BBVA Compass Goes National With NBA Banking Product

BBVA Compass announced that it is introducing NBA-branded online accounts, an initiative it is calling NBA Banking, according to a statement released today by the bank. The move is an attempt to expand beyond the bank’s traditional geographic reach.

NBA-branded online checking and savings accounts are the first product’s built onBBVA Compass’ new core system, which allows the bank to introduce wholly digital banking products, the bank’s statement said. The accounts must be opened online and can be maintained online or with the bank’s smartphone app, which allows for mobile check deposit. NBA Banking also allows customers to use the surcharge-free nationwide Allpoint ATM network. Customers will be able to conduct any transaction without ever making a single branch visit, BBVA Compass’ statement said.

[See Related: Ready for Real Time: BBVA Compass Up & Running on New Core System]

NBA Banking is the bank’s first national product and it plans to use Twitter to help promote it. NBA fans are going to be encouraged to post Instagram and Twitter photos demonstrating their enthusiasm for their team with the hashtag #Realfan.

Fans who sign up for an NBA Banking account can have their favorite team’s photo put on their debit card. They can also see scores and NBA headlines when they visit their account online. And the bank added an element of gamification, it said, by allowing customers to earn points toward NBA merchandise by processing transactions online. For instance, three online bill payments within a 90-day period will earn a customer a $100 gift card to the NBA’s online store.

Jonathan Camhi has been an associate editor with Bank Systems & Technology since 2012. He previously worked as a freelance journalist in New York City covering politics, health and immigration, and has a master's degree from the City University of New York's Graduate School ... View Full Bio