Publication date: July 16, 2025
Banco Santander is one of Europe's largest banks with a strong presence in Spain, Latin America and the US. In this article, you can read all about the Santander share: price performance, dividend policy and growth prospects within the EURO STOXX 50. Are you considering investing in European banks? Then sign up for our newsletter here and always stay informed.image_here
- Year of establishment: 1999 merged
- Year added to EURO STOXX 50: 1998
- Highest price ever: €12.84 in November 2007
- Average trading volume: Approximately 21.96 million shares per day
- Price performance over the past 12 months: +62.71%
Introduction about the company
Banco Santander was formed in its current form in 1999 through the merger of Banco Santander (established in 1857) and Banco Central Hispano, creating Banco Santander Central Hispano, later renamed Banco Santander again in 2007. It is headquartered in Madrid with operational offices in Santander, Spain. The bank offers a wide range of financial services, including retail, corporate and investment banking, with a strong presence in Spain, Brazil, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. Thanks to its strategic merger, long history and geographical spread, Santander is among the most influential financial institutions within Europe and internationally.
Key figures & performance
In 2024, Santander achieved revenues of approximately €62.72 billion, up from previous years. Net profit reached €19.63 billion, marking a record profit for the bank. In July 2025, the market capitalization was about €106.63 billion. Around 207,000 employees were employed worldwide. Return on tangible equity (RoTE) increased to 16.3% in 2024 and is projected to exceed 17% in 2025, supported by improved efficiency and capital ratios.
History & development
Since its founding in 1857, Santander has made numerous mergers and acquisitions, including GE Money Bank in 2014 and Banco Popular in 2017. Growth accelerated in 2021-2024 thanks to expansion in Latin America and the launch of a digital bank in the U.S. in 2024. In early 2025, the bank announced a €1.5 billion bond issue and a €10 billion share buyback program, financed from record profits, strengthening strategic capital management.
Sector & competition
Santander operates within the European banking sector, competing with BNP Paribas, ING, UniCredit, BBVA and Deutsche Bank. The sector is currently benefiting from higher interest rates, rising loan volumes and digitalization, but remains sensitive to economic slowdown, regulation and bad loans. Santander's geographic diversification and cost focus set it apart in this dynamic environment.
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Santander's influence on the EURO STOXX 50
With a weight of 1.98% within the EURO STOXX 50, Banco Santander represents one of the most prominent banking stocks in the index. Curious about the full composition of the EURO STOXX 50? Read all about it here. The financial sector thus occupies an important position within the composition, particularly as banks are responsible for a substantial proportion of the total index weight.
Investment analysis & outlook
Over the past five years, Banco Santander shares have risen by as much as +232.83%, clearly outperforming the EURO STOXX 50, which rose by +58.36% over the same period. This strong outperformance highlights Santander's exceptional growth relative to the broader European market.
Record profits of €19.63 billion in 2024, combined with an RoTE above 16% and a Core Tier-1 ratio of 13%, reinforce its financial profile. Investors appreciate the capital policy: the announcement of a €10bn buyback program for 2025-'26 shows that excess capital is effectively returned.
Price potential remains positive, helped by further interest rate increases, growing credit volume in Latin America, and efficiency improvements in cost structure. Possible risks are macroeconomic headwinds, a rise in defaults, and regulatory issues.
News & updates
In the second quarter of 2025, Santander announced a strategic partnership with a major fintech company to accelerate digital services in Latin America. At the same time, it launched a new €20 billion ESG financing program focused on sustainable projects in Europe and South America. In late May, the bank announced that it is launching a pilot project in Brazil using blockchain technology for cross-border payments, in partnership with central banks. Finally, Santander is restructuring its operations in the United Kingdom, narrowing its retail network and expanding its online offering, intending to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction.
For more information about Santander, please visit: www.santander.com
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