BBVA Group named Javier Rodriguez Soler CEO for BBVA Compass and country manager for U.S. operations. Rodriguez Soler will take over the country manager role from Onur Genç, who was previously appointed BBVA Group CEO.

The promotion will provide continuity to the execution of the bank’s current strategy and continue the strong momentum the bank has built in the U.S.

“Javier is the best fit for advancing the work of the bank in the U.S.,” said Genç. “His broad range of experience, both in the U.S. and globally, will ensure that BBVA in the U.S. will continue on the path of profitable growth that is underpinned by its digital transformation efforts.”

Rodriguez Soler is currently BBVA Group’s global head of Strategy and M&A, where his corporate development functions include setting the strategy at both the Group and country level, where he has had extensive exposure to the U.S. His area of responsibility also includes the Real Estate and Equity Holdings units.

Rodriguez Soler joined the bank in 2008 as a managing director for Corporate & Investment Banking. Prior to BBVA, he served as director of Investor Relations and director of Strategy and M&A with Spanish utility Endesa, where he worked for five years. He was also an engagement manager with McKinsey, a global management consulting firm.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be part of the U.S. team and work with them to advance the bank’s strategic objectives in the country,” Rodriguez Soler said. “I am looking forward to building on the work Onur has done over the past two years in order to continue the strong momentum now and into the future.”

The appointment is likely to become effective at the start of the year, once the relevant authorizations have been obtained.