Banco Santander - statistics & facts
As the largest bank in Spain and one of the largest in Europe, Banco Santander stands as a major player in the global financial landscape. Initially founded in 1857 to support trade between the Port of Santander in Northern Spain and Latin America, Banco Santander has grown steadily for more than 160 years, expanding its services and operations through both acquisitions and organic growth. In 2023, Banco Santander’s total assets amounted to 1.8 trillion euros, and the bank’s employee count exceeded 212,000 people, making it one of the most significant financial institutions on the continent.
That same year, Banco Santander ranked among the top five largest banks in Europe in terms of assets and boasted one of the highest market capitalizations in the region. With more than 8,500 branches worldwide, the bank’s extensive global presence underscores its continued expansion and influence.
Banco Santander is well-positioned to continue shaping the global banking landscape, with its expansive customer base and growing influence in both established and emerging markets. As the largest bank in Spain and one of the biggest in Europe, it remains focused on innovation, sustainability, and growth. With a target to mobilize 220 billion euros in green finance by 2030, the bank is poised to lead in sustainable finance while further expanding its global reach.
That same year, Banco Santander ranked among the top five largest banks in Europe in terms of assets and boasted one of the highest market capitalizations in the region. With more than 8,500 branches worldwide, the bank’s extensive global presence underscores its continued expansion and influence.
How many customers does Banco Santander have?
In 2023, Banco Santander continued to lead the European banking sector in terms of customer base, with 165 million customers globally - more than any other European bank. Between 2012 and 2023, the Spanish banking giant saw its customer numbers grow by over 60 million. While headquartered in Boadilla del Monte, Spain, its largest customer base is in Brazil, where over 62 million people banked with Santander in 2023, accounting for more than a third of its global customers. The United Kingdom ranks second in terms of customer base.Banco Santander’s environmental commitment
In 2019, Banco Santander joined a growing number of global banks in committing to sustainable financing and investments aimed at supporting projects, technologies, and clean energies aligned with the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The bank set an ambitious goal of facilitating and mobilizing 120 billion euros in green finance by 2025 and increasing this figure to 220 billion euros by 2030. By 2022, Santander’s green finance investment had already surpassed 94 billion U.S. dollars, primarily in mergers and acquisitions, green bonds, and project finance. In 2023, this figure grew to over 114 billion U.S. dollars, reflecting the bank's continued dedication to sustainable initiatives.Banco Santander is well-positioned to continue shaping the global banking landscape, with its expansive customer base and growing influence in both established and emerging markets. As the largest bank in Spain and one of the biggest in Europe, it remains focused on innovation, sustainability, and growth. With a target to mobilize 220 billion euros in green finance by 2030, the bank is poised to lead in sustainable finance while further expanding its global reach.
