Santander’s Asia-Pacific corporate and investment bank (CIB) is being reshaped under Alberto Rivero, who replaced the Beijing branch manager and moved his base to Singapore. The new strategy concentrates on South‑East Asia, Japan, and South Korea, while maintaining a presence in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Management is tightening control by cutting perks such as free breakfasts and official car services. Bankers now submit weekly work reports, and travel requests face stricter scrutiny. These measures aim to trim overhead and tighten risk oversight across the region.

In 2025, the Asia-Pacific CIB generated €220mn from 460 staff. Santander’s global CIB revenue rose from €5.4bn in 2020 to €8.5bn last year, still far below BNP Paribas’-boxed €19bn. The unit remains small but strategically vital for cross‑border finance between Asia and the bank’s European and American hubs.

For investors, the overhaul signals a push for higher margins and growth in high‑potential markets, though the modest scale limits upside. Business leaders will monitor the appointment of a new China head and the impact of tighter controls on deal flow.