High street bank Abbey has said it will begin rebranding its credit cards under the name of its parent company Santander from Monday.

The move is part of recently-announced plans to rebrand the global banking giant's three UK businesses - Abbey, Alliance & Leicester, and Bradford & Bingley - to Santander in 2010.

From Monday all new credit cards will be issued under the Santander name, with cards for existing customers being rebranded as they come up for renewal.

As part of the rebrand, existing customers will be able to use their cards abroad without incurring fees during June and July, but all other terms and conditions of the cards will remain the same.

Abbey has already written to its customers explaining the move.

Roger Lovering, managing director of Santander cards, said: "We are delighted to rebrand Abbey's credit cards as Santander.

"Operating as part of Santander, we will be able to leverage a global brand that represents strength and financial security to customers in today's difficult economic environment."