Being different is critical.
We didn't invent gunpowder. What we did was take things that were there and put them together in a way that works.
When times are tough, we tend to outperform as margins increase.
I didn't join a bank because my father worked in a bank or because I thought I was going to be a banker or because I thought I was going to be where I am today.
If the government is funding itself at 2 per cent, you know, how much are you going to pay savers if you want to lend money at a cheaper rate? People have the incentive to build a factory or open new stores. It is a trade-off.
Other things equal, we should give a chance to women. That's what I try to do.
I am confident that our experience, our scale, our intimate knowledge of the needs of our customers put us on the front line of economic and social progress.
You are not going to get married through technology. You are not going to buy a house through technology.
I don't think of us as defending ourselves. I think of us as a challenger, an attacker.
Discretion is the most important thing for a banker. That is the philosophy of the family... I mean, of the bank.
I want the best people, not just on the banking side but on innovation and technology.
Everybody has their own style.
It's true that I'm always happy to walk away.
It has to be convenient. You have to be able to bank with me anytime.
I think cash will be around for a long time.
I think of digital as a means to an end: How do I service and get more loyal customers, how do I achieve operational excellence, and how do I change my culture?
We need to change how we run banks. We need to change the culture. If we get it right, we can have a huge impact.
I have a very, very difficult job.
I wanted to be a journalist. The other thing I wanted to be was a spy.
I would love it if you became a Santander customer.
