Global Capital Markets

Santander, the Spanish banking giant, is reportedly seeking to increase its operations in the UK, the Daily Telegraph said. According to market sources cited in the article, Clydesdale and Yorkshire, Allied Irish Banks and Bradford & Bingley could all be the targets. Alliance & Leicester could also be under consideration, and would fit well with Santander-owned Abbey, but Santander is believed to consider it currently too pricey, the report said. The piece went on to note that previous comments by Francisco Gomez-Roldan, chief executive of Abbey, had indicated that Santander may be interested in buy-to-let businesses and those that deal with current accounts or business banking. Santander declined to comment on the UK, the piece reported, adding that sources said to be close to the bank had earlier stated that chairman Emilio Botin was keen to acquire in Britain, North America and continental Europe.
Source
Daily Telegraph
Value
EUR 77,000m (Santander market cap)