Sovereign Bank Hosts Global Opportunities Forum

BOSTON, April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, April 12 Sovereign Bank, N.A., in conjunction with the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, hosted a Global Opportunities Forum to give U.S. businesses an overview of the Bank's unique international capabilities that can help those who are doing business globally or thinking of expanding abroad, creating jobs and growth. 

Presenting at the forum were corporate banking representatives from Santander Group entities from mature and emerging markets in Europe and Latin America including Spain, Portugal, the UK, Poland, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.  Corporate banking representatives delivered presentations that featured macroeconomic country overviews and the local capabilities Santander can offer to U.S. clients looking for growth opportunities in these markets.  During the forum, each country representative also held private discussions with attendees who were interested in learning more about a particular country and the specifics of establishing or growing operations there. 

The forum also included A Conversation With Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Jorge Moran, Sovereign Bank President and CEO and Santander U.S. Country Head, and was moderated by Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President Paul Guzzi.  Governor Patrick and Moran discussed the global economy and the value of international markets to a successful business.  The governor also discussed the state's initiatives to help Massachusetts companies expand their business opportunities worldwide.

"As we continue our economic recovery, Massachusetts companies, particularly those in the innovation economy, are well-positioned and eager to compete on an international level," said Governor Patrick.  "Through our relationships with Santander and other companies around the world, the Massachusetts innovation economy is truly a global force."

"As a part of Santander, Sovereign Bank can and will play a critical role for local and regional businesses looking to expand globally," said Moran.  "We are honored that Governor Patrick joined us to discuss his efforts in helping businesses who want to participate in a global economy.  We know that taking a business global has many challenges.  Santander's global diversification gives us the local expertise that when combined with our global relationships and capabilities can make it less complicated for customers to be successful."

Earlier in the day, Jonathan Kraft, President of Kraft Group, spoke to the attendees about the critical need to build relationships that go beyond the transaction. He stressed the importance of spending time in the countries where you want to expand and working with people face to face in order to grow those relationships.

Attending the forum were business leaders from across the Northeast who are interested in expanding internationally and bringing their products and services abroad.

About Santander Holdings USA, Sovereign Bank and Banco Santander

Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (SOV:US) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A., and parent company of Sovereign Bank and Santander Consumer USA.  Banco Santander is a retail and commercial bank, headquartered in Spain, with a presence in 10 main markets: Spain, Portugal, Germany, the UK, Poland, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and the U.S.  Founded in 1857, Santander has 100 million customers, approximately 14,700 branches – more than any other international bank – and more than 191,000 employees.  For more information on Santander, visit http://www.santander.com.

Sovereign Bank is a financial institution with principal markets in the northeastern United States. Sovereign has more than 700 branches, about 2,300 ATMs, and approximately 8,500 team members.  For more information on Sovereign Bank, visit http://www.sovereignbank.com or call 877-SOV-BANK.

SOURCE Sovereign Bank, N.A.