This area encompasses the Group’s business in the United States and in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. More precisely, it includes BBVA Compass, which accounted for 82% of the balance sheet in the area as of 31-Dec-2011. Due to its relative contribution, most of the comments below refer to this business unit. The area also covers the assets and liabilities of the BBVA office in New York, which specializes in transactions with large corporations.