PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. ("Sovereign" or "the Company") (NYSE: SOV), parent company of Sovereign Bank ("Bank"), today pre-announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2008. For the quarter ended September 30, 2008, Sovereign recorded a net loss of $982 million or a loss of $1.48 per share. Included in this loss was the previously announced impairment charge on Sovereign's Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac perpetual preferred stock of $575 million and a loss of $602 million related to the sale of its entire portfolio of collateralized debt obligations (CDO's). Excluding the after-tax impact of the aforementioned investment losses, Sovereign still generated net income of $41.3 million even after recording a provision for credit losses of $304 million, an increase of $141.5 million from the same period a year ago. This compares to net income of $58.2 million or $.11 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2007.

Highlights for the third quarter of 2008 were as follows:

-- Sovereign Bank remains well capitalized by all regulatory measures. Sovereign Bank's Tier 1 leverage ratio was 6.77% compared to 6.63% at September 30, 2007. The Bank's total risk-based capital ratio was 10.87% at September 30, 2008 compared to 10.37% a year ago.

-- Sovereign has $11.8 billion of unused borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve and FHLB.

-- Stable net interest margin of 3.02%, an increase of 28 basis points from the similar quarter in 2007 and a slight decrease of 4 basis points from the second quarter of 2008.

-- Loan balances at September 30, 2008 declined by 1% on a linked-quarter basis primarily due to a 7.2% decline in higher risk auto loans.

-- Deposit mix continued to shift away from higher cost wholesale sources as retail and commercial deposits now comprise 83.4% of total deposits up from 75.5% a year ago.

-- Sovereign's period end deposit balances have declined $4.2 billion or 8.8% from June 30, 2008, primarily in money market and government accounts. The majority of the decline in deposits occurred early in the quarter driven by intense deposit competition as well as general safety and soundness concerns following the failure of IndyMac. With the recent passage of the Rescue Plan and the increase in FDIC deposit insurance limits, October deposit trends have stabilized.

-- Sovereign increased its allowance for credit losses to $1.0 billion, a $175 million increase from June 30, 2008, primarily as a result of deterioration in the commercial loan portfolio as well as increases in Sovereign's reserve levels to reflect the higher risk from the current economic environment. Sovereign's allowance for credit losses to total loans at September 30, 2008 was 1.79% up from 1.47% at June 30, 2008 and 1.14% at September 30, 2007.

Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., ("Sovereign") (NYSE: SOV), is the parent company of Sovereign Bank, a financial institution with principal markets in the Northeastern United States. Sovereign Bank has 750 community banking offices, over 2,300 ATMs and approximately 12,000 team members. 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. For more information on Sovereign Bank, visit http://www.sovereignbank.com or call 1-877-SOV-BANK.

Note:

This press release contains statements with respect to Sovereign's vision, mission, strategies, goals, beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, intentions, financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business of Sovereign. These statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Sovereign believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties which are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which are beyond Sovereign's control). Among the factors which would cause Sovereign's financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in the forward-looking statements are: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the regional and local economies in which Sovereign conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; adverse changes in the securities markets, including those related to the financial condition of significant issuers in our investment portfolio; the impact of changes in financial services policies, laws and regulations, including laws, regulations and policies concerning taxes, banking, capital, liquidity, proper accounting treatment, securities and insurance, and the application thereof by regulatory bodies and the impact of changes in and interpretation of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States; changes in asset quality; and Sovereign's success in managing the risks involved in the foregoing. If one or more of the factors affecting Sovereign's forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then Sovereign's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking statements only speak as of the date hereof. Sovereign does not intend to update any forward-looking information and statements, whether written or oral, to reflect any change.

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.




    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (unaudited)
                                               Quarter Ended

    (dollars in thousands, Sept. 30   June 30   Mar. 31    Dec. 31  Sept. 30
     except per share data)   2008      2008      2008       2007      2007
    Interest and dividend
     income:
      Interest on interest-
       earning deposits        $561      $997    $2,964      $1,615    $7,117
      Interest on investment
       securities
           Available for
            sale            134,108   156,164   168,109     173,803   177,125
           Other              8,407     6,671     9,820      14,279    11,886
      Interest on loans     816,746   837,988   895,276     949,643   954,014
        Total interest
         and dividend
         income             959,822 1,001,820 1,076,169   1,139,340 1,150,142
    Interest expense:
      Deposits and
       related customer
       accounts             196,887   228,546   315,103     395,768   408,680
      Borrowings            271,781   267,144   278,886     277,548   284,701
        Total interest
         expense            468,668   495,690   593,989     673,316   693,381
        Net interest
         income             491,154   506,130   482,180     466,024   456,761
    Provision for credit
     losses                 304,000   132,000   135,000     148,192   162,500
      Net interest
       income after
       provision for
       credit losses        187,154   374,130   347,180     317,832   294,261
    Non-interest income:
      Consumer banking
       fees                  81,149    80,969    73,191      77,420    73,113
      Commercial banking
       fees (2)              52,589    53,747    54,453      56,695    44,155
      Mortgage banking
       revenue (1)            1,520    37,897    (5,133)      9,161     3,752
      Capital markets
       revenue                4,695     7,209    10,393     (18,310)  (12,627)
      Bank owned life
       insurance income      18,175    19,065    19,424      20,633    24,439
      Other                   4,714     6,322     5,297       7,584     8,557
        Total fees and
         other income
         before investment
         gains/(losses)     162,842   205,209   157,625     153,183   141,389
      Net gain/(loss) on
       investments (3)   (1,158,578)    1,908    14,135    (179,209)    1,884
         Total
          non-interest
          income           (995,736)  207,117   171,760     (26,026)  143,273
    Non-interest expense:
    General and administrative
      Compensation and
       benefits (4)         196,611   192,760   185,112     155,856   172,319
      Occupancy and
       equipment             76,724    74,868    78,013      77,325    75,217
      Technology expense     25,632    25,728    24,498      25,177    23,940
      Outside services       15,608    15,542    15,630      18,828    16,434
      Marketing expense      19,771    19,699    16,246      13,881    16,296
      Other administrative
       expenses (5)          53,155    53,266    39,765      46,537    37,440
         Total general and
          administrative    387,501   381,863   359,264     337,604   341,646
    Other expenses:
      Core deposit  & other
       intangibles           25,373    28,106    29,122      30,141    31,066
      Goodwill impairment       -         -         -     1,576,776       -
      Other minority interest
       expense and equity
       method expense (6)    20,075    14,719     8,339      27,448     6,913
      Proxy and related
       professional fees        -         -         -           -         -
      Restructuring, other
       employee severance and
       debt repurchase charges  -         -         -           -       6,029
      ESOP expense related to
       freezing of plan         -         -         -           -         -
      Merger-related and
       integration charges      -         -         -           -         -
         Total other
          expenses           45,448    42,825    37,461   1,634,365    44,008
           Total non-
            interest
            expense         432,949   424,688   396,725   1,971,969   385,654
         Income/(loss)
          before income
          taxes          (1,241,531)  156,559   122,215  (1,680,163)   51,880
    Income tax
     expense/(benefit)     (259,940)    29,120    22,080     (77,180)  (6,330)
         Net income/
          (loss)          $(981,591)  $127,439  $100,135 $(1,602,983) $58,210


    (1) Mortgage banking activity is summarized below:
    Gains/(losses) on sale
     of mortgage loans and
     related securities and
     home equity loans (7)   $5,997    $4,999     $3,977      $4,560   $3,971
    Net gains/(losses)
     recorded under SFAS 133 (2,289)    1,602      1,370      (2,125)   1,781
    Mortgage servicing fees,
     net of mortgage servicing
     rights amortization      4,462     1,148      3,848       1,948      972
    Mortgage servicing right
     recoveries/(impairments)    14    19,837    (18,703)     (2,071)     -
    Net gains/(losses) on
     sale of multifamily
     loans (8)               (8,197)    9,676      9,231       7,515    2,383
    Net gains/(losses)
     recorded on commercial
     mortgage backed
     securitization             -         -          -          (666)  (5,355)
    Multifamily servicing
     right recoveries/
    (impairments)             1,533       635     (4,856)        -       -
      Total mortgage
       banking revenues      $1,520   $37,897    $(5,133)     $9,161   $3,752

(2) The third quarter of 2007 includes a LOCOM adjustment of $6.2 million on our loan syndication trading portfolio.

(3) The third quarter of 2008 includes a $602 million loss on the sale of our CDO portfolio and a $575 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on FNMA & FHLMC preferred stock. The first quarter of 2008 includes a $14.1 million gain on our membership share allocation of VISA's IPO shares. Results for the fourth quarter of 2007 include a $180.5 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on FNMA & FHLMC preferred stock.

(4) Third quarter results include a $4.7 million severance charge for our Chief Executive Officer. Second quarter of 2008 results include severance charges of $5.3 million for recently terminated executives. Fourth quarter of 2007 results include $18.7 million of incentive compensation accrual reversals due to corporate objectives not being achieved in 2007.

(5) Other administrative expenses increased from first quarter 2008 levels due to the $6.4 million legal contingency reversal associated with the VISA IPO recorded in the first quarter as well as increased REO expense and loan expenses in the second and third quarter of 2008.

(6) Third quarter 2008 results included lower earnings of $11.4 million associated with certain equity method investments. Second quarter 2008 results included a fair value adjustment of $6.4 million on one of our equity method investments.

(7) First quarter of 2007 results include a LOCOM adjustment of $119.9 million on correspondent home equity loans that were not sold as of March 31, 2007.

(8) The third quarter of 2008 includes a $12.5 million charge to increase our recourse reserves associated with the sales of our multi-family loans to Fannie Mae.





    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (unaudited)
                                                        Year to Date

    (dollars in thousands, except per             Sept. 30          Sept. 30
     share data)                                    2008              2007
    Interest and dividend income:
      Interest on interest-earning deposits         $4,522           $17,497
      Interest on investment securities
          Available for sale                       458,381           547,212
          Other                                     24,898            37,366
      Interest on loans                          2,550,010         2,914,841
        Total interest and dividend income       3,037,811         3,516,916
    Interest expense:
      Deposits and related customer accounts       740,536         1,231,547
      Borrowings                                   817,811           887,371
        Total interest expense                   1,558,347         2,118,918
        Net interest income                      1,479,464         1,397,998
    Provision for credit losses                    571,000           259,500
        Net interest income after
         provision for credit losses               908,464         1,138,498
    Non-interest income:
      Consumer banking fees                        235,309           218,395
      Commercial banking fees (2)                  160,789           145,609
      Mortgage banking revenue (1)                  34,284           (76,953)
      Capital markets revenue                       22,297              (956)
      Bank owned life insurance income              56,664            65,222
      Other                                         16,333            26,251
    Total fees and other income before
     investment gains/(losses)                     525,676           377,568
        Net gain/(loss) on investments (3)      (1,142,535)            2,854
          Total non-interest income               (616,859)          380,422
    Non-interest expense:
    General and administrative
      Compensation and benefits (4)                574,483           517,672
      Occupancy and equipment                      229,605           231,373
      Technology expense                            75,858            71,088
      Outside services                              46,780            48,681
      Marketing expense                             55,716            42,220
      Other administrative expenses (5)            146,186            97,200
          Total general and administrative       1,128,628         1,008,234
    Other expenses:
      Core deposit  & other intangibles             82,601            96,576
      Goodwill impairment                              -                 -
      Other minority interest expense and
       equity method expense (6)                    43,133            39,815
      Proxy and related professional fees              -                (516)
      Restructuring, other employee
       severance and debt repurchase charges           -              61,999
      ESOP expense related to freezing of plan         -              40,119
      Merger-related and integration charges           -               2,242
        Total other expenses                       125,734           240,235
          Total non-interest expense             1,254,362         1,248,469
        Income/(loss) before income taxes         (962,757)          270,451
    Income tax expense/(benefit)                  (208,740)           16,730
        Net income/(loss)                        $(754,017)         $253,721


    (1) Mortgage banking activity is summarized below:
    Gains/(losses) on sale of mortgage loans and
     related securities and home equity loans (7)  $14,974         $(107,057)
    Net gains/(losses) recorded under SFAS 133         683             2,176
    Mortgage servicing fees, net of mortgage
     servicing rights amortization                   9,456             3,443
    Mortgage servicing right
     recoveries/(impairments)                        1,148               656
    Net gains/(losses) on sale of
     multifamily loans (8)                          10,710            18,688
    Net gains/(losses) recorded on commercial
     mortgage backed securitization                    -               5,141
    Multifamily servicing right
     recoveries/(impairments)                       (2,687)              -
         Total mortgage banking revenues           $34,284          $(76,953)

(2) The third quarter of 2007 includes a LOCOM adjustment of $6.2 million on our loan syndication trading portfolio.

(3) The third quarter of 2008 includes a $602 million loss on the sale of our CDO portfolio and a $575 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on FNMA & FHLMC preferred stock. The first quarter of 2008 includes a $14.1 million gain on our membership share allocation of VISA's IPO shares. Results for the fourth quarter of 2007 include a $180.5 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on FNMA & FHLMC preferred stock.

(4) Third quarter results include a $4.7 million severance charge for our Chief Executive Officer. Second quarter of 2008 results include severance charges of $5.3 million for recently terminated executives. Fourth quarter of 2007 results include $18.7 million of incentive compensation accrual reversals due to corporate objectives not being achieved in 2007.

(5) Other administrative expenses increased from first quarter 2008 levels due to the $6.4 million legal contingency reversal associated with the VISA IPO recorded in the first quarter as well as increased REO expense and loan expenses in the second and third quarter of 2008.

(6) Third quarter 2008 results included lower earnings of $11.4 million associated with certain equity method investments. Second quarter 2008 results included a fair value adjustment of $6.4 million on one of our equity method investments.

(7) First quarter of 2007 results include a LOCOM adjustment of $119.9 million on correspondent home equity loans that were not sold as of March 31, 2007.

(8) The third quarter of 2008 includes a $12.5 million charge to increase our recourse reserves associated with the sales of our multi-family loans to Fannie Mae.




    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (unaudited)
                                         Sept. 30      June 30      Mar. 31
    (dollars in thousands)                 2008         2008         2008
    Assets
    Cash and amounts due
     from depository institutions (1)    $2,525,696   $1,140,965   $1,957,403
    Investments:
      Available-for-sale                  8,604,927   11,118,184   10,958,419
      Other investments                     949,075      944,606    1,134,805
        Total investments                 9,554,002   12,062,790   12,093,224
    Loans:
      Commercial                         32,517,171   32,435,333   32,181,592
      Consumer                           24,396,717   24,970,453   26,690,190
        Total loans                      56,913,888   57,405,786   58,871,782
    Less allowance for loan losses         (957,864)    (808,748)    (775,441)
        Total loans, net                 55,956,024   56,597,038   58,096,341
    Premises and equipment, net             555,093      559,986      555,773
    Accrued interest receivable             269,258      298,741      322,760
    Goodwill                              3,430,965    3,430,653    3,430,290
    Core deposit and other intangibles      289,514      314,888      342,994
    Bank owned life insurance             1,835,178    1,820,403    1,806,631
    Other assets                          2,905,676    2,971,985    3,307,303
        Total assets                    $77,321,406  $79,197,449  $81,912,719

    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    Liabilities:
    Deposits and other customer related
     accounts:
      Retail and commercial deposits    $35,985,656  $38,405,724  $39,292,245
      Wholesale deposits                  3,130,820    3,177,527    3,756,952
      Government deposits                 2,080,716    3,190,784    3,314,420
      Customer repurchase agreements      1,925,982    2,520,073    2,633,112
        Total deposits                   43,123,174   47,294,108   48,996,729
    Borrowings and other debt
     obligations (1)                     25,213,772   22,050,359   24,348,829
    Other liabilities                     1,498,016    1,471,894    1,743,380
        Total liabilities                69,834,962   70,816,361   75,088,938
    Minority interests                      147,603      147,139      146,784
    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred Stock                       195,445      195,445      195,445
      Common Stock (2)                    7,713,181    7,701,024    6,298,254
      Warrants and employee stock options
       issued                               349,666      348,844      348,878
      Treasury stock                         (9,661)     (10,531)     (11,438)
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss (643,752)    (720,036)    (749,556)
      Retained earnings                    (266,038)     719,203      595,414
        Total stockholders' equity        7,338,841    8,233,949    6,676,997
        Total liabilities and
         stockholders' equity           $77,321,406  $79,197,449  $81,912,719


                                                  Dec. 31          Sept. 30
    (dollars in thousands)                         2007              2007
    Assets
    Cash and amounts due
     from depository institutions (1)           $3,130,770        $3,992,731
    Investments:
      Available-for-sale                        13,941,847        14,307,929
      Other investments                          1,200,545           981,921
        Total investments                       15,142,392        15,289,850
    Loans:
      Commercial                                30,912,972        29,912,883
      Consumer                                  26,866,807        27,235,481
        Total loans                             57,779,779        57,148,364
    Less allowance for loan losses                (709,444)         (629,747)
        Total loans, net                        57,070,335        56,518,617
    Premises and equipment, net                    562,332           559,040
    Accrued interest receivable                    350,534           384,812
    Goodwill                                     3,426,246         5,003,022
    Core deposit and other intangibles             372,116           402,257
    Bank owned life insurance                    1,794,099         1,773,829
    Other assets                                 2,897,572         2,683,170
        Total assets                           $84,746,396       $86,607,328

    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    Liabilities:
    Deposits and other customer related
     accounts:
      Retail and commercial deposits           $38,350,632       $37,838,296
      Wholesale deposits                         4,807,369         5,605,720
      Government deposits                        4,003,224         3,927,346
      Customer repurchase agreements             2,754,680         2,726,686
        Total deposits                          49,915,905        50,098,048
    Borrowings and other debt obligations (1)   26,126,082        26,161,337
    Other liabilities                            1,565,654         1,475,954
        Total liabilities                       77,607,641        77,735,339
    Minority interests                             146,430           146,075
    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred Stock                              195,445           195,445
      Common Stock (2)                           6,295,572         6,277,292
      Warrants and employee stock options issued   348,365           347,630
      Treasury stock                               (19,853)          (20,359)
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss        (326,133)         (218,155)
      Retained earnings                            498,929         2,144,061
        Total stockholders' equity               6,992,325         8,725,914
        Total liabilities and stockholders'
         equity                                $84,746,396       $86,607,328

(1) Sovereign held cash deposits of $1.5 billion at September 30, 2008 in order to comply with a loan limitation test required by the Home Owners Loan Act (HOLA). Sovereign was required to increase the amount of assets that were not considered large commercial loans in order to comply with the regulation at September 30, 2008 and funded this increase through an increase in short- term borrowings. The borrowings were repaid on October 1, 2008

(2) June 30, 2008 balance reflects proceeds of $1.39 billion from the issuance of 179.7 million shares of common stock on May 16, 2008.




    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
    (unaudited)
                                                  Quarter Ended
                                   Sept. 30 June 30 Mar. 31  Dec. 31  Sept. 30
                                     2008     2008    2008     2007     2007
    (dollars in millions, except
     per share data)

    Per Share Data

    Basic earnings/(loss) per share  $(1.48)  $0.22   $0.20    $(3.34)  $0.11
    Diluted earnings/(loss) per
     share                            (1.48)   0.22    0.20     (3.34)   0.11
    Dividend declared per share          -       -       -       0.08    0.08
    Common book value per share (1)   10.76   12.13   13.43     14.12   17.76
    Tangible common book value per
     share (2)                         5.57    6.90    6.20      6.82    7.11
    Tangible common book value per
     share excluding OCI               6.54    7.99    7.75      7.50    7.57
    Common stock price:
      High                           $10.69   $9.89  $13.07    $17.73  $21.94
      Low                              2.33    7.14    9.28     10.08   16.58
      Close                            3.95    7.36    9.32     11.40   17.04
    Weighted average common shares:
      Basic (3)                       663.6   570.1   482.2     481.2   480.2
      Diluted (3) (4)                 663.6   571.4   482.2     481.2   480.2
    End-of-period common shares:
      Basic                           663.8   662.6   482.4     481.4   480.4
      Diluted                         692.3   691.3   511.5     511.0   512.4

    Performance Statistics

    Bancorp

    Net interest margin               3.02%   3.06%   2.88%     2.77%   2.74%
    Return on average assets         -5.02%   0.64%   0.50%    -7.74%   0.28%
    Return on average tangible
     assets                          -5.25%   0.67%   0.52%    -8.25%   0.30%
    Return on average equity        -48.18%   6.73%   5.78%   -72.92%   2.63%
    Return on average tangible
     equity                         -84.19%  12.44%  11.67%  -174.96%   6.34%
    Annualized net loan charge-offs
     to average loans (5)             0.91%   0.60%   0.51%     0.42%   0.24%
    Efficiency ratio  (6)            59.25%  53.68%  56.15%    54.52%  57.12%



                                                           Year to Date
                                                    Sept. 30          Sept. 30
                                                      2008               2007
    (dollars in millions, except per share data)

    Per Share Data

    Basic earnings/(loss) per share                  $(1.33)            $0.51
    Diluted earnings/(loss) per share                 (1.33)             0.51
    Dividend declared per share                          -               0.24
    Common book value per share  (1)                  10.76             17.76
    Tangible common book value per share (2)           5.57              7.11
    Tangible common book value per share
     excluding OCI                                     6.54              7.57
    Common stock price:
      High                                           $13.07            $26.42
      Low                                              2.33             16.58
      Close                                            3.95             17.04
    Weighted average common shares:
      Basic (3)                                       573.4             477.9
      Diluted (3) (4)                                 573.4             477.9
    End-of-period common shares:
      Basic                                           663.8             480.4
      Diluted                                         692.3             512.4

    Performance Statistics

    Bancorp

    Net interest margin                               2.98%             2.72%
    Return on average assets                         -1.26%             0.41%
    Return on average tangible assets                -1.32%             0.43%
    Return on average equity                        -13.32%             3.87%
    Return on average tangible equity               -24.73%             9.37%
    Annualized net loan charge-offs to
     average loans (5)                                0.67%             0.19%
    Efficiency ratio  (6)                            56.29%            56.78%

(1) Common book value per share equals common stockholders' equity at period-end divided by common shares outstanding.

(2) Tangible book value per share equals common stockholders' equity at period-end excluding goodwill and core deposits and other intangibles, net of any associated deferred tax liabilities divided by common shares outstanding.

(3) On May 16th, 2008, Sovereign issued 179.7 million shares of common stock which raised net proceeds of $1.39 billion to enhance its capital and liquidity positions.

(4) 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 majority of the periods above since the result would have been anti- dilutive.

(5) The third quarter of 2008 includes a $25 million charge-off related to a large syndicated loan in our commercial portfolio that declared bankruptcy. This charge-off negatively impacted our charge-off rate by 18 basis points for the third quarter.

(6) 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 security gains.





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

                                     Sept. 30 June 30 Mar. 31 Dec. 31 Sept. 30
                                       2008     2008    2008    2007    2007
    (dollars in millions)

    Financial Condition Data:

    Asset Quality
      Non-performing assets            $706.0  $553.9  $484.4  $361.6  $336.7
      Non-performing loans              638.5   490.5   417.8   304.3   282.4
      Non-performing assets to total
       assets                           0.91%   0.70%   0.59%   0.43%   0.39%
      Non-performing loans to loans     1.12%   0.85%   0.71%   0.53%   0.49%
      Non-performing assets as a
       percentage of tangible equity
       and allowance for loan losses    14.6%    9.9%   12.2%    8.6%    7.9%
      Allowance for credit losses    $1,018.4  $843.5  $798.4  $737.7  $650.0
      Allowance for credit losses
       to total loans                   1.79%   1.47%   1.36%   1.28%   1.14%
      Allowance for credit losses
       to non-performing loans           160%    172%    191%    242%    230%

    Capitalization - Bancorp (1)
      Tier 1 leverage ratio             6.60%   8.34%   6.21%   5.89%   6.03%
      Tangible equity to tangible
       assets excluding OCI             6.09%   7.18%   4.97%   4.67%   4.69%
      Tangible equity to tangible
       assets including OCI             5.27%   6.29%   4.06%   4.28%   4.43%
      Tangible common equity to
       tangible assets excluding OCI    5.83%   6.92%   4.72%   4.43%   4.45%
      Tangible common equity to
       tangible assets including OCI    5.01%   6.04%   3.81%   4.04%   4.19%

    Capitalization - Bank (1)
      Tier 1 leverage ratio             6.77%   7.28%   6.85%   6.54%   6.63%
      Tier 1 risk-based ratio           7.29%   7.86%   7.49%   7.54%   7.66%
      Total risk-based ratio           10.87%  11.41%  10.24%  10.40%  10.37%

(1) 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
    AVERAGE BALANCE, INTEREST AND YIELD/RATE ANALYSIS
    (unaudited)
                                                    Quarter Ended
                                                  September 30, 2008
                                                                      Yield/
    (dollars in thousands)               Average Balance  Interest(1)  Rate
    Earning assets:
      Investment securities                $11,228,969    $157,892    5.62%
      Loans:
          Commercial real estate            13,260,855     189,538    5.69%
          Commercial and industrial
           loans (C&I)                      12,598,813     162,728    5.14%
          Other                              1,730,810      29,366    6.79%
        Total Commercial                    27,590,478     381,632    5.51%
        Multi-family                         4,785,006      70,734    5.90%
            Residential                     11,643,926     163,773    5.63%
            Home equity loans and lines
             of credit                       6,598,160      91,587    5.52%
          Total consumer loans secured
           by real estate                   18,242,086     255,360    5.59%
          Auto Loans                         6,076,959     107,252    7.02%
          Other                                299,082       5,835    7.76%
        Total Consumer                      24,618,127     368,447    5.97%
      Total loans                           56,993,611     820,813    5.74%
        Allowance for loan losses             (832,446)
    Total earning assets                    67,390,134    $978,705    5.79%
    Other assets                            10,249,872
        Total assets                       $77,640,006

    Funding liabilities:
      Deposits and other customer related
       accounts:
            NOW accounts                    $5,173,571     $10,707    0.82%
            Savings accounts                 4,010,997       6,121    0.61%
            Money market accounts           10,892,952      54,868    2.00%
            Time deposits                   10,246,622      79,808    3.10%
          Total retail and commercial
           deposits                         30,324,142     151,504    1.99%
            NOW accounts- wholesale            151,306         803    2.11%
            Money market accounts-
             wholesale                       1,531,141       8,568    2.23%
            Time deposits- wholesale         1,340,559       9,561    2.84%
          Total wholesale deposits           3,023,006      18,932    2.49%
          Total government deposits          3,008,951      18,281    2.42%
          Customer repurchase agreements and
           Eurodollar deposits               2,428,151       8,170    1.34%
      Total deposits and other customer
       related accounts                     38,784,250     196,887    2.02%
      Borrowings:
            Wholesale borrowings            18,747,782     210,370    4.48%
            Other borrowings                 3,948,802      61,411    6.21%
      Total borrowings                      22,696,584     271,781    4.78%
    Total funding liabilities               61,480,834     468,668    3.04%
    Non-interest bearing DDA                 6,664,444
    Other liabilities                        1,411,449
        Total liabilities                   69,556,727
    Stockholders' equity                     8,083,279
        Total liabilities and stockholders'
         equity                            $77,640,006
    Net interest income                                   $510,037
    Interest rate spread                                              2.75%
    Contribution from interest free funds                             0.27%
    Net interest margin                                               3.02%


                                                      Quarter Ended
                                                      June 30, 2008
                                            Average                    Yield/
    (dollars in thousands)                  Balance       Interest(1)   Rate
    Earning assets:
      Investment securities                  $12,109,209     $183,895   6.08%
      Loans:
          Commercial real estate              13,052,692      188,933   5.81%
          Commercial and industrial
           loans (C&I)                        13,005,216      169,266   5.23%
          Other                                1,756,432       30,300   6.90%
        Total Commercial                      27,814,340      388,499   5.61%
        Multi-family                           4,506,471       66,984   5.95%
            Residential                       12,598,466      179,025   5.69%
            Home equity loans and lines
             of credit                         6,389,801       88,669   5.58%
          Total consumer loans secured by real
           estate                             18,988,267      267,694   5.65%
          Auto Loans                           6,568,725      113,047   6.92%
          Other                                  306,297        5,592   7.34%
        Total Consumer                        25,863,289      386,333   5.99%
      Total loans                             58,184,100      841,816   5.81%
          Allowance for loan losses             (785,983)
    Total earning assets                      69,507,326   $1,025,711   5.92%
    Other assets                              10,294,424
          Total assets                       $79,801,750

    Funding liabilities:
      Deposits and other customer related
       accounts:
            NOW accounts                      $5,209,957      $10,656   0.82%
            Savings accounts                   4,107,321        6,461   0.63%
            Money market accounts             11,348,987       57,077   2.02%
            Time deposits                     11,258,950      109,354   3.91%
          Total retail and commercial
           deposits                           31,925,215      183,548   2.31%
            NOW accounts- wholesale              139,664          790   2.27%
            Money market accounts- wholesale   1,547,158        9,034   2.35%
            Time deposits- wholesale           1,588,172        6,614   1.68%
          Total wholesale deposits             3,274,994       16,438   2.02%
          Total government deposits            3,257,652       19,533   2.41%
          Customer repurchase agreements and
           Eurodollar deposits                 2,571,241        9,027   1.41%
        Total deposits and other customer
         related accounts                      41,029,102      228,546   2.24%
        Borrowings:
            Wholesale borrowings               19,061,915      211,195   4.44%
            Other borrowings                    3,794,900       55,949   5.90%
        Total borrowings                       22,856,815      267,144   4.69%
    Total funding liabilities                  63,885,917      495,690   3.12%
    Non-interest bearing DDA                    6,731,967
    Other liabilities                           1,593,912
          Total liabilities                    72,211,796
    Stockholders' equity                        7,589,954
          Total liabilities and stockholders'
           equity                             $79,801,750
    Net interest income                                       $530,021
    Interest rate spread                                                 2.80%
    Contribution from interest free funds                                0.26%
    Net interest margin                                                  3.06%


                                                    Quarter Ended
                                                 September 30, 2007
                                            Average                   Yield/
    (dollars in thousands)                  Balance      Interest(1)   Rate
    Earning assets:
      Investment securities                $13,850,369     $216,252    6.24%
      Loans:
          Commercial real estate            11,746,854      207,526    7.02%
          Commercial and industrial
           loans (C&I)                       12,049,755      228,310   7.52%
          Other                               1,632,878       29,148   7.14%
        Total Commercial                     25,429,487      464,984   7.26%
        Multi-family                          3,975,580       61,708   6.20%
            Residential                      14,357,561      203,676   5.67%
            Home equity loans and lines
             of credit                        5,974,643      102,033   6.78%
          Total consumer loans secured by real
           estate                            20,332,204      305,709   6.00%
          Auto Loans                          6,616,774      118,324   7.09%
          Other                                 320,848        7,042   8.71%
         Total Consumer                      27,269,826      431,075   6.30%
        Total loans                          56,674,893      957,767   6.72%
          Allowance for loan losses            (522,102)
    Total earning assets                     70,003,160   $1,174,019   6.68%
    Other assets                             11,594,008
          Total assets                      $81,597,168

    Funding liabilities:
      Deposits and other customer related
       accounts:
            NOW accounts                     $5,497,403      $15,225   1.10%
            Savings accounts                  4,144,517        6,914   0.66%
            Money market accounts            10,224,580       93,751   3.64%
            Time deposits                    11,323,566      134,570   4.72%
          Total retail and commercial
           deposits                          31,190,066      250,460   3.19%
            NOW accounts- wholesale             137,919        1,812   5.21%
            Money market accounts- wholesale  1,858,681       25,159   5.37%
            Time deposits- wholesale          4,068,060       54,196   5.29%
          Total wholesale deposits            6,064,660       81,167   5.31%
          Total government deposits           3,691,557       48,184   5.18%
          Customer repurchase agreements and
           Eurodollar deposits                2,643,836       28,869   4.33%
      Total deposits and other customer
       related accounts                      43,590,119      408,680   3.72%
      Borrowings:
            Wholesale borrowings             17,654,582      225,169   5.08%
            Other borrowings                  3,736,339       59,532   6.32%
      Total borrowings                       21,390,921      284,701   5.30%
    Total funding liabilities                64,981,040      693,381   4.24%
    Non-interest bearing DDA                  6,403,572
    Other liabilities                         1,439,105
          Total liabilities                  72,823,717
    Stockholders' equity                      8,773,451
          Total liabilities and stockholders'
           equity                           $81,597,168
    Net interest income                                     $480,638
    Interest rate spread                                               2.44%
    Contribution from interest free funds                              0.30%
    Net interest margin                                                2.74%


    (1) Tax equivalent basis



    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    AVERAGE BALANCE, INTEREST AND YIELD/RATE ANALYSIS
    (unaudited)
                                                    Year to Date
                                                  September 30, 2008
                                            Average                   Yield/
    (dollars in thousands)                  Balance     Interest(1)    Rate
    Earning assets:
      Investment securities                $12,120,843     $542,710   5.97%
      Loans:
          Commercial real estate            12,970,143      576,288   5.93%
          Commercial and industrial
           loans (C&I)                      12,787,460      525,985   5.49%
          Other                              1,747,148       90,269   6.89%
        Total Commercial                    27,504,751    1,192,542   5.79%
        Multi-family                         4,536,897      203,626   5.99%
            Residential                     12,501,718      529,885   5.65%
            Home equity loans and lines
             of credit                       6,402,562      276,327   5.76%
          Total consumer loans secured by real
           estate                           18,904,280      806,212   5.69%
          Auto Loans                         6,535,905      341,495   6.98%
          Other                                306,435       17,831   7.77%
        Total Consumer                      25,746,620    1,165,538   6.04%
      Total loans                           57,788,268    2,561,706   5.92%
        Allowance for loan losses             (780,182)
    Total earning assets                    69,128,929   $3,104,416   5.99%
    Other assets                            10,321,919
        Total assets                       $79,450,848

    Funding liabilities:
      Deposits and other customer related
       accounts:
            NOW accounts                    $5,149,156      $32,817   0.85%
            Savings accounts                 4,062,470       19,638   0.65%
            Money market accounts           11,069,213      194,910   2.35%
            Time deposits                   11,141,241      324,141   3.89%
          Total retail and commercial
           deposits                         31,422,080      571,506   2.43%
            NOW accounts- wholesale            126,605        2,337   2.47%
            Money market accounts-
             wholesale                       1,491,737       29,863   2.67%
            Time deposits- wholesale         1,776,775       35,768   2.69%
          Total wholesale deposits           3,395,117       67,968   2.67%
          Total government deposits          3,360,712       68,151   2.71%
          Customer repurchase agreements and
           Eurodollar deposits               2,579,235       32,911   1.70%
      Total deposits and other customer
       related accounts                     40,757,144      740,536   2.43%
      Borrowings:
            Wholesale borrowings            19,206,968      645,800   4.49%
            Other borrowings                 3,790,370      172,011   6.05%
      Total borrowings                      22,997,338      817,811   4.75%
    Total funding liabilities               63,754,482    1,558,347   3.26%
    Non-interest bearing DDA                 6,580,094
    Other liabilities                        1,575,189
        Total liabilities                   71,909,765
    Stockholders' equity                     7,541,083
        Total liabilities and stockholders'
         equity                            $79,450,848
    Net interest income                                  $1,546,069
    Interest rate spread                                              2.73%
    Contribution from interest free funds                             0.25%
    Net interest margin                                               2.98%


                                                   Year to Date
                                                 September 30, 2007
                                            Average                  Yield/
    (dollars in thousands)                  Balance    Interest (1)   Rate
    Earning assets:
      Investment securities                $14,359,545     $662,500   6.15%
      Loans:
          Commercial real estate           11,666,776      609,282   6.98%
          Commercial and industrial
           loans (C&I)                     11,922,503      667,827   7.49%
          Other                             1,580,320       84,797   7.15%
        Total Commercial                   25,169,599    1,361,906   7.23%
        Multi-family                        4,827,663      232,677   6.43%
            Residential                    14,788,758      630,279   5.68%
            Home equity loans and lines
             of credit                      7,122,383      369,186   6.93%
          Total consumer loans secured by real
           estate                          21,911,141      999,465   6.09%
          Auto Loans                        5,915,010      307,332   6.95%
          Other                               376,740       24,156   8.57%
        Total Consumer                     28,202,891    1,330,953   6.30%
      Total loans                          58,200,153    2,925,536   6.71%
        Allowance for loan losses            (496,921)
    Total earning assets                   72,062,777   $3,588,036   6.65%
    Other assets                           11,632,426
        Total assets                      $83,695,203

    Funding liabilities:
      Deposits and other customer related
       accounts:
            NOW accounts                   $5,812,672      $47,456   1.09%
            Savings accounts                4,383,303       21,277   0.65%
            Money market accounts           9,691,344      252,097   3.48%
            Time deposits                  11,190,921      390,246   4.67%
          Total retail and commercial
           deposits                        31,078,240      711,076   3.06%
            NOW accounts- wholesale           251,187        9,997   5.32%
            Money market accounts-
             wholesale                      2,666,654      109,389   5.48%
            Time deposits- wholesale        4,330,871      174,142   5.38%
          Total wholesale deposits          7,248,712      293,528   5.41%
          Total government deposits         3,783,505      145,585   5.14%
          Customer repurchase agreements and
           Eurodollar deposits              2,433,331       81,358   4.47%
    Total deposits and other customer
     related accounts                      44,543,788    1,231,547   3.70%
    Borrowings:
            Wholesale borrowings           17,623,077      668,508   5.07%
            Other borrowings                4,785,627      218,863   6.10%
      Total borrowings                     22,408,704      887,371   5.29%
    Total funding liabilities              66,952,492    2,118,918   4.23%
    Non-interest bearing DDA                6,381,978
    Other liabilities                       1,585,747
        Total liabilities                  74,920,217
    Stockholders' equity                    8,774,986
        Total liabilities and stockholders'
         equity                           $83,695,203
    Net interest income                                 $1,469,118
    Interest rate spread                                             2.42%
    Contribution from interest free funds                            0.30%
    Net interest margin                                              2.72%


    (1) Tax equivalent basis


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

    NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
                            Sept. 30   June 30   Mar. 31   Dec. 31   Sept. 30
    (dollars in thousands)     2008      2008      2008      2007      2007
    Non-accrual loans:
      Consumer:
        Residential -
         Alt-A              $116,522   $85,460   $64,763   $51,783   $42,310
        Residential - Other   57,823    47,654    44,039    39,098    37,599
        Home equity loans
         and lines of
         credit               16,649    20,407    17,669    16,684    12,508
        Correspondent home
         equity               49,995    44,806    42,618    39,415    41,466
        Auto loans             1,034     1,155       876     1,359       730
        Other consumer loans   1,856     1,595     1,541     2,087     2,076
      Total consumer loans   243,879   201,077   171,506   150,426   136,689
        Commercial real
         estate              201,594   117,251    95,363    61,750    63,975
        Multi-family loans    37,221    42,230    10,367     6,336     3,002
        C&I and other        155,497   129,693   140,270    85,406    78,251
      Total non-accrual
       loans                 638,191   490,251   417,506   303,918   281,917
        Restructured loans       260       280       324       370       443
    Total non-performing
     loans                   638,451   490,531   417,830   304,288   282,360
      Real estate owned, net  45,604    48,228    49,668    43,226    43,517
      Other repossessed
     assets                   21,987    15,168    16,888    14,062    10,861
    Total non-performing
     assets                 $706,042  $553,927  $484,386  $361,576  $336,738

    Non-performing loans
     as a percentage of
     loans                      1.12%     0.85%     0.71%     0.53%     0.49%
    Non-performing assets
     as a percentage of
     total assets               0.91%     0.70%     0.59%     0.43%     0.39%
    Non-performing assets
     as a percentage of
     total loans, real
     estate owned and
     repossessed assets         1.24%     0.96%     0.82%     0.63%     0.59%
    Allowance for credit
     losses as a
     percentage of non-
     performing loans            160%      172%      191%      242%      230%
    Non-performing assets
     as a percentage of
     tangible equity and
     allowance for loan
     losses                     14.6%      9.9%     12.2%      8.6%      7.9%


    NET LOAN CHARGE-OFFS

    Quarters ended (in       Sept. 30   June 30   Mar. 31   Dec. 31   Sept. 30
     thousands)                 2008      2008      2008      2007      2007
        Commercial real
         estate                  $(50)   $7,748    $3,339    $4,591    $2,401
        Multi-family loans      5,101       227       -         -         -
        C&I and other (1)      63,960    25,246    11,789    13,647     8,387
    Total commercial           69,011    33,221    15,128    18,238    10,788
        Residential - Alt-A     2,889     2,289     2,135     1,766       807
        Residential - Other     2,538     2,340     2,718     1,865       908
        Home equity loans and
         lines of credit        4,694     4,399     5,351     3,808       883
        Correspondent home
         equity                 5,717     6,189     4,014       -         -
      Total consumer loans
       secured by real
       estate                  15,838    15,217    14,218     7,439     2,598
        Auto loans - In
         market                15,075    13,317    14,488    14,918    10,162
        Auto loans - Out of
         market                26,968    23,287    28,276    19,427     9,286
        Other consumer loans    2,248     1,895     2,186       469       734
    Total consumer             60,129    53,716    59,168    42,253    22,780

    Total loan charge-offs   $129,140   $86,937   $74,296   $60,491   $33,568


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

    Quarters ended (in      Sept. 30   June 30   Mar. 31   Dec. 31   Sept. 30
     thousands)                2008      2008      2008      2007      2007
    Provision for loan
     losses                  $278,255  $120,244  $140,293  $140,188  $159,630
    Provision/(recoveries)
     for unfunded
     commitments               25,745    11,756    (5,293)    8,004     2,870
    Total provision for
     credit losses           $304,000  $132,000  $135,000  $148,192  $162,500

    Allowance for loan
     losses                  $957,864  $808,748  $775,441  $709,444  $629,747
    Reserve for unfunded
     commitments               60,509    34,764    23,008    28,301    20,297
    Total allowance for
     credit losses         $1,018,373  $843,512  $798,449  $737,745  $650,044

(1) The third quarter of 2008 includes a $25 million charge-off related to a large syndicated loan in our commercial portfolio that declared bankruptcy.




    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
     (unaudited)
                                         Loan Composition-End of Period ($)
    ADDITIONAL CREDIT
     QUALITY STATISTICS                           % of Total Loans

                                         Sept. 30      June 30     Sept. 30
    Quarters ended (in thousands)          2008         2008         2007
        Commercial real estate (1)     $13,280,520  $13,271,241  $11,821,651
                                               23%          23%          21%
        Multi-family                     4,887,540    4,669,017    4,038,333
                                                9%           8%           7%
        C&I and other commercial        14,349,111   14,495,075   14,052,899
                                               25%          25%          25%
        Residential - Alt-A              2,746,797    2,836,902    3,071,307
                                                5%           5%           4%
        Residential - Other              8,768,218    9,019,532   10,938,584
                                               14%          15%          19%
        Home equity loans and lines of
         credit                          6,335,961    6,088,654    5,573,178
                                               11%          11%          10%
        Correspondent home equity loans (3)
         (4)                               395,800      416,084      484,965
                                                1%           1%           1%
        Auto loans - In Market           3,856,580    4,103,058    4,373,994
                                                7%           7%           8%
        Auto loans - Out of Market (4)   1,997,350    2,203,426    2,479,387
                                                4%           4%           4%
        Other consumer                     296,011      302,797      314,066
                                                1%           1%           1%
        Total (4)                       56,913,888   57,405,786   57,148,364
                                              100%         100%         100%


                                                  Net Loan Charge-Offs($)

    ADDITIONAL CREDIT                               Annualized Net Loan
     QUALITY STATISTICS                       Charge-Offs to Average Loans (%)

                                              Sept. 30    June 30     Sept. 30
    Quarters ended (in thousands)                2008        2008        2007
        Commercial real estate (1)               $(50)     $7,748      $2,401
                                                0.00%       0.24%       0.08%
        Multi-family                            5,101         227         -
                                                0.43%       0.02%       0.00%
        C&I and other commercial               63,960      25,246       8,387
                                                1.79%       0.68%       0.25%
        Residential - Alt-A                     2,889       2,289         807
                                                0.42%       0.32%       0.10%
        Residential - Other                     2,538       2,340         908
                                                0.11%       0.10%       0.03%
        Home equity loans and lines of credit   4,694       4,399         883
                                                0.30%       0.30%       0.06%
        Correspondent home equity loans (3)
         (4)                                    5,717       6,189         -
                                                5.62%       5.80%       0.00%
        Auto loans - In Market                 15,075      13,317      10,162
                                                1.52%       1.25%       0.92%
        Auto loans - Out of Market (4)         26,968      23,287       9,286
                                                5.13%       4.01%       1.67%
        Other consumer                          2,248       1,895         734
                                                3.01%       2.47%       0.92%
        Total (4)                             129,140      86,937      33,568
                                                0.91%       0.60%       0.24%


                                               Total Past Dues Excluding

    ADDITIONAL CREDIT                                Non-Accruals ($)
     QUALITY STATISTICS                    Total Past Dues to Total Loans (%)

                                            Sept. 30    June 30     Sept. 30
    Quarters ended (in thousands)             2008        2008        2007
        Commercial real estate (1)          $82,467     $63,624     $93,848
                                              0.62%       0.48%       0.79%
        Multi-family                         21,349      49,866       2,767
                                              0.44%       1.07%       0.07%
        C&I and other commercial            109,237      75,395      70,216
                                              0.76%       0.52%       0.50%
        Residential - Alt-A                 175,905