Banco Santander Central Hispano's plan to issue £250m of 10 year lower tier two debt was disturbed this week as, despite solid earnings and an impressive management record, the Spanish bank's spreads widened relative to its sector on the back of negative sentiment towards Argentina. BSCH (Aa3/A+) was formed by last year's merger between Santander and Banco Central Hispanoamericano. The bank's asset quality is said by analysts to be solid, and it has a well developed network of European cross-holdings, but its Latin American operations constitute greater risk exposure than its European holdings.
November 10, 2000