智通财经网·2026-02-04 09:45Core Insights - Santander Bank reported a record net profit of €14.101 billion for the fiscal year 2025, a 12% increase from the previous year, driven by an improved interest rate environment and global business transformation [1] - The bank announced a strategic acquisition plan to purchase Webster Financial Corporation for approximately $12 billion and approved a new €5 billion share buyback program [1][4] Financial Performance - In Q4, Santander's net profit reached €3.764 billion, a 15% year-on-year increase, significantly exceeding market analysts' expectations of €3.48 billion [2] - The bank's return on tangible equity (RoTE) rose to 16.3%, and earnings per share (EPS) increased by 17% to €0.91 [2] - The bank's non-performing loan (NPL) ratio improved to 2.91%, and the common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio reached a historical high of 13.5% [3] Strategic Initiatives - The acquisition of Webster Financial aims to enhance Santander's presence in the U.S. market, targeting a RoTE of over 20% by 2028 [4] - The deal will create a financial entity with total assets of $327 billion, positioning it among the top ten retail and commercial banks in the U.S. [4] - Santander's strategy includes expanding its footprint in growth markets while reducing operations in certain European countries [5][7] Market Position and Future Outlook - Santander plans to achieve mid-single-digit revenue growth and aims to lower costs in constant euros [3] - The bank is actively pursuing the acquisition of TSB in the UK, with funding partially sourced from the sale of its stake in the Polish subsidiary [6] - Analysts suggest that the combination of Santander's consumer finance business with Webster's commercial banking operations will significantly enhance its scale in the region [10]