Santander has launched a new graduate scheme, increasing its planned number of graduate recruits in the UK to approximately 230 in 2010, as well as refining the scope of the scheme across key business areas.

To provide a pool of talent for its growing business, Santander is expanding its graduate recruitment to include areas such as corporate banking. This adds to the existing graduate schemes, which include finance, branch, telephone distribution, audit, and HR.

Graduates will be encouraged to use volunteering as part of their learning and development and will be invited to take part in Santander's community programme.

All graduate recruits receive comprehensive formal and on-the-job training, providing them with the knowledge and experience needed to grow within the business and reach their full potential.

Simon Lloyd, HR director at Santander, said: "The uplift in the number of graduates we are taking on demonstrates the strength of the Santander approach to banking. We see our investment in graduates as an important step on the road to becoming the best commercial bank in the UK."

Two entry routes are available to the new intake of graduates. The accelerated entry allows graduates to immediately enter the workforce within a specific role with promotion based on merit. Alternatively graduates can enter a more traditional programme that sees them experience a variety of roles across a specific business area over a three-year period. Internships and summer placements will also be launched later this year.