At an announcement ceremony in Valencia, Spain, the Host City for the 32nd America's Cup, Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of AC Management welcomed Grupo Santander to the America's Cup.

Grupo Santander is Spain's leading bank, and the second largest financial institution in the Euro zone. Its businesses throughout Europe and Latin America employ over 100 000 people and in 2003, the group posted a Euros 2.61 billion profit.

The Group is a leader in the retail banking sector and continues to grow in all the markets in which it operates.

Grupo Santander joins official partner Endesa and Louis Vuitton, the principal partner, in supporting the 32nd America's Cup.

"As with the yacht America in 1851, we have found a way to pass our competitors," said Alfredo Sáenz, Second Vice-Chairman and CEO of Grupo Santander. "In our case, instead of navigating by the stars, we have been guided by four values. Dynamism, strength, innovation, and leadership are our corporate values and I think they are also the common values of the America's Cup."

Grupo Santander will also enjoy a significant birthday in 2007. It was in 1857 when the Banco Santander was first incorporated in Spain. Grupo Santander will thus be celebrating its 150th Jubilee during the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia.