Spain's biggest bank, Banco Santander, has acquired a section of the car loans portfolio of British bank HSBC for US$904 million and will manage HSBC's US portfolio, worth US$ 6.7 billion through the payment of commission. Consumer credit is an expanding area for Banco Santander. With €56.9 billion of assets at 31 December 2008, 8 000 employees and 12 million customers in 17 countries, Banco Santander Finance made profits of €377 million in 2009, down 26% on 2008. (I.L./transl.fl)