Share

Santander absorbs Spanish subsidiaries

Madrid - Banking giant Banco Santander announced on Monday it will absorb its Spanish offshoots Banesto and Banif, closing 700 branches and saving an estimated €520m a year.

Santander, the biggest bank in the eurozone by market value, said the offshoots would be absorbed into the Santander brand, which would boast 4 000 branches under the same name in Spain.

Santander, which already owns 89.74% of Banesto, said it would pay the offshoot's minority shareholders with Santander stock, offering a premium of 25%.

"This is a good transaction for everyone," chairperson Emilio Botin said in a statement, noting the premium to be paid to Banesto minority shareholders, the global network available to customers and the international opportunities opened up to staff.

"This transaction is part of the restructuring of the Spanish financial system, which involves a significant reduction in the number of competitors and the creation of larger financial institutions," the bank said.

Spain's eurozone partners agreed in June to provide up to €100bn to rescue the crippled banking system, overloaded with bad loans extended during a housing bubble that popped in 2008.

Santander said its merger with Banesto and with its fully owned Banif unit would led to the closure of about 700 of the three banks' 4 664 branches.

But the group said it would lower job numbers gradually without "abrupt cuts".

The restructuring would save about 10% in costs, or €420m in the third year, it said. Revenues were expected to rise by €100m in the same timeframe.

The lower costs and higher revenues would mean pre-tax "synergies" of €520m from the third year, it said.

"The merger will add value from the start, increasing earnings per share by 3% in the third year," Santander said.

Despite the cuts to the network, Santander said its share of Spain's bank branches would actually rise because of the contraction of the industry overall.

Santander expected its market share to rise from 10% of branches in 2008 to 13% in 2015. At the end of 2015, Spain would have an estimated 30 000 branches overall, it said, a decline of 35%.

Santander said the mergers would also provide new strengths in its relations with business, noting Banesto's expertise in the financing of small and medium-sized businesses and Banif's leadership in private banking with €36bn of assets under management.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.90
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.1%
Platinum
907.85
+1.2%
Palladium
1,012.25
+1.1%
Gold
2,221.12
+1.2%
Silver
24.86
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders