SOVEREIGN BANCORP INC
10-Q, 2000-11-14
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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<PAGE>

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

  X    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
-----  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarter ended September 30, 2000

                                       OR

       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
-----  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                         to
                               -----------------------   ----------------------

Commission File Number: 34-16533


                             SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC.
                            ------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


         Pennsylvania                                        23-2453088
-------------------------------                         --------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                          (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)


1130 Berkshire Boulevard, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania             19610
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)


         Registrant's telephone number:  (610) 320-8400


                                       N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
       since last report.)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes _X_ . No__ .

                      APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

            Class                           Outstanding at November 13, 2000
-------------------------------             ---------------------------------
Common Stock (no par value)                               226,095,649 shares

<PAGE>


                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


     Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. ("Sovereign") may from time to time make
"forward-looking statements," including statements contained in Sovereign's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q and the Exhibits thereto), in its reports to shareholders
(including its 1999 Annual Report) and in other communications by Sovereign,
which are made in good faith by Sovereign, pursuant to the "safe harbor"
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

     These forward-looking statements include 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, including: (i)
statements relating to Sovereign's expectations and goals with respect to (a)
growth in earnings per share; (b) return on equity; (c) return on assets; (d)
efficiency ratio; (e) tier 1 leverage ratio; (f) annualized net charge-offs and
other asset quality measures; (g) fee income as a percentage of total revenue;
(h) tangible equity to assets; (i) book value and tangible book value per share;
(j) loan and deposit portfolio compositions, (ii) statements preceded by,
followed by or that include the words "may," "could," "should," "pro forma,"
"looking forward," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate,"
"intend," "plan," or similar expression. Although we believe that the
expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, these
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which are subject to
change based on various important factors (some of which, in whole or in part,
are beyond Sovereign's control). The following factors, among others, could
cause Sovereign's financial performance to differ materially from the goals,
plans, objectives, intentions and expectations, forecasts and projections (and
underlying assumptions) expressed in such forward-looking statements: (1) the
strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the
regional and local economies in which Sovereign conducts operations, (2) 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; (3) inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations;
(4) the timely development of competitive new products and services by Sovereign
and the acceptance of such products and services by customers; (5) the
willingness of customers to substitute competitors' products and services and
vice versa; (6) the success of Sovereign and Sovereign Bank in meeting the
post-closing regulatory requirements with respect to the FleetBoston acquisition
and the ability to timely pay installments related to non-solicitations
agreement in connection with the acquisition; (7) the impact of changes in
financial services' laws and regulations and the application of such laws and
regulations (including laws concerning taxes, capital, liquidity, proper
accounting treatment, securities and insurance) and the impact of changes in
generally accepted accounting principles; (8) technological changes; (9) changes
in consumer spending and savings habits; (10) unanticipated regulatory or
judicial proceedings; (11) changes in asset quality; and (12) the success of
Sovereign at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

      Operating earnings and cash earnings, as defined, are not a substitute for
other financial measures determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. Because all companies do not calculate operating

<PAGE>

                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
                                   (continued)


earnings and cash earnings in the same fashion, these measures as presented may
not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

      Sovereign cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not
exclusive, and neither such list nor any such forward-looking statement takes
into account the impact that any future acquisition may have on Sovereign and
any such forward-looking statement, Sovereign does not undertake to update any
forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time
to time by or on behalf of Sovereign.


<PAGE>

                                      INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Page

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<S>                                                                            <C>
     Item 1.   Financial Statements

             Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2000
             and December 31, 1999                                               5


             Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three-month
             and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 and 1999          6 - 7


             Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for
             the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000                      8


             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine-month
             periods ended September 30, 2000 and 1999                           9


             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                       10 - 20


     Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of
               Results of Operations and Financial Condition                  21 - 38


PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION


     Item 6.   Reports on Form 8-K                                              39


PART III.  FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE                                              40


SIGNATURES                                                                      41
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    September 30,              December 31,
                                                                        2000                       1999
                                                                    ------------              ------------
                                                                                  (Unaudited)
                                                                             (in thousands, except
                                                                                 per share data)

<S>                                                                 <C>                       <C>
ASSETS
  Cash and amounts due from
    depository institutions                                         $    898,780              $    373,996
  Interest-earning deposits                                               63,968                    19,238

  Investment securities available-for-sale                             5,447,636                 8,030,212
  Investment securities held-to-maturity
    (approximate fair value of $1,504,850_
    and $2,367,025 at September 30, 2000
    and December 31, 1999, respectively)                               1,541,095                 2,362,051
  Loans (including loans held for sale
    at approximate fair value of $54,320_
    and $62,439 at September 30, 2000 and
    December 31, 1999, respectively)                                  23,046,643                14,288,465
  Allowance for loan losses                                             (242,442)                 (132,986)
  Premises and equipment                                                 286,593                   119,201
  Other real estate owned
    and other repossessed assets                                           5,697                     5,329
  Accrued interest receivable                                            236,793                   164,720
  Goodwill and other intangible assets ($968,817 and
    $309,843 net of tax, respectively)                                 1,449,580                   434,078
  Other assets                                                         1,913,161                   942,808
                                                                    ------------              ------------

      TOTAL ASSETS                                                  $ 34,647,504              $ 26,607,112
                                                                    ============              ============

LIABILITIES
  Deposits and other customer accounts                              $ 24,470,306              $ 12,012,675
  Borrowings:
    Short-term                                                         2,912,145                 6,609,385
    Long-term                                                          4,661,946                 5,760,724
  Advance payments by borrowers
    for taxes and insurance                                               22,535                    28,222
  Other liabilities                                                      222,911                    58,265
                                                                    ------------              ------------

      TOTAL LIABILITIES                                               32,289,843                24,469,271
                                                                    ------------              ------------

Mandatorily redeemable capital securities
    ("Trust Preferred Securities") and other
    minority interest of subsidiaries                                    455,491                   316,346
                                                                    ------------              ------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Common stock; no par value; 400,000,000 shares
    authorized; 231,318,004 shares
    issued at September 30, 2000 and 230,647,896 shares
    issued at December 31, 1999                                        1,258,137                 1,254,037
  Warrants                                                                91,500                    91,500
  Unallocated common stock held by the Employee
    Stock Ownership Plan at cost;
    4,856,254 shares at September 30, 2000
    and December 31, 1999                                                (36,295)                  (36,295)
  Treasury stock at cost; 406,606 shares at
    September 30, 2000 and 383,875 shares at
    December 31, 1999                                                     (3,695)                   (3,595)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                   (90,700)                 (210,932)
  Retained earnings                                                      683,223                   726,780
                                                                    ------------              ------------

 TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                            1,902,170                 1,821,495
                                                                    ------------              ------------

      TOTAL LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTERESTS
        AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                    $ 34,647,504              $ 26,607,112
                                                                    ============              ============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      -5-

<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Three-Month Period                  Nine-Month Period
                                                           Ended September 30,                 Ended September 30,
                                                     -----------------------------       -----------------------------
                                                         2000             1999              2000              1999
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------
                                                                             (in thousands, except
                                                                                per share data)

<S>                                                  <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Interest income:
  Interest on interest-earning deposits              $     8,478       $       972       $    18,676       $     3,851
  Interest and dividends on investment
    securities available-for-sale                        117,989           144,268           391,596           395,570
  Interest and dividends on investment
    securities held-to-maturity                           24,235            20,759            99,761            72,916
  Interest and fees on loans                             484,052           249,955         1,154,195           689,089
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

      Total interest income                              634,754           415,954         1,664,228         1,161,426
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

Interest expense:
  Interest on deposits
      and other customer accounts                        217,831           110,516           499,975           329,276
  Interest on borrowings                                 162,514           143,570           563,778           383,082
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

      Total interest expense                             380,345           254,086         1,063,753           712,358
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

Net interest income                                      254,409           161,868           600,475           449,068
Provision for loan losses                                 10,000             7,500            28,000            22,500
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

Net interest income after provision for
  loan losses                                            244,409           154,368           572,475           426,568
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

Other income:
  Retail banking fees                                     28,083            13,779            59,756            35,649
  Mortgage banking revenues                                4,362             7,374            17,031            26,325
  Loan fees and service charges                            4,641             2,667            11,321             6,014
  Capital markets revenue                                  1,377                --             5,522                --
  Gain/(loss) on loans and investment
    securities transactions                              (45,052)             (299)         (126,140)            6,471
  Miscellaneous income                                    21,151            11,430            56,608            26,086
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------
      Total other income                                  14,562            34,951            24,098           100,545
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------
General and administrative expenses:
  Compensation and benefits                               81,711            38,955           196,935           113,696
  Occupancy and equipment expenses                        49,785            15,958           101,601            49,758
  Outside services                                        54,320            14,717           131,522            47,872
  Other administrative expenses                           37,893            21,173           115,624            49,118
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

      Total general and administrative expenses          223,709            90,803           545,682           260,444
                                                     -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

</TABLE>

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                   (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Three-Month Period             Nine-Month Period
                                                          Ended September 30,            Ended September 30,
                                                      -------------------------      -------------------------

                                                         2000           1999            2000           1999
                                                      ---------       ---------      ---------       ---------
                                                                          (in thousands, except
                                                                              per share data)
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>
Other operating expenses:
  Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles      $  32,630       $   9,953      $  62,775       $  28,008
  Non-solicitation expense                               47,854              --         47,854              --
  Trust Preferred Securities and
     other minority interest expense                     11,458           3,049         29,706           9,147
  Real estate owned loss/(gain), net                         94              38           (127)             60
                                                      ---------       ---------      ---------       ---------

      Total other operating expenses                     92,036          13,040        140,208          37,215
                                                      ---------       ---------      ---------       ---------

Income/(loss) before income taxes
  and extraordinary item                                (56,774)         85,476        (89,317)        229,454
Income tax provision/(benefit)                          (40,859)         29,488        (51,625)         79,376
                                                      ---------       ---------      ---------       ---------
Income/(loss) before extraordinary item                 (15,915)         55,988        (37,692)        150,078
Gain on sale of FHLB advances
   (net of tax of $5,225)                                    --              --         10,775              --
                                                      ---------       ---------      ---------       ---------

Net Income/(loss)                                     $ (15,915)      $  55,988      $ (26,917)      $ 150,078
                                                      =========       =========      =========       =========

Earnings/(loss) per share
Basic
    Income/(loss) before
       extraordinary item                             $    (.07)      $     .31      $    (.17)      $     .90
    Extraordinary item resulting from
            gain on sale of FHLB advances                    --              --            .05              --
                                                      ---------       ---------      ---------       ---------

    Net income/(loss)                                 $    (.07)      $     .31      $    (.12)      $     .90
                                                      =========       =========      =========       =========

Diluted
    Income/(loss)before
       extraordinary item                             $    (.07)      $     .31      $    (.17)      $     .89
    Extraordinary item resulting from
       gain on sale of FHLB advances                         --              --            .05              --
                                                      ---------       ---------      ---------       ---------

    Net income/(loss)                                 $    (.07)      $     .31      $    (.12)            .89
                                                      =========       =========      =========       =========

Dividends declared per common share                   $    .025       $    .025      $    .075            .075
                                                      =========       =========      =========       =========

</TABLE>





See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            Accumulated     Total
                                      Common                                                  Unallocated      Other        Stock-
                                      Shares       Common               Retained   Treasury  Common Stock  Comprehensive    Holders'
                                    Outstanding    Stock     Warrants   Earnings     Stock    Held by ESOP  Income/(Loss)   Equity
                                    -----------    -----     --------   --------     -----    ------------  -------------   ------
<S>                                 <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>
Balance, December 31, 1999            225,408   $1,254,037  $  91,500  $ 726,780  $  (3,595) $   (36,295)  $  (210,932)  $1,821,495
Comprehensive income:
Net income/(loss)                          --           --         --    (26,917)        --           --            --      (26,917)
Change in unrecognized loss on
    investment securities available-
    for-sale, net of tax                   --           --         --         --         --           --       120,232      120,232
                                                                                                                         ----------
Total comprehensive income                                                                                                   93,315
Exercise of stock options                 196          678         --         --         --           --            --          678
Sale of stock under Dividend
    Reinvestment Plan and Employee
    Stock Purchase Plan                   473        3,422         --         --         --           --            --        3,422
Dividends paid on common stock             --           --         --    (16,640)        --           --            --      (16,640)
Treasury stock repurchase                 (56)          --         --         --       (379)          --            --         (379)
Treasury stock sold                        34           --         --         --        279           --            --          279
                                    ---------   ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------   -----------   ----------

  Balance, September 30, 2000         226,055   $1,258,137  $  91,500  $ 683,223  $  (3,695) $   (36,295)  $   (90,700)  $1,902,170
                                    =========   ==========  =========  =========  =========  ===========   ===========   ==========
</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Nine-Month Period
                                                                                   Ended September 30,
                                                                            --------------------------------
                                                                                 2000                1999
                                                                                 ----                ----
                                                                                     (in thousands)
<S>                                                                         <C>                  <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income/(loss)                                                         $   (26,917)         $   150,078
  Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to
      net cash provided by operating activities:
    Provision for loan losses                                                    28,000               22,500
    Deferred taxes                                                               12,084               (1,547)
    Depreciation and amortization                                                79,578               43,931
    Net Amortization/(accretion) of investment
      securities and loan discounts                                             (37,245)              27,158
    (Gain)/loss on sale of loans, investment
      securities and real estate owned                                          125,957               (6,531)
    (Gain)/loss on sale of fixed assets                                             (55)                (112)
    (Gain) on sale of FHLB advances                                             (16,000)                  --
    Net change in:
      Loans held for sale                                                         3,108              246,604
      Accrued interest receivable                                               (18,108)              (6,344)
      Prepaid expenses and other assets                                        (847,827)            (279,188)
      Other liabilities                                                         128,808             (281,882)
                                                                            -----------          -----------
Net cash provided(used) by operating activities                             $  (568,617)         $   (85,333)
                                                                            -----------          -----------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Proceeds from sales of investment securities
      Available-for-sale                                                      7,115,299            3,727,661
      Held-to-maturity                                                               --               13,647
  Proceeds from repayments and maturities of investment securities:
      Available-for-sale                                                        680,516            1,361,003
      Held-to-maturity                                                        4,145,542              721,882
  Purchases of investment securities:
      Available-for-sale                                                     (5,092,830)          (6,541,381)
      Held-to-maturity                                                       (2,702,207)             (25,685)
  Proceeds from sales of loans                                                  442,479            1,053,573
  Purchase of loans                                                          (1,216,376)          (1,457,291)
  Net change in loans other than purchases and sales                            444,275           (1,171,502)
  Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment                                  47,919                1,721
  Purchases of premises and equipment                                          (163,859)             (25,234)
  Proceeds from sale of real estate owned                                         2,906               13,327
  Net cash (paid)received due to acquisitions net
      of cash acquired                                                        1,916,345              112,998
                                                                            -----------          -----------
Net cash provided(used) by investing activities                               5,620,009           (2,215,281)
                                                                            -----------          -----------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Net (decrease)/increase in deposits
      and other customer accounts                                               181,939             (954,393)
  Net increase/(decrease) in short-term borrowings                           (4,315,211)           1,464,031
  Proceeds from long-term borrowings                                          1,013,068            1,819,994
  Repayments of long-term borrowings                                           (569,982)            (149,302)
  Sale of FHLB advances                                                        (911,037)                  --
  Net increase in advance payments by
    borrowers for taxes and insurance                                            (5,687)              (5,816)
  Proceeds from the issuance of preferred
    stock by subsidiary                                                         137,672                 --
  Cash dividends paid to stockholders                                           (16,640)             (12,301)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                          4,100                7,456
  Advance to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan                                       --                 (437)
  (Purchase)/issuance of treasury stock                                            (100)             (46,656)
                                                                            -----------          -----------
Net cash provided(used) by financing activities                              (4,481,878)           2,122,576
                                                                            -----------          -----------

Net change in cash and cash equivalents                                         569,514             (178,038)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                393,234              553,724
                                                                            -----------          -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                  $   962,748          $   375,686
                                                                            ===========          ===========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

Supplemental Disclosures:
Income tax payments totaled $6.1 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2000 and $83.5 million for the same period in 1999. Interest
payments totaled $1.1 billion for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000
and $687 million for the same period in 1999. Noncash activity consisted of
acquisitions which included $9.1 billion of loans and assumption of $12.3
billion of deposits for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000 and $551
million of loans and assumptions of $515 million of deposits for the same period
in 1999; FHLMC securitization of mortgage loans of $623 million for the nine
month period ended September 30, 2000; and reclassification of long-term
borrowings to short-term borrowings of $615 million for the nine-month period
ended September 30, 2000 and $397 million for the same period in 1999.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)


(1)      BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

         The accompanying financial statements of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and
Subsidiaries ("Sovereign") include the accounts of the parent company, Sovereign
Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Sovereign Bank, Sovereign
Delaware Investment Corporation, Sovereign Delaware Escrow Corporation
(dissolved July 21, 2000), Sovereign Capital Trust I, Sovereign Capital Trust II
and ML Capital Trust I. All material intercompany balances and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation.

         These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the
instructions for Form 10-Q and therefore do not include certain information or
footnotes necessary for the presentation of financial condition, results of
operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. However, in the opinion of management, the
consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (which consist of
normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for
the unaudited periods.

         The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain
amounts in the financial statements of prior periods have been reclassified to
conform with the presentation used in current period financial statements. These
reclassifications have no effect on net income.

         The results of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods
ended September 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may
be expected for the entire year. The consolidated financial statements should be
read in conjunction with Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

         Included in goodwill and other intangibles on the consolidated balance
sheet are amounts which are deductible for federal and state income tax
purposes. The parenthetical amounts presented on the face of the statement
reflect the amounts of goodwill and other intangibles, after reducing such
amounts for the future tax benefits to be received as these amounts are
amortized against future earnings.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)


(2)      EARNINGS PER SHARE

         Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing income before
extraordinary item by the weighted average common shares outstanding, excluding
options and warrants. In calculating diluted earnings per share, the dilutive
effect of options and warrants is calculated using the treasury stock method,
using the average market price for the period.

         The following table presents the computation of earnings per share for
the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Three-Month Period                  Nine-Month Period
                                                 Ended September 30,                 Ended September 30,
                                            ----------------------------         ---------------------------
                                               2000               1999             2000               1999
                                               ----               ----             ----               ----
<S>                                         <C>                <C>               <C>                <C>
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income/(loss) before
  extraordinary item                        $ (15,915)         $  55,988         $ (37,692)         $ 150,078
                                            ---------          ---------         ---------          ---------

Average basic shares                          225,987            180,902           225,795            166,548
                                            =========          =========         =========          =========

Basic earnings/(loss) per share
  before extraordinary item                 $    (.07)         $     .31         $    (.17)         $     .90
                                            =========          =========         =========          =========

Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Income/(loss) before
  extraordinary item                        $ (15,915)         $  55,988         $ (37,692)         $ 150,078
                                            ---------          ---------         ---------          ---------

Average diluted shares                        225,987            180,902           225,795            166,549
Dilutive effect of average stock
  options, net of shares assumed to
  be repurchased under the treasury
  stock method                                     --              1,876                --              2,134
                                            ---------          ---------         ---------          ---------
Total average diluted shares                  225,987            182,778           225,795            168,683
                                            =========          =========         =========          =========
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share
  before extraordinary item                 $    (.07)         $     .31         $    (.17)         $     .89
                                            =========          =========         =========          =========

</TABLE>


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

(Continued)

(3)      INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

     The following table presents the composition and fair value of investment
securities available-for-sale at the dates indicated: (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               September 30, 2000
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Amortized          Unrealized          Unrealized           Fair
                                        Cost            Appreciation        Depreciation         Value
                                    ----------         -------------        ------------      ----------
<S>                                 <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Investment Securities:
  U.S. Treasury and gov't
    agency securities               $   52,085         $        7         $      751         $   51,341
  Corporate securities/
        trust preferred                300,213              9,689              6,626            303,276
  Asset backed securities              562,695                 --             18,315            544,380
  Equities                              23,196                 27              5,408             17,815
  FHLB stock                           298,397                 --                 --            298,397
  Agency preferred stock               425,888                192              3,575            422,505
  Municipal securities                  37,678              1,936                789             38,825

Mortgage-backed Securities:
  Passthroughs:
    U.S. government agency             637,174              1,657             14,870            623,961
    Non-agency                       2,468,338                 --             95,402          2,372,936
  Collateralized mortgage
      obligations                      781,445              1,333              8,578            774,200
                                    ----------         ----------         ----------         ----------
Total investment securities
  available-for-sale                $5,587,109         $   14,841         $  154,314         $5,447,636
                                    ==========         ==========         ==========         ==========

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              December 31, 1999
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Amortized          Unrealized        Unrealized            Fair
                                        Cost            Appreciation      Depreciation           Value
                                    ----------         -------------      ------------        ----------
<S>                                 <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Investment Securities:
  U.S. Treasury and
    government agency
    securities                      $   77,229         $        2         $    1,210         $   76,021
 Corporate securities/
        trust preferred                243,915                650             14,231            230,334
  Asset backed securities              685,274                 --             21,149            664,125
  Equities                              32,142                 31             11,420             20,753
  FHLB stock                           524,397                 --                 --            524,397
  Agency preferred stock               425,888              4,135                395            429,628
  Municipal securities                  32,813                745              1,379             32,179

Mortgage-backed Securities:
  Passthroughs:
    U.S. government agency             478,462                909             21,004            458,367
    Non-agency                       2,688,315                 --            132,333          2,555,982
  Collateralized mortgage
      obligations                    3,166,472              2,564            130,610          3,038,426
                                    ----------         ----------         ----------         ----------
Total investment securities
  available-for-sale                $8,354,907         $    9,036         $  333,731         $8,030,212
                                    ==========         ==========         ==========         ==========

</TABLE>

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                   (Continued)


(4)      INVESTMENT SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY

     The following table presents the composition and fair value of investment
securities held-to-maturity at the dates indicated: (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              September 30, 2000
                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Amortized        Unrealized          Unrealized            Fair
                                        Cost          Appreciation        Depreciation           Value
                                        ----          ------------        ------------           -----
<S>                                 <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Investment Securities:
  U.S. Treasury and
    government agency
    securities                      $   47,217         $        1         $      959         $   46,259
  Corporate securities/
        trust preferred                 37,501              2,284                  6             39,779
  Municipal securities                     885                134                  7              1,012

Mortgage-backed Securities:
  Passthroughs:
    U.S. government agency           1,058,419              3,264             32,727          1,028,956
    Non-agency                          41,102                286                269             41,119
  Collateralized mortgage
    obligations                        355,971                370              8,616            347,725
                                    ----------         ----------         ----------         ----------

Total investment securities
  held-to-maturity                  $1,541,095         $    6,339         $   42,584         $1,504,850
                                    ==========         ==========         ==========         ==========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                December 31, 1999
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Amortized         Unrealized         Unrealized            Fair
                                        Cost           Appreciation       Depreciation          Value
                                        ----           ------------       ------------          -----
<S>                                 <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Investment Securities:
  U.S. Treasury and
    government agency
    securities                      $    4,807         $       --         $      109         $    4,698
  Corporate securities/
        trust preferred              1,326,827              9,852                165          1,336,514
  Municipal securities                   3,275                 96                 22              3,349

Mortgage-backed Securities:
  Passthroughs:
    U.S. government agency             499,866              2,516              2,365            500,017
    Non-agency                          52,319                377                224             52,472
  Collateralized mortgage
    obligations                        474,957              2,520              7,502            469,975
                                    ----------         ----------         ----------         ----------

Total investment securities
  held-to-maturity                  $2,362,051         $   15,361         $   10,387         $2,367,025
                                    ==========         ==========         ==========         ==========

</TABLE>
                                      -13-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                   (Continued)


(5)      COMPOSITION OF LOAN PORTFOLIO

     The following table presents the composition of the loan portfolio by type
of loan and by fixed and adjustable rates at the dates indicated: (dollars in
thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              September 30, 2000                 December 31, 1999
                                        -----------------------------     -----------------------------

                                            Amount           Percent          Amount            Percent
                                            ------           -------          ------            -------
<S>                                     <C>                    <C>         <C>                    <C>
Residential real estate loans           $ 8,505,225            36.9%       $ 5,685,220            39.8%
Residential construction loans               54,029              .2             59,264              .4
                                        -----------         -------        -----------         -------

     Total Residential Loans              8,559,254            37.1          5,744,484            40.2
                                        -----------         -------        -----------         -------

Commercial real estate loans              2,787,401            12.1          1,516,953            10.6
Commercial and industrial loans           4,108,695            17.8          1,690,744            11.8
Automotive floor plan loans               1,027,249             4.5            730,623             5.1
Multi-family loans                          129,220              .6            137,019             1.0
                                        -----------         -------        -----------         -------

     Total Commercial Loans               8,052,565            35.0          4,075,339            28.5
                                        -----------         -------        -----------         -------

Home equity loans                         3,415,101            14.8          1,957,945            13.7
Auto loans                                2,267,052             9.8          1,936,980            13.6
Loans to automotive lessors                 308,032             1.3            288,636             2.0
Student loans                               246,955             1.1            249,279             1.7
Other                                       197,684              .9             35,802              .3
                                        -----------         -------        -----------         -------

     Total Consumer Loans                 6,434,824            27.9%         4,468,642            31.3%
                                        -----------         -------        -----------         -------

       Total Loans (1)                  $23,046,643           100.0%       $14,288,465           100.0%
                                        ===========         =======        ===========         =======


Total Loans with:
  Fixed rate                            $14,642,520            63.5%       $ 8,769,876            61.4%
  Variable rate                           8,404,123            36.5          5,518,589            38.6
                                        -----------         -------        -----------         -------
       Total Loans (1)                  $23,046,643           100.0%       $14,288,465           100.0%
                                        ===========         =======        ===========         =======
</TABLE>

(1)  Loan totals include deferred loan fees and unamortized premiums and
     discounts. These fees, premiums and discounts resulted in a net decrease in
     loans of $37.9 million at September 30, 2000 and a net increase of $24.0
     million at December 31, 1999.


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                   (Continued)


(6)      DEPOSIT PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

     The following table presents the composition of deposits and other customer
accounts at the dates indicated: (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          September 30, 2000                             December 31, 1999
                              ----------------------------------------       -----------------------------------------

                                                              Weighted                                       Weighted
                                                              Average                                         Average
  Account Type                   Amount          Percent        Rate             Amount          Percent       Rate
  ------------                   ------          -------      --------           ------          -------      --------
<S>                           <C>                  <C>        <C>            <C>                 <C>            <C>
Demand deposit accounts       $ 3,351,515          13.7%          - %         $ 1,089,472           9.1%          - %
NOW accounts                    4,119,375          16.8         2.57            1,871,288          15.6         2.44
Savings accounts                3,103,725          12.7         2.35            2,142,708          17.8         2.69
Money market accounts           4,457,714          18.2         4.38            1,345,325          11.2         4.17
Retail certificates             8,389,170          34.3         5.75            4,708,057          39.2         5.00
Jumbo certificates              1,048,807           4.3         6.55              855,825           7.1         5.56
                              -----------        ------        -----          -----------        ------       ------

Total Deposits                $24,470,306         100.0%        3.78%         $12,012,675         100.0%        3.68%
                              ===========        ======        =====          ===========        ======       ======
</TABLE>


(7)      BORROWINGS

     The following table presents information regarding -borrowings at the dates
indicated: (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 September 30, 2000                   December 31, 1999
                                            ---------------------------         ----------------------------
                                                               Weighted                             Weighted
                                                               Average                              Average
                                               Balance          Rate               Balance            Rate
                                               -------         --------            -------          ---------
<S>                                         <C>                  <C>            <C>                    <C>
Securities sold under
  repurchase agreements                     $1,041,020           6.68%          $   291,524            5.89%
FHLB advances                                5,050,784           5.74            10,484,904            5.43
Other borrowings                             1,482,287          10.80             1,593,681           10.74
                                            ----------         ------           -----------          ------

  Total Borrowings                          $7,574,091           6.86%          $12,370,109            6.12%
                                            ==========         ======           ===========          ======
</TABLE>

     In March, 2000, the Company auctioned $927 million of FHLB advances at a
premium of $16 million pre-tax. Accordingly, the gain associated with the
auction of the FHLB advances is treated as an extraordinary item on the
statement of operations.


<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                   (Continued)


(8)      INTEREST RATE EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS

         Interest rate swaps are generally used to convert fixed rate assets and
liabilities to variable rate assets and liabilities and vice versa. Interest
rate caps are primarily used to limit the exposure from the repricing and
maturity of liabilities. Interest rate floors are primarily used to limit the
exposure from repricing and maturity of assets. Interest rate caps and floors
are also used to limit the exposure created by other interest rate swaps. In
certain cases, interest rate caps and floors are simultaneously bought and sold
to create a range of protection (interest rate corridors) against changing
interest rates while limiting the cost of that protection. The following table
presents information regarding interest rate exchange agreements at the dates
indicated: (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    September 30, 2000
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Weighted
                                                                                                    Average
                                              Notional           Book            Estimated          Maturity
                                               Amount            Value           Fair Value         In Years
                                               ------            -----           ----------         --------
<S>                                         <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>
Non-amortizing interest rate swaps:
  Pay variable-receive fixed (1)             $  828,294        $     -            $ 2,448              5.9
  Pay fixed-receive variable (2)                400,000              -             (5,371)             2.0
Interest rate caps/floors
                   /corridors(3)                500,000          1,482                885              3.0
                                             ----------        -------            -------
                                             $1,728,294        $ 1,482            $(2,038)
                                             ==========        =======            =======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    December 31, 1999
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Weighted
                                                                                                    Average
                                              Notional           Book            Estimated          Maturity
                                               Amount            Value           Fair Value         In Years
                                               ------            -----           ----------         --------
<S>                                         <C>               <C>               <C>                   <C>
Non-amortizing interest rate swaps:
  Pay variable-receive fixed (1)             $  252,300        $      -          $(6,846)              7.0
  Pay fixed-receive variable (2)                200,000               -            8,853               3.1
Interest rate caps/floors
                   /corridors (3)             1,200,000           4,463             (809)              2.6
                                             ----------        --------          -------
                                             $1,652,300        $  4,463          $ 1,198
                                             ==========        ========          =======

</TABLE>

                                      -16-
<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                   (Continued)


(1)   The weighted average pay rate was 6.59% and 7.24% and the weighted average
      receive rate was 7.31% and 7.82% at September 30, 2000 and December 31,
      1999, respectively.
(2)   The weighted average pay rate was 7.36% and 5.41% and the weighted average
      receive rate was 6.66% and 6.13% at September 30, 2000 and December 31,
      1999, respectively.
(3)   The strike price range was 6.00% - 6.66% at September 30, 2000 and 5.25% -
      9.00% at December 31, 1999.

         The following table summarizes by notional amounts the activity of
Sovereign's interest rate exchange agreements: (dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Balance                                                         Balance
                             December 31,                    Maturities/                    September 30,
                                1999          Additions     Amortization    Terminations         2000
                             ----------      ----------      ----------      ----------      ----------
<S>                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Non-amortizing interest
  rate swaps                 $  452,300      $1,230,945      $  127,300      $  327,651      $1,228,294
Interest rate
  caps/floors/corridors       1,200,000              --              --         700,000         500,000
                             ----------      ----------      ----------      ----------      ----------

                             $1,652,300      $1,230,945      $  127,300      $1,027,651      $1,728,294
                             ==========      ==========      ==========      ==========      ==========
</TABLE>

         Net interest income resulting from interest rate exchange agreements
for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000 was $2.9 million.

(9)      INCOME TAXES

         The nine-months ended effective tax rate (before extraordinary item)
differs from the statutory rate of 35% as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Nine-Months Ended September 30,
                                                          2000           1999
                                                          ----           ----
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>
Federal income tax (benefit) expense
    at statutory rate                                   (35.0%)          35.0%
Increase(decrease) in taxes resulting from:
    Tax-exempt interest                                 (12.4%)          (5.0%)
    State income taxes, net of federal
       tax benefit                                        0.1%            0.3%
    Amortization of intangible assets and
       other purchase accounting adjustments              2.3%            0.7%
    Non-deductible merger-related costs                     -             0.2%
    Minority interest                                   (14.6%)             -
    Other                                                 1.8%            3.4%
                                                       -------           -----

                                                        (57.8%)          34.6%
                                                       =======           =====
</TABLE>

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             (Unaudited)(Continued)

(10)     ACQUISITIONS

         On September 3, 1999, Sovereign entered into a purchase and assumption
agreement with FleetBoston Financial to acquire branch banking offices located
in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, and related
deposit liabilities, loans and other assets associated with the business of
those branches. On February 28, 2000, Sovereign and FleetBoston Financial agreed
to restructure certain terms of the agreement. In total, Sovereign purchased
approximately $12 billion of deposits, $9 billion of loans and 281 community
banking offices exclusive of 4 locations being resold to a third party as
detailed in the chart below. The acquisition, which resulted in the creation of
Sovereign Bank New England ("SBNE"), the third largest bank in New England,
included the following: the former Fleet Bank community banking franchise in
eastern Massachusetts; the entire former BankBoston community banking franchise
in Rhode Island; and select community banking offices of Fleet Bank in Southern
New Hampshire and BankBoston in Connecticut. In addition, Sovereign acquired a
substantial portion of the middle market and small business-lending group from
Fleet in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and from BankBoston in Rhode Island
and Connecticut. The acquisition included the purchase of fully functioning
business units, with the necessary management, relationship officers, support
staff and other infrastructure for the acquired loans and deposits to be fully
serviced.

                      Summary of Completed SBNE Acquisition

Date Completed      Divested Units        Deposits   Branches     Loans
--------------  ---------------------- ------------- -------- -------------
March 24, 2000  RI, CT (BankBoston)    $ 4.2 billion     90   $2.5 billion
June 16, 2000   Eastern MA (Fleet)     $ 3.8 billion     86   $3.5 billion
July 21, 2000   Central MA, NH (Fleet) $ 4.3 billion    105   $2.0 billion
                                       -----            ---   ----
                                       $12.3 billion    281   $8.0 billion

         Sovereign successfully completed each of the three phases of the
purchase and assumption agreement of SBNE as described in the table above and
following. Sovereign's results include the operations of these acquired SBNE
branches, assets and liabilities from their respective acquisition dates, and
thereafter. Total deposits transferred through the acquisition were $12.3
billion. Additionally, loan balances transferred to Sovereign approximated $9.1
billion, which included $3.1 billion of commercial loans and leases, $1.7
billion of consumer loans and $4.3 billion of residential mortgages. Residential
mortgage loans of $1.1 billion that were not relationship assets were
subsequently sold as part of Sovereign's asset-liability management strategy to
reduce interest rate risk and are not included in the loans acquired in the
above table. Other assets acquired included $85 million of currency, $68 million
of premises and equipment, $180 million of precious metals inventory and $213
million of prepaid and other miscellaneous assets.


         Total consideration for the entire consumer and banking franchise was
12% of acquired deposits less agreed upon reductions, or approximately $0.9
billion. Included in the 12% premium, Sovereign will pay up to $333 million in
periodic installments between January 2001 and October 2001 if FleetBoston
complies with its non-solicitation obligations under the agreement and certain
other conditions are met.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                   (Continued)

(10)   ACQUISITIONS (continued)

         For the entire acquisition, Sovereign paid a net premium of $848
million, recorded a fair value reduction on acquired loans of $147 million and
established an initial allowance for loan losses of $118 million. These items
result in total intangibles of $1.1 billion including goodwill of $685 million
and core deposit intangible of $428 million to be amortized over 25 years and 10
years, respectively. These adjustments are based upon preliminary information
and are subject to further revision throughout the year.

         Sovereign reduced total borrowings by $5.9 billion during the quarter.
Proceeds from the $1.3 billion of held-to-maturity investment securities
released from escrow, the cash received in the final closing and proceeds of
approximately $2.0 billion from the two investment security deleveraging
transactions were used to accomplish this reduction. Sovereign pre-paid $150
million of its $500 million Senior Secured Credit Facility due November 14,
2003, and $50 million of its 6.75% Senior Notes which matured on August 3, 2000
and reduced FHLB advances and other borrowings by $5.7 billion.

         On June 30, 1999, Sovereign acquired Peoples Bancorp Inc. ("Peoples"),
a $1.4 billion bank holding company headquartered in Lawrenceville, New Jersey
whose principal operating subsidiary operated fourteen (14) community banking
offices in Mercer, Burlington and Ocean counties, New Jersey. The transaction
added investments, loans and deposits to Sovereign of approximately $922
million, $503 million and $515 million, respectively. In accordance with the
merger agreement, Peoples' shareholders received .80 shares of Sovereign common
stock for each outstanding share of Peoples common stock. Sovereign issued
approximately 23.6 million shares of Sovereign common stock in connection with
the transaction, which was accounted for as a purchase. Sovereign recorded total
intangibles of $39.5 million, of which $9.8 million was allocated to a core
deposit intangible and $29.7 million was allocated to goodwill. The goodwill and
core deposit intangible are being amortized over 25 years and 10 years,
respectively. Sovereign's results of operations include the operations of
Peoples from June 30, 1999 and thereafter.

         On June 15, 1999, Sovereign acquired The Network Companies ("Network"),
a privately held specialty leasing company headquartered in Commack, New York.
Network provides financing for the purchase or lease of equipment and specialty
vehicles plus other specialty products for businesses throughout the United
States, with transactions ranging from $15,000 to $250,000. The purchase price
of $6 million consisted of $4 million of stock and $2 million of cash. The
acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. Sovereign paid a premium of $6
million, all of which was allocated to goodwill. Network had total assets of
approximately $50 million. The goodwill is being amortized over 25 years.
Sovereign's results of operations include the operations of Network from June
15, 1999 and thereafter.


                                      -19-
<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                   (Continued)


(11)     COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

         The following table presents the components of comprehensive income,
net of related tax, based on the provisions of SFAS No. 130 for the periods
indicated: (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Three-Month Period              Nine-Month Period
                                                   Ended Sept 30,                  Ended Sept 30,
                                            -------------------------       -------------------------
                                               2000            1999            2000            1999
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Net income/(loss)                           $ (15,915)      $  55,988       $ (26,917)      $ 150,078
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on
  securities arising during the period         42,169         (56,968)         38,241        (148,349)
Less reclassification adjustment              (29,284)           (194)        (81,991)          4,206
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Net unrealized (losses)/gains
  recognized in other comprehensive
  income                                       71,453         (56,774)        120,232        (152,554)
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Comprehensive income/(loss)                 $  55,538       $    (786)      $  93,315       $  (2,476)
                                            =========       =========       =========       =========
</TABLE>



         Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related tax, consisted of
net unrealized losses on securities of $90.7 million at September 30, 2000 and
net unrealized losses on securities of $211 million at December 31, 1999.


(12)     IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS

         Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133: Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts, (collectively referred to as
derivatives) and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial
position and measure those instruments at fair value. SFAS 133 was subsequently
amended to delay to the effective for all fiscal quarters of all fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2000, with earlier application encouraged. The Company
does not believe that adoption of this statement will have a material impact on
its financial statements.


                                      -20-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

         Cash earnings, as defined below, for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2000 increased 51% to $96.0 million, or $0.43 per share, up from
$63.7 million, or $0.35 per share, for the same period in 1999. Operating
earnings for 2000 increased 32% to $74.1 million, or $0.33 per share, as
compared to $56.0 million, or $0.31 per share, for 1999.

         Operating earnings include certain one-time tax benefits and exclude
the following special charges for 2000: merger-related and integration charges
related to acquisitions, as well as the impact on net interest income and shares
outstanding from the early issuance of certain debt and equity instruments
issued to finance Sovereign's New England retail banking and middle market
lending acquisition ("Sovereign Bank New England" or "SBNE"). Special charges
for the quarter ended September 30, 2000 were $72.0 million after tax and are
outlined in the Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Earnings table on the
following page. Cash earnings are operating earnings excluding amortization of
intangible assets and ESOP-related expense.

         Net loss, including the special charges noted above, was $26.9 million,
or $.12 per share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000, as
compared to net income of $150 million, or $.89 per share, for the same period
in 1999.

         Cash return on average equity, cash return on average tangible equity
and cash return on average total assets, excluding special charges discussed
above, were 18.93%, 41.85% and 1.01% for the nine-month period ended September
30, 2000 compared to 17.99%, 26.75% and .99% for the same period in 1999.


Successful Formation of Sovereign Bank New England

         Sovereign successfully completed the SBNE conversion in three phases on
March 24, June 16 and July 21, 2000. Sovereign's results include the operations
of these acquired SBNE branches, assets and liabilities from their respective
acquisition dates, and thereafter. The transaction represents the largest branch
acquisition in banking history and created the third largest bank in New England
with 281 retail banking offices, over 550 automated teller machines ("ATMs") and
approximately $12.3 billion of deposits and $8.0 billion of commercial, consumer
and mortgage loans net of a $1.1 billion sale of residential mortgages that were
not relationship assets.

         Please see Note 9 ACQUISITIONS of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for a more complete description of the SBNE transactions.



                                      -21-

<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)

               Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Earnings
        (In thousands, except per share data - all amounts are after tax)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Three-Month Period                          Nine-Month Period
                                                         Ended September 30                          Ended September 30
                                                         ------------------                          ------------------
                                            2000        1999          2000     1999          2000      1999         2000    1999
                                            ----        ----          ----     ----          ----      ----         ----    ----
                                                  Total                 Per Share                 Total              Per Share
                                        ----------------------      ----------------      --------------------    ---------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>            <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>
Net income/(loss) as reported           $ (15,915)   $  55,988      $ (.07)   $  .31      $ (26,917)  $150,078    $  (.12)  $ .89
Net negative carry on
  escrowed bond proceeds (1)                1,574           --         .01        --         18,589         --        .08      --
Merger-related and integration
  costs recorded during the
  period (2)                               28,974           --         .13        --         97,063         --        .43      --
Expense on convertible trust
  preferred securities
  ("PIERS")(1)                                133           --         .00        --          6,502         --        .03      --
Loss on securities due to
  restructuring of the
  balance sheet (4)                        28,426           --         .12        --         66,956         --        .29      --
Non-compete covenant expense               31,105           --         .13        --         31,105         --        .14      --
Assumed interest expense reduction
  due to paydown of other
  borrowings with net proceeds of
  common equity and PIERS (1)                (176)          --         .00        --         (9,051)        --       (.04)     --
Impact of additional shares
  outstanding for 1999 common
  stock offerings (3)                          --           --         .01        --             --         --        .10      --
Operating earnings (3)                  $  74,121    $  55,988      $  .33    $  .31      $ 184,247   $150,078    $   .91   $ .89
                                        ---------    ---------      ------    ------      ---------   --------    -------   -----
Cash earnings (3)                       $  95,977    $  63,708      $  .43    $  .35      $ 228,193   $171,711    $  1.13   $1.02
                                        =========    =========      ======    ======      =========   ========    =======   =====
Average shares before
  adjustment for offering                 225,987      182,778                              225,795    168,683
                                        =========    =========                            =========   ========
Average shares after
  adjustment for offering (3)             223,779      182,778                              202,551    168,683
                                        =========    =========                            =========   ========
</TABLE>

(1)  As part of the agreement to purchase Sovereign Bank New England, Sovereign
     raised $1.8 billion of debt and equity capital in November and December,
     1999 of which $1.3 billion of debt proceeds were in escrow with limited
     ability to reinvest the proceeds until the acquisition was completed on
     July 21, 2000. Consequently, the excess of negative carry and trust
     preferred expense over interest expense reduction realized on the raised
     capital resulted in a net reduction in pre-tax income of $2.9 million ($1.5
     million after tax) and $24.7 million ($16.0 million after tax) comprised of
     the following components for the three and nine-month periods ending
     September 30, 2000, respectively: a)a reduction of net interest income of
     $3.1 million ($1.6 million after-tax) and $28.6 million ($18.6 million
     after tax), respectively; b)expense of $.5 million ($.1 million after-tax)
     and $10.0 million ($6.5 million after tax) associated with PIERS issued in
     November, 1999; c)an assumed $.6 million ($.2 million after tax) and $13.9
     million ($9.1 million after tax) of interest expense reduction from the
     assumed paydown of other borrowings with the proceeds of the Trust
     Preferred Securities and the common stock offerings.

(2)  See further discussion of general and administrative expenses in
     management's discussion and analysis.

(3)  Operating earnings per share and cash earnings per share are calculated
     using a weighted average number of shares which include, for the three and
     nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000, a pro rata portion of the
     shares issued in November, 1999 in proportion to deposits acquired on March
     24, 2000, June 16, 2000 and July 21, 2000 over total estimated SBNE
     deposits acquired in each phase of the SBNE acquisition.

(4)  See further discussion of other income included in management's discussion
     and analysis.


                                      -22-
<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


        CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET / NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
              THREE AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED September 30, 2000
                                 (in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Three Months                           Nine Months
                                              ----------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
                                                                  Interest     Average                     Interest       Average
                                                  Average          Income/      Yield/      Average         Income/        Yield/
                                                  Balance         Expense       Rate(1)     Balance         Expense        Rate(1)
                                              ----------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>              <C>               <C>    <C>              <C>                 <C>
ASSETS
------
Investments:
  Interest earning deposits                   $     95,510     $      8,478      35.28% $    173,538     $     18,676        14.22%
  Investment securities available-for-sale
                                                 6,447,445          117,989       7.46%    7,346,830          391,596         7.24%
  Investment securities held-to-maturity
                                                 1,363,544           24,235       7.12%    1,974,635           99,761         6.74%
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----

      Total investments                          7,906,499          150,702       7.74%    9,495,003          510,033         7.26%
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
Loans:
  Residential loans                              8,845,712          173,751       7.85%    7,061,092          404,880         7.64%
  Commercial loans                               7,656,118          174,940       9.09%    5,985,842          397,809         8.87%
  Consumer loans                                 6,334,960          135,361       8.51%    5,592,422          351,506         8.39%
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
  Total loans                                   22,836,790          484,052       8.45%   18,639,356        1,154,195         8.26%
  Allowance for loan losses                       (212,228)              --         --      (168,393)              --           --
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
      Net loans                                 22,624,562          484,052       8.53%   18,470,963        1,154,195         8.34%
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
      Total interest earning assets             30,531,061          634,754       8.32%   27,965,966        1,664,228         7.97%
  Non-interest earning assets                    4,657,712               --         --     3,358,627               --           --
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
      TOTAL ASSETS                            $ 35,188,773          634,754       7.23% $ 31,324,593        1,664,228         7.12%
                                              ============     ------------      -----  ============     ------------        -----
LIABILITIES
-----------
Deposits:
  Core deposits                               $ 14,282,306           88,418       2.46% $ 10,029,363          186,920         2.49%
  Time deposits                                  8,916,525          129,413       5.77%    7,457,031          313,055         5.60%
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
      Total deposits                            23,198,831          217,831       3.74%   17,486,394          499,975         3.82%
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
Borrowed funds:
  FHLB advances                                  6,543,111           98,826       5.90%    8,911,517          395,542         5.84%
  Repurchase agreements                          1,520,122           25,068       6.46%    1,045,837           50,719         6.37%
   Other borrowings                              1,484,289           38,620      10.38%    1,553,003          117,517        10.10%
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
      Total borrowed funds                       9,547,522          162,514       6.69%   11,510,357          563,778         6.46%
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
 Total interest bearing liabilities             32,746,353          380,345       4.60%   28,996,751        1,063,753         4.87%
  Non-interest bearing liabilities                 582,511               --         --       483,433               --           --
                                              ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
      Total liabilities                         33,328,864          380,345       4.51%   29,480,184        1,063,753         4.78%

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                             1,859,909               --         --     1,844,409               --           --
--------------------                          ------------     ------------      -----  ------------     ------------        -----
      TOTAL LIABILITIES
       AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY               $ 35,188,773     $    380,345       4.28% $ 31,324,593     $  1,063,753         4.50%
                                              ============     ------------      -----  ============     ------------        -----
NET INTEREST INCOME                                            $    254,409                              $    600,475
                                                               ============                              ============
NET INTEREST SPREAD                                                               2.95%                                       2.61%
                                                                                 =====                                       =====
NET INTEREST MARGIN                                                               3.40%                                       2.93%
                                                                                 =====                                       =====
NET INTEREST MARGIN-OPERATING BASIS                                               3.47%                                       3.10%
                                                                                 =====                                       =====
</TABLE>
(1) Tax-equivalent basis

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


         Net interest income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2000 was $254 million and $600 million compared to $162 million
and $449 million for the same periods in 1999. This increase was attributable to
an increase in average balances resulting from internal growth and recent
acquisitions. Net interest margin - operating basis (net interest income
adjusted to eliminate the negative impact from escrowed financing proceeds
relating to the acquisition of Sovereign Bank New England, divided by average
interest-earning assets - see Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating
Earnings) was 3.47% and 3.10% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2000 and compared to 2.95% and 2.88% for the same periods in 1999.

         Interest on investment securities available-for-sale was $118 million
and $392 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30,
2000 compared to $144 million and $396 million for the same periods in 1999. The
average balance of investment securities available-for-sale was $7.3 billion
with an average tax equivalent yield of 7.24% for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2000 compared to an average balance of $7.9 billion with an
average yield of 6.78% for the same period in 1999. The decrease in average
investment securities available for sale from the prior year reflects the
deleveraging transactions accomplished in June and September.

     Interest on investment securities held-to-maturity was $24.2 million and
$99.8 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30,
2000 compared to $20.8 million and $72.9 million for the same periods in 1999.
The average balance of investment securities held-to-maturity was $2.0 billion
with an average yield of 6.74% for the nine-month period ended September 30,
2000 compared to an average balance of $1.4 billion with an average yield of
6.98% for the same period in 1999. Matured investment securities of $1.3 billion
were used to reduce wholesale borrowings when the funds were released from
escrow upon completion of the SBNE acquisition on July 21, 2000.

     Interest and fees on loans were $484 million and $1.2 billion for the
three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 compared to $250
million and $689 million for the same periods in 1999. The average balance of
loans was $18.6 billion with an average yield of 8.26% for the nine-month period
ended September 30, 2000 compared to an average balance of $12.1 billion with an
average yield of 7.64% for the same period in 1999.

     Interest on deposits was $218 million and $500 million for the three-month
and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 compared to $111 million and
$329 million for the same periods in 1999. The average balance of deposits was
$17.5 billion with an average cost of 3.82% for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2000 compared to an average balance of $12.2 billion with an
average cost of 3.59% for the same period in 1999.

     Interest on borrowings was $163 million and $564 million for the
three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 compared to $144
million and $383 million for the same periods in 1999. The average balance of
borrowings was


                                      -24-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


$11.5 billion with an average cost of 6.46% for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2000 compared to an average balance of $9.6 billion with an
average cost of 5.32% for the same period in 1999. The increase in the average
balance and average cost of borrowings was the result of balance sheet growth
being funded by borrowings, and the additional $1.2 billion in borrowings raised
to finance the Sovereign Bank New England transaction offset slightly by the
repayment of borrowings in the third quarter of 2000.

         Sovereign reduced total borrowings by $5.9 billion during the quarter.
Proceeds from the $1.3 billion of held-to-maturity investment securities
released from escrow, the cash received in the final closing and proceeds of
approximately $2.0 billion from the two investment security transactions settled
in July and September of 2000 were used to accomplish this reduction. Sovereign
pre-paid $150 million of its $500 million Senior Secured Credit Facility due
November 14, 2003, and $50 million of its 6.75% Senior Notes which matured on
August 3, 2000 and reduced FHLB advances and other borrowings by $5.7 billion.


Provision for Loan Losses

         The provision for loan loss expense is based upon credit loss
experience and on the estimation of losses inherent in the current loan
portfolio. The provision for loan losses for the three-month and nine-month
periods ended September 30, 2000 was $10.0 million and $28.0 million compared to
$7.5 million and $22.5 million for the same periods in 1999. The increase over
1999 is primarily due to increased loan volumes resulting from internal loan
growth and the SBNE acquisition.

         Over the last few years, through several strategic acquisitions and
internal restructuring initiatives, Sovereign has diversified its lending
efforts and increased its emphasis on providing its customers with small
business loans and an expanded line of commercial and consumer products, such as
asset-based lending and automobile loans. As a result of the increased risk
inherent in these loan products and as Sovereign continues to place emphasis on
small business and consumer lending in future periods, management will regularly
evaluate its loan portfolio and record additional loan loss reserves as is
necessary. Historically, Sovereign's additions to its loan loss reserve (through
income statement charges and acquisition accounting) have been sufficient to
absorb the incremental credit risk in its loan portfolio. The provision recorded
in the first nine months of 2000 of $28 million, plus the loan loss reserves
added through acquisition accounting of $118 million related to SBNE, exceeded
net charge-offs of $36.1 million. A portion of net charge-offs recorded during
the first nine months of 2000 related to loans acquired during the period. For
additional information with respect to Sovereign's asset quality, see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Loan Portfolio".

         Sovereign established initial allowances of $118 million for loans
acquired in the SBNE acquisition. These initial estimates were established by
applying Sovereign's existing methodology to determine such allowances to the
portfolios acquired. A detailed and in depth review of the entire SBNE portfolio
is in process and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter.


                                      -25-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


         Sovereign's net charge-offs for the nine-month period ended September
30, 2000 were $36.1 million and consisted of charge-offs of $50.6 million and
recoveries of $14.5 million. This compared to net charge-offs of $26.5 million
consisting of charge-offs of $41.4 million and recoveries of $14.9 million for
the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999. Sovereign's increased level of
net charge-offs was primarily the result of higher overall loan balances and a
general seasoning of recent loan portfolio acquisitions. Although net
charge-offs for the first nine months of 2000 are higher than the prior year,
net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding declined from .28%
to .26%.

         The following table presents the activity in the allowance for possible
loan losses for the periods indicated: (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Nine-month Period Ended September 30,
                                                   2000                         1999
                                                --------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                          <C>
Allowance, beginning of period                  $ 132,986                    $ 133,802

Charge-offs:
  Residential                                       4,679                       10,682
  Commercial Real Estate                               76                          680
  Commercial                                       16,720                        2,366
  Consumer                                         29,200                       27,742
                                                ---------                    ---------
      Total Charge-offs                            50,675                       41,470
                                                ---------                    ---------

Recoveries:
  Residential                                       1,146                        1,469
  Commercial Real Estate                              107                          458
  Commercial                                        2,757                          426
  Consumer                                         10,521                       12,589
                                                ---------                    ---------
      Total Recoveries                             14,531                       14,942
                                                ---------                    ---------

Charge-offs, net of recoveries                     36,144                       26,528
Provision for possible loan losses                 28,000                       22,500
Initial allowance related to
      acquisitions                                117,600                        4,799
                                                ---------                    ---------
Allowance, end of period                        $ 242,442                    $ 134,573
                                                =========                    =========

</TABLE>


                                      -26-

<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


Other Income and Extraordinary Item

         Other income was $14.6 million and $24.1 million for the three-month
and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 compared to $35.0 million and
$101 million for the same periods in 1999. Excluding securities transactions,
other income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2000 was
$59.6 and $150.2, respectively.

         Due to a favorable shift into core and corporate deposit products over
the last year and the impact of the SBNE acquisition, retail banking fees grew
to $28.1 million and $59.8 million for the quarter and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2000 as compared to $13.8 million and $35.6 million for the same
periods in 1999, representing increases of 104% and 68%, respectively.

         Gain/(loss) on loans and investment securities were $(45.1) million and
$(126) million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30,
2000 compared to $(.3) million and $6.5 million for the same periods in 1999.
During the third quarter of 2000, Sovereign sold $1.0 billion of
available-for-sale mortgage-backed securities, resulting in a loss of $45.4
million. The net impact of the sale on equity was minimal as these losses were
previously reflected as unrealized losses included as a reduction of
stockholders' equity in accordance with SFAS 115. A similar transaction was
completed in the second quarter of 2000, in which $1.0 billion of
mortgage-backed securities were sold at a loss of $49.7 million.

         During the first quarter of 2000 Sovereign also sold certain investment
securities and FHLB advances and paid-off certain short-term advances as part of
its balance sheet repositioning in preparation for SBNE. Upon repayment of the
short-term advances, related swaps hedging these instruments were terminated.
These transactions resulted in securities losses of $23 million included in
gain(loss) on sale of loans and investments, $9.5 million of swap termination
gains included as miscellaneous income, and a $16.0 million gain on sale
(extinguishment) of FHLB advances ($10.8 million net of tax) reported as an
extraordinary item.

         Miscellaneous income was $21.2 million and $56.6 million for the
three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 compared to $11.4
million and $26.1 million for the same periods in 1999. This increase was
principally due to additional investment in bank-owned life insurance, the
aforementioned swap termination gains and the addition of new lines of fee-based
businesses over the past year.

General and Administrative Expenses

         General and administrative expenses for the three-month and nine-month
periods ended September 30, 2000 were $224 million and $546 million, compared to
$90.8 million and $260 million for the same periods in 1999. Included in general
and administrative expenses for the three-month and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2000 were $47.0 million and $149 million of merger-related,
integration and other charges related to all of Sovereign's recent acquisitions.
These special charges are related to the real estate transaction described
within this 10-Q, costs that management considered redundant due to separating
the SBNE acquisition from a single closing into three closings, and other
merger-related

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


charges. Excluding these charges, general and administrative expenses were $177
million and $397 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2000.

         Operating expense run-rate has been and will continue to be higher over
the final quarter of 2000 than is expected in 2001 as Sovereign has consciously
maintained operating units throughout our franchise at higher capacity levels
than present volume dictates. Sovereign is currently conducting an internal
initiative to determine the proper revenue/expense ratios for the combined
franchise and expects that Sovereign will return to more normal efficiency
ratios over the next few quarters.

         Other operating expenses were $92.0 million and $140 million for the
three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 compared to $13.0
million and $37.2 million for the same periods in 1999. Results for the
three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 included
amortization of goodwill of $32.6 million and $62.8 million compared to $10.0
million and $28.0 million for the same periods in 1999. The increase in goodwill
amortization is a result of the additional intangibles recorded for the SBNE
acquisition. The three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2000, include
$47.9 million of non-compete expense related to the non-solicitation provisions
of the SBNE purchase and assumption agreement.

Income Tax Provision

         The income tax provision/(benefit) was $(40.9) million and $(51.6)
million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000
compared to $29.5 million and $79.4 million for the same periods in 1999. The
effective tax rate (or tax benefit rate) for the three-month and nine-month
periods ended September 30, 2000 was 72.0% and 57.8%, respectively, compared to
34.5% and 34.6% for the same periods in 1999. The current year tax benefit rate
differs from the statutory rate of 35% due to the high proportion of non-taxable
income compared to the Company's net loss, and a permanent benefit recorded in
the quarter. Management expects that the effective tax rate on an operating
basis in the fourth quarter and beyond will be more comparable to the historic
rate of 33%. See Footnote 9_to the September 30, 2000 financial statements for
additional detail related to the effective tax rate.




                                      -28-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


FINANCIAL CONDITION
-------------------

Loan Portfolio
--------------

         Commercial originations generated for the first nine-months of 2000
were $1.6 billion. At September 30, 2000, commercial loans totaled $8.1 billion
representing 35.0% of Sovereign's loan portfolio, compared to $4.1 billion and
40.2% of the loan portfolio at December 31, 1999 and $3.5 billion and 26.0% of
the loan portfolio at September 30, 1999. The SBNE acquisition increased
commercial loans by $3.1 billion. On October 24, 2000 Sovereign securitized and
sold $579 million of automotive floor plan loans. Proceeds were used to reduce
bank borrowings.

         Consumer loans originated during the first nine-months of 2000 totaled
$1.7 billion. The consumer loan portfolio (including home equity loans and lines
of credit, automobile loans, and other consumer loans) totaled $6.4 billion at
September 30, 2000, representing 27.9% of Sovereign's loan portfolio, compared
to $4.5 billion and 31.4% of the loan portfolio at December 31, 1999 and $4.3
billion and 32.4% of the loan portfolio at September 30, 1999. This increase was
primarily the result of the SBNE acquisition of $1.7 billion and strong home
equity and auto loan originations during the nine-month period ended September
30, 2000.

         Residential mortgage loans increased $163 billion during the quarter to
$8.6 billion and now represent 37.1% of Sovereign's loan portfolio as compared
to 40.2% at December 31, 1999. The SBNE acquisition increased residential
mortgages by $3.2 billion exclusive of $1.1 billion of loans that were not
relationship assets were subsequently sold as part of Sovereign's
asset-liability management strategy to reduce interest rate risk in the first
quarter 2000.


Non-Performing Assets
---------------------

         At September 30, 2000 Sovereign's non-performing assets were $136
million compared to $84 million at December 31, 1999. This increase was due
primarily to residential, consumer and commercial loans purchased from
FleetBoston and commercial loans secured by real estate in Sovereign's
previously existing portfolio. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total
assets was .39% at September 30, 2000, up from .32% at December 31, 1999. At
September 30, 2000 76% of non-performing assets consisted of loans related to
real estate, consumer loans or OREO which are primarily secured by collateral.
Sovereign places all loans 90 days or more delinquent (except auto loans and
loans guaranteed by the government) on non-performing status. Sovereign's auto
loans continue to accrue interest until they are 120 days delinquent, at which
time they are placed on non-accrual status and a 100% allowance allocation is
assigned.


                                      -29-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


         The following table presents the composition of non-performing assets
at the dates indicated: (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    September 30,          December 31,
                                                         2000                  1999
                                                    ------------          ------------
<S>                                                   <C>                   <C>
Non-accrual loans:
      Residential                                     $ 51,986              $ 32,374
      Commercial real estate                            12,550                 4,110
      Commercial                                        27,612                12,668
      Consumer                                          34,525                26,259
                                                      --------              --------
Total non-accrual loans                                126,673                75,411
                                                      --------              --------
Restructured loans                                       3,755                 3,755
                                                      --------              --------
Total non-performing loans                             130,428                79,166
                                                      --------              --------
Other real estate owned                                  3,298                 3,567
Other repossessed assets                                 2,399                 1,762
                                                      --------              --------
Total Non-performing Assets                           $136,125              $ 84,495
                                                      ========              ========

Past due 90 days or more as to interest
or principal and accruing interest (1)                $ 13,263              $ 10,238

Non-performing assets as a percentage
of total assets                                            .39%                  .32%

Non-performing loans as a percentage
of total loans                                             .57%                  .56%

Non-performing assets as a percentage of
total loans and real estate owned                          .59%                  .59%

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage
of total non-performing assets                           178.1%                157.4%

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage
of total non-performing loans                            185.9%                168.0%
</TABLE>

(1)  Includes student loans which are government-guaranteed and auto loans past
     due between 90 and 120 days.

         In addition to the non-performing loans included in the non-performing
assets table above, there were $185 million and $96 million of potential problem
loans at September 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999, respectively. While these
loans were performing, management was aware of information about possible credit
problems which raise doubts as to the ability of the borrowers to comply fully
with present loan repayment terms. Total non-performing assets and potential
problem loans as a percentage of total loans outstanding increased to 1.39% at
September 30, 2000 from 1.26% at December 31, 1999.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)

Allowance for Loan Losses
-------------------------

         The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for loan
losses and the percentage of each loan type of total loans at the dates
indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      (dollars in thousands)
                                                    September 30, 2000                  December 31, 1999
                                                  -----------------------         ---------------------------
                                                               % of Loans                         % of Loans
                                                                    to                                 to
                                                   Amount      Total Loans          Amount        Total Loans
                                                  --------     -----------        ---------       ------------
<S>                                               <C>                <C>          <C>                    <C>
Allocated allowances:
Commercial loans                                  $114,884           35%          $ 58,784               29%
Residential real estate
  mortgage loans                                    31,481           37             19,535               40
Consumer loans                                      65,447           28             43,455               31
                                                                                                          -
Unallocated allowance                               30,630          n/a             11,212              n/a
                                                  --------        ------          --------           ------
Total allowance for loan losses                   $242,442          100%          $132,986             100%
                                                  ========        ======          ========           ======
</TABLE>

     The adequacy of Sovereign's allowance for loan losses is regularly
evaluated. Management's evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance to absorb
loan losses takes into consideration the risks inherent in the loan portfolio,
past loan loss experience, specific loans which have loss potential, geographic
and industry concentrations, delinquency trends, economic conditions, the level
of originations and other relevant factors. Management also considers loan
quality, changes in the size and character of the loan portfolio, consultation
with regulatory authorities, amount of non-performing loans, delinquency trends,
economic conditions and industry trends when determining the allowance. Along
with higher yields, management believes the shift in loan composition from
residential into commercial and consumer brings higher inherent risk.

     At September 30, 2000, Sovereign's loan delinquencies (all loans greater
than 30 days delinquent) as a percentage of total loans was 2.20% compared to
1.79% at December 31, 1999. The increase is principally attributable to the
loans acquired in the SBNE acquisition including a purchased home equity
portfolio and residential real estate loans.

      Sovereign maintains an allowance for loan losses sufficient to absorb
inherent losses in the loan portfolio and believes the current allowance to be
at a level adequate to cover such inherent losses. The Company gives
consideration to other risk indicators when determining the appropriate
allowance level.

      The allowance for loan losses consists of two elements: (i) an allocated
allowance, which is comprised of allowances established on specific loans, and
class allowances based on historical loan loss experience and current trends,
and (ii) unallocated allowances based on both general economic conditions and
other risk factors in the Company's individual markets and portfolios, and to
account for a level of imprecision in management's estimation process.


                                      -31-

<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


         The specific allowance element of the allocated allowance is based on a
regular analysis of criticized loans where internal credit ratings are below a
predetermined classification. This analysis is performed at the relationship
manager level, and periodically reviewed by the loan review department. The
specific allowance established for these criticized loans is based on a careful
analysis of related collateral value, cash flow considerations and, if
applicable, guarantor capacity.

         The class allowance element of the allocated allowance is determined by
an internal loan grading process in conjunction with associated allowance
factors. These class allowance factors are updated annually and are based
primarily on actual historical loss experience, consultation with regulatory
authorities, and peer group loss experience. While this analysis is conducted
annually, the Company has the ability to revise the class allowance factors
whenever necessary in order to address improving or deteriorating credit quality
trends or specific risks associated with a given loan pool classification.

     Regardless of the extent of the Company analysis of customer performance,
portfolio evaluations, trends or risk management processes established, certain
inherent, but undetected losses are probable within the loan portfolio. This is
due to several factors including inherent delays in obtaining information
regarding a customer's financial condition or changes in their unique business
conditions; the judgmental nature of individual loan evaluations, collateral
assessments and the interpretation of economic trends; volatility of economic or
customer-specific conditions affecting the identification and estimation of
losses for larger non-homogeneous credits; and the sensitivity of assumptions
utilized to establish allocated allowances for homogeneous groups of loans among
other factors. The Company maintains an unallocated allowance to recognize the
existence of these exposures. These other risk factors are continuously reviewed
and revised by management where conditions indicate that the estimates initially
applied are different from actual results.

         A comprehensive analysis of the allowance for loan losses is performed
by the Company on a quarterly basis. In addition, a review of allowance levels
based on nationally published statistics is conducted on an annual basis. The
Company has an Asset Review Committee, which has the responsibility of affirming
allowance methodology and assessing the general and specific allowance factors
in relation to estimated and actual net charge-off trends. This Committee is
also responsible for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for loan
losses for each loan pool classification at Sovereign.

         Acquired Portfolio. The Company established an initial allowance for
loan losses of $118 million upon acquisition of the SBNE loan portfolio, that in
Management's judgment, were inherent in the loan portfolio as of the acquisition
date. The Company utilized its existing allowance for loan loss methodology for
acquired portfolios on the acquired SBNE loan portfolio, including performing
credit reviews on each significant loan or a sample of credit reviews on pool of
homogeneous loans, and assigning initial risk ratings to such loans or pools of
loans. This initial allowance adjustment is based upon preliminary information
and is subject to further revision as more detailed information of the loan
portfolio becomes known.


                                      -32-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


         Residential Portfolio. The allowance for the residential mortgage
portfolio increased from $19.5 million at December 31, 1999 to $31.5 million at
September 30, 2000. The change was due primarily to the acquired SBNE
residential portfolio.

         Consumer Portfolio. The allowance for the consumer loan portfolio
increased from $43.5 million at December 31, 1999, to $65.4 million at September
30, 2000. This increase is primarily attributable to the acquired SBNE consumer
portfolio.

         Commercial Portfolio. The portion of the allowance for loan losses
related to the Commercial portfolio has increased from $58.8 million at December
31, 1999 to $114.9 million at September 30, 2000. This increase is primarily
attributable to the acquired SBNE commercial portfolio.

Unallocated Allowance. The unallocated allowance for loan losses increased to
$30.6 million at September 30, 2000 from $11.2 million at December 31, 1999.


Investment Securities
---------------------

         Investment securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury and government
agency securities, corporate debt securities and stock in the Federal Home Loan
Bank of Pittsburgh ("FHLB"). Investment securities also include mortgage-backed
securities which consist of collateralized mortgage obligations issued by
federal agencies or private label issues. Sovereign's mortgage-backed securities
are generally either guaranteed as to principal and interest by the issuer or
have ratings of "AAA" by Standard and Poor's and Fitch/IBCA at the date of
issuance. The classes are backed by single-family residential loans which are
primary residences geographically dispersed throughout the United States.
Sovereign purchases classes which are senior positions backed by subordinate
classes. The subordinate classes absorb the losses and must be completely
eliminated before any losses flow through the senior positions. The effective
duration of the total investment portfolio at September 30, 2000 was 4.0 years.

         At September 30, 2000, total investment securities available-for-sale
were $5.4 billion compared to $8.0 billion at December 31, 1999 and investment
securities held-to-maturity were $1.5 billion compared to $2.4 billion at
December 31, 1999. The decrease in investment securities available for sale is
due primarily to the two balance sheet deleveraging transactions in June and
September 2000, in which $1.0 billion and $969 million of collateralized
mortgage obligations were sold. Additionally, $1.3 billion of maturing
investment securities held-to-maturity were used to reduce wholesale borrowings
when they were released from escrow upon completion of the SBNE acquisition on
July 21, 2000. For additional information with respect to Sovereign's investment
securities, see Notes 3 and 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                      -33-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
------------------------------------

         Total goodwill and other intangible assets at September 30, 2000 were
$1.5 billion compared to $434 million at December 31, 1999. This increase is
primarily attributable to Sovereign's completed SBNE branch acquisition,
partially off-set by normal year-to-date amortization and a reduction of
goodwill associated with certain assets held for sale at September 30, 2000.


Other Assets
------------

         Other assets increased by $1 billion from December 31, 1999. This is
primarily attributable to $225 million of additional bank owned life insurance,
$195 million of precious metals assets associated with SBNE, $220 million of
advances due from FleetBoston upon final settlement of the SBNE acquisition
completed in October.


Deposits
--------

         Deposits are attracted from within Sovereign's primary market area
through the offering of various deposit instruments including NOW accounts,
money market accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit and retirement
savings plans.

         Total deposits at September 30, 2000 were $24.5 billion compared to
$12.0 billion at December 31, 1999. The increase in deposits is primarily due to
the SBNE acquisition of $11.9 billion, net of deposit runoff of approximately
$400 million, resulting in a retention rate of 97%. In addition, Sovereign's
existing franchise experienced deposit growth of approximately $600 million.
Through the use of interest rate swaps, $828 million of brokered deposits have
been effectively converted from fixed rate to floating rate obligations. For
additional information with respect to Sovereign's deposit portfolio
composition, see Note 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


Borrowings
----------

         Sovereign utilizes borrowings as a source of funds for its asset growth
and its asset/liability management. Collateralized advances are available from
the FHLB provided certain standards related to creditworthiness have been met.
Another source of funds for Sovereign is reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse
repurchase agreements are short-term obligations collateralized by securities
fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government or an
agency thereof.

         Total borrowings at September 30, 2000 were $7.6 billion of which $2.9
billion were short-term compared to $12.4 billion of which $6.6 billion were
short-term at December 31, 1999. This decrease in borrowings is primarily the
result of repayments using the cash realized from the SBNE acquisition and the
proceeds of the related balance sheet deleveraging transactions. For additional
information with respect to Sovereign's borrowings, see Note 7 in the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                      -34-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


         Through the use of interest rate swaps, $400 million of FHLB advances
at September 30, 2000 have been effectively converted from variable rate
obligations to fixed rate obligations. In addition, at September 30, 2000, $500
million of borrowings have been protected from upward repricing through the use
of interest rate caps, floors and corridors.

         Sovereign reduced total borrowings by $5.9 billion during the quarter.
Proceeds from the $1.3 billion of held-to-maturity investment securities
released from escrow, the cash received in the final closing and proceeds of
approximately $2.0 billion from the two investment security transactions settled
in July and September of 2000 were used to accomplish this reduction. Sovereign
pre-paid $150 million of its $500 million Senior Secured Credit Facility due
November 14, 2003, and $50 million of its 6.75% Senior Notes which matured on
August 3, 2000 and reduced FHLB advances and other borrowings by $5.7 billion.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
-------------------------------

     Sovereign's banking subsidiaries are required under applicable federal
regulations to maintain specified levels of "liquid" investments in cash and
U.S. Treasury and other qualifying investments. Regulations currently in effect
require Sovereign's banking subsidiaries to maintain liquid assets of not less
than 4% of its net withdrawable accounts plus short-term borrowings. These
levels are changed from time to time by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS")
to reflect economic conditions. The liquidity ratio of Sovereign Bank for
September 30, 2000 was 41.3%.

     Sovereign's primary financing sources are deposits obtained in its own
market area, borrowings in the form of securities sold under repurchase
agreements and advances from the FHLB. While the majority of Sovereign's
certificate of deposit accounts are expected to mature within a one year period,
historically, the retention rate has been approximately 70%. If a significant
portion of maturing certificates would not renew at maturity, the impact on
Sovereign's operations and liquidity would be minimal due to cash flows produced
by Sovereign's investment portfolio which currently approximate $85.8 million
per month. Other sources of funds include operating activities, repayments of
principal on investment securities, repayment of principal on loans and other
investing activities. Sovereign also maintains strong relationships with
numerous investment banking firms, and has the ability to access capital markets
through a variety of products and structures, should liquidity or capital needs
arise.

         For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000, cash and cash
equivalents increased $570 million. Net cash used for operating activities for
the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000 was $569 million. Net cash
provided by investing activities for the nine-month period ended September 30,
2000 was $5.6 billion and consisted primarily of proceeds from the sale,
repayment and maturity of investment securities offset by the purchase of
additional investment securities. Net cash used by financing activities for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2000 was $4.5 billion and consisted mainly
of the repayment of short-term borrowings.


                                      -35-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


Sale of Preferred Shares of Sovereign Real Estate Investment Trust
------------------------------------------------------------------

         During the quarter, Sovereign received approximately $140 million of
net proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock in Sovereign Real Estate
Investment Trust ("SREIT"), a subsidiary of Sovereign which holds primarily
residential real estate loans. The offering was made exclusively to
institutional investors; however, by mid-2001 these SREIT preferred shares will
be registered to be offered to other investors. The proceeds of this offering
were principally used to repay corporate debt.

Real Estate Leases
------------------

         On June 30, 2000, Sovereign executed a sale/leaseback transaction
involving a portion of its owned real estate and a long-term lease arrangement
for certain real estate to be used by SBNE. The total transaction was valued at
$308 million and included the sale and leasing of 127 of its and former Fleet
community banking offices and other facilities.

         The transaction is expected to be neutral to Sovereign's future
earnings. Total expenses related to the transaction were approximately $17
million pre-tax and were principally recorded as merger-related charges during
the second quarter, as discussed above.

Dealer Floor Plan Securitization and Sale
-----------------------------------------

         On October 24, 2000 Sovereign Dealer Finance, Inc., a newly formed and
wholly-owned subsidiary, securitized and sold $579 million of automotive floor
plan loans to institutional investors. This transaction is expected to be
neutral to Sovereign's future earnings and improves risk-based capital. Proceeds
of the offering were used to reduce bank borrowings.


Capital
-------

         The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act
("FIRREA"), requires institutions regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision
(OTS) to have a minimum leverage capital ratio equal to 3% of tangible assets
and 4% of risk-adjusted assets, and a risk-based capital ratio equal to 8%. The
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act ("FDICIA") requires OTS
regulated institutions to have a minimum tangible capital equal to 2% of total
tangible assets.

         At September 30, 2000, Sovereign Bank was classified as
well-capitalized and in compliance with all capital requirements. Management
anticipates that Sovereign Bank will continue to be classified as
well-capitalized and will be in compliance with all regulatory capital
requirements.

         Although OTS capital regulations do not apply to savings and loan
holding companies, the OTS Order approving Sovereign Bank's acquisition and
assumption of assets and deposits in New England from FleetBoston requires
Sovereign Bancorp to maintain a certain level of capital. At September 30, 2000,
Sovereign Bancorp met or exceeded this requirement.


                                      -36-
<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


         The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act ("FDICIA")
established five (5) capital tiers: well-capitalized, adequately-capitalized,
undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically
undercapitalized. A depository institution's capital tier depends upon its
capital levels in relation to various relevant capital measures, which include
leverage and risk- based capital measures and certain other factors. Depository
institutions that are not classified as well-capitalized or
adequately-capitalized are subject to various restrictions regarding capital
distributions, payment of management fees, acceptance of brokered deposits and
other operating activities. Although Sovereign Bancorp is not subject to OTS
capital requirements, depending upon the specific facts regarding a proposed
acquisition, the OTS could determine that the pro forma financial condition of a
savings and loan holding company may be inadequate and therefore condition
approval on making prescribed capital levels.

         The following table sets forth the capital ratios of Sovereign Bank and
the current regulatory requirements at September 30, 2000:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Sovereign Bank
                                            --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Well
                                            Sept 30,            Minimum            Capitalized
                                             2000             Requirement          Requirement
                                             ----             -----------          -----------
<S>                                          <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Stockholders' equity to total assets         9.34%                None                 None
Tangible capital to tangible assets          6.04                 2.00%                None
Leverage (core) capital to
    tangible assets                          6.04                 3.00                 5.00%
Leverage (core) capital to
    risk adjusted assets                     8.97                 4.00                 6.00
Risk-based capital to risk
    adjusted assets                         10.01                 8.00                10.00

</TABLE>

ASSET AND LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
------------------------------

         The objective of Sovereign's asset and liability management is to
identify, measure and control its interest rate risk in order to produce
consistent earnings that are not contingent upon favorable trends in interest
rates. Sovereign manages its assets and liabilities to attain a stable net
interest margin across a wide spectrum of interest rate environments. This is
attained by monitoring the levels of interest rates, the relationships between
the rates earned on assets and the rates paid on liabilities, the absolute
amount of assets and liabilities which reprice or mature over similar periods,
off-balance sheet positions and the effect of all of these factors on the
estimated level of net interest income.

         Sovereign measures interest rate risk utilizing three tools: net
interest income simulation analysis in multiple interest rate environments,
instantaneous parallel interest rate shocks and lastly, gap analysis, which is a
schedule measuring the difference between assets, liabilities and off-balance
sheet positions which will mature or reprice within specific terms. Income
simulation considers not only the impact of changing market interest rates on
forecasted net income, but also other factors, such as yield curve
relationships, the volume and mix of assets and liabilities, customer
preferences and general market conditions.


                                      -37-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations (Continued)


         Sovereign manages the impact to net interest income in a +/- 100 basis
point instantaneous parallel rate shock environment to be generally within a 5%
variance. At September 30, 2000, Sovereign estimates that if interest rates
decline by 100 basis points, net interest income, over the next twelve months,
would decrease by $38.7 million or 3.7%; conversely, if interest rates increase
by 100 basis points, net interest income would decrease by $27.6 million, or
2.6%. At December 31, 1999, if interest rates increased by 100 basis points, net
interest income would have decreased by $80.2 million, or 8.0% and if interest
rates had decreased by 100 basis points, net interest income would have
decreased by $81.1 million, or 8.1%. This change in sensitivity was primarily
related to a decrease in short-term borrowings, the addition of deposits from
SBNE and the investment portfolio deleveraging strategy.

         Sovereign manages the one year interest rate gap within +/- 10% range.
A positive gap position implies that the bank is asset sensitive which could
cause net interest income to decrease if interest rates fall. Conversely, a
negative gap position implies that the bank is liability sensitive which could
cause net interest income to decrease if interest rates rise. Sovereign
estimates its one year gap position was a negative 5.92% at September 30, 2000.

         Pursuant to its interest rate risk management strategy, Sovereign
enters into off-balance sheet transactions which involve interest rate exchange
agreements (swaps, caps and floors) for interest rate risk management purposes.
Sovereign's objective in managing its interest rate risk is to provide
sustainable levels of net interest income while limiting the impact that changes
in interest rates have on net interest income. For additional information on
interest rate exchange agreements, see Note 8 in the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.

         Interest rate swaps are generally used to convert fixed rate
liabilities to variable rate liabilities. Sovereign utilizes interest rate swaps
that have a high degree of correlation to the related financial instrument.

         As part of its mortgage banking strategy, Sovereign originates fixed
rate residential mortgages. It sells the majority of these loans to FHLMC, FNMA
and private investors. The loans are exchanged for cash or marketable fixed rate
mortgage-backed securities which are generally sold. This helps insulate
Sovereign from the interest rate risk associated with these fixed rate assets.
Sovereign uses forward sales, cash sales and options on mortgage-backed
securities as a means of hedging loans in the mortgage pipeline which are
originated for sale.

         Sovereign's primary funding source is deposits obtained in its own
marketplace. Deposits increased significantly with the completion of the SBNE
acquisition in 2000 which added $12.3 billion of deposits. Deposit programs at
Sovereign are priced to meet management's asset/liability objectives, while
taking into account the rates available on investment opportunities and also
considering the cost of alternative funding sources. Borrowings are also a
significant funding source for Sovereign and have primarily been in the form of
securities sold under repurchase agreements and advances from the FHLB. Since
borrowings are not subject to the market constraints to which deposits are,
Sovereign uses borrowings to add flexibility to its interest rate risk position.

                                      -38-
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Items 1 through 5 not applicable or the responses are negative.



Item 6 - Exhibits Reports on Form 8-K.

      (a)     Exhibits
              (3.1)     Articles of Incorporation, as amended and restated, of
                        Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 3.2 to Sovereign's Annual Report on Form 10-K
                        for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.)
              (3.2)     By-Laws of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. (Incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Sovereign's Annual Report
                        on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1998.)
               (27)     Financial Data Schedule

     (b)      Reports on Form 8-K
                 None







                                      -39-


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                                  SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC.
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                    (Registrant)





Date    November 14, 2000                /s/Dennis S. Marlo
     ---------------------------         --------------------------------------
                                                    Dennis S. Marlo
                                                Chief Financial Officer
                                             (Authorized Officer & Principal
                                                    Financial Officer)




Date    November 14, 2000                /s/Mark R. McCollom
     ---------------------------         --------------------------------------
                                                    Mark R. McCollom
                                                Chief Accounting Officer




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