Bank of Spain approves bid

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA
08 November 2004


Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A.

8 November 2004

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 Acquisition of Abbey National plc ('Abbey') by
          Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. ('Banco Santander') -

                             Bank of Spain Consent

Banco Santander announced that it has received the consent of the Bank of Spain
to the acquisition by Banco Santander of non-EU credit entities owned by Abbey.
The Bank of Spain has also confirmed that it has no objection to the increase in
Banco Santander's share capital required for the acquisition, in relation to
which Banco Santander has today made the necessary filings with the Comision
Nacional del Mercado de Valores ('CNMV'). As such, the conditions to Banco
Santander's acquisition of Abbey relating to the consent of the Bank of Spain
and filings with the CNMV have now been satisfied.

Enquiries:

Banco Santander
Keith Grant (Head of International Media)    + 34 91 289 5206
Peter Greiff                                 + 34 91 289 5207

Maitland
Angus Maitland                               + 44 20 7379 5151
Martin Leeburn
Philip Gawith

Brunswick
Rurik Ingram                                 + 44 20 7404 5959




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