Operating profit across the whole of Santander Group rose 1.6% to 23.6bn euros, thanks to a strong showing at its Latin American businesses in Brazil, Mexico and Chile, which now contribute half of the group's profits, and 50% growth at its small Polish subsidiary.

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Spanish banking group Santander has seen profits fall 59% after setting aside money to cover losses from the collapse of Spain's property market.

BBC: Santander profits hit by Spain bad loans

Other lenders to offer similar deals were the RBS group (including NatWest), Santander and the Nationwide.

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Meanwhile, the RBS-led consortium of three banks - RBS, Belgian-Dutch group Fortis and Spain's Santander - are still considering their position, Fortis chairman Maurice Lippens said.

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The group also includes Spain's Banco Santander and Belgium's Fortis.

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Inditex Group (you may know them better as Zara) and Banco Santander both made the list and both showed growth on value.

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The statement came three weeks after the ELN kidnapped a group of employees of an international mining firm, also in Norte de Santander province.

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