Exhibit 12.1
  1.
    
    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Abbey National plc;2.
    
    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this report;
 3.
    
    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in
this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 4.
    
    The companys other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e))
and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
 (a)
    
    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused
such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that
material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made
known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report
is being prepared;(b)
    
    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or
caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;(c)
    
    Evaluated the effectiveness of the companys disclosure controls
and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the
period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and(d)
    
    Disclosed in this report any change in the companys internal
control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the
report, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the companys internal control over financial reporting; and
 5.
    
    The companys other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most
recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the companys
auditors and the audit committee of the companys board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions):
 (a)
    
    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal
control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the companys




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ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 (b)
    
    Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the companys internal control
over financial reporting.
 Dated:  19 March 2009
    By:
    /s/ António Horta-OsórioAntónio Horta-OsórioChief Executive