Sovereign Bank Launches "Boost Your Business" Program to Help Businesses Grow

BOSTON, May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sovereign Bank, part of the Santander Group, today launched "Boost Your Business," a program to help small and medium sized businesses grow by providing access to $1 billion in capital at market-leading rates.  Sovereign chose National Small Business Week as the perfect time to introduce our year-long program dedicated to helping local businesses grow, stimulating economic activity, and creating jobs.    

"From local small enterprises to larger businesses, Sovereign Bank is dedicated to helping them grow through our new 'Boost Your Business' program," said Jack Murphy, Director of Small and Medium Enterprises at Sovereign Bank.  "These businesses are the engine of our economic recovery and Sovereign is reinforcing our commitment to providing them with the financial backing they need to grow and thrive."

As part of the program, Sovereign is offering everyday market leading rates and fee discounts on business lines of credit for working capital, and term loans and commercial real estate loans to help businesses expand. It is also offering rate discounts on leases and has introduced two new Step Rate Loan products, allowing larger businesses to take discounts in the first year(s) of their loan.

Boost Your Business is offered through Sovereign's network of over 700 branches across the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States, as well as in-market Relationship Managers who are specifically dedicated to support businesses. To provide additional support for the initiative, Sovereign will add to its front-line sales and support banking staff.  

"Sovereign is providing additional capital for businesses and adding internal resources at this critical juncture in our economy because we believe there is a tremendous need in the marketplace for a lender to step up to help these small and medium sized businesses," said Murphy. "Because our credit decisions are made locally in each of our markets, we can provide businesses with the quick response and service that they need."

About our Company

Banco Santander (SAN.MC, STD.N) is a retail and commercial bank, headquartered in Spain, with a presence in ten main markets: Spain, Portugal, Germany, the UK, Poland, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and the U.S.  Founded in 1857, Santander has 92 million customers, approximately 14,000 branches – more than any other international bank – and over 170,000 employees. For more information on Santander, visit http://www.santander.com

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 8,000 team members. For more information on Sovereign Bank, visit http://www.sovereignbank.com or call 877-SOV-BANK.

SOURCE Sovereign Bank