Deals of the year 2007: Santander’s Italian disposal is the Real deal

The bank played a masterstroke by recouping almost half the outlay for its share of ABN Amro before the sale had gone through – and keeping the prized assets.

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Deal: €9 billion sale of Banca Antonveneta Acquirer: Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (lead adviser: Merrill Lynch)
Seller: Santander (financial adviser: NM Rothschild)
Date: November 2007

Emilio Botín, Santander


Emilio Botín, Santander: even the great dealmaker surpassed himself

Banking is about making deals. In 2007, one deal caught the attention of the market more than any other: the battle for Dutch banking group ABN Amro.

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