Santander looks to boost investment bank operation

• Though one of the globe's largest lenders, Santander (NYSE:SAN) typically doesn't come to mind when thinking of the big players in investment banking.
• The bank, however, has hopes of bringing its U.S. and U.K. investment banking businesses up to the same strength as that of its Brazilian and Spanish operations, reports the WSJ.
• Easier said than done. Current bank boss Ana Botin previously tried and failed to build a major investment banking franchise in Asia for Santander.