Ex BBVA chief Gonzalez temporarily steps down till investigations into alleged fraud

Former BBVA head Francisco Gonzalez is temporarily stepping down as the bank's honorary chairman, he said in a letter to the board, which was seen by Reuters on Thursday. Gonzalez said he was giving up his role while the bank awaits the results of an investigation into an alleged spying case.

In January, BBVA formally hired auditing company PwC to help in the investigation, which is related to contracts with a jailed ex-police chief the bank allegedly hired in 2004 to spy on top executives of a potential buyer.