Change in Senior Management

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA
20 December 2005


Press Release



Jorge Moran is named Chief Operating Officer of Abbey and Joan David Grima head
            of the Santander Asset Management and Insurance Division


Madrid, December 20th, 2005 - Abbey's Board of Directors, meeting today in
London, has appointed Jorge Moran as Executive Director and Chief Operating
Officer of the bank, following a proposal made by its CEO Francisco Gomez
Roldan. Jorge Moran, General Manager of Grupo Santander, was until now head of
the Asset Management and Insurance Division.

This appointment is being made as part of the Abbey's 3-Year Plan, which was
presented last October 25th in London. The Plan sets ambitious growth and
efficiency targets which require reinforcing Abbey's commercial and management
capabilities. Moran will be responsible for planning, control and coordination
of the Bank's operating and business areas, reporting directly to CEO Francisco
Gomez Roldan.

The above is subject to FSA approval.

The Board of Directors of Grupo Santander agreed in its meeting yesterday,
December 19th, to name Joan David Grima, also a General Manager of Grupo
Santander, as the new global head of the Santander Asset Management and
Insurance division, replacing Jorge Moran.




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