27th Jan 2005 07:00
Banco Santander Central Hispano SA27 January 2005 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITEDSTATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Statement by Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. ("Banco Santander") regardingthe placing of ordinary shares in The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc ("RBS")by Banco Santander Banco Santander announces that Merrill Lynch International has been instructedto place, on its behalf, up to 81,593,126 ordinary shares of 25p each in RBSwith institutional investors representing all of its remaining shareholding inRBS. The shares being placed represent up to approximately 2.57 per cent. of theissued ordinary share capital of RBS. Banco Santander will use the proceeds ofthe placing for general corporate purposes. A further announcement will be madein due course on completion of the placing. The securities referenced herein have not been and will not be registered underthe U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may notbe offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of,U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from theregistration requirements of the Securities Act. This announcement does notconstitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States or in any otherjurisdiction. Enquiries: Banco Santander: Keith Grant + (34) 91 289 5206 Peter Greiff (Head of International Media) + (34) 91 289 5207 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
RBS.L