The Spanish bank has plans to put 20 per cent of Santander UK on the stock market. The move could see them raise a potential £3 Billion.

The monies raised from the floatation that includes Abbey, the high street lender, would be used to fund more acquisitions.

Santander is on the verge of buying a portfolio of 318 UK branches from Royal Bank of Scotland. This deal is estimated to be worth £1.8 billion.

The UK is one of Santander’s strongest divisions. The business has increased its share of mortgages and savings accounts in the past year and reported profit growth of 15 per cent in the first quarter.

It is also one of the most efficient UK banking operations, with a cost-to-income ratio that is far less than its rivals.