If you only read this first line - don't even contemplate working here. It will drive you to depression and hating your life, it really is that bad.
The main issue is that the company is full of dead wood and dinosaurs. The business model was to take over lots of different banks and merge them to the San brand. This has left an incredible amount of incompetent people within the company, often in senior positions. I see the issue...it would cost a lot of money to make these people redundant, but it is what would be required to properly move forward.
HR are a complete waste of space, the pay is relatively poor and the employee perks are essentially non-existent. You don't even get free hot drinks, and they seemed so proud when they stopped charging for hot water...! Oh, but then there are no fridges or milk so this is rendered fairly useless anyway.
The graduate scheme isn't that at all - using the word "scheme" is a complete disgrace. No training, awful work and no career prospects or guidance. I cannot stress enough how choosing Santander as a graduate option is pretty much career suicide before you've even got going. If you do work there as a grad, get out as soon as you can - start applying elsewhere from day 1.
I could go on but I've wasted enough of my life with this place - it really was the worst time of my life, and I'm certainly not alone in thinking this. I just hope this will persuade anyone thinking of getting a job here not to!
