Directorship in Sovereign

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA
08 March 2007


                              OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. ('Santander') announces that Emilio Botin,
Chairman of Santander, has resigned as a director of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.
('Sovereign'), effective as of today, and that, according to the Investment
Agreement between Santander and Sovereign, Alberto Sanchez has been appointed as
Santander designee to replace Mr. Botin. Santander currently beneficially owns
approximately 24.9% of the outstanding shares of Sovereign.

                                      Boadilla del Monte (Madrid), March 8, 2007



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