Santander launches business banking

Alliance & Leicester and Abbey have merged to form Santander, which is to focus on business banking.
Alliance & Leicester and Abbey are today (July 1st) merging under the business banking brand Santander.The firms' 20 regional branches will be rebranded under the move, which sees both companies, along with Bradford & Bingley Savings, join their expertise to provide services in the business banking sector.
Santander aims to cater for the needs of businesses requiring financial solutions and services, while it will also work closely with corporations to help them through the difficult economic conditions.
Steve Pateman, head of Santander Corporate Banking, said: "Santander has a clear strategy of increasing its presence in the UK corporate market and the rebrand to Santander Corporate Banking is a clear demonstration of our ambition to become the bank of choice for businesses."
The Free Business Current Account, which offers interest of six per cent AER to small companies with a turnover of more than £1 million, was recently unveiled by Alliance & Leicester.
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