The bank was his life, a part of himself. Inherited from his grandfather and his father. Yes, because Botin in Spain is synonymous with Banco Santander. The most important bank in Spain, but also one of the main ones in the euro area and internationally thanks to its branches all over the world: from Great Britain to South America and the USA.
Emilio Botin's merit was to internationalize the bank, like his father's to bring it from the splendid town of Santander, in Cantabria on the border with the Basque Country, throughout Spain. A continuity, that of the Botins, which will almost certainly be ensured by their daughter Ana: the most brilliant of Emilio's offspring, the dolphin predestined from his youth and now head of the group in London.
That of the Botins is a family saga that is now centuries old. Distinguished by an excellent nose for business, strong, tough but intuitive characters. In recent generations, an excellent education has been added, in the best schools in the world. In short, a family that after the royal one is to be considered an excellent ambassador of Spain to the international market.
For better or for worse, because Santander's expansion is also marked by many speculative operations (see Antonveneta's entry and exit in Italy) and by some that are not always successful. It is also said that the bank, during the current economic and real estate crisis in Spain in particular, has not been exactly adamantine, but "business is business". The fact is that Don Emilio has made it into a group of 200 employees and 1.400 billion euros in funds raised.
The showpiece is the headquarters on the outskirts of Madrid: the Santander citadel, born about ten years ago, respectful of the greenery (thousands of olive trees have been transplanted from Andalusia), with a private golf course (they used to play president and his guests), where employees can, in addition to working, relax, go shopping, take the children to the nursery. A citadel made up of low-rise buildings, overlooking the Sierra which is also a breeding ground for new bankers. Because one of Botin's attentions was for training at the highest levels which led to internal schools and university sponsorships.
An eclectic man and not just a banker, Botin loved sports: golf (the great Severiano Ballesteros had married a daughter), hunting in his various estates, motoring. In fact, he wanted and supported the agreement with Ferrari, so much so that he personally went to Maranello and was noticed in the red pits on various occasions. While his wife has always dedicated herself to art, music, supporting the less well-off.
Those who had the opportunity to meet him and talk to him (yours truly one of these) remember the intensity of his gaze, the acuity of his answers to the questions of us journalists and the simplicity of his behavior. Certainly not common qualities in the world of finance. In any case, he was a tough man, first with himself and then with others, with an almost military, iron discipline that he demanded even from his closest collaborators. A man who instilled awe and great respect: including prime ministers who obviously questioned him continuously.
Adios Don Emilio. The time has come to “descansar” and fold. Definitely a blow for Santander and for Spain who identified him as the winning "matador".
