Banco Santander has been recognized as the World's Best Bank by Euromoney in its 2026 Awards for Excellence. This accolade highlights the bank's transformation into a more streamlined, robust, and interconnected global entity, supported by record-breaking financial results, disciplined capital management, and ongoing investments in technology and global platforms.
The award underscores Santander's strong performance in recent years, including the successful execution of its 2023-2025 strategy, which exceeded key investor targets and marked a fourth consecutive year of record profits. During this period, the bank expanded its customer base to 180 million worldwide. Euromoney also acknowledged Santander's ability to enhance its international presence through strategic mergers and acquisitions, as well as its continuous investment in common global platforms that improve customer experience, increase scalability, and reduce operating costs across markets.
In addition to the global recognition, Santander received several regional awards. It was named the Best Bank for Consumer Lending, reflecting the scale and transformation of its consumer finance business. Euromoney highlighted Santander's leadership in this area, supported by continued growth in lending volumes, advancements in risk modeling, digital loan origination, and its leadership in automotive finance platforms.
Furthermore, Santander was recognized as Europe's Best Bank for SMEs, Latin America's Best Retail Bank, Latin America's Best Investment Bank, and Latin America's Best Bank for ESG. At the country level, the bank received Best Bank awards in Chile, Mexico, and Portugal.
Ana Botín, Executive Chair of Banco Santander, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, "On their behalf – and on behalf of our amazing team across Europe and the Americas, who go the extra mile and do great work every day – we are proud to be recognised as the World’s Best Bank by Euromoney." She emphasized the bank's commitment to continuous improvement for customers, shareholders, and the communities it serves.
This recognition from Euromoney reflects Santander's ongoing efforts to adapt and thrive in a complex economic environment, marked by uncertainty, inflation, and regulatory changes. The bank's focus on innovation, growth, service quality, and adaptability has been pivotal in achieving this esteemed position in the global banking sector.