3. BBVA Group

The BBVA Group is an international diversified financial group with a significant presence in retail banking, wholesale banking, asset management and private banking. The Group also operates in other sectors such as insurance, real estate, operational leasing, etc.

Appendices I and II provide relevant information as of December 31, 2015 on the Group’s subsidiaries, consolidated structured entities, and investments in associate entities and joint venture entities. Appendix III shows the main changes in investments for the year ended December 31, 2015, and Appendix IV gives details of the consolidated subsidiaries and which, based on the information available, are more than 10% owned by non-Group shareholders as of December 31, 2015.

The following table sets forth information related to the Group’s total assets as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, broken down by the Group’s entities according to their activity:

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	Millions of euros
Contribution to Consolidated Group Total Assets. Entities by Main Activities	2015	2014	2013
Banks and other financial services	718,204	601,794	556,262
Insurance and pension fund managing companies	25,741	23,370	19,949
Other non-financial services	6,133	6,778	6,486
Total	750,078	631,942	582,697

The total assets and results of operations broken down by the geographical areas, in which the BBVA Group operates, are included in Note 6.

The BBVA Group’s activities are mainly located in Spain, Mexico, South America, the United States and Turkey, with active presence in other countries, as shown below:

• Spain

The Group’s activity in Spain is mainly through Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., which is the parent company of the BBVA Group. The Group also has other entities that operate in Spain’s banking sector, insurance sector, real estate sector, services and as operational leasing entities and since April 24, 2015 the balance sheet and the results of Catalunya Banc.

• Mexico

The BBVA Group operates in Mexico, not only in the banking sector, but also in the insurance sector through Grupo Financiero Bancomer.

• South America

The BBVA Group’s activities in South America are mainly focused on the banking and insurance sectors, in the following countries: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. It has a representative office in Sao Paulo (Brazil).

The Group owns more than 50% of most of the entities based in these countries. Appendix I shows a list of the entities which, although less than 50% owned by the BBVA Group as of December 31, 2015, are consolidated (see Note 2.1).

• United States

The Group’s activity in the United States is mainly carried out through a group of entities with BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc. at their head, the New York BBVA branch and a representative office in Silicon Valley (California).

• Turkey

The Group’s activity in Turkey is mainly carried out through the Garanti Group BBVA also has a representative office in Istanbul.

• Rest of Europe

The Group’s activity in Europe is carried out through banks and financial institutions in Ireland, Switzerland, Italy and Portugal, branches in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and the United Kingdom, and a representative office in Moscow.

• Asia-Pacific

The Group’s activity in this region is carried out through branches (in Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong Singapore and Shanghai) and representative offices (in Beijing, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Sydney and Jakarta).

Changes in the Group in 2015

During 2015, it has been registered the full consolidation of Garanti since the date of effective control (third quarter) and the acquisition of Catalunya Banc (second quarter). These effects impact on the period-on-period comparison of all the accounting lines of the Group balance sheet and the income statement.

Investments

Acquisition of an additional 14.89% of Garanti

On November 19, 2014, the Group signed a new agreement with Dogus Holding AS, Ferit Faik Sahenk, Dianne Sahenk and Defne Sahenk (hereinafter "Dogus") to, among other terms, the acquisition of 62,538,000,000 additional shares of Garanti (equivalent to 14.89% of the capital of this entity) for a maximum total consideration of 8.90 Turkish lira per batch (Garanti traded in batches of 100 shares each).

In the same agreement stated that if the payment of dividends for the year 2014 was executed by Dogus before the closing of the acquisition, that amount would be deducted from the amount payable by BBVA. On April 27, 2015, Dogus received the amount of the dividend paid to shareholders of Garanti, which amounted to Turkish Liras 0,135 per batch.

On July 27, 2015, after obtaining all the required regulatory approvals, the Group has materialized said participation increase after the acquisition of the new shares. Now the Group's interest in Garanti is 39.9%.

The total price effectively paid by BBVA amounts to 8.765 TL per batch (amounting to approximately TL 5,481 million and €1,857 million applying a 2,9571 TL/EUR exchange rate).

In accordance with the EU-IFRS accounting rules, and as a consequence of the agreements reached, the BBVA Group shall, at the date of effective control, measure at fair value its previously acquired stake of 25.01% in Garanti (classified as a joint venture accounted for using the equity method) and shall consolidate Garanti in the consolidated financial statements of the BBVA Group, beginning on the above-mentioned effective control date.

Measuring the above-mentioned stake in Garanti Bank at fair value resulted in a negative impact in “Gains (Losses) on derecognized assets not classified as non-current assets held for sale” in the consolidated income statement of the BBVA Group for the year ended December 31, 2015, which resulted in a net negative impact in the Profit attributable to parent company of the BBVA Group in 2015 amounting to €1,840 million. Such accounting impact does not translate into any additional cash outflow from BBVA. Most of this impact is generated by the exchange rate differences due to the depreciation of the TL against Euro since the initial acquisition by BBVA of the 25.01% stake in Garanti Bank up to the date of effective control. As of December 31, 2015, these exchange rate differences were already registered as Other Comprehensive Income deducting the stock shareholder’s equity of the BBVA Group.

The agreements with the Dogus group include an agreement for the management of the bank and the appointment by the BBVA Group of the majority of the members of its Board of Directors (7 of 10). The 39.9% stake in Garanti is consolidated in the BBVA Group, because of these management agreements.

As of December 31, 2015, Garanti Group has total assets of approximately €90,000 million, of which approximately €55,000 million are loans to customers, and a volume of customer deposits of approximately €75,000 million. The contribution of Garanti to the 2015 consolidated income statement, regardless the above mentioned stake in Garanti Bank at fair value, has been €371 million (see Note 6).

The amount that Garanti Group would have contributed to the consolidated Group had that business combination been performed at the start of 2015 would be €539 million, regardless the above mentioned stake in Garanti Bank at fair value.

As of the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements, the calculation for determining the final amount of this negative consolidation difference in accordance with IFRS 3 has not yet been completed, although the Group does not expect any significant changes in the valuations of the assets and liabilities related to this acquisition (see Note 18.1)

The Group estimate as of December 31, 2015, according to the acquisition method, the comparison between the fair values assigned to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed from Garanti, along with the identified intangible assets, and cash payment made by the BBVA Group in consideration of the transaction generated a goodwill of €622 million, which is registered under the heading "Intangible assets - Goodwill" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015, although, as mentioned above, this estimation is provisional. According to the IFRS 3, there is a period, up to a year, to complete the necessary adjustments to the calculation of initial acquisition (see Note 18.1).

Acquisition of Catalunya Banc

On July 21, 2014, the Management Commission of the Banking Restructuring Fund (known as “FROB”) accepted BBVA´s bid in the competitive auction for the acquisition of Catalunya Banc, S.A. (“Catalunya Banc”).

On April 24, 2015, once the necessary authorizations have been obtained and all the agreed conditions precedent have been fulfilled, BBVA announced that it acquired 1,947,166,809 shares of Catalunya Banc, S.A. (approximately 98.4% of its share capital) for a price of approximately €1,165 million.

As of December 31, 2015, Catalunya Banc contributed with a volume of assets of approximately €40,000 million, of which approximately €19,000 million corresponded to "Loans and advances to customers". "Customer deposits” amounted to approximately €36,000 million.

The amount that Catalunya Banc would have contributed to the consolidated Group had that business combination been performed at the start of 2015 is not material.

As of December 31, 2015, according to the purchase method, the comparison between the fair values assigned to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed from Catalunya Banc, and the cash payment made to the FROB in consideration of the transaction generated a difference of €26 million, which is registered under the heading “Negative Goodwill in business combinations” in the accompanying consolidated income statement as of December 31, 2015. According to the IFRS 3, there is a period, up to a year, to complete the necessary adjustments to the calculation of initial acquisition (see Note 18.1).

Divestitures

Partial sale of China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited (CNCB)

On January 23, 2015 the Group BBVA signed an agreement to sell 4.9% in China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited (CNCB) to UBS AG, London Branch (UBS), who entered into transactions pursuant to which such CNCB shares will be transferred to a third party and the ultimate economic benefit of ownership of such CNCB shares will be transferred to Xinhu Zhongbao Co., Ltd (Xinhu) (the Relevant Transactions). On March 12, 2015, after having obtained the necessary approvals, BBVA completed the sale.

The selling price to UBS is HK$ 5.73 per share, amounting to a total of HK$ 13,136 million, equivalent to approximately €1,555 million (with an exchange rate of EUR/HK$=8.45 as of the date of the closing).

In addition to the above mentioned 4.9%, during the year ended December 31, 2015 various sales were made in the market to total a 6.34% participation sale. The impact of these sales on the consolidated financial statements of the BBVA Group was a gain net of taxes of approximately €705 million. This gain gross of taxes was recognized under "Gains (losses) in non-current assets available for sale not classified as discontinued operations” (See Note 49).

As of December 31, 2015, BBVA holds a 3.26% (€910 million) interest in CNCB, this participation is recognized under the heading “Available for sale financial assets”.

Sale of the participation in Citic International Financial Holding (CIFH)

On December 23, 2014, the BBVA Group signed an agreement to sell its participation of 29.68% in Citic International Financial Holdings Limited (hereinafter “CIFH”), to China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited (hereinafter “CNCB”). CIFH is a non-listed subsidiary of CNCB domiciled in Hong Kong. The selling price is HK$8,162 million. The closing of such agreement is subject to the relevant regulatory approvals. The estimated impact on the attributable profit of the consolidated financial statements of the BBVA Group will not be significant.

On August 27, BBVA completed the sale of this participation. The impact on the consolidated financial statements of the BBVA Group was not significant.

Changes in the Group in 2014

In 2014 there were no significant changes.

Changes in the Group in 2013

Purchase of Unnim Vida

On February 1, 2013, Unnim Banc, S.A. later absorbed by the Bank, reached an agreement with Aegon Spain Holding B.V. to acquire the 50% of Unnim Vida, Inc. Insurance and Reinsurance ("Unnim Vida") for a price of €352 million. Thus, the BBVA Group owned 100% of the stake of "Unnim Vida.

Changes in the Group in 2013

Purchase of Unnim Vida

On February 1, 2013, Unnim Banc, S.A. later absorbed by the Bank, reached an agreement with Aegon Spain Holding B.V. to acquire the 50% of Unnim Vida, Inc. Insurance and Reinsurance ("Unnim Vida") for a price of €352 million. Thus, the BBVA Group owned 100% of the stake of "Unnim Vida.

Sale of BBVA Panama

On July 20, 2013, BBVA announced that it had reached an agreement with the entity Leasing Bogotá S.A., Panamá, a subsidiary of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores, S.A., for the sale of the direct and indirect ownership interest (98.92%) in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (Panamá), S.A. (“BBVA Panamá”).

On December 19, 2013, after having obtained the necessary approvals, BBVA completed the sale.

The total consideration that BBVA received pursuant to this sale amounted to approximately $645 million, $505 million as sale price and $140 million as distribution of dividends by BBVA Panamá from June 1, 2013.

After deducing such distribution of dividends the capital gain gross of taxes amounted to approximately €230 million which was recognized under the heading “Gains (losses) on non-current assets held for sale not classified as discontinued operations” in the consolidated income statement in 2013 (see Note 49).

Sale of pension businesses in Latin America

On May 24, 2012 BBVA announced its decision to conduct a study on strategic alternatives for its pension business in Latin America. The alternatives considered in this process include the total or partial sale of the businesses of the Pension Fund Administrators (“AFP”) in Chile, Colombia and Peru, and the Retirement Fund Administrator (Afore) in Mexico.

On October 2, 2013, with the sale of “AFP Provida” (Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones AFP Provida de Chile), BBVA finalized the process. Below there is a description of each of the operations that have been carried out during this process:

Sale of AFP Provida (Chile)

On February 1, 2013, BBVA reached an agreement with MetLife, Inc., for the sale of the 64.3% stake that BBVA held direct and indirectly in the Chilean Pension Fund manager Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Provida SA ("AFP Provida").

On October 2, 2013, BBVA completed the sale. The total amount in cash received by BBVA was approximately 1,540 million U.S. dollars (“USD”), taking into account the purchase price amounting to roughly 1,310 million USD as well as the dividends paid by AFP Provida since February 1, 2013 amounting to roughly 230 million USD. The gain on disposal, attributable to the Parent company net of taxes, amounted to approximately €500 million which was recognized under the heading “Profit from discontinued operations (Net)” in the consolidated income statement in 2013 (See Note 49).

Sale of BBVA AFP Horizonte S.A. (Peru)

On April 23, 2013, BBVA sold a wholly owned Peruvian subsidiary "AFP Horizonte SA" to "AFP Integra SA" and "Profuturo AFP, SA" who have each acquired 50% of said company.

The total consideration paid for the shares is approximately US$ 544 million. This consideration is composed by a price of approximately US$ 516 million and a dividend distributed prior to the closing of approximately US$ 28 million.

The gain on disposal, attributable to parent company net of taxes, amounted to approximately €206 million at the moment of the sale and such gain was recognized under the heading “Profit from discontinued operations (Net)” in the consolidated income statement in 2013 (see Note 49).

Sale of BBVA AFP Horizonte S.A. (Colombia)

On December 24, 2012, BBVA reached an agreement with Sociedad Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones y Cesantías Porvenir, S.A., a subsidiary of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores, S.A., for the sale to the former of the total stake that BBVA held directly or indirectly in the Colombian company BBVA Horizonte Sociedad Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones y Cesantías S.A.

On April 18, 2013, after having obtained the necessary approvals, BBVA completed the sale. The adjusted total price was US$ 541.4 million. The gain on disposal, attributable to parent company net of taxes, amounted to approximately €255 million at the moment of the sale, and was recognized under the heading “Profit from discontinued operations (Net)” in the consolidated income statement in 2013 (see Note 49).

Sale of Afore Bancomer (Mexico)

On November 27, 2012, BBVA reached an agreement to sell to Afore XXI Banorte, S.A. de C.V. its entire stake directly or indirectly held in the Mexican subsidiary Administradora de Fondos para el Retiro Bancomer, S.A. de C.V.

Once the corresponding authorization had been obtained from the competent authorities, the sale was closed on January 9, 2013, at which point the BBVA Group no longer had control over the subsidiary sold.

The total sale price was USD 1,735 million (approximately €1,327 million). The gain on disposal, attributable to parent company net of taxes, was approximately €771 million, and was recognized under the heading “Profit from discontinued operations (Net)” in the consolidated income statement in 2013 (see Note 49).

Agreement with Citic Group

As of October 21, 2013, BBVA reached a new agreement with the Citic Group that included among other aspects the sale of its 5.1% stake in China Citic Bank Corporation Limited (CNCB) to Citic Limited for an amount of approximately €944 million, after this sale, the stake of BBVA in CNCB was reduced to the 9.9%.

In accordance with IFRS 11, the new situation implies a change in the accounting criteria applied to the participation of BBVA in CNCB, being now a no material financial participation recognized under the heading “Available-for-sale financial assets” (see Notes 12 and 16).

As a result of this change in the accounting criteria and the mentioned sale, the loss attributable to the BBVA Group at the time of the sale amounted to approximately €2,600 million which was recognized under the heading “Gains (losses) on derecognized assets not classified as non-current assets held for sale” in the consolidated income statement in 2013 (see Note 48).