I have been pleased with the accumulation provided by taking the shares in lieu of cash divis for years now. Avoids the double taxation and allowed me to build a sizeable position without use of liquid funds.
I think a resolution between Greece and the EU forces, primarily Germany, would bode well for all EU financial stocks, even if fundamentally Santander and others will not be affected much, the perception will drive these stocks to an upward valuation.
First Greece has to take the austerity medicine though. So far they have been the most stubborn to admit their social programs do not equate to fiscal growth and sustainability.