Our history

We’re a bank that evolves and innovates, as we focus on becoming the best bank in the UK for customers. We launched in the UK in 2010, bringing together businesses with a centuries' long history of helping customers manage their money - saving for their future and buying their own homes. We are part of one of the world’s biggest banking groups, Banco Santander, founded in 1857 with a presence in nine key markets in Europe and America. 

The history of Santander in the UK

2026 

TSB Acquisition

Santander completes the £2.65 billion acquisition of TSB, representing the single largest investment in the UK banking sector for over 15 years

 

2023

OneApp

Santander UK rolls out OneApp, a new global mobile banking platform devised by Banco Santander to provide more personal, relevant and seamless banking

2020

Financial education

Santander launches The Numbers Game, its first initiative in a long-term partnership with educational platform, Twinkl, supporting more than 3.5 million students and 8,300 UK schools to date

2019

Work Cafes 

We open our first UK Work Cafe on Park Row, Leeds as part of Santander Group’s vision to reinvent how we bring high street banking to customers, with 230 work cafes worldwide

2015

Santander Cycles

Santander UK becomes the title sponsor of TFL's bicycle hire scheme in London

2014

Operating structure 

Santander UK Group Holdings plc established as subsidiary of Banco Santander as a holding company for Santander UK and its subsidiaries. The new operating structure, creating a single point of entry in case of resolution 

2012

1|2|3 world launches

1|2|3 World suite of products was launched – revolutionising UK banking by introducing cashback on household bills with the current account – embodying our vision of Simple, Personal and Fair banking for all 

2011

Santander X awards

The flagship entrepreneurship pitching competition, Santander X UK awards launches, to help entrepreneurs accelerate their business growth - with more than£1.2 million in equity free funding since launch 

2010

Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley rebranded as Santander UK

Cahoot, becomes part of Santander UK but continues to operate as a separate, internet only brand. Cater Allen Private Bank remains a separate, wholly owned, subsidiary of Santander

Santander Corporate and Commercial Bank is retained as a specialist business services provider.

2009

Alliance & Leicester acquisition

Alliance & Leicester plc transferred to Santander UK plc (acquired by Banco Santander, S.A. in 2008)

2008

Bradford & Bingley acquisition 

Bradford & Bingley savings business and branches acquired by Santander UK plc

2004

Abbey National acquisition 

Abbey National plc, and it’s associated brands Cater Allen and cahoot acquired by Banco Santander, SA

1992 - 2002

Building Santander UK

Multiple acquisitions take place with the expansion of Abbey National into other areas of banking, with brands acquired including Scottish Mutual, Cater Allen, Lombard and Scottish Provident, alongside the merger with National and Provincial Building Society and the launch of cahoot, an online-only bank in 2000

1989

After banking laws were changed in mid-80s, Abbey National became the first building society in the UK to demutualise, with listing on the London Stock Exchange completed in 1989

1944

Abbey National Building Society formed with the merger of two building societies; Abbey Road Building Society and National Building Society

1874

Abbey Road & St. John's Wood Permanent Benefit Building Society established to use savings of members to provide mortgages for building their own homes

1849

National Freehold Land and Building Society established aimed at securing voting rights by selling shares and using proceeds to buy land on the outskirts of London

2026 

TSB Acquisition

Santander completes the £2.65 billion acquisition of TSB, representing the single largest investment in the UK banking sector for over 15 years

 

2023

OneApp

Santander UK rolls out OneApp, a new global mobile banking platform devised by Banco Santander to provide more personal, relevant and seamless banking

2020

Financial education

Santander launches The Numbers Game, its first initiative in a long-term partnership with educational platform, Twinkl, supporting more than 3.5 million students and 8,300 UK schools to date

2019

Work Cafes 

We open our first UK Work Cafe on Park Row, Leeds as part of Santander Group’s vision to reinvent how we bring high street banking to customers, with 230 work cafes worldwide

2015

Santander Cycles

Santander UK becomes the title sponsor of TFL's bicycle hire scheme in London

2014

Operating structure 

Santander UK Group Holdings plc established as subsidiary of Banco Santander as a holding company for Santander UK and its subsidiaries. The new operating structure, creating a single point of entry in case of resolution 

2012

1|2|3 world launches

1|2|3 World suite of products was launched – revolutionising UK banking by introducing cashback on household bills with the current account – embodying our vision of Simple, Personal and Fair banking for all 

2011

Santander X awards

The flagship entrepreneurship pitching competition, Santander X UK awards launches, to help entrepreneurs accelerate their business growth - with more than£1.2 million in equity free funding since launch 

2010

Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley rebranded as Santander UK

Cahoot, becomes part of Santander UK but continues to operate as a separate, internet only brand. Cater Allen Private Bank remains a separate, wholly owned, subsidiary of Santander

Santander Corporate and Commercial Bank is retained as a specialist business services provider.

2009

Alliance & Leicester acquisition

Alliance & Leicester plc transferred to Santander UK plc (acquired by Banco Santander, S.A. in 2008)

2008

Bradford & Bingley acquisition 

Bradford & Bingley savings business and branches acquired by Santander UK plc

2004

Abbey National acquisition 

Abbey National plc, and it’s associated brands Cater Allen and cahoot acquired by Banco Santander, SA

1992 - 2002

Building Santander UK

Multiple acquisitions take place with the expansion of Abbey National into other areas of banking, with brands acquired including Scottish Mutual, Cater Allen, Lombard and Scottish Provident, alongside the merger with National and Provincial Building Society and the launch of cahoot, an online-only bank in 2000

1989

After banking laws were changed in mid-80s, Abbey National became the first building society in the UK to demutualise, with listing on the London Stock Exchange completed in 1989

1944

Abbey National Building Society formed with the merger of two building societies; Abbey Road Building Society and National Building Society

1874

Abbey Road & St. John's Wood Permanent Benefit Building Society established to use savings of members to provide mortgages for building their own homes

1849

National Freehold Land and Building Society established aimed at securing voting rights by selling shares and using proceeds to buy land on the outskirts of London