BBVA Chairman Francisco Gonzalez has been awarded the Americas Society Gold Medal in recognition for his important contribution to the growth and development of the Americas. He received the award on Wednesday night at a formal dinner in New York.
At the ceremony, Mr. Gonzalez expressed his gratitude for the award, adding that «in the Americas, BBVA has been guided by principles.» He affirmed that «our presence in the U.S., Mexico and South America gives us a clear perspective on the important interplay between the developed and emerging worlds. In many ways, our bank can be seen as a bridge between these worlds, working for a better future for people.»
The Americas Society Gold Medal is the organization’s highest award for people who have made significant contributions to economic development and social and environmental responsibility, and have promoted cultural, social and educational projects in the Americas.
«With a strong vision and an unwavering commitment to innovation and corporate social responsibility, Francisco Gonzalez has transformed BBVA into a truly international institution,» said Americas Society/Council of the Americas President and CEO Susan Segal. «The Americas Society is honored to be able to recognize him for his contributions to the financial sector and the communities in which BBVA operates.»
Since he was appointed Chairman in 2000, he has turned BBVA into a global financial group with a presence in 30 countries. It is now the top bank in Mexico and has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt region in the U.S.
BBVA’s current plans include a $6 billion investment in Latin America for 2013-2016. In Mexico, it plans to invest $3.5 billion in technology upgrades, branch office renovations and on the completion of its new headquarters. In South America, it intends to invest $2.5 billion to boost innovation and make BBVA the top digital bank in that region.
BBVA is also engaged in important social work. By the end of 2013, more than 1.5 million people had obtained financing from the BBVA Microfinance Foundation for entrepreneurial initiatives in Latin America. And since 2007, the bank granted 450,000 scholarships to people in the United States and Latin America.
The Americas Society promotes knowledge and dialogue on the American continent in conjunction with its sister organization, Council of the Americas. The Gold Medal, which it awards each year since 1977, has previously gone to Telefonica Chairman Cesar Alierta; former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso; Mexican author Carlos Fuentes; former Secretary General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat Enrique Iglesias; Coca-Cola Company CEO Muhtar Kent; former UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar; founder and honorary Chairman of Council of the Americas David Rockefeller; Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa; American economist Paul Volcker; and former Cemex CEO Lorenzo H. Zambrano, among others.