Banco Santander Brasil

Banco Santander Brasil is the Brazilian subsidiary of the Spanish banking giant, Banco Santander. The bank was established in 1982 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It offers a wide range of financial services, including personal and commercial banking, investment banking, insurance, asset management, and treasury services.

The bank has a strong presence in Brazil, with over 3,600 branches and 46,000 employees. It serves more than 16 million customers, making it one of the largest banks in the country. In addition to its physical branches, the bank also offers online and mobile banking services.

Banco Santander Brasil has a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility. The bank has implemented a number of initiatives to promote sustainable development, including investments in renewable energy and environmental conservation projects.

In terms of financial performance, Banco Santander Brasil has been consistently profitable in recent years. In 2020, the bank reported a net income of BRL 14.4 billion, an increase of 2.4% compared to the previous year. The bank's total assets stood at BRL 915.2 billion at the end of 2020.

In 1957, the Santander Group entered the Brazilian market through an operating agreement with Banco Intercontinental do Brasil S.A. In 1970, the Group established a representative office in Brazil, followed by the opening of its first branch in 1982, and the first decade of its operation was marked by significant growth and expansion. During this period, the bank focused on expanding its branch network, diversifying its product offering, and strengthening its position in the Brazilian banking market.

In 1982, the bank started with just one branch in Sao Paulo. By the end of the decade, it had expanded to over 200 branches throughout Brazil. This rapid expansion allowed the bank to reach new customers and increase its market share in the country.

During this period, Banco Santander Brasil also diversified its product offering, adding new financial services such as credit cards, insurance, and leasing. This allowed the bank to cater to a wider range of customer needs and deepen its relationship with existing clients.

In 1993, the bank launched its investment banking division, Banco Santander Investment, which offered a range of financial services such as mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity underwriting, and asset management. This move allowed Banco Santander Brasil to compete with other international banks in the Brazilian investment banking market.

In 1997, Banco Santander Brasil became a publicly traded company on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange. This allowed the bank to raise capital from the public markets, which it used to fund its expansion and growth.

In the 2000s, Banco Santander Brasil continued to grow and expand, becoming one of the largest and most profitable banks in Brazil. During this period, the bank focused on improving its operational efficiency, expanding its product offering, and further strengthening its position in the Brazilian market.

One of the key initiatives taken by the bank in the 2000s was the implementation of a cost-reduction program. This program involved streamlining the bank's operations, optimizing its branch network, and improving its technology infrastructure. As a result, the bank was able to significantly reduce its operating costs and improve its profitability.

In 2002, Banco Santander Brasil acquired Banespa, a large state-owned bank in Brazil. This acquisition allowed the bank to significantly increase its market share in the country and expand its customer base. Following the acquisition, the bank also invested heavily in modernizing Banespa's technology infrastructure and branch network.

In the mid-2000s, the bank also began to focus on expanding its retail banking business. It launched a number of new products and services targeted at individual customers, such as personal loans, mortgages, and investment products. This helped to diversify the bank's revenue streams and reduce its reliance on its corporate and investment banking divisions.

In 2008, Banco Santander Brasil acquired ABN Amro's Brazilian operations, further cementing its position as one of the largest banks in the country. The acquisition also allowed the bank to expand its international operations and enter new markets in Latin America.

One of the key initiatives taken by Banco Santander Brasil in recent years has been the expansion of its digital offerings. The bank has invested heavily in developing its mobile banking platform, which has become one of the most popular digital banking apps in Brazil. The app offers a range of services, including account management, payments, and transfers, as well as access to investment products and other financial services.

In 2019, the bank announced the creation of a new business unit focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This unit offers a range of financial services tailored to the needs of SMEs, including credit, payment processing, and cash management. This initiative reflects the bank's commitment to supporting the growth and development of small businesses in Brazil.

Another important development has been the bank's increased focus on sustainability. In 2020, Banco Santander Brasil launched a new sustainability plan, which includes a range of initiatives focused on reducing its environmental impact and promoting social responsibility. The bank has also established partnerships with various organizations to support initiatives related to renewable energy, education, and social development.

In terms of financial performance, Banco Santander Brasil has remained profitable in recent years. In 2020, the bank reported a net income of BRL 14.4 billion, an increase of 2.4% compared to the previous year. The bank's total assets stood at BRL 915.2 billion at the end of 2020.

“Our purpose is to help people and businesses prosper.

Our aim is to be the best open financial services platform by acting responsibly and earning the lasting loyalty of our people, customers, shareholders and communities. 

Our how: we will achieve this by being Simple, Personal and Fair in everything we do."

"We treat our employees and customers fairly and equally; we are transparent and we deliver on our promises. 

We have good relations with the various stakeholders because we understand that what is good for them is also good for Santander. 

Our culture encompasses corporate behaviours.”

Retail Banking
Residential mortgage loans, savings, investments, current accounts, credit cards, personal loans and insurance for individuals and small.

Corporate & Commercial Banking
Product and services including loans, bank accounts, deposits, treasury services, trade and asset finance for SME and corporate customers.

Corporate & Investment Banking
Tailored services and solutions for corporate clients.