In 2002, Grupo Santander joined the United Nations Global Compact, becoming part of the latter''s Spanish Committee. The nine principles of the Compact formed the basis of our Corporate Social Responsibility Strategic Plan on questions of human rights, labour and the environment. This Plan, presented in November 2002, is pivotal to our strategy and provides the framework for a series of Bank activities, all of which are reflected in our Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2002.

In the implementation of its Corporate Social Responsibility Plan, the Group has undertaken numerous activities. Some noteworthy examples include the creation of a Corporate Social Responsibility Department entrusted with implementation and follow-up of a Corporate Social Responsibility Report, the development of an Environmental Policy promoting the CSR among our suppliers etc.

Also worthy of mention is the investment made by our Group in socio-cultural action, which in 2002 totalled 61 million euros. This amount was equivalent to 2,7% of our net attributable income and best reflects our commitment to the community as a whole. Also in 2002, 74,2% of our investment was allocated to the university sector through three projects of maximum importance to us: The University Co-operation Agreements, the UNIVERSIA Portal and the Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library.

As a result of all this activity, we now form part of the two leading indexes in this field: Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSE 4 Good.