Company Snapshot: SOV  Print This Story  Email This Story  Save this Link View PR Newswire's RSS Feed  Blogs Discussing this News Release  Search Blogs that Mention this News Release  Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services Click this link to view linked Blogging Services


Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2006 Earnings

    PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.
("Sovereign") (NYSE: SOV), parent company of Sovereign Bank ("Bank"), today
reported for the year ended December 31, 2006 net income of $137 million,
or $.30 per share as compared to $676 million, or $1.69 per diluted share,
in 2005. Net income in 2006 included the seven-month impact of the
acquisition of Independence Community Bancorp, Inc. ("Independence"), which
closed in the second quarter of 2006. Also included in 2006 net income were
other various charges, including charges related to the recently announced
expense reduction initiative and balance sheet restructuring as well as
merger charges and additional provision for credit losses related to the
Independence acquisition. The charges related to the balance sheet
restructuring and expense management initiatives reflect a strategic shift
away from wholesale revenues and increased emphasis on improving results in
Sovereign's core consumer and commercial businesses. All charges are
detailed in the financial tables included in this release.
    For the fourth quarter of 2006, Sovereign reported a net loss of $129
million, or $(.28) per share, as compared to net income of $165 million, or
$.42 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2005. Net income in the
fourth quarter of 2006 included an additional provision for credit losses
of $192 million after-tax, or $.38 per share, related to the sale of
correspondent home equity loans; balance sheet restructuring charges of
$42.9 million after-tax, or $.08 per share; severance and restructuring
charges of $51.1 million after-tax, or $.10 per share; and merger and
integration charges of $6.9 million after-tax, or $.01 per share. Net
income in the fourth quarter of 2005 included charges related to proxy and
related professional fees of $3.8 million after-tax, or $.01 per share.
    Effective in the third quarter of 2006, Sovereign refined its
definition of operating earnings and related per share amounts to now
include the amortization of intangible assets. Sovereign believes this
definition is more commonly used in the investment community and will ease
comparability of its results with other financial institutions. A
reconciliation of net income to operating earnings, as well as the related
earnings per share amounts, is included in a later section of this release.
    Operating earnings for EPS purposes were $692 million, or $1.48 per
diluted share, in 2006 as compared to $716 million, or $1.72 per diluted
share, in 2005. Operating earnings in 2006 excluded the above-mentioned
charges. In 2005, operating earnings excluded after-tax charges related to
mergers and acquisitions, restructuring charges and proxy and related
professional fees.
    For the quarter ended December 31, 2006, Sovereign's operating earnings
for EPS purposes were $167 million, or $.33 per diluted share, which
excluded the charges mentioned above, as compared to $176 million, or $.43
per diluted share a year ago, which also excluded the above-mentioned
charges.
    Commenting on results for the full year 2006 and the fourth quarter of
2006, Joseph P. Campanelli, Sovereign's President and CEO, stated, "Last
month we announced expense reduction initiatives and a balance sheet
restructuring which we believe are major steps toward achieving the goals
announced in October to aggressively reduce costs, strengthen our capital
position, improve the customer experience and re-present our company to
investors through better communications. While these steps will enhance the
quality of our balance sheet and improve the quality of our earnings going
forward, a number of large charges were recorded during the fourth quarter
as a result of these steps, distorting our fourth quarter and full year
2006 financial results. We believe, however, that these steps reposition
Sovereign for sustainable growth in core earnings in the future."
    Net Interest Income and Margin
    For the fourth quarter of 2006, Sovereign reported net interest income
of $487 million as compared to $403 million in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Sovereign's average loan balance, including acquisitions and loans
held-for- sale, increased by $19.9 billion over last year and about $950
million on a linked quarter basis to $63.4 billion. The period end loan
portfolio decreased by approximately $590 million from third quarter
levels, reflecting the sale of approximately $455 million of multi-family
loans that settled during the quarter and planned runoff in home equity and
residential mortgage loans. This decrease was partially offset by strong
commercial loan growth. Sovereign's average core deposits, including
acquisitions, increased $8.8 billion over last year and decreased $591
million linked quarter to $36.9 billion, driven by reductions in
higher-cost categories. Period-end core deposit balances increased $290
million during the quarter to $36.3 billion, reflecting an annualized
growth rate of 3.2%, while time deposits decreased $689 million from the
previous quarter to $16.1 billion.
    Net interest margin was 2.60% for the fourth quarter of 2006 as
compared to 2.64% in the third quarter of 2006 and 3.01% in the fourth
quarter of 2005. The decline in net interest margin reflects the continued
impact of an inverted yield curve and a shift in deposit mix to higher cost
categories. The yield on interest earning assets expanded 2 basis points
during the quarter while total funding costs expanded 10 basis points
during the same period.
    As previously announced on December 21, 2006, Sovereign has taken steps
to reduce the contribution of wholesale earnings to its results by selling
loans and reducing wholesale borrowings and brokered money market accounts.
Approximately $7.2 billion of loan sales are expected to settle throughout
the first quarter of 2007; these loans have been transferred to
held-for-sale and recorded at the lower of cost or market value as of
December 31, 2006. Sovereign also expects to sell an additional $1.5
billion of multi-family loans and record a non-recurring gain in the first
quarter of 2007.
    Non-Interest Income
    Total fees and other income before security gains totaled $149 million
for the fourth quarter of 2006, down from $160 million a year ago. Included
in the period's results were $23.0 million of net special charges that are
discussed later in this release; excluding these items, non-interest income
increased 7.8% from a year ago. Consumer and commercial banking fees
increased 9.3% from a year ago, primarily a result of the Independence
acquisition, and were relatively unchanged from the third quarter of 2006.
Mortgage banking revenues for the quarter were a loss of $7.6 million,
compared to gains of $14.3 million last quarter and $26.5 million in the
same quarter a year ago. These losses were driven by two special items - a
loss of $28.2 million related to $2.9 billion of residential mortgage loans
transferred to held-for-sale, partially offset by a $5.2 million gain
related to the sale of approximately $455 million of multi-family loans.
Additionally, due to changes in prepayment speeds and interest rates during
the quarter, a $3.5 million impairment charge to increase the valuation
reserve for mortgage servicing rights was recorded.
    During the quarter, Sovereign recognized a net loss on securities of
$36.0 million, which includes a $43.0 million loss related to $1.5 billion
of investment securities that were sold and reinvested during the fourth
quarter of 2006 as part of the balance sheet restructuring. This compares
to a gain of $29.2 million in the third quarter of 2006 and a net loss on
securities of $1.3 million a year ago.
    Non-Interest Expense
    G&A expenses were $355 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, up $3.1
million or 3.5% annualized from the third quarter of 2006, primarily due to
increased marketing and legal costs. G&A expenses to average assets were
1.56% for the quarter, compared to 1.55% in the third quarter of 2006 and
1.76% a year ago. Due to the aforementioned net interest margin compression
and special charges impacting mortgage banking revenues, Sovereign's
efficiency ratio increased to 55.8% during the quarter versus 50.0% a year
ago.
    Sovereign has begun to implement several expense reduction initiatives
that were previously announced on December 15, 2006. In total Sovereign has
identified approximately $100 million of cost reductions and anticipates
that $80 million of these reductions will be reflected in the 2007 expense
base. Sovereign anticipates realizing 75% of the $100 million savings on a
run rate basis by the end of the second quarter of 2007 and 100% by the end
of 2007.
    Fourth Quarter Charges
    Several charges are reflected in Sovereign's financial statements this
quarter. These charges relate to the recently announced cost cutting and
balance sheet restructuring program, the recent retirement of certain
executives from the Company, and the Independence acquisition. Management
believes that these events are unusual in nature, and therefore has
excluded these charges from its operating earnings definition in order for
analysts and investors to obtain a clearer picture of Sovereign's earnings
stream going forward. Because these charges impact several categories of
Sovereign's income statement, the following table highlights which items
management has designated as special charges, and where these charges are
reflected:
    Income Statement          Pre-tax
     Line Item            (Charge)/Benefit         Explanation

    Balance Sheet Restructuring Gain/(Loss):

    Provision for          $(296) million  Charge related to sale of $4.5
     Credit Losses                         billion correspondent home equity
                                           portfolio

    Mortgage Banking      $(28.2) million  Charge related to sale of $2.9
     Revenue                               billion residential mortgage
                                           loans
                             $5.2 million  Gain on sale of $455 million
                                           multi-family loans

    Net gain/(loss) on    $(43.0) million  Loss on sale of $1.5 billion
     sale of investments                   investment securities


    Expense Reduction Initiative and Independence Acquisition Charges:

    Other Expense         $(46.5) million  Executive management severance
                                           charges
                          $(32.2) million  Reduction in workforce and other
                                           restructuring charges
                          $(10.6) million  Merger and integration charges
                                           related to Independence


    Additionally, net charge-offs were impacted by the balance sheet
    restructuring as follows:

    Net Charge-offs      $(389.6) million  $382.5 million net charge-off
                                           related to sale of $4.5 billion
                                           correspondent home equity
                                           portfolio
                                           $7.1 million net charge-off
                                           related to sale of $2.0 billion
                                           residential mortgage loans

    Asset Quality
    Recent strategic decisions to reduce exposures to wholesale assets
impacted certain credit quality statistics for the quarter. Annualized net
charge-offs were 2.75% of average loans for the fourth quarter, compared to
.23% in the third quarter of 2006 and .21% a year ago. In dollars, net
charge-offs were $436.0 million in the fourth quarter versus $35.3 million
in the third quarter and $23.2 million a year ago. Included in net
charge-offs during the quarter were the credit charges related to $4.5
billion of correspondent home equity loans and $2.9 billion of residential
mortgage loans, in the amount of $382.5 million and $7.1 million,
respectively. Excluding these special charges, net charge-offs were .29% of
average loans. Also included during the fourth quarter were $13.0 million
of charge-offs related to the correspondent home equity portfolio prior to
its held-for-sale designation and a $14.0 million charge-off related to one
commercial credit, which in total impacted the fourth quarter net
charge-off rate by 17 basis points.
    Non-performing loans to total loans held for investment decreased two
basis points from third quarter levels to .35%. Non-performing loans
decreased by $38.9 million from last quarter to $193.9 million. The
allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans was 251% at December
31, 2006, as compared to 240% at September 30, 2006 and 231% at December
31, 2005.
    Sovereign's provision for credit losses was $366 million this quarter,
compared to $45.0 million in the third quarter of 2006 and $26.0 million in
the fourth quarter of 2005. As discussed earlier, the provision for credit
losses was higher during the recent quarter by $296 million due to special
charges related to the pending sale of the correspondent home equity
portfolio.
    Capital
    Sovereign's capital ratios at December 31, 2006 reflect the charges
related to the balance sheet restructuring and expense reduction
initiative; however, the reduction in Sovereign's total assets will not be
reflected until the loan sales settle in the first quarter of 2007.
Sovereign's Tier 1 leverage ratio was 5.73% at December 31, 2006. Tangible
equity to tangible assets, which includes preferred stock, was 3.78%
excluding other comprehensive income ("OCI") and was 3.73% including OCI.
Tangible common equity to tangible assets, excluding other comprehensive
income ("OCI") was 3.55% and including OCI was 3.50%. The equity to assets
ratio was 9.65% at December 31, 2006. Sovereign Bank's Tier 1 leverage
ratio was 6.21% and the Bank's total risk-based capital ratio was 10.08% at
December 31, 2006.
    About Sovereign
    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., ("Sovereign") (NYSE: SOV), the parent company
of Sovereign Bank, is a $90 billion financial institution with nearly 800
community banking offices, over 2,000 ATMs and approximately 12,000 team
members with principal markets in the Northeast United States. Sovereign
offers a broad array of financial services and products including retail
banking, business and corporate banking, cash management, capital markets,
wealth management and insurance. Sovereign is the 17th largest banking
institution in the United States. For more information on Sovereign Bank,
visit http://www.sovereignbank.com or call 1-877-SOV-BANK.
    Investors, analysts and other interested parties will have the
opportunity to listen to a live web-cast of Sovereign's Fourth Quarter 2006
earnings call on Thursday, January 18 beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET at
http://www.sovereignbank.com >Investor Relations >News >Conference
Calls/Webcasts; or http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-
eventDetails&c=67999&eventID=1454100. International parties are invited to
dial into the conference call at 706-679-7706. The webcast and replay can
be accessed anytime from 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, January 18, 2007 through
12:00 a.m. ET on April 18, 2007. Questions may be submitted during the call
via email accessible from Sovereign Bancorp's broadcast and Investor
Relations sites. A telephone replay will be accessible from 11:00 a.m. ET
on Thursday, January 18, 2007 through 12:00 a.m. ET (midnight) on Monday,
January 29, 2007 by dialing 1-800-642-1687, confirmation id #5934673.
    Note:
    This press release contains financial information determined by methods
other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
("GAAP"). Sovereign's management uses the non-GAAP measure of Operating
Earnings, and the related per share amount, in their analysis of the
company's performance. This measure, as used by Sovereign, adjusts net
income determined in accordance with GAAP to exclude the effects of special
items, including significant gains or losses that are unusual in nature or
are associated with acquiring and integrating businesses. Operating
earnings for 2005 and 2006 EPS purposes represent net income adjusted for
the after-tax effects of merger-related and integration charges, certain
restructuring charges, other-than-temporary impairment charges on Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac preferred equity securities and proxy and related
professional fees. Since certain of these items and their impact on
Sovereign's performance are difficult to predict, management believes
presentations of financial measures excluding the impact of these items
provide useful supplemental information in evaluating the operating results
of Sovereign's core businesses. These disclosures should not be viewed as a
substitute for net income determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they
necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be
presented by other companies.
    This press release contains statements of Sovereign's strategies,
plans, and objectives, as well as estimates of financial condition,
operating and cash efficiencies and revenue generation. These statements
and estimates constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which involve
significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially
from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors
that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, general
economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand,
real estate values and competition; changes in accounting principles,
policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; Sovereign's
ability in connection with any acquisition to complete such acquisition and
to successfully integrate assets, liabilities, customers, systems and
management personnel Sovereign acquires into its operations and to realize
expected cost savings and revenue enhancements within expected time frame;
the possibility that expected one time merger-related charges are
materially greater than forecasted or that final purchase price allocations
based on the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities and related
adjustments to yield and/or amortization of the acquired assets and
liabilities at any acquisition date are materially different from those
forecasted; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and
technological factors affecting the Company's operations, integrations,
pricing, products and services; and acts of God, including natural
disasters.
    Sovereign Bancorp is followed by several market analysts. Please note
that any opinions, estimates, forecasts, or predictions regarding Sovereign
Bancorp's performance or recommendations regarding Sovereign's securities
made by these analysts are theirs alone and do not represent opinions,
estimates, forecasts, predictions or recommendations of Sovereign Bancorp
or its management. Sovereign Bancorp does not by its reference to any
analyst opinions, estimates, forecasts regarding Sovereign's performance or
recommendations regarding Sovereign's securities imply Sovereign's
endorsement of or concurrence with such information, conclusions or
recommendations.
    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
    (unaudited)
                                                   Quarter Ended

                                      Dec. 31 Sept. 30 June 30 Mar. 31 Dec. 31
                                       2006     2006    2006    2006    2005
    (dollars in millions, except
     per share data)

    Operating Data

    Net income (loss)                 $(129.4) $184.0  $(59.1) $141.4  $165.5
    Net income (loss) for EPS
     purposes                          (133.1)  188.5   (61.5)  147.7   171.8
    Operating earnings for EPS
     purposes (1)                       166.6   207.0   163.2   155.2   175.6
    Net interest income                 487.0   491.8   438.8   404.0   403.2
    Provision for credit losses (6)     366.0    45.0    44.5    29.0    26.0
    Total fees and other income
     before securities transactions
     (7)                                149.4   171.9   142.0   134.3   159.9
    Net gain (loss) on investment
     securities (8)                     (36.1)   29.2  (305.0)    0.0    (1.3)
    G&A expense                         354.9   351.8   303.3   280.0   281.8
    Other expenses (9)                  134.5    75.3    58.9    44.8    40.0

    Performance Statistics

    Bancorp

    Net interest margin                 2.60%   2.64%   2.86%   3.00%   3.01%
    Return on average assets           -0.57%   0.81%  -0.32%   0.90%   1.03%
    Operating return on average
     assets  (1)                        0.73%   0.91%   0.89%   0.98%   1.10%
    Return on average equity           -5.82%   8.47%  -3.54%   9.72%  11.49%
    Operating return on average
     equity  (1)                        7.49%   9.52%   9.77%  10.68%  12.20%
    Return on average tangible equity -15.54%  23.72%  -8.16%  19.29%  23.67%
    Operating return on average
     tangible equity (1)               20.00%  26.68%  22.54%  21.18%  25.12%
    Annualized net loan charge-offs
     to average loans (10)              2.75%   0.23%   0.23%   0.26%   0.21%
    G & A expense to average assets     1.56%   1.55%   1.66%   1.77%   1.76%
    Efficiency ratio  (3)              55.77%  53.01%  52.22%  52.01%  50.04%

    Per Share Data

    Basic earnings (loss) per share
     (2)                               $(0.28)  $0.39  $(0.15)  $0.38   $0.44
    Diluted earnings (loss) per share
     (2)                                (0.28)   0.37   (0.15)   0.36    0.42
    Operating earnings per share (1)
     (2)                                 0.33    0.41    0.37    0.38    0.43
    Dividend declared per share         0.080   0.080   0.080   0.060   0.060
    Common book value  (4)              17.83   18.07   17.50   16.42   16.21
    Common stock price:
      High                             $25.90  $21.60  $21.76  $21.53  $22.37
      Low                               21.27   20.07   20.19   19.57   19.65
      Close                             25.39   21.51   20.31   20.87   20.59
    Weighted average common shares:
     (2)
      Basic                             473.4   472.4   412.0   376.9   375.6
      Diluted (5)                       473.4   506.1   412.0   410.4   409.6
    End-of-period common shares:
      Basic                             473.8   472.6   471.8   359.3   358.4
      Diluted                           508.7   506.5   505.5   391.1   390.5

    NOTES:

    (1) Operating earnings represent net income excluding the after-tax
    effects of certain items, such as significant gains or losses that are
    unusual in nature or are associated with acquiring or integrating
    businesses, and certain other charges.  See page H and I for a
    reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP measures.
    (2) Prior period earnings per share and weighted average common shares
    have been restated to reflect the 5% stock dividend paid to shareholders
    of record on June 15, 2006.
    (3) Efficiency ratio equals general and administrative expense as a
    percentage of total revenue, defined as the sum of net interest income and
    total fees and other income before securities transactions.
    (4) Common book value equals common stockholders' equity at period-end
    divided by common shares outstanding.
    (5) Diluted and basic average common shares outstanding are the same for
    the fourth and second quarters of 2006 due to the net loss reported for
    the period.
    (6) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a lower of cost or market
    adjustment on the correspondent home equity portfolio held for sale of
    $296 million.
    (7) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a net lower of cost or market
    adjustment associated with the residential loan portfolio held for sale of
    $28.2 million.
    (8) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a loss of $43 million associated
    with the sale of $1.5 billion of CMO investments.
    (9) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes $78.7 million of severance and
    restructuring charges.
    (10) Charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2006 include $389.5 million of
    charge-offs related to the lower of cost or market valuation adjustments
    recorded for correspondent home equity and residential loan portfolios
    that are held for sale as well as a $14 million charge-off on a large
    commercial loan.


                                                         Year to Date

                                                  Dec. 31            Dec. 31
                                                   2006               2005
    (dollars in millions, except
     per share data)

    Operating Data

    Net income (loss)                               $136.9             $676.2
    Net income (loss) for EPS purposes               129.0              701.6
    Operating earnings for EPS purposes
     (1)                                             692.0              716.2
    Net interest income                            1,821.6            1,632.1
    Provision for credit losses (6)                  484.5               90.0
    Total fees and other income before
     securities transactions (7)                     597.5              591.0
    Net gain (loss) on investment
     securities (8)                                 (312.0)              11.7
    G&A expense                                    1,290.0            1,089.2
    Other expenses (9)                               313.5              163.4

    Performance Statistics

    Bancorp

    Net interest margin                              2.75%              3.17%
    Return on average assets                         0.17%              1.11%
    Operating return on average assets
     (1)                                             0.87%              1.18%
    Return on average equity                         1.82%             11.92%
    Operating return on average equity
     (1)                                             9.20%             12.62%
    Return on average tangible equity                4.46%             24.52%
    Operating return on average tangible
     equity (1)                                     22.55%             25.97%
    Annualized net loan charge-offs to
     average loans (10)                              0.96%              0.20%
    G & A expense to average assets                  1.62%              1.79%
    Efficiency ratio  (3)                           53.33%             49.00%

    Per Share Data

    Basic earnings (loss) per share (2)              $0.30              $1.77
    Diluted earnings (loss) per share
     (2)                                              0.30               1.69
    Operating earnings per share (1) (2)              1.48               1.72
    Dividend declared per share                      0.300              0.170
    Common book value  (4)                           17.83              16.21
    Common stock price:
      High                                          $25.90             $23.54
      Low                                            19.57              19.17
      Close                                          25.39              20.59
    Weighted average common shares: (2)
      Basic                                          433.9              381.8
      Diluted (5)                                    433.9              416.0
    End-of-period common shares:
      Basic                                          473.8              358.4
      Diluted                                        508.7              390.5

    NOTES:

    (1) Operating earnings represent net income excluding the after-tax
    effects of certain items, such as significant gains or losses that are
    unusual in nature or are associated with acquiring or integrating
    businesses, and certain other charges.  See page H and I for a
    reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP measures.
    (2) Prior period earnings per share and weighted average common shares
    have been restated to reflect the 5% stock dividend paid to shareholders
    of record on June 15, 2006.
    (3) Efficiency ratio equals general and administrative expense as a
    percentage of total revenue, defined as the sum of net interest income and
    total fees and other income before securities transactions.
    (4) Common book value equals common stockholders' equity at period-end
    divided by common shares outstanding.
    (5) Diluted and basic average common shares outstanding are the same for
    the fourth and second quarters of 2006 due to the net loss reported for
    the period.
    (6) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a lower of cost or market
    adjustment on the correspondent home equity portfolio held for sale of
    $296 million.
    (7) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a net lower of cost or market
    adjustment associated with the residential loan portfolio held for sale of
    $28.2 million.
    (8) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a loss of $43 million associated
    with the sale of $1.5 billion of CMO investments.
    (9) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes $78.7 million of severance and
    restructuring charges.
    (10) Charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2006 include $389.5 million of
    charge-offs related to the lower of cost or market valuation adjustments
    recorded for correspondent home equity and residential loan portfolios
    that are held for sale as well as a $14 million charge-off on a large
    commercial loan.



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
    (unaudited)
                                               Quarter Ended

                                Dec. 31 Sept. 30  June 30  Mar. 31  Dec. 31
                                 2006     2006     2006     2006     2005
    (dollars in millions)

    Financial Condition Data:

    General
      Total assets              $89,642  $90,410  $88,753  $65,060  $63,679
      Loans held for investment  55,385   63,178   61,610   45,164   43,804
      Total deposits and
       customer related
       accounts:                 52,385   52,784   52,592   38,820   37,978
        Core deposits and other
         customer related
         accounts                36,321   36,031   36,593   27,143   26,639
        Time deposits            16,064   16,753   15,999   11,678   11,339
      Borrowings                 26,850   27,101   26,171   19,216   18,721
      Minority interests            156      210      209      206      206
      Stockholders' equity        8,644    8,734    8,451    5,900    5,811
      Goodwill                    5,005    4,990    4,930    2,715    2,717
      Core deposit and other
       intangibles                  498      533      633      197      214

    Asset Quality (1)
      Non-performing assets      $221.6   $273.1   $259.1   $200.5   $205.6
      Non-performing loans       $193.9   $232.8   $219.7   $183.5   $189.5
      Non-performing assets to
       total assets, excluding
       LHS                        0.27%    0.30%    0.29%    0.31%    0.32%
      Non-performing loans to
       loans held for
       investment                 0.35%    0.37%    0.36%    0.41%    0.43%
      Allowance for credit
       losses                    $486.3   $558.1   $551.4   $438.5   $437.8
      Allowance for credit
       losses to total loans
       held for investment        0.88%    0.88%    0.90%    0.97%    1.00%
      Allowance for credit
       losses to non-performing
       loans                       251%     240%     251%     239%     231%

    Capitalization - Bancorp
     (2)
      Stockholders' equity to
       total assets               9.64%    9.66%    9.52%    9.07%    9.13%
      Tier 1 leverage capital
       ratio                      5.73%    5.82%    5.69%    6.74%    6.68%
      Tangible equity to
       tangible assets,
       excluding OCI              3.78%    3.89%    3.73%    5.16%    5.05%
      Tangible common equity to
       tangible assets,
       excluding OCI              3.55%    3.66%    3.50%    5.16%    5.05%
      Tangible equity to
       tangible assets,
       including OCI              3.73%    3.78%    3.49%    4.81%    4.73%
      Tangible common equity to
       tangible assets,
       including OCI              3.50%    3.55%    3.25%    4.81%    4.73%

    Capitalization - Bank (2)
      Stockholders' equity to
       total assets              11.75%   11.65%    9.70%   10.59%   10.61%
      Tier 1 leverage capital
       ratio                      6.21%    6.21%    6.28%    6.97%    6.84%
      Tier 1 risk-based capital
       ratio                      7.52%    7.67%    7.91%    8.52%    8.21%
      Total risk-based capital
       ratio                     10.08%   10.34%   10.28%   10.97%   10.66%

    (1) Non-performing loans and assets at December 31, 2006 exclude $21.5
    million of residential non-accrual loans and $66.0 million of home equity
    non-accrual loans that are classified as held for sale.
    (2) All capital ratios are calculated based upon adjusted end of period
    assets consistent with OTS guidelines.  The current quarter ratios are
    estimated as of the date of this earnings release.



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (unaudited)
                                          Dec. 31     Sept. 30      June 30
    (dollars in thousands)                 2006         2006         2006
    Assets
    Cash and amounts due
     from depository institutions        $1,804,117   $1,932,603   $1,714,042
    Investments:
      Available-for-sale                 13,874,628   12,821,075   12,218,168
      Held-to-maturity                            -            -            -
      Other investments                   1,003,012    1,020,723      933,507
        Total investments                14,877,640   13,841,798   13,151,675
    Loans:
      Commercial                         30,472,344   29,984,325   28,999,921
      Consumer                           24,913,085   33,193,395   32,610,190
        Total loans held for
         investment                      55,385,429   63,177,720   61,610,111
    Less allowance for loan losses         (471,030)    (544,482)    (537,372)
        Total loans held for
         investment, net                 54,914,399   62,633,238   61,072,739
    Loans held for sale                   7,203,167            -            -
    Premises and equipment, net             605,707      591,601      587,254
    Accrued interest receivable             422,901      413,018      375,213
    Goodwill                              5,005,185    4,989,539    4,929,586
    Core deposit and other intangibles      498,420      532,626      632,665
    Bank owned life insurance             1,725,222    1,704,955    1,686,571
    Other assets                          2,585,091    3,770,681    4,603,322
        Total assets                    $89,641,849  $90,410,059  $88,753,067

    Liabilities and Stockholders'
     Equity
    Liabilities:
    Deposits and other customer
     related accounts:
      Core and other customer related
       accounts                         $36,320,674  $36,030,850  $36,593,254
      Time deposits                      16,063,880   16,752,764   15,999,234
        Total                            52,384,554   52,783,614   52,592,488
    Borrowings and other debt
     obligations                         26,849,717   27,100,522   26,170,589
    Other liabilities                     1,606,794    1,582,174    1,329,383
        Total liabilities                80,841,065   81,466,310   80,092,460
    Minority interests                      156,385      209,972      209,466
    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred Stock                       195,445      195,445      195,445
      Common Stock                        6,183,281    6,166,992    6,156,925
      Warrants and stock options            343,391      338,867      337,637
      Unallocated ESOP shares               (19,019)     (21,396)     (21,396)
      Treasury stock                        (49,028)     (57,646)     (65,984)
      Accumulated other
       comprehensive loss                   (24,746)     (74,543)    (193,186)
      Retained earnings                   2,015,075    2,186,058    2,041,700
        Total stockholders' equity        8,644,399    8,733,777    8,451,141
        Total liabilities and
         stockholders' equity           $89,641,849  $90,410,059  $88,753,067


                                                 Mar. 31           Dec. 31
    (dollars in thousands)                         2006              2005
    Assets
    Cash and amounts due from depository
     institutions                                 $997,447        $1,131,936
    Investments:
      Available-for-sale                         7,063,492         7,258,402
      Held-to-maturity                           4,936,066         4,647,627
      Other investments                            670,353           651,299
        Total investments                       12,669,911        12,557,328
    Loans:
      Commercial                                17,250,897        16,635,646
      Consumer                                  27,913,516        27,168,201
        Total loans held for investment         45,164,413        43,803,847
    Less allowance for loan losses                (421,860)         (419,599)
        Total loans held for investment, net    44,742,553        43,384,248
    Loans held for sale                                  -                 -
    Premises and equipment, net                    408,119           412,017
    Accrued interest receivable                    275,343           286,300
    Goodwill                                     2,715,217         2,716,826
    Core deposit and other intangibles             196,756           213,975
    Bank owned life insurance                    1,027,403         1,018,125
    Other assets                                 2,027,191         1,957,971
        Total assets                           $65,059,940       $63,678,726

    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    Liabilities:
    Deposits and other customer related
     accounts:
      Core and other customer related
       accounts                                $27,142,655       $26,639,246
      Time deposits                             11,677,492        11,338,460
        Total                                   38,820,147        37,977,706
    Borrowings and other debt obligations       19,216,159        18,720,897
    Other liabilities                              917,661           963,764
        Total liabilities                       58,953,967        57,662,367
    Minority interests                             206,141           205,660
    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred Stock                                    -                 -
      Common Stock                               3,657,038         3,657,543
      Warrants and stock options                   335,717           337,346
      Unallocated ESOP shares                      (21,396)          (21,396)
      Treasury stock                              (466,328)         (478,734)
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss        (211,760)         (170,798)
      Retained earnings                          2,606,561         2,486,738
        Total stockholders' equity               5,899,832         5,810,699
        Total liabilities and stockholders'
         equity                                $65,059,940       $63,678,726



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (unaudited)
                                             Quarter Ended
                             Dec. 31   Sept. 30   June 30   Mar. 31   Dec. 31
                              2006       2006       2006      2006      2005
    (dollars in thousands,
     except per share data)
    Interest and dividend
     income:
      Interest on
       interest-earning
       deposits               $6,274     $5,408    $2,954    $2,116    $2,605
      Interest on
       investment
       securities
        Available for sale   192,084    201,766   116,653    90,095    91,163
        Held to maturity         912      1,065    50,473    53,553    51,225
        Other                 19,508     13,287    13,016     5,603     4,971
      Interest on loans    1,035,224  1,019,325   808,922   688,166   661,072
        Total interest
         and dividend
         income            1,254,002  1,240,851   992,018   839,533   811,036
    Interest expense:
      Deposits and
       related customer
       accounts              421,472    412,858   306,030   231,837   201,449
      Borrowings             345,498    336,206   247,217   203,738   206,344
        Total interest
         expense             766,970    749,064   553,247   435,575   407,793
        Net interest
         income              487,032    491,787   438,771   403,958   403,243
    Provision for credit
     losses (4)              365,961     45,000    44,500    29,000    26,000
        Net interest
         income after
         provision for
         credit losses       121,071    446,787   394,271   374,958   377,243
    Non-interest income:
      Consumer banking
       fees                   73,389     74,298    67,467    60,798    64,696
      Commercial banking
       fees                   48,405     47,690    43,949    39,016    46,699
      Mortgage banking
       revenue (1)            (7,606)    14,329     4,524    12,992    26,501
      Capital markets
       revenue                 7,358      4,009     2,313     3,889     4,053
      Bank owned life
       insurance income       20,237     20,116    15,359    11,327    11,398
      Other                    7,586     11,409     8,363     6,319     6,538
        Total fees and other
         income before
         security gains      149,369    171,851   141,975   134,341   159,885
      Net gain/(loss)
       on securities (5)     (36,089)    29,154  (305,027)      -      (1,296)
        Total non-
         interest
         income              113,280    201,005  (163,052)  134,341   158,589
    Non-interest expense:
    General and
     administrative
      Compensation and
       benefits              176,851    182,607   149,467   143,778   137,452
      Occupancy and
       equipment              79,221     78,594    68,155    64,193    61,679
      Technology
       expense                25,680     25,128    23,114    21,566    22,562
      Outside services        19,920     17,928    16,592    14,755    17,174
      Marketing expense       15,731     14,552    14,548    10,222    15,103
      Other administrative
       expenses               37,496     33,009    31,417    25,465    27,828
        Total general and
         administrative      354,899    351,818   303,293   279,979   281,798
    Other expenses:
      Amortization of
       intangibles            34,302     34,092    24,225    17,219    17,766
      Other minority
       interest expense and
       equity method expense  10,974     12,850    17,033    16,034    16,406
      Loss on economic
       hedges                    -          -      11,387       -         -
      Proxy and related
       professional fees         -          -         -      14,337     5,827
      Restructuring and
       other employee
       severance charges      78,668        -         -         -         -
      Merger-related and
       integration charges    10,558     28,403     6,257    (2,798)      -
        Total other
         expenses            134,502     75,345    58,902    44,792    39,999
          Total non-
           interest
           expense           489,401    427,163   362,195   324,771   321,797
        Income/
         (loss)
         before
         income taxes       (255,050)   220,629  (130,976)  184,528   214,035
    Income tax expense/
     (benefit)              (125,610)    36,620   (71,920)   43,130    48,540
        Net income/
         (loss)            ($129,440)  $184,009  ($59,056) $141,398  $165,495


    (1) Mortgage banking
     activity is
     summarized below:
    Gains on sale of
     mortgage loans and
     related securities,
     multifamily loans,
     and home equity loans
     (2) (3)                 $(7,838)   $14,665    $3,136    $9,762   $22,708
    Net gains/(loss)
     recorded under SFAS
     133                         821       (423)     (663)    1,090    (1,039)
    Mortgage servicing
     fees, net of mortgage
     servicing rights
     amortization              2,863      3,758     2,051     2,140       914
    Mortgage servicing
     right (impairments)
     /recoveries              (3,452)    (3,671)      -         -       3,918
         Total mortgage
          banking revenues   $(7,606)   $14,329    $4,524   $12,992   $26,501

    (2) The results for the fourth quarter of 2005 includes a gain of $18.4
    million related to the sale of $898 million and $503 million of home
    equity loans.
    (3) Fourth quarter of 2006 includes a $28.2 million lower of cost or
    market adjustment on the residential loans held for sale, as well as a
    $5.2 million gain on sale of $455 million of multi-family loans.
    (4) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a lower of cost or market
    adjustment on the correspondent home equity portfolio held for sale of
    $296 million as well a $14 million commercial loan charge-off.
    (5) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a loss of $43 million associated
    with the sale of $1.5 billion of CMO investments.


                                                        Year to Date
                                                  Dec. 31           Dec. 31
                                                   2006              2005
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Interest and dividend income:
       Interest on interest-earning
        deposits                                   $16,752            $8,756
       Interest on investment securities
         Available for sale                        600,598           359,692
         Held to maturity                          106,003           189,059
         Other                                      51,414            18,058
       Interest on loans                         3,551,637         2,387,022
           Total interest and dividend
            income                               4,326,404         2,962,587
    Interest expense:
        Deposits and related customer
         accounts                                1,372,197           624,590
        Borrowings                               1,132,659           705,908
            Total interest expense               2,504,856         1,330,498
            Net interest income                  1,821,548         1,632,089
    Provision for credit losses (4)                484,461            90,000
            Net interest income after
             provision for credit losses         1,337,087         1,542,089
    Non-interest income:
        Consumer banking fees                      275,952           256,617
        Commercial banking fees                    179,060           149,274
        Mortgage banking revenue (1)                24,239            88,117
        Capital markets revenue                     17,569            17,821
        Bank owned life insurance income            67,039            47,285
        Other                                       33,677            31,837
           Total fees and other income before
            security gains                         597,536           590,951
         Net gain/(loss) on securities (5)        (311,962)           11,713
            Total non-interest income              285,574           602,664
    Non-interest expense:
    General and administrative
         Compensation and benefits                 652,703           538,912
         Occupancy and equipment                   290,163           246,993
         Technology expense                         95,488            84,185
         Outside services                           69,195            60,989
         Marketing expense                          55,053            52,362
         Other administrative expenses             127,387           105,763
             Total general and
              administrative                     1,289,989         1,089,204
    Other expenses:
         Amortization of intangibles               109,838            73,821
         Other minority interest expense and
          equity method expense                     56,891            67,055
         Loss on economic hedges                    11,387               -
         Proxy and related professional fees        14,337             5,827
         Restructuring and other employee
          severance charges                         78,668             3,982
         Merger-related and integration
          charges                                   42,420            12,744
            Total other expenses                   313,541           163,429
                Total non-interest
                 expense                         1,603,530         1,252,633
            Income/ (loss) before income
             taxes                                  19,131           892,120
    Income tax expense/ (benefit)                 (117,780)          215,960
            Net income/ (loss)                    $136,911          $676,160


    (1) Mortgage banking activity is
     summarized below:
    Gains on sale of mortgage loans and
     related securities, multifamily
     loans, and home equity loans (2) (3)          $19,725           $78,730
    Net gains/(loss) recorded under SFAS
     133                                               825               645
    Mortgage servicing fees, net of
     mortgage servicing rights
     amortization                                   10,812             2,798
    Mortgage servicing right
     (impairments)/recoveries                       (7,123)            5,944
         Total mortgage banking revenues           $24,239           $88,117

    (2) The results for the fourth quarter of 2005 includes a gain of $18.4
    million related to the sale of $898 million and $503 million of home
    equity loans.
    (3) Fourth quarter of 2006 includes a $28.2 million lower of cost or
    market adjustment on the residential loans held for sale, as well as a
    $5.2 million gain on sale of $455 million of multi-family loans.
    (4) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a lower of cost or market
    adjustment on the correspondent home equity portfolio held for sale of
    $296 million as well a $14 million commercial loan charge-off.
    (5) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a loss of $43 million associated
    with the sale of $1.5 billion of CMO investments.



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    AVERAGE BALANCE, INTEREST AND YIELD/RATE ANALYSIS
    (unaudited)

                                               Quarter Ended
                                             December 31, 2006
    (dollars in thousands)     Average Balance    Interest (1)   Yield/Rate

    Earning assets:
      Investment securities     $15,546,680        $239,227         6.15%
      Loans:
        Commercial               24,196,553         437,496         7.18%
        Multi-Family              6,103,412          97,708         6.39%
        Consumer:
          Residential mortgages  17,897,922         252,415         5.64%
          Home equity loans and
           lines of credit       10,145,548         166,656         6.53%
        Total consumer loans
         secured by real estate  28,043,470         419,071         5.96%
          Auto Loans              4,628,603          74,578         6.39%
          Other                     427,026           9,375         8.71%
        Total Consumer           33,099,099         503,024         6.06%
        Total loans              63,399,064       1,038,228         6.52%
        Allowance for loan losses  (544,425)
        Total earning assets     78,401,319      $1,277,455         6.49%
    Other assets                 11,743,219
        Total assets            $90,144,538

    Funding liabilities:
       Deposits and other
        customer related accounts:
             NOW accounts        $6,807,893         $26,160         1.53%
             NOW accounts -
              government &
              wholesale           3,977,652          51,616         5.15%
             Customer repurchase
              agreements          1,499,900          17,953         4.75%
             Savings accounts     4,755,332           7,722         0.64%
             Money market
              accounts           12,688,091         122,362         3.83%
           Core and other
            customer related
            accounts             29,728,868         225,813         3.01%
           Time deposits         16,469,164         195,659         4.71%
           Total                 46,198,032         421,472         3.62%
       Borrowings:
           Wholesale borrowings  21,523,167         267,556         4.95%
           Other borrowings       5,389,251          77,942         5.76%
           Total borrowings      26,912,418         345,498         5.12%
           Total funding
            liabilities          73,110,450         766,970         4.17%
    Non-interest bearing DDA      6,596,008
    Other liabilities             1,621,142
           Total liabilities     81,327,600
    Stockholders' equity          8,816,938
           Total liabilities and
            stockholders'
            equity              $90,144,538
    Net interest income                            $510,485
    Interest rate spread                                            2.32%
    Contribution from interest free funds                           0.28%
    Net interest margin                                             2.60%

    (1) Tax equivalent basis


                                              Quarter Ended
                                            September 30, 2006
    (dollars in thousands)     Average Balance    Interest (1)   Yield/Rate

    Earning assets:
      Investment securities     $15,886,584        $241,045         6.06%
      Loans:
        Commercial               23,034,009         419,552         7.24%
        Multi-Family              6,184,739          95,298         6.16%
        Consumer:
          Residential mortgages  17,860,553         256,417         5.74%
          Home equity loans and
           lines of credit       10,519,717         173,914         6.59%
        Total consumer loans
         secured by real estate  28,380,270         430,331         6.05%
          Auto Loans              4,394,903          66,220         5.98%
          Other                     451,333          10,296         9.05%
        Total Consumer           33,226,506         506,847         6.08%
        Total loans              62,445,254       1,021,697         6.52%
        Allowance for loan losses  (537,690)
        Total earning assets     77,794,148      $1,262,742         6.47%
    Other assets                 12,160,105
        Total assets            $89,954,253

    Funding liabilities:
       Deposits and other
        customer related accounts:
             NOW accounts        $6,526,816         $22,218         1.33%
             NOW accounts -
              government &
              wholesale           4,328,149          58,034         5.32%
             Customer repurchase
              agreements          1,273,055          15,230         4.75%
             Savings accounts     5,013,163           8,409         0.67%
             Money market
              accounts           13,067,468         121,062         3.68%
           Core and other
            customer related
            accounts             30,208,651         224,953         2.95%
           Time deposits         16,504,794         187,905         4.52%
           Total                 46,713,445         412,858         3.51%
       Borrowings:
           Wholesale borrowings  20,847,228         254,407         4.86%
           Other borrowings       5,606,261          81,799         5.82%
           Total borrowings      26,453,489         336,206         5.06%
           Total funding
            liabilities          73,166,934         749,064         4.07%
    Non-interest bearing DDA      6,707,400
    Other liabilities             1,458,009
           Total liabilities     81,332,343
    Stockholders' equity          8,621,910
           Total liabilities and
            stockholders'
            equity              $89,954,253
    Net interest income                            $513,678
    Interest rate spread                                            2.40%
    Contribution from interest free funds                           0.24%
    Net interest margin                                             2.64%

    (1) Tax equivalent basis


                                             Quarter Ended
                                           December 31, 2005
    (dollars in thousands)     Average Balance    Interest (1)   Yield/Rate

    Earning assets:
      Investment securities     $12,700,310        $165,785         5.22%
      Loans:
        Commercial               16,515,988         277,924         6.68%
        Multi-Family                      -               -         0.00%
        Consumer:
          Residential mortgages  11,859,646         164,689         5.55%
          Home equity loans and
           lines of credit       10,176,307         148,285         5.80%
        Total consumer loans
         secured by real estate  22,035,953         312,974         5.67%
          Auto Loans              4,454,501          62,528         5.57%
          Other                     490,069           9,395         7.61%
        Total Consumer           26,980,523         384,897         5.69%
        Total loans              43,496,511         662,821         6.06%
        Allowance for loan losses  (416,118)
        Total earning assets     55,780,703        $828,606         5.92%
    Other assets                  7,707,153
        Total assets            $63,487,856

    Funding liabilities:
       Deposits and other
        customer related accounts:
             NOW accounts        $5,176,007          $8,867         0.68%
             NOW accounts -
              government &
              wholesale           4,278,169          44,518         4.13%
             Customer repurchase
              agreements          1,007,347           8,794         3.46%
             Savings accounts     3,573,771           6,521         0.72%
             Money market
              accounts            8,112,584          39,444         1.93%
           Core and other
            customer related
            accounts             22,147,878         108,144         1.94%
           Time deposits         10,376,654          93,305         3.57%
           Total                 32,524,532         201,449         2.46%
       Borrowings:
           Wholesale borrowings  14,393,317         156,103         4.31%
           Other borrowings       4,417,688          50,241         4.49%
           Total borrowings      18,811,005         206,344         4.36%
           Total funding
            liabilities          51,335,537         407,793         3.15%
    Non-interest bearing DDA      5,340,623
    Other liabilities             1,098,993
           Total liabilities     57,775,153
    Stockholders' equity          5,712,703
           Total liabilities and
            stockholders'
            equity              $63,487,856
    Net interest income                            $420,813
    Interest rate spread                                            2.77%
    Contribution from interest free funds                           0.24%
    Net interest margin                                             3.01%

    (1) Tax equivalent basis



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    AVERAGE BALANCE, INTEREST AND YIELD/RATE ANALYSIS
    (unaudited)
                                                    Year to Date
                                                  December 31, 2006
                                            Average                  Yield/
    (dollars in thousands)                  Balance     Interest (1)  Rate
    Earning assets:
       Investment securities               $14,600,283     $850,163   5.82%
       Loans:
         Commercial                         20,833,022    1,489,484   7.15%
         Multi-Family                        3,612,737      224,290   6.21%
         Consumer:
           Residential mortgages            15,770,676      888,546   5.63%
           Home equity loans and lines of
            credit                          10,119,375      654,760   6.47%
         Total consumer loans secured
          by real estate                    25,890,051    1,543,306   5.96%
           Auto loans                        4,457,932      266,806   5.98%
           Other                               452,029       37,201   8.23%
         Total Consumer                     30,800,012    1,847,313   6.00%
         Total loans                        55,245,771    3,561,087   6.45%
         Allowance for loan losses            (489,775)
         Total earning assets               69,356,279   $4,411,250   6.36%
    Other assets                            10,139,116
         Total assets                      $79,495,395

    Funding liabilities:
      Deposits and other customer related
       accounts:
        NOW accounts                        $5,990,180      $70,303   1.17%
        NOW accounts - government &
         wholesale                           4,293,111      215,557   5.02%
        Customer repurchase agreements       1,229,845       55,158   4.48%
        Savings accounts                     4,286,355       29,660   0.69%
        Money market accounts               10,904,581      362,969   3.33%
        Core and other customer related
         accounts                           26,704,072      733,647   2.75%
        Time deposits                       14,461,441      638,550   4.42%
        Total                               41,165,513    1,372,197   3.33%
      Borrowings:
        Wholesale borrowings                18,322,761      854,241   4.66%
        Other borrowings                     5,054,931      278,418   5.51%
        Total borrowings                    23,377,692    1,132,659   4.85%
        Total funding liabilities           64,543,205    2,504,856   3.88%
    Non-interest bearing DDA                 6,020,184
    Other liabilities                        1,412,368
        Total liabilities                   71,975,757
    Stockholders' equity                     7,519,638
        Total liabilities and
         stockholders' equity              $79,495,395
    Net interest income                                  $1,906,394
    Interest rate spread                                              2.48%
    Contribution from interest free funds                             0.27%
    Net interest margin                                               2.75%


                                                    Year to Date
                                                  December 31, 2005
                                            Average                  Yield/
    (dollars in thousands)                  Balance     Interest (1)  Rate
    Earning assets:
      Investment securities               $12,246,225     $626,822   5.12%
      Loans:
        Commercial                         15,904,425      983,461   6.18%
        Multi-Family                                -            -   0.00%
        Consumer:
          Residential mortgages            10,588,935      568,831   5.37%
          Home equity loans and lines of
           credit                          10,157,824      567,548   5.59%
        Total consumer loans secured by real
         estate                            20,746,759    1,136,379   5.48%
          Auto loans                        4,356,121      233,283   5.36%
          Other                               535,616       40,468   7.56%
        Total Consumer                     25,638,496    1,410,130   5.50%
        Total loans                        41,542,921    2,393,591   5.76%
        Allowance for loan losses            (420,879)
        Total earning assets               53,368,267   $3,020,413   5.66%
    Other assets                            7,363,707
        Total assets                      $60,731,974

    Funding liabilities:
      Deposits and other customer related
       accounts:
        NOW accounts                       $5,296,828      $33,232   0.63%
        NOW accounts - government
         & wholesale                        3,435,963      120,045   3.49%
        Customer repurchase agreements        887,614       24,230   2.73%
        Savings accounts                    3,779,333       25,347   0.67%
        Money market accounts               8,244,406      131,354   1.59%
        Core and other customer related
         accounts                          21,644,144      334,208   1.54%
        Time deposits                       9,581,336      290,382   3.03%
        Total                              31,225,480      624,590   2.00%
      Borrowings:
        Wholesale borrowings               13,459,346      539,990   4.01%
        Other borrowings                    4,247,821      165,918   3.91%
        Total borrowings                   17,707,167      705,908   3.99%
        Total funding liabilities          48,932,647    1,330,498   2.72%
    Non-interest bearing DDA                5,294,135
    Other liabilities                         831,296
        Total liabilities                  55,058,078
    Stockholders' equity                    5,673,896
        Total liabilities and
         stockholders' equity             $60,731,974
    Net interest income                                 $1,689,915
    Interest rate spread                                             2.94%
    Contribution from interest free funds                            0.23%
    Net interest margin                                              3.17%

    (1) Tax equivalent basis



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
    (unaudited)

    NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

                                 Dec. 31 Sept. 30  June 30  Mar. 31  Dec. 31
    (dollars in thousands)         2006    2006      2006     2006     2005
    Non-accrual loans:
      Consumer:
       Residential mortgages     $33,682  $35,365  $34,812  $31,874  $30,393
       Home equity loans and lines
        of credit                 10,312   62,002   63,632   61,078   55,543
       Auto loans                    191      327      388      363      476
       Other consumer loans        2,764    1,384    2,524    1,920    1,913
      Total consumer loans        46,949   99,078  101,356   95,235   88,325
      Commercial real estate      77,196   64,138   48,494   31,531   31,800
      Commercial and industrial
       and other                  69,207   68,995   69,264   56,035   68,572
      Total non-accrual loans    193,352  232,211  219,114  182,801  188,697
    Restructured loans               557      570      576      692      777
       Total non-performing
        loans (1)                193,909  232,781  219,690  183,493  189,474
    Real estate owned, net        22,562   34,775   35,899   13,622   11,411
    Other repossessed assets       5,126    5,500    3,487    3,352    4,678
       Total non-performing
        assets                   221,597  273,056  259,076  200,467  205,563

    Non-performing loans as a
     percentage of loans held for
     investment                     0.35%    0.37%    0.36%    0.41%    0.43%
    Non-performing assets as a
     percentage of total assets,
     excluding loans held for
     sale                           0.27%    0.30%    0.29%    0.31%    0.32%
    Non-performing assets as a
     percentage of total loans
     held for investment, real
     estate owned and repossessed
     assets                         0.40%    0.43%    0.42%    0.44%    0.47%
    Allowance for credit losses
     as a percentage of non-
     performing loans                251%     240%     251%     239%     231%


    NET LOAN CHARGE-OFFS

                                  Dec. 31  Sept. 30  June 30  Mar. 31  Dec. 31
    Quarters ended (in              2006     2006     2006     2006     2005
     thousands)
        Commercial real estate      $(282)  $1,188   $3,938    $(744)    $564
        Commercial and
         industrial and other      18,651    6,402    4,718    8,948    4,877
        Total Commercial           18,369    7,590    8,656    8,204    5,441

          Residential mortgages     8,028      422      156      159      554
          Home equity loans
           and lines of credit    399,609   19,909   15,032   10,654    6,998

        Total consumer loans
         secured by real estate   407,637   20,331   15,188   10,813    7,552

          Auto loans                9,574    7,271    5,678    7,995    9,137
          Other consumer loans        453      135      (97)   1,286    1,079
        Total Consumer            417,664   27,737   20,769   20,094   17,768

           Total                 $436,033  $35,327  $29,425  $28,298  $23,209


    COMPONENTS OF THE PROVISION OF CREDIT LOSSES AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT
    LOSSES

    Quarters ended                Dec. 31  Sept. 30  June 30  Mar. 31  Dec. 31
     (in thousands)                2006      2006     2006     2006     2005
    Provision for
     loan losses                  364,309   45,437   47,113   30,559   26,263
    Provision/(recoveries)
     for unfounded
     commitments                    1,652     (437)  (2,613)  (1,559)    (263)
    Total provision for
     credit losses               $365,961  $45,000  $44,500  $29,000  $26,000

    Allowance for
     loan losses                  471,030  544,482  537,372  421,860  419,599
    Reserve for unfounded
     commitments                   15,255   13,603   14,040   16,653   18,212
    Total allowance
     for credit
     losses                      $486,285 $558,085 $551,412 $438,513 $437,811

    (1) Non-performing loans at December 31, 2006 exclude $21.5 million of
    residential non-accrual loans and $66.0 million of home equity non-
    accrual loans that are classified as held for sale.
    (2) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a $14 million commercial loan
    charge-off.
    (3) Fourth quarter of 2006 includes a $7 million charge-off related to the
    lower of cost or market adjustment on the residential loans held for
    sale.
    (4) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes $382.5 million of charge-offs
    related to the lower of cost or market adjustment on the correspondent
    home equity portfolio held for sale.
    (5) The fourth quarter of 2006 includes a lower of cost or market
    adjustment on the correspondent home equity portfolio held for sale of
    $296 million.



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
    (unaudited)

    DEPOSIT AND OTHER CUSTOMER RELATED ACCOUNT COMPOSITION - End of period

                                     Dec. 31        Sept. 30       June 30
    Quarters ended (in thousands)     2006            2006          2006
      Demand deposit accounts      $6,577,583      $6,687,150    $6,821,660
      NOW accounts                  7,052,861       6,917,455     6,628,680
      NOW accounts - government
       & wholesale                  3,573,862       3,600,363     4,426,508
      Customer repurchase
       agreements                   1,487,251       1,457,129     1,205,345
      Savings accounts              4,637,346       4,919,190     5,189,459
      Money market accounts        12,991,771      12,449,563    12,321,602
      Time deposits                16,063,880      16,752,764    15,999,234
        Total                     $52,384,554     $52,783,614   $52,592,488

    LOAN COMPOSITION - End of period

                                     Dec. 31         Sept. 30      June 30
    Quarters ended (in thousands)     2006            2006          2006
      Commercial real estate      $11,514,983     $11,401,902   $10,817,068
      Commercial industrial loans  12,654,746      11,212,315    10,722,844
      Multi-family                  5,768,451       5,970,795     6,134,167
      Other                           534,164       1,399,313     1,325,842
    Total commercial loans         30,472,344      29,984,325    28,999,921
        Residential mortgages      17,404,730      17,817,283    17,236,025
        Home equity loans
         and lines of credit        9,443,560      10,506,607    10,515,700
    Total consumer loans
     secured by real estate        26,848,290      28,323,890    27,751,725
        Auto loans                  4,848,204       4,431,891     4,399,047
        Other consumer loans          419,758         437,614       459,418
    Total consumer loans           32,116,252      33,193,395    32,610,190

    Total loans                   $62,588,596     $63,177,720   $61,610,111

    DEPOSIT AND OTHER CUSTOMER RELATED ACCOUNT COMPOSITION - Average

                                     Dec. 31        Sept. 30       June 30
    Quarters ended (in thousands)     2006            2006          2006
      Demand deposit accounts      $6,596,008      $6,707,400    $5,662,902
      NOW accounts                  6,807,893       6,526,816     5,538,431
      NOW accounts - government
       & wholesale                  3,977,652       4,328,149     4,807,682
      Customer repurchase
       agreements                   1,499,900       1,273,055     1,114,934
      Savings accounts              4,755,332       5,013,163     3,956,176
      Money market accounts        12,688,091      13,067,468     9,598,706
      Time deposits                16,469,164      16,504,794    13,193,359
        Total                     $52,794,040     $53,420,845   $43,872,190

    LOAN COMPOSITION - Average

                                    Dec. 31        Sept. 30       June 30
    Quarters ended (in thousands)     2006            2006          2006
      Commercial real estate      $11,421,431     $10,869,370    $8,358,231
      Commercial industrial loans  11,347,975      10,805,007     9,564,869
      Multi-family                  6,103,412       6,184,739     1,992,727
      Other                         1,427,147       1,359,632     1,189,303
    Total commercial loans         30,299,965      29,218,748    21,105,130
        Residential mortgages      17,897,922      17,860,553    14,467,374
        Home equity loans and
         lines of credit           10,145,548      10,519,717    10,129,080
    Total consumer loans
     secured by real estate        28,043,470      28,380,270    24,596,454
        Auto loans                  4,628,603       4,394,903     4,396,659
        Other consumer loans          427,026         451,333       453,383
    Total consumer loans           33,099,099      33,226,506    29,446,496

    Total loans                   $63,399,064     $62,445,254   $50,551,626


    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
    (unaudited)

    DEPOSIT AND OTHER CUSTOMER RELATED ACCOUNT COMPOSITION - End of period

                                                   Mar. 31        Dec. 31
    Quarters ended (in thousands)                    2006           2005
      Demand deposit accounts                     $5,165,140     $5,331,659
      NOW accounts                                 5,210,717      5,280,872
      NOW accounts- government & wholesale         3,899,288      3,564,003
      Customer repurchase agreements               1,086,010      1,012,574
      Savings accounts                             3,397,183      3,460,292
      Money market accounts                        8,384,317      7,989,846
      Time deposits                               11,677,492     11,338,460
        Total                                    $38,820,147    $37,977,706

    LOAN COMPOSITION - End of period

                                                   Mar. 31        Dec. 31
    Quarters ended (in thousands)                    2006           2005
      Commercial real estate                      $7,128,116     $7,209,180
      Commercial industrial loans                  8,994,845      8,354,768
      Multi-family                                         -              -
      Other                                        1,127,936      1,071,698
    Total commercial loans                        17,250,897     16,635,646
        Residential mortgages                     13,161,773     12,462,802
        Home equity loans and lines of credit      9,892,235      9,793,124
    Total consumer loans secured by real estate   23,054,008     22,255,926
        Auto loans                                 4,400,980      4,434,021
        Other consumer loans                         458,528        478,254
    Total consumer loans                          27,913,516     27,168,201

    Total loans                                  $45,164,413    $43,803,847

    DEPOSIT AND OTHER CUSTOMER RELATED ACCOUNT COMPOSITION - Average

                                                   Mar. 31        Dec. 31
    Quarters ended (in thousands)                    2006           2005
      Demand deposit accounts                     $5,086,989     $5,340,623
      NOW accounts                                 5,065,037      5,176,007
      NOW accounts- government & wholesale         4,059,477      4,278,169
      Customer repurchase agreements               1,025,807      1,007,347
      Savings accounts                             3,411,827      3,573,771
      Money market accounts                        8,190,873      8,112,584
      Time deposits                               11,597,261     10,376,654
        Total                                    $38,437,271    $37,865,155

    LOAN COMPOSITION - Average

                                                    Mar. 31        Dec. 31
    Quarters ended (in thousands)                     2006           2005
      Commercial real estate                      $7,193,994     $7,203,433
      Commercial industrial loans                  8,603,198      8,273,795
      Multi-family                                         -              -
      Other                                        1,087,391      1,038,760
    Total commercial loans                        16,884,583     16,515,988
        Residential mortgages                     12,777,623     11,859,646
        Home equity loans
        and lines of credit                        9,673,570     10,176,307
    Total consumer loans secured by real estate   22,451,193     22,035,953
        Auto loans                                 4,409,850      4,454,501
        Other consumer loans                         476,946        490,069
    Total consumer loans                          27,337,989     26,980,523

    Total loans                                  $44,222,572    $43,496,511



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EARNINGS TO REPORTED EARNINGS
    (unaudited)

    Operating earnings for EPS purposes represents net income excluding the
    after-tax effects of certain items, such as significant gains or losses
    that are unusual in nature or are associated with acquiring or integrating
    businesses, and certain other charges.  The table below reconciles our
    GAAP earnings to operating earnings for EPS purposes.

    (dollars in thousands,
    except per share data - all
    amounts are after tax)                    Quarter Ended
                                              Total dollars
                             Dec. 31   Sept. 30  June 30   Mar. 31   Dec. 31
                              2006       2006      2006      2006      2005

    Net income (loss) as
     reported               ($129,440) $184,009  ($59,056) $141,398  $165,495
    Dividends on preferred
     stock                     (3,650)   (1,825)   (2,433)        -         -
    Net income available to
     common shareholders     (133,090)  182,184   (61,489)  141,398   165,495
    Contingently
     convertible trust
     preferred interest
     expense, net of tax            -     6,344        -      6,327     6,354
    Net income (loss) for
     EPS purposes           ($133,090) $188,528  ($61,489) $147,725  $171,849

    Non GAAP adjustments to
     adjust antidilutive EPS
    Net income available to
     common shareholders    ($133,090) $182,184  ($61,489) $141,398  $165,495
    Trust IV expense, net
     of tax                     6,354     6,344     6,335     6,327     6,354
    Antidilutive net
     income/(loss) for
     operating EPS
     calculation            ($126,736) $188,528  ($55,154) $147,725  $171,849

    Reconciliation to
     Operating earnings EPS
    Net income (loss) for
     Operating earnings EPS
     purposes               ($126,736) $188,528  ($55,154) $147,725  $171,849
      Merger related and
       integration costs        6,863    18,463     4,067    (1,819)       -
      Provision for loan
       losses- Independence /
       SFC                    192,374        -      8,125        -         -
      Loss on economic hedges      -         -      7,402        -         -
      Loss on investment
       restructuring           27,961        -    154,884        -         -
      Loss on mortgage
       banking loan sale
       restructuring charges   14,954        -         -         -         -
      Loss on restructuring
       and other employee
       severance charges       51,134        -         -         -         -
      Impairment on FNMA and
       FHLMC preferred stock       -         -     43,875        -         -
      Proxy and professional
       fees                        -         -         -      9,319     3,788
    Operating earnings for
     EPS purposes            $166,550  $206,991  $163,199  $155,225  $175,637


    Weighted average
     diluted shares for
     GAAP EPS                 473,404   506,135   412,000   410,366   409,581
    Add back of diluted
     shares for operating
     EPS not factored into
     GAAP diluted shares
     due to antidilution (1)   34,583         -    33,599        -         -
    Adjusted weighted
     average diluted shares
     for Operating EPS        507,987   506,135   445,599   410,366   409,581


    (1) Due to the GAAP net loss recorded in the fourth and second quarters of
    2006, the conversion of warrants and equity awards and the after-tax add
    back of Sovereign's contingently convertible trust preferred interest
    expense was excluded from Sovereign's GAAP diluted earnings per share
    calculation for the quarters ended December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006
    since the result would have been anti-dilutive.  However, for operating
    earning purposes these items are dilutive and as a result they have been
    added back for operating earnings and operating earnings per share
    purposes.


                                                      Quarter Ended
                                                       Per share
                                           Dec.   Sept.   June   Mar.   Dec.
                                            31     30      30     31     31
                                           2006   2006    2006   2006   2005

    Net income (loss) as reported
    Dividends on preferred stock
    Net income available to common
     shareholders
    Contingently convertible trust
     preferred interest expense, net of
     tax
    Net income (loss) for EPS purposes    $(0.28) $0.37  $(0.15) $0.36  $0.42

    Non GAAP adjustments to adjust
     antidilutive EPS
    Net income available to common
     shareholders
    Trust IV expense, net of tax
    Antidilutive net income/(loss) for
     operating EPS calculation

    Reconciliation to Operating earnings
     EPS
    Net income (loss) for Operating
     earnings EPS purposes                $(0.25) $0.37  $(0.12) $0.36  $0.42
      Merger related and integration costs  0.01   0.04    0.01  (0.00)   -
      Provision for loan losses-
       Independence / SFC                   0.38    -      0.02    -      -
      Loss on economic hedges                -      -      0.02    -      -
      Loss on investment restructuring      0.06    -      0.34    -      -
      Loss on mortgage banking loan sale
       restructuring charges                0.03    -       -      -      -
      Loss on restructuring and other
       employee severance charges           0.10    -       -      -      -
      Impairment on FNMA and FHLMC
       preferred stock                       -      -      0.10    -      -
      Proxy and professional fees            -      -       -     0.02   0.01
    Operating earnings for EPS purposes    $0.33  $0.41   $0.37  $0.38  $0.43


    Weighted average diluted shares for
     GAAP EPS
    Add back of diluted shares for
     operating EPS not factored into GAAP
     diluted shares due to antidilution
     (1)
    Adjusted weighted average diluted
     shares for Operating EPS

    (1) Due to the GAAP net loss recorded in the fourth and second quarters of
    2006, the conversion of warrants and equity awards and the after-tax add
    back of Sovereign's contingently convertible trust preferred interest
    expense was excluded from Sovereign's GAAP diluted earnings per share
    calculation for the quarters ended December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006
    since the result would have been anti-dilutive.  However, for operating
    earning purposes these items are dilutive and as a result they have been
    added back for operating earnings and operating earnings per share
    purposes.



                                                     Year to Date
                                            Total dollars       Per Share
                                          Dec. 31   Dec. 31  Dec. 31 Dec. 31
                                            2006      2005    2006    2005

    Net income (loss) as reported         $136,911  $676,160
    Dividends on preferred stock            (7,908)        -
    Net income available to common
     shareholders                          129,003   676,160
    Contingently convertible trust
     preferred interest expense, net of
     tax                                         -    25,427
    Net income (loss) for EPS purposes    $129,003  $701,587  $0.30  $1.69

    Non GAAP adjustments to adjust
     antidilutive EPS
    Net income available to common
     shareholders                         $129,003  $676,160
    Trust IV expense, net of tax            25,360    25,427
    Antidilutive net income/(loss) for
     operating EPS calculation            $154,363  $701,587

    Reconciliation to Operating earnings
     EPS
    Net income (loss) for Operating
     earnings EPS purposes                $154,363  $701,587  $0.33  $1.69
      Merger related and integration costs  27,574     8,284   0.06   0.02
      Provision for loan losses-
       Independence / SFC                  200,499        -    0.43    -
      Loss on economic hedges                7,402        -    0.02    -
      Loss on investment restructuring     182,845        -    0.39    -
      Loss on mortgage banking loan sale
       restructuring charges                14,954        -    0.03    -
      Loss on restructuring and other
       employee severance charges           51,134     2,589   0.11   0.01
      Impairment on FNMA and FHLMC
       preferred stock                      43,875        -    0.10    -
      Proxy and professional fees            9,319     3,788   0.02   0.01
    Operating earnings for EPS purposes   $691,965  $716,248  $1.48  $1.72


    Weighted average diluted shares for
     GAAP EPS                              433,908   415,996
    Add back of diluted shares for
     operating EPS not factored into GAAP
     diluted shares due to antidilution (1) 33,840        -
    Adjusted weighted average diluted
     shares for Operating EPS              467,748   415,996


    (1) Due to the GAAP net loss recorded in the fourth and second quarters of
    2006, the conversion of warrants and equity awards and the after-tax add
    back of Sovereign's contingently convertible trust preferred interest
    expense was excluded from Sovereign's GAAP diluted earnings per share
    calculation for the quarters ended December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006
    since the result would have been anti-dilutive.  However, for operating
    earning purposes these items are dilutive and as a result they have been
    added back for operating earnings and operating earnings per share
    purposes.


    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    RECONCILIATION OF AVERAGE EQUITY TO AVERAGE TANGIBLE EQUITY AND RELATED
    OPERATING RETURN ON AVERAGE TANGIBLE EQUITY
    (unaudited)

    Reconciliation of Equity to Tangible Equity and Operating Return on
    Average Equity to Tangible Returns on Average Equity

                                                       Quarter Ended
                                             Dec. 31     Sept. 30    June 30
                                               2006        2006        2006
    Average Equity                         $8,816,938  $8,621,910  $6,698,547
    Average Goodwill                       (4,992,610) (4,932,536) (3,452,687)
    Average CDI and other intangibles        (519,891)   (611,329)   (342,279)
    Average Tangible Equity                 3,304,437   3,078,045   2,903,581


    Operating Return on Average Equity          7.49%       9.52%       9.77%
       Effect of Goodwill                      11.32%      15.26%      11.62%
       Effect of CDI and other intangibles      1.18%       1.89%       1.15%
    Tangible Return on Average Equity          20.00%      26.68%      22.54%



    Reconciliation of Equity to Tangible Equity and Operating Return on
    Average Equity to Tangible Returns on Average Equity

                                                        Quarter Ended
                                                  Mar. 31           Dec. 31
                                                    2006              2005
    Average Equity                              $5,896,739        $5,712,703
    Average Goodwill                            (2,716,324)       (2,714,150)
    Average CDI and other intangibles             (207,908)         (225,049)
    Average Tangible Equity                      2,972,507         2,773,504


    Operating Return on Average Equity              10.68%            12.20%
       Effect of Goodwill                            9.76%            11.93%
       Effect of CDI and other intangibles           0.75%             0.99%
    Tangible Return on Average Equity               21.18%            25.12%



    Reconciliation of Equity to Tangible Equity and Operating Return on
    Average Equity to Tangible Returns on Average Equity

                                                         Year-to-Date
                                                  Dec. 31           Dec. 31
                                                    2006              2005
    Average Equity                               7,519,638         5,673,896
    Average Goodwill                            (4,029,857)       (2,666,113)
    Average CDI and other intangibles             (421,730)         (249,934)
    Average Tangible Equity                      3,068,051         2,757,849


    Operating Return on Average Equity               9.20%            12.62%
       Effect of Goodwill                           12.09%            12.20%
       Effect of CDI and other intangibles           1.26%             1.14%
    Tangible Return on Average Equity               22.55%            25.97%



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
    (unaudited)

    Purchase of Independence Community Bank Corp.  ("Independence")

    On June 1, 2006, Sovereign completed the purchase of Independence and the
    results of its operations are included from the purchase date through June
    30, 2006.  Sovereign made a cash payment of $3.6 billion to acquire and
    convert all outstanding Independence common shares and outstanding equity
    awards at $42 per share.  The preliminary purchase price was allocated to
    acquired assets and liabilities of Independence based on fair value as of
    June 1, 2006.  The company is in the process of finalizing these values
    and as such the allocation of the purchase price is subject to revision.


    Assets and Liabilities Acquired from Independence:

    (dollars in millions)

    Assets                                Liabilities
    Investments             $3,126.7      Deposits:
    Loans:                                   Core                     $6,960.8
       Multifamily           5,571.2         Time                      4,070.1
       Commercial            5,313.3            Total deposits        11,030.9
       Consumer                517.2      Borrowings and other
       Residential                         debt obligations            5,488.8
        mortgages            1,829.0      Other liabilities              586.8
          Total loans       13,230.7
    Less allowance                           Total liabilities       $17,106.5
     for loan losses           (97.8)
          Total loans, net  13,132.9
    Cash paid, net
     of cash acquired       (2,713.2)
    Bank owned
     life insurance            343.3
    Premises and
     equipment, net            167.9
    Other assets               371.9
    Core deposit and
     other intangibles         394.2
    Goodwill                 2,282.8

       Total assets        $17,106.5


SOURCE Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.




Back to Topback to top

Related links:
  • http://www.sovereignbank.com
    CONTACT:
    FINANCIAL CONTACTS: Mark McCollom,
    +1-610-208-6426, mmccollo@sovereignbank.com, or Stacey Weikel,
    +1-610-208-6112, sweikel@sovereignbank.com; MEDIA CONTACT: Ed
    Shultz, +1-610-378-6159, eshultz1@sovereignbank.com, all of
    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.