| Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. offers a range of financial products. The company operates in five business areas, which include European Retail Banking; Retail Banking Latin America; Asset Management and Private Banking; Global Wholesale Banking; and Financial Management and Equity Stakes. European retail banking activities include deposit taking, personal loans and consumer finance, mortgage lending, bill discounting, leasing, factoring, distribution of mutual and pension funds, life and nonlife insurance distribution, credit and debit card operations, remote banking services, automobile financing, and money transfers. Retail Banking Latin America engages in various deposit taking activities throughout Latin America; and other retail banking activities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. Its primary lending operations and mutual fund operations are in Mexico, Chile, Brazil, and Puerto Rico; and its main pension fund operations are in Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia. Asset Management and Private Banking manages mutual and pension funds, private banking, and bank assurance. Global Wholesale Banking covers its corporate banking activities, including bill discounting, global cash management, treasury management services, risk mitigation products, trade finance, and correspondent banking services to large corporations, financial institutions, and government. Global Wholesale Banking also engages in treasury activities, such as money, foreign exchange, and fixed-income trading; as well as in investment banking operations, including brokerage, corporate finance, structured and project finance, and custody services. Financial Management and Equity Stakes manages all capital and reserves. The companys principal operations are located in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, and Latin America. The company was formerly known as Banco Santander, S.A. and changed its name to Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. in 1999, pursuant to its merger with Banco Central Hispanoamericano, S.A. The company is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. |
