Banco Santander's Annual General Meeting

Emilio Botín: “We expect earnings in 2010 to be similar to those of 2009 and we will maintain shareholder remuneration at EUR 0.60 a share”

“During this period of crisis, Banco Santander has been the international financial group with the best quality and consistency of profits and dividend.”
The Board of Directors yesterday agreed to pay, from August 1st, the first dividend against 2010 earning of EUR 0.13, unchanged from the year-earlier payment.
The Bank will again offer the choice to receive in shares the second dividend against 2010 earnings, which will be paid in November. Depending upon the level of acceptances and on market conditions, the same option may be made available on the third dividend, typically paid in February 2011.
“I am very confident in the future. Grupo Santander is better prepared than ever to grow and improve its earnings.”
“I am convinced that the markets will end up recognizing the advantages of our diversification and that the Bank's share will soon reflect the true value of Grupo Santander.” At current prices, the dividend yield stands at around 7.5%.
Botin announced that the Group has captured deposits of EUR 30 billion with the Depósito Ganador, increasing its market share in Spain by 2.1%. The campaign has attracted business from 191,000 customers of which 89,300 are new customers.
“Year-to-date growth in Group deposits has amounted to EUR 75 billion.”
“It is important to combine better supervision with few, but very clear, rules.”