I worked for A & L for 15 years and left 5 years ago. There was probably a lot they could have done to save money then and run the company more profitably -however, customer service run by the Spanish does not inspire me at all.

Jan Hunt, Lancing, England

As I did not sign to have my mortgage with Santander, will i be offered any compensation, after all ,I took my mortgage with Alliance and leicester?

Mandy, Southport, England

Santander certainly not a company to participate with, A&L are strugggling as so many others, why sell out, just an easy option yet again. The losers, us!. Calling the governing bodies to stop this immediately.

A Slee, West Wycombe Village, Britian

I've only just switched my current account to A&L FROM Abbey; due to the appalling customer service since Santander took over. As soon as this deal nears completion I'm switching elsewhere!!

David, London,

Spain 12-UK 0.

Next deal: Gibraltar.

Fernando, Barcelona, Spain

I don't think A & L had any choice. Abbey are providing additional capital of £1bn - where else would A & L have got this? And I don't think their assets are anything like as good as they'd have us believe, so expect big losses in the future.
Can't imagine any other bank would be interested in this

Keith, Loughborough, England

Yes Dave. The governing bodies will allow it.
Abbey was prevented from ammalgamating with Lloyds but allowed to go with Santander.
The person responsible for that is now on the board of HBOS.
Believe me I'm worried.

RW, Guildford, Uk

We have been fleeced of our mutuals who were the backbone of mortgage lending. A few quid in a few hands and a few shares for every investor - it is all wrapped up in a Spanish bank. The carpet baggers who made fortunes should be put in old fashioned stocks and have rubbish thrown at them.
Ned

Ned, Glossop, Derbyshire

This Values A&L cheaply, lets not forget Santander cut lots of jobs at Abbey and that was without a UK presence. Now they have Abbey how much of A&L with go 50%? They just want the customers, balances and mortgage book, plus a few branches

Joe , chester, UK

I do not know how the Santander became so successful, I tried to place a straightforward mortgage case with them, it got held up for weeks, I almost lost the house I wanted to buy and had to switch to another Bank. Their administration is absolutely dreadful. thank god I left!

Dino, Spain,

Santander is Spain's biggest bank? What about the BBVA?

Arnold, Birmingham, UK

Suddenly AL share's are worth far more than the market price so Santander can spot the value in AL share's but not London analyst who have been only to happy to rubbish all the banking sector. So with good luck AL shareholders will get £3.20 per share but their company will be Spanish not British.

Dave, Mold, UK

Dave of Leeds has highlighted a big issue with many recent sales of UK assets to mainland Europe. The regulatory body will not allow development of UK "giants" by amalgamation. But selling off the resulting weaker and smaller parts to enable our "European friends" to build their giants is OK.

D.L. Stephens, York, England

Andrew, Orpington

Given the mess A & L are in and struggling to raise money, do you seriously think they are well run?

Patrick Bateman, London,

... did no-one expect the Spanish acquisition ?

Phil , London ,

Fantastic!

I leave Abbey who have the worse customer service ever and now it looks like I'll have to change bank again.

Indian call centres, money dissapearing out your account then appearing again...take note fellow A&L customers...

Andrew, Orpington, UK

Santander are also in the process of buying GE Money UK and Irish credit book for something like 1.3billion which includes the majority of the UK credit card market

Will the governing bodies allow this sale?

Dave, Leeds, UK

Excellent move . Avoids A&L going through a rights issue, and Santander gets a well run little bank for 1/4 of last years price. Only downer is for the employees at branches with a nearby Abbey which will inevitably close.

This is like the leeds merger some years ago. Safe consolidation.

Roarke, wembley, uk

'Cos the Spanish are good at the mortgage and property valuation business....... Ha!

Jimbo, London,

Spain twelve points!

torrebrunito, Barcelona, Spain