With a market value of €92.5bn at year-end 2007, Santander is one of the world’s leading banks by market capitalisation and number one in the euro zone.

In 2007, the year of its 150th anniversary, the Group achieved record attributed profits of €9.06bn, 19.3% up on 2006. It was also one of the banks that recorded the biggest growth in EPS, with an increase of 21.4% to €1.28.



One of the Group’s main distinguishing features is its international character, which is reflected in the diversification of its operations, with a balanced position between mature and high-growth emerging markets. Santander develops its business in three main geographical areas:



- Continental Europe, where the main commercial units are the Santander and Banesto Networks in Spain, Santander Totta in Portugal and Santander Consumer Finance, which has consumer finance operations in 19 countries.

- UK, where Abbey aspires to become the country’s best commercial bank.

- Latin America, where Santander is the regions’ biggest financial franchise and holds a lead position in Brazil, Mexico and Chile. It is also present in Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Uruguay, Peru and Puerto Rico.

The Bank also has Divisions that operate on a global scale, engaged in the businesses of Wholesale Banking, Means of Payment, Asset Management, Insurance and Private Banking.

Our pillars

Santander has built its own business model, which rests on the following pillars: focus on commercial banking through the biggest branch network in international banking (11,178 offices), geographical diversification, prudent risk management, the very latest technology in the service of commercial efficiency, capital discipline and the best management team.

This is how the Bank strives to contribute the maximum added value to its over 65 million customers, 2.3 million shareholders and 132,000 employees.