Item 8.01. Other Events
On January 28, 2009, Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. ("Sovereign") announced that shareholders at a special meeting held on January 28, 2009, voted to approve the transaction by which Banco Santander, S.A. ("Santander") will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Sovereign not currently owned by Santander. A copy of the related press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits. Exhibit No. Description 99.1 Press Release, dated January 28, 2009, of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.

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Signature(s) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC

Date: January 28, 2009 By: /s/ Stacey V. Weikel Name: Stacey V. Weikel Title: Senior Vice President

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