Sustainability at Santander Essay

Sustainability at Santander Group
About the company
Banco Santander is a retail bank based in Spain and present in ten major markets. It is the Eurozone’s leading bank and is among the top 15 financial institutions worldwide in terms of market capitalization, with more than €50 billion at the close of 2011. Founded in 1857, Banco Santander manages €1.383 billion in funds for more than 102 million clients through its network of 15,000 offices. With 3.3 million shareholders and 193,000 employees, the bank is the leading financial institution in Spain and Latin
America, and holds important positions in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany, Poland, and the northeastern United States. In addition, its Consumer Finance division operates through Scandinavia and other European countries. Its shares are listed on the stock markets of Spain, New York, London, Lisbon,
Mexico, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Milan, and are featured on 62 different indices.
This data reflects Santander’s unique position in international banking: by combining recurring retail business and a high degree of geographical diversification, year after year, the company demonstrates its capacity to consistently increase revenues and generate value for its shareholders, clients, and the business. In 2011, the Bank strengthened its balance sheet, both in terms of capital and credit quality, in order to meet the new capital requirements imposed by national and international regulatory bodies months ahead of schedule. Santander distinguishes itself within the global financial sector to the extent that, in the last five years, remuneration to Santander’s shareholders has exceeded €24 billion.

Sustainability at Banco Santander
For Banco Santander sustainability is the performance of its business activity, contributing, moreover, to the economic progress of communities, taking into account its impact on society and on the environment and fostering stable relations with stakeholders.

This commitment to sustainability means integrating ethical, social and environmental criteria into its management. A key element of this is solid corporate governance, that ensure sustainable management and with a long-term vision.
Banco Santander conducts its commitment to sustainability through three large pillars:
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Investment in higher education, support for the promotion of social and economic development and promoting knowledge, research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

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The Bank's relationship with the community, in particular, the preservation and protection of the environment and the support to local communities in which it operates through numerous corporate and local programs, adapted to the social and economic reality of each country.

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Stable and lasting relations with its stakeholders.

In 2011, Banco Santander invested EUR 170 million in corporate social responsibility projects, 15% more than in 2010. Part of this increase is due both to increased investment in higher education, and the inclusion of investment data of Sovereign Bank (USA) and Bank Zachodni WBK (Poland).
Sustainability committee
In order to integrate sustainability into its business model, Banco Santander has a sustainability committee chaired by the CEO and comprises representatives from different business and support areas. This committee, ensures the integration of sustainability into its business model and defines the corporate social responsibility strategy and the Bank’s general and sectorial sustainability policies, and presents them to the Group's Board Directors for approval.
Sustainability area, is part of the communication, corporate marketing and research division, and foments and coordinates the various initiatives conducted in this sphere within the Group. Santander
Brazil and Santander United Kingdom, both of which have an excellent positioning in corporate social

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