Then in 1999 Mr Botin orchestrated what he called "a merger of equals" with Banco Central Hispano. Santander took control and BCH's boss, Jose Maria Amusategui, stood down early as co-chairman of BSCH in 2001. A year later BCH's former chief executive, Angel Corcostegui, quit Santander's board. The legacy of that power struggle has come back to haunt Mr Botin. He faces a trial, prompted by two aggrieved shareholders, over a €164m severance package for the two. Santander says it did nothing wrong. Mr Botin consolidated his boardroom triumph by appointing his daughter, Ana Patricia, to head Banesto.