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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced today (November 29) that the Monetary Authority has granted a banking licence to BANCO SANTANDER, S.A. ("Santander") under the Banking Ordinance. The granting of this banking licence took effect on November 28, 2007.
Santander is incorporated in Spain. According to the July 2007 issue of The Banker, Santander is the largest bank in Spain and the 10th largest bank in the world in terms of tier one capital.
After the granting of a banking licence to Santander, the number of licensed banks in Hong Kong has increased to 142.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Thomas Chan, Senior Manager (Press), at 2878 1480 or
Hing-fung Wong, Officer (Press), at 2878 1802
Ends/Thursday, November 29, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:41
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