Sabadell’s Defensive Play: Selling TSB Amid BBVA Pressure

Spanish bank Sabadell is making a significant defensive play by selling its UK subsidiary, TSB, to Santander for £2.65 billion. This strategic move comes as Sabadell faces intense pressure from an €11 billion (£9.4 billion) hostile takeover bid launched by its rival, BBVA.
The announcement of the proposed acquisition has immediately raised concerns in the UK banking sector, with fears of job cuts among TSB’s 5,000 employees and widespread branch closures. Santander will now face the challenge of integrating TSB’s operations while minimizing disruption.
If approved by Sabadell’s shareholders, this would mark the third major ownership change for TSB in just over a decade, highlighting a period of chronic instability for the bank. Its tumultuous journey includes being hived off from Lloyds following the financial crisis and its subsequent acquisition by Sabadell.
While Sabadell’s move is clearly defensive, Santander’s executive chair, Ana Botín, views the acquisition as a strategic opportunity to strengthen their UK presence. However, the future of the TSB brand, a fixture on the UK high street for 215 years, remains uncertain, adding to the anxieties surrounding the merger.