# C_2008214EN.01001401.xml

| 22.8.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 214/14 |
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22.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 214/14

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5293 — Santander/Alliance & Leicester)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 214/07)

| 1. | On 8 August 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Banco Santander, SA (‘Banco Santander’, Spain) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Alliance & Leicester plc (‘Alliance & Leicester’, UK) by way of a scheme of arrangement and exchange of shares. |
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1.

On 8 August 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Banco Santander, SA (‘Banco Santander’, Spain) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Alliance & Leicester plc (‘Alliance & Leicester’, UK) by way of a scheme of arrangement and exchange of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for undertaking Banco Santander: retail banking, asset management, corporate and investment banking and insurance, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for undertaking Banco Santander: retail banking, asset management, corporate and investment banking and insurance,

| — | for undertaking Alliance & Leicester: financial services for personal and commercial customers. |
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for undertaking Alliance & Leicester: financial services for personal and commercial customers.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5293 — Santander/Alliance & Leicester, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5293 — Santander/Alliance & Leicester, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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