Spain's largest bank has revealed plans speed up its £8.3 billion sterling bid for British mortgage lender Abbey National.
"We are pressing ahead to complete this offer as soon as possible and expect to obtain clearance on September 17th. We previously indicated we were aiming for completion by the end of the year," said Mr Juan Inciarte, the Santander Central Hispano executive leading the friendly bid for Abbey.
"The good news is that, provided there are no unexpected delays in obtaining the necessary regulatory approval, we are now aiming to complete in November."
News of the accelerated timetable will likely put further pressure on rival HBOS to decide if it will also bid for Abbey.
HBOS, Britain's largest mortgage lender, has said it is considering challenging Santander's bid.
If it does put an offer on the table, the move would likely trigger an investigation by Britain's Competition Commission because the combined group would hold a 35 per cent share of the country's mortgage market.
HBOS could not immediately be reached to comment.