Origins

The Espirito Santo Group story begins in 1884 with José Maria do Espírito Santo Silva, when he founded in Lisbon a bank institution, that gave birth to the Espirito Santo Bank.

After he passed away, in 1915, The Espirito Santo Bank was rune successively by the three sons of the original foundator, José, Ricardo and Manuel, their participation was especially important in the bank’s growth.

In 1937, The Espirito Santo Bank promoted a fusion with the Lisbon Commercial Bank. Since that exact point, began a fast growing period, when the Espirito Santo and Commercial Bank from Lisbon helped financing the first Portuguese oil company, as many other industry enterprises, and it established it’s connection with one of the most recognized insurance companies, The "Tranquilidade" insurance company.

At the same time, strong investments were realized in Angola and Mozambique in the commercial, industrial, services and agribusiness fields, that contributed to the economic and social development of those African nations.