Present from Spain

Published on Thursday 25 January 2007 00:37

STAFF at high street bank Abbey are to share in a £16 million birthday present from the group's Spanish owner, Santander.

Some 17,000 workers based in the UK will receive free shares worth 930 to mark the Spanish firm's 150th anniversary.

All staff employed at the time of the company's annual shareholder meeting in June will qualify for the handout. About 130,000 staff are set to benefit worldwide.

Shares in the Spanish group have increased by almost 50 per cent since its 9 billion-plus takeover of Abbey, formerly Abbey National, in 2004.