Banesto (acronym of Banco Español de Crédito) was a Spanish bank founded in 1902 in Madrid. It was controlled by 89.74% by Banco Santander until the merger by absorption by the same entity in May 2013.
With the legal merger, a period of brand transition began, reflecting the link between Banesto and Banco Santander, although the offices continued to operate as Banesto. Once this transition period ended, in December 2013, all the Banesto offices adopted the Santander brand.