Sovereign Bank Launches Sovereign Debit MasterCard "Morning Rush" Sweepstakes

BOSTON, Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sovereign Bank, N.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, announced that it is giving its Sovereign Debit MasterCard cardholders the chance to win prizes like coffee for a year, in the form of a $1,000 MasterCard Prepaid Card Prize, with their new "Morning Rush" sweepstakes.

The Sovereign Debit MasterCard "Morning Rush" Sweepstakes gives Sovereign cardholders one automatic entry into the contest for every purchase made using their Sovereign Debit MasterCard from February 15, 2012 through March 31, 2012.  Sovereign will award prizes to 40 Debit Card users and 10 student Debit Card users.

Eduardo Tobon, head of Santander's U.S. Cards division said, "We all make small purchases in the morning to help us get our day started.  Whether buying coffee, breakfast, a newspaper or paying daily commuting costs, the 'Morning Rush' sweepstakes is designed to reward our customers for using their Sovereign Debit MasterCard for items they buy, such as those early morning everyday purchases."

The sweepstakes is open to new and existing consumer Sovereign Bank Debit MasterCard cardholders.  No purchase is required to participate in any sweepstakes Sovereign Bank sponsors.  Transactions using a Sovereign Business Debit MasterCard and International transactions are not eligible for entries into the sweepstakes.  Winners will be notified in April, 2012.

Additional details and official rules can be found at www.sovereignbank.com/morningrush.

Since January 2010, Sovereign has awarded nearly 200 prizes to winners of its various debit card sweepstakes.  The lucky winners have received prizes that include: two brand new Audi TT Coupes, a trip to see a professional sporting event and major entertainment award show, Sony Bravia® HDTVs with 3D, Sony VAIO® Laptops, PlayStation® with PlayStation® Move Bundle and a Caribbean cruise.  Customers can see photos of some of the winners at www.sovereignbank.com/realwinners.

About Santander Holdings USA, Sovereign Bank and Banco Santander
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (SOV:US) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A., and parent company of Sovereign Bank and Santander Consumer USA.  Banco Santander is a retail and commercial bank, headquartered in Spain, with a presence in 10 main markets: Spain, Portugal, Germany, the UK, Poland, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and the U.S.  Founded in 1857, Santander has 100 million customers, approximately 14,700 branches – more than any other international bank – and more than 191,000 employees.  For more information on Santander, visit http://www.santander.com.

Sovereign Bank, N.A., is a financial institution with principal markets in the northeastern United States. Sovereign has more than 700 branches, about 2,300 ATMs, and approximately 8,600 team members.  For more information on Sovereign Bank, visit http://www.sovereignbank.com or call 877-SOV-BANK.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Sweepstakes only open to legal residents of CT, DE, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA & RI, age 18 or older as of 2/15/12.  Void where prohibited.  Restrictions Apply.  International and Business Debit Card transactions ineligible.  Starts 2/15/12.  Ends 3/31/12. Coffee awarded in the form of a $1,000 MasterCard® prepaid card.  Visit www.sovereignbank.com/morningrush for Official Rules & complete details.

SOURCE Sovereign Bank, N.A.