• by Tanya Gazdik , July 3, 2012

 BBVA Compass is donating money and launching programs to help victims of the Colorado wildfires.

The BBVA Compass Foundation announced a $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross' 2012 Colorado Wildfires Fund and a $25,000 donation to the Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado in response to the wildfires that have raged across Colorado.

BBVA Compass also is making limited-time offers available to customers, among them special loan and payment deferral programs, in FEMA-designated disaster counties. The limited-time offers are part of a disaster-relief program for individuals and small businesses affected by the wildfires in Colorado and New Mexico. Applications for the limited-time offers may be submitted through Sep. 28.

Wildfires have destroyed more than 100,000 acres across Colorado, forcing many evacuations. So far, the wildfires have not disrupted the 37 BBVA Compass branches in Colorado and its 21 branches in New Mexico.

Individuals and businesses desiring to make donations to the Red Cross may do so at BBVA Compass branches in Colorado or online at http://american.redcross.org/bbvacompass-pub.

"We are saddened to see the wildfires continuing to spread," said Rey Ocanas, director of corporate responsibility and reputation for BBVA Compass, in a release. "These donations are to help alleviate some of the financial stress some of our customers in Colorado are experiencing."

Components of the disaster-relief program, available in the affected areas, include special rates and terms on consumer and small business loans, deferred payments on existing consumer and small business loans and credit cards, loan payment late fee forgiveness, CD early withdrawal penalty waivers and free replacement of debit and credit cards, with express delivery.

In addition to donations by the BBVA Compass Foundation and the special disaster-relief program by BBVA Compass, the bank's employees are also working to help in the affected communities.