC) no. 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002, all companies governed by the law of an EU Member State and whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market of any Member State must prepare their consolidated financial statements for the years beginning on or after January 1, 2005 in conformity with EU-IFRS. The Bank of Spain issued Circular 4/2004 of December 22, 2004 on Public and Confidential Financial Reporting Rules and Formats (the “Circular” or “Circular 4/2004”), which requires Spanish credit institutions to adapt their accounting system to the principles derived from the adoption by the European Union of EU-IFRS.

 

The Group prepares its consolidated annual financial information in accordance with EU-IFRS required to be applied under the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004. On November 26, 2008, the Bank of Spain issued Circular 6/2008, modifying the presentation format for consolidated financial statements from the format stipulated in Circular 4/2004. The Group’s consolidated annual financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008 included in the Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared under EU-IFRS required to be applied under the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 and taking into account the financial statement models established in Bank of Spain’s Circular 6/2008. Such consolidated annual financial statements are the first annual financial statements prepared by the Group on such basis. The information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements is presented on the same basis as the information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008. The selected consolidated financial information included herein as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008, together with selected consolidated financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 is derived from, and presented on the same basis as in, the Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements. As the Consolidated Financial Statements and such selected consolidated financial information have been prepared under EU-IFRS required to be applied under the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 and taking into account the financial statement models established in Bank of Spain’s Circular 6/2008, they are not directly comparable with financial information prepared by the Group in accordance with EU-IFRS required to be applied under the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 (but without taking into account the financial statement models established in Bank of Spain’s Circular 6/2008), including financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2007 included and 2006 in our Annual Report for 2007 on Form 20-F (the “2007 20-F”).

 

The principal differences between the Consolidated Financial Statements prepared under EU-IFRS required to be applied under the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 and taking into account the financial statement models established in Bank of Spain’s Circular 6/2008 and the financial statements prepared under EU-IFRS required to be applied under the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 (but without taking into account the financial statement models

established in Bank of Spain’s Circular 6/2008), as applied to the BBVA Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are described in Appendix VIII of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements under EU-IFRS required to be applied under Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 and taking into account the financial statement models established in Bank of Spain’s Circular 6/2008 did not affect the line items “Net income” in the consolidated income statement nor “Stockholders’ equity” in the consolidated balance sheet when compared to such line items prepared under EU-IFRS required to be applied under Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 (but without taking into account the financial statement models established in Bank of Spain’s Circular 6/2008). Unless otherwise indicated herein, as used hereafter “Circular 4/2004” refers to such Circular as amended or supplemented from time to time, including by the Bank of Spain’s Circular 6/2008.

 

As we describe in Note 2.2.1.b to the Consolidated Financial Statements, a loan is considered to be an impaired loan — and therefore its carrying amount is adjusted to reflect the effect of its impairment — when there is objective evidence that events have occurred which, in the case of loans, give rise to a negative impact on the future cash flows that were estimated at the time the transaction was arranged.

 

The potential impairment of these assets is determined individually or collectively. The quantification of impairment losses is determined on a collective basis in the following two cases:

 

 

Inherent loss, calculated using statistical procedures, is deemed equivalent to the portion of losses incurred on the date that the accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared that has yet to be allocated to specific transactions.

 

The Group estimates collective inherent loss of credit risk corresponding to operations realized by Spanish financial entities of the Group (approximately 68.73% of the Loans and Receivables of the Group as of December 31, 2008), using the parameters set by Annex IX of the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 on the basis of its experience and the Spanish banking sector information in the quantification of impairment losses and provisions for insolvencies for credit risk.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the Group has historic statistical data which it used in its internal ratings models (IRBs) that were approved by the Bank of Spain for some portfolios in 2008, albeit only for the purpose of estimating regulatory capital under the new Basel Accord (BIS II). It uses these internal models to calculate the economic capital required in its activities and uses the expected loss concept to quantify the cost of credit risk for incorporation in its calculation of the risk-adjusted return on capital of its operations.

 

To estimate the collective loss of credit risk corresponding to operations with non-Spanish residents registered in foreign subsidiaries, the Group applies similar methods and criteria, using the Bank of Spain’s parameters but adapting the default calendars to the particular circumstances of the country. Additionally, in Mexico for consumer loans, credit cards, and mortgages portfolios, as well as for credit investment maintained by the Group in the United States, internal models are used to calculate the impairment losses based on historical experience of the Group (approximately 13% of the Loans and Receivables of the Group as of December 31, 2008).

 

In either case, the aforementioned provisions required under Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 standards fall within the range of provisions calculated using the Group’s internal ratings models.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the provisions required under Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 standards represented the outermost range of acceptable estimates which were calculated using our historical experience. Therefore, those provisions did not represent the best estimate of allowance for loan losses under U.S. GAAP which provided a more moderate estimate within the acceptable range. As a consequence, there was an adjustment in the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP in order to reflect in net income the reversal of the difference of estimates of the provisions recorded in under both GAAPs in each year and in stockholders’ equity the differences of estimates of the accumulated allowance for loan losses under both GAAPs.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, there is no substantial difference in the calculation made under both GAAPs because the allowance for loan losses calculated under the EU-IFRS required to be applied under the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004 is similar to the best estimate of allowance for loan losses under U.S. GAAP, which is the central scenario determined by using our internal risk models with our historical experience. Therefore, the allowance for loan losses calculated under both GAAPs are the same and the Bank has included an adjustment in the reconciliation of net income for the year 2008 in order to make equivalent the allowance for loan losses under U.S. GAAP to the allowance for loan losses calculated under the EU-IFRS required to be applied under the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004.

 

Note 58 to our Consolidated Financial Statements provides additional information about this reconciliation.

 

Business Areas

 

During 2007 and for purposes of the consolidated financial statements included in the 2007 20-F, BBVA’s organizational structure was divided into the following five business areas (the “2007 Business Areas”): Spain and Portugal; Global Businesses; Mexico and the United States; South America; and Corporate Activities. In December 2007, BBVA’s board of directors approved a new organizational structure for the BBVA Group, which was implemented as of January 1, 2008 and is the basis for the financial statements included herein (the “2008 Business Areas”): Spain and Portugal; Global Businesses (also named Wholesale Banking and Asset Management); Mexico; the United States; South America; and Corporate Activities. The transition from the 2007 Business Areas to the 2008 Business Areas has affected principally the Mexico and United States business area, which is now split into respective business areas and the Spain and Portugal area and the Global Businesses area which exchanged certain portfolios and units. The financial information for our business areas as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 presented in this Annual Report on Form 20-F have been prepared on a uniform basis, consistent with our organizational structure in 2008 in order to provide a period-on-period comparison. Due to the adoption of the new organizational structure, BBVA’s financial information by business area included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F is not directly comparable to its financial information by business area included in the 2007 20-F.

 

The management of our business during 2008 along six segmental lines is discussed in “Item 4. Information on the Company” and each area’s operating results are described in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”.

 

Statistical and Financial Information

 

The following principles should be noted in reviewing the statistical and financial information contained herein:

 

PART I

 

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

 

The historical financial information set forth below has been selected from, and should be read together with, the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. For information concerning the preparation and presentation of financial information contained herein, see “Presentation of Financial Information”. Also see Note 58 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for a presentation of our stockholders’ equity and net income reconciled to U.S. GAAP.

EU-IFRS (*)

 

 

 

 

EU-IFRS (*)

 

 

 

 

Previous format financial statements

 

As explained previously, the format of the consolidated balance sheet, consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of recognized income and expense and consolidated statements of cash flows presented above and in the Consolidated Financial Statements differs from the presentation criteria of the consolidated financial statements included in the 2007 20-F and 2006 20-F because the former were prepared in accordance with the models contained in Bank of Spain Circular 6/2008.

 

The main differences between the income statements financial statement models set out in Circular 6/2008 of the Bank of Spain and the formats included in the Group’s consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:

 

 

 

Consolidated income statement:  in contrast to the model consolidated income statement used in the consolidated financial statements included in the 2007 20-F and 2006 20-F, the consolidated income statement presented above and in the Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP Information

 

 

 

 

Exchange Rates

 

Spain’s currency is the euro. Unless otherwise indicated, the amounts that have been converted to euro in this Annual Report have been done so at the corresponding exchange rate published by the European Central Bank (“ECB”) on December 31 of the relevant year.

 

For convenience in the analysis of the information, the following tables describe, for the periods and dates indicated, information concerning the noon buying rate for euro, expressed in dollars per €1.00. The term “noon buying rate” refers to the rate of exchange for euros, expressed in U.S. dollars per euro, in the City of New York for cable transfers payable in foreign currencies as certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for customs purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

The noon buying rate for euro from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, expressed in dollars per €1.00, on March 27, 2009, was $1.3306.

 

As of December 31, 2008, approximately 33% of our assets and approximately 42% of our liabilities were denominated in currencies other than euro. See Note 2.2.4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

For a discussion of our foreign currency exposure, please see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Market Risk in Non-Trading Activities in 2008 — Structural Exchange Rate Risk”.

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

Risks relating to us

 

Since our loan portfolio is highly concentrated in Spain, adverse changes affecting the Spanish economy could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

 

We historically have developed our lending business in Spain, which continues to be our main place of business. As of December 31, 2008, business activity in Spain accounted for 61.4% of our loan portfolio. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — Selected Statistical Information — Loans and Advances to Customer — Loans by Geographic Area”. After rapid economic growth of 3.7% and 3.9% in 2007 and 2006, respectively, the rate of growth in Spanish gross domestic product slowed to 1.2% in 2008 and is expected to contract 2.8% in 2009, according to the Bank of Spain. Because of this, it is expected that economic conditions and employment will continue to deteriorate in 2009, and the rate of growth in gross domestic product, if any, in 2010 will be below that witnessed in 2006 and 2007. Growth forecasts for the Spanish economy are being revised downwards due to lower domestic demand and the impact of the financial crisis. The Spanish economy is affected by the slowdown in global growth, which is especially severe in the most important markets for Spanish goods and services exports, such as the rest of the Euro area. Besides, in these tight international financial market conditions, one of the weaknesses of the Spanish economy is its heightened need for foreign financing, as reflected by the high current account deficit. If the Spanish economy faces difficulties to make the payments associated with this deficit, this will further damage its economic situation.

 

Our loan portfolio in Spain has been adversely affected by the deterioration of the Spanish economy. For example, substandard loans to other resident sectors in Spain increased in 2008 mainly due to the increase in substandard mortgage loans, which increased sharply to €2,033 million as of December 31, 2008 from €421 million as of December 31, 2007. Substandard loans to real estate and construction customers in Spain increased in 2008 to account for 5.63% of loans in such category. Our total substandard loans to customers in Spain jumped to €5,700 million as of December 31, 2008, compared to €1,590 million as of December 31, 2007, principally due to an increase in substandard loans to customers in Spain generally as a result of the less favorable macroeconomic environment. As a result of the increase in total substandard loans to customers in Spain described above, our total substandard loans to customers in Spain as a percentage of total loans and receivables to customers in Spain increased sharply to 2.73% from 0.78%. Our loan loss reserves to customers in Spain as a percentage of substandard loans to customers in Spain as of December 31, 2008 declined significantly to 66.07% from 213.51% as of December 31, 2007.

 

Given the concentration of our loan portfolio in Spain, any adverse changes affecting the Spanish economy are likely to have a significant adverse impact on our loan portfolio and, as a result, on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

A substantial percentage of our customer base is particularly sensitive to adverse developments in the economy, which renders our lending activities relatively riskier than if we lent primarily to higher-income customer segments.

 

Medium- and small-size companies and middle- and lower-middle- income individuals typically have less financial strength than large companies and high-income individuals and accordingly can be expected to be more negatively affected by adverse developments in the economy. As a result, it is generally accepted that lending to these segments of our existing and targeted customer base represents a relatively higher degree of risk than lending to other groups.

 

A substantial portion of our loan portfolio consists of residential mortgages and consumer loans to middle- and lower-middle-income customers and commercial loans to medium- and small-size companies. Consequently, during periods of slowdown in economic activity we may experience higher levels of past due amounts which could result in higher levels of allowance for loan losses. We cannot assure you that we will not suffer substantial adverse effects on our base loan portfolio to these customer segments in the event of additional adverse developments in the economy.

Increased exposure to real estate in Spain makes us more vulnerable to developments in this market.

 

In the years prior to 2008 the sound economic growth, the strength of the labor market and a decrease in interest rates in Spain caused an increase in the demand for mortgage loans. This had repercussions in housing prices, which rose significantly. After this buoyant period, demand started adjusting more than two years ago, in mid-2006. In the last quarter of 2008 and first months of 2009, supply of new homes has adjusted more sharply in the residential market in Spain, but a significant excess of unsold homes still exist in the market. In the remainder of 2009, we expect housing supply and demand to adjust further, in particular if the current financial situation continues. In addition, in countries where the housing markets have been booming, the ongoing adjustment may intensify. As residential mortgages are one of our main assets, comprising 25%, 26% and 26% of our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, we are currently highly exposed to developments in residential real estate markets. We expect the worsening financial conditions and the deterioration of the economic activity already underway in Spain to intensify the adjustment process in the Spanish real estate sector. As a result, we expect housing prices to decline in the remainder of 2009. Adverse changes in the Spanish real estate sector could have a significant impact on our loan portfolio and, as a result, on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Highly-indebted households and corporations could endanger our asset quality and future revenues.

 

Spanish households and businesses have reached, in recent years, a high level of indebtedness, which represents increased risk for the Spanish banking system. The high proportion of loans referenced to variable interest rates makes debt service on such loans more vulnerable to changes in interest rates than in the past. In fact, the debt burden of the Spanish households on disposable income has increased substantially from 12.4% in 2003 to 16.3% in 2008. Similarly, the debt burden of Spanish corporations has increased from 16% at the end of 2004 to 29% in 2008, according to the Bank of Spain. Highly indebted households and businesses are more likely to be unable to service debt obligations as a result of adverse economic events, which could have an adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the increase in households’ and businesses’ indebtedness also limits their ability to incur additional debt, decreasing the number of new products we may otherwise be able to sell them and limiting our ability to attract new customers in Spain satisfying our credit standards, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our growth plans.

 

Current economic conditions may make it more difficult for us to continue funding our business on favorable terms or at all.

 

Historically, one of our principal sources of funds has been savings and demand deposits. Time deposits represented 35.8%, 26.7% and 23.3% of our total funding as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Large-denomination time deposits may, under some circumstances, such as during periods of significant changes in market interest rates for these types of deposit products and resulting increased competition for such funds, be a less stable source of deposits than savings and demand deposits. The crisis triggered by the U.S. subprime market has turned out to be deeper and more persistent than expected. Central banks’ interventions have had a limited effect so far. New issuances in wholesale markets have been scarce, expensive and restricted to a few countries, and the interbank markets have limited liquidity, in particular after the Lehman Brothers collapse. The global economic environment is particularly adverse, with a worsening financial crisis that is spreading to previously-unaffected countries and areas of the economy. Governments around the world are implementing ambitious fiscal expansion programs, trying to boost their economies. Announcements in January 2009 amount to a substantial fiscal stimulus for the global economy. Fiscal policy may offer the best chance to limit economic deterioration, but execution risks are large. In this context, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue funding our business or, if so, maintain our current levels of funding without incurring higher funding costs or having to liquidate certain of our assets.

 

We face increasing competition in our business lines.

 

The markets in which we operate are highly competitive. Financial sector reforms in the markets in which we operate have increased competition among both local and foreign financial institutions, and we believe that this trend will continue. In addition, the trend towards consolidation in the banking industry has created larger and stronger banks with which we must now compete, some of which have recently received public capital.

We also face competition from non-bank competitors, such as:

 

 

We cannot assure you that this competition will not adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

 

Our business is particularly vulnerable to volatility in interest rates.

 

Our results of operations are substantially dependent upon the level of our net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond our control, including deregulation of the financial sectors in the markets in which we operate, monetary policies pursued by the EU and national governments, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors.

 

Changes in market interest rates could affect the spread between interest rates charged on interest-earning assets and interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities and thereby negatively affect our results of operations. For example, an increase in interest rates could cause our interest expense on deposits to increase more significantly and quickly than our interest income from loans, resulting in a reduction in our net interest income.

 

Since approximately 69% of our loan portfolio consists of variable interest rate loans maturing in more than one year, our business is particularly vulnerable to volatility in interest rates.

 

Our financial statements and periodic disclosure under securities laws may not give you the same information as financial statements prepared under U.S. accounting rules and periodic disclosures provided by domestic U.S. issuers.

 

Publicly available information about public companies in Spain is generally less detailed and not as frequently updated as the information that is regularly published by or about listed companies in the United States. In addition, although we are subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), the periodic disclosure required of foreign issuers under the Exchange Act is more limited than the periodic disclosure required of U.S. issuers. Finally, we maintain our financial accounts and records and prepare our financial statements in conformity EU-IFRS required to be applied under the Bank of Spain’s Circular 4/2004, which differs in certain respects from U.S. GAAP, the financial reporting standard to which many investors in the United States may be more accustomed. See Note 58 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for the presentation of our stockholders’ equity and net income reconciled to U.S. GAAP.

 

We have a substantial amount of commitments with personnel considered wholly unfunded due to the absence of qualifying plan assets.

 

Our commitments with personnel which are considered to be wholly unfunded are recognized under the heading “Provisions — Funds for Pensions and Similar Obligations” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. These amounts include “Post-employment benefits”, “Early Retirements” and “Post-employment welfare benefits”, which amounted to €2,638 million, €3,437 million and €284 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2008 (€2,683 million, €2,950 million and €300 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2007). These amounts are considered wholly unfunded due to the absence of qualifying plan assets.

We face liquidity risk in connection with our ability to make payments on these unfunded amounts which we seek to mitigate, with respect to “Post-employment benefits”, by maintaining insurance contracts which were contracted with insurance companies owned by the Group. The insurance companies have recorded in their balance sheets specific assets (fixed interest deposit and bonds) assigned to the funding of these commitments. The insurance companies also manage derivatives (primarily swaps) to mitigate the interest rate risk in connection with the payments of these commitments. We seek to mitigate liquidity risk with respect to “Early Retirements” and “Post-employment welfare benefits” through oversight by the Group’s Assets and Liabilities Committee (“ALCO”). The Group’s ALCO manages a specific asset portfolio to mitigate the liquidity risk regarding the payments of these commitments. These assets are government and cover bonds (AAA/AA rated) which are issued at fixed interest rates with maturities matching the aforementioned commitments. The Group’s ALCO also manages derivatives (primarily swaps) to mitigate the interest rate risk in connection with the payments of these commitments.

 

Risks Relating to Latin America

 

Events in Mexico could adversely affect our operations.

 

We are substantially dependant on our Mexican operations, with approximately 39% of our net income attributed to parent company in 2008 being generated in Mexico. We face several types of risks in Mexico which could adversely affect our banking operations in Mexico or the Group as a whole. Given the internationalization of the financial crisis, the Mexican economy is feeling the effects of the global crisis and the adjustment process that was underway is accelerating. This process has intensified since the end of the third quarter of 2008 and we expect it to continue at least during the first half of 2009 through a lower growth rate in production and employment. The initial effects are in manufacturing and in those areas with a greater degree of exposure to the international environment, although internal demand is also showing clear signs of moderation. We cannot rule out the possibility that in a more unfavorable environment for the United States or otherwise growth in Mexico would be negative in 2009.

 

Our mortgage and especially our consumer loan portfolio in Mexico started showing higher delinquency rates and, if there is a persistent increase in unemployment rates, which could arise if there is a more pronounced slowdown in the United States, it is likely that such rates will further increase.

 

In addition, price regulation and competition could squeeze the profitability of our Mexican subsidiary. For example, in order to increase competition and to deepen credit, Mexican financial regulators could elect to introduce price distortions not linked to the true risk premium. If this were to occur, the market share of our Mexican subsidiary could decrease given its risk management standards.

 

Finally, political instability or social unrest could weigh on the economic outlook, which could increase economic uncertainty and capital outflows.

 

Any of these risks or other adverse developments in laws, regulations, public policies or otherwise in Mexico may adversely affect the business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows of our Mexican subsidiary or the Group as a whole.

 

Our Latin American subsidiaries’ growth, asset quality and profitability may be affected by volatile macroeconomic conditions, including government default on public debt, in the Latin American countries where they operate.

 

The Latin American countries in which we operate have experienced significant economic volatility in recent decades, characterized by slow growth, declining investment and significant inflation. This volatility has resulted in fluctuations in the levels of deposits and in the relative economic strength of various segments of the economies to which we lend. Negative and fluctuating economic conditions, such as a changing interest rate environment, also affect our profitability by causing lending margins to decrease and leading to decreased demand for higher-margin products and services.

 

Negative and fluctuating economic conditions in some Latin American countries could result in government defaults on public debt. This could affect us in two ways: directly, through portfolio losses, and indirectly, through

instabilities that a default in public debt could cause to the banking system as a whole, particularly since commercial banks’ exposure to government debt is generally high in several Latin American countries in which we operate.

 

While we seek to mitigate these risks through what we believe to be conservative risk policies, no assurance can be given that our Latin American subsidiaries’ growth, asset quality and profitability will not be further affected by volatile macroeconomic conditions in the Latin American countries in which we operate.

 

Latin American economies can be directly and negatively affected by adverse developments in other countries.

 

Financial and securities markets in Latin American countries in which we operate, are to varying degrees, influenced by economic and market conditions in other countries in Latin America and beyond. Negative developments in the economy or securities markets in one country may have a negative impact on other emerging market economies. These developments may adversely affect the business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows of our subsidiaries in Latin America. In particular, the current international financial crisis is starting to have a negative impact on Latin American markets as commodities prices have declined significantly and risk premiums and funding costs have increased. If the global financial crisis continues and, in particular, if the effects on the Chinese and U.S. economies intensify the business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows of our subsidiaries in Latin America are likely to be materially adversely affected.

 

We are exposed to foreign exchange and, in some instances, political risks as well as other risks in the Latin American countries in which we operate, which could cause an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations.

 

We operate commercial banks in nine Latin American countries and our overall success as a global business depends, in part, upon our ability to succeed in differing economic, social and political conditions. We are confronted with different legal and regulatory requirements in many of the jurisdictions in which we operate. These include, but are not limited to, different tax regimes and laws relating to the repatriation of funds or nationalization of assets. Our international operations may also expose us to risks and challenges which our local competitors may not be required to face, such as exchange rate risk, difficulty in managing a local entity from abroad, and political risk which may be particular to foreign investors. Our presence in these markets requires us to respond to rapid changes in market conditions in these countries. We cannot assure you that we will continue to succeed in developing and implementing policies and strategies that are effective in each country in which we operate or that any of the foregoing factors will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Regulatory changes in Latin America that are beyond our control may have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

A number of banking regulations designed to maintain the safety and soundness of banks and limit their exposure to risk are applicable in certain Latin American countries in which we operate. Local regulations differ in a number of material respects from equivalent regulations in Spain and the United States.

 

Changes in regulations that are beyond our control may have a material effect on our business and operations, particularly in Venezuela. In addition, since some of the banking laws and regulations have been recently adopted, the manner in which those laws and related regulations are applied to the operations of financial institutions is still evolving. No assurance can be given that laws or regulations will be enforced or interpreted in a manner that will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Risks Relating to Other Countries

 

Our strategic growth in Asia exposes us to increased regulatory, economic and geopolitical risk relating to emerging markets in the region, particularly in China.

 

In 2008, we further increased our ownership interest in members of the CITIC Group, a Chinese banking group, by increasing our stake in CITIC International Financial Holdings Ltd (“CIFH”) up to 29.7% and China

CITIC Bank (“CNCB”) up to 10.07%. CIFH is a banking entity headquartered in Hong Kong and previously listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — Business Overview — Global Businesses (Wholesale Banking and Asset Management)”.

 

As a result of our expansion into Asia, we are exposed to increased risks relating to emerging markets in the region, particularly in China. The Chinese government has exercised, and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Chinese economy. Chinese governmental actions concerning the economy and state-owned enterprises could have a significant effect on Chinese private sector entities in general, and on CNCB or CIFH in particular.

 

We also are exposed to regulatory uncertainty and geopolitical risk as a result of our investments in Asia. Changes in laws or regulations or in the interpretation of existing laws or regulations, whether caused by a change in government or otherwise, could adversely affect our investments. Moreover, Asian economies can be directly and negatively affected by adverse developments in other countries in the region and beyond.

 

Any of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our investments in Asia or the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Group.

 

Our continued expansion in the United States increases our exposure to the U.S. market.

 

Our expansion in the United States makes us more vulnerable to developments in this market, particularly the real estate market. In the years prior to 2008, the sound economic growth, the strength of the labor market and a decrease in interest rates in the United States caused an increase in the demand for mortgage loans. This had repercussions in housing prices, which also rose significantly. During the summer of 2007, the difficulties experienced by the subprime mortgage market triggered a real estate and financial crisis, which has significant affected the real economy and which has resulted in significant by volatility and uncertainty in markets and economies around the world. As we have acquired entities in the United States, particularly Compass, our exposure to the U.S. market has increased. In addition, adverse changes to the U.S. economy in general, or the U.S. real estate market in particular, has had and could continue to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of our subsidiary Compass, which could negatively affect to our expected returns on our acquisition of Compass.

 

Regulatory risks

 

Governmental responses to recent market disruptions may be inadequate and may have unintended consequences.

 

In response to recent market disruptions, legislators and financial regulators have taken a number of steps to stabilize the financial markets. These steps have included various fiscal stimulus programs and the provision of direct and indirect assistance to distressed financial institutions, assistance by banking authorities in arranging acquisitions of weakened banks and broker/dealers, implementation of various programs by regulatory authorities to provide liquidity to various credit markets and temporary prohibitions on short sales of certain financial institution securities. Additional legislative and regulatory measures are under consideration in various countries around the world, including, for example in the United States, where measures with respect to modifications of residential mortgages and an overhaul of the financial regulatory framework are under consideration. The overall effects of these and other legislative and regulatory efforts on the financial markets are uncertain and may not have the intended stabilization effects. In addition to these actions, various regulatory authorities in member states of the European Union and the United States have taken regulatory steps to support financial institutions, to guarantee deposits and to seek to stabilize the financial markets. Should these or other legislative or regulatory initiatives fail to stabilize the financial markets, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and business plans could be adversely affected.

 

In addition, while these measures have been taken to support the markets, they may have unintended consequences on the global financial system or our businesses, including reducing competition, increasing the general level of uncertainty in the markets or favoring or disfavoring certain lines of business, institutions or depositors. We cannot predict the effect of any regulatory changes resulting from recent market disruptions and any

such changes can have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and business plans.

 

 

 

Our legal name is Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. BBVA’s predecessor bank, (BBV), was incorporated in Spain as a limited liability company (a sociedad anónima or “S.A.”) under the Spanish Corporations Law on October 1, 1988. BBVA was formed as the result of a merger by absorption of Argentaria into BBV that was approved by the shareholders of each institution on December 18, 1999 and registered on January 28, 2000. It conducts its business under the commercial name “BBVA”. BBVA is registered with the Commercial Registry of Vizcaya (Spain). It has its registered office at Plaza de San Nicolás 4, Bilbao, 48005, Spain, telephone number +34 91 3746201. BBVA’s agent in the U.S. for U.S. federal securities law purposes is José María García Meyer (15 South 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35233, telephone number + 1(205) 297 -3000 and fax number +1(205) 297-3116). BBVA is incorporated for an unlimited term.

 

Recent Developments

 

Directors of Banco de Crédito Local de España, S.A. and BBVA Factoring E.F.C., S.A. (both sole shareholder companies), in their respective board meetings held on January 26, 2009, and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., in its board meeting of January 27, 2009, approved the proposal to merge Banco de Crédito Local de España, S.A. and BBVA Factoring E.F.C., S.A. into Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. and the subsequent transfer all of their assets and obligations to BBVA.

 

The merger agreement was approved at the annual general meeting of shareholders on March 13, 2009.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Our principal investments are financial: subsidiaries and affiliates. The main capital expenditures from 2006 to the date of this Annual Report were the following:

 

2008

 

During 2008, there were no significant changes in the Group, except for the merger of our banking subsidiaries in Texas (Laredo National Bank, Inc., Texas National Bank, Inc., and State National Bank, Inc.) into Compass.

 

In 2008, we further increased our ownership interest in members of the CITIC Group, a Chinese banking group, by increasing our stake in CIFH up to 29.7% and CNCB up to 10.07%. CIFH is a banking entity headquartered in Hong Kong and previously listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Pursuant to an agreement between us and Gloryshare Investments Limited (the controlling shareholder of CIFH), CIFH’s shares were delisted from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on November 5, 2008.

 

2007

 

On February 16, 2007, BBVA entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of Compass, an American banking group previously listed on NASDAQ, which conducts its main business activity in Alabama, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. On September 7, 2007, after obtaining the mandatory authorizations, we acquired 100% of the share capital of Compass. The consideration paid to former Compass stockholders for the acquisition was $9,115 million (€6,672 million). We paid $4,612 million (€3,385 million) in cash and delivered 196 million newly-issued shares.

 

In September 2007, we increased our ownership interest in Metropolitan Participations, S.L. to 40.67%, with an investment of €142 million.

 

On January 3, 2007, pursuant to the agreement entered into on June 12, 2006, and after obtaining the mandatory authorizations, we closed the transaction to purchase State National Bancshares Inc. (“State National Bancshares”), an American banking group based in Texas, with an investment of $488 million (€378 million).

On December 22, 2006, we reached an agreement with CITIC Group to develop a strategic alliance in the Chinese market. In March 2007, in accordance with this agreement we acquired 4.83% of CNCB with an investment of €719 million. We also acquired a purchase option that permitted us to acquire up to 9.9% of the capital of the bank. Additionally we acquired a 14.58% ownership interest in CIFH. The price for this ownership interest was €483 million.

 

2006

 

On November 30, 2006 we acquired all the shares of Maggiore Fleet S.p.A., an Italian vehicle rental company, for €70.2 million. Goodwill of €35.7 million arose from this acquisition.

 

On November 10, 2006, pursuant to the agreement entered into on June 12, 2006 and after obtaining the mandatory authorizations, we acquired Texas Regional Bancshares through an investment of $2,141 million (€1,674 million). The goodwill recognized as of December 31, 2006 amounted to €1,257 million.

 

On July 28, 2006, we acquired 100% ownership of Uno-E Bank, S.A (“Uno-E”). The process to acquire all of Uno-E shares commenced on January 10, 2003 when Telefónica España, S.A., pursuant to the agreement entered into by Terra Networks, S.A. (subsequently merged into Telefónica España, S.A.) and BBVA, proceeded on January 10, 2003 to start selling to BBVA its 33% ownership interest in Uno-E for an aggregated amount of €148.5 million.

 

In May 2006, we acquired a 51% ownership interest in Forum, a Chilean company specializing in car purchase financing, through the Chilean entities Forum Distribuidora, S.A. and Forum Servicios Financieros, S.A. (which in turn own all the shares of ECASA, S.A.), giving rise to the incorporation of BBVA Financiamiento Automotriz. The goodwill recognized as of December 31, 2006 as a result of this transaction amounted to €51 million.

 

On March 3, 2006, we purchased 0.43% of BBVA Chile’s share capital for 2,318 million Chilean pesos (€3.7 million), increasing our share capital in BBVA Chile to 67.05%. As our share capital in BBVA Chile is higher than two thirds of BBVA Chile’s total share capital, we, in compliance with Chilean legislation, launched a public tender offer for all of BBVA Chile’s share capital. The public tender offer was effective from April 3, 2006 to May 2, 2006. After the acceptance of the public tender offer by 1.13% of BBVA Chile’s outstanding shares, our share capital in BBVA Chile increased to 68.18%.

 

Capital Divestitures

 

Our principal divestitures are financial, in subsidiaries and in affiliates. The main capital divestitures from 2006 to the date of this Annual Report were the following:

 

2008

 

In March, 2008, we sold our 5.01% interest in the Brazilian bank, Banco Bradesco, S.A. (“Bradesco”) to Bradesco’s principal shareholders, Cidade de Deus — Companhia Comercial de Participaçoes and Fundaçao Bradesco, for a market price of €863 million. This sale gave rise to a gain of €727 million.

 

2007

 

In February 2007, we sold our 5.01% capital share in Iberdrola, S.A. This sale gave rise to a gain of €883 million.

 

2006

 

On June 14, 2006, we sold our 5.04% capital share in Repsol YPF, S.A. (“Repsol”). The selling procedure was executed through the closing and settlement of hedging equity swaps previously contracted. This sale gave rise to a gain of €523 million.

 

On May 19, 2006, we sold our ownership interest in the share capital of Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, S.p.A. (“BNL”) to BNP Paribas, for a price of €1,299 million following our adhesion on May 12, 2006, as shareholder of

BNL, to the public tender offer launched by BNP Paribas to acquire 100% of BNL’s capital. The sale gave rise to a gain of €568 million.

 

On April 5, 2006, we sold our ownership interest of 51% in the share capital of Banc Internacional d’Andorra, S.A. (“Andorra”) to the rest of the shareholders of the entity, the Andorran founding partners of the bank, for a price of €395 million.

 

 

BBVA is a highly diversified international financial group, with strengths in the traditional banking businesses of retail banking, asset management, private banking and wholesale banking. We also have a portfolio of investments in some of Spain’s leading companies.

 

Business Areas

 

During 2007 and for purposes of the consolidated financial statements included in the 2007 20-F BBVA’s organizational structure was divided into the following five business areas: Spain and Portugal; Global Businesses; Mexico and the United States; South America; and Corporate Activities. In December 2007, BBVA’s board of directors approved a new organizational structure for the BBVA Group, which was implemented as of January 1, 2008 and is the basis for the financial statements included herein: Spain and Portugal; Global Businesses (also named Wholesale Banking and Asset Management); Mexico; the United States; South America; and Corporate Activities. The transition from the 2007 Business Areas to the 2008 Business Areas has affected principally the Mexico and United States business area, which is now split into respective business areas and the Spain and Portugal area and the Global Businesses area which exchanged certain portfolios and units. The financial information for our business areas as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 presented in this Annual Report on Form 20-F have been prepared on a uniform basis, consistent with our organizational structure in 2008 in order to provide a period-on-period comparison. Due to the adoption of the new organizational structure, BBVA’s financial information by business area included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F is not directly comparable to its financial information by business area included in the 2007 20-F.

 

In 2008, the Group focused its operations on six major business areas: which are further broken down into business units, as described below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The foregoing description of our business areas is consistent with our current internal organization. The financial information for our business areas for 2008, 2007 and 2006 presented below has been prepared on a uniform basis, consistent with our organizational structure in 2008. Unless otherwise indicated, the financial information provided below for each business area does not reflect the elimination of transactions between companies within one business area or between different business areas, since we consider these transactions to be an integral part of each business area’s activities.

 

The following table sets forth information relating to net income attributed to parent company for each of our business areas for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:

 

 

The following table sets forth information relating to net interest income for each of our business areas for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

 

Spain and Portugal

 

The Spain and Portugal business area focuses on providing banking services and consumer finance to private individuals and businesses in Spain and Portugal.

 

The business units included in the Spain and Portugal business area are:

 

 

The principal figures relating to this business area as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were:

 

 

Spanish Retail Network

 

The Spanish Retail Network unit services the financial and non-financial needs of households, professional practices, retailers and small businesses. It also manages the high-net-worth segment of private customers. As of December 31, 2008, the loan portfolio of this unit was €100,906 million and customer funds were €112,528 million.

 

In order to offer better customer service, in 2008 we engaged in a thorough reorganization process of the commercial network, making it possible for us to increase our commercial capacity and work more closely with our customers. To this end, each group of offices has been given a pool of managers specialized in given units, and the quality of the operating processes has been improved by concentrating these administrative tasks in Retail Banking Centers, thereby enhancing our efficiency.

 

In 2008, we launched several new products and promotions aimed at the Spanish retail customer, including loans with pre-authorized limits for the self-employed and mortgage loans directed towards younger customers. In 2008, we also carried out the Ven a Casa-200 campaign whereby we offered €200 per month for one year to customers who transfered their mortgage from one of our competitors to us. We also offered a wide variety of deposits to our existing customers, including BBVA Depósito Doble (Double Deposit), the Depósito Creciente BBVA (Growing Deposit) and the Depósito Fortaleza (Strength Deposit) and broadened our range of guaranteed products to include BBVA Top 4, BBVA Top 5, BBVA Inflation and Fondplazo 2009 B.

 

BBVA Patrimonios, directly manages high net worth private clients, and has continued to increase its range of products particularly those products designed for business people who are also clients of the corporate and business banking unit. BBVA Patrimonios has also launched new products related to (structured) deposits as well as lending (portfolio-financing plan). In addition, it has opened two new wealth management centers, in the Canary Islands and Galicia. In the family office sphere, tourism projects have been approved within the Real Estate México I, II and III

mutual funds, and rights have been issued by these funds. In addition, BBVA Patrimonios has provided its clients with many investment opportunities in the solar energy industry.

 

BBVA Patrimonios launched the Más Cobertura Profesional (More Professional Coverage) insurance plan, which provides disability coverage for independent contractors and risk coverage with the three-year Stockpyme plan for small businesses, as well as the PoS Voucher for merchants and the Compromiso Negocios (Business Commitment) and Compromiso Autónomos (Independent Contractor Commitment) plans.

 

Corporate and Business Banking

 

The Corporate and Business Banking unit manages our business with SMEs, large companies and institutions in the Spanish market through specialized networks. As of December 31, 2008, the loan portfolio had risen 1.8% to €87,651 million and customer funds increased 6.8% from December 31, 2007 to €31,292 million.

 

In the sphere of corporate and business banking, we have marketed new lines of financing in collaboration with the Instituto de Crédito Oficial (“ICO”), including the ICO SME 2008 Line, and the range of products related to risk coverage has been broadened. The most noteworthy of the new products and services include financing for solar energy facilities (leasing and renting), new types of payment cards including Ingreso Express (Express Entry), Tarjeta Recarga Empresas (Business Recharge Card) and Tarjeta Solred Empresas (Business Solred Card), new solutions in electronic banking such as factoring and Autocobro Express (Express Auto-Collection), and nonfinancial services for enterprises (BBVA Solutions Catalog): Activo a RRHH (Human Resources Assets), management subsidies for innovation, environmental consulting and Solium and new forms of customer relationships (such as the Premium Human Resources Program and Enterprise Newsletter).

 

Consumer Finance

 

This unit manages online banking, consumer finance, credit cards and leasing plans. These activities are conducted by Uno-e, Finanzia and other companies in Spain, Portugal and Italy.

 

In Consumer Finance, we have acquired 50% of Rentrucks, an industrial vehicle rental company, complementing our business renting and financing business. In terms of forms of payment, we have launched a credit card for Inditex Portugal, the first co-branded card launched by BBVA outside of Spain. In terms of deposit-related products, we launched a promotion featuring a cash refund of 20% of the payroll of current and new clients who domicile their payroll and three receipts, with the advantages of an account without fees and with all transaction services. We have also launched several new deposit products with varying maturity and interest rate features.

 

European Insurance

 

Our European Insurance unit’s activities are conducted through various insurance companies that provide direct insurance, reinsurance and insurance brokering services in Spain and Portugal and market products for different types of customers (private individuals, SMEs, retailers, professional service firms and providers and self-employed individuals) through this unit’s branch offices.

 

The European Insurance unit has broadened its portfolio of products in 2008, both in non-life insurance, with the launching of the BBVA Auto Insurance and Family Protection insurance and Más Cobertura Profesional (More Professional Coverage), as well as life-savings insurance, with the Systematic Savings Plans, individual savings products with tax advantages, and variable yield income products, which offer yields according to the market situation at any given time, with a guaranteed minimum.

 

BBVA Portugal

 

BBVA Portugal manages our banking business in Portugal. As of December 31, 2008, BBVA Portugal’s loan portfolio amounted to €5,736 million, an increase of 15.1% from €4,983 million in 2007, supported by an increase in lending to SMEs. Customer funds increased 16.3%, from December 31, 2007, as customers moved their money from mutual funds to deposits.

Dinero Express

 

The Dinero Express branch network, which specializes in the immigrant segment in Spain, was set up to attract new customers who make money transfers and to provide them with products and services suited to their needs. It has proved an effective entry point for new customers. As part of a strategy adopted at the start of 2008, BBVA has been gradually closing branches of Dinero Express with the goal of integrating immigrants into the Spanish retail network as an additional customer segment. Although it now has fewer outlets the unit increased the number of money transfers 10% in terms of euro amount transferred to €543 million in 2008 despite unfavorable market conditions associated with the adverse economic situation.

 

Global Businesses (Wholesale Banking and Asset Management)

 

The Global Businesses (Wholesale Banking and Asset Management) area focuses on providing services to large international companies and investment banking, capital markets and treasury management services to clients.

 

The business units included in the Global Businesses (Wholesale Banking and Asset Management) area are:

 

 

The principal figures relating to this business area as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were:

 

 

Corporate and Investment Banking

 

Within the Corporate and Investment Banking unit, in 2008 we opened a Frankfurt office, launched the Investment Banking Client for enterprises, institutions and corporations as a mid-term growth project; segmented our global clients at all offices in Europe (Madrid, London, Paris, Milan and Frankfurt) and streamlined the management model of the unit with five differentiated industries. We also implemented a new relationship model in the Asia-Pacific region, with special emphasis on high-value-added products, project finance, and trade finance. In addition, within the Corporate and Investment Banking unit, Global Clients and Investment Banking in America have been reorganized, in order to be closer to customers and place greater emphasis on products, with a matrix structure that combines product managers with the managers responsible for each geographic area.

Through the Global Transaction Services business we launched several new products, technologies and services in Spain and Portugal in 2008, including AutoCobro Express (Express Auto-Collection), e-factoring, Spain-Brussels centralization, file-normalization and double “Token Plus” security for BBVA net cash. In addition, in Portugal we introduced Single Euro Payments Area (“SEPA”) transfers and offered customers the ability to pay taxes and bills through BBVA net cash. In Mexico, Bancomer launched several new products, technologies and services to better serve customers and comply with new Mexican regulations, including TIB 2.0 integral treasury, SIT dispersion, check protection with beneficiary, transparency law-compliant statements, expanded host-to-host and SWIFT services and increased functionality at Bancomer.com. Through the Global Transaction Services business, we also introduced several new products, services and technologies to better serve our customers in Puerto Rico and Colombia.

 

Global Markets

 

In 2008, the Global Markets unit demonstrated notable commercial activity in its new treasury desks in Dusseldorf (inaugurated in January 2008), where a team of sales persons provide specialized coverage in market products to institutional clients; and Hong Kong, where market teams have been formed that will broaden the range of global markets services with Asian assets. The commercial activity of the Hong Kong treasury desk has focused primarily on Asian clients, while also servicing clients in Europe and Latin America.

 

In Latin America in 2008, the Regional Derivatives Center commenced operations and the Riskpyme Latam project has been implemented throughout the region to promote the marketing of derivatives through the Group’s networks as we do in Spain and Mexico. In addition, in Mexico the first listed exchange traded fund (ETF) of the leading companies that are traded on the International Market of Latin American Securities (Latibex) was launched by the Global Markets unit.

 

Asset Management

 

In the Asset Management unit, the following product launches were made in 2008: BBVA Bonos Corto Plazo Gobiernos and Fondo Liquidez, which are short-term fixed-income funds; BBVA Estructurado Finanzas BP and BBVA Estructurado Telecomunicaciones BP, which are global funds that primarily target private banking clients and the FTSE 4Good Ibex ETF variable income listed fund. Among the new guaranteed mutual funds offered in 2008, we should stress BBVA Inflación (the first guaranteed fund with the Spanish inflation rate as the underlier), BBVA Elite Protegido, BBVA Top 4 Guaranteed, and BBVA Top 5 Guaranteed, as well as 11 BBVA fixed-income guaranteed funds such as Fon-plazo 2009 and 2009 D and F.

 

Industrial and Real Estate Holdings

 

The Industrial and Real Estate Holdings business unit also handles the Group’s real estate business, through the Anida Group, as well as its private equity business.

 

As of December 31, 2008, the industrial holdings portfolio had latent capital gains of €120 million.

 

Asia

 

In 2008 BBVA increased its stake in CIFH of Hong Kong and in CNCB. BBVA has thereby further consolidated its position in the region, reinforcing its commitment to China.

 

Mexico

 

The business units included in the Mexico area are:

 

 

The principal figures relating to this business area as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were:

 

 

The Mexican peso fell against the euro in 2008, with a resulting negative impact on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects— Operating Results — Factors Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations and Financial Condition”.

 

Banking Businesses

 

Bancomer, our subsidiary in Mexico, has continued to expand its distribution network. In 2008, 20 offices were opened, 761 ATMs and more than 20,000 point-of-sale terminals were installed, special offices were inaugurated for the foreign-client segment, and efforts were made to promote a specialized network for the small-business segment, with ten business centers opened and close to 140 specialized executives dedicated to related activities.

 

As part of the strategy designed to attract customers’ funds, the now-traditional Libretón (Passbook) promotions were conducted including the, Quincenas del Ahorro (Two-Weeks of Savings), through which record levels of prizes were given away to the bank’s customers. In addition, efforts were made to promote products such as the Winner Card, to encourage saving among young people and children through a commercial partnership with a leading cereal brand. Also noteworthy in 2008 were the promotions aimed at incorporating new payroll accounts, such as a specialized campaign in the small-business segment.

 

To promote credit, technology-based solutions and products have been launched, intended to facilitate the process for customers, such as Mortgage Banking Remote Sale, immediate service, and telephone advice, which make it possible to channel clients interested in a mortgage loan to specialized offices. For housing promoters, a Multiproduct Simulator has been created which makes it possible to calculate a desired credit for an entire range of mortgage products.

 

In assets management, B+Real has been launched, which is a fund that seeks to pay yields above inflation, as well as the BBVABRIC fund, which invests in stock markets in Brazil, Russia, India and China. For its part, the investment banking unit has handled an initial public offering on the Mexican Stock Exchange and the refinancing and coverage of a convertible bond of Petróleos Mexicanos.

 

In 2008, Bancomer conducted an ambitious debt-placement program on local markets, which has included subordinated debt, stock certificates, and securitizations, and has become a point of reference for the Mexican market.

 

Pensions and Insurance

 

In Mexico, the BBVA Group operates in the pensions business through Afore Bancomer, in insurance through Seguros Bancomer, in annuities through Pensiones Bancomer and in health through Preventis. The Group’s pensions and insurance unit in Mexico generated net income attributed to parent company of €210 million in 2008, an increase of 35.1% from 2007.

The United States

 

The business units included in the United States area are:

 

 

The principal figures relating to this business area as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were:

 

 

The dollar appreciated against the euro in 2008, with a resulting positive impact on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Operating Results — Factors Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations and Financial Condition”.

 

During 2008, the four U.S. banks of the Group in the sunbelt region have been successfully integrated into the Compass group. In the first quarter of 2008, a legal merger was carried out and State National Bank was integrated into Compass. In the third quarter of 2008, Texas State Bank was integrated into Compass, and in the fourth quarter of 2008 Laredo National Bank was integrated into Compass. Within this process, some 500,000 accounts and 50,000 preferred customers have been integrated into the Compass platform.

 

In 2008 the Group decided to implement a new brand, BBVA Compass. Moreover, in the fourth quarter of 2008, a new management team was appointed to further the integration of BBVA’s organizational and business model in the United States and continue developing the strategic plan.

 

A new customer relations program was implemented in 2008, which provides employees information on the opportunities to sell additional products and services to each client by enabling such employees to send clients messages through different channels, in order to carry out cross sales and help ensure customer retention. We have continued to improve the service and the range of products for preferred clients, and we have created a preferred client program for businesses. In addition, a mobile bank program has been launched, using the online banking platform and an electronic check-transfer system has been implemented, making it possible for companies to make deposits without visiting a branch.

 

BBVA Compass banking group

 

As of December 31, 2008, BBVA Compass banking group’s loan portfolio had risen 14.2% to €27,982 million from December 31, 2007 and customer funds were €24,712 million (up 4.1% from December 31, 2007).

 

Other units

 

BBVA Puerto Rico managed customer loans of €3,023 million as of December 31, 2008, a decrease of 3.7% from December 31, 2007. Customer funds amounted to €1,445 million as of December 31, 2008, an increase of 6.9% from December 31, 2007.

 

BTS processed €28.4 million transfers during 2008. This was 7.8% more than during 2007. Of these, €22.5 million went to Mexico and 5.8 million to other countries.

 

BBVA Bancomer USA deposits increased 13.0% as of December 31, 2008 from December 31, 2007 and opened 21,000 new accounts during 2008, handling over 495,000 money transfers.

 

South America

 

The South America business area includes the banking, insurance and pension businesses of the Group in South America.

The business units included in the South America business area are:

 

 

The principal figures relating to this business area as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were:

 

 

Local currencies in South America fell against the euro in 2008, with a resulting negative impact on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects— Operating Results — Factors Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations and Financial Condition”.

 

Economic conditions in all the region’s countries were favorable in 2008, which provided for substantially improved key variables in the Latin American financial services industry, most notably profitability and solvency.

 

The following is a brief description of our operations on a country-by-country basis in the South America business area. The operating results described below refer to each individual unit’s contribution to the South America business area’s operating results, unless otherwise stated.

 

Banking Businesses

 

Argentina

 

BBVA Banco Francés, our subsidiary in Argentina obtained net income attributed to parent company of €140 million in 2008 an increase of 4.2% compared to 2007.

 

In Argentina, most of the growth of BBVA Banco Francés has taken place as a result of sales of products and services to individuals (personal loans, guaranteed loans, and credit cards); whereas, products and services sold to business custumers, have been primarily related to advance payments, documents, and foreign-trade operations.

 

Chile

 

BBVA Chile’s net income attributed to parent company for 2008 amounted to €63 million an increase of 81.4% compared to 2007, due to growth in BBVA Chile’s loan portfolio and the active management of spreads.

 

Chile had a very dynamic year in the retail-segment, especially in consumer credit and auto financing (including loans to acquire industrial vehicles and the “Instant Purchase” product). In terms of savings, the Plan Preferente Remunerado (Remunerated Preferential Plan), as well as several funds with guaranteed investments, have been launched: Ultradepósito, Top Markets II, Siempre Ganas (which invests in commodities) and Panda II, which invests in China.

 

Colombia

 

BBVA Colombia’s net income attributed to parent company for 2008 amounted to €133 million an increase of 25.2% compared to 2007, due to strong growth in its loans portfolio and the active management of spreads.

Sales of retail products have also been fundamental for BBVA Colombia in 2008. BBVA launched the Cuota regalo product in the consumer credit segment which allows the customer to make only 11 payments a year. Nearly 200,000 new credit cards were issued in 2008. In addition, we also launched the VIS mortgage credit in pesos for the mortgage segment and Paquete Blue for the youth segment. At the end of 2008, BBVA Colombia securitized a mortgage portfolio.

 

Panama

 

BBVA Panama’s net income attributed to parent company for 2008 was €27 million, an increase of 25.2% compared to 2007.

 

Paraguay

 

BBVA Paraguay’s net income attributed to parent company for 2008 was €25 million, an increase of 26.3% compared to 2007.

 

Peru

 

BBVA Banco Continental’s net income attributed to parent company for 2008 was €86 million, an increase of 37.0% compared to 2007.

 

At BBVA Banco Continental de Perú, our Peruvian subsidiary, the priorities in investments in 2008 were credit cards, consumer credit (including auto financing and the Tu préstamo product for low-income workers, as well as Préstamo 60, a 60-month loan) and mortgage loans. In terms deposits, products such as Ahorro Cero Mantenimiento (Zero Maintenance Savings), Tasa Creciente (Growing Rate), Super Tasa (Super Rate), Super Regalo (Super Gift), and the Vuela Vuela and Mundo Sueldo campaigns have been launched.

 

Uruguay

 

BBVA Uruguay’s net income attributed to parent company for 2008 was €9 million, an increase of 57.6% compared to 2007.

 

Venezuela

 

BBVA Banco Provincial’s net income attributed to parent company for 2008 was €205 million, an increase of 77.4% compared to 2007, due to strong growth in its loan portfolio and the efficient management of costs. BBVA Banco Provincial de Venezuela, our Venezuelan subsidiary, has conducted a policy aimed at raising its profitability and optimizing the cost of resources.

 

Among lending products, priority has been given to products for private parties, especially consumer credit and credit cards (most notably, the launching of the 365-protection debit card). Regarding savings products, the certificate of deposit product was launched in 2008. This is a short-term instrument aimed at customers who handle large volumes of cash.

 

Pensions and Insurance

 

The pensions and insurance unit in South America achieved an income attributed to parent company of €67 million in 2008, a decrease of 43.3% compared to 2007. The decrease was due to the performance of pension funds, which contributed €18 million in 2008, 74.1% less than in the previous year.

 

In the pension and insurance unit, 2008 was a year of intense commercial activity, which translated into a substantial increase in revenue and policies issued. Alternative selling channels also demonstrated increased importance in 2008, despite the fact that during the year the performance of the financial markets was not favorable, especially for voluntary pension products. Near the end of 2008, the Argentine government nationalized the private pension business in which the BBVA Group participated through Consolidar AFJP, and in the insurance business, we sold our stake in Consolidar Salud.

Corporate Activities

 

The Corporate Activities area handles the Group’s general management functions. These mainly consist of structural positions for interest rates associated with the euro balance sheet and exchange rates, together with liquidity management and shareholders’ funds.

 

The business units included in the Corporate Activities business area are:

 

 

Financial Planning

 

ALCO manages the BBVA Group’s overall financing needs and interest and exchange rate risks. ALCO also manages the BBVA Group’s investments and capital resources in an effort to improve the return on capital for our shareholders.

 

Holdings in Industrial and Financial Companies

 

This unit manages our investment portfolio in companies operating in the telecommunications, media, electricity, oil, gas and finance sectors, principally Telefónica, S.A. BBVA applies strict requirements to this portfolio regarding risk-control procedures, economic-capital consumption and return on investment, diversifying investments over different sectors. It also applies dynamic monetization and coverage management strategies to holdings.

 

In 2008, it invested €1,259 million and divested €2,382 million. The largest single transaction was the sale of our 5.01% holding in Bradesco in March 2008 with capital gains of €727 million.

 

As of December 31, 2008, the market value of the holdings in industrial and financial companies was €4,067 million, with unrealized capital gains of €995 million before tax.

 

Supervision and Regulation

 

The Spanish government traditionally has been closely involved with the Spanish banking system, both as a direct participant through its ownership of ICO and as a regulator retaining an important role in the regulation and supervision of financial institutions.

 

The Bank of Spain

 

The Bank of Spain was established in 1962 as a public law entity (entidad de derecho público) that operates as Spain’s autonomous central bank. In addition, it has the ability to function as a private bank. Except in its public functions, the Bank of Spain’s relations with third parties are governed by private law and its actions are subject to the civil and business law codes and regulations.

 

Until January 1, 1999, the Bank of Spain was also the sole entity responsible for implementing Spanish monetary policy. For a description of monetary policy since the introduction of the euro, see “— Monetary Policy — General”.

 

Since January 1, 1999, the Bank of Spain has performed the following basic functions attributed to the European System of Central Banks (“ESCB”):

 

 

 

Recognizing the foregoing functions as a fully-fledged member of the Eurosystem, the Ley de Autonomía del Banco de España (the Bank of Spain Law of Autonomy) stipulates the performance of the following functions by the Bank of Spain:

 

 

Subject to the rules and regulations issued by the Ministry of Economy, the Bank of Spain has the following supervisory powers over Spanish banks:

 

 

Fondo de Garantía de Depósitos

 

The Fondo de Garantía de Depósitos en Establecimientos Bancarios (“FGD”) (the Guaranted Bank Deposits Fund), which operates under the guidance of the Bank of Spain, guarantees both bank and securities deposits up to €100,000 per customer for each type of deposit, which is the minimum insured amount for all EU member banks. Pursuant to Bank of Spain regulations, the FGD may purchase doubtful loans or may acquire, recapitalize and sell banks that are experiencing difficulties.

 

The FGD is funded by annual contributions from member banks. The rate of such contributions in 2008 was 0.06% of the year-end amount of bank deposits to which the guarantee extended and 0.06% over the 5% of the securities held on clients’ behalf, in accordance with legislation in effect. Nevertheless, once the capital of the FGD exceeds its requirements, the Minister of Economy may reduce the member banks’ contributions and, when the FGD’s funds exceed the capital requirements by one percent or more of the member banks’ deposits, such contributions may be suspended.

 

In order to safeguard the stability of its members, the FGD may also receive contributions from the Bank of Spain. As of December 31, 2008, all of the Spanish banks belonging to the BBVA Group were members of the FGD and thus obligated to make annual contributions to it.

Fondo Garantía Inversores

 

Royal Decree 948 of August 3, 2001 regulates investor guarantee schemes related to both investment firms and to credit institutions. These schemes are set up through an investment guarantee fund for securities broker and broker-dealer firms and the deposit guarantee funds already in place for credit institutions. A series of specific regulations have also been enacted, defining the system for contributing to the funds.

 

The General Investment Guarantee Fund Management Company was created in a relatively short period of time and is a business corporation with capital in which all the fund members hold an interest. Member firms must make a joint annual contribution to the fund equal to 0.06% over the 5% of the securities that they hold on their client’s behalf. However, it is foreseen that these contributions may be reduced if the fund reaches a level considered to be sufficient.

 

Liquidity Ratio

 

In an effort to implement European Union monetary policy, effective January 1, 1999, the ECB and the national central banks of the member states of the European Monetary Union (“EMU”) adopted a regulation that requires banks to deposit an amount equal to two percent of their qualifying liabilities, as defined by the regulation, with the central bank of their home country. These deposits will earn an interest rate equal to the average interest rate of the ESCB. Qualifying liabilities for this purpose include:

 

 

Furthermore, the liquidity ratio is set at 0% instead of 2% for those qualifying liabilities that have a maturity over two years and are sold under repurchase agreements.

 

Investment Ratio

 

In the past, the government used the investment ratio to allocate funds among specific sectors or investments. As part of the liberalization of the Spanish economy, it was gradually reduced to a rate of zero percent as of December 31, 1992. However, the law that established the ratio has not been abolished and the government could re-impose the ratio, subject to applicable EU requirements.

 

Capital Requirements

 

Bank of Spain Circular 3/2008 (“Circular 3/2008”), of 22 May, on the calculation and control of minimum capital requirements, regulates the minimum capital requirements for Spanish credit institutions, on an individual and consolidated groups basis, and sets forth how to calculate capital meeting such requirements, as well as the various internal capital adequacy assessment processes credit institutions should have in place and the information they should disclose to the market.

 

Circular 3/2008 is the final implementation, for credit institutions, of the legislation on capital and consolidated supervision of financial institutions, which was contained in Law 36/2007, of 16 November, amending Law 13/1985, of 25 May, on the investment ratios, capital and reporting requirements of financial intermediaries, and other financial regulations, which also includes Royal Decree 216/2008, of 15 February, on the capital of financial institutions. Circular 3/2008 also conforms Spanish legislation to Directive 2006/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of June 14, 2006, and Directive 2006/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 14 June 2006. The minimum capital requirements for credit institutions and their consolidated groups were thoroughly revised in both EC directives based on the new Capital Accord adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“Basel II”).

 

The minimum capital requirements established by Circular 3/2008 are calculated on the basis of the Group’s exposure to (i) credit risk and dilution risk (on the basis of the assets, obligations and contingent exposures and commitments that present these risks, depending on their amounts, characteristics, counterparties, guarantees, etc.);

(ii) to counterparty risk and position and settlement risk in the trading book; (iii) to foreign exchange risk (on the basis of the overall net foreign currency position); and (iv) to operational risk. Additionally, the Group is subject to compliance with the risk concentration limits established in Circular 3/2008 and with the requirements related to corporate governance, internal capital adequacy assessment, measurement of interest rate risk and certain additional public disclosure obligations set forth therein. With a view to guaranteeing compliance with the aforementioned objectives, the Group performs integrated management of these risks, in accordance with its internal policies. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

As of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the eligible capital of the Group exceeded the minimum required under the regulations then in force. See Note 31 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Under Basel II calculation of the minimum regulatory capital requirements under the new standards, referred to as “Pillar 1”, is supplemented with an internal capital adequacy assessment and supervisory review process, referred to as “Pillar 2”. The Group’s internal capital adequacy assessment process is based on the internal model for the quantification of the economic capital required on the basis of the Group’s overall risk profile. Finally, Basel II standards establish, through what is referred to as “Pillar 3”, strict transparency requirements regarding the information on risks to be disclosed to the market.

 

Capital Management

 

New Basel Capital Accord — Basel II — Economic Capital

 

The Group’s capital management is performed at both the regulatory and economic levels.

 

Regulatory capital management is based on the analysis of the capital base and the capital ratios (core capital, Tier 1, etc.) using Basel (“BIS”) and Bank of Spain criteria. See Note 31 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The aim is to achieve a capital structure that is as efficient as possible in terms of both cost and compliance with the requirements of regulators, ratings agencies and investors. Active capital management includes securitizations, sales of assets, and preferred and subordinated issues of equity and hybrid instruments.

 

The Bank has obtained the approval of its internal model of capital estimation (“IRB”) in 2008 for certain portfolios.

 

From an economic standpoint, capital management seeks to optimize value creation at the Group and at its different business units.

 

The Group allocates economic capital (“CER”) commensurate with the risks incurred by each business. This is based on the concept of unexpected loss at a certain level of statistical confidence, depending on the Group’s targets in terms of capital adequacy. These targets are applied at two levels: the first is core equity, which determines the allocated capital. The Group uses this amount as a basis for calculating the return generated on the equity (“ROE”) in each business. The second level is total capital, which determines the additional allocation in terms of subordinate debt and preference shares. The CER calculation combines lending risk, market risk (including structural risk associated with the balance sheet and equity positions), operational risk and fixed asset and technical risks in the case of insurance companies.

 

Stockholders’ equity, as calculated under BIS rules, is an important metric for the Group. However, for the purpose of allocating capital to business areas the Group prefers CER. It is risk-sensitive and thus better reflects management policies for the individual businesses and the business portfolio. This procedure anticipates the approach likely to be adopted by the future Basel II rules on capital. These provide an equitable basis for assigning capital to businesses according to the risks incurred and make it easier to compare returns.

 

To internal effects of management and pursuit of the business areas, the Group realizes a capital allocation to each business area.

 

Concentration of Risk

 

The Bank of Spain regulates the concentration of risk. Since January 1, 1999, any exposure to a person or group exceeding 10% of a group’s or bank’s regulatory capital has been deemed a concentration. The total amount of exposure represented by all of such concentrations may not exceed 800% of regulatory capital. Exposure to a single

person or group may not exceed 25% (20% in the case of non-consolidated companies of the economic group) of a bank’s or group’s regulatory capital.

 

Legal and Other Restricted Reserves

 

We are subject to the legal and other restricted reserves requirements applicable to Spanish companies. Please see “— Capital Requirements”.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

For a discussion of the Bank of Spain regulations relating to allowances for loan losses and country risk, see “— Selected Statistical Information — “Loan Loss Reserve”.

 

Regulation of the Disclosure of Fees and Interest Rates

 

Interest rates on most kinds of loans and deposits are not subject to a maximum limit. Banks must publish their preferential rates, rates applied on overdrafts, and fees and commissions charged in connection with banking transactions. Banking clients must be provided with written disclosure adequate to permit customers to ascertain transaction costs. The foregoing regulations are enforced by the Bank of Spain in response to bank client complaints.

 

Law 44/2002 concerning measures to reform the Spanish financial system contained a rule concerning the calculation of variable interest applicable to loans and credit secured by mortgages, bails, pledges or any other equivalent guarantee.

 

Employee Pension Plans

 

Under the relevant collective labor agreements, BBVA and some of its subsidiaries provide supplemental pension payments to certain active and retired employees and their beneficiaries. These payments supplement social security benefits from the Spanish state. See Note 2.2.3 and Note 25 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Dividends

 

If a bank meets the Bank of Spain’s minimum capital requirements described above under “— Capital Requirements”, it may dedicate all of its net profits to the payment of dividends, although, in practice, banks consult with the Bank of Spain before declaring a dividend. We calculate that as of December 31, 2008, we had approximately €7,041 million of unrestricted reserves in excess of applicable capital and reserve requirements available for the payment of dividends. Compliance with such requirements notwithstanding, the Bank of Spain may advise a bank against the payment of dividends on grounds of prudence. In no event may dividends be paid from non-distributable reserves. Banks which fail to comply with the capital adequacy ratio by more than 20% are required to devote all of their net profits to increasing their capital ratios. Banks which fail to meet the required ratio by 20% or less must obtain prior approval of the Bank of Spain to distribute any dividends and must devote at least 50% of net profits to increasing their capital ratios. In addition, banks, and their directors and executive officers that do not comply with the liquidity and investment ratios and capital adequacy requirements may be subject to fines or other sanctions. Compliance with the Bank of Spain’s capital requirements is determined on both a consolidated and individual basis. Our Spanish subsidiaries are in compliance with these capital adequacy requirements on both a consolidated and individual basis. If a bank has no net profits, the board of directors may propose at the general meeting of the stockholders that a dividend be declared out of retained earnings.

 

The Bank of Spain recommends that interim dividends not exceed an amount equal to one-half of net income attributed to parent company from the beginning of the corresponding fiscal year. No interim dividend may be declared when a bank does not meet the minimum capital requirements and, according to the recommendations of the Bank of Spain, interim dividends may not be declared until the Bank of Spain has sufficient knowledge with respect to the year’s profits. Although banks are not legally required to seek prior approval from the Bank of Spain before declaring interim dividends, the Bank of Spain had asked that banks consult with it on a voluntary basis before declaring interim dividends. It should be noted that the Bank of Spain had recently recommended to Spanish

banks general moderation on the distribution of dividends, to increase their voluntary reserves in order to strengthen their financial situation and to distribute any dividends in treasury stock.

 

At the annual general meeting of shareholders on March 13, 2009, BBVA’s shareholders adopted a resolution amending its bylaws to allow for dividends to be paid in cash or in kind as determined by shareholder resolution. As of the date of this Annual Report, this amendment is pending registration at the Commercial Registry of Vizcaya.

 

At the same annual general meeting of shareholders, the shareholders resolved to supplement the 2008 cash dividend with a dividend payable in BBVA shares out of treasury stock.

 

Limitations on Types of Business

 

Spanish banks are subject to certain limitations on the types of businesses in which they may engage directly, but they are subject to few limitations on the types of businesses in which they may engage indirectly.

 

Mortgage Legislation

 

During 2007 there were significant legal developments approved by the Spanish Congress, with the purpose of affecting the mortgage market by amending the regulations related to the mortgage and financial systems.

 

Law 41/2007 reforms an important part of Law 2/1981 of 25 March on mortgage markets as well as specific provisions of Law 2/1994 of 30 March on the subrogation and modification of mortgage loans and the Mortgage Law of 8 February 1946 all with the purpose of providing the Spanish mortgage market with greater flexibility, sophistication and efficiency. A number of reforms have been introduced relating to (i) asset or financing transactions carried out by credit institutions and (ii) liability transactions, i.e., those of moving of mortgage loans and credits that credit institutions carry out as refinancing mechanisms.

 

Law 41/2007 also establishes a framework for new Spanish legal concepts such as the reverse mortgage and long term care insurance, the minimum transparency and disclosure duties applicable to credit institutions within the context of mortgage loans and credits (including limits on the prepayment penalties on floating rate mortgage loans and limits on the notarial costs and registration fees charged to borrowers in connection with renegotiation of mortgage terms on fixed and floating rate mortgages) and the legal statutes applicable to appraisal companies.

 

A new Royal Decree formalizing some of the above mentioned reforms is currently being discussed in the Spanish Congress, and it is foreseeable that it will be enacted during the following months.

 

Mutual Fund Regulation

 

Mutual funds in Spain are regulated by the Dirección General del Tesoro y Política Financiera del Ministerio de Economía (the Ministry of the Economy) and by the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (“CNMV”). All mutual funds and mutual fund management companies are required to be registered with the CNMV. Spanish mutual funds may be subject to investment limits with respect to single sectors or companies and overall portfolio diversification minimums. In addition, periodic reports including a review of the fund’s performance and any material events affecting the fund are required to be distributed to the fund’s investors and filed with the CNMV.

 

U.S. Regulation

 

Banking Regulation

 

BBVA is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”). As such it is subject to the regulation and supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Among other things, the Group’s direct and indirect activities and investments in the United States are limited to those that are “financial in nature” or “incidental” or “complementary” to a financial activity, as determined by the Federal Reserve. BBVA is also required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before acquiring, directly or indirectly, the ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of voting stock of any U.S. bank or bank holding company.

Under current Federal Reserve policy, BBVA is required to act as a source of financial strength for its U.S. bank subsidiaries. Among other things, this source of strength obligation may imply BBVA, as only shareholder, to be required to inject capital into any of its U.S. bank subsidiaries.

 

The Group’s U.S. bank subsidiaries and BBVA’s U.S. branches are also subject to supervision and regulation by a variety of other U.S. regulatory agencies. In addition to supervision by the Federal Reserve, BBVA’s New York and Miami branches are supervised by the New York State Banking Department and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, respectively. Compass Bancshares Inc. is a financial holding company within the meaning of the BHC Act and is subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Reserve. Compass Bank is state-chartered bank that is member of the Federal Reserve System and is supervised by the Federal Reserve and the State of Alabama Banking Department. Compass Bank also has branches in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, and New Mexico, which are supervised by their respective state banking regulators. BBVA Bancomer USA and BBVA Puerto Rico are chartered and supervised by the State of California Department of Financial Institutions and the Oficina del Comisionado de Instituciones Financieras de Puerto Rico, respectively. Compass Bank, BBVA Bancomer USA and BBVA Puerto Rico are also depository institutions insured by, and subject to the regulation of, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

Bancomer Transfer Services is an affiliate of BBVA, which is licensed as a money transmitter by the State of California Department of Financial Institutions and as a money services business by the Texas Department of Banking. Bancomer Transfer Services is also registered as a money services business with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

A major focus of U.S. governmental policy relating to financial institutions in recent years has been aimed at fighting money laundering and terrorist financing. Regulations applicable to BBVA and its affiliates impose obligations to maintain appropriate policies, procedures, and controls to detect, prevent, and report money laundering. In particular, Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), as amended, requires financial institutions operating in the United States to (i) give special attention to correspondent and payable-through bank accounts, (ii) implement enhanced reporting due diligence, and ‘know your customer’ standards for private banking and correspondent banking relationships, (iii) scrutinize the beneficial ownership and activity of certain non-U.S. and private banking customers (especially for so-called politically exposed persons), and (iv) develop new anti-money laundering programs, due diligence policies and controls to ensure the detection and reporting of money laundering. Such required compliance programs are intended to supplement any existing compliance programs for purposes of requirements under the Banks Secrecy Act and the Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution.

 

Regulation of Other U.S. Entities

 

The Group’s U.S. broker-dealers are subject to the regulation and supervision of the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) with respect to their securities activities.

 

Monetary Policy

 

The integration of Spain into the EMU on January 1, 1999 implied the yielding of monetary policy sovereignty to the ESCB. The ESCB is composed of the ECB and the national central banks of the 16 member countries that form the EMU (Slovakia joined the Monetary Union on January 1, 2009).

 

The ESCB determines and executes the single monetary policy of the 16 member countries of the EMU. The ESCB collaborates with the central banks of member countries to take advantage of the experience of the central banks in each of its national markets. The basic tasks to be carried out by the ESCB include:

 

 

 

In addition, the EU Treaty establishes a series of rules designed to safeguard the independence of the system, in its institutional as well as in its administrative functions.

 

Reform of the Spanish Securities Markets

 

During 2007 and 2008, there have been significant legal developments approved by the Spanish Congress, with the purpose of reforming the Spanish legal system, and in particular the Spanish Securities Markets Act of 1988 (the “Securities Markets Act”) and the regulations developing the Securities Market Act, in order to adapt the Spanish legal framework to several European Directives.

 

Law amending the Securities Market Act

 

Law 47/2007 amends the Securities Markets Act in order to adapt it to Directive 2004/37/EC on markets in financial instruments (MiFID), Directive 2006/49/EC on the capital adequacy of investment firms and credit institutions, and Directive 2006/73/EC implementing Directive 2004/39/EC with respect to organizational requirements and operating conditions for investment firms and defined terms for the purposes of that Directive.

 

The new organizational requirements and operating conditions for investment firms and entities rendering financial services has been further developed by Royal Decree 217/2008 (which implements Directive 2006/73/EC in the Spanish legal framework). The amendments introduced by Royal Decree 217/2008 represent important reforms on the regulations governing investment firms and entities rendering financial services, and the applicable rules of conduct to those entities acting in the securities markets. With respect to the rules of conduct, Royal Decree 217/2008 introduces (i) new client categorization; (ii) new rules on inducements; and (iii) new information obligations, including Best Execution rules and assessments of suitability and appropriateness.

 

Law amending the Securities Markets Act on takeover bids and transparency requirements for issuers (6/2007)

 

Law 6/2007 has amended several provisions of the Securities Market Act in order to adapt it to Directive 2004/25/EC on takeover bids, and Directive 2004/109/EC on the harmonization of transparency requirements in relation to information about issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market.

 

With respect to the transparency of listed companies, Law 6/2007 (i) amends the reporting requirements with respect to periodic financial information of listed companies and issuers of listed securities; (ii) amends the disclosure regime for significant stakes; (iii) adds new information and disclosure requirements for issuers of listed securities, including disclosure regarding significant events; (iv) establishes a civil liability system of the issuer and board of directors in connection with the financial information disclosed by issuers of securities; and (v) establishes new developments in the supervision system, conferring new supervisory powers upon the CNMV with respect to the review of accounting information.

 

The transparency requirements have been further developed by Royal Decree 1362/2007 developing the Securities Markets Act on transparency requirement for issuers of listed securities, which establishes the requirements relating to the content, publication and disclosure of regulated information for issuers for which Spain is the country of origin and whose shares are admitted to trading in a Spanish market. This regulated information includes: (i) periodic information to be disclosed on the annual and semi-annual financial reports and periodic statements, such as the annual accounts, the management report, and a declaration of responsibility signed by the company’s directors; (ii) information on significant shareholdings, reducing the communication threshold to 3%, and extending the disclosure obligations to the acquisition or transfer of financial instruments that grant rights to acquire shares with voting rights; (iii) treasury stock transactions, that reach or exceed 1% of voting rights; and (iv) other obligations, such as communication of remuneration systems for directors and managers, statistical information, etc.

 

With respect to takeover bids, Law 6/2007 (i) establishes the cases in which a company must launch a takeover bid over the entire share capital of the relevant company; (ii) establishes that takeover bids shall be launched once a

specific stake on the share capital of the company has been reached (instead of the previous system which was based on the obligation of launching a takeover bid in order to reach a specific percentage); (iii) regulates new obligations for the board of directors of the target companies of the takeover bid in terms of preventing the takeover bid; (iii) regulates the squeeze-out and sell-out when 90% of the share capital is held after a takeover bid; and (iv) establishes a new relevant control threshold by considering that control exists by the direct or indirect acquisition of a percentage of voting rights in a listed company equal to or in excess of 30%, or by holding any interest carrying less than 30% of voting rights but appointing, within 24 months following the acquisition, a number of directors which, together with those already appointed, if any, represents more than one-half of the members of the board of directors.

 

The regulations on takeover bids established by Law 6/2007, have been further developed by Royal Decree 1066/2007 on rules applicable to takeover bids for securities, completing the amendments introduced by Law 6/2007, in order to ensure that takeover bids are carried out within a comprehensive legal framework and with absolute legal certainty. The Royal Decree contains provisions regarding: (i) the scope and application to all takeover bids, whether voluntary or mandatory, for a listed company; (ii) the rules applicable to mandatory takeover bids when control of a company is obtained; (iii) other cases of takeover bids, such as bids for de-listing of securities and bids that must be made when a company wishes to reduce capital through the acquisition of its own shares for subsequent redemption thereof; (iv) the consideration and guarantees offered in a bid; (v) stages of the procedure that must be followed in a takeover bid; (vi) the mandatory duty of passivity of the board of directors of the offeree company and the optional regime of neutralization of other preventive measures against bids; (vii) the acceptance period, the calculation of the acceptances received and the settlement of the bid; (viii) the procedures applicable to competing offers and to squeeze-outs and sell-outs; and (ix) certain rules on supervision, inspection and sanctions applicable in respect of the regulations on takeover bids.

 

 

Below is a simplified organizational chart of BBVA’s most significant subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008. An additional approximately 330 companies are domiciled in the following countries: Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.

 

 

 

We own and rent a substantial network of properties in Spain and abroad, including 3,375 branch offices in Spain and, principally through our various affiliates, 4,412 branch offices abroad as of December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2008, approximately 47.3% and 61.0% of these properties are rented in Spain and abroad, respectively, from third parties pursuant to short-term leases that may be renewed by mutual agreement. The remaining properties, including most of our major branches and our headquarters, are owned by us.

 

We purchased through a real estate company of the Group the Parque Empresarial Foresta located in a development area in the north of Madrid from Group Gmp pursuant to an agreement executed on June 19, 2007. The BBVA Group will construct its new corporate headquarters at this location. We have made an aggregate investment of €434 million in this project as of December 31, 2008.

 

 

The following is a presentation of selected statistical information for the periods indicated. Where required under Industry Guide 3, we have provided such selected statistical information separately for our domestic and foreign activities, pursuant to our calculation that our foreign operations are significant according to Rule 9-05 of Regulation S-X.

Average Balances and Rates