The current president and CEO of Spain-based BBVA Compass, Manuel Sanchez has assumed a new role as BBVA U.S. country manager. He is replacing Jose Maria Garcia Meyer, who began BBVA’s U.S. expansion in 2004. Earlier this year, the firm launched a new program designed to make the process of purchasing a home easier. As BBVA’s U.S. country manager, Sanchez will serve as a member of the BBVA Group‘s executive committee, reporting to BBVA’s president and COO, Angel Cano. He will be responsible for the operations of BBVA Compass, BBVA Puerto Rico, Bancomer Financial Holdings, and the Group’s Global Markets and Corporate & Investment Banking interests in the U.S. Sanchez joined BBVA in 1990 as part of the International Correspondent Banking division. He was appointed to director of the BBVA New York branch in 1999, and in 2002, transferred to BBVA Bancomer as chief risk officer. Sanchez helped merge and integrate BBVA’s four U.S. subsidiary banks. In addition, Lawrence Uhlick will serve as the chairman of the BBVA Compass and Compass Bancshares Boards of Directors. He will chair the companies’ boards of directors, while also utilizing his extensive background to advise the company on policy, legislative, and regulatory matters and developments. Uhlick will also represent BBVA Compass in a variety of industry associations, working groups and boards. Uhlick became of a member of the BBVA Compass and Compass Bancshares boards of directors in January 2010. Write to Christine Ricciardi.