LONDON (AP) — Banco Santander SA said yesterday that it plans to bring all of its UK operations under the Santander brand by the end of next year.

The Spanish bank owns three UK businesses: Alliance & Leicester, Abbey and the savings business of Bradford & Bingley. The change will give customers access to 1,300 UK branches by the end of 2010, Santander said.

The rebranding will commence in the second half of this year when Abbey credit cards will be issued, or replaced as they become due, under the Santander name.

Santander acquired Abbey in 2004, and Alliance & Leicester in 2008.