Brussels, 11/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has authorised Banco de Santander Central Hispano (BSCH) to acquire two banks owned by the Portuguese group Champalimaud: Banco Totta & Açores and Credito Predial Portugues. The market share of the new venture will not exceed 11%. This operation replaces a bigger deal (in which the Spanish bank would have acquired 40% of Champalimaud, Ed.), which was authorised by the Commission last August but then fell through due to the opposition of the Portuguese Government. EUROPE would point out that this case gave rise to a conflict of competences between the Commission and Portuguese authorities. The government of this country nevertheless annulled its decision following the new agreement reached by BSCH and Mr Champalimaud.