Company News

January 28, 2010

John P. Hamill has been elected to the Sovereign Bancorp and Sovereign Bank Boards of Directors. Mr. Hamill previously served as Chairman of Sovereign Bank in New England.

"John has a wealth of experience in financial services that he brings to Sovereign's Board," said Gabriel Jaramillo, Sovereign Board Chairman and Sovereign Bank President and CEO. "We are excited and honored to have him on our Board and look forward to benefiting from his counsel."

John Hamill has worked in the banking industry for more than 45 years. He joined Sovereign Bank in 2000 as Chairman and CEO of the New England division. Previously he was President of Fleet National Bank Massachusetts, President of Shawmut Bank and President and CEO of Banc One Trust Company.

Mr. Hamill's experience also includes board directorships with leading institutions. Currently he serves as a Director of Liberty Mutual Insurance Companies. In addition he is Chairman of the Board of Advisors to the Carroll School of Management at Boston College, Chairman of the Board of Advisors at the College of Holy Cross, and Overseer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Previously he was a Director for 20 years on the Board of CareGroup and its hospitals, serving as Chairman of the Board for three years.

About Sovereign
Sovereign Bank, a subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A., is a financial institution with principal markets in the northeastern United States. Sovereign has more than 700 branches, over 2,300 ATMs and approximately 9,000 team members. For more information on Sovereign Bank, call 877-SOV-BANK.

Banco Santander (SAN.MC, STD.N) is a retail and commercial bank, headquartered in Spain and with a presence in 40 countries. At the end of 2008, Santander was the largest bank in the euro zone by market capitalization and third in the world by profit. Founded in 1857, Santander had EUR 1,271 billion in managed funds at the end of 2008. Santander has 90 million customers, around 14,000 branches – more than any other international bank – and over 170,000 employees. It is the largest financial group in Spain and Latin America, with leading positions in the United Kingdom and Portugal and a broad presence in Europe through its Santander Consumer Finance arm.

Media Contact
Ellen Molle
Office: 617-757-5573
Cell: 617-548-9932
emolle@sovereignbank.com