Santander is today the seventh largest bank in the world by profits and the largest bank in the Euro zone by market capitalization and is the recognized leader in its core retail banking business.

Santander is present in more than 40 countries, where it serves a total of 69 million customers and 131,000 employees. The Bank has 10,852 branches, which makes it the international bank with most branches in the world.

Santander has leading positions in the most dynamic and attractive markets in Europe and Latin America, particularly in Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, consumer finance in continental Europe and commercial banking in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. It develops a multi-local business in these countries, combining the Group’s global capacities (in areas such as technology, risk management, human resources and products) with essentially local management, ensuring an in-depth knowledge of the markets in which Santander operates.

Grupo Santander´s history began on May 15th, 1857 and since then the bank has been growing permanently inside Spain and abroad.

The story of Santander´s rise has more to do with persistence and determination than with luck. “We not only do the right things, but we do things right”Chairman Emilio Botín told 1,300 Santander executives gathered for the bank´s 150th anniversary.

“Like America in 1851, we have been able to get ahead of the competition,” stated Alfredo Sáenz, Second Vice-Chairman and CEO of Santander. “In our case, instead of following the stars we have been guided by six values: dynamism, leadership, innovation, strength, customer orientation and professional ethics. These values identify us with the meaning of the America’s Cup.”

Web Site: www.gruposantander.com