Santander has cemented its position as the leading bank for SMEs in Spain, delivering tailored financial solutions, digital innovations, and specialized support to over 416,000 businesses. With a strong focus on sustainability, internationalization, and business growth, Santander continues to drive the SME sector forward—providing not just banking, but a true partnership for success.
"At Santander, we are dedicated to being the leading bank for SMEs in Spain. We currently hold a 25% market share, supporting the growth of over 416,000 SMEs and building long-lasting relationships with them."
How would you describe your bank’s role in the SMEs business journey considering their importance in the economy?
To give rise to Banco Santander's mission of contributing to the progress of people and companies, in order to generate sustainable value for shareholders and society, we offer a comprehensive and specialized offering for our SMEs and Companies. In 2024 our customer base grew by 21,900 (+5%) and we allocated more than €69 billion to SME financing, being market leaders in ICO loans in 2024 with a share of 39%. Under Valencia Dana catastrophe, we surpassed more than 100M€ instant aids (with further applications being processed), being recognized as the bank that supports the business industry.
All abovementioned, while maintaining in 2024 top 1 position in the Stiga NPS ranking in Spain, surpassing BBVA
Why do you think your bank deserves to be awarded the SME Bank of the Year?
In the 5 pillars we upheld as our strategy to boost business growth:
- Specialization and expertise, offering a model based on proximity and covering the daily and most complex needs of clients (we have more than 1,400 SME Relationship Managers in our commercial network and 152 specialised branches to serve our customers)
- Digital driven solutions, offering best-in-class, simple and accessible tools that help in the digitalization process of our clients.
- Internationalization, supporting companies in their international expansion. (We are the leading bank for SMEs in International Business in financing, collections and payments and currency exchange, with a team of 152 specialists in Spain, supporting 178,000 companies and 36,000 SMEs in their internationalization process):
- Sustainability focus: Our main priority is to help our customers in their sustainable transition.
- Training and non-financial offering, driving business growth through development and offering to their employees.
"To give rise to Banco Santander's mission of contributing to the progress of people and companies, we offer a comprehensive and specialized offering for our SMEs and Companies. In 2024, our customer base grew by 21,900 (+5%) and we allocated more than €69 billion to SME financing, being market leaders in ICO loans with a 39% share."
Briefly highlight the top three projects or achievements your bank has delivered for SME customers in the past 18 months.
Specialization
Santander Growth: Santander offers investment banking capabilities and alternative financing to Companies and SMEs through Santander Growth. We have the biggest team in Spain, including local specialist that provide advice close to our clients. This service is especially valuable for high-growth companies, which can have access to financing via debt or even equity, adapted according to their size and moment in the life cycle. In the case of SMEs, good examples of that are Smart Fund, Tresmares Capital or Green Finance. We also have specific value proposal for Startups and Scaleups, with more that €150 million invested through our own Venture Debt and also through Trainera Venture Fund.
Digital driven solutions
Santander has developed solutions such as:
- Santander Key, biometric signature to improve onboarding processes in digital channels.
- Self-service and omnichannel: We increased self-service factoring and confirming. We developed omnichannel contracting of basic asset products (loans, credits and trade) and Investment Funds.
- Direct access to Santander X for talent management solutions and training of employees of our clients and non-clients Companies.
- International trade Traker, which allows SMEs to trace where their payments and merchandise are located.
- Next-Generation Funds platform (which is embedded in our website and APP) and it is already used by +30k SMEs.
Internationalization
Key highlights:
- International Desk, where we offer coverage in all the countries in which they operate and we give support to foreign multinationals that establish themselves in Spain.
- Digital Onboarding Hub, from where we advise them throughout the process of starting commercial relations with Santander.
- Merchandise tracking service and International transfers, a new functionality developed thanks to the collaboration with PagoNxt.
- In addition, we continue to complete the digital capabilities with the FX Platform for both individuals and legal entities for currency management
Sustainability focus
Actions taken:
- We have offered dedicated purpose loans for green investments, Sustainability Linked Loans and being consistently leader in renewable energy for the past 10 years. In 2024, we adhered to Green MRR ICO Line to promote sustainable investments.
- Taken part in EIB Green Gateway Advisory Programme.
- Joined the Industry Transition and Energy Initiative, focus on reindustrialization and competitiveness though energy transition.
- Provided non-financial solutions: carbon footprint calculator and compensation for individuals and SMEs, platform to search and apply for Next Gen EU funds.
- Partnership with CBRE on decarbonisation of real estate assets.
- Guiding to help our customers meet sustainability reporting regulations...etc
- Agricultural Business Support, where Santander dedicates 5.3 billion to financing the Spanish Agro sector in 2024 (+23% more than previous year reaching more than than 425,000 farmer and rancher clients.
Training and non-financial offering through:
- Santander X aims to support SMEs, startups/scaleups and entrepreneurs by providing them with tools to accelerate growth and transformation at all stages of their life cycle. Santander X's value proposition adapts to the needs of each company by offering a personalized offer that includes +1000 training programs, events, challenges (with financial prizes), benefits and discounts. In 2024 we reached an important milestone by integrating this platform with the Business app, allowing our clients to directly access all this non-financial offering.
- In addition, to boost the non-financial and digital offering to companies, we have launched innovative initiatives such as HR management with solutions like Factorial (HR software for hiring/terminating employees, managing contracts, shifts, vacations, expenses, performance, climate surveys, internal communication) or Cobee (flexible compensation platform for employees of client companies, enriching their value proposition), among others.
- Santander facilitates networking opportunities between businesses and entrepreneurs, with the Work Café network, enriching traditional branches offering with non-financial value proposition and specialized approach.
