Form 20 -F
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2007

 


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

Commission file number 001-15266

BANCO DE CHILE

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

BANK OF CHILE

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

REPUBLIC OF CHILE

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Banco de Chile

Ahumada 251

Santiago, Chile

(562) 637-1111

(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing 600 shares of common stock, without nominal (par) value (“ADSs”)

  New York Stock Exchange

Shares of common stock, without nominal
(par) value

 

New York Stock Exchange

(for listing purposes only)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

Shares of common stock: 69,037,564,665

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes   x     No   ¨

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes   ¨     No   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer   ¨                     Accelerated filer   x                     Non-accelerated filer   ¨

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

¨   Item 17     x   Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes   ¨     No   x

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
PART I   
Item 1.    Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers    1
Item 2.    Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable    1
Item 3.    Key Information    2
Item 4.    Information on the Company    15
Item 4A.    Unresolved Staff Comments    92
Item 5.    Operating and Financial Review and Prospects    92
Item 6.    Directors, Senior Management and Employees    122
Item 7.    Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions    137
Item 8.    Financial Information    138
Item 9.    The Offer and Listing    140
Item 10.    Additional Information    143
Item 11.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    159
Item 12.    Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities    170
PART II   
Item 13.    Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies    170
Item 14.    Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds    170
Item 15.    Controls and Procedures    170
Item 16.    [Reserved]    171
Item 16A.    Audit Committee Financial Expert    171
Item 16B.    Code of Ethics    171
Item 16C.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services    172
Item 16D.    Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees    172
Item 16E.    Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers    172
PART III   
Item 17.    Financial Statements    172
Item 18.    Financial Statements    172
Item 19.    Exhibits    173
Index to Financial Statements    F-1


Table of Contents

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

We prepare our audited consolidated financial statements in Chilean pesos and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Chile, or Chilean GAAP, and the rules of the Superintendencia de Bancos e Instituciones Financieras, or the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Together, these requirements differ in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. References to “Chilean GAAP” in this annual report are to Chilean GAAP, as supplemented by the applicable rules of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. See Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this annual report for a description of the material differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP, as they relate to us and our consolidated subsidiaries, and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income and shareholders’ equity.

Pursuant to Chilean GAAP, unless otherwise indicated, financial data for all full-year periods through December 31, 2006 included in our audited consolidated financial statements and in the other financial information contained elsewhere in this annual report have been restated in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2006.

In this annual report, references to “$,” “U.S.$,” “U.S. dollars” and “dollars” are to United States dollars, references to “pesos” or “Ch$” are to Chilean pesos, and references to “UF” are to “Unidades de Fomento.” The UF is an inflation-indexed Chilean monetary unit of account with a value in Chilean pesos that is linked to and adjusted daily to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index of the Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas, or the Chilean National Institute of Statistics. As of December 31, 2006, one UF equaled U.S.$34.31 and Ch$18,336.38. See Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements. Percentages and certain dollar and peso amounts contained in this annual report have been rounded for ease of presentation.

This annual report contains translations of certain Chilean peso amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for your convenience. These translations should not be construed as representations that the Chilean peso amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar amounts, were converted from U.S. dollars at the rate indicated in preparing our audited consolidated financial statements or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, such U.S. dollar amounts have been translated from Chilean pesos based on the observed exchange rate, as described in “Item 3. Key Information—Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates,” reported by the Banco Central de Chile, or the Central Bank, for December 29, 2006 (the latest practicable date, as December 30 and 31, 2006 were banking holidays in Chile). The observed exchange rate on June 22, 2007 was Ch$525.41 = U.S.$1.00. The rate reported by the Central Bank is based on the rate for the prior business day in Chile and is the exchange rate specified by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks for use by Chilean banks in the preparation of their financial statements. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Chilean pesos.

Unless otherwise specified, all references in this annual report to loans are to loans and financial leases before deduction of allowances for loan losses, and all market share data presented in this annual report are based on information published periodically by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Non-performing loans include loans as to which either principal or interest is overdue and loans that do not accrue interest. Restructured loans as to which no payments are overdue are not ordinarily classified as non-performing loans. Past due loans include, with respect to any loan, the portion of principal or interest that is 90 or more days overdue; the entire outstanding balance of any loan is included in past due loans only after legal collection proceedings have been commenced. This practice differs from that normally followed in the United States, where the amount classified as past due would include the total principal and interest on all loans which have any portion overdue. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Classification of Loan Portfolio Based on the Borrower’s Payment Performance.”

Unless otherwise specified, all references to “shareholders’ equity” as of December 31 of any year are to shareholders’ equity after deducting our respective retained net income for such year, but all references to “average shareholders’ equity” for any year are to average shareholders’ equity including our respective retained net income.

Certain figures included in this annual report and in our audited consolidated financial statements have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this annual report have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this annual report may vary slightly from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in our audited consolidated financial statements. Certain other amounts that appear in this annual report may similarly not sum due to rounding.

MACRO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET DATA

In this annual report, all macro-economic data relating to the Chilean economy is based on information published by the Central Bank. All market share and other data relating to the Chilean financial system as well as data on average return on shareholders’ equity are based on information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Information regarding the consolidated risk index of the Chilean financial system as a whole is not available. Prior to January 1, 2004, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks published the unconsolidated risk index for the financial system three times yearly in February, June and October. Since that date, this index is determined on a monthly basis by dividing allowances for loan losses by total loans, based on information provided by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks.


Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not Applicable.

 

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not Applicable.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 3. Key Information

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents historical financial information about us as of the dates and for each of the periods indicated. The following table should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this annual report. Our audited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Chilean GAAP and the rules of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, which together differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements provides a description of the material differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2005 and 2006.

 

     At or for the year ended December 31,  
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except share data)     (in thousands of
U.S.$)
 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA

            

Chilean GAAP:

            

Interest revenue

   Ch$ 717,702     Ch$ 567,485     Ch$ 597,371     Ch$ 697,784     Ch$ 777,654     U.S.$ 1,455,109  

Interest expense

     (352,207 )     (221,645 )     (227,283 )     (316,677 )     (372,244 )     (696,525 )
                                                

Net interest revenue

     365,495       345,840       370,088       381,107       405,410       758,584  

Provisions for loan losses

     (97,163 )     (37,642 )     (42,073 )     (22,491 )     (36,228 )     (67,788 )

Total fees and income from services, net

     83,397       103,527       133,248       140,177       133,541       249,876  

Total other operating income (loss), net

     3,466       2,436       (6,411 )     7,935       21,779       40,752  

Total other income and expenses, net

     (16,002 )     (11,668 )     (11,233 )     (6,361 )     3,905       7,305  

Total operating expenses

     (272,310 )     (241,391 )     (254,865 )     (282,318 )     (300,537 )     (562,350 )

Loss from price-level restatement

     (10,508 )     (4,376 )     (7,897 )     (11,690 )     (8,526 )     (15,953 )
                                                

Income before income taxes

     56,375       156,726       180,857       206,359       219,344       410,426  

Income taxes

     1,263       (15,180 )     (19,414 )     (21,840 )     (24,096 )     (45,087 )
                                                

Net income

     57,638       141,546       161,443       184,519       195,248       365,339  
                                                

Earnings per share(1)

     0.85       2.08       2.41       2.75       2.84       0.0053  

Dividends per share(2)

     2.20       0.85       2.09       2.45       2.25       0.0042  

Weighted average number of shares (in millions)

     68,079.78       68,079.78       66,932.68       67,091.30       68,821.30       —    

U.S. GAAP(3):

            

Interest revenue

     779,149       490,324       623,955       719,728       795,628       1,488,741  

Interest expense

     (375,661 )     (221,337 )     (230,631 )     (324,031 )     (376,611 )     (704,697 )

Net interest revenue

     403,488       268,987       393,324       395,697       419,017       784,045  

Provisions for loan losses

     (116,722 )     (29,717 )     (33,339 )     (23,496 )     (51,932 )     (97,173 )

Net income

     18,566       141,379       155,397       172,375       172,836       323,403  

Earnings per share(1)

     0.27       2.08       2.32       2.57       2.51       4.70  

Weighted average number of total shares(4)

     68,080       68,080       66,933       67,091       68,821       —    

 

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Table of Contents
     At or for the year ended December 31,
     2002    2003    2004    2005    2006    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except share data)    (in thousands
of U.S.$)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA

                 

Chilean GAAP:

                 

Cash and due from banks

     740,712      928,979      942,054      673,154      1,219,073      2,281,072

Investments purchased under agreements to resell

     35,235      32,157      27,830      47,676      53,314      99,759

Financial investments

     1,697,447      2,027,922      1,665,790      1,408,356      1,253,441      2,345,380

Loans, net of allowances

     6,510,539      6,587,549      7,124,167      8,233,976      9,550,187      17,869,854

Derivative instruments

     —        —        —        —        50,501      94,495

Other assets

     424,682      452,135      446,662      549,881      633,770      1,185,880
                                         

Total assets

     9,408,615      10,028,742      10,206,503      10,913,043      12,760,286      23,876,440
                                         

Deposits

     5,627,501      5,761,771      6,120,290      6,752,882      8,031,027      15,027,276

Other interest bearing liabilities

     2,501,435      2,787,314      2,498,589      2,291,170      2,451,796      4,587,683

Derivative instruments

     9,103      9,571      47,156      61,277      69,955      130,897

Other liabilities

     593,588      715,834      826,977      1,016,330      1,372,877      2,568,862
                                         

Total liabilities

     8,731,627      9,274,490      9,493,012      10,121,659      11,925,655      22,314,718

Shareholders’ equity

   Ch$ 676,988    Ch$ 754,252    Ch$ 713,491    Ch$ 791,384    Ch$ 834,631    U.S.$ 1,561,722

U.S. GAAP(3):

                 

Financial investments

     1,570,421      1,768,351      1,565,489      1,142,959      973,052      1,820,729

Loans, net

     6,143,856      6,220,512      6,653,280      7,599,218      8,645,198      16,176,483

Total assets

     9,414,834      9,982,678      10,158,270      10,845,350      12,316,991      23,046,968

Total liabilities

     8,013,224      8,529,146      8,757,512      9,385,579      10,840,573      20,284,365

Total shareholders’ equity

     1,401,610      1,453,532      1,400,758      1,459,771      1,476,418      2,762,603

 

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Table of Contents
     At or for the year ended December 31,  
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  

CONSOLIDATED RATIOS

          

Chilean GAAP:

          

Profitability and Performance

          

Net interest margin(5)

   4.10 %   3.90 %   4.09 %   4.10 %   3.95 %

Return on average total assets(6)

   0.59     1.45     1.59     1.75     1.68  

Return on average shareholders’ equity(7)

   8.69     20.01     23.56     26.66     25.00  

Capital

          

Average shareholders’ equity as a percentage of average total assets

   6.75     7.22     6.75     6.56     6.73  

Bank regulatory capital as a percentage of minimum regulatory capital

   218.35     202.71     179.13     184.06     165.71  

Ratio of liabilities to regulatory capital(8)

   14.10     15.14     17.20     16.68     18.65  

Credit Quality

          

Substandard loans as a percentage of total loans(9)

   6.69     5.16     6.51     4.62     3.73  

Past due loans as a percentage of total loans

   2.35     1.69     1.23     0.87     0.64  

Allowances for loan losses as a percentage of substandard loans(9)

   52.44     55.56     34.30     37.26     40.06  

Allowances for loan losses as a percentage of past due loans

   149.07     170.09     181.59     198.05     235.03  

Allowances for loan losses as a percentage of total loans

   3.51     2.87     2.23     1.72     1.50  

Past due amounts as a percentage of bank regulatory capital

   25.63     18.67     16.23     12.00     9.65  

Consolidated risk index(10)

   3.00     2.36     2.23     1.72     1.50  

Operating Ratios

          

Operating expenses/operating revenue

   60.20     53.43     51.29     53.35     53.60  

Operating expenses/average total assets

   2.77     2.46     2.51     2.68     2.59  

U.S. GAAP:

          

Profitability and Performance

          

Net interest margin(11)

   4.53     3.03     4.34     4.25     4.08  

Return on average total assets(12)

   0.19     1.44     1.53     1.64     1.48  

(1) Earnings per share data have been calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.

 

(2) Dividends per share data are calculated by dividing the amount of the dividend paid by the number of shares outstanding.

 

(3) All U.S. GAAP numbers use Article 9 presentation. All U.S. GAAP figures have been calculated taking into account the U.S. GAAP adjustments set forth in Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

(4) For 2004, the weighted average of shares outstanding includes the effect of the repurchase of our shares during 2004. For 2005, the weighted average of shares outstanding includes the effect of the sale of 1,701,994,590 shares issued by us in accordance with our share repurchase program. For 2006, the weighted average of shares outstanding includes the effect of the issuance and distribution of 957,781,060 shares as a result of the capitalization of retained earnings.

 

(5) Net interest revenue divided by average interest earning assets. The average balances for interest earning assets, including interest and readjustments, have been calculated on the basis of our daily balances and on the basis of monthly balances for our subsidiaries.

 

(6) Net income (loss) divided by average total assets. The average balances for total assets have been calculated on the basis of our daily balances and on the basis of monthly balances for our subsidiaries.

 

(7) Net income (loss) divided by average shareholders’ equity. The average balances for shareholders’ equity have been calculated on the basis of our daily balances.

 

(8) Total liabilities divided by bank regulatory capital.

 

(9) See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Analysis of Substandard Loans and Amounts Past Due.”

 

(10) The guidelines used to calculate our consolidated risk index were amended in 2004. As a result, our consolidated risk index as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are not comparable to the consolidated risk index presented for preceding 2004. See Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

(11) Net interest revenue under U.S. GAAP divided by average interest earning assets.

 

(12) Net income under U.S. GAAP divided by average total assets.

 

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Exchange Rates

As a general matter, prior to 1989, Chilean law permitted the purchase and sale of foreign exchange only in those cases explicitly authorized by the Central Bank. The Ley Organica Constitucional del Banco Central de Chile 18.840, or the Central Bank Act, liberalized the rules that govern the purchase and sale of foreign currency. The Central Bank Act empowers the Central Bank to determine that certain purchases and sales of foreign currency specified by law must be carried out in the Mercado Cambiario Formal, or the Formal Exchange Market. The Formal Exchange Market is formed by the banks and other entities so authorized by the Central Bank. The observed exchange rate for any given day equals the average exchange rate of the transactions conducted in the Formal Exchange Market on the immediately preceding banking day, as certified by the Central Bank. Even though the Central Bank is authorized to carry out its transactions at the rates it sets, it generally uses the spot rate for its transactions. Authorized transactions by other banks are generally carried out at the spot rate.

Purchases and sales of foreign exchange which may be effected outside the Formal Exchange Market can be carried out in the Mercado Cambiario Informal, or the Informal Exchange Market. There are no limits imposed on the extent to which the rate of exchange in the Informal Exchange Market can fluctuate above or below the observed exchange rate. On December 29, 2006 (the latest practicable date as December 30 and 31, 2006 were banking holidays in Chile), the average exchange rate in the Informal Exchange Market was Ch$532.25 per U.S.$1.00, or 0.41% lower than the published observed exchange rate of Ch$534.43 per U.S.$1.00.

The following table sets forth the annual low, high, average and period-end observed exchange rate for U.S. dollars for each year beginning in 2002, as reported by the Central Bank:

 

     Daily Observed Exchange Rate Ch$ per U.S.$(1)

Year

   Low(2)    High(2)    Average(3)    Period End(4)

2002

   Ch$ 641.75    Ch$ 756.56    Ch$ 688.94    Ch$ 712.38

2003

     593.10      758.21      691.40      599.42

2004

     559.21      649.45      609.55      559.83

2005

     509.70      592.75      559.77      514.21

2006

     511.44      549.63      530.26      534.43

December

     524.78      534.43      527.58      534.43

2007

           

January

     532.39      545.18      540.51      545.18

February

     535.29      548.67      542.27      538.42

March

     535.36      541.95      538.49      539.37

April

     527.08      539.69      532.30      527.08

May

     517.64      527.52      522.02      527.52

June(5)

     524.10      529.32      526.40      525.41

Source: Central Bank.

 

(1) Nominal amounts.

 

(2) Exchange rates are the actual low and high, on a day-by-day basis for each period.

 

(3) The average of monthly average rates during the year.

 

(4) As reported by the Central Bank the first business day of the following period.

 

(5) Period from June 1, 2007 through June 22, 2007.

The observed exchange rate on June 22, 2007 was Ch$525.41 = U.S.$1.00. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Chilean pesos.

 

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RISK FACTORS

The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not know about or that we currently think are immaterial may also impair our business operations. Any of the following risks if they actually occur, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.

We are subject to market risks that are presented both in this subsection and in “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Risks Relating to our Operations and the Banking Industry

Our U.S. branches are subject to obligations imposed under consent orders

Beginning in September 2004, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, or OCC, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System through the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, together, the Federal Reserve, conducted targeted examinations of our New York and Miami branches, respectively, to evaluate, among other things, our compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other U.S. anti-money laundering requirements. As a result of their examinations, the OCC and the Federal Reserve identified certain deficiencies in our internal controls, particularly in the areas of the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering compliance. As a result, on February 1, 2005, we agreed to the issuance by the OCC of a consent order, applicable to our New York branch, and the issuance by the Federal Reserve of a cease and desist order, applicable to our Miami branch. Pursuant to these orders, we have instituted an action plan that includes the maintenance of programs geared towards strengthening our compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and U.S. anti-money laundering laws.

On October 12, 2005, we entered into agreements with the OCC, and separately with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, requiring a U.S.$3 million civil penalty, payable by our New York and Miami branches, to resolve allegations related to the Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money laundering compliance and related matters. The implementation of activities related to the re-documentation of client folders and certain specific activities of the internal controls program of the branch in connection with the action plan have required a period of time greater than what was anticipated pursuant to the action plan. However, this plan was fully completed on March 31, 2007. Currently, other actions are being implemented in connection with the fulfillment of the OCC and Federal Reserve Orders, as those actions must be completed prior to the end of the third quarter of 2007. Our failure to satisfy the terms of the orders could result in additional supervisory actions against our New York and Miami branches, including the assessment of additional civil monetary penalties. See “Item 8. Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”

The growth of our loan portfolio may expose us to increased loan losses.

From December 31, 2002 to December 31, 2006, our aggregate loan portfolio, net of interbank loans (on an unconsolidated basis) grew by 62.2% in nominal terms and 48.1% in real terms to Ch$9,460,867 million. During the same period, our consumer loan portfolio grew by 159.8% in nominal terms and 137.2% in real terms to Ch$1,072,324 million, each calculated in accordance with the loan classification system of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Expansion of our loan portfolio (particularly in the retail market) may expose us to a higher level of loan losses and require us to establish higher levels of allowances for loan losses. For the year ended December 31, 2006, total allowances for loan losses accounted for Ch$140,960 million, or 1.49%, of total average loans.

Our loan portfolio may not continue to grow at the same or similar rate.

We cannot assure you that in the future our loan portfolio will continue to grow at historical rates. According to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, from December 31, 2002 to December 31, 2006, the

 

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aggregate amount of loans outstanding in the Chilean banking system (on an unconsolidated basis) grew by 63.3% in nominal terms and 52.8% in real terms to Ch$52,302,169 million. A reversal of this rate of growth of the Chilean economy could adversely affect the rate of growth of our loan portfolio and our risk index and, accordingly, increase our required allowances for loan losses. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulation and Supervision” and “Item 4. Information on the Company —Selected Statistical Information.”

Restrictions imposed by banking regulations may restrict our operations and thereby adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to regulation by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. In addition, we are subject to regulation by the Central Bank with regard to certain matters, including interest rates and foreign exchange transactions. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulation and Supervision.” During the Chilean financial crisis of 1982 and 1983, the Central Bank and the Chilean Superintendency of Banks strictly controlled the funding, lending and general business matters of the Chilean banking industry.

Pursuant to the Ley General de Bancos, or the General Banking Law, all Chilean banks may, subject to the approval of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, engage in additional businesses depending on the risk of the activity and the strength of the bank. The General Banking Law also applies to the Chilean banking system a modified version of the capital adequacy guidelines issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Regulation and Supervisory Practices, or Basel Committee, and limits the discretion of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks to deny new banking licenses. There can be no assurance that regulators will not in the future impose more restrictive limitations on the activities of banks, including us, than those that are currently in effect. Any such change could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Increased competition and industry consolidation may adversely affect our operations.

The Chilean market for financial services is highly competitive. We compete with other Chilean private sector domestic and foreign banks, with Banco del Estado de Chile, a public sector bank, and with large department stores that make consumer loans to a large portion of the Chilean population. In 2002, two new private sector banks affiliated with Chile’s largest department stores began their operations, mainly as consumer and medium-sized corporate niche banks. In 2003, a new niche bank oriented at servicing corporations began its operations, and in 2004, two new retail banks commenced operations. The retail market (comprised of individuals and small- and medium-sized companies) has become the target market of several banks, and competition with respect to these customers is likely to increase. As a result, net interest margins in these sub-segments are likely to decline. Although we believe that demand for financial products and services from the retail market will continue to grow during the remainder of the decade, we cannot assure you that net interest margins will be maintained at their current levels.

We also face competition from non-bank competitors with respect to some of our credit products, such as credit cards and consumer loans. Non-bank competition from large department stores, private compensation funds and savings and credit associations has become increasingly significant in the consumer lending sector. In addition, we face competition from competitors such as leasing, factoring and automobile finance companies, with respect to credit products, and mutual funds, pension funds and insurance companies, with respect to savings products and mortgage loans. Currently, banks continue to be the main suppliers of leasing, factoring and mutual funds, and the insurance sales business has experienced rapid growth, but we cannot assure you that they will continue to be in the future. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Competition.”

The increase in competition within the Chilean banking industry in recent years has led to, among other things, consolidation in the industry. For example, on August 1, 2002, Banco Santiago and Banco Santander-Chile, the then-second and third largest banks in Chile, respectively, merged to create Chile’s largest bank. In 2003, Banco del Desarrollo merged with Banco Sudameris; in 2004, Banco Security merged

 

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with Dresdner Banque Nationale de Paris; and in 2005 Banco de Creditos e Inversiones merged with Banco Conosur. We expect the trends of increased competition and consolidation to continue and result in the formation of new large financial groups. Consolidation, which can result in the creation of larger and stronger banks, may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations by decreasing the net interest margins we are able to generate and by increasing our costs of operations.

Our exposure to certain segments of the retail market could lead to higher levels of past due loans and subsequent charge-offs.

Although we historically emphasized banking for the wholesale market and high income individuals, an increasing proportion of our retail market consists of middle-sized and small companies (approximately 7.8% of the value of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2006, including companies with annual sales of up to Ch$1,200 million) and, to a lesser extent, of lower income individuals (approximately 2.9% of the value of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2006, including individuals with monthly incomes between Ch$170,000 and Ch$380,000). Our strategy includes increasing lending and providing other services to attract additional retail customers. These customers are likely to be more severely affected by adverse developments in the Chilean economy than large corporations and high-income individuals. Consequently, in the future we may experience higher levels of past due loans, which could result in higher allowances for loan losses. The levels of past due loans and subsequent write-offs may be materially higher in the future. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Principal Business Activities.”

Our affiliate may be obligated to sell shares of our stock in the public market if we do not pay sufficient dividends.

As of December 31, 2006, Sociedad Administradora de la Obligacion Subordinada S.A., or SAOS, our affiliate, holds 41.42% of our shares as a consequence of our 1996 reorganization. The reorganization was partially due to our 1989 repurchase from the Central Bank of certain non-performing loans that we had previously sold to the Central Bank and later exchanged for subordinated debt without a fixed term. Under the terms of a repayment obligation in favor of the Central Bank that SAOS assumed to replace the Central Bank subordinated debt, SAOS may be required to sell some of our shares to the public. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Bank—History—The 1982-1983 Economic Crisis and the Central Bank Subordinated Debt.” See Note 28(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

In exchange for assuming the Central Bank indebtedness, SAOS received from SM-Chile S.A., a holding company that controls us and SAOS, 63.6% of our shares as collateral for this indebtedness. As a result of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards, the percentage of our shares held by SAOS decreased to 42.0%. As a result of the share dividend paid in May 2006 and in May 2007, the percentage further decreased to 40.9%. Dividends received from us are the sole source of SAOS’s revenue, which it must apply to repay this indebtedness. However, under SAOS’s agreement with the Central Bank, we have no obligation to distribute dividends to our shareholders. To the extent distributed dividends are not sufficient to pay the amount due on this indebtedness, SAOS is permitted to maintain a cumulative deficit balance with the Central Bank that SAOS commits to pay with future dividends. If the cumulative deficit balance exceeds an amount equal to 20% of our capital and reserves, the Central Bank may require SAOS to sell a sufficient number of shares of our stock owned by SAOS to pay the entire accumulated deficit amount. As of April 30, 2007, SAOS maintained a surplus with the Central Bank of Ch$12,516 million, equivalent to 1.85% of our capital and reserves. As of the same date, Ch$135,589 million would have represented 20% of our capital and reserves. If from time to time in the future our shareholders decide to retain and capitalize all or part of our annual net income in order to finance our future growth, and to distribute stock dividends among our shareholders, the Central Bank may require us to pay the portion of the net income corresponding to shares owned by SAOS in cash to SAOS. If we distribute stock dividends and the Central Bank does not require us to pay that portion in cash, the shares received by SAOS must be sold by SAOS within the following 12 months. The shareholders of SM-Chile will have a right of first refusal with respect to that sale.

 

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We are unable to determine the likelihood that the Central Bank would require SAOS to sell shares of our common stock or that SAOS will otherwise be required to sell any stock dividends distributed by us, nor can we determine the number of such shares SAOS may be required to sell. If SAOS is required to sell shares of our stock in the public market, that sale could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our stock.

Our results of operations are affected by interest rate volatility.

Our results of operations depend to a great extent on our net interest revenue, which represented 72.3% of our operating revenue in 2006. Changes in market interest rates could affect the interest rates earned on our interest-earning assets differently from the interest rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, leading to a reduction in our net interest revenue. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond our control, including the reserve policies of the Central Bank, deregulation of the financial sector in Chile, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors. Any volatility in interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. The average annual short-term interest rate (based on the rate paid by Chilean financial institutions) for 90 to 360 day deposits was 1.07% in 2004, 1.89% in 2005 and 2.83% in 2006. The average long-term interest rate based on the Central Bank’s eight-year bonds was 3.51% in 2004, 2.55% in 2005 and 2.98% in 2006. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results—Overview—Inflation” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Operating Results—Overview—Interest Rates.”

Operational problems or errors can have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We, like all large financial institutions, are exposed to many operational risks, including the risk of fraud by employees and outsiders, failure to obtain proper internal authorizations, failure to properly document transactions, equipment failures and errors by employees. Although we maintain a system of operational controls, there can be no assurance that operational problems or errors will not occur and that their occurrence will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to our ADSs

Our principal shareholders may have interests that differ from those of our other shareholders and their significant share ownership may have an adverse effect on the future market price of our ADSs and shares.

As of May 10, 2007, LQ Inversiones Financieras S.A., a holding company beneficially owned by Quiñenco S.A., beneficially owned approximately 52.1% of our outstanding voting rights. These principal shareholders are in a position to elect a majority of the members of our board of directors, direct our management and control substantially all matters that are to be decided by a vote of the shareholders, including fundamental corporate transactions.

Actions by our principal shareholders with respect to the disposition of the shares or ADSs they beneficially own, or the perception that such actions may occur, may adversely affect the trading price of our shares on the various stock exchanges on which they are listed and, consequently, the market price of the ADSs.

There may be a lack of liquidity and a limited market for our shares and ADSs.

While our ADSs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, since the first quarter of 2002, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for our ADSs will be sustained. During 2006, a daily average of 14,776 American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, were traded on the NYSE. Although our shares are traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange, the Valparaiso Stock Exchange and the Chilean Electronic Stock Exchange, the market for our shares in Chile is small and illiquid. At December 31, 2006, approximately 13.41% of our outstanding shares are held by shareholders other than our principal shareholders, including SM-Chile and SAOS.

 

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If an ADS holder withdraws the underlying shares from the ADR facility, the small size of the market and its low liquidity in general, and our concentrated ownership in particular, may impair the ability of the ADS holder to sell the shares in the Chilean market in the amount and at the price and time such holder desires, and could increase the volatility of the price of our ADSs.

You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights.

The Ley Sobre Sociedades Anonimas No. 18,046 and the Reglamento de Sociedades Anonimas, or the Chilean Corporations Law and its regulations require that whenever we issue new common stock for cash, we grant preemptive rights to all of our shareholders (including holders of ADSs) to purchase a sufficient number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentage. Such an offering would not be possible unless a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, were effective with respect to such rights and common stock or an exemption from the registration requirements thereunder were available.

We may elect not to make a registration statement available with respect to the preemptive rights and the common stock, in which case you may not be able to exercise your preemptive rights. If a registration statement is not filed, the depositary will sell such holders’ preemptive rights and distribute the proceeds thereof if a premium can be recognized over the cost of any such sale.

Developments in other emerging markets may adversely affect the market price of the ADSs and shares.

The market price of the ADSs may be adversely affected by declines in the international financial markets and adverse world economic conditions. The market for Chilean securities is, to varying degrees, influenced by economic and market conditions in other emerging market countries, especially those in Latin America. Although economic conditions are different in each country, investors’ reactions to developments in one country can affect the securities markets and the securities of issuers in other countries, including Chile. Developments in other countries may adversely affect the market price of the ADSs.

In the past, Chile has imposed controls on foreign investment and repatriation of investments that affected an investment in, and earnings from, our ADSs.

Equity investments in Chile by persons who are not Chilean residents have historically been subject to various exchange control regulations that restrict the repatriation of the investments and earnings therefrom. In April 2001, the Central Bank eliminated most of the regulations that affected foreign investors, although foreign investors still have to provide the Central Bank with information related to equity investments and must conduct such operations within the Formal Exchange Market. Additional Chilean restrictions applicable to holders of our ADSs, the disposition of the shares underlying them or the repatriation of the proceeds from such disposition or the payment of dividends may be imposed in the future, and we cannot advise you as to the duration or impact of such restrictions if imposed.

If for any reason, including changes in Chilean law, the depositary were unable to convert Chilean pesos to U.S. dollars, investors would receive dividends and other distributions, if any, in Chilean pesos.

We are required to withhold for tax purposes 35% of any dividend we pay to you.

Owners of ADSs are entitled to receive dividends on the underlying shares to the same extent as the holders of shares. Dividends received by holders of ADSs will be paid net of foreign currency exchange fees and expenses of the depositary and will be subject to Chilean withholding tax of up to 35% of the dividend, which we will withhold and pay to the Chilean tax authorities. Any dividend distributions made in property

 

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(other than common stock) will be subject to the same Chilean tax rules as cash dividends. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—Chilean Tax Considerations.”

Risks Relating to Chile

Currency fluctuations could adversely affect the value of our ADSs and any distributions on the ADSs.

The Chilean government’s economic policies and any future changes in the value of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar could affect the dollar value of our common stock and our ADSs. The peso has been subject to large devaluations in the past and could be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. In the period from December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2006, the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Chilean peso decreased approximately 9.9%, as compared to a 1.8% increase in value in the period from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2006.

Chilean trading in the shares underlying our ADSs is conducted in pesos. Cash distributions with respect to our shares of common stock are received in Chilean pesos by the depositary, which then converts such amounts to U.S. dollars at the then-prevailing exchange rate for the purpose of making payments in respect of our ADSs. If the value of the Chilean peso falls relative to the U.S. dollar, the dollar value of our ADSs and any distributions to be received from the depositary will be reduced. In addition, the depositary will incur customary currency conversion costs (to be borne by the holders of our ADSs) in connection with the conversion and subsequent distribution of dividends or other payments. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Exchange Controls.”

Our results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rates between the peso and the U.S. dollar despite our policy and Chilean regulations relating to the general avoidance of material exchange rate mismatches. In order to reduce the effect of exchange rate mismatches we enter into forward exchange transactions. As of December 31, 2006, the net position of our foreign currency denominated assets and Chilean peso-denominated assets, which contain repayment terms linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, exceeded our foreign currency denominated liabilities and Chilean peso-denominated liabilities, which contain repayment terms linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, by Ch$16,925 million, or 2.6% of our paid-in capital and reserves.

We may decide to change our policy regarding exchange rate mismatches. Regulations that limit such mismatches may also be amended or eliminated. Greater exchange rate mismatches will increase our exposure to the devaluation of the peso, and any such devaluation may impair our capacity to service foreign-currency obligations and may, therefore, materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Notwithstanding the existence of general policies and regulations that limit material exchange rate mismatches, the economic policies of the Chilean government and any future fluctuations of the peso against the U.S. dollar could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Inflation could adversely affect the value of our ADSs and financial condition and results of operations.

Although Chilean inflation has moderated in recent years, Chile has experienced high levels of inflation in the past. High levels of inflation in Chile could adversely affect the Chilean economy and, indirectly, the value of our ADSs. The annual rate of inflation (as measured by changes in the Consumer Price Index and as reported by the Chilean National Institute of Statistics) during the last five years ended December 31, 2006 and the first five months of 2007 was:

 

Year

   Inflation
(Consumer Price Index)
 

2002

   2.8 %

2003

   1.1  

2004

   2.4  

2005

   3.7  

2006

   2.6  

2007 (through May 31)

   1.8 %

Source: Chilean National Institute of Statistics

Although we currently benefit from inflation in Chile due to the structure of our assets and liabilities (i.e., we have a significant amount of deposits that are not indexed to the inflation rate and do not accrue interest while a significant portion of our loans are indexed to the inflation rate), our operating results and the value of our ADSs in the future may be adversely affected by changing levels of inflation, and Chilean inflation could change significantly from the current level.

Our growth and profitability depend on the level of economic activity in Chile.

A substantial amount of our loans are to borrowers doing business in Chile. Accordingly, the recoverability of these loans, our ability to increase the amount of loans outstanding and our results of operations and financial condition, in general, are dependent to a significant extent on the level of economic activity in Chile. The Chilean economy has been influenced, to varying degrees, by economic conditions in other emerging market countries. We cannot assure you that the Chilean economy will continue to grow in the future or that future developments in or affecting the Chilean economy will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Furthermore, although our operations (with the exception of our branches in New York and Miami, our trade services subsidiary in Hong Kong and our four representative offices located in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Mexico City and Beijing) are currently limited to Chile, we may in the future pursue a strategy of expansion into other Latin American countries. The potential success of such strategy will depend in part on political, social and economic developments in such countries.

Chile has corporate disclosure and accounting standards different from those you may be familiar with in the United States.

The accounting, financial reporting and securities disclosure requirements in Chile differ from those in the United States. Accordingly, the information about us available to you will not be the same as the information available to shareholders of a U.S. company.

There are also important differences between Chilean and U.S. accounting and financial reporting standards. As a result, Chilean financial statements and reported earnings generally differ from those that would be reported based on U.S. accounting and reporting standards. See Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

As a regulated financial institution, we are required to submit to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks unaudited unconsolidated balance sheets and income statements, excluding any note disclosure, prepared in accordance with Chilean GAAP on a monthly basis. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

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makes this information public within approximately three months of receipt. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks also makes summary financial information available within three weeks of receipt. Such disclosure differs in a number of significant respects from information generally available in the United States with respect to U.S. financial institutions.

Chilean disclosure requirements for publicly listed companies differ from those in the United States in some significant respects. In addition, although Chilean law imposes restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, the Chilean securities markets are not as highly regulated and closely supervised as the U.S. securities markets.

Chilean law provides for fewer and less well-defined shareholders’ rights.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our estatutos, or bylaws, and the laws of Chile. Under such laws, our shareholders may have fewer or less well-defined rights than they might have as shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction. For example, our shareholders would not be entitled to appraisal rights in the event of a merger or other business combination undertaken by us.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report contains forward-looking statements. These statements appear throughout this annual report, including, without limitation, under “Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” Examples of such forward-looking statements include:

 

   

projections of operating revenues, net income (loss), net income (loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items or ratios;

 

   

statements of our plans, objectives or goals, including those related to anticipated trends, competition and regulation;

 

   

statements about our future economic performance or that of Chile or other countries in which we operate; and

 

   

statements of assumptions underlying such statements.

Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “target,” “estimate,” “project,” “potential,” “predict,” “forecast,” “guideline,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These statements may relate to (1) our asset growth and financing plans, (2) trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations and (3) the impact of competition and regulations, but are not limited to such topics. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements included in this annual report as a result of various factors (including, without limitation, the actions of competitors, future global economic conditions, market conditions, foreign exchange rates and operating and financial risks), many of which are beyond our control. The occurrence of any such factors not currently expected by us would significantly alter the results set forth in these statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely include, but are not limited to:

 

   

changes in general economic, business, political or other conditions in Chile or changes in general economic or business conditions in Latin America;

 

   

changes in capital markets in general that may affect policies or attitudes towards lending to Chile or Chilean companies;

 

   

increased costs;

 

   

unanticipated increases in financing and other costs or the inability to obtain additional debt or equity financing on attractive terms; and

 

   

the factors discussed under “—Risk Factors.”

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. This cautionary statement should be considered in connection with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements after the filing of this annual report to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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Item 4. Information on the Company

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE BANK

Overview

We were founded in 1893, and we believe that we have been, for much of our recent history, among the largest and most profitable Chilean banks in terms of return on assets and shareholders’ equity. We are engaged primarily in commercial banking in Chile, providing general banking services to a diverse customer base that includes corporations and individuals.

Our legal name is Banco de Chile. We are organized as a banking corporation under the laws of Chile and are licensed by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks to operate as a commercial bank. Our principal executive offices are located at Ahumada 251, Santiago, Chile. Our telephone number is +56 (2) 637-1111 and our website is www.bancochile.cl. Our registered agent in the United States is Banco de Chile, New York Branch, located at 535 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10022, telephone number +1 (212) 758-0909.

We are a full-service financial institution providing, directly and indirectly through our subsidiaries and affiliates, a wide variety of credit and non-credit products and services to all segments of the Chilean financial market. Our operations are organized in five principal business segments:

 

   

wholesale market;

 

   

retail market;

 

   

international banking;

 

   

treasury and money market operations; and

 

   

operations through subsidiaries.

Our banking services for corporate customers include commercial loans, including working capital facilities and trade finance, foreign exchange, capital market services, cash management and non-credit services such as payroll and payment services, as well as a wide range of treasury and risk management products. We provide our individual customers with credit cards, residential mortgage, auto and consumer loans, as well as traditional deposit services such as checking and savings accounts and time deposits.

We offer international banking services through our branches in New York and Miami, our trade services subsidiary in Hong Kong, our representative offices in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Mexico City and Beijing and a worldwide network of correspondent banks. In addition to our commercial banking operations, through our subsidiaries, we offer a variety of non-banking financial services including securities brokerage, mutual fund management, financial advisory services, factoring, insurance brokerage, securitization, collection and sales services.

 

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As of December 31, 2006, we had:

 

   

total assets of Ch$12,760,286 million (U.S.$ 23,876 million);

 

   

loans outstanding of Ch$9,695,166 million (U.S.$ 18,141 million);

 

   

deposits of Ch$8,031,027 million (U.S.$ 15,027 million); and

 

   

shareholders’ equity including net income of Ch$834,631 million (U.S.$ 1,562 million).

According to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, as of December 31, 2006, we were the second largest private bank in Chile in terms of total loans (excluding interbank loans) with a market share of 18.1%.

We are headquartered in Santiago, Chile and, as of December 31, 2006, had 11,219 employees and delivered financial products and services through a nationwide network of 282 branches and 1,456 ATMs that form part of a network of 5,387 ATMs operated by Redbanc S.A., a company owned by us and 13 other private sector financial institutions.

History

We were established in 1893 as a result of the merger of Banco Nacional de Chile, Banco Agricola and Banco de Valparaiso, which created the largest privately held bank in Chile. We believe that we remained the largest private bank in Chile until 1996. Beginning in the early 1970s, the Chilean government assumed control of a majority of Chilean banks and all but one of the foreign banks operating at the time closed their branches and offices in Chile. Throughout this era, we remained privately owned, with the Chilean government owning participating shares which it sold to private investors in 1975. We developed a well-recognized name in Chile and expanded our operations in foreign markets where we developed an extensive network of correspondent banks. In the early twentieth century, we established a representative office in London, which we maintained until 1985, when our European operations were moved to Frankfurt. The Frankfurt office was closed in 2000, when our foreign operations were centralized at the New York branch. In 1987 and 1988, we established four subsidiaries to provide the full range of financial products and services permitted by the General Banking Law and in 1999, we established our insurance brokerage and factoring subsidiaries.

Merger with Banco de A. Edwards

On December 6, 2001, our shareholders approved the merger with Banco de A. Edwards, which became effective on January 1, 2002. Banco de A. Edwards had been listed on the NYSE since 1995, and in January 2002, we were listed on the NYSE under the symbol BCH. Since 2002, our shares have also been listed on the Latin American Stock Exchange of the Madrid Stock Exchange, or Latibex, and the London Stock Exchange, or LSE.

We concluded the merger process at the end of 2002 with the consolidation of a new corporate structure and the integration of our technological platforms. In 2001 and 2002, we incurred merger related costs of approximately Ch$15,975 million and Ch$33,818 million, respectively. No further costs related to the merger have been incurred since 2002.

Neos and Related Projects

In 2003, we developed the groundwork for “Neos,” our technological innovation platform that provides information necessary for designing specific value proposals for every market subsegment and that simultaneously improves the quality of our service and increases efficiency. During 2004, we concluded the

 

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initial phases of “Neos,” which consisted of implementing a new management control platform that supports internal administration, a customer relationship management system, which manages client service requirements and global client information, a new core banking products system and a new accounting system.

During 2005, we successfully concluded the implementation of the Enterprise Resource Planning system, which, in its orientation towards self-service applications, provides human resources solutions. We also deployed a Customer Relationship Management, or CRM, service platform in all our retail branches and call centers. It mainly allows for preventive functions, the management of commercial campaigns and the tracking of credit approvals. In addition, the new accounting system was deployed.

During 2006, we expanded the CRM system and related processes to our corporate and private banking businesses, thus covering all of our segments and branch networks, with the exception of Credichile. We also introduced important improvements in this system, adding functionalities mainly related to the opportunity and post-sale modules. As part of the new core banking system, commercial and consumer loans were placed into the new loan module. In addition, we initiated the replacement of the teller system, which will enable faster and more accurate customer service. Also during 2006, a Customer Intelligence solution was implemented to improve customer acquisition, cross-selling, segmentation and retention.

There are important challenges scheduled for 2007. The new core banking solution phases include the implementation of liability products such as checking accounts and time deposits. The commercial platform (CRM) will be expanded to the our Banco CrediChile consumer division, while the teller solution will be expanded to the entire Bank’s networks. Finally, during 2007, we will launch a Business Intelligence initiative to implement an Operational Data Store (ODS) and a new Data Warehouse to build the foundations upon which new management tools will be developed.

The 1982-1983 Economic Crisis and the Central Bank Subordinated Debt

During the 1982-1983 economic crisis, the Chilean banking system experienced significant instability requiring that the Central Bank and the Chilean government provide assistance to most Chilean private sector banks, including us. During this period, we experienced significant financial difficulties. In 1985 and 1986, we increased our capital and sold shares representing 88% of our capital to more than 30,000 new shareholders. As a result, no single shareholder held a controlling stake in our company. In 1987, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks returned the control and administration of the bank to our shareholders.

Subsequent to the crisis, like most major Chilean banks, we sold certain of our non-performing loans to the Central Bank at face value on terms that included a repurchase obligation. The repurchase obligation was later exchanged for subordinated debt of each participating bank issued in favor of the Central Bank. In 1989, pursuant to Law No. 18,818, banks were permitted to repurchase the portfolio of non-performing loans for a price equal to the economic value of such loans, provided that the bank assume a subordinated obligation equal to the difference between the face value and economic value of such loans. In November 1989, we repurchased our portfolio of non-performing loans from the Central Bank and assumed the Central Bank’s subordinated debt relating to our non-performing loans.

The original repayment terms of our Central Bank subordinated debt, which at December 31, 1989 equaled approximately Ch$1,137,026 million, or U.S.$2,128 million, required that a certain percentage of our income before provisions for the subordinated debt be applied to repay this obligation. The Central Bank subordinated debt did not have a fixed maturity, and payments were made only to the extent that we earned income before provisions for the subordinated debt. In 1993 we applied 72.9% of our income before provisions for the Central Bank subordinated debt to the repayment of this debt. In 1994 we applied 67.6% and in 1995 we applied 65.8% of our income before provisions for the Central Bank subordinated debt to the repayment of this debt.

 

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In November 1996, pursuant to Law No. 19,396, our shareholders approved a reorganization by which Banco de Chile was converted to a holding company named SM-Chile. In turn, SM-Chile organized a new wholly owned banking subsidiary named Banco de Chile to which it contributed all of its assets and liabilities other than the Central Bank subordinated debt. SM-Chile then created SAOS, a second wholly owned subsidiary that, pursuant to a prior agreement with the Central Bank, assumed a new repayment obligation in favor of the Central Bank that replaced the Central Bank subordinated debt in its entirety.

This Central Bank indebtedness, for which SAOS is solely responsible and for which there is no recourse to us or SM-Chile, was equal to the unpaid principal of the Central Bank subordinated debt that it replaced but had terms that differed in some respects, the most important of which included a rescheduling of the debt for a term of 40 years providing for equal annual installments and a pledge of our shares as collateral for such debt. The Central Bank indebtedness bears interest at a rate of 5.0% per year and is denominated in UF. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results—Overview—Inflation—UF-denominated Assets and Liabilities” for a further explanation of UF.

In exchange for assuming the Central Bank indebtedness, SAOS received from SM-Chile, a holding company that beneficially owns SAOS and us, 63.6% of our shares as collateral for this indebtedness. As a result of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards, the percentage of our shares held by SAOS decreased to 42.0%. As a result of the share dividend paid in May 2006 and in May 2007, the percentage further decreased to 40.9%. Dividends received from us are the sole source of SAOS’s revenue, which it must apply to repay this indebtedness. However, under SAOS’s agreement with the Central Bank, we have no obligation to distribute dividends to our shareholders. To the extent distributed dividends are not sufficient to pay the amount due on this indebtedness, SAOS is permitted to maintain a cumulative deficit balance with the Central Bank that SAOS commits to pay with future dividends. If the cumulative deficit balance exceeds an amount equal to 20% of our paid-in capital and reserves, the Central Bank may require SAOS to sell a sufficient number of shares of our stock owned by SAOS to pay the entire accumulated deficit amount. As of April 30, 2007, SAOS maintained a surplus with the Central Bank of Ch$12,516 million, equivalent to 1.85% of our paid-in capital and reserves. As of the same date, Ch$135,589 million would have represented 20% of our paid-in capital and reserves. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Operations and the Banking Industry.” Our affiliate may be obligated to sell shares of our stock in the public market if we do not pay sufficient dividends. See Note 28(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

If from time to time in the future our shareholders decide to retain and capitalize all or part of our annual net income in order to finance our future growth, and to distribute stock dividends among our shareholders, the Central Bank may require us to pay the portion of the net income corresponding to shares owned by SAOS in cash to SAOS. If we distribute stock dividends and the Central Bank does not require us to pay that portion in cash, the shares received by SAOS must be sold by SAOS within the following 12 months. The shareholders of SM-Chile will have a right of first refusal with respect to that sale.

 

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Capital Expenditures

The following table reflects our capital expenditures in each of the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Computer equipment

   Ch$ 7,245    Ch$ 8,379    Ch$ 9,409

Furniture, machinery and installations

     4,903      7,536      10,745

Real estate

     420      2,390      1,661

Vehicles

     453      351      325
                    

Subtotal

     13,021      18,656      22,140

Software

     7,980      7,411      10,872
                    

Total

   Ch$   21,001    Ch$   26,067    Ch$   33,012
                    

Our budget for capital expenditures in 2007 is Ch$51,164 million, substantially all of which will be used in Chile. Capital expenditures planned for 2007 consist mainly of expenditures for information technology and the continued implementation of “Neos.” We also expect to open new branches and ATMs, refurbish some existing branches and our main building that serves as our executive offices, and perform other maintenance in the ordinary course of our business.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Business Strategy

Our long-term strategy is to maintain and enhance our position as a leading bank in Chile by providing a broad range of financial products and services to corporations and individuals nationwide. As part of this strategy, we utilize a multi-brand approach to target diverse market segments and leverage our strongly positioned brand names: “Banco de Chile,” “Banco de A. Edwards,” “Banchile,” “Banco Credichile” and “Leasing Andino.” The key components of our strategy are described below.

Expand Retail Customer Base

Our banking strategy is focused on maintaining and developing long-term relationships with our customers and expanding our customer base, especially in the retail business segment and in segments with strong growth potential, such as lower-income individuals and micro-businesses by enlarging our distribution network, strengthening our electronic channels, emphasizing customer service and providing a broad range of financial products and services. In order to provide our customers with improved and value-added services, we are developing a new customer relationship management system and providing additional sales and service training to our business account executives.

As a result of the growth of the Chilean economy, recent trade agreements and decreasing unemployment, we expect that our corporate and individual retail customers will require more comprehensive credit and non-credit financial services than in the past. To meet these needs and enlarge our retail customer base, we intend to (1) expand our branch and ATM networks to locations where we have little or no presence, (2) strengthen our sales force, (3) develop programs to increase quality of service in order to build and enhance customer loyalty, (4) continue to improve our response time for customer inquires, (5) develop diverse products and services tailored to the specific needs of existing and potential customers, (6) strategically cross-sell products and services, such as mutual funds, lease financing, factoring, insurance and securities brokerage services, (7) develop commercial agreements and strategic alliances with leading companies in other industries (such as retail businesses, insurance companies, pension management funds and telecommunications companies) and (8) develop and improve credit scoring techniques to reduce the time the credit process takes for our customers.

 

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Expand Fee-Based Services

In recent years, our margins from traditional lending activities have declined significantly and, as a result, we have increasingly shifted our focus to developing other sources of revenue, such as fee-based products and services. Our consolidated income from fees and other services has continued to be an important source of income during the last three years and was Ch$140,177 million (U.S.$262 million) and Ch$133,541 million (U.S.$250 million) in 2005 and 2006, respectively, representing 26.5% and 23.8% of operating revenues for each year. We seek to continue to grow our fee-based revenues by developing new services and by strategically cross-selling these services to our base of existing retail and wholesale banking customers. For our wholesale banking customers, we intend to actively market new and existing fee-based services such as electronic banking, receivables collection, payroll services, supplier payments, investment advisory services and cash management. For our retail banking customers, we intend to increase revenues from new and existing fee-based services such as electronic banking, ATMs, general checking services, credit cards, mutual funds, securities brokerage and insurance brokerage.

Maximize Operating Efficiencies

In 2006, our consolidated operating expenses represented approximately 53.6% of our operating revenue. As the Chilean banking sector continues to grow, we believe that a low-cost structure will become increasingly important to our ability to compete profitably.

We have invested heavily in technology during recent years (approximately Ch$15,225 million in 2004, Ch$15,790 million in 2005 and Ch$20,281 million (U.S.$37.9 million) in 2006) and plan to continue to focus on technology in the future to achieve further improvements in customer service and operating efficiency. In 2003, we began the first stage of “Neos,” our technological innovation platform that provides us with customer information that includes demographic information, cross-selling opportunities, customer complaints and credit tracking. Between 2003 and 2006, capital expenditures associated with “Neos” amounted to approximately Ch$23,970 million (U.S.$44.9 million). We estimate that our “Neos” related capital expenditures will amount to Ch$8,890 million (U.S.$16.6 million) in 2007.

Provide Competitive International Products and Services

We intend to provide to our primarily Chilean customer base a complete array of international products at competitive prices. Our primary focus in this respect will be on trade financing of customer related operations, which is one of our traditional areas of international activity. In order to strengthen our relationships with Chilean businesses engaged in international trade, we intend to emphasize the integrated services offered by our New York and Miami branches, in addition to our trade services subsidiary in Hong Kong and our representative offices in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Beijing.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to realize our strategic objectives. For a discussion of certain risks applicable to our operations and to Chile that may affect our ability to meet our objectives, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors.”

 

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Ownership Structure

The following diagram shows ownership structure at May 10, 2007:

LOGO

Share Repurchase Program

On March 20, 2003, at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, our shareholders approved the establishment of a share repurchase program to be conducted on the various Chilean stock exchanges on which our shares are listed and/or through a tender offer conducted in accordance with the Chilean Corporations Law. The program began on April 26, 2004 and concluded on August 2, 2005.

The Central Bank authorized the program on June 2, 2003, subject to its prior approval of the offering price of any shares resold by us that were acquired under the program, and the condition that the shares may only be purchased using retained net income from prior years. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks authorized the program on July 2, 2003.

Under the terms of the share repurchase program:

 

   

The maximum percentage of shares that we were permitted to repurchase could not exceed 3% of our paid-in capital;

 

   

The minimum price that we were permitted to pay for the shares was the weighted average of the closing prices of the shares as quoted by the Santiago Stock Exchange for the 45 business days preceding the repurchase, and the maximum price was 15% higher than that average;

 

   

If the shares that we repurchased were not resold within 24 months of acquisition, paid-in capital could be reduced by the amount of shares we repurchased that were not resold;

 

   

Shareholders had a preferential right to acquire the repurchased shares if we decided to resell them, unless our board of directors approved the sale of up to 1% of our shares during a 12-month period on any stock exchange on which our shares were listed; and

 

   

Repurchased shares, although registered in our name, did not have voting or dividend rights.

 

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On March 25, 2004, our board of directors resolved to commence a tender offer to repurchase 1,701,994,590 of our shares, representing 2.5% of our total capital, at a purchase price of Ch$31 per share. The tender offer expired on April 26, 2004, and 5,000,844,940 shares were tendered.

On March 24, 2005, our board of directors resolved to resell 1,701,994,590, or 100%, of the shares we acquired through the program. On May 5, 2005, the Central Bank set a sale price of UF0.002031, the equivalent of Ch$37.24, per share. Of the shares to be resold, 968,822,755, or 1.42% of shares outstanding, were offered to our shareholders for a 30-day preemptive rights period that ended June 22, 2005. 1,114,857 shares were sold during this period. The remaining 733,171,835 shares, or 1.08% of shares outstanding, were offered in a tender offer to SM-Chile’s series A, B and D shareholders which began on June 23, 2005 and closed on July 22, 2005. The 1,699,220,748 shares that were not resold to our shareholders or SM-Chile’s series A, B or D shareholders in the preemptive offering or tender offer, as applicable, were sold in a public offering in the Santiago Stock Exchange from July 26, 2005 to August 1, 2005. The settlement date was August 2, 2005.

 

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Principal Business Activities

We are a full-service financial institution providing, directly and indirectly through our subsidiaries and affiliates, a wide variety of credit and non-credit products and services to all segments of the Chilean financial market. The following diagram summarizes our principal business segments, which we conduct directly or, in the case of “Operations through subsidiaries,” through our subsidiaries:

LOGO

The following table provides information on the composition of our loan portfolio and our consolidated net income before tax for the year ended December 31, 2006, allocated among our principal business segments:

 

     Loans     Consolidated
net income
before tax (1)
 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006, except for percentages)
 

Retail market

   Ch$   3,992,748    41.2 %   Ch$   130,740  

Wholesale market

     5,013,376    51.7       82,653  

International banking

     341,861    3.5       (6,603 )

Treasury and money market operations

     45,131    0.5       19,109  

Operations through subsidiaries

     302,050    3.1       27,848  

Other (adjustments and eliminations)

     —      —         (34,403 )
                     

Total

   Ch$ 9,695,166    100.0 %   Ch$ 219,344  
                     

(1) Consolidated net income before tax consists of the sum of operating revenues and other income and expenses, net, and the deduction for operating expenses, net loss from price level restatement and provisions for loan losses. The net income before tax breakdown shown is used for internal reporting, planning and marketing purposes and is based on, among other things, our estimated funding cost and direct and indirect cost allocations. This breakdown may differ in some respects from breakdowns of our operating income for financial reporting and regulatory purposes. Separate information on the operations, assets and income of our nine financial services subsidiaries and affiliates is provided below under “—Operations through Subsidiaries.”

 

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The following table provides our consolidated operating revenues, for the period indicated, allocated among our principal business segments:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2004    2005    2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

Retail market

   Ch$   264,568    Ch$   291,006    Ch$   321,937  

Wholesale market

     109,178      120,975      130,331  

International banking

     12,433      14,123      15,086  

Treasury and money market operations

     28,767      19,226      22,677  

Operations through subsidiaries

     69,487      71,546      71,843  

Other (adjustments and eliminations)

     12,492      12,343      (1,144 )
                      

Total

   Ch$   496,925    Ch$   529,219    Ch$   560,730  
                      

The following table provides a geographic market breakdown of our operating revenues for the years indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Chile

   Ch$   485,262    Ch$   515,359    Ch$   545,866

Banking operations

     415,774      443,992      474,276

Operations through subsidiaries

     69,488      71,367      71,590

Foreign operations

     11,663      13,860      14,864

New York

     9,174      10,792      11,216

Miami

     2,489      2,890      3,395

Operations through subsidiaries

     —        178      253
                    

Total

   Ch$   496,925    Ch$   529,219    Ch$   560,730
                    

Retail Market

Our retail market business segment serves the financial needs of individuals and middle market companies through our branch network comprised by 282 branches.

As of December 31, 2006, loans to our retail market represented 41.2% of our total loans outstanding and our retail market business segment accounted for approximately Ch$130,740 million of our net income before tax for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The following table sets forth the composition of our retail market business segment’s loan portfolio as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$
as of December 31, 2006,
except for percentages)
 

Consumer loans

   Ch$   1,068,310    26.8 %

Commercial loans

     877,857    22.0  

Mortgage loans

     517,472    13.0  

Leasing contracts

     133,708    3.3  

Contingent loans

     40,646    1.0  

Foreign trade loans

     29,448    0.7  

Other loans(1)

     1,325,307    33.2  
             

Total

   Ch$   3,992,748    100.0 %
             

(1) Other loans include primarily mortgage loans financed by our general borrowings and factoring loans.

 

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The retail market business segment is served by two divisions: (i) the individuals and middle market division and (ii) the Banco CrediChile division.

Individuals and Middle Market Division

The individuals and middle market division is responsible for offering financial services to individuals with incomes of over Ch$380 thousand monthly (or Ch$4.6 million annually) and to small and medium-sized companies with annual sales of up to Ch$1,200 million. The individuals and middle market division manages that portion of our branch network that operates under the brand names Banco Chile and Banco Edwards. We had 195 such branches at December 31, 2006.

The individuals and middle market division has a range of management tools that measure returns, cross-sell products, track performance and the effectiveness of campaigns. Incentive systems have been gradually incorporated into the commercial targets, differentiated by segment, consequently permitting faster response times and a more efficient use of resources. This division also counts on the support of specialized call centers and internet banking services. The strategy followed in the individual and middle market division is mainly focused on subsegmentation and multi-brand positioning, on cross-selling of products and on quality of service.

At December 31, 2006, the individuals and middle market division served more than 423,000 individual customers and over 46,000 companies, resulting in loans outstanding to approximately 365,000 debtors, including approximately 54,098 residential loans, 33,612 commercial loans, 324,947 approved lines of credit, 178,701 other consumer loans and 385,661 credit card accounts. At the same date, we maintained 450,113 checking accounts, 58,481 savings accounts and 33,146 time deposits related to individuals.

As of December 31, 2006, loans originated by our individuals and middle market division represented 38.2% of our total outstanding loans. The following table sets forth the composition of our portfolio of loans to individuals and middle market companies as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$
as of December 31, 2006,
except for percentages)
 

Consumer loans

   Ch$ 842,326    22.7 %

Commercial loans

     877,326    23.7  

Mortgage loans

     473,278    12.8  

Leasing contracts

     133,363    3.6  

Contingent loans

     40,646    1.1  

Foreign trade loans

     29,448    0.8  

Other loans(1)

     1,311,469    35.3  
             

Total

   Ch$   3,707,856    100.0 %
             

(1) Other loans include primarily mortgage loans financed by our general borrowings and factoring loans.

The principal financial services offered to individuals include checking accounts, automatic bill payment, debit cards, credit cards, revolving credit lines, housing loans, consumer loans, life insurance, general insurance (like home and vehicle insurance), savings instruments, mutual funds, stock trading and foreign currency services.

Installment Loans

Our consumer installment loans to individuals are generally incurred, up to a customer’s approved credit limit, to finance the cost of goods or services, such as cars, travel and household furnishings. Consumer loans are denominated in both pesos and UF, bear interest at fixed or variable rates of interest and generally are repayable in installments of up to 36 months.

 

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At December 31, 2006, we had Ch$514,561 million in installment loans to individuals, which accounted for 61.1% of the retail market business segment consumer loans. A majority of installment loans are denominated in pesos and are payable monthly.

Residential Mortgage Loans

As of December 31, 2006, there were outstanding residential mortgage loans to individuals of Ch$1,482,623 million, which represented 37.1% of the retail market total loans and 15.3% of our total loan portfolio. A feature of our mortgage loans to individuals is that mortgaged property typically secures all of a mortgagor’s credit with us, including credit card and other loans.

Our residential mortgage loans generally have maturities between five and 30 years and are denominated in UF. To reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and inflation with respect to our residential loan portfolio, a portion of these residential loans are currently funded through the issuance of mortgage finance bonds, which are recourse obligations with payment terms that are matched to the residential loans and which bear a real market interest rate plus a fixed spread over the rate of change in the UF. Chilean banking regulations limit the amount of a residential mortgage loan that may be financed with a mortgage finance bond to the lesser of 75% of the purchase price of the property securing the loan or the appraised value of such property. In addition, we generally require that the monthly payments on a residential mortgage loan not exceed 25% of the borrower’s household after-tax monthly income. This is mandatory for mortgage loans financed by mortgage bonds in which the assessment value of the property is less than UF3,000.

We have promoted the expansion of Mutuos Hipotecarios, a mortgage-lending product, as an alternative form to traditional financing of mortgage loans with mortgage bonds. Whereas our traditional mortgage loans are financed by means of mortgage finance bonds, Mutuos Hipotecarios are financed with our general funds, especially long-term subordinated bonds. Mutuos Hipotecarios offer the opportunity to finance up to 100% of the lower of the purchase price or the appraised value of the property, as opposed to the 75% that a standard mortgage would allow.

As of December 31, 2006, we were Chile’s second largest private sector bank in terms of amount of mortgage loans, and, based on information prepared by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, we accounted for approximately 14.4% of the residential mortgage loans in the Chilean banking system and approximately 19.4% of such loans made by private sector banks.

Credit Cards

We issue both Visa and MasterCard credit cards, and our product portfolio includes both personal and corporate cards. In addition to traditional cards, our credit card portfolio also includes co-branded cards (“Travel Club” and “Global Pass”), and 40 affinity card groups, most of which are associated with our co-branded programs.

As of December 31, 2006, we had 386,778 valid credit card accounts, with 530,615 credit cards to individuals. Total charges on our credit cards during 2006 amounted to Ch$569,947 million, with Ch$452,815 million corresponding to purchases and service payments in Chile and abroad and Ch$77,800 million corresponding to cash advances (both within Chile and abroad). These charge volumes represent a 27.4% market share in terms of volume of use of bank credit cards issued in Chile.

As of December 31, 2006, our credit card loans to individuals amounted to Ch$118,980 million and represented 11.1% of our retail market business segment’s consumer loans.

Two Chilean companies that are affiliated with us, Transbank S.A. and Nexus S.A., provide us with merchant acquisition and credit card processing services. As of December 31, 2006, Transbank S.A. had 17

 

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shareholders and Nexus S.A. had seven shareholders, all of which are banks. As of December 31, 2006, our equity ownership in Transbank S.A. was 17.4% and our equity interest in Nexus S.A. was 25.8%.

We believe that the Chilean market for credit cards has a high potential for growth, especially among customers in the lower-middle and middle-income bracket, that average merchant fees will continue to decline and that stores that do not currently accept credit cards will generally begin to do so. We also believe that, in addition to the other banks that operate in Chile, our main competitors are department store cards and other non-banking businesses involved in the issuance of credit cards.

Debit Cards

We have different types of debit cards. Depending on their specifications, these cards can be used for banking transactions on the ATMs that operate on the local network, Redbanc, the Visa International PLUS network, the local network of merchants participating in the local Redcompra debit program or the international network of merchants associated with the Electron program. We have given these debit cards different names (Chilecard, Chilecard Plus, Chilecard Electron, Chilecard Empresas, Banjoven, Cheque Electronico, Multiedwards, Cuenta Directa and Cuenta Familiar) based on their specific functions and the relevant brand and target market to which they are oriented. As of December 31, 2006, we had a 28.1% market share of debit card transactions, with approximately 19 million transactions performed as of that date.

Lines of Credit

We had approximately 321,903 approved lines of credit to individual customers as of December 31, 2006 and outstanding advances to 219,959 individuals totaling Ch$180,476 million, or 4.5% of the retail market total loans.

Our individual lines of credit are generally available on a revolving basis, up to an approved credit limit, and may be used for any purpose. Advances under lines of credit are denominated in pesos and bear interest at a rate that is set monthly. At the customer’s option, a line of credit loan may be renewed and re-priced for successive monthly periods, in each case subject to minimum monthly payments.

Deposit Products

We seek to increase our deposit-taking activities as a means of diversifying our sources of funding. We believe that the deposits of our individual customers provide us with a relatively low cost, stable funding source, as well as the opportunity to cross-market our other products and services. We offer checking accounts, time deposits and savings accounts to our individual customers. Checking accounts are peso-denominated and mostly non-interest bearing (approximately 0.2% of total checking accounts of the individual and middle market division are interest-bearing) and savings accounts are denominated in UF and bear interest at a fixed rate. Time deposits are denominated in pesos, UF and U.S. dollars. Most time deposits bear interest at a fixed rate with a term of 30 to 360 days.

While historically demand has been mainly for UF-denominated deposits during times of high inflation, demand for deposits denominated in pesos has increased in the current environment of lower and more stable inflation rates in Chile.

As of December 31, 2006, we administered 403,146 checking accounts for approximately 387,980 individual customers with an aggregate balance of Ch$529,469 million. At such date, our checking account balances totaled approximately Ch$1,738,972 million and represented 14.6% of our total liabilities.

The principal financial services offered to small and medium size companies with annual sales of up to Ch$1,200 million by the individuals and middle market division include a complete range of products, such as various financing options, support in import and export transactions, collection services, payments and

 

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collections, leasing agreements, factoring services, checking account services, investment management, insurance broking, currency trading, transfers and payments to and from abroad. As of December 31, 2006, we had approximately 43,970 middle market companies with checking accounts and 24,416 debtors.

Commercial Loans

Our individuals and middle market division’s commercial loans, which mainly consist of project financing and working capital loans, are denominated in pesos, UF or U.S. dollars. Commercial loans may have fixed or variable rates of interest and generally mature between one and three months from the date of the loan. As of December 31, 2006, our middle market companies had outstanding commercial loans of Ch$473,654 million, representing 11.9% of the retail market business segment’s total loans and 4.9% of our total loans at that date.

Leasing Contracts

Leasing contracts are financing leases for capital equipment and property. Leasing contracts may have fixed or variable rates of interest and generally mature between one and five years for equipment and between five and twenty years for property. Most of these contracts are denominated in UF. As of December 31, 2006, our middle market companies had outstanding leasing contracts of Ch$90,804 million, representing 2.3% of the retail market and 0.9% of our total loans at that date.

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans granted to middle market companies are non-residential mortgage loans made to finance office, land and other real estate. Mortgage loans are denominated in UF and generally have maturities of between eight and 12 years. As of December 31, 2006, middle market companies had outstanding mortgage loans of approximately Ch$84,797 million, representing 2.1% of the retail market business segment’s total loans 0.9% of our total loans at such date.

Banco CrediChile Division, or Banco CrediChile

The Banco CrediChile division offers loans and other financial services to the lower-middle to middle income portions of the Chilean population, which historically have only been partially served by banking institutions. This bracket includes individuals whose monthly incomes fluctuate between Ch$170,000 and Ch$380,000 and small businesses. Banco CrediChile represents a distinct delivery channel for our products and services in this bracket, maintaining a separate brand and network of 87 Banco CrediChile branches. Banco CrediChile was established in 2004 from what was formerly our consumer banking division.

Banco CrediChile offers our customers a range of products, including consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans and residential mortgage loans and a special demand deposit account (see “—Bancuenta” below) targeted at low-income customers. As of December 31, 2006, Banco CrediChile had approximately 236,440 customers and total loans outstanding of Ch$284,891 million, representing 2.9% of our total loan portfolio at that date.

 

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The following table sets forth the composition of our portfolio of loans to Banco CrediChile as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     (in millions of constant
Ch$ as of December 31,
2006, except for
percentages)
 

Consumer loans

   Ch$   225,984    79.3 %

Mortgage loans

     44,194    15.5  

Other loans

     14,713    5.2  
             

Total

   Ch$   284,891    100.0 %
             

Banco CrediChile focuses on developing and marketing innovative, targeted products to satisfy the needs of its customers while introducing them to the banking system. Banco CrediChile complements the services offered in our other business segments, especially our wholesale market, by offering services to employers such as direct deposit capabilities that stimulate the use of our services by employees.

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks requires greater allowances for loan losses for banks with lower credit classifications, such as Banco CrediChile. Banco CrediChile employs a specific credit scoring system, developed by our credit risk division, as well as other criteria to evaluate and monitor credit risk. Banco CrediChile seeks to ensure the quality of our loan portfolio through adherence to our loan origination procedures, particularly the use of our credit scoring system and credit management policies, including the use of credit bureaus and the services of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Banco CrediChile uses rigorous procedures for collection of past due loans through Socofin S.A., our specialized collection subsidiary. We believe that we have the necessary procedures and infrastructure in place to manage the risk exposure that Banco CrediChile introduces. These procedures allow us to take advantage of the higher growth and earnings potential of this market while helping to manage the exposure to higher risk. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Operations and the Banking Industry—The growth of our loan portfolio may expose us to increased loan losses” and “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Operations and the Banking Industry—Our loan portfolio may not continue to grow at the same or similar rate.”

Consumer Lending

Banco CrediChile provides short- to medium-term consumer loans and credit card services. As of December 31, 2006, Banco CrediChile had approximately 205,287 consumer loans that totaled Ch$205,587 million outstanding. As of the same date, Banco CrediChile customers had 137,830 valid credit card accounts, with outstanding balances of Ch$20,375 million.

Bancuenta

Banco CrediChile introduced Bancuenta as a basic deposit product that provides consumers flexibility and ease of use, which allows us to tap a section of the consumer market that previously was not part of the banking system. The Bancuenta account is a non-interest bearing demand deposit account without checking privileges targeted at customers who want a secure and comfortable means of managing and accessing their money. The customer may use the ATM card linked to the Bancuenta account (which may include a revolving line of credit) to make deposits or automatic payments to other Banco CrediChile accounts through a network of 5,387 ATMs available through the Redbanc network.

As of December 31, 2006, Banco CrediChile had approximately 551,501 Bancuenta accounts. Bancuenta account holders pay an annual fee, a fee related to the number of withdrawals on the Bancuenta line of credit and interest on any outstanding balance under the line of credit. All fees and interest due on a Bancuenta account are withdrawn automatically on a monthly basis from funds available in the account.

 

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Bancuenta allows us to offer our wholesale customers the ability to pay their employees by direct deposit of funds into the individual employee’s account at Banco CrediChile. We believe this product can lead to stronger long-term relationships with our wholesale customers and with the employees of such customers.

Wholesale Market

Our wholesale market business segment serves the needs of corporate customers with annual sales in excess of Ch$1,200 million. As of December 31, 2006, loans made by this business segment totaled approximately Ch$5,013,376 million and represented 51.7% of our total loan portfolio. Our wholesale banking business segment accounted for approximately Ch$82,653 million of our net income before tax for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The following table sets forth the composition of our portfolio of loans to the wholesale market as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$
as of December 31, 2006,
except for percentages)
 

Commercial loans

   Ch$   3,043,800    60.7 %

Foreign trade loans

     566,912    11.3  

Contingent loans

     732,886    14.6  

Leasing contracts

     405,467    8.1  

Mortgage loans

     63,746    1.3  

Other

     200,565    4.0  
             

Total

   Ch$ 5,013,376    100.0 %
             

As of December 31, 2006, we had approximately 7,650 wholesale debtors. Our wholesale customers are engaged in a wide spectrum of industry sectors. As of December 31, 2006, this business segment’s loans were mainly related to:

 

   

financial services (approximately 34.8% of all loans made by this business segment);

 

   

construction (approximately 15.1% of loans made by this business segment);

 

   

manufacturing (approximately 12.6% of all loans made by this business segment);

 

   

trade (approximately 13.3% of all loans made by this business segment);

 

   

community, social and personal services (approximately 6.8% of all loans made by this business segment); and

 

   

agriculture (approximately 6.6% of all loans made by this business segment).

In line with our strategy of identifying and differentiating market segments to provide value proposals for the specific needs of our customers, we have defined two divisions within the wholesale market based on companies’ annual sales, grouping them into (i) large corporations and (ii) large companies.

Large Corporations Division

The large corporations division is oriented towards providing services to corporations that sell more than Ch$33 billion annually. This division’s customers include a large proportion of Chile’s publicly traded companies, subsidiaries of multinationals and conglomerates, including those in the financial, commercial, manufacturing and industrial and infrastructure sectors, as well as projects, concessions and the real estate sectors.

 

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As of December 31, 2006, we had 1,822 large corporations debtors. Loans to large corporations totaled approximately Ch$3,740,235 million as of December 31, 2006, representing 38.6% of our total loans at that date.

The following table sets forth the composition of our portfolio of loans by the large corporations division as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006,
except for percentages)
 

Commercial loans

   Ch$ 2,434,463    65.1 %

Foreign trade loans

     363,896    9.7  

Contingent loans

     566,906    15.2  

Leasing contracts

     185,279    5.0  

Mortgage loans

     24,107    0.6  

Other

     165,584    4.4  
             

Total

   Ch$ 3,740,235    100.0 %
             

We offer our large corporation customers a wide variety of products that include short and long-term financing, working capital loans, mortgage loans, leasing, long-term syndicated loans and factoring, plus the investment banking services offered by our subsidiary, Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A. Our investment banking services include the underwriting of public and private securities offerings. We also offer payment services (payrolls, suppliers, pensions, dividends, etc.), collection services and connection to international funds transfer networks, apart from the traditional deposit products, especially the checking account.

We are party to approximately 1,050 payment service contracts and approximately 270 collection service contracts with large corporations. We believe that cash management and payment service contracts provide a source of low-cost deposits and the opportunity to cross-market our products and fees to payees, many of whom maintain accounts with us. Under our collection contracts, we act as a collection agent for our large corporate customers, providing centralized collection services for their accounts receivables and other similar payments.

In order to provide a highly competitive service, our large corporation division has the direct support of our treasury segment, which fulfills our corporate customers’ liquidity and short-term loans requirements directly. We have also improved our technological offerings to facilitate connection with customers and permit self-service. Similarly, we offer derivative products, which we believe have become increasingly important, especially peso-dollar and UF-dollar forward contracts and interest rate swaps.

The market for loans to large corporations in Chile in recent years has been characterized by reduced profit margins, due in part to the greater direct access of such customers to domestic and international capital markets and other sources of funds. As a result, we have been increasingly focused on margin growth and cross-selling fee generating services, such as the above mentioned payroll processing, dividend payments and billing services as well as computer banking services. This strategy has enabled us to maintain profitable relationships with our large corporate customers while preserving the ability to extend credit when appropriate opportunities arise.

Large Companies Division

The large companies division provides a broad range of financial products such as electronic banking, leasing, foreign trade and financial consultancy to companies with annual sales of between Ch$1,200 million and Ch$33 billion.

As of December 31, 2006, we had 5,830 large companies debtors. Loans to large companies totaled approximately Ch$1,273,141 million as of December 31, 2006, representing 13.1% of our total loans at that date.

 

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The following table sets forth the composition of our portfolio of loans by the large companies division as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006,
except for percentages)
 

Commercial loans

   Ch$ 609,337    47.9 %

Foreign trade loans

     203,016    15.9  

Contingent loans

     165,980    13.0  

Leasing contracts

     220,188    17.3  

Mortgage loans

     39,639    3.1  

Other

     34,981    2.8  
             

Total

   Ch$ 1,273,141    100.0 %
             

The products offered to these customers are mainly commercial loans, lines of credit, foreign trade and foreign currency transactions, factoring services, leasing, mortgage loans, syndicated loans, mergers and acquisitions and debt restructuring assistance, payments and collections services, checking accounts and related services, corporate credit cards, cash and investment management, forward contracts to hedge against currency fluctuations and insurance broking.

Our leasing segment is part of the large companies division and operates under the name of Leasing Andino. Our factoring and financial advisory subsidiaries, Banchile Factoring S.A. and Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A., respectively, provide their services principally through the large companies division. The large companies division has introduced a new service model, centralizing the majority of business relations with its customers, eliminating intermediate reporting levels to provide faster response times. Account officers are organized by geographic region, are strongly sales-oriented and have a particular concern for service quality.

International Banking

Through our international banking business segment, we offer a range of international services, principally import and export financing, letters of credit, guarantees and other forms of credit support, cross border payments, foreign currency exchange and currency swaps.

Our international banking business segment has two main lines of business: foreign currency products and management of our international network. This business segment deals with all banking products that involve foreign currency, including those related to foreign trade. Our international banking business segment designs foreign currency products, provides support to our account officers and sales force with respect to foreign currency products, monitors our market share participation and promotes the use of our foreign currency products. Included in this business segment is a group of foreign trade specialists that advises our customers about our services related to insurance, shipping and customs, with the objective of obtaining the most desirable conditions for the non-banking stages of our customers’ foreign trade transactions.

Our international banking business segment does not, however, have credit-granting authority for these purposes. Instead, the segment participates in a team effort with the account officers who establish credit limits, and our international banking trade specialists interact directly with our customers, establishing price structures and ensuring the quality of the services provided.

As of December 31, 2006, we had Ch$677,296 million in foreign trade loans, representing 7.0% of our total loans as of that date, and Ch$234,812 million in letters of credit related to foreign trade operations, representing 1.5% of our total loans as of that date.

Our international banking business segment also manages our international network. This network is made up of branches in New York and Miami, our trade services subsidiary in Hong Kong, four representative offices (located in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Beijing) and approximately 1,000 correspondent

 

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banks. We have established credit relations with approximately 200 correspondent banks and account relationships with approximately 45 correspondent banks. We use our international network in order to:

 

   

obtain all our foreign currency funding for either trade or general purposes (short- or medium-term) for our Santiago, Chile head office and our foreign branches;

 

   

supply additional savings alternatives to our predominantly Chilean customers;

 

   

provide banking services to our corporate customers who operate outside of Chile;

 

   

provide treasury and cash management services and lending alternatives to our corporate customers internationally;

 

   

diversify our loan and investment portfolio by identifying, mainly through our representative offices, opportunities in dealing with selected customers in pre-approved countries; and

 

   

obtain commercial information on foreign companies that do business in Chile and seek business opportunities for our Chilean customers to expand to foreign markets.

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2006, the composition of our portfolio of loans originated through our New York and Miami branches:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     New York Branch    Miami Branch
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Foreign trade loans

   Ch$ —      Ch$ 61,016

Commercial loans

     20,255      13,805

Contingent loans

     2,325      1,902
             

Total

   Ch$ 22,580    Ch$ 76,723
             

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2006, the sources of funding for our New York and Miami branches:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     New York Branch     Miami Branch  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006,
except for percentages)
 

Current accounts

   Ch$ 93,438    25.7 %   Ch$ 15,564    13.5 %

Certificates of deposits and time deposits

     196,084    54.1       95,725    82.9  

Other demand deposits

     28,862    8.0       1,664    1.4  

Contingent liabilities

     2,325    0.6       1,902    1.6  

Foreign borrowings

     19,989    5.5       214    0.2  

Other liabilities

     22,032    6.1       411    0.4  
                          

Total

   Ch$ 362,730    100.0 %   Ch$ 115,480    100.0 %
                          

New York Branch

Our New York branch was established in 1982 and provides a range of general banking services, including deposit taking, mainly to non-residents of the United States. As of December 31, 2006, the New York branch had total assets of Ch$373,477 million, including a loan portfolio of Ch$22,580 million, representing 0.2% of our total loan portfolio. Of the New York branch’s loans, commercial loans accounted for Ch$20,255, mostly to large corporations in Chile and, to a lesser extent, to U.S. companies. The remaining Ch$2,325 million was comprised of contingent loans (letters of credit and stand-by letters of credit). In 2006, our New York branch recognized a net loss of Ch$3,870 million.

 

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Investments in bonds and foreign securities were Ch$323,027 million as of December 31, 2006, most of which consisted of private sector bonds. As of December 31, 2006, the New York branch did not have past due loans. The New York branch’s allowances for loan losses totaled Ch$69 million, which represented 0.3% of the branch’s loan portfolio as of December 31, 2006. Although the New York branch manages its assets and liabilities locally, it follows the same credit processes as are followed in Santiago, Chile, and all credit decisions are made by our account officers and credit committees in Santiago, Chile. See “Item 8. Financial Information—Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings” for a description of certain proceedings involving the New York branch.

Funding sources for the New York branch include current account, money market accounts and deposits for less than 30 days (Ch$179,235 million), time deposits (Ch$139,150 million) and foreign borrowings (Ch$19,989 million).

As of December 31, 2006, the New York branch had Ch$10,747 million in capital (including a net loss of Ch$3,870 million for the year).

Miami Branch

Our Miami branch was opened in 1995 as an agency and in 2004 expanded its banking operations to become a branch. It provides a range of traditional commercial banking services, mainly to non-residents of the United States, including deposit-taking, providing credit to finance foreign trade and making loans to individuals or Chilean companies involved in foreign trade. Additionally, our Miami branch provides correspondent banking services to financial institutions, including working capital loans, letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances. As of December 31, 2006, our Miami branch had total assets of Ch$120,687 million, a loan portfolio of Ch$76,723 million (representing 0.8% of our total loan portfolio), and an investment portfolio of Ch$29,840 million. Our Miami branch’s loan portfolio as of December 31, 2006 consisted primarily of Ch$61,016 million of foreign trade loans and Ch$13,805 million of commercial loans primarily to Latin American companies, including Chilean companies. The branch’s funding sources include demand deposits, money market accounts and deposits for less than 30 days (Ch$53,934 million), time deposits (Ch$59,019 million) and contingent liabilities (Ch$1,902 million). In 2006, our Miami branch recognized a net loss of Ch$986 million.

As of December 31, 2006, the Miami branch did not have past due loans. Allowances for loan losses amounted to Ch$175 million. Although the Miami branch manages its assets and liabilities locally, it follows the same credit processes as are followed in Santiago, Chile, and all credit decisions are made by our account officers and credit committees in Santiago, Chile. See “Item 8. Financial Information—Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings” for a description of certain proceedings involving the Miami branch.

Representative offices

The main activities of our representative offices in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and China are to search for business opportunities in the areas of trade finance and private sector financing and to monitor the development and evolving economies of these countries. These offices serve as points of contact for our customers who have business in or operate directly within these countries.

Treasury and Money Market Operations

Our treasury and money market operations business segment provides a wide range of financial services to our customers including currency intermediation, forwards contracts, interest rate swaps, transactions under repurchase agreements and investment products based on bonds, mortgage notes and deposits. We also offer investments in mutual funds and stock brokerage services.

 

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In addition to providing services, our treasury and money market operations business segment is focused on managing currency, interest rate and maturity gaps, ensuring adequate liquidity levels and managing our investment portfolio. This business segment also performs the intermediation of fixed-income instruments, currencies and derivatives. Interest rate gap management is aimed at generating an adequate funding structure, prioritizing our capitalization and asset and liability cost structure and funding source diversification. This segment is also responsible for the issuance of short- and long-term bonds and the issuance of long-term subordinated bonds.

The treasury and money market operations business segment is also in charge of monitoring compliance with regulatory deposit limits, technical reserves and maturity and rate matches, and monitors our adherence to the security margins defined by regulatory limits, as well as risk limits for rate, currency and investment gaps. The treasury and money market operations business segment continually monitors the funding costs of the local financial system, comparing them with our costs.

Our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2006 amounted to Ch$1,253,441 million, of which 39.3% consisted of securities issued by the Central Bank and the Chilean Government, 28.1% consisted of securities from foreign issuers, 24.5% consisted of securities issued by local financial institutions and 8.1% consisted of securities issued by Chilean corporate issuers. Our investment strategy is designed with a view to supplementing our expected profitability, risks and economic variable projections. Our investment strategy is kept within regulatory limits as well as internal limits defined by our finance and international committee.

Operations through Subsidiaries

We have made several strategic long-term investments in financial services companies, which are engaged in activities complementary to our commercial banking activities. Our principal goal in making these investments is to develop a comprehensive financial services group capable of meeting the diverse financial needs of our current and potential clients.

The following table sets forth information with respect to our financial services subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of or for the year ended December 31, 2006  
     Assets    Shareholders’ Equity    Net Income (loss)  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

   Ch$ 379,449    Ch$ 45,205    Ch$ 6,455  

Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A.

     31,851      30,499      9,664  

Banchile Factoring S.A.

     232,466      15,415      3,385  

Banchile Corredores de Seguros Ltda

     4,949      3,893      1,782  

Socofin S.A.

     5,158      930      543  

Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A.

     3,499      1,696      1,241  

Banchile Trade Services Limited

     408      331      195  

Banchile Securitizadora S.A.

     5,404      300      (82 )

Promarket S.A.

   Ch$ 1,417    Ch$ 603    Ch$ 143  
                      

Total

   Ch$ 664,601    Ch$ 98,872    Ch$ 23,326  
                      

 

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The following table sets out our ownership interest in our financial services subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006:

 

     Ownership Interest
     Direct (%)    Indirect (%)    Total (%)

Banchile Trade Services Limited

   100.00    —      100.00

Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A.

   99.98    0.02    100.00

Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A.

   99.96    —      99.96

Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada

   99.75    0.25    100.00

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

   99.68    0.32    100.00

Banchile Factoring S.A.

   99.52    0.48    100.00

Banchile Securitizadora S.A.

   99.00    1.00    100.00

Socofin S.A.

   99.00    1.00    100.00

Promarket S.A.

   99.00    1.00    100.00

Each of these subsidiaries is incorporated in Chile, except for Banchile Trade Services Limited, which is incorporated in Hong Kong.

Securities Brokerage Services

We provide securities brokerage services through Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A. Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A. is registered as a securities broker with the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, the regulator of Chilean open stock corporations, and is a member of the Santiago Stock Exchange and the Chilean Electronic Stock Exchange. Since it was founded in 1989, Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A. has provided stock brokerage services, fixed income investments and foreign exchange products to individuals and businesses through our branch network. During the year ended December 31, 2006, Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A. had an aggregate trading volume on the Santiago Stock Exchange and the Chilean Electronic Stock Exchange of approximately Ch$6,386,107 million. As of December 31, 2006, Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A. had equity of Ch$45,205 million and, for the year ended December 31, 2006, net income of Ch$6,455 million, which represented 3.3% of our consolidated net income for such period.

Mutual and Investment Fund Management

Since 1980, we have provided mutual fund management services through Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. (formerly Banchile Administradora de Fondos Mutuos S.A.). As of December 31, 2006, according to data prepared by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. was the largest mutual fund manager in Chile, managing approximately 24.6% of all Chilean mutual funds assets. As of December 31, 2006, Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. operated 55 mutual funds and managed Ch$2,135,747 million in net assets on behalf of 190,379 corporate and individual participants. Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. also operates two investment funds, Banchile Inmobiliario I and II, and manages Ch$7,547 million in net assets on behalf of 660 participants.

 

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The following table sets forth information regarding the various mutual funds managed by Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. as of December 31, 2006:

 

          Net Asset Value
As of December 31, 2006

Name of Fund

  

Type of Fund

   (in millions of Ch$)

Utilidades

  

Fixed income (short/medium term)

   Ch$ 163,524

Liquidez 2000

  

Fixed income (short term)

     545,711

Deposito XXI

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     207,070

Corporativo

  

Fixed income (short term)

     274,480

Estrategico

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     177,865

Corporate Dollar

  

Fixed income (short term)

     262

Horizonte

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     64,221

Patrimonial

  

Fixed income (short term)

     70,035

Performance

  

Fixed income (short/medium term)

     42,047

Banchile Acciones

  

Equity

     87,240

Ahorro

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     39,895

Alianza

  

Debt/Equity (medium/long term)

     30,625

Disponible

  

Fixed income (short term)

     22,293

Crecimiento

  

Fixed income (short/medium term)

     24,054

Inversion

  

Debt/Equity

     41,013

Inversion 10

  

Debt/Equity

     1,250

Inversion 20

  

Debt/Equity

     3,718

Operacional

  

Fixed income (short/medium term)

     14,806

Capitalisa Accionario

  

Equity

     7,351

Renta Futura

  

Fixed income (short/medium term)

     35,009

Euro Money Market Fund

  

Fixed income (short term)

     15

Emerging Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     32,450

Latin America Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     56,848

Cobertura

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     2,316

Dolar Fund

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     3

U.S. Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     1,359

Global

  

Debt/Equity

     1,813

U.S. High Technology Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     313

Asia Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     19,269

Europe Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     3,049

Technology Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     183

U.S. Stability Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     287

International Bond

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     338

Euro Technology Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     186

Medical & Health-Care Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     183

Inversion Dollar 30

  

Debt/Equity

     10

Telecommunication Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     1,053

Emerging Dollar

  

Debt/Equity

     43

Global Dollar

  

Debt/Equity

     4

U.S. Dollar Fund

  

Debt/Equity

     1

Bonsai 106 Garantizado

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     23,290

Gestion Activa A

  

Debt/Equity

     3,107

Garantizado Plus

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     20,654

Garantizado 112

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     7,520

Chile Garantizado

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     10,074

Gestion Activa Acciones

  

Debt/Equity

     816

Gestion Activa B

  

Debt/Equity

     1,361

Gestion Activa C

  

Debt/Equity

     1,621

Gestion Activa D

  

Debt/Equity

     322

Gestion Activa E

  

Debt/Equity

     19

Bambu Garantizado

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     36,645

Brics Garantizado

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     17,623

Inversionista Calificado

  

Equity

     18,280

Fronteras del Este

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     5,493

Marfil Garantizado

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     16,730
         

Total

      Ch$ 2,135,747
         

As of December 31, 2006, Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. had equity of Ch$30,499 million and, for the year ended December 31, 2006, net income of Ch$9,664 million, which represented 4.9% of our consolidated net income for such period.

 

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Factoring Services

We provide factoring services to our customers through Banchile Factoring S.A. Through this service, we purchase our customers’ outstanding debt portfolios, such as bills, notes, promissory notes or contracts, advancing them the cash flows involved and performing the collection of the related instruments. As of December 31, 2006, Banchile Factoring S.A. had net income of Ch$3,385 million, with an 22.0% return on shareholders’ equity and an estimated 16.3% market share in Chile’s factoring industry.

Financial Advisory Services

We provide financial advisory and other investment banking services to our customers through Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A. The services offered by Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A. are directed primarily to our corporate customers and include advisory services regarding mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, project finance and strategic alliances. As of December 31, 2006, Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A. had shareholders’ equity of Ch$1,696 million and, for the year ended December 31, 2006, net income of Ch$1,241 million.

Insurance Brokerage

We provide insurance brokerage services to our customers through Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada. In 2000, we began to offer life insurance policies associated with consumer loans and non-credit related insurance to our individual clients and the general public. As of December 31, 2006, Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada had shareholders’ equity of Ch$3,893 million and, for the year ended December 31, 2006, net income of Ch$1,782 million. Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada had a 3.9% market share, measured by amount of policies (in Chilean pesos) sold by insurance brokerage companies during 2005, the latest year for which information is available for insurance brokerage companies.

Securitization Services

We offer investment products to meet the demands of institutional investors, such as private pension funds and insurance companies, through Banchile Securitizadora S.A. This subsidiary securitizes financial assets, which involves the issuance of a debt instrument with a credit rating that can be traded in the Chilean marketplace, backed by a bundle of revenue-producing assets of the client company. As of December 31, 2006, Banchile Securitizadora S.A. had shareholders’ equity of Ch$300 million and, for the year ended December 31, 2006, net income of Ch$(82) million. Banchile Securitizadora S.A. had a 9.00% market share measured by volume of assets securitized as of December 31, 2006.

Sales Services

Promarket S.A. manages the direct sales force that sells and promotes our products and services (such as checking accounts, consumer loans and credit cards), together with those of our subsidiaries, and researches information about potential customers. As of December 31, 2006, Promarket S.A. had shareholders’ equity of Ch$603 million and, for the year ended December 31, 2006, net income of Ch$143 million.

Collection Services

We provide judicial and extra-judicial loan collection services on our behalf or on behalf of third parties through Socofin S.A. As of December 31, 2006, Socofin S.A. had equity of Ch$930 million and, for the year ended December 31, 2006, net income of Ch$543 million.

 

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Trade Services

In November 2004, we began offering direct trade services to our customers through Banchile Trade Services Limited, which acts as our trade finance entity in markets such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. As of December 31, 2006, Banchile Trade Services Limited had equity of Ch$331 million and, for the year ended December 31, 2006, net income of Ch$195 million.

Distribution Channels and Electronic Banking

Our distribution network provides integrated financial services and products to our customers through a wide range of channels. This network includes ATMs, branches, on-line banking and phone-banking devices. Our 1,456 ATMs (that form part of Redbanc’s 5,387-ATM system) allow our customers to conduct self-service banking transactions during banking and non-banking hours.

As of December 31, 2006, we had a network of 282 retail branches throughout Chile. The branch system serves as a distribution network for all of the products and services offered to our customers. Our full-service branches accept deposits, disburse cash, offer the full range of our retail banking products such as consumer loans, automobile financing, credit cards, mortgage loans and checking accounts and provide information to current and potential customers.

We offer electronic banking services to our customers 24 hours a day through our internet website, www.bancochile.cl, which has homepages that are segmented by market. Our individual homepage offers a broad range of services, including the payment of bills, electronic fund transfers, stop payment and non-charge orders, as well as a wide variety of account inquiries. Our corporate homepage offers services including our office banking service, Banconexion Web, which enables our corporate customers to perform all of their banking transactions from their offices. Both homepages offer our customers the sale of third-party products with exclusive benefits. We also have a homepage designed for our investor customers, through which they can perform transactions such as stock trading, time deposit taking and opening savings accounts. Our foreign trade customers can rely on our international business homepage, which enables them to inquire about the status of their foreign trade transactions and perform transactions such as opening letters of credit, recording import collection and hedging on instructions and letters of credit. In 2006, approximately 233,259 individual customers and 38,877 corporate customers performed close to 12.3 million transactions monthly on our website, of which 2.2 million were monetary transactions.

In addition, we provide our customers with access to a 24-hour phone-banking call center that grants them access to account information and allows them to effect fund transfers and certain payments. This service, through which we receive approximately 728,200 calls per month, has enabled us to develop customer loyalty campaigns, sell financial services and products, answer specialized inquiries about our remote services and receive and resolve complaints by customers and non-customers.

In 2001, in association with Banco de Credito e Inversiones, we created a company called Comercio Electronico Artikos Chile S.A. with the purpose of providing Chilean companies with the opportunity to trade their products and services electronically through the internet. We supplement this service with a wide range of financial services and electronic payment means.

Involvement with the Transantiago Plan

Since June 2005, we have participated as a shareholder in Administrador Financiero de Transantiago (“AFT”), the company responsible for the financial management for the overhaul of Santiago’s public transit system (the “Transantiago Plan”). Other shareholders of the company include three major Chilean banks, a credit card company and a technology services company. We own 20% of AFT’s shares, and its original capitalization was approximately U.S.$13.4 million as of June 8, 2005. Since its inception, the Transantiago Plan has been beset with problems regarding its design and implementation. As a result, the Chilean Minister

 

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of Transportation and Telecommunications has imposed fines and executed guarantees from AFT in the amount of U.S.$11.2 million to ensure the completion of the Transantiago Plan. As the date of this filing, we have contributed an additional U.S.$3.0 million to AFT to pay for our porition of such guarantees and other AFT-related expenses.We may be required to contribute additional amounts, however we do not expect the monetary losses resulting from AFT’s performance to materially affect our business.

Competition

Overview

The Chilean market for banking and other financial services is highly competitive, and we face significant competition in each of our principal segments of operation. The Chilean financial services market consists of a number of distinct sectors. The most important sector, commercial banking, includes 25 privately owned banks and one public sector bank, Banco del Estado. The privately owned banks have traditionally been divided between those that are principally Chilean-owned, of which there are 13, and those that are principally foreign-owned, of which there are 12. As of December 31, 2006, three banks together accounted for 53.6% of all outstanding loans by Chilean financial institutions, net of interbank loans: Banco Santander-Chile (22.2%), our bank (18.1%) and the public sector bank, Banco del Estado (13.3%). Chilean-owned banks together accounted for 48.5% of total loans outstanding while foreign-owned banks accounted for 38.1% of total loans outstanding.

As a commercial bank offering a range of services to all types of businesses and individual customers, we face a variety of competitors, ranging from other large, privately owned commercial banks to more specialized entities like “niche” banks. We consider the principal commercial banks in Chile to be our primary competitors, namely, Banco Santander-Chile, Banco de Credito e Inversiones, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Chile, or BBVA, and Corpbanca. Nevertheless, we face competition to a lesser extent from Banco del Estado, which has a larger distribution network and larger customer base than we do. Banco del Estado, which operates under the same regulatory regime as Chilean private sector banks, was the third largest bank in Chile as of December 31, 2006, with outstanding loans, net of interbank loans, of Ch$6,982,281 million, representing a 13.3% market share, according to data published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks.

In the wholesale market, we consider our strongest competitors to be Banco Santander-Chile, Banco de Credito e Inversiones, BBVA and Corpbanca. We also consider these banks to be our most significant competitors in the middle market companies business segment.

In the retail market, we compete with other private sector Chilean banks, as well with Banco del Estado. Among private Chilean banks, we consider our strongest competitors in this market to be Banco Santander-Chile, Banco de Credito e Inversiones and BBVA, as each of these banks has developed business strategies that focus on both middle market companies and lower-middle to middle income brackets of the Chilean population. In addition, with respect to high-income individuals, we compete with both private Chilean and foreign-owned banks and consider our strongest competitors in this market to be Banco Santander-Chile and Citibank, N.A.

The Chilean banking industry has experienced increased levels of competition in recent years, including from foreign banks, which has led to, among other things, consolidation in the industry. Consequently, strategies have, on an overall basis, been aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency standards. Our income may decrease due to the extent and intensity of competition.

We expect the trend of increased competition and consolidation to continue, particularly in connection with the formation of new large financial groups and the creation of new niche banks. In this regard, in mid-1996, Banco Santander of Spain took control of Banco Osorno and merged it into its Chilean operations, changing its name to Banco Santander-Chile. In addition, Banco O’ Higgins and Banco de Santiago merged in January 1997, forming Banco Santiago. In 1999, Banco Santander of Spain took control of Banco Santiago.

 

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In August 2002, Banco Santiago and Banco Santander–Chile, then the second and fourth largest banks in Chile, respectively, merged and became Chile’s largest bank. In 2003, Banco del Desarrollo merged with Banco Sudameris, and in 2004, Dresdner Banque Nationale de Paris merged with Banco Security. In 2005, Banco de Credito e Inversiones merged with Banco Conosur. Although we believe that we are currently large enough to compete effectively in our target markets, any further consolidation in the Chilean financial services industry may adversely affect our competitive position.

Historically, commercial banks in Chile have competed in the retail market against each other, with finance companies and with department stores, the latter two having traditionally been focused on consumer loans to middle- and low-income subsegments. However, finance companies have gradually disappeared as most of them have been merged into the largest banks.

Non-bank competition from large department stores has become increasingly significant in the consumer-lending sector. Indeed, three new consumer-oriented banks, affiliated with Chile’s largest department stores, have been established during recent years. Although these new banks had a market share of 1.6% as of December 31, 2006, according to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, the opening of these banks is likely to make consumer banking more competitive. Non-bank competition including mainly department stores, private compensation funds, savings and credit cooperatives accounts and insurance companies for an estimated 34% of the total consumer market.

The following table provides certain statistical information on the Chilean financial system as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     Assets     Loans(1)     Deposits     Shareholders’ Equity(2)  
     Amount    Share     Amount    Share     Amount    Share     Amount    Share  
     (in millions of constant Ch$as of December 31, 2006, except percentages)  

Domestic private sector banks

   Ch$ 32,215,842    45.5 %   Ch$ 25,374,977    48.5 %   Ch$ 19,136,270    45.2 %   Ch$ 2,518,631    44.2 %

Foreign-owned banks

     27,284,396    38.6       19,944,915    38.1       16,567,792    39.2       2,675,985    46.9  
                                                    

Private sector total

   Ch$ 59,500,238    84.1     Ch$ 45,319,892    86.6     Ch$ 35,704,062    84.4     Ch$ 5,194,616    91.1  

Banco del Estado

     11,228,919    15.9       6,982,281    13.4       6,599,252    15.6       507,250    8.9  
                                                    

Total banking system

   Ch$ 70,729,157    100.0 %   Ch$ 52,302,173    100.0 %   Ch$ 42,303,314    100.0 %   Ch$ 5,701,866    100.0 %
                                                    

Source: Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

(1) Net of interbank loans.

 

(2) Shareholders’ equity includes net income for purposes of this table.

 

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Loans

The following table sets forth our market share in terms of loans (excluding interbank loans), and our principal private sector competitors, as of the dates indicated:

 

     Bank Loans(1)  
     As of December 31,  
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  

Banco Santander-Chile

   24.7 %   22.6 %   22.7 %   22.5 %   22.2 %

Banco de Chile

   18.7     18.5     17.8     18.2     18.1  

Banco de Credito e Inversiones(2)

   10.4     11.2     11.8     12.5     12.5  

Conosur

   0.5     0.5     0.4     —       —    

BBVA Bilbao Vizcaya

   6.7     7.3     7.8     8.1     8.2  

Banco Corpbanca

   5.4     6.4     6.5     6.4     6.3  
                              

Total market share

   66.4 %   66.5 %   67.0 %   67.7 %   67.3 %
                              

Source: Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

(1) For ease of comparison, interbank loans have been eliminated.

 

(2) Banco de Credito e Inversiones merged with Conosur in 2005.

 

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Credit Quality

As of December 31, 2006, according to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, we had an unconsolidated ratio of allowances to total loans of 1.48%, the same ratio posted by all Chilean banks as a whole. Since 2002, our allowances to total loan ratio has been decreasing as economic conditions and our collection procedures have improved. The following graph illustrates the five-year history of our unconsolidated allowances to total loan portfolio ratio as compared to the Chilean financial system’s ratio as of December 31 for each of the years indicated.

LOGO


Source: Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

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The following table sets forth the unconsolidated ratio of allowances to total loans of the largest private sector banks and that of the financial system as a whole (including such banks) as of December 31 in each of the last five years:

 

     Allowances to Total Loans  
     As of December 31,  
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  

Banco de Chile

   3.58 %   2.89 %   2.23 %   1.70 %   1.48 %

Banco de Credito e Inversiones(1)

   1.91     1.93     1.70     1.54     1.27  

Conosur

   12.65     8.21     7.17     —       —    

BBVA Bilbao Vizcaya

   2.14     1.91     2.04     1.35     1.14  

Banco Santander–Chile

   2.10     2.18     1.96     1.42     1.46  

Banco Corpbanca

   2.22     2.11     1.70     1.56     1.40  
                              

Financial system

   2.54 %   2.31 %   1.99 %   1.61 %   1.48 %
                              

Source: Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

(1) Banco de Credito e Inversiones merged with Conosur in 2005.

As of December 31, 2006, according to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, we had an unconsolidated ratio of past due loans to total loans of 0.65%. The following table sets forth the ratio of past due loans to total loans for the four largest private sector banks as of December 31 in each of the last three years:

 

     Past Due Loans to Total Loans  
     As of December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  

BBVA Bilbao Vizcaya

   1.64 %   1.13 %   0.93 %

Banco Santander–Chile

   1.52     1.05     0.79  

Banco de Credito e Inversiones(1)

   0.94     0.72     0.84  

Banco de Chile

   1.27     0.88     0.65  

Banco Corpbanca

   0.80     0.88 %   0.57 %

Conosur

   0.39 %   —       —    

Source: Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

(1) Banco de Credito e Inversiones merged with Conosur in 2005.

 

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Deposits

We had deposits of Ch$7,457,426 million as of December 31, 2006 on an unconsolidated basis. In unconsolidated terms, our 17.6% of the market share for deposits, including borrowings from domestic financial institutions, placed us in second place among private sector banks. The following table sets forth the market shares in terms of deposits for the private sector banks with the largest market share as of December 31 in each of the last three years:

 

     Deposits  
     As of December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  

Banco de Chile

   16.4 %   16.4 %   17.6 %

Banco Santander–Chile

   20.6     21.5     22.0  

Banco de Credito e Inversiones(1)

   11.3     12.0     12.6  

BBVA Bilbao Vizcaya

   8.3     8.0     8.1  

Banco Corpbanca

   5.9     5.2     4.6  

Conosur

   0.5     —       —    
                  

Total market share

   63.0 %   63.1 %   64.9 %
                  

Source: Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

(1) Banco de Credito e Inversiones merged with Conosur in 2005.

Shareholders’ Equity

With Ch$639,383million in shareholders’ equity (not including net income), according to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, as of December 31, 2006, we were the second largest private sector commercial bank in Chile in terms of shareholders’ equity.

The following table sets forth the level of shareholders’ equity for the largest private sector banks in Chile as of December 31 in each of the last three years:

 

     Shareholders’ Equity
     As of December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Banco Santander–Chile

   Ch$   881,067    Ch$   859,807    Ch$   959,757

Banco de Chile

     552,048      606,865      639,383

Banco de Credito e Inversiones(1)

     356,665      403,489      467,446

Banco Corpbanca

     344,435      362,346      394,145

BBVA Bilbao Vizcaya

     266,825      264,541      266,905

Conosur

     23,981      —        —  

Source: Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

(1) Banco de Credito e Inversiones merged with Conosur in 2005.

 

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Return on Average Shareholders’ Equity

Our return on average shareholders’ equity, including net income for the year, was 25.0% for the year ended December 31, 2006, according to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. The following table sets forth our return on average shareholders’ equity and the returns of our principal competitors and the Chilean financial system, in each case as of December 31 in each of the last five years:

 

     Return on Average Shareholders’ Equity
Year Ended December 31,
 
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  

Banco de Chile

   8.7 %   20.0 %   23.6 %   26.7 %   25.0 %

Banco Santander-Chile

   16.6     21.6     20.4     23.7     25.2  

Banco de Credito e Inversiones (1)

   20.4     22.1     22.8     23.4     22.6  

Banco Corpbanca

   18.9     15.9     14.6     13.8     9.5  

BBVA Bilbao Vizcaya

   8.2     10.5     5.3     10.7     10.0  

Conosur

   17.0     25.1     35.9     —       —    
                              

Financial system average

   13.5 %   15.0 %   15.3 %   16.4 %   16.8 %
                              

Source: Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

(1) Banco de Credito e Inversiones merged with Conosur in 2005.

Efficiency

For the year ended December 31, 2006, our efficiency ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of our operating revenues) was 51.1% on an unconsolidated basis.

The following table sets forth the efficiency ratios of the largest private sector Chilean banks as of December 31 in each of the last three years:

 

     Efficiency Ratio(1)  
     As of December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  

BBVA Bilbao Vizcaya

   68.1 %   67.9 %   66.6 %

Banco de Credito e Inversiones(2)

   53.1     52.7     53.7  

Banco de Chile

   51.2     50.4     51.1  

Banco Santander-Chile

   47.7     44.0     40.6  

Banco Corpbanca

   39.8     40.9     50.1  

Conosur

   62.1     —       —    

Source: Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

(1) Calculated by dividing operating expense by operating revenue.

 

(2) Banco de Credito e Inversiones merged with Conosur in 2005.

 

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REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

General

In Chile, only banks may maintain checking accounts for their customers, conduct foreign trade operations and, together with non-banking financial institutions, accept time deposits. The principal authorities that regulate financial institutions in Chile are the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and the Central Bank. Chilean banks are primarily subject to the Chilean General Banking Law and secondarily, to the extent not inconsistent with that law, the provisions of the Chilean Corporations Law governing public corporations, except for certain provisions that are expressly excluded.

The modern Chilean banking system dates back to 1925 and has been characterized by periods of substantial regulation and state intervention, as well as periods of deregulation. The most recent period of deregulation commenced in 1975 and culminated in the adoption of a series of amendments to the Chilean General Banking Law. In 2004, amendments to the General Banking Law granted additional powers to banks, including general underwriting powers for new issues of certain debt and equity securities and the power to create subsidiaries to engage in activities related to banking, such as brokerage, investment advisory, mutual fund services, administration of investment funds, factoring, securitization products and financial leasing services. Prior to 2006, banks had the option of distributing less than 30% of their earnings as dividends in any given year, subject to approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the bank’s common stock. In 2006, however, the General Banking Law was amended to eliminate this option.

Following the Chilean banking crisis of 1982 and 1983, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks assumed control of banks representing approximately 51% of the total loans in the banking system. As part of the assistance that the Chilean government provided to Chilean banks, the Central Bank permitted banks to sell to it a certain portion of their problem loan portfolios at the book value of the loan portfolios. Each bank then repurchased such loans at their economic value (which, in most cases, was substantially lower than the book value at which the Central Bank had acquired the loans), with the difference to be repaid to the Central Bank out of future income. Pursuant to Law No. 18,818, which was passed in 1989, this difference was converted into subordinated debt.

The Central Bank

The Central Bank is an autonomous legal entity created by the Chilean Constitution. It is subject to its ley orgánica constitucional, or Organic Constitutional Law, and the Chilean Constitution. To the extent not inconsistent with its Organic Constitutional Law or the Chilean Constitution, the Central Bank is also subject to private sector laws, but is not subject to the laws applicable to the public sector. It is directed and administered by a board of directors composed of five members designated by the President of Chile, subject to Senate approval.

The legal purpose of the Central Bank is to maintain the stability of the Chilean peso and the orderly functioning of Chile’s internal and external payment system. The Central Bank’s powers include setting reserve requirements, regulating the amount of money and credit in circulation, and establishing regulations and guidelines regarding finance companies, foreign exchange (including the Formal Exchange Market) and banks’ deposit-taking activities.

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks

Banks are supervised and controlled by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, a Chilean governmental agency. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks authorizes the creation of new banks and has broad powers to interpret and enforce legal and regulatory requirements applicable to banks and financial companies. Furthermore, in case of noncompliance with its legal and regulatory requirements, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks has the ability to impose sanctions. In extreme cases, it can

 

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appoint, with the prior approval of the board of directors of the Central Bank, a provisional administrator to manage a bank. It must also approve any amendment to a bank’s bylaws or any increase in its capital.

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks examines all banks from time to time, generally at least once a year. Banks are also required to submit unconsolidated unaudited financial statements to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks on a monthly basis and to publish their unaudited financial statements at least four times a year in a newspaper with countrywide coverage. Financial statements as of December 31 of any given year must be audited. In addition, banks are required to provide extensive information regarding their operations at various periodic intervals to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. A bank’s annual financial statements and the opinion of its independent auditors must also be submitted to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks.

Any person wishing to acquire, directly or indirectly, 10.0% or more of the share capital of a bank must obtain the prior approval of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Without such approval, the holder will not have the right to vote such shares. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks may only refuse to grant its approval based on specific grounds set forth in the Chilean General Banking Law.

According to Article 35 bis of the Chilean General Banking Law, the prior authorization of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks is required for:

 

   

the merger of two or more banks;

 

   

the acquisition of all or a substantial portion of a bank’s assets and liabilities by another bank;

 

   

the control by the same person, or controlling group, of two or more banks; or

 

   

a substantial increase in the share ownership of a bank by a controlling shareholder of that bank.

Such prior authorization is required only when the acquiring bank or the resulting group of banks would own a market share in loans determined by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks to be more than 15.0% of all loans in the Chilean banking system. The intended purchase, merger or expansion may be denied by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, or, if the acquiring bank or resulting group would own a market share in loans determined to be more than 20.0% of all loans in the Chilean banking system, the purchase, merger, or expansion may be conditioned on one or more of the following:

 

   

that the bank or banks maintain an effective equity higher than 8.0% and up to 14.0% of their risk-weighted assets;

 

   

that the technical reserve established in Article 65 of the General Banking Law be applicable when deposits exceed one and a half times the resulting bank’s paid-in capital and reserves; or

 

   

that the margin for interbank loans be reduced to 20.0% of the resulting bank’s effective equity.

If the acquiring bank or resulting group would own a market share in loans determined by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks to be more than 15% but less than 20%, the authorization will be conditioned on the bank or banks maintaining an effective equity not lower than 10% of their risk-weighted assets for a period set by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, which may not be less than one year. The calculation of risk-weighted assets is based on a five category risk classification system applied to a bank’s assets that is based on the Basel Committee recommendations.

 

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Pursuant to the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, the following ownership disclosures are required:

 

   

banks must disclose to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks the identity of any person owning, directly or indirectly, 5.0% or more of such banks’ shares;

 

   

holders of ADSs must disclose to the depositary the identity of beneficial owners of ADSs registered under such holders’ names;

 

   

the depositary must disclose to the bank the identity of beneficial owners of ADSs which the depositary has registered, and the bank, in turn, must disclose to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks the identity of the beneficial owners of the ADSs representing 5.0% or more of such bank’s shares; and

 

   

bank shareholders who individually hold 10.0% or more of a bank’s capital stock and who are controlling shareholders must periodically inform the Chilean Superintendency of Banks of their financial condition.

Limitations on Types of Activities

Chilean banks can only conduct those activities allowed by the General Banking Law, including making loans, factoring and leasing activities, accepting deposits and, subject to limitations, making investments and performing financial services. Investments are restricted to real estate for the bank’s own use, gold, foreign exchange and debt securities. Through subsidiaries, banks may also engage in other specific financial service activities such as securities brokerage services, mutual fund management, investment fund management, foreign capital fund management, financial advisory, securitization and factoring activities. Subject to specific limitations and the prior approval of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and the Central Bank, Chilean banks may own majority or minority interests in foreign banks.

In March 2002, the Central Bank authorized banks to pay interest on checking accounts and the Chilean Superintendency of Banks published guidelines permitting banks to offer and charge fees for the use of a checking account product that pays interest. Under these guidelines, these accounts may be subject to a minimum balance and different interest rates depending on average balances held in the account. The Central Bank has imposed additional caps to the interest rate that can be charged by banks with a solvency score of less than A.

Deposit Insurance

The Chilean government guarantees up to 90.0% of the principal amount of certain time and demand deposits held by individuals in the Chilean banking system. This guarantee covers obligations with a maximum value of UF108 per person (Ch$1,980,329.04 or U.S.$3,705.48 as of December 31, 2006) per calendar year.

Reserve Requirements

Deposits are subject to a reserve requirement of 9.0% for demand deposits and 3.6% for time deposits. The Central Bank has statutory authority to increase these percentages to up to 40% for demand deposits and up to 20% for time deposits, to implement monetary policy.

In addition, Chilean banks must hold a certain amount of assets in cash or highly liquid instruments. This reserve requirement is equal to the amount by which the daily balance of:

 

   

deposits in checking accounts;

 

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other demand deposits or obligations payable on demand and incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

other deposits unconditionally payable immediately or within a term of less than 30 days; and

 

   

time deposits payable within ten days;

in the aggregate exceeds 2.5 times the amount of the bank’s capital and reserves.

Chilean regulations also require that (1) gaps between assets and liabilities maturing within less than 30 days do not exceed a bank’s basic capital and (2) gaps between assets and liabilities maturing within less than 90 days do not exceed twice a bank’s equity.

Minimum Capital

Under the Chilean General Banking Law, a bank must have a minimum paid-in capital and reserves of UF800,000 (Ch$14,669 million or U.S.$27.4 million as of December 31, 2006). However, a bank may begin its operations with 50.0% of such amount, provided that it has an effective equity ratio (defined as effective equity as a percentage of risk-weighted assets) of not less than 12.0%. When such a bank’s paid-in capital reaches UF600,000 (Ch$11,001 million or U.S.$20.6 million as of December 31, 2006) the effective equity ratio requirement is reduced to 10.0%.

Capital Adequacy Requirements

According to the General Banking Law, each bank should have an effective equity of at least 8.0% of its risk-weighted assets, net of required allowances. Effective equity is defined as the aggregate of:

 

   

a bank’s paid-in capital and reserves, or net capital base;

 

   

its subordinated bonds, considered at the issue price (but reduced 20.0% for each year during the period commencing six years prior to maturity), but not exceeding 50.0% of its net capital base; and

 

   

its voluntary or additional allowances for loan losses, up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets to the extent these voluntary or additional allowances exceed those that banks are required to maintain by law or regulation.

Banks should also have a net capital base of at least 3.0% of its total assets, net of required allowances.

Market Risk Regulations

In September 2005, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks introduced new regulations for measuring market risk under a standardized model methodology that determines, using regulatory criteria, the exposure to interest rate, currency and “optionality” risks faced by financial institutions.

In order to implement the standardized model, a bank’s balance sheet is divided into two “books”: the banking book and the trading book. The latter comprises the positions in financial instruments that can be valued at market price, plus the foreign currency mismatch. The banking book is composed of all the asset and liability entries not forming part of the trading book.

 

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The new rules state that the risk of the trading book, the market risk exposure, plus 10% of the weighted assets by credit risk, may not be greater than a bank’s effective equity. As of December 31, 2006, our market risk level amounted to approximately Ch$19 billion.

The following table shows our regulatory excess margin, or the difference between the regulatory limit applicable to us and our effective equity, as of December 31, 2006.

 

     At December 31, 2006
     (in millions of
constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006)

10% weighted asset by credit risk

   Ch$   947,494

Market Risk Exposure

     18,976
      

Total

     966,470

Effective Equity

     1,010,928

Regulatory Excess Margin

     44,458

In June 2006, the Chilean Superintendency introduced new regulations for the valuation of investments in financial instruments as well as for determination of credit exposure of derivatives contracts. Regarding the valuation of investment in financial assets, banks in Chile must now group them into three classes:

 

   

securities that the bank intends, and is able, to hold to maturity (these securities are measured at amortized cost in the financial statements);

 

   

trading securities, which reflect active and frequent buying and selling and are held for short periods of time with the objective of generating profits from short-term differences in price (these securities are measured at fair value through profit and loss); and

 

   

securities available for sale that are not classified in either of the two categories above (these securities are measured at fair value but are reported as part of shareholders’ equity).

Credit exposure of derivatives contracts represents the amount the bank can lose if its counterparty defaults. The amount of market risk represented by this measure changes depending on the fluctuation of interest rates, exchange rates and inflation rates. Under the new regulation, the credit exposure of a derivative contract is allocated against a counterparty’s credit limit according to the following rule:

Credit exposure = (Fair value of the contract, if positive) + (Percentage of notional amount of the contract)

The first component (“fair value”) is only taken into account if the bank is gaining money on the contract (a “positive” return). The second component of the rule (“percentage of notional amount”) varies depending on whether the contract is a foreign exchange derivative contract or an interest rate derivative contract, and on the time remaining until the maturity of the contract.

 

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Lending Limits

Under the General Banking Law, Chilean banks are subject to certain lending limits, including the following material limits:

 

   

a bank may not extend to any entity, individual or any one group of related entities, directly or indirectly, unsecured credit in an amount that exceeds 5.0% of the bank’s effective equity, or in an amount that exceeds 25.0% of its effective equity if the excess over 5.0% is secured by certain assets with a value equal to or higher than such excess. In the case of foreign export trade financing, the 5.0% ceiling for unsecured credits is raised to 10.0% and the 25.0% ceiling for secured credits to 30.0%. In the case of financing infrastructure projects built through the concession mechanism, the 5.0% ceiling for unsecured credits is raised to 15.0% if secured by a pledge over the concession, or if granted by two or more banks or finance companies which have executed a credit agreement with the builder or holder of the concession;

 

   

a bank may not extend loans to another financial institution subject to the General Banking Law in an aggregate amount exceeding 30.0% of its effective equity;

 

   

a bank may not directly or indirectly grant a loan, the purpose of which is to allow an individual or entity to acquire shares of the lender bank;

 

   

a bank may not lend, directly or indirectly, to a director or any other person who has the power to act on behalf of the bank; and

 

   

a bank may not grant loans to related parties (including holders of more than 1.0% of its shares) on more favorable terms than those generally offered to non-related parties. Loans granted to related parties are subject to the limitations described in the first bullet point above. The aggregate amount of loans to related parties may not exceed a bank’s effective equity.

In addition, the General Banking Law limits the aggregate amount of loans that a bank may grant to its employees to 1.5% of its effective equity and provides that no individual employee may receive loans in excess of 10.0% of this 1.5% limit. Notwithstanding these limitations, a bank may grant to each of its employees a single residential mortgage loan for personal use once during such employee’s term of employment.

 

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Classification of Banks

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks regularly examines and evaluates each bank’s solvency and credit management process, including its compliance with loan classification guidelines. On the basis of this evaluation, it classifies banks into various categories.

Solvency and Management

In accordance with amended regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks effective as of January 1, 2004, banks are classified into categories “I” through “V” based upon their solvency and management ratings. This classification is confidential.

 

Category I:

   This category is reserved for financial institutions that have been rated level A in terms of solvency and management.

Category II:

   This category is reserved for financial institutions that have been rated (1) level A in terms of solvency and level B in terms of management, (2) level B in terms of solvency and level A in terms of management, or (3) level B in terms of solvency and level B in terms of management.

Category III:

   This category is reserved for financial institutions that have been rated (1) level B in terms of solvency and level B in terms of management for two or more consecutive review periods, (2) level A in terms of solvency and level C in terms of management, or (3) level B in terms of solvency and level C in terms of management.

Category IV:

   This category is reserved for financial institutions that are rated level A or B in terms of solvency and have been rated level C in terms of management for two or more consecutive review periods.

Category V:

   This category is reserved for financial institutions that have been rated level C in terms of solvency, irrespective of their rating level of management.

A bank’s solvency rating is determined by its effective equity (after deducting accumulated losses during the financial year) to risk-weighted assets ratio. This ratio is equal to or greater than 10.0% for level A banks, equal to or greater than 8.0% and less than 10.0% for level B banks and less than 8.0% for level C banks.

With respect to a bank’s management rating, level A banks are those that are not rated as level B or C. Level B banks display some weakness in internal controls, information systems, response to risk, private risk rating or ability to manage contingency scenarios. Level C banks display significant deficiencies in internal controls, information systems, response to risk, private risk rating or ability to manage contingency scenarios.

Allowances for Loan Losses

Chilean banks are required to evaluate their loan portfolio on a continuous basis using models and methods that follow guidelines established by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks that have been approved by our board of directors. This evaluation is conducted in order to determine the necessary allowances to cover loan losses adequately. Each bank is required to calculate and maintain, on a monthly basis, the following types of allowances:

 

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allowances determined by individual analysis models (allowances for normal risk and above normal risk portfolios);

 

   

allowances determined by group analysis models; and

 

   

additional allowances for the loan portfolio.

Each year, a bank’s board of directors must examine the sufficiency of its level of allowances and provide an opinion stating whether the allowances are sufficient to cover all potential loan losses. The board must also obtain a report from the external auditors as to compliance with required allowance levels. The opinion of the board of directors must be submitted in writing to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and, if necessary, should state that additional allowances have been created as a result of the board’s examination.

The sum of the allowances regarding normal risk portfolios and the additional provisions up to an amount equal to 1.25% of the risk-weighted assets must be accounted as for effective equity in accordance with the Chilean Superintendency of Banks’ guidelines.

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks amended its guidelines effective as of January 1, 2004. For a discussion of loan allowances under the previous guidelines, see “—Selected Statistical Information—Classification of Loan Portfolio and Allowances for Loan Losses under the Previous Guidelines—Allowances for Loan Losses under the Previous Guidelines.” Pursuant to the amended guidelines, Chilean banks are required to classify their loan portfolio on an on-going basis for the purpose of determining the amount of allowances for loan losses. Although the Chilean Superintendency of Banks has established these guidelines, banks are given some latitude in devising more stringent classification systems within such guidelines.

In order to create and maintain allowances, Chilean banks use models and methods to classify their portfolio by borrower and loan type. Loans are divided into:

 

   

consumer loans (including loans granted to individuals for financing the acquisition of consumer goods or payment of services);

 

   

residential mortgage loans (including loans granted to individuals for the acquisition, construction or repair of residential real estate in which the value of the property covers at least 100% of the amount of the loan);

 

   

leasing operations (including consumer, commercial and residential leasing);

 

   

factoring operations; and

 

   

commercial loans (includes loans other than those described in the bullets above).

The models and methods a bank uses to classify its loan portfolio must comply with the following guidelines established by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks.

Models Based on the Individual Analysis of Borrowers

An individual analysis of the borrower is necessary if the borrower is a large or complex business, or one to which the bank has no previous exposure. Models based on the individual analysis of borrowers require that the bank assign a risk category level to each borrower and its respective loans. In making such a determination, a bank must consider the following risk factors with respect to the borrower: (i) its industry or sector; (ii) its owners or managers; (iii) its financial situation; (iv) its

 

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payment capacity; and (v) its payment behavior. Upon completion of this analysis, each borrower and loan must be classified to the following normal risk or above normal risk category levels:

 

Borrowers with Normal Risk

  

Categories A1, A2 and A3:

   Borrowers with payment capacity sufficient to cover their loan obligations. They have no apparent credit risk and their payment capacity is not affected by unfavorable business, economic or financial situations. Category A1 is used exclusively for companies with titles in national currency with a private risk rating equal to or higher than “AA-”.

Category B:

   Borrowers with payment capacity sufficient to cover their loan obligations. While they present some risk, their payment capacity is not affected by unfavorable business, economic or financial situations.
Borrowers with Above Normal Risk   
  
Categories C1, C2, C3, C4, D1 or D2:    These borrowers have insufficient payment capacity to cover their loan obligations under predictablecircumstances.

Required Allowances. For loans in categories A1, A2, A3 or B, the board of directors of a bank is authorized to determine the levels of required allowances. Our board of directors has established the following levels of required allowances for loans classified as A1, A2, A3 and B:

 

Classification

   Estimated range of loss    Allowance  

A1

   —      —    

A2

   —      —    

A3

   —      0.5 %

B

   —      1.0 %

For loans in categories C1, C2, C3, C4, D1 or D2, we must have the following levels of allowances:

 

Category(1)

  

Estimated range of loss

   Allowance(2)  

C1

   Up to 3%    2 %

C2

   More than 3% up to 19%    10 %

C3

   More than 19% up to 29%    25 %

C4

   More than 29% up to 49%    40 %

D1

   More than 49% up to 79%    65 %

D2

   More than 79%    90 %

(1) Classification into categories is based on a level of expected combined loss from commercial loans and operations of commercial leasing of the borrower. This calculation is made in accordance with our methodology.

 

(2) Allowance percentages are supported by statistical probabilities.

For a description of the categories and allowance percentages under the previous guidelines, see “—Statistical Information—Classification of Loan Portfolio and Allowances for Loan Losses under the Previous Guidelines—Allowances for Loan Losses under the Previous Guidelines—Global Allowances for Loan Losses.”

 

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Models Based on the Group Analysis of Borrowers

A model based on the group analysis of borrowers should be used for the evaluation of borrowers whose individual loan amounts are relatively small, primarily loans to individuals and small companies. Each bank determines the level of required allowances depending on the estimated loss that may result from the loans, by classifying the loan portfolio using one or both of the following models:

 

   

A model based on the characteristics of the borrowers and their outstanding loans. Borrowers and their loans with similar characteristics will be placed into groups and each group will be assigned a risk level. Characteristics considered include payment behavior (with respect to the bank and other financial institutions), level of debt and financial stability.

 

   

A model based on the behavior of a group of loans. Loans with similar payment histories and characteristics will be placed into groups and each group will be assigned a risk level.

Additional Allowances

Under the Chilean Superintendency of Bank’s regulations, banks may create allowances in addition to those established pursuant to their model-based evaluation of the loan portfolio. However, a bank may create additional allowances only to cover specific risks that have been authorized by the board of directors. Our board of directors has established additional allowances to cover the unexpected deterioration of our loan portfolio.

Obligations Denominated in Foreign Currencies

Foreign currency-denominated obligations of Chilean banks are subject to two requirements:

 

   

a reserve requirement of 9.0% for demand deposits and 3.6% for time deposits. See “—Reserve Requirements” above; and

 

   

a bank’s aggregate amount of net foreign currency liabilities having an original maturity of less than 30 days cannot exceed its net capital base and the aggregate amount of net foreign currency liabilities having an original maturity of less than 90 days cannot exceed twice its net capital base.

Capital Markets

Under the General Banking Law, banks in Chile may purchase, sell, place, underwrite and act as paying agents with respect to certain debt securities. Likewise, banks in Chile may place and underwrite certain equity securities. Bank subsidiaries may also engage in debt placement and dealing, equity issuance advice and securities brokerage, as well as mutual fund and investment fund administration, factoring, investment advisory services and merger and acquisition services. The Superintendency of Banks generally regulates these subsidiaries, however, the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance regulates some of these subsidiaries. The Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance is the regulator of the Chilean securities market and open stock corporations.

Legal Provisions Regarding Banking Institutions with Economic Difficulties

The General Banking Law provides that if specified adverse circumstances exist at any bank, its board of directors must correct the situation within 30 days from the date of receipt of the relevant financial statements. If the board of directors is unable to do so, it must call a special shareholders’ meeting to increase the capital of the bank by the amount necessary to return the bank to financial

 

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stability. If the shareholders reject the capital increase, or if it is not effected within the 30-day period and in the manner agreed to at the meeting, or if the Chilean Superintendency of Banks does not approve the board of directors’ proposal, the bank will be barred from increasing its loan portfolio beyond that stated in the financial statements presented to the board of directors and from making any further investments in any instrument other than instruments issued by the Central Bank. In such a case, or in the event that a bank is unable to make timely payment in respect of its obligations or if a bank is under provisional administration of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, the General Banking Law provides that the bank may receive a two-year term loan from another bank. The terms and conditions of such a loan must be approved by the directors of both banks, as well as by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, but need not be submitted to the borrowing bank’s shareholders for their approval. A creditor bank may not grant such interbank loans to an insolvent bank in an amount exceeding 25.0% of the creditor bank’s effective equity. The board of directors of a bank that is unable to make timely payment of its obligations must present a reorganization plan to its creditors in order to capitalize the credits, extend their respective terms, forgive debts or take other measures for the payment of the debts. If the board of directors of a bank submits a reorganization plan to its creditors and such arrangement is approved, all subordinated debt issued by the bank, whether or not matured, will be converted by operation of law into common stock in the amount required for the ratio of effective equity to risk-weighted assets to be no lower than 12.0%. If a bank fails to pay an obligation, it must notify the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, which shall determine if the bank is solvent.

Dissolution and Liquidation of Banks

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks may establish that a bank should be liquidated for the benefit of its depositors or other creditors when the bank does not have the necessary solvency to continue its operations. In such case, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks must revoke the bank’s authorization to exist and order its mandatory liquidation, subject to agreement by the Central Bank. The Superintendency of Banks must also revoke the bank’s authorization if the reorganization plan of the bank has been rejected twice. The resolution by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks must state the reason for ordering the liquidation and must name a liquidator, unless the Superintendent of Banks assumes this responsibility. When a liquidation is declared, all checking accounts, other demand deposits received in the ordinary course of business, other deposits unconditionally payable immediately or that have a maturity of no more than 30 days and any other deposits and receipts payable within 10 days of its maturity date are required to be paid by using the bank’s existing funds, its deposits with the Central Bank or its investments in instruments that represent its reserves. If these funds are insufficient to pay these obligations, the liquidator may seize the bank’s remaining assets, as needed. If necessary, and in specified circumstances, the Central Bank will lend the bank the funds necessary to pay these obligations. Any such loans are preferential to any claims of other creditors of the liquidated bank.

Investments in Foreign Securities

Under current Chilean banking regulations, banks in Chile may grant loans to foreign individuals and entities and invest in certain foreign currency securities. Chilean banks may only invest in equity securities of foreign banks and certain other foreign companies which may be affiliates of the bank or which would support the bank’s business if such companies were incorporated in Chile. Banks in Chile may also invest in debt securities traded in formal secondary markets. Such debt securities shall qualify as (1) securities issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign states or their central banks or other foreign or international financial entities, and (2) bonds issued by foreign companies. Such foreign currency securities must have a minimum rating as follows:

 

Rating Agency

   Short Term    Long Term

Moody’s

   P2    Baa3

Standard and Poor’s

   A3    BBB-

Fitch IBCA

   F2    BBB-

 

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A Chilean bank may invest in securities having a minimum rating as follows, provided that if the total amount of these investments exceeds 20% (or 30% in certain cases) of the effective equity of the bank, an allowance of 100% of the excess shall be established by the bank:

 

Rating Agency

   Short Term    Long Term

Moody’s

   P2    Ba3

Standard and Poor’s

   A3    BB-

Fitch IBCA

   F2    BB-

If investments in these securities and certain loans referred to below exceed 70% of the effective equity of the bank, an allowance for 100% of the excess shall be established, unless the excess, up to 70% of the bank’s effective equity, is invested in securities having a minimum rating as follows:

 

Rating Agency

   Short Term    Long Term

Moody’s

   P1    Aa3

Standard and Poor’s

   A-1+    AA-

Fitch IBCA

   F1+    AA-

Subject to specific conditions, a bank may grant loans in dollars to subsidiaries or branches of Chilean companies located abroad, to companies listed on foreign stock exchanges located in countries with an international risk rating not less than BB- or its equivalent and, in general, to individuals and entities residing or domiciled abroad.

In the event that the sum of the investments of a bank in foreign currency and the commercial and foreign trade loans granted to foreign individuals and entities exceeds 70.0% of the effective equity of such bank, the excess is subject to a mandatory reserve of 100.0%.

Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism

On March 6, 2006, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks issued regulations governing the requirements applicable to banks with respect to prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing. The regulations are aimed at incorporating international anti-money laundering and terrorism financing laws to the Chilean banking industry. Pursuant to the regulations, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks requires that banks implement “know your customer” policies, which must be approved by its board of directors and must take into account the volume and complexity of its operations, as well as the operations of its affiliates and foreign branches and other related parties.

In general, such policies are aimed at:

 

   

properly identifying customers, including their background, transactional profile, source and amount of funds, country of origin and other risk factors;

 

   

identifying what the Chilean Superintendency of Banks has defined as “persons politically exposed at the international level,” or PEPs;

 

   

regulating PEP account-opening procedures;

 

   

regulating account-opening procedures generally, including requirements that persons opening accounts present valid government-issued identification, evidence of solvency, verification of address, etc.);

 

   

in the case of persons other than individuals, requiring copies of constituent documents, as well as identification of the owners, board members and officers, as well as a detailed

 

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explanation of line of business and other identifying data such as legal representatives, addresses and phone numbers; and

 

   

requiring enhanced due diligence with regard to correspondent accounts established or maintained by foreign financial institutions.

This information must be updated at least annually and used by the bank to build a transactional profile of expected volume and type of transactions or products the customer will require. This information is used to evaluate the consistency of customer transactions with the defined transactional profile. Additionally, for unexpected transactions, new customers and PEPs, banks must require a statement, supported by adequate documentation, regarding the source of the funds for any such transaction that exceeds the lesser of (i) 450 UF or (ii) the limit defined by the bank’s internal policies.

Recent Changes to Chile’s Capital Markets Law

On May 24, 2007, the Chilean Treasury Minister signed a decree approving a new law to amend various aspects of the regulation of Chile’s capital markets. The new law, No. 20,190, was passed by the Chilean Congress in order to improve the access to financing for start-up companies and small businesses, strengthen confidence in the stock market and to stimulate the development of the financial market in general. The Chilean General Banking Law was amended to achieve these ends by, among other things, revising regulations concerning demand deposits, increasing certain credit limits and redefining the calculations to determine the proper amount for a bank’s reserves. Since the law and its related regulations are very new, we are unable to determine what effects it may have on our business going forward. We exepct to be able to provide a full description of any such effects in subsequent annual reports and other disclosure documents.

 

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The following diagram presents our current corporate structure, including our subsidiaries and foreign branches and their respective ownership interests:

LOGO

With the exception of Banchile Trade Services Limited, which was incorporated in Hong Kong, all of the subsidiaries presented above have their jurisdiction of incorporation in the Republic of Chile.

PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

We are domiciled in Chile and own the building located at Ahumada 251, Santiago, Chile that is approximately 65,000 square meters and serves as our executive offices and as the executive offices for most our subsidiaries. In addition, we own an approximately 15,000 square meter building located at Huerfanos 740, Santiago, Chile where the remainder of our executive offices are located. At December 31, 2006, we owned the properties on which 148 of our full-service branches are located (approximately 105,000 square meters of office space). We lease office space for our remaining 135 full-service branches, the New York and Miami branches, as well as for our representative offices. We also own properties throughout Chile for back office and administrative operations, as well as for storage of documents and other purposes. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our present needs and suitable for their intended purposes.

We also own approximately 135,000 square meters in mainly recreational physical facilities in Chile, which we use to assist our employees in maintaining a healthy work and life balance and which we use for incentive and integration activities.

 

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SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION

The following information is included for analytical purposes and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as well as “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”

Average Balance Sheets, Interest Earned on Interest Earning Assets and Interest Paid on Interest Bearing Liabilities

The average balances for interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, including interest and readjustments received and paid, have been calculated on the basis of our daily balances and on the basis of monthly balances for our subsidiaries. These average balances are presented in Chilean pesos (Ch$), in UF and in foreign currencies (principally U.S. dollar). The UF is an inflation-indexed Chilean monetary unit of account with a value in Chilean pesos which is linked to, and which is adjusted daily to reflect changes in, the Consumer Price Index of the Chilean National Institute of Statistics. See Note 1(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

The nominal interest rate has been calculated by dividing the amount of interest and principal readjustment gain or loss during the period by the related average balance, both amounts expressed in constant pesos. The nominal rates calculated for each period have been converted into real rates using the following formulas:

Rp= 1 + Np – 1

         1 + I

and

Rd= (1 + Nd)(1 + D) –1

                1 + I

Where:

Rp = real average rate for peso-denominated assets and liabilities (in Ch$ and UF) for the period;

Rd = real average rate for foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities for the period;

Np = nominal average rate for peso-denominated assets and liabilities for the period;

Nd = nominal average rate for foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities for the period;

D = devaluation rate of the Chilean peso to the dollar for the period; and

I = inflation rate in Chile for the period (based on the variation of the Consumer Price Index).

The real interest rate can be negative for a portfolio of peso-denominated loans when the inflation rate for the period is higher than the average nominal rate of the loan portfolio for the same period. A similar effect could occur for a portfolio of foreign currency-denominated loans when the inflation rate for the period is higher than the sum of the devaluation rate for the period and the corresponding average nominal rate of the portfolio.

The formula for the average real rate for foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities (Rd) reflects a gain or loss in purchasing power caused by the difference between the devaluation rate of the Chilean peso and the inflation rate in Chile during the period.

 

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The following example illustrates the calculation of the real interest rate for a U.S. dollar asset bearing a nominal annual interest rate of 10% (Nd = 0.10), assuming a 5% annual devaluation rate (D = 0.05) and a 12% annual inflation rate (I = 0.12):

 

Rd =    (1 + 0.10)(1 + 0.05)    –1 = 3.125% per year
   1+0.12   

In the example, since the inflation rate was higher than the devaluation rate, the real rate is lower than the nominal rate in dollars. If, for example, the annual devaluation rate were 15%, using the same numbers, the real rate in Chilean pesos would be 12.9%, which is higher than the nominal rate in dollars. Using the same numbers, if the annual inflation rate were greater than 15.5%, the real rate would be negative.

Due to the significant revaluation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar in 2006 and 2005 (the published observed exchange rate was Ch$534.43 per U.S.$1.00 on December 31, 2006 as compared to Ch$514.21 and Ch$559.83 per U.S.$1.00 on December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively), and the fact that nominal interest rates and the inflation rate were comparatively low in 2006 and 2005, most real interest rates on foreign currency assets and liabilities shown in the tables in “—Selected Statistical Information” are negative for 2006.

Contingent loans (consisting of guarantees and open and unused letters of credit) have been treated as interest bearing assets. Although the nature of the income derived from such assets is similar to a fee, Chilean banking regulations require that such income be accounted for as interest revenue. As a result of this treatment, the comparatively low rates of interest earned on these assets have a distorting effect on the average interest rate earned on total interest earning assets.

The real rate for contingent loans has been stated as the nominal rate, since we do not have an effective funding obligation for these loans. The foreign exchange gains or losses on foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities have not been included in interest revenue or expense. Similarly, interest on financial investments does not include trading gains or losses on these investments.

Non-performing loans that are not yet 90 days or more overdue have been included in each of the various categories of loans, and therefore affect the various averages. Non-performing loans consist of loans for which either principal or interest is overdue (i.e., non-accrual loans) and restructured loans earning no interest. Non-performing loans that are 90 days or more overdue (i.e., past due loans) are shown as a separate category of loans. Interest and/or indexation readjustments received on all non-performing loans during the periods are included as interest revenue.

Included in interbank deposits are current accounts maintained in the Central Bank and overseas banks. Such assets have a distorting effect on the average interest rate earned on total interest earning assets because of balances maintained in:

 

   

the Central Bank, only the portion that is legally required to be held for liquidity purposes earns interest; and

 

   

overseas banks earn interest on certain accounts in certain countries.

Consequently, the average interest earned on such assets is comparatively low. These deposits are maintained by us in these accounts to comply with statutory requirements and to facilitate international business, rather than to earn income.

The monetary gain or loss on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities is not included as a component of interest revenue or interest expense because inflation effects are taken into account in the calculation of real interest rates.

 

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Table of Contents

The following tables show, by currency of denomination, average balances and, where applicable, interest amounts, nominal and real rates for our assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006  
    Average
balance
  Interest
earned
    Average
nominal
rate
    Average
real
rate
    Average
balance
  Interest
earned
  Average
nominal
rate
    Average
real
rate
    Average
balance
  Interest
earned
  Average
nominal
rate
    Average
real
rate
 
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except percentages)  

Assets

Interest earning assets Interbank deposits

                       

Ch$

    —       —       —       —         —       —     —       —   %     —       —     —       —    

UF

    —       —       —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    

Foreign currency

  Ch$ 102,306   Ch$ 2,498     2.44     (6.59 )   Ch$ 160,792   Ch$ 9,061   5.64     (6.40 )   Ch$ 109,690   Ch$ 8,568   7.81     9.24  
                                                 

Total

    102,306     2,498     2.44     (6.59 )     160,792     9,061   5.64     (6.40 )     109,690     8,568   7.81     9.24  
                                                 

Financial investments

                       

Ch$

    1,045,420     27,548     2.64     0.20       727,182     24,465   3.36     (0.29 )     630,636     30,990   4.91     2.29  

UF

    144,290     8,813     6.11     3.59       125,628     7,783   6.20     2.45       154,594     9,235   5.97     3.32  

Foreign currency

    750,439     23,426     3.12     (5.97 )     612,772     22,709   3.71     (8.11 )     489,400     25,760   5.26     6.66  
                                                 

Total

    1,940,149     59,787     3.08     (1.93 )     1,465,582     54,957   3.75     (3.32 )     1,274,630     65,985   5.18     4.09  
                                                 

Commercial loans

                       

Ch$

    1,312,498     87,372     6.66     4.13       1,529,215     105,371   6.89     3.12       1,772,479     137,454   7.75     5.05  

UF

    2,035,128     147,442     7.24     4.70       2,536,052     209,898   8.28     4.45       3,194,685     212,668   6.66     3.98  

Foreign currency

    234,257     7,138     3.05     (6.04 )     291,900     11,404   3.91     (7.93 )     258,282     12,799   4.96     6.35  
                                                 

Total

    3,581,883     241,952     6.75     3.79       4,357,167     326,673   7.50     3.15       5,225,446     362,921   6.95     4.46  
                                                 

Consumer loans

                       

Ch$

    645,079     125,404     19.44     16.61       761,415     144,251   18.95     14.75       944,821     192,656   20.39     17.37  

UF

    26,297     2,728     10.37     7.76       24,644     2,757   11.19     7.26       24,715     2,391   9.67     6.93  

Foreign currency

    —       —       —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    
                                                 

Total

    671,376     128,132     19.08     16.26       786,059     147,008   18.70     14.51       969,536     195,047   20.12     17.11  
                                                 

Interbank loans

                       

Ch$

    33,157     602     1.82     (0.60 )     39,076     1,375   3.52     (0.14 )     17,268     894   5.18     2.54  

UF

    —       —       —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    

Foreign currency

    14,626     265     1.81     (7.16 )     1,546     78   5.05     (6.92 )     557     35   6.28     7.69  
                                                 

Total

    47,783     867     1.81     (2.61 )     40,622     1,453   3.58     (0.39 )     17,825     929   5.21     2.70  
                                                 

Leasing contracts

                       

Ch$

    16,899     1,135     6.72     4.18       18,513     1,641   8.86     5.02       21,980     2,397   10.91     8.13  

UF

    266,565     27,501     10.32     7.70       341,709     37,775   11.05     7.13       421,929     36,038   8.54     5.82  

Foreign currency

    38,192     2,253     5.90     (3.44 )     39,214     2,399   6.12     (5.97 )     40,249     2,852   7.09     8.51  
                                                 

Total

    321,656     30,889     9.60     6.19       399,436     41,815   10.47     5.75       484,158     41,287   8.53     6.15  
                                                 

Foreign trade loans

                       

Ch$

    —       —       —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    

UF

    21,358     510     2.39     (0.04 )     22,500     898   3.99     0.32       24,516     529   2.16     (0.40 )

Foreign currency

    700,997     21,138     3.02     (6.07 )     624,406     24,998   4.00     (7.85 )     642,248     40,443   6.30     7.71  
                                                 

Total

    722,355     21,648     3.00     (5.89 )     646,906     25,896   4.00     (7.56 )     666,764     40,972   6.14     7.41  
                                                 

Mortgage loans

                       

Ch$

    —       —       —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    

UF

    1,058,769     105,943     10.01     7.40       737,123     84,703   11.49     7.55       623,355     55,955   8.98     6.25  

Foreign currency

    —       —       —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    
                                                 

Total

    1,058,769     105,943     10.01     7.40       737,123     84,703   11.49     7.55       623,355     55,955   8.98     6.25  
                                                 

Contingent loans

                       

Ch$

    63,175     1,845     2.92     2.92       83,299     1,718   2.06     2.06       112,881     1,746   1.55     (1.00 )

UF

    196,297     2,020     1.03     1.03       296,294     2,376   0.80     0.80       381,531     2,729   0.72     (1.81 )

Foreign currency

    244,745     80     0.03     0.03       248,041     346   0.14     0.14       334,156     488   0.15     1.47  
                                                 

Total

    504,217     3,945     0.78     0.78       627,634     4,440   0.71     0.71       828,568     4,963   0.60     (0.37 )
                                                 

Past due loans

                       

Ch$

    23,055     898     3.90     1.43       20,813     1,148   5.52     1.79       23,991     1,006   4.19     1.58  

UF

    76,223     834     1.09     (1.30 )     60,410     630   1.04     (2.52 )     41,794     21   0.05     (2.46 )

Foreign currency

    5,400     (22 )   —       —         2,251     —     —       —         2,540     —     —       —    
                                                 

Total

    104,678     1,710     1.63     (0.63 )     83,474     1,778   2.13     (1.38 )     68,325     1,027   1.50     (0.95 )
                                                 

Total interest earning assets

                       

Ch$

    3,139,283     244,804     7.80     5.24       3,179,513     279,969   8.81     4.96       3,524,056     367,143   10.42     7.65  

UF

    3,824,927     295,791     7.73     5.18       4,144,360     346,820   8.37     4.54       4,867,119     319,566   6.57     3.90  

Foreign currency

    2,090,962     56,776     2.72     (6.34 )     1,980,922     70,995   3.58     (8.22 )     1,877,122     90,945   4.84     6.24  
                                                 

Total

  Ch$ 9,055,172   Ch$ 597,371     6.60 %   2.54 %   Ch$ 9,304,795   Ch$ 697,784   7.50 %   1.97 %   Ch$ 10,268,297   Ch$ 777,654   7.57 %   5.61 %
                                                 

 

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Table of Contents
    Year Ended December 31,
    2004   2005   2006
   

Average

balance

    Interest
earned
  Average
nominal
rate
  Average
real
rate
 

Average

balance

    Interest
earned
  Average
nominal
rate
  Average
real
rate
 

Average

balance

    Interest
earned
  Average
nominal
rate
  Average
real
rate
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except percentages)

Assets

Non–interest earning assets

Cash and due from banks

                       

Ch$

  Ch$ 547,701       —     —     —     Ch$ 522,319       —     —     —     Ch$ 322,404       —     —     —  

UF

    —         —     —     —       —         —     —     —       —         —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    155,582       —     —     —       264,845       —     —     —       532,891       —     —     —  
                                                     

Total

    703,283       —     —     —       787,164       —     —     —       855,295       —     —     —  
                                                     

Allowances for loan losses

                       

Ch$

    (173,297 )     —     —     —       (141,894 )     —     —     —       (139,996 )     —     —     —  

UF

    —         —     —     —       —         —     —     —       —         —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    (2,068 )     —     —     —       (1,493 )     —     —     —       (251 )     —     —     —  
                                                     

Total

    (175,365 )     —     —     —       (143,387 )     —     —     —       (140,247 )     —     —     —  
                                                     

Fixed assets

                       

Ch$

    135,467       —     —     —       138,332       —     —     —       145,248       —     —     —  

UF

    —         —     —     —       —         —     —     —       —         —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    859       —     —     —       1,684       —     —     —       2,300       —     —     —  
                                                     

Total

    136,326       —     —     —       140,016       —     —     —       147,548       —     —     —  
                                                     

Other assets

                       

Ch$

    324,642       —     —     —       345,805       —     —     —       356,778       —     —     —  

UF

    1,300       —     —     —       1,385       —     —     —       1,536       —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    110,396       —     —     —       106,578       —     —     —       118,278       —     —     —  
                                                     

Total

    436,338       —     —     —       453,768       —     —     —       476,592       —     —     —  
                                                     

Total non–interest earning assets

                       

Ch$

    834,513       —     —     —       864,562       —     —     —       684,434       —     —     —  

UF

    1,300       —     —     —       1,385       —     —     —       1,536       —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    264,769       —     —     —       371,614       —     —     —       653,218       —     —     —  
                                                     

Total

    1,100,582       —     —     —       1,237,561       —     —     —       1,339,188       —     —     —  
                                                     

Total assets

                       

Ch$

    3,973,796       244,804   —     —       4,044,075       279,969   —     —       4,208,490       367,143   —     —  

UF

    3,826,227       295,791   —     —       4,145,745       346,820   —     —       4,868,655       319,566   —     —  

Foreign currency

    2,355,731       56,776   —     —       2,352,536       70,995   —     —       2,530,340       90,945   —     —  
                                                     

Total

  Ch$ 10,155,754     Ch$ 597,371   —     —     Ch$ 10,542,356     Ch$ 697,784   —     —     Ch$ 11,607,485     Ch$ 777,654   —     —  
                                                     

 

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Table of Contents
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006  
    Average
balance
  Interest paid   Average
nominal
rate
    Average
real
rate
    Average
balance
  Interest paid   Average
nominal
rate
    Average
real
rate
    Average
balance
 

Interest

paid

  Average
nominal
rate
    Average
real
rate
 
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except percentages)  

Liabilities

Interest bearing liabilities

                       

Savings accounts

                       

Ch$

    —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    

UF

  Ch$ 155,255   Ch$ 3,444   2.22     (0.21 )   Ch$ 142,192   Ch$ 5,462   3.84     0.17     Ch$ 138,928   Ch$ 2,843   2.05     (0.51 )

Foreign currency

    —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    
                                               

Total

    155,255     3,444   2.22     (0.21 )     142,192     5,462   3.84     0.17       138,928     2,843   2.05     (0.51 )
                                               

Time deposits

                       

Ch$

    2,015,611     47,548   2.36     (0.07 )     2,240,994     89,992   4.02     0.34       2,659,507     171,398   6.44     3.78  

UF

    751,276     27,738   3.69     1.23       1,060,153     59,637   5.63     1.90       1,628,067     76,108   4.67     2.05  

Foreign currency

    899,333     15,252   1.70     (7.27 )     715,591     21,712   3.03     (8.70 )     813,958     11,822   1.45     2.80  
                                               

Total

    3,666,220     90,538   2.47     (1.57 )     4,016,738     171,341   4.27     (0.86 )     5,101,532     259,328   5.08     3.07  
                                               

Central Bank borrowings

                       

Ch$

    10,646     220   2.07     (0.35 )     30,866     973   3.15     (0.49 )     11,808     621   5.26     2.62  

UF

    2,455     157   6.40     3.87       1,625     97   5.97     2.23       1,127     80   7.10     4.42  

Foreign currency

    —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    
                                               

Total

    13,101     377   2.88     0.44       32,491     1,070   3.29     (0.35 )     12,935     701   5.42     2.78  
                                               

Repurchase agreements

                       

Ch$

    347,894     4,231   1.22     (1.19 )     199,920     5,505   2.75     (0.87 )     196,223     9,762   4.97     2.34  

UF

    844     —     —       —         1,286     —     —       —         227     —     —       —    

Foreign currency

    100,631     4,031   4.01     (5.16 )     103,608     4,593   4.43     (7.47 )     75,498     2,613   3.46     4.83  
                                               

Total

    449,369     8,262   1.84     (2.07 )     304,814     10,098   3.31     (3.11 )     271,948     12,375   4.55     3.03  
                                               

Mortgage finance bonds

                       

Ch$

    —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    

UF

    966,858     80,258   8.30     5.73       629,747     55,649   8.84     4.99       496,053     36,445   7.35     4.66  

Foreign currency

    —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —    
                                               

Total

    966,858     80,258   8.30     5.73       629,747     55,649   8.84     4.99       496,053     36,445   7.35     4.66  
                                               

Other interest bearing liabilities(1)

                       

Ch$

    132,719     2,226   1.68     (0.73 )     169,613     2,157   1.27     (2.30 )     201,351     3,556   1.77     (0.78 )

UF

    344,325     31,359   9.11     6.52       546,965     51,448   9.41     5.54       657,916     43,564   6.62     3.95  

Foreign currency

    711,694     10,819   1.52     (7.43 )     775,437     19,452   2.51     (9.17 )     673,348     13,432   1.99     3.35  
                                               

Total

    1,188,738     44,404   3.74     (2.64 )     1,492,015     73,057   4.90     (3.00 )     1,532,615     60,552   3.95     3.06  
                                               

Total interest bearing liabilities

                       

Ch$

    2,506,870     54,225   2.16     (0.26 )     2,641,393     98,627   3.73     0.07       3,068,889     185,337   6.04     3.38  

UF

    2,221,013     142,956   6.44     3.91       2,381,968     172,293   7.23     3.45       2,922,318     159,040   5.44     2.80  

Foreign currency

    1,711,658     30,102   1.76     (7.21 )     1,594,636     45,757   2.87     (8.85 )     1,562,804     27,867   1.78     3.13  
                                               

Total

  Ch$ 6,439,541   Ch$ 227,283   3.53 %   (0.67 )%   Ch$ 6,617,997   Ch$ 316,677   4.79 %   (0.86 )%   Ch$ 7,554,011   Ch$ 372,244   4.93 %   3.11 %
                                               

(1) Other interest-bearing liabilities primarily include foreign borrowings, subordinated bonds, bonds and borrowings from domestic financial institutions.

 

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    Year Ended December 31,
    2004   2005   2006
    Average
balance
  Interest paid   Average
nominal
rate
  Average
real
rate
  Average
balance
  Interest paid   Average
nominal
rate
  Average
real
rate
  Average
balance
  Interest paid   Average
nominal
rate
  Average
real
rate
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except percentages)        

Liabilities

Non–interest bearing liabilities

Non–interest bearing demand deposits

                       

Ch$

  Ch$ 1,607,162     —     —     —     Ch$ 1,707,308     —     —     —     Ch$ 1,627,425     —     —     —  

UF

    38,032     —     —     —       13,784     —     —     —       7,509     —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    563,939     —     —     —       510,638     —     —     —       413,943     —     —     —  
                                               

Total

    2,209,133     —     —     —       2,231,730     —     —     —       2,048,877     —     —     —  
                                               

Contingent liabilities

                       

Ch$

    62,935     —     —     —       83,138     —     —     —       112,996     —     —     —  

UF

    195,974     —     —     —       295,821     —     —     —       378,722     —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    247,070     —     —     —       250,360     —     —     —       336,545     —     —     —  
                                               

Total

    505,979     —     —     —       629,319     —     —     —       828,263     —     —     —  
                                               

Other non–interest bearing

                      —     —  

Ch$

    204,931     —     —     —       242,174     —     —     —       231,634     —     —     —  

UF

    5,094     —     —     —       7,085     —     —     —       12,217     —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    105,729     —     —     —       122,040     —     —     —       151,429     —     —     —  
                                               

Total

    315,754     —     —     —       371,299     —     —     —       395,280     —     —     —  
                                               

Shareholders’ equity

                       

Ch$

    685,347     —     —     —       692,011     —     —     —       781,054     —     —     —  

UF

    —       —     —     —       —       —     —     —       —       —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    —       —     —     —       —       —     —     —       —       —     —     —  
                                               

Total

    685,347     —     —     —       692,011     —     —     —       781,054     —     —     —  
                                               

Total non–interest bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity

                       

Ch$

    2,560,375     —     —     —       2,724,631     —     —     —       2,753,109     —     —     —  

UF

    239,100     —     —     —       316,690     —     —     —       398,448     —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    916,738     —     —     —       883,038     —     —     —       901,917     —     —     —  
                                               

Total

    3,716,213     —     —     —       3,924,359     —     —     —       4,053,474     —     —     —  
                                               

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

                       

Ch$

    5,067,245     54,225   —     —       5,366,024     98,627   —     —       5,821,998     185,337   —     —  

UF

    2,460,113     142,956   —     —       2,698,658     172,293   —     —       3,320,766     159,040   —     —  

Foreign currency

    2,628,396     30,102   —     —       2,477,674     45,757   —     —       2,464,721     27,867   —     —  
                                               

Total

  Ch$ 10,155,754   Ch$ 227,283   —     —     Ch$ 10,542,356   Ch$ 316,677   —     —     Ch$ 11,607,485   Ch$ 372,244   —     —  
                                               

 

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Interest Earning Assets and Net Interest Margin

The following table analyzes, by currency of denomination, the levels of our average interest earning assets and net interest, and illustrates the comparative margins obtained, for each of the periods indicated.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006,
except for percentages)
 

Total average interest earning assets

      

Ch$

   Ch$ 3,139,283     Ch$ 3,179,513     Ch$ 3,524,056  

UF

     3,824,927       4,144,360       4,867,119  

Foreign currency

     2,090,962       1,980,922       1,877,122  
                        

Total

     9,055,172       9,304,795       10,268,297  
                        

Net interest earned(1)

      

Ch$

     190,579       181,342       181,806  

UF

     152,835       174,527       160,526  

Foreign currency

     26,674       25,238       63,078  
                        

Total

   Ch$ 370,088     Ch$ 381,107     Ch$ 405,410  
                        

Net interest margin, nominal basis(2)

      

Ch$

     6.07 %     5.70 %     5.16 %

UF

     4.00       4.21       3.30  

Foreign currency

     1.28       1.27       3.36  
                        

Total

     4.09 %     4.10 %     3.95 %
                        

(1) Net interest earned is defined as interest revenue earned less interest expense incurred.
(2) Net interest margin, nominal basis is defined as net interest earned divided by average interest earning assets.

Changes in Net Interest Revenue—Volume and Rate Analysis

The following tables compare, by currency of denomination, changes in our net interest revenue between 2005 and 2006 and between 2004 and 2005 caused by (i) changes in the average volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and (ii) changes in their respective nominal interest rates. Volume and rate variances have been calculated based on movements in average balances over the period and changes in nominal interest rate, average interest earning assets and average interest bearing liabilities. The net change attributable to changes in both volume and rate has been allocated proportionately to the change in volume and the change in rate.

 

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Increase (Decrease)

from 2004 to 2005

due to changes in

    Net change
from 2004 to
2005
   

Increase (Decrease)

from 2005 to 2006

due to changes in

    Net change
from 2005 to
2006
 
     Volume     Rate       Volume     Rate    
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

Assets

Interest earning assets

Interbank deposits

            

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Foreign currency

   Ch$ 1,996     Ch$ 4,567     Ch$ 6,563     Ch$ (3,382 )   Ch$ 2,889     Ch$ (493 )
                                                

Total

     1,996       4,567       6,563       (3,382 )     2,889       (493 )
                                                

Financial investments

            

Ch$

     (9,602 )     6,519       (3,083 )     (3,583 )     10,108       6,525  

UF

     (1,155 )     125       (1,030 )     1,739       (287 )     1,452  

Foreign currency

     (4,696 )     3,979       (717 )     (5,194 )     8,245       3,051  
                                                

Total

     (15,453 )     10,623       (4,830 )     (7,038 )     18,066       11,028  
                                                

Commercial loans

            

Ch$

     14,844       3,155       17,999       17,938       14,145       32,083  

UF

     39,565       22,891       62,456       48,429       (45,659 )     2,770  

Foreign currency

     1,987       2,279       4,266       (1,419 )     2,814       1,395  
                                                

Total

     56,396       28,325       84,721       64,948       (28,700 )     36,248  
                                                

Consumer loans

            

Ch$

     22,111       (3,264 )     18,847       36,760       11,645       48,405  

UF

     (177 )     206       29       8       (374 )     (366 )

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                                

Total

     21,934       (3,058 )     18,876       36,768       11,271       48,039  
                                                

Interbank loans

            

Ch$

     124       649       773       (963 )     482       (481 )

UF

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Foreign currency

     (378 )     191       (187 )     (59 )     16       (43 )
                                                

Total

     (254 )     840       586       (1,022 )     498       (524 )
                                                

Leasing contracts

            

Ch$

     116       390       506       339       417       756  

UF

     8,195       2,079       10,274       7,844       (9,581 )     (1,737 )

Foreign currency

     61       85       146       65       388       453  
                                                

Total

     8,372       2,554       10,926       8,248       (8,776 )     (528 )
                                                

Foreign trade loans

            

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

     29       359       388       74       (443 )     (369 )

Foreign currency

     (2,499 )     6,359       3,860       734       14,711       15,445  
                                                

Total

     (2,470 )     6,718       4,248       808       14,268       15,076  
                                                

Mortgage loans

            

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

     (35,393 )     14,153       (21,240 )     (11,890 )     (16,858 )     (28,748 )

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                                

Total

     (35,393 )     14,153       (21,240 )     (11,890 )     (16,858 )     (28,748 )
                                                

Contingent loans

            

Ch$

     498       (625 )     (127 )     521       (493 )     28  

UF

     871       (515 )     356       630       (277 )     353  

Foreign currency

     1       265       266       125       17       142  
                                                

Total

     1,370       (875 )     495       1,276       (753 )     523  
                                                

Past due loans

            

Ch$

     (94 )     344       250       159       (301 )     (142 )

UF

     (166 )     (38 )     (204 )     (149 )     (460 )     (609 )

Foreign currency

     —         22       22       —         —         —    
                                                

Total

     (260 )     328       68       10       (761 )     (751 )
                                                

Total interest earning assets

            

Ch$

     27,997       7,168       35,165       51,171       36,003       87,174  

UF

     11,769       39,260       51,029       46,685       (73,939 )     (27,254 )

Foreign currency

     (3,528 )     17,747       14,219       (9,130 )     29,080       19,950  
                                                

Total

   Ch$ 36,238     Ch$ 64,175     Ch$ 100,413     Ch$ 88,726     Ch$ (8,856 )   Ch$ 79,870  
                                                

 

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Increase (Decrease) from
2004 to 2005 due

to changes in

    Net change
from 2004 to
2005
   

Increase (Decrease)

from 2005 to 2006

due to changes in

    Net change
from 2005 to
2006
 
     Volume     Rate       Volume     Rate    
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

Liabilities

Interest bearing liabilities

            

Savings accounts

            

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

   Ch$ (312 )   Ch$ 2,330     Ch$ 2,018     Ch$ (123 )   Ch$ (2,496 )   Ch$ (2,619 )

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                                

Total

     (312 )     2,330       2,018       (123 )     (2,496 )     (2,619 )
                                                

Time deposits

            

Ch$

     5,830       36,614       42,444       19,204       62,202       81,406  

UF

     14,030       17,869       31,899       27,843       (11,372 )     16,471  

Foreign currency

     (3,622 )     10,082       6,460       2,660       (12,550 )     (9,890 )
                                                

Total

     16,238       64,565       80,803       49,707       38,280       87,987  
                                                

Central Bank borrowings

            

Ch$

     590       163       753       (794 )     442       (352 )

UF

     (50 )     (10 )     (60 )     (33 )     16       (17 )

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                                

Total

     540       153       693       (827 )     458       (369 )
                                                

Repurchase agreements

            

Ch$

     (2,372 )     3,646       1,274       (104 )     4,361       4,257  

UF

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Foreign currency

     122       440       562       (1,095 )     (885 )     (1,980 )
                                                

Total

     (2,250 )     4,086       1,836       (1,199 )     3,476       2,277  
                                                

Mortgage finance bonds

            

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

     (29,507 )     4,898       (24,609 )     (10,704 )     (8,500 )     (19,204 )

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                                

Total

     (29,507 )     4,898       (24,609 )     (10,704 )     (8,500 )     (19,204 )
                                                

Other interest bearing liabilities

            

Ch$

     539       (608 )     (69 )     455       944       1,399  

UF

     19,029       1,060       20,089       9,180       (17,064 )     (7,884 )

Foreign currency

     1,045       7,588       8,633       (2,356 )     (3,664 )     (6,020 )
                                                

Total

     20,613       8,040       28,653       7,279       (19,784 )     (12,505 )
                                                

Total interest bearing liabilities

            

Ch$

     4,587       39,815       44,402       18,761       67,949       86,710  

UF

     3,190       26,147       29,337       26,163       (39,416 )     (13,253 )

Foreign currency

     (2,455 )     18,110       15,655       (791 )     (17,099 )     (17,890 )
                                                

Total

   Ch$ 5,322     Ch$ 84,072     Ch$ 89,394     Ch$ 44,133     Ch$ 11,434     Ch$ 55,567  
                                                

 

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Financial Investment

(a) Trading Securities:

The detail of instruments classified as trading securities is as follows:

 

                   

Weighted Average

Nominal Rate as of
December 31, 2006

%

 
     As of December 31,   
     2004    2005    2006   
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except
for rate data)
      

Instruments issued by the Chilean Government and the Central Bank of Chile

           

Instruments issued by the Central Bank of Chile

   Ch$   1,132,234    Ch$ 696,140    Ch$ 492,748    4.49 %

Other government instruments

     13,991      20,142      436    3.46  
                           

Subtotal

     1,146,225      716,282      493,184    4.49  
                           

Other Financial Instruments

           

Promissory notes for deposits in Chilean banks

     203,154      179,577      256,633    5.30  

Other foreign instruments issued

     135,079      309,093      241,278    5.49  

Bonds from other Chilean companies

     107,378      100,268      97,712    6.83  

Instruments issued by foreign Governments or Central Banks

     17,619      13,112      54,749    6.76  

Mortgage bonds of Chilean banks

     1,320      34,425      49,938    4.57  

Other instruments issued in Chile

     8,331      1,187      3,878    4.41  

Bonds from Chilean banks

     —        13,511      —      —    
                           

Subtotal

     472,881      651,173      704,188    5.63  
                           

Total

   Ch$ 1,619,106    Ch$   1,367,455    Ch$   1,197,372    5.16 %
                           

Instruments issued by the Chilean Government and the Central Bank of Chile include instruments sold under agreements to repurchase to customers and financial institutions, amounting to Ch$179,800 million, Ch$91,901 million, Ch$55,824 million as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Other Financial Instruments include instruments sold under agreements to repurchase to customers and financial instruments, amounting to Ch$187,434 million, Ch$157,447 million, Ch$217,824 million as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

(b) Investment Portfolio:

The detail of instruments classified as available for sale securities and as investments held to maturity is as follows:

(i) Available for sale

 

                   

Weighted Average

Nominal Rate as of
December 31, 2006

%

 
     As of December 31,   
     2004    2005    2006   
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31,
2006)
      

Instruments issued by foreign Governments or Central Banks

   Ch$   11,830    Ch$   23,534    Ch$   40,066    4.45 %

Bonds from other Chilean companies

     6,926      1,628      —      —    

Other foreign instruments issued

     10,139      —        —      —    
                           

Total

   Ch$ 28,895    Ch$ 25,162    Ch$ 40,066    4.45 %
                           

 

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As of December 31, the portfolio of available for sale securities include a net unrealized loss of Ch$99 million, Ch$4 million and Ch$9 million in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, recorded in equity.

(ii) Held to maturity

 

                   

Weighted Average

Nominal Rate as of
December 31, 2006

%

 
     As of December 31,   
     2004    2005    2006   
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31,
2006)
      

Instruments issued by Foreign Governments or Central Banks

   Ch$   17,789    Ch$   15,739    Ch$   16,003    5.09 %
                           

Total

   Ch$ 17,789    Ch$ 15,739    Ch$ 16,003    5.09 %
                           

(c) Maturity of Financial Investment:

The maturities of the securities trading, held to maturity and available for sale, as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

    

Estimated

Fair Value

     (in millions of constant Ch$
as of December 31, 2006)

Trading securities (1):

  

Due in one year or less

   1,197,372

Securities available for sale:

  

Due in one year or less

   40,066

Securities held to maturity:

  

Due in one year or less

   16,003

(1) Trading securities are classified as due in one year or less, because they are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term.

The following table sets forth an analysis under U.S. GAAP of investments held to maturity by type:

 

    As of December 31,
    2004   2005   2006

Instruments

  Carrying
Value
  Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
    Estimated
Fair Value
  Carrying
Value
  Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
    Estimated
Fair Value
  Carrying
Value
  Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
  Estimated
Fair Value
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Instruments issued by Foreign Governments or Central Banks

  Ch$   17,791   Ch$ (2 )   Ch$   17,789   Ch$   15,740   Ch$ (1 )   Ch$   15,739   Ch$   16,003   Ch$   —   Ch$   16,003
                                                         

Total

  Ch$ 17,791   Ch$ (2 )   Ch$ 17,789   Ch$ 15,740   Ch$ (1 )   Ch$ 15,739   Ch$ 16,003   Ch$   Ch$ 16,003
                                                         

 

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Loan Portfolio

The following table analyzes our loans by type of loan and risk classification. All loan amounts stated below are before deduction of allowances for loan losses. Total loans reflect our loan portfolio, including past due principal amounts.

 

     As of December 31,
     2002    2003    2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Commercial loans:

              

General commercial loans

   Ch$   2,868,140    Ch$   2,864,592    Ch$   3,032,891    Ch$   3,584,631    Ch$   3,970,909

Foreign trade loans

     669,805      713,707      633,650      562,336      677,296

Interbank loans

     60,028      14,336      16,076      25,537      43,019

Leasing contracts

     272,767      291,602      363,713      464,356      539,176

Other outstanding loans

     424,088      478,124      990,316      1,363,056      1,762,225
                                  

Subtotal commercial loans

     4,294,828      4,362,361      5,036,646      5,999,916      6,992,625
                                  

Mortgage loans:

              

Residential

     635,965      654,964      469,469      375,689      323,288

Commercial

     664,146      568,046      397,766      308,735      257,930
                                  

Subtotal mortgage loans

     1,300,111      1,223,010      867,235      684,424      581,218
                                  

Consumer loans

     575,434      638,252      731,810      882,291      1,072,324
                                  

Past due loans:

              

Commercial loans

     141,415      98,172      71,671      54,410      46,491

Residential mortgage loans

     11,219      12,122      13,333      14,154      8,901

Consumer loans

     4,981      3,653      3,906      3,951      5,708

Factoring loans

     —        —        —        —        5

Leasing contracts

     1,097      439      666      332      580
                                  

Subtotal past due loans

     158,712      114,386      89,576      72,847      61,685
                                  

Contingent loans

     418,051      444,101      561,564      738,770      987,314
                                  

Total loans

   Ch$ 6,747,136    Ch$ 6,782,110    Ch$ 7,286,831    Ch$ 8,378,248    Ch$ 9,695,166
                                  

The loan categories are as follows:

“Commercial loans” are short-term and long-term loans made to companies or businesses, at variable or fixed interest rates in order to finance working capital or investments.

“Consumer loans” are loans to individuals granted, principally in Chilean pesos, generally on a fixed rate basis, to finance the purchase of consumer goods or to pay for services. Credit card balances subject to interest charges are also included in this category.

“Mortgage loans” are inflation indexed, fixed rate, long-term loans with monthly payments of principal and interest collateralized by a real state mortgage. These loans are financed through the issuance of mortgage finance bonds. At the time of its issuance, the amount of a mortgage loan cannot be more than 75% of the value of the property.

“Foreign trade loans” are variable or fixed rate, short-term loans made in foreign currencies (mainly U.S. dollars) to finance imports and exports.

“Leasing contracts” are agreements for financing leases of capital equipment and other property.

“Other outstanding loans” principally include bills of exchange, other mortgage loans, which are financed by Banco de Chile’s general borrowings and factoring.

“Past due loans” represent loans or shares of loans that are overdue as to any payment of principal or interest by 90 days or more.

 

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“Contingent loans” consist of open and confirmed letters of credit together with guarantees granted by Banco de Chile in Ch$, UF and foreign currencies (mainly U.S. dollars). Unlike U.S. GAAP, Chilean GAAP requires such loans to be included on a bank’s balance sheet. See Note 28 to our consolidated audited financial statements for a description of the significant differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to our consolidated subsidiaries and us.

Any collateral provided generally consists of a mortgage on real estate, a pledge of marketable securities, a letter of credit or cash. The existence and amount of collateral varies from loan to loan.

Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans as of December 31, 2006

The following table sets forth an analysis by type and time remaining to maturity of our loans as of December 31, 2006:

 

    Balance as of
December 31,
2006
  Due within 1
month
  Due after 1
month but within
6 months
  Due after 6
months but
within 12
months
  Due after 1 year
but within 3 years
  Due after 3
years but
within 5 years
  Due after 5 years
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Commercial loans

  Ch$   3,970,909   Ch$ 534,207   Ch$   1,002,024   Ch$   407,173   Ch$ 737,325   Ch$   499,733   Ch$ 790,447

Consumer loans

    1,072,324     354,369     151,718     140,281     340,694     79,226     6,036

Mortgage loans

    581,218     6,082     26,165     31,678     119,576     110,917     286,800

Foreign trade loans

    677,296     147,239     440,109     44,414     21,895     20,654     2,985

Interbank loans

    43,019     43,019     —       —       —       —       —  

Leasing contracts

    539,176     16,934     66,689     81,855     197,125     82,600     93,973

Other outstanding loans

    1,762,225     268,807     193,949     70,419     175,275     157,926     895,849

Past due loans

    61,685     61,685     —       —       —       —       —  
                                         

Subtotal

    8,707,852     1,432,342     1,880,654     775,820     1,591,890     951,056     2,076,090

Contingent loans

    987,314     133,687     335,525     212,382     260,207     44,995     518
                                         

Total loans

  Ch$ 9,695,166   Ch$   1,566,029   Ch$ 2,216,179   Ch$ 988,202   Ch$   1,852,097   Ch$ 996,051   Ch$   2,076,608
                                         

The following table presents the interest rate sensitivity of our outstanding loans due after one year as of December 31, 2006, not including contingent loans:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     (in millions of constant
Ch$ as of December 31,
2006)

Variable rate

  

Ch$

   Ch$ 107,484

UF

     1,246,538

Foreign currency

     130,972
      

Total

     1,484,994

Fixed rate

  

Ch$

     680,195

UF

     2,381,567

Foreign currency

     72,280
      

Total

     3,134,042
      

Total

   Ch$ 4,619,036
      

 

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Table of Contents

Loans by Economic Activity

The following table sets forth, at the dates indicated, an analysis of our loan portfolio based on the borrower’s principal economic activity. Loans to individuals for business purposes are allocated to their respective economic activity. The table does not reflect outstanding contingent loans.

 

     As of December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  
     Loan
Portfolio
   % of loan
Portfolio
    Loan
Portfolio
   % of loan
Portfolio
    Loan
Portfolio
   % of loan
Portfolio
 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Agribusiness, Fishing:

               

Agriculture and livestock

   Ch$ 222,472    3.31 %   Ch$ 166,406    2.18 %   Ch$ 183,242    2.10 %

Fruit

     177,955    2.65       175,514    2.30       187,666    2.16  

Forestry and wood extraction

     20,430    0.30       22,324    0.29       16,061    0.18  

Fishing

     107,113    1.59       54,413    0.71       44,657    0.51  
                                       

Subtotal

     527,970    7.85       418,657    5.48       431,626    4.95  

Mining and Petroleum:

               

Mining and quarries

     26,489    0.39       30,322    0.40       22,044    0.25  

Natural gas and crude oil extraction

     8,838    0.13       35,633    0.47       758    0.01  
                                       

Subtotal

     35,327    0.52       65,955    0.87       22,802    0.26  

Manufacturing:

               

Tobacco, food and beverages

     145,643    2.16       132,077    1.73       154,992    1.78  

Textiles, clothing and leather goods

     71,691    1.07       69,910    0.92       91,072    1.05  

Wood and wood products

     49,806    0.74       56,110    0.73       48,922    0.56  

Paper, printing and publishing

     25,623    0.38       40,905    0.54       67,927    0.78  

Oil refining, carbon and rubber

     87,117    1.29       98,347    1.29       73,629    0.85  

Production of basic metal, non-mineral, machine and equipment

     255,980    3.81       219,464    2.87       215,799    2.48  

Other manufacturing industries

     50,215    0.75       62,489    0.82       65,080    0.75  
                                       

Subtotal

     686,075    10.20       679,302    8.90       717,421    8.25  

Electricity, Gas and Water:

               

Electricity, gas and water

     61,631    0.92       68,230    0.89       61,617    0.71  
                                       

Subtotal

     61,631    0.92       68,230    0.89       61,617    0.71  

Construction:

               

Residential buildings

     174,386    2.59       217,223    2.84       267,697    3.07  

Other constructions

     346,713    5.15       460,412    6.03       475,017    5.46  
                                       

Subtotal

     521,099    7.74       677,635    8.87       742,714    8.53  

Commerce:

               

Wholesale

     280,386    4.17       300,608    3.93       374,242    4.30  

Retail, restaurants and hotels

     514,386    7.65       444,617    5.82       511,416    5.87  
                                       

Subtotal

     794,772    11.82       745,225    9.75       885,658    10.17  

Transport, Storage and Communications:

               

Transport and storage

     168,633    2.51       182,278    2.39       225,216    2.59  

Communications

     36,820    0.55       24,306    0.32       31,274    0.36  
                                       

Subtotal

     205,453    3.06       206,584    2.71       256,490    2.95  

Financial Services:

               

Financial and insurance companies

     636,573    9.47       772,904    10.11       953,438    10.95  

Holding companies and other financial services

     703,254    10.46       696,146    9.11       834,467    9.58  
                                       

Subtotal

     1,339,827    19.93       1,469,050    19.22       1,787,905    20.53  

Community, Social and Personal Services:

               

Community, social and personal services

     272,875    4.06       1,045,696    13.69       1,166,204    13.39  
                                       

Subtotal

     272,875    4.06       1,045,696    13.69       1,166,204    13.39  

Consumer Loans

     928,922    13.81       888,552    11.63       1,080,638    12.41  

Residential Mortgage Loans

     1,351,316    20.09       1,374,592    17.99       1,554,777    17.85  
                                       

Total

   Ch$   6,725,267    100.00 %   Ch$   7,639,478    100.00 %   Ch$   8,707,852    100.00 %
                                       

 

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Foreign Country Outstanding Loans

Our cross-border outstanding loans are principally trade-related. These loans include loans to foreign financial institutions and foreign corporations, some of which are guaranteed by their Chilean parent company. The table below lists the total amounts outstanding to borrowers in certain foreign countries as of the end of the last three years, and thus does not include foreign trade-related loans to domestic borrowers.

 

     As of December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Argentina

   Ch$ 6,550    Ch$ 1,335    Ch$ 108

Australia

     9      334      17,776

Austria

     163      4,488      4,356

Belgium

     424      745      33,340

Brazil

     55,714      61,312      68,456

British West Indies

     7,669      4,545      —  

Canada

     449      1,259      2,489

China

     24,089      24,712      39,832

Colombia

     5,750      309      219

Czech Repplic

     —        —        30

Dinamarca

     6      15      —  

Ecuador

     175      6      —  

El Salvador

     2,538      45      45

Finland

     4,258      2,465      539

France

     14,613      5,517      13,272

Germany

     4,938      725      2,892

Holland

     156      —        —  

Hong Kong

     244      59      7,803

India

     2,692      547      11,100

Ireland

     —        2,991      —  

Israel

     1      70      74

Island

     —        —        125

Italy

     3,801      1,932      1,243

Japan.

     11,555      3,522      3,858

Mauricio

     13      —        —  

Mexico

     30,254      11,318      3,154

Morocco

     34      —        —  

New Zealand

     3      66      353

Norway

     12      3      85

Oman

     —        —        386

Panama

     4,816      736      3,005

Paraguay

     —        —        2,278

Perú

     17,452      6,087      4,965

Portugal

     548      486      —  

Singapore

     54      992      62

South Africa

     —        10      214

South Korea

     17,445      7,261      38,537

Spain

     5,768      6      129

Switzerland

     101      —        93

Sweden

     1,612      —        414

Taiwan

     2,146      4,144      845

United Arab Emirates

     644      475      133

United Kingdom

     41,827      32,066      41,127

United States

     26,218      18,053      8,039

Uruguay

     —        —        1,692

Venezuela

     5,960      5,300      5,587
                    

Total

   Ch$   300,701    Ch$   203,936    Ch$   318,655
                    

 

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We also maintain deposits abroad, as needed to conduct our foreign trade transactions and manage liquidity. The table below lists the largest amounts of foreign deposits by country as of the end of the past three years:

 

     As of December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Australia

   Ch$ 59    Ch$ 23    Ch$ 77

Austria

     2      40      135

Belgium

     114      87      271

Canada

     266      315      403

China

     179      63      73

Denmark

     68      23      36

Finland

     11      14      106

France

     447      501      166

Germany

     4,450      3,790      7,148

Italy

     2,215      12,221      4,611

Japan

     1,270      1,475      14,274

Netherlands

     157      59      —  

Norway

     53      34      103

Spain

     186      319      572

Sweden

     3      32      163

Switzerland

     216      172      105

United Kingdom

     734      922      563

United States

     122,250      33,447      30,919
                    

Total

   Ch$   132,680    Ch$   53,537    Ch$   59,725
                    

Credit Review Process

Our credit review system requires that two or more loan officers approve any loan to our customers, and that at least one of the loan officers has sufficient authority to cover our total risk exposure with respect to that customer.

The evaluation of total customer credit risk takes into account the direct risk outstanding, the added risk involved in the proposed transaction, the indirect risks associated with guarantees or security given by the customer and the risk associated with other entities or individuals who have a direct or indirect affiliation with the customer, including, in each case, outstanding principal (adjusted for inflation), interest and the balance of any unused lines of credit and other credit transactions approved but not completed.

Transactions in which the total customer credit risk is more than UF 500,000 (approximately Ch$9,168 million) require the approval of a credit committee, which includes three directors and our chief executive officer. Transactions in which the total customer credit risk is equal to or less than UF 500,000 may be approved by other executives, depending on the amount involved, as follows:

 

Approved by

   Limit in UF

Credit committee, including members of the board of directors

   up to legal limits

Chief executive officer, chairman and senior credit risk officer

   up to UF 500,000

Chief executive officer, chairman or senior credit risk officer (any two of them)

   up to UF 350,000

Chief executive officer

   up to UF 225,000

Senior credit risk officers

   up to UF 225,000

Executive credit risk officers

   up to UF 112,500

Other credit risk officers

   up to UF 60,000  

Executive vice president of corporate banking

   up to UF 50,000  

Other department heads

   up to UF 20,000  

Other officers

   up to UF 10,000  

 

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In addition to reviewing the credit limit, the business segment extending the credit must review the terms of the loan, the interest rate and any security to be obtained.

To evaluate a customer’s credit risk, our commercial executives use various databases that provide information such as the customer’s profile, indebtedness to us, financial statements, monthly sales information, profitability reports, indebtedness to other Chilean financial institutions and payment history with other creditors. For this purpose, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks makes information regarding a customer’s indebtedness within the financial system available to banks. For individual customers, scoring and other automated systems are used to determine the customer’s profile and payment capacity in terms of income, education, family obligations, other financial obligations and other factors.

Our credit process is based on credit policies approved by our board of directors and procedures established by the credit committee. The credit risk management segment is responsible for evaluating for us in the aggregate the risk presented by our current or potential customers. We also rely upon the collective efforts of our professional analysts who conduct reviews at the request of any of our commercial divisions and senior management. These reports analyze the amount of a credit, its use, its term, the customer’s financial situation, the customer’s profile and the market in which the customer operates. These reports are prepared in four different formats: in-depth, summary, follow-up and project analysis. The risk control division reviews periodically the quality of our loans, including the related loan classifications. This division has a team of inspectors who audit on an on-going basis the compliance with the credit review process by the commercial executives who are involved in the credit analysis process, the various categories of risk assigned to customers, the reports on past due loans and our evaluation of debtors.

Classification of Loan Portfolio and Allowances for Loan Losses under the Previous Guidelines

Prior to January 1, 2004, when the Chilean Superintendency of Banks amended its guidelines, banks classified their loan portfolios and determined allowances for loan losses using different guidelines. For a description of the new classifications in effect under the amended guidelines and the categories and allowance percentages under the amended guidelines, see “—Regulation and Supervision.”

Classification of Loan Portfolio under the Previous Guidelines

Under the previous guidelines, loans were divided into consumer loans, residential mortgage loans and commercial loans (which included all loans other than consumer loans and residential mortgage loans). In the case of commercial loans, the classification was based on the estimated losses on all loans outstanding to the borrower, as determined by us. In the case of consumer and residential mortgage loans, the extent to which payments were overdue determined the classification. Commercial and consumer loans were rated under the previous guidelines as A, B, B-, C or D, while residential mortgage loans were rated only as A, B or B- (due to collateral).

The allowances required for each category of loans under the previous guidelines were as follows:

 

     Commercial loans
range of
estimated losses
    Consumer loans
past due
status(1)
   Residential
mortgage loans
past due status(1)
   Allowances
as a percentage
of aggregate
exposure
 

Category

   From     To     From    To    From    To   
                 (Days)    (Days)       

A

   —       —       —      —      —      —      —    

B

   1 %   5 %   1    30    1    180    1 %

B-

   5     39     31    60    181    >81    20  

C

   40     79     61    120    —      —      60  

D

   80 %   100 %   >121    121    —      —      90 %

(1) In addition, we maintained additional allowances for consumer and residential mortgage loans, including renegotiated loans.

 

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The previous guidelines applicable to commercial loans required that we classify the greater of:

 

   

the commercial loans outstanding to our 400 largest debtors; or

 

   

the commercial loans outstanding to our largest debtors, aggregating 75% of the total amount of loans included in our commercial loan portfolio.

The previous guidelines also required that we classify 100% of our residential mortgage and consumer loans. For these purposes, the loan amount included outstanding principal, whether or not past due, and accrued and unpaid interest.

According to our internal credit policies, we classified our loans through December 31, 2004 using the previous guidelines. The criteria for determining the range of estimated losses for purposes of the classification of commercial loans was as follows:

 

Category A:    A borrower’s loans were Category “A” if we had no doubt as to the borrower’s ability to repay the loans in a timely manner, except to the extent reflected in the loan’s original terms, including all interest due, and the revenues generated from the business of the borrower are sufficient to service the debt. If the borrower’s business did not generate the revenues needed for debt service, or if repayment depended on revenues generated by another entity, its loans were not included in this category, even if fully secured.
Category B:    This category included loans outstanding to borrowers who had shown some degree of non-compliance with their obligations under the original conditions of their loans, but whose past financial records and market history indicated that such non-compliance should be temporary and, in any case, should not significantly affect the terms for repayment. This category also included loans to customers involved in economic activities that represented a higher risk for us. Category “B” was also the highest category for loans outstanding to borrowers whose source of repayment depended on revenues generated by another entity, and loans outstanding to borrowers whose business did not generate the revenues needed for debt service, but only if the loans were fully secured.
Category B-:    Loans included in this category were principally loans outstanding to borrowers who were experiencing financial difficulties and whose operational revenues or liquid assets were insufficient to service the loans and where the security for the loan covered 61% to 95% of the outstanding amount. Also included in this category were loans outstanding to borrowers whose financial history was insufficient or difficult to establish. Loans bearing interest rates that, due to our cost of funds, generate a financial loss of between 5% and 39% of the outstanding amount were also included in this category. Our internal guidelines prohibited us from categorizing as better than B- any loan to a customer for which the loan was currently subject to legal collection proceedings even if the customer’s loan was more than fully secured.
Category C:    This category included loans outstanding to borrowers who were experiencing serious financial difficulties and whose operational revenues or liquid assets were insufficient to service the loans and where the security for the loan would cover 21% to 60% of the outstanding amount. Loans bearing interest rates that, due to our cost of funds, generate a financial loss of between 40% and 79% of the outstanding amount were also included in this category. We expected to suffer some degree of loss with respect to loans to borrowers in this category.

 

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Category D:

  

This category included loans outstanding to borrowers for which the estimated recovery amount on all loans is 20% or less. A charge-off of most of these outstanding loans was expected.

Allowances for Loan Losses under the Previous Guidelines

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks amended its regulations with respect to allowances effective January 1, 2004. Under the previous guidelines, the minimum required allowances for loan losses was the greater of (i) a bank’s global allowances for loan losses and (ii) its aggregate individual allowances for loan losses. Additionally, a bank was permitted to maintain voluntary allowances in excess of the required minimum so as to provide additional coverage for potential loan losses. We historically followed the practice of maintaining voluntary allowances.

Global allowances for loan losses. Under the previous guidelines, the amount of global allowances for loan losses required to be maintained by a bank was equal to the aggregate amount of its outstanding loans multiplied by the greater of (i) our risk index, as defined below, and (ii) 0.75%.

A bank’s risk index was based on the classification of its loans, determined as described above. Under the previous guidelines, the index was computed as follows. First, the aggregate amount of evaluated loans in each category from A through D was multiplied by the corresponding required percentage determining allowances for loan losses. The percentages under the previous guidelines were as follows:

 

Category

   Provision Percentage  

A

   0 %

B

   1  

B-

   20  

C

   60  

D

   90 %

The risk index itself was then calculated by dividing (i) the aggregate amount so calculated by (ii) the aggregate amount (i.e., the outstanding principal, whether or not past due, and accrued and unpaid interest) of all evaluated loans.

The chart below illustrates the evolution of our consolidated risk index over the last five years under the previous guidelines, with the exception of 2004, 2005 and 2006:

Consolidated Risk Index

At December 31,

 

2002

   3.00 %

2003

   2.36  

2004(1)

   2.23  

2005(1)

   1.72  

2006(1)

   1.50 %

(1) The new guidelines determine the risk index, by dividing allowances for loan losses by total loans.

The chart below illustrates the evolution of our unconsolidated risk index over the last five years under the previous guidelines, with the exception of 2004, 2005 and 2006:

Consolidated Risk Index

At December 31,

 

2002

   3.10 %

2003

   2.41  

2004(1)

   2.23  

2005(1)

   1.70  

2006(1)

   1.48 %

(1) The new guidelines determine the risk index, by dividing allowances for loan losses by total loans.

 

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According to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, the average risk index of all financial institutions in Chile, both foreign and domestic, was 1.48% as of December 31, 2006. At the same date, our average unconsolidated risk index was 1.48%. Our average unconsolidated risk index has continued to improve since 2002 when it was highest as a result of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards in that year. As of December 31, 2004, our unconsolidated risk index was greater than the average for all financial institutions in Chile primarily as a result of higher additional allowances maintained by us as compared to those maintained by the financial system.

Individual allowances for loan losses. Under the previous guidelines, Chilean banks were required to establish individual loan loss reserves for loans that are more than 90 days past due. The individual allowances for loan losses were required to be equal to 100% of each overdue loan or the portion of such loan that is not secured with collateral acceptable to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Individual allowances for loan losses, however, were required only if, and to the extent that, they exceed in the aggregate the global allowances for loan losses.

Voluntary allowances for loan losses. Under the previous guidelines, we followed an allowance policy that included recording voluntary allowances for loan losses beyond what was required by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, where changes in the portfolio concentrations or economic considerations affecting or reasonably expected to affect the credit payment capacity of borrowers were not adequately addressed through regulatorily mandated allowances. However, under the current guidelines the concept of voluntary allowances for loan losses has been eliminated.

The table below sets forth our allowances for loan losses in accordance with the regulations in effect during each year.

 

     As of December 31,  
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Allowances based on risk index

   Ch$ 202,414     Ch$ 160,058     Ch$ 162,664     Ch$ 144,272     Ch$ 144,979  

Allowances based on 0.75%

     50,604       50,866       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Global allowances for loan losses

     156,668       134,452       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Individual allowances for loan losses

     57,418       37,821       —         —         —    

Required minimum allowances

     214,086       172,273       141,813       122,835       124,371  

Voluntary allowances

     22,511       22,288       —         —         —    

Additional allowances

     —         —         20,851       21,437       20,608  
                                        

Total allowances for loan losses

   Ch$ 236,597     Ch$ 194,561     Ch$ 162,664     Ch$ 144,272     Ch$ 144,979  
                                        

Total allowances for loan losses as a percentage of total loans

     3.51 %     2.87 %     2.23 %     1.72 %     1.50 %

 

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Amended Guidelines

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks amended its guidelines for the classification of loan portfolios and the calculation and maintenance of allowances effective as of January 1, 2004. As a result, the information presented in the tables below for periods prior to January 1, 2004 has been prepared in accordance with the previous guidelines and information for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2004 has been prepared in accordance with the amended guidelines. For a description of the new classifications in effect under the amended guidelines and the categories and allowance percentages under the amended guidelines, see “—Regulation and Supervision.”

Analysis of Our Loan Classification

The following tables provide statistical data regarding the classification of our loans at the end of each of the last five years. As discussed above, our risk analysis system requires that loans to all customers be classified, including past due and contingent loans:

 

     As of December 31, 2002  

Category

   Commercial
Loans
    Consumer
Loans
    Residential
Mortgage
Loans
   

Total

Loans

   

Percentage

of Classified

Loans

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

A

   Ch$ 2,422,060     Ch$ 387,805     Ch$ 849,403     Ch$ 3,659,268     54.69 %

B

     2,469,993       42,428       68,925       2,581,346     38.57  

B–

     237,889       10,306       21,394       269,589     4.03  

C

     131,664       8,849       —         140,513     2.10  

D

     33,504       7,579       —         41,083     0.61  
                                      

Total classified loans

   Ch$ 5,295,110     Ch$ 456,967     Ch$ 939,722     Ch$ 6,691,799     100.00 %
                                      

Total loans

   Ch$ 5,350,447     Ch$ 456,967     Ch$ 939,722     Ch$ 6,747,136    
                                  

Percentage classified

     98.97 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     99.18 %  
     As of December 31, 2003  

Category

   Commercial
Loans
    Consumer
Loans
    Residential
Mortgage
Loans
   

Total

Loans

   

Percentage

of Classified

Loans

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

A

   Ch$ 2,414,694     Ch$ 464,893     Ch$ 891,324     Ch$ 3,770,911     55.97 %

B

     2,503,231       35,032       76,373       2,614,636     38.82  

B–

     194,883       9,059       22,867       226,809     3.37  

C

     71,663       7,489       —         79,152     1.18  

D

     38,719       5,528       —         44,247     0.66  
                                      

Total classified loans

   Ch$ 5,223,190     Ch$ 522,001     Ch$ 990,564     Ch$ 6,735,755     100.00 %
                                      

Total loans

   Ch$ 5,269,545     Ch$ 522,001     Ch$ 990,564     Ch$ 6,782,110    
                                  

Percentage classified

     99.12 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     99.32 %  
     As of December 31, 2004 (1)  

Individual Analysis Category

   Commercial
Loans
    Consumer
Loans
    Residential
Mortgage
Loans
   

Total

Loans

   

Percentage

of Classified

Loans

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

A1

   Ch$ 9,544     Ch$ —       Ch$ —       Ch$ 9,544     0.18 %

A2

     1,608,467       15,850       53,366       1,677,683     31.38  

A3

     1,399,710       13,122       33,907       1,446,739     27.06  

B

     1,699,442       29,476       63,993       1,792,911     33.54  

C1

     195,114       6,449       9,959       211,522     3.96  

C2

     63,247       913       4,439       68,599     1.28  

C3

     29,333       348       1,058       30,739     0.57  

C4

     51,985       394       1,002       53,381     1.00  

D1

     36,817       264       95       37,176     0.70  

D2

     16,946       519       325       17,790     0.33  
                                      

Subtotal classified loans

   Ch$ 5,110,605     Ch$ 67,335     Ch$ 168,144     Ch$ 5,346,084     100.00 %
                                      

(1) This information has been prepared in accordance with the amended guidelines.

 

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Table of Contents
     As of December 31, 2004 (1)  

Group Analysis Category

   Commercial
Loans
    Consumer
Loans
   

Residential
Mortgage

Loans

   

Total

Loans

   

Percentage
of Classified

Loans

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

A

   Ch$ 160,066     Ch$ 605,840     Ch$ 968,109     Ch$ 1,734,015     89.94 %

B

     48,717       40,749       49,648       139,114     7.21  

B-

     11,685       9,137       18,341       39,163     2.03  

C

     1,746       6,960       —         8,706     0.45  

D

     1,492       5,695       —         7,187     0.37  
                                      

Subtotal classified loans

   Ch$ 223,706     Ch$ 668,381     Ch$ 1,036,098     Ch$ 1,928,185     100.00 %
                                      

Total classified loans

   Ch$ 5,334,311     Ch$ 735,716     Ch$ 1,204,242     Ch$ 7,274,269    
                                  

Total loans

   Ch$ 5,346,873     Ch$ 735,716     Ch$ 1,204,242     Ch$ 7,286,831    
                                  

Percentage classified

     99.77 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     99.83 %  

(1) This information has been prepared in accordance with the amended guidelines.

 

     As of December 31, 2005 (1)  

Individual Analysis Category

   Commercial
Loans
   Consumer
Loans
   Residential
Mortgage
Loans
  

Total

Loans

  

Percentage
of Classified

Loans

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

A1

   Ch$ 12,972    Ch$ —      Ch$ —      Ch$ 12,972    0.21 %

A2

     1,782,632      18,147      52,809      1,853,588    30.12  

A3

     1,775,132      13,509      32,813      1,821,454    29.60  

B

     2,011,815      41,578      78,569      2,131,962    34.64  

C1

     182,176      7,183      8,955      198,314    3.22  

C2

     41,922      1,542      4,869      48,333    0.79  

C3

     16,072      409      1,188      17,669    0.29  

C4

     32,496      384      414      33,294    0.54  

D1

     22,418      384      422      23,224    0.38  

D2

     12,312      810      68      13,190    0.21  
                                  

Subtotal classified loans

   Ch$ 5,889,947    Ch$ 83,946    Ch$ 180,107    Ch$ 6,154,000    100.00 %
                                  

(1) This information has been prepared in accordance with the amended guidelines.

 

     As of December 31, 2005 (1)  

Group Analysis Category

   Commercial
Loans
    Consumer
Loans
   

Residential
Mortgage

Loans

   

Total

Loans

   

Percentage
of Classified

Loans

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

A

   Ch$ 154,086     Ch$ 734,743     Ch$ 1,136,426     Ch$ 2,025,255     91.57 %

B

     49,433       40,594       43,457       133,484     6.03  

B-

     9,244       10,643       14,916       34,803     1.57  

C

     1,235       8,655       —         9,890     0.45  

D

     824       7,662       —         8,486     0.38  
                                      

Subtotal classified loans

   Ch$ 214,822     Ch$ 802,297     Ch$ 1,194,799     Ch$ 2,211,918     100.00 %
                                      

Total classified loans

   Ch$ 6,104,769     Ch$ 886,243     Ch$ 1,374,906     Ch$ 8,365,918    
                                  

Total loans

   Ch$ 6,117,099     Ch$ 886,243     Ch$ 1,374,906     Ch$ 8,378,248    
                                  

Percentage classified

     99.80 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     99.85 %  

(1) This information has been prepared in accordance with the amended guidelines.

 

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     As of December 31, 2006 (1)  

Individual Analysis Category

   Commercial
Loans
   Consumer
Loans
   Residential
Mortgage
Loans
  

Total

Loans

  

Percentage
of Classified

Loans

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

A1

   Ch$ 150,144    Ch$ 2    Ch$ —      Ch$ 150,146    2.12 %

A2

     2,042,153      15,114      47,725      2,104,992    29.89  

A3

     2,076,506      13,138      25,787      2,115,431    30.04  

B

     2,231,058      68,187      79,558      2,378,803    33.78  

C1

     163,651      11,577      9,059      184,287    2.62  

C2

     42,031      1,649      3,862      47,542    0.68  

C3

     11,205      594      653      12,452    0.18  

C4

     19,010      364      360      19,734    0.28  

D1

     17,138      364      221      17,723    0.25  

D2

     9,909      1,171      45      11,125    0.16  
                                  

Subtotal classified loans

   Ch$ 6,762,805    Ch$ 112,160    Ch$ 167,270    Ch$ 7,042,235    100.00 %
                                  

(1) This information has been prepared in accordance with the amended guidelines.

 

     As of December 31, 2006 (1)  

Group Analysis Category

   Commercial
Loans
    Consumer
Loans
   

Residential
Mortgage

Loans

   

Total

Loans

   

Percentage
of Classified

Loans

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

A

   Ch$ 164,571     Ch$ 842,519     Ch$ 1,329,388     Ch$ 2,336,478     90.44 %

B

     53,705       78,612       45,349       177,666     6.88  

B-

     9,285       18,655       12,784       40,724     1.58  

C

     1,508       15,205       —         16,713     0.65  

D

     680       10,881       —         11,561     0.45  
                                      

Subtotal classified loans

   Ch$ 229,749     Ch$ 965,872     Ch$ 1,387,521     Ch$ 2,583,142     100.00 %
                                      

Total classified loans

   Ch$ 6,992,554     Ch$ 1,078,032     Ch$ 1,554,791     Ch$ 9,625,377    
                                  

Total loans

   Ch$ 7,062,343     Ch$ 1,078,032     Ch$ 1,554,791     Ch$ 9,695,166    
                                  

Percentage classified

     99.01 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     99.28 %  

(1) This information has been prepared in accordance with the amended guidelines.

 

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Classification of Loan Portfolio Based on the Borrower’s Payment Performance

Interest and indexation readjustments from overdue loans are only recognized when and to the extent effectively received. Overdue loans are classified in groups of one to 29 days overdue, 30 to 89 days overdue, and 90 or more days overdue, or past due loans.

Under the previous guidelines, past due loans were required to be covered by individual allowances for loan losses equivalent to 100% of any unsecured portion thereof, but only if, and to the extent that, the aggregate of all allowances for loan losses exceeded global allowance for loan losses. The concept of individual allowances has been eliminated by the amended regulations. See “—Classification of Loan Portfolio and Allowances for Loan Losses under the Previous Guidelines—Allowances for Loan Losses under the Previous Guidelines—Individual Allowances for Loan Losses.”

The following table sets forth as of December 31 of each of the last five years the amounts that are current as to payments of principal and interest and the amounts that are overdue:

 

     Domestic Loans
     As of December 31,
     2002    2003    2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Current

   Ch$ 6,234,275    Ch$ 6,396,417    Ch$ 6,854,727    Ch$ 8,048,921    Ch$ 9,272,361

Overdue 1-29 days

     28,708      22,309      29,572      46,219      27,196

Overdue 30-89 days

     24,349      14,760      12,255      6,344      15,269

Overdue 90 days or more (“past due”)

     156,341      114,386      89,576      72,828      61,685
                                  

Total loans

   Ch$ 6,443,673    Ch$ 6,547,872    Ch$ 6,986,130    Ch$ 8,174,312    Ch$ 9,376,511
                                  

 

     Foreign Loans
     As of December 31,
     2002    2003    2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Current

   Ch$ 301,092    Ch$ 234,238    Ch$ 300,701    Ch$ 203,917    Ch$ 318,655

Overdue 1-29 days

     —        —        —        —        —  

Overdue 30-89 days

     —        —        —        —        —  

Overdue 90 days or more (“past due”)

     2,371      —        —        19      —  
                                  

Total loans

   Ch$ 303,463    Ch$ 234,238    Ch$ 300,701    Ch$ 203,936    Ch$ 318,655
                                  

 

     Total Loans  
     As of December 31,  
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

Current

   Ch$ 6,535,367     Ch$ 6,630,655     Ch$ 7,155,428     Ch$ 8,252,838     Ch$ 9,591,016  

Overdue 1-29 days

     28,708       22,309       29,572       46,219       27,196  

Overdue 30-89 days

     24,349       14,760       12,255       6,344       15,269  

Overdue 90 days or more (“past due”)

     158,712       114,386       89,576       72,847       61,685  
                                        

Total loans

   Ch$ 6,747,136     Ch$ 6,782,110     Ch$ 7,286,831     Ch$ 8,378,248     Ch$ 9,695,166  
                                        

Overdue loans expressed as a percentage of total loans

     3.14 %     2.23 %     1.80 %     1.50 %     1.07 %

Past due loans as a percentage of total loans

     2.35 %     1.69 %     1.23 %     0.87 %     0.64 %

We suspend the accrual of interest on any loan when there is a high risk of unrecoverability or from the first day when it becomes past due. The amount of interest that would have been recorded on overdue loans if they had been accruing interest was Ch$5,417 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

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Loans included in the previous table, which have been restructured and bear no interest, are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,
     2002    2003    2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Ch$

   Ch$ 5,332    Ch$ 4,663    Ch$ 4,453    Ch$ 4,203    Ch$ 4,773

UF

     237      268      550      157      —  
                                  

Total

   Ch$ 5,569    Ch$ 4,931    Ch$ 5,003    Ch$ 4,360    Ch$ 4,773
                                  

The amount of interest that we would have recorded on these loans for the year ended December 31, 2006 if these loans had been earning a market interest rate was Ch$269 million.

In addition, other loans that have been restructured, mainly through the extension of their maturities, and that bear interest are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
    

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of

December 31, 2006)

Total other restructured loans

   Ch$ 82,795    Ch$ 73,689    Ch$ 68,789
                    

During the year ended December 31, 2006, interest recorded in income on these loans amounted to Ch$6,928 million.

 

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Analysis of Substandard Loans and Amounts Past Due

The following table analyzes our substandard loans, past due loans and allowances for loan losses existing at the dates indicated. Loans for years prior to 2004 in the table below were analyzed in accordance with the previous guidelines, and loans for year 2006, 2005 and 2004 were analyzed in accordance with the amended guidelines. We have no restructured loans (troubled debt restructurings as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 15 published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB) that are not included in the following tables.

 

     As of December 31,  
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Total loans

   Ch$ 6,747,136     Ch$ 6,782,110     Ch$ 7,286,831     Ch$ 8,378,248     Ch$ 9,695,166  

Substandard loans (1)

   Ch$ 451,185     Ch$ 350,208     Ch$ 474,263     Ch$ 387,203     Ch$ 361,861  

Substandard loans as a percentage of total Loans

     6.69 %     5.16 %     6.51 %     4.62 %     3.73 %

Amounts past due (2)

          

To the extent secured (3)

   Ch$ 101,293     Ch$ 76,565     Ch$ 60,501     Ch$ 51,309     Ch$ 42,178  

To the extent unsecured

     57,419       37,821       29,075       21,538       19,507  
                                        

Total amount past due

   Ch$ 158,712     Ch$ 114,386     Ch$ 89,576     Ch$ 72,847     Ch$ 61,685  
                                        

Amounts past due as a percentage of total loans

     2.35 %     1.69 %     1.23 %     0.87 %     0.64 %

To the extent secured(2)

     1.50       1.13       0.83       0.61       0.44  

To the extent unsecured

     0.85       0.56       0.40       0.26       0.20  

Allowances for loans losses as a percentage of:

          

Total loans

     3.51       2.87       2.23       1.72       1.50  

Total loans excluding contingent loans

     3.74       3.07       2.42       1.89       1.66  

Total amounts past due

     149.07       170.09       181.59       198.05       235.03  

Total amounts past due-unsecured

     412.05 %     514.43 %     559.46 %     669.85 %     743.21 %

(1) For periods prior to 2004, substandard loans include loans classified into categories B-, C and D. For periods after 2004, individually evaluated loans are considered substandard when they are classified into categories C1 to D2, and group-evaluated loans are considered substandard when they are assigned allowances for loan losses greater than 20%.

 

(2) In accordance with Chilean regulations, past due loans are loans that are 90 days or more overdue on any payments of principal or interest.

 

(3) Security generally consists of mortgages on real estate, pledges of marketable securities, letters of credit or cash.

 

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Analysis of Allowances for Loan Losses

The following table analyzes our allowances for loan losses and changes in the allowances attributable to charge-offs, new allowances, allowances released and the effect of price-level restatement on allowances for loan losses:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

Allowances for loan losses at beginning of period

   Ch$ 254,921     Ch$ 236,597     Ch$ 194,561     Ch$ 162,664     Ch$ 144,272  

Charge-offs

     (121,492 )     (104,227 )     (104,781 )     (68,757 )     (60,671 )

Allowances established

     137,019       66,748       79,404       57,795       64,836  

Allowances released(1)

     (26,809 )     (1,577 )     (1,647 )     (1,625 )     (508 )

Price-level restatement(2)

     (7,042 )     (2,980 )     (4,873 )     (5,805 )     (2,950 )
                                        

Allowances for loan losses at end of period

   Ch$ 236,597     Ch$ 194,561     Ch$ 162,664     Ch$ 144,272     Ch$ 144,979  
                                        

Ratio of charge-offs to average loans

     1.82 %     1.53 %     1.49 %     0.90 %     0.68 %

Allowances for loan losses at end of period as a percentage of total loans

     3.51 %     2.87 %     2.23 %     1.72 %     1.50 %

(1) Represents the aggregate amount of allowances for loan losses released during the year as a result of charge-offs, recoveries or a determination by management that the level of risk existing in the loan portfolio has been reduced.

 

(2) Reflects the effect of inflation on the allowances for loan losses at the beginning of each period, adjusted to constant pesos as of December 31, 2006.

As a result of an improvement in economic conditions in 2005 and in 2006, and a more effective credit and collection policy, allowances and the risk index decreased in both years. Based on the information we have available about our debtors, we believe that our allowances for loan losses are sufficient to cover known potential losses and losses inherent in a loan portfolio of this size and nature.

Our policy with respect to charge-offs follows the regulations established by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Under these regulations, a consumer loan must be written off not more than six months after the loan is overdue and other unsecured loans, or parts thereof, must be written off not more than 24 months after being classified as past due. Secured loans must be written off within 36 months after being classified as past due. However, the bank policie establish that a credit must be written-off before the 36 months if it is certain that the overdue loans will not be recovered.

The following table presents detailed information on write-offs and shows the charge-offs breakdown by loan category:

 

     Year ended December 31,
     2002    2003    2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Consumer loans

   Ch$ 25,258    Ch$ 20,766    Ch$ 17,854    Ch$ 19,860    Ch$ 23,127

Residential mortgage loans

     6,906      16,300      12,624      13,551      9,786

Commercial loans

     85,056      64,549      71,691      34,619      26,856

Leasing contracts

     4,272      2,612      2,612      712      882

Foreign loans

     —        —        —        15      20
                                  

Total

   Ch$ 121,492    Ch$ 104,227    Ch$ 104,781    Ch$ 68,757    Ch$ 60,671
                                  

 

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Loan recoveries by type of loan are shown in the table below:

 

      Year ended December 31,
     2002    2003    2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Consumer loans

   Ch$ 3,493    Ch$ 6,976    Ch$ 9,008    Ch$ 11,502    Ch$ 8,390

Residential mortgage loans

     458      3,483      4,505      6,531      6,940

Commercial loans

     7,269      14,236      16,484      15,141      12,733

Leasing contracts

     1,040      1,122      —        —        —  

Investments

     —        868      —        —        —  
                                  

Subtotal

     12,260      26,685      29,997      33,174      28,063

Recoveries and sales of loans reacquired from the Central Bank

     786      844      5,687      505      37
                                  

Total

   Ch$ 13,046    Ch$ 27,529    Ch$ 35,684    Ch$ 33,679    Ch$ 28,100
                                  

Allocation of Allowances for Loan Losses

The following tables set forth, as of December 31 of each of the last five years, the proportions of our required minimum allowances for loan losses attributable to our commercial, consumer and residential mortgage loans, and the amount of additional allowances (previously referred to as “voluntary allowances” under the previous guidelines) which are not allocated to any particular category at each such date

 

    2002     2003  
    Allowance
amount (1)
  Allowance
amount as a
percentage of
loans in
category
    Allowance
amount as a
percentage of
total loans
    Loans in
category as
percentage of
total loans (2)
    Allowance
amount (1)
  Allowance
amount as a
percentage of
loans in
category
    Allowance
amount as a
percentage of
total loans
    Loans in
category as
percentage of
total loans (2)
 

Commercial loans

  Ch$ 161,215   3.01 %   2.40 %   79.30 %   Ch$ 130,974   2.49 %   1.93 %   77.70 %

Consumer loans

    21,808   4.77     0.32     6.77       19,444   3.72     0.29     7.70  

Residential mortgage loans

    6,309   0.67     0.09     13.93       6,645   0.67     0.10     14.60  
                                               

Total allocated allowances

  Ch$ 189,332   2.81 %   2.81 %   100.00 %   Ch$ 157,063   2.32 %   2.32 %   100.00 %

Leasing contracts

    11,619   0.17     0.17         8,969   0.13     0.13    

Foreign loans

    13,135   0.20     0.20         6,241   0.09     0.09    

Voluntary allowances

    22,511   0.33     0.33         22,288   0.33     0.33    
                                       

Total allowances

  Ch$ 236,597   3.51 %   3.51 %     Ch$ 194,561   2.87 %   2.87 %  
                                       

 

     2004  
     Allowance amount (1)    Allowance amount as a
percentage of loans in
category
    Allowance amount as
a percentage of total
loans
    Loans in category as
percentage of total
loans (2)
 

Commercial loans

   Ch$ 99,320    1.86 %   1.36 %   73.37 %

Consumer loans

     24,829    3.37     0.34     10.10  

Residential mortgage loans

     6,637    0.55     0.09     16.53  
                         

Total allocated allowances

   Ch$ 130,786    1.79 %   1.79 %   100.00 %

Leasing contracts

     6,200    0.09     0.09    

Foreign loans

     4,827    0.07     0.07    

Additional allowances(3)

     20,851    0.28     0.28    
                     

Total allowances

   Ch$ 162,664    2.23 %   2.23 %  
                     

 

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    2005     2006  
    Allowance
amount (1)
  Allowance
amount as
a percentage
of loans in
category
    Allowance
amount as
a percentage
of total
loans
    Loans in
category
as percentage
of total
loans (2)
    Allowance
amount (1)
  Allowance
amount as
a percentage
of loans in
category
    Allowance
amount as
a percentage
of total
loans
    Loans in
category
as percentage
of total
loans (2)
 

Commercial loans

  Ch$ 79,156   1.29 %   0.94 %   73.01 %   Ch$ 70,047   0.99 %   0.73 %   72.84 %

Consumer loans

    26,161   2.95     0.31     10.58       36,682   3.40     0.38     11.12  

Residential mortgage loans

    10,101   0.73     0.13     16.41       10,118   0.65     0.10     16.04  
                                               

Total allocated allowances

  Ch$ 115,418   1.38 %   1.38 %   100.00 %   Ch$ 116,847   1.21 %   1.21 %   100.00 %

Leasing contracts

    6,009   0.07     0.07         6,240   0.06     0.06    

Foreign loans

    1,408   0.02     0.02         1,284   0.01     0.01    

Additional allowances(3)

    21,437   0.25     0.25         20,608   0.22     0.22    
                                       

Total allowances

  Ch$ 144,272   1.72 %   1.72 %     Ch$ 144,979   1.50 %   1.50 %  
                                       

(1) In millions of constant pesos as of December 31, 2006.

 

(2) Based on our loan classification.

 

(3) Due to regulations on additional allowances included in Circular No. 3,246 of the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, we have redesignated our voluntary allowances to the additional allowances category in conformity with the new regulation.

The following table sets forth our charge-offs for 2004, 2005 and 2006 by major economic sector and provides further detail of charge-offs that have already been described in the previous discussion of allowances for loan losses:

 

     Year ended December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Commercial:

        

Agriculture

   Ch$ 3,022    Ch$ 4,758    Ch$ 1,059

Mining

     790      2,489      48

Manufacturing

     5,546      1,707      1,913

Construction

     7,150      1,327      5,690

Commerce

     13,256      10,883      2,724

Transport

     3,139      395      485

Financial services

     8,188      2,705      11,231

Community

     30,600      10,355      3,706
                    

Subtotal:

   Ch$ 71,691    Ch$ 34,619    Ch$ 26,856

Consumer loans

     17,854      19,860      23,127

Residential mortgage loans

     12,624      13,551      9,786

Leasing contracts

     2,612      712      882

Foreign loans

     —        15      20
                    

Total

   Ch$ 104,781    Ch$ 68,757    Ch$ 60,671
                    

 

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Composition of Deposits and Other Commitments

The following table sets forth the composition of our deposits and similar commitments at December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. See “—Average Balance Sheets, Interest Earned on Interest Earning Assets and Interest Paid on Interest Bearing Liabilities” for the average rate paid on each of the following deposit categories.

 

     As of December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Current accounts

   Ch$ 1,506,846    Ch$ 1,548,060    Ch$ 1,738,972

Other demand liabilities

     531,005      331,347      353,939

Savings accounts

     150,555      141,231      137,405

Time deposits

     3,724,727      4,568,900      5,651,411

Other commitments(1)

     207,157      163,344      149,300
                    

Total

   Ch$ 6,120,290    Ch$ 6,752,882    Ch$ 8,031,027
                    

(1) Includes preliminary leasing accounts payable relating to purchase of equipment.

Maturity of Deposits

The following table sets forth information regarding the currency and maturity of our deposits at December 31, 2006, expressed in percentages. UF-denominated deposits are similar to Chilean peso-denominated deposits in all respects, except that the principal is readjusted periodically based on variations in the Consumer Price Index.

 

     Ch$     UF     Foreign
Currency
    Total  

Demand deposits

   37.56 %   0.47 %   27.85 %   27.92 %

Savings accounts

   —       7.71     —       1.71  

Time deposits:

        

Maturing within three months

   46.37     28.88     69.51     45.86  

Maturing after three but within six months

   7.57     35.92     2.21     13.08  

Maturing after six but within 12 months

   6.40     23.22     0.41     9.26  

Maturing after 12 months

   2.10     3.80     0.02     2.17  
                        

Total time deposits

   62.44     91.82     72.15     70.37  
                        

Total deposits

   100.00 %   100.00 %   100.00 %   100.00 %
                        

The following table sets forth information regarding the currency and maturity of deposits in excess of U.S.$100,000 as of December 31, 2006:

 

     Ch$    UF    Foreign
Currency
   Total
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Time deposits:

           

Maturing within three months

   Ch$ 1,723,840    Ch$ 450,294    Ch$ 611,226    Ch$ 2,785,360

Maturing after three but within six months

     381,266      624,059      22,657      1,027,982

Maturing after six but within 12 months

     319,098      388,755      3,683      711,536

Maturing after 12 months

     102,653      67,300      108      170,061
                           

Total time deposits

   Ch$ 2,526,857    Ch$ 1,530,408    Ch$ 637,674    Ch$ 4,694,939
                           

 

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Minimum Capital Requirements

The following table sets forth our minimum capital requirements set by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks as of the dates indicated:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

Banco de Chile’s regulatory capital

   Ch$ 552,048     Ch$ 606,865     Ch$ 639,383  

Minimum regulatory capital required

     (308,181 )     (329,709 )     (385,856 )
                        

Excess over minimum regulatory capital required

   Ch$ 243,867     Ch$ 277,156     Ch$ 253,527  
                        

Short-term Borrowings

Our short-term borrowings (other than deposits) totaled Ch$907,153 million as of December 31, 2004, Ch$415,852 million as of December 31, 2005 and Ch$691,100 million as of December 31, 2006.

The principal categories of our short-term borrowings are amounts borrowed under foreign trade lines of credit, domestic interbank loans and repurchase agreements. The table below presents the amounts outstanding at the end of each period indicated and the weighted average nominal interest rate for each period by type of short-term borrowing:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  
     Year-End
Balance
   Weighted
Average
Nominal
Interest
Rate
    Year-End
Balance
   Weighted
Average
Nominal
Interest
Rate
    Year-End
Balance
   Weighted
Average
Nominal
Interest
Rate
 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for rate data)  

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

   Ch$ 369,248    2.15 %   Ch$ 276,435    4.36 %   Ch$ 306,855    4.85 %

Central Bank borrowings

     113,860    0.19       —      —         —      —    

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     27,923    0.93       92,054    4.75       88,261    4.96  

Foreign borrowings

     360,415    1.93       14,277    0.02       272,400    4.86  

Other obligations

     35,707    —         33,086    —         23,584    —    
                                       

Total short-term borrowings

   Ch$ 907,153    1.69 %   Ch$ 415,852    3.95 %   Ch$ 691,100    4.70 %
                           

The following table shows the average balance and the weighted average nominal rate for each short-term borrowing category during the periods indicated:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  
     Average
Balance
   Weighted
Average
Nominal
Interest
Rate
    Average
Balance
   Weighted
Average
Nominal
Interest
Rate
    Average
Balance
   Weighted
Average
Nominal
Interest
Rate
 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for rate data)  

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

   Ch$ 449,369    1.87 %   Ch$ 304,814    3.56 %   Ch$ 271,948    4.95 %

Central Bank borrowings

     10,646    2.06       30,866    3.15       11,808    5.26  

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     111,639    2.48       215,894    3.84       222,751    2.10  
                                       

Sub-total

   Ch$ 571,654    1.99 %   Ch$ 551,574    3.65 %   Ch$ 506,507    3.70 %

Foreign borrowings

     313,836    1.34       167,724    1.73       83,576    8.22  
                                       

Total short-term borrowings

   Ch$ 885,490    1.76 %   Ch$ 719,298    3.20 %   Ch$ 590,083    4.34 %
                           

 

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The following table presents the maximum month-end balances of our principal sources of short-term borrowings during the periods indicated:

 

     Maximum
2004
month-end
balance
   Maximum
2005
month-end
balance
   Maximum
2006
month-end
balance
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

   Ch$ 530,818    Ch$ 341,815    Ch$ 312,473

Central Bank borrowings

     113,860      121,944      73,072

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     140,780      365,999      350,611

Foreign borrowings

   Ch$ 443,140    Ch$ 318,728    Ch$ 308,689

 

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

OPERATING RESULTS

Introduction

The following discussion should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and the section entitled “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information.” Certain amounts (including percentage amounts) that appear in this annual report may not total due to rounding.

We prepare our audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with Chilean GAAP (including the rules of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks relating thereto), which differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements provides a description of the material differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to us. It also includes a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2005 and 2006.

Pursuant to Chilean GAAP, the financial data presented in this section for all full-year periods are restated in constant pesos of December 31, 2006. See “Presentation of Financial Information” and Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Overview

We believe we are a leading bank in Chile providing a broad range of financial products and services to individual and corporate customers who are primarily located in Chile. Accordingly, and as described below, our financial condition and results of operations are largely dependent upon economic and political factors affecting Chile, as well as changes in interest rates and inflation rates. We also face a number of other risks, such as increased competition and changes in market conditions that could impact our ability to achieve our goals. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information” for a description of risk characteristics associated with each type of loan in our loan portfolio and “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors” for a more detailed description of the specific risks that we believe to be material to our business operations.

Despite growth in the 1980s and 1990s, Chile’s economy has remained smaller than the economies of neighboring countries such as Argentina and Brazil. Although Chile’s economy has continued to grow in recent years, the Chilean economy’s growth slowed in each of the years between 2000 and 2003. Since 2003, Chile’s gross domestic product, or GDP, began to recover, showing growth rates of 5.7% and 4.0% for 2005 and 2006, respectively. Unemployment has remained relatively high, decreasing from an average of 10.0% in 2004, to 9.3% in 2005, and 8.0% in 2006.

 

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Future changes in the Chilean economy may impair our ability to proceed with our strategic business plan. Our financial condition and results of operations could also be adversely affected by changes in economic or other policies of the Chilean government, which has exercised and continues to exercise a substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector, or other political and economic developments in Chile, as well as regulatory changes or administrative practices of Chilean authorities, over which we have no control. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Chile—Inflation could adversely affect the value of our ADSs and financial condition and results of operations” and “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Chile—Our growth and profitability depend on the level of economic activity in Chile.”

Inflation

Historically, Chile has experienced high levels of inflation that have significantly affected our financial condition and results of operations. Inflation has remained relatively low in recent years; the inflation rate was 2.6% in 2006, 3.7% in 2005 and 2.4% in 2004. However, a larger increase in inflation rates could adversely affect the Chilean economy and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our results of operations reflect the effect of inflation in the following ways:

 

   

a substantial portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in UFs, a unit of account, the value of which in pesos is indexed daily to reflect inflation recorded in the previous month, with the net gain or loss resulting from such indexation reflected in income;

 

   

our non-monetary assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity are restated monthly to adjust for inflation, with the net gain or loss resulting from the adjustment reflected in income; and

 

   

the rates of interest earned and paid on peso-denominated assets and liabilities to some degree reflect inflation and expectations regarding inflation.

UF-denominated Assets and Liabilities. The UF is revalued in monthly cycles. On every day in the period beginning the tenth day of the current month through the ninth day of the next month, the nominal peso value of the UF is indexed up (or down in the event of deflation) in order to reflect each day a pro rata amount of the prior calendar month’s change in the Consumer Price Index. One UF was equal to Ch$17,317.05 at December 31, 2004, Ch$17,974.81 at December 31, 2005 and Ch$18,336.38 (U.S.$34.31) at December 31, 2006. The effect of any changes in the nominal peso value of our UF-denominated assets and liabilities is reflected in our results of operations as an increase (or decrease, in the event of deflation) in interest revenue and expense. Our net interest revenue will be positively affected by inflation (and negatively affected by deflation) to the extent that our average UF-denominated assets exceed our average UF-denominated liabilities, while net interest revenue will be negatively affected by inflation (and positively affected by deflation) when average UF-denominated liabilities exceed average UF-denominated assets. Our average UF-denominated assets exceeded our average UF-denominated liabilities by Ch$1,366,114 million during the year ended December 31, 2004, Ch$1,447,087 million during the year ended December 31, 2005 and Ch$1,547,889 million (U.S.$ 2,896 million) during the year ended December 31, 2006. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information.”

Peso-denominated Assets and Liabilities. Interest rates in Chile tend to reflect the rate of inflation during the relevant period and expectations regarding future inflation. The sensitivity of our peso-denominated interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities to the inflation rate varies. See “—Interest Rates.” We maintain a substantial amount of non-interest bearing peso-denominated demand deposits. The ratio of suchdeposits to average interest bearing peso-denominated liabilities was 64% during 2004, 65% during 2005 and

 

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53% during 2006. Because a large part of such deposits are not sensitive to inflation, even a slight decline in the rate of inflation may adversely affect our net interest margin on assets funded with such deposits and even a slight increase in the rate of inflation may increase the net interest margin on such assets. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Interest Earning Assets and Net Interest Margin.”

Interest Rates

Interest rates earned and paid on our assets and liabilities reflect in part inflation and expectations regarding future inflation, shifts in short-term interest rates related to the Central Bank’s monetary policies and movements in long-term real rates. The Central Bank manages short-term interest rates based on its objectives of balancing low inflation and economic growth. Because our liabilities generally re-price faster than our assets, changes in the rate of inflation or short-term interest rates are reflected in the rates of interest we pay on our liabilities before they are reflected in the interest rates we earn on our assets. Accordingly, our net interest margin on assets and liabilities is usually adversely affected in the short-term by increases in inflation or short-term interest rates and benefits in the short-term from decreases in inflation or short-term interest rates, although the existence of non-interest bearing peso-denominated demand deposits tends to mitigate both effects. See “—Inflation—Peso-denominated Assets and Liabilities.” In addition, because our peso-denominated liabilities have relatively short re-pricing periods, those liabilities generally are more responsive to changes in inflation or short-term interest rates than our UF-denominated liabilities. As a result, during periods when current inflation exceeds the previous month’s inflation, customers often switch funds from peso-denominated deposits to more expensive UF-denominated deposits, thereby adversely affecting our net interest margin.

The average real annual short-term interest rate based on the rate paid by Chilean financial institutions for 90- to 360-day Chilean peso-denominated deposits was 1.07% in 2004, 1.89% in 2005 and 2.83% in 2006. The average annual real long-term interest rate based on the Central Bank’s eight-year duration Chilean peso-denominated bonds was 3.51% in 2004, 2.55% in 2005 and 2.98% in 2006.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

A significant portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies, principally U.S. dollars, and we have historically maintained and may continue to maintain gaps between the balances of such assets and liabilities. The gap between foreign currency-denominated assets and foreign currency-denominated liabilities was a net asset position of Ch$38,652 million at December 31, 2004, Ch$27,006 at December 31, 2005 and Ch$16,925 million at December 31, 2006. See Note 20 to our audited consolidated financial statements. This gap includes assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and assets and liabilities denominated in Chilean pesos that contain repayment terms linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Because foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities, as well as interest earned or paid on such assets and liabilities and gains (losses) realized upon the sale of such assets, are translated into pesos in preparing our audited consolidated financial statements, our reported income is affected by changes in the value of the peso with respect to foreign currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar. Adjustments to U.S. dollar-indexed assets are reflected as adjustments in net interest earnings and offset results in the foreign exchange position. The exchange rate variation over capital and reserves of our foreign branches is adjusted against equity rather than against net income.

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with Chilean GAAP and the specific accounting rules of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, which together differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. The notes to our audited consolidated financial statements contain a summary of the accounting policies that are significant to us, as well as a description of the significant differences between these policies and U.S. GAAP. The notes include additional disclosures required under U.S. GAAP, a

 

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reconciliation between shareholders’ equity and net income to the corresponding amounts that would be reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP and a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Both Chilean and U.S. GAAP require management to make certain estimates and assumptions, as some of the amounts reported in the financial statements are related to matters that are inherently uncertain. The following discussion describes those areas that require the most judgment or involve a higher degree of complexity in the application of the accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Allowances for loan losses

Chilean banks are required to maintain loan loss allowances in amounts determined in accordance with the regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Under these regulations, we must classify our portfolio based on factors such as changes in the nature and volume of our loan portfolio, trends in forecasted portfolio credit quality and economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s payment capacity. The minimum amount of required loan loss allowances are determined based on fixed percentages of estimated loan losses assigned to each category.

Under U.S. GAAP, allowances for loan losses are made to account for estimated losses in outstanding loans for which there is doubt about the borrower’s capacity to repay the principal.

The classification of our loan portfolio for Chilean GAAP purposes and for allowances for loan losses under U.S. GAAP is determined through statistical modeling and estimates. Informed judgments must be made when identifying deteriorating loans, the probability of default, the expected loss, the value of collateral and current economic conditions. Even though we consider our allowances for loan losses to be adequate, the use of different estimates and assumptions could produce different allowances for loan losses, and amendments to the allowances may be required in the future due to changes in the value of collateral, the amount of cash to be received or other economic events.

On January 1, 2004, in accordance with Circular No. 3,246 issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, we adopted a new methodology to determine our loan loss allowances. This new regulation did not adversely affect our financial position or results of operations. A detailed description of this accounting policy is discussed in “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulation and Supervision—Allowances for Loan Losses” and in Notes 1 and 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Fair value accounting

A portion of our assets and liabilities are carried at fair value. Under both Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP financial instruments are stated at fair value, except for those classified as “held-to-maturity” under U.S. GAAP, which are carried at amortized cost. Under U.S. GAAP, derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value and assets received in lieu of payment are recorded at fair value less their estimated cost of sale. Fair values are based on quoted market prices or, if not available, on internally developed pricing models based on independently obtained market information. If market information is limited or in some instances not available, management applies its professional judgment. Other factors that may also affect estimates are incorrect model assumptions, market dislocations and unexpected correlations. Notwithstanding the level of subjectivity inherent in determining fair value, we believe our estimates of fair value are adequate. The use of different models or assumptions could lead to changes in our reported results.

Price-level restatement

Chilean GAAP requires that financial statements be restated to reflect the full effects of loss in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso on the financial position and results of operations of reporting entities. The method prescribes that the historical cost of all non-monetary accounts be restated for general price-level

 

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changes between the date of origin of each item and the year-end. A bank’s net monetary asset position is determined by subtracting its net nonmonetary asset position (nonmonetary assets less nonmonetary liabilities) from shareholders’ equity. As such, under Chilean GAAP, the gain (or loss) from price-level restatement in results of operations is determined by subtracting the price-level restatement adjustment of net nonmonetary assets from the price-level restatement adjustment of shareholders’ equity. The inflation rate used for purposes of such adjustments is the change in the Consumer Price Index during the 12 months ended November 30 of the reported year. The change in the Consumer Price Index used for price-level restatement purposes was 2.5% in 2004, 3.6% in 2005 and 2.1% in 2006. See Note 1(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements. The actual change in the Consumer Price Index was 2.4% in the year ended December 31, 2004, 3.7% in the year ended December 31, 2005 and 2.6% in the year ended December 31, 2006.

Our audited consolidated financial statements have been price-level restated in order to reflect the effects of the changes in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso during each year. All non-monetary assets and liabilities and all equity accounts have been restated to reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index from the date they were acquired or incurred to year-end. Consistent with general banking practices in Chile, no specific purchasing power adjustments of income statement amounts are made. The purchasing power gain or loss included in net income reflects the effects of Chilean inflation on the monetary assets and liabilities held by us.

For comparative purposes, the historical December 31, 2005 and 2006 audited consolidated financial statements and their accompanying notes have been presented in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006. As described in Note 1(s) of our audited consolidated financial statements, certain balances of previous years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the present year presentation.

The price-level adjusted audited consolidated financial statements do not purport to represent appraised values, replacement cost, or any other current value of assets at which transactions would take place currently. Instead, they are intended to restate all nonmonetary consolidated financial statement components in terms of local currency of a single purchasing power and to include in the net result for each year the gain or loss in purchasing power arising from the holding of monetary assets and liabilities exposed to the effects of inflation. See the discussion of price-level restatement in Note 1(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill

Under U.S. GAAP, we have significant intangible assets related to goodwill. We record all assets and liabilities acquired in purchase acquisitions, including goodwill and other acquired intangibles, at fair value as required by SFAS No. 141, published by FASB. These include amounts pushed down from our parent Quiñenco S.A. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill must be allocated to reporting units and tested for impairment. On December 31, 2005, goodwill has been allocated according to the structure of our business segments in 2005.

We test goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances, such as adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that there may be justification for conducting an interim test. Impairment testing is performed at the reporting-unit level, which is generally one level below the five major business segments. The first part of the test is a comparison at the reporting unit level of the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, then the second part of the test is conducted to measure the amount of potential goodwill impairment. The implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is calculated and compared to the carrying amount of goodwill recorded in our financial records. If the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, then we would recognize an impairment loss in the amount of the difference, which would be recorded as a charge against net income.

 

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The fair values of the reporting units are determined using discounted cash flow models based on each reporting unit’s internal forecasts.

Goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2006, nor was any goodwill written off during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006.

The initial goodwill and intangibles recorded and subsequent impairment analysis requires management to make subjective judgments concerning estimates of how the acquired asset will perform in the future using a discounted cash flow analysis. Additionally, estimated cash flows may extend beyond ten years and, by their nature, are difficult to determine. Events and factors that may significantly affect the estimates include competitive forces, customer behavior and attrition, changes in revenue growth trends, cost structures and technology and changes in interest rates and specific industry or market sector conditions. Impairment is recognized earlier whenever warranted. For a further discussion of accounting practices for goodwill under U.S. GAAP, see Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Changes in Accounting Principles

On January 1, 2004, new principles for determining loan loss allowances became effective. The application of these new principles did not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. To comply with the new principles, we re-designated any voluntary provisions recorded as of December 31, 2003 as additional provisions in conformity with the new principles.

In accordance with Circular No. 3,196, issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, effective October 31, 2002, we modified our accounting treatment of financial investments in mortgage finance bonds issued by us. This change consisted of subtracting the amount recorded for mortgage finance bonds issued by us from assets, and subtracting the respective mortgage finance bonds obligation from liabilities. Similarly, the difference between the amount deducted from related assets and liabilities was recognized under other assets and is amortized using the straight-line method based on the maturity of the obligation. As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, we recorded a net amount of Ch$1,799 million and Ch$1,150 million, respectively, under “Other assets.”

In accordance with Circular No. 3,345 issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, the Bank effectively adopted the new accounting criteria for the measurement, classification and recording of trading and investment securities, derivative instruments, hedge accounting and asset derecognition beginning on June 30, 2006.

The above mentioned Circular required retrospective application as of December 31, 2005, recognizing the cumulative effect in equity during fiscal year 2006. This resulted in a credit of Ch$960 million (in historical pesos) to a “Reserves” account within equity in fiscal year 2006. On other hand, for the investment securities and derivatives portfolio held during 2006, the application of this new standard generated a higher income of Ch$778 million, which is included in the line item “Gains from trading activities.”

Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Chilean GAAP varies in certain important respects from U.S. GAAP, including some of the methods that are used to measure the amounts shown in the audited consolidated financial statements, additional disclosures required by U.S. GAAP and the accounting treatment of the merger. Those differences, as well as other significant differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP, are described in greater detail in Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

The following section discusses the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. To the extent that it is available and is useful in analyzing our results, we have included information broken down by the business segments we use in internal reporting. We also present our results on a consolidated basis.

We use a business segment-based profitability system to manage our business. This system allows us to extract income, balances, interest rate and expense information by client and also allows us to view information by account officer, branch or business segment. In order to assess income per transaction, the system compares the interest rate agreed upon with the client with our own cost of funds. For various transactions, we use internal cost of funds tables, which are updated daily. From these tables we are able to determine operating costs per transaction or per client and these costs are then allocated to our various business segments. Developed internally, the system has been continuously refined resulting in cost re-allocations. Figures for years before 2006 have been restated according to the current manner in which we measure our business segments during 2006.

Our business is organized into the following segments:

 

   

retail market;

 

   

wholesale market;

 

   

international banking;

 

   

treasury and money market operations; and

 

   

operations through subsidiaries

We use the same accounting policies within business segments as those used for our consolidated management reports. Corporate and individual customers are assigned to account executives who work exclusively within one business segment. Some costs are allocated to one business segment, and others are split between two or more business segments based on a single transaction. Thereafter, any unallocated costs are included as “other” in order to arrive at the consolidated balance sheet and income statement.

The business segment information is subject to general internal auditing procedures to ensure the integrity of the information used in management decision-making. The business segment information presented has also been adjusted in order to tie results to the income statement, as presented in accordance with Chilean GAAP in our audited consolidated financial statements. The most significant differences in classification are as follows:

 

   

we measure the net interest margin of loans and deposits on an individual transaction and client basis, based on the difference between the effective customer rate and our related fund transfer price in terms of maturity, repricing and currency;

 

   

the results associated with our gap management (interest rate mismatches) have been allocated among different business segments in accordance with the amount of our long-term loans outstanding;

 

   

our management model, which measures the performance of our business segments, considers results that are directly related to performance and not to overhead expenses of corporate and support departments, additional allowances, taxes and other non-operating income and expenses; and

 

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in addition to direct costs (consisting mainly of labor and administrative expenses), we allocate the majority of our indirect operating costs to each business segment based on the type and amount of the relevant transactions. These costs are mainly related to the use of technology and computer equipment. Other indirect costs are allocated using activity-based costing methodology.

Pre-Tax Income by Business Segment

The following table sets forth pre-tax income by business segment for each of the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The line item “Other” includes the effect of conforming internal accounting policies to Chilean GAAP and a number of non-allocated costs, such as human resources related expenses, additional provisions and depreciation costs. For internal reporting purposes, we control and monitor these costs separately and do not include them in the determination of business segment profitability. Also included within “Other” are specific portions of income such as rental income.

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004     2005     2006     2004/2005     2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Retail banking

   Ch$ 101,663     Ch$ 116,962     Ch$ 130,740     15.0 %   11.8 %

Wholesale banking

     35,791       66,359       82,653     85.4     24.6  

International banking

     3,794       (6,229 )     (6,603 )   —       6.0  

Treasury and money market operations

     26,109       16,081       19,109     (38.4 )   18.8  

Subsidiaries

     29,808       27,079       27,848     (9.2 )   2.8  

Other

     (16,308 )     (13,893 )     (34,403 )   (14.8 )   147.6  
                                    

Pre-tax income

   Ch$ 180,857     Ch$ 206,359     Ch$ 219,344     14.1 %   6.3 %
                                    

Consolidated. 2005 and 2006. The 6.3% increase in pre-tax income in 2006 as compared to 2005 was primarily attributable to a 6.4% increase in net interest revenue, principally as a result of a 15.7% growth in the loan portfolio and higher contributions from assets funded by demand deposits. To a lesser extent, the increase in pre-tax income was due to an increase in other income and expenses, net and higher gains from trading activities. These factors more than offset the increase in provisions for loan losses and in operating expenses. These results mainly reflected the positive macroeconomic conditions that prevailed in Chile in 2006, as well as our strategy of further expanding our retail segment by broadening distribution channels and creating better service and product alternatives.

2004 and 2005. The 14.1% increase in pre-tax income in 2005 as compared to 2004 was primarily attributable to a 46.5% decrease in provisions for loan losses, a 3.0% increase in net interest revenue, and an increase in other operating income, which was partially offset by a 10.8% increase in operating expenses. These positive results mainly reflected: (i) our various initiatives to expand our customer base, which generated higher operating revenues principally in retail banking, (ii) the improved economic environment in Chile, which positively impacted the credit quality of corporate portfolios and (iii) higher earnings from assets funded by demand deposits as a consequence of higher nominal interest rates.

Retail Banking. 2005 and 2006. The 11.8% increase in the retail banking business segment’s pre-tax income in 2006 was primarily attributable to a 10.6% increase in operating revenues from Ch$291,006 million in 2005 to Ch$321,937 million in 2006, which in turn was a consequence of a 15.7% expansion in the loan portfolio and higher earnings from demand deposits. These factors were partially offset by a 5.1% increase in operating expenses mainly related to marketing and other initiatives to expand the number of customers and our distribution network.

2004 and 2005. The 15.0% increase in the retail banking business segment’s pre-tax income in 2005 was primarily attributable to a 10.0% increase in operating revenues from Ch$264,568 million in 2004 to Ch$291,006 million in 2005 fueled by a 12.6% expansion in the loan portfolio, higher earnings from demand deposits and, to a lesser extent, higher fee income.

 

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Wholesale Banking. 2005 and 2006. The 24.6% increase in the wholesale business segment’s pre-tax income in 2006 was primarily attributable to (i) a 7.7% increase in operating revenues due to the 10.4% expansion in the loan portfolio and (ii) higher other income and expenses mainly related to higher income from the sale of assets received in lieu of payment previously charged off. In addition, there was a 43.8% decrease in provisions for loan losses as a consequence of the lower risk level of the corporate loan portfolio.

2004 and 2005. The 85.4% increase in the wholesale business segment’s pre-tax income in 2005 was primarily attributable to a significant improvement in loan portfolio credit quality (in particular, that part of the portfolio related to the construction and commerce sectors) and to a 10.8% increase in operating revenues from Ch$109,178 million in 2004 to Ch$120,975 million in 2005, a consequence of the 21.1% expansion in loans, higher fee income (mainly from commercial loans, collection and payment services) and higher income from demand deposits.

International Banking. 2005 and 2006. International banking showed a negative net income before taxes during 2006 mainly due to significant advisory expenses incurred in the review process and the implementation of additional controls as part of an agreement with U.S. regulators. However, during the last five months of 2006, foreign branches accounted for positive results as extraordinary expenses dropped significantly. To a lesser extent, higher provisions for loan losses were recorded by international banking during 2006 as a consequence of a 62% expansion of its loan portfolio.

2004 and 2005. Extraordinary expenses, mainly for legal counsel and other consultation for operational review and process design incurred in 2005 by the U.S. branches as a result of examination by U.S. regulators and of the improvement in internal controls made to comply with orders agreed to with the OCC and the Federal Reserve, accounted for the negative pre-tax income recorded by the international banking business segment in 2005 as compared to the positive figure of 2004. In addition, in October, 2005 we entered into agreements with the OCC and separately with FinCEN requiring our U.S. branches to make a U.S.$3 million civil penalty payment to resolve allegations related to the Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money laundering compliance and related matters.

Treasury and Money Market Operations. 2005 and 2006. The treasury and money market operations business segment’s pre-tax income increased to Ch$19,109 million in 2006 from Ch$16,081 million in 2005 primarily as a result of higher earnings from investments securities as a consequence of the decrease in long-term interest rates, which positively impacted the market value of Latin American bonds and mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank and corporate and financial institution securities in general.

2004 and 2005. The treasury and money market operations business segment’s pre-tax income decreased to Ch$16,081 million in 2005 from Ch$26,109 million in 2004 primarily as a consequence of lower sales and mark to market securities results, as a result of the increase in long-term interest rates during the last quarter of 2005, and due to the lower balance maintained in financial instruments by us during 2005.

Operations through Subsidiaries. 2005 and 2006. The 2.8% increase in pre-tax income from our subsidiaries in 2006 as compared with 2005 was primarily attributable to higher operating income of the Factoring subsidiary as a consequence of significant growth in factoring contracts and higher fee income in our Insurance Brokerage, Mutual Funds and Financial Advisory subsidiaries. These trends offset the lower results obtained by the Securities Brokerage subsidiary, which registered (i) lower fee income from stocks trading transaction and investment banking advisories and (ii) lower gains on financial instruments.

2004 and 2005. The 9.2% decrease in pre-tax income from our subsidiaries in 2005 compared to 2004 was primarily attributable to higher operating expenses recorded by our securities brokerage subsidiary mainly related to: (i) higher consulting and software expenses from a new operational platform, which seeks to improve control systems and efficiency and (ii) higher personnel costs principally attributable to higher variable compensations and indemnities. In addition, the decrease in pre-tax income during 2005 was also explained by a decrease in fee income from the financial advisory subsidiary, as it generated only a small number of transactions.

 

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Net Income

The following table sets forth the principal components of our net income, as detailed in our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004     2005     2006     2004/2005     2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Net interest revenue

   Ch$ 370,088     Ch$ 381,107     Ch$ 405,410     3.0 %   6.4 %

Provisions for loan losses

     (42,073 )     (22,491 )     (36,228 )   (46.5 )   61.1  

Fees and income from services, net

     133,248       140,177       133,541     5.2     (4.7 )

Other operating income (loss), net

     (6,411 )     7,935       21,779     —       174.5  

Other income and expenses, net:

          

Other income and expenses, net

     (11,232 )     (6,361 )     3,906     (43.4 )   —    

Minority interest

     (1 )     —         (1 )   (100.0 )   —    

Operating expenses

     (254,865 )     (282,318 )     (300,537 )   10.8     6.5  

Net loss from price-level restatement

     (7,897 )     (11,690 )     (8,526 )   48.0     (27.1 )
                                    

Net income before income taxes

     180,857       206,359       219,344     14.1     6.3  

Income taxes

     (19,414 )     (21,840 )     (24,096 )   12.5     10.3  
                                    

Net income

   Ch$ 161,443     Ch$ 184,519     Ch$ 195,248     14.3 %   5.8 %
                                    

2005 and 2006. Our net income for 2006 was Ch$195,248 million, an increase of 5.8% from Ch$184,519 million in 2005, primarily due to a 6.4% increase in net interest revenue and, to a lesser extent, an increase in other income and expenses, net and higher other operating income. These factors more than offset the increase in provisions for loan losses and operating expenses.

2004 and 2005. Our net income for 2005 was Ch$184,519 million, an increase of 14.3% from Ch$161,443 million in 2004, primarily reflecting a 46.5% decrease in provisions for loan losses, a 3.0% increase in net interest revenue and an increase in other operating income. These factors more than offset a 10.8% increase in our operating expenses.

Net Interest Revenue

The tables included under the headings “—Interest Revenue” and “—Interest Expense” set forth information regarding our consolidated interest revenue and expenses and average interest earning assets and average interest bearing liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. This information is derived from the tables included elsewhere in this annual report under “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information” and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such information.

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004     2005     2006     2004/2005     2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Interest revenue

   Ch$ 597,371     Ch$ 697,784     Ch$ 777,654     16.8 %   11.4 %

Interest expense

     (227,283 )     (316,677 )     (372,244 )   39.3     17.5  
                                    

Net interest revenue

   Ch$ 370,088     Ch$ 381,107     Ch$ 405,410     3.0 %   6.4 %
                                    

Net interest margin(1)

     4.09 %     4.10 %     3.95 %   —       —    

(1) Net interest revenue divided by average interest earning assets. The average balances for interest earning assets, including interest readjustments, have been calculated on the basis of our daily balances and on the basis of monthly balances for our subsidiaries.

 

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2005 and 2006. Net interest revenue increased by 6.4%, from Ch$381,107 million in 2005 to Ch$405,410 million in 2006, primarily as a result of a 10.4% growth in average interest earning assets. This more than offset the 15 basis point (one basis point equals one one-hundredth of a percent) decrease in net interest margin (i.e., net interest revenue divided by average interest-earning assets) from 4.10% in 2005 to 3.95% in 2006. This decrease in net interest margin was primarily the result of:

 

   

A lower inflation rate, measured by the UF variation of 2.0% in 2006 as compared to 3.8% in 2005, which gave rise to lower interest income earned on the portion of UF denominated assets financed by non-interest bearing liabilities;

 

   

Lower spreads attained during 2006 mainly by the wholesale segment as compared to the previous year as a consequence of increased competition; and

 

   

A less favorable funding structure as the ratio of interest-bearing liabilities to interest-earning assets increased to 73.6% in 2006 from 71.1% in 2005.

These effects were partially offset by:

 

   

A higher contribution from demand deposits as a result of the increase in nominal interest rates (the average short-term interest rate was 5.04% in 2006 and 3.44% in 2005);

 

   

A lower negative repricing effect during 2006 (since liabilities reprice faster than interest earning assets) as the Central Bank raised the monetary policy interest rate by only 75 basis points in 2006 as compared to an increase of 225 basis points in 2005.

2004 and 2005. Net interest revenue increased by 3.0%, from Ch$370,088 million in 2004 to Ch$381,107 million in 2005, primarily as a result of 2.8% growth in average interest earning assets, as the net interest margin registered a slight increase from from 4.09% in 2004 to 4.10% in 2005 . This slight increase in net interest margin was largely as a result of the following:

an increase in nominal interest rates (as a result of the higher inflation rate, measured by the variation of the UF which was 3.80% in 2005 as compared to 2.35% in 2004), which implied that during 2005 we earned higher interest income on the portion of interest earning assets financed by non-interest bearing liabilities;

a favorable change in the asset mix realized by increasing the relative weight of loans to total assets from 71.4% in 2004 to 76.7% in 2005, against investment portfolio expansion. Within the loan portfolio, we emphasized growth in higher yielding loans such as consumer loans and factoring and lease contracts (which were primarily made to customers in the retail and wholesale banking business segments); and

However, these favorable effects were offset in part by:

a negative repricing effect during 2005 (since liabilities reprice faster than interest earning assets) as the Central Bank raised its monetary policy interest rate by 225 basis points during the year, reaching 4.5% in December 2005. During 2004, the Central Bank only increased the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points; and

a lower lending spread attained during 2005 compared to the previous year as a consequence of increased competition.

 

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Interest Revenue

The following table sets forth information regarding our interest revenue and average interest earning assets for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004     2005     2006     2004/2005     2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Interest revenue(1)

   Ch$ 597,371     Ch$ 697,784     Ch$ 777,654     16.8 %   11.4 %
                                    

Average interest earning assets:

          

Commercial loans(2)

   Ch$ 3,581,883     Ch$ 4,357,167     Ch$ 5,225,446     21.6     19.9  

Consumer loans

     671,376       786,059       969,536     17.1     23.3  

Mortgage loans(3)

     1,058,769       737,123       623,355     (30.4 )   (15.4 )

Foreign trade loans

     722,355       646,906       666,764     (10.4 )   3.1  

Interbank loans

     47,783       40,622       17,825     (15.0 )   (56.1 )

Past due loans(4)

     104,678       83,474       68,325     (20.3 )   (18.1 )

Contingent loans(5)

     504,217       627,634       828,568     24.5     32.0  

Leasing contracts

     321,656       399,436       484,158     24.2     21.2  
                                    

Total loans

   Ch$ 7,012,717     Ch$ 7,678,421     Ch$ 8,883,977     9.5 %   15.7 %

Financial investments(6)

     1,940,149       1,465,582       1,274,630     (24.5 )   (13.0 )

Interbank deposits

     102,306       160,792       109,690     57.2     (31.8 )
                                    

Total

   Ch$ 9,055,172     Ch$ 9,304,795     Ch$ 10,268,297     2.8 %   10.4 %
                                    

Average rates earned on total interest earning assets(7):

          

Average nominal rates

     6.60 %     7.50 %     7.57 %   —       —    

Average real rates

     2.54 %     1.97 %     5.61 %   —       —    

(1) Interest revenue includes fees we charge in respect of contingent loans.

 

(2) Excludes leasing contracts.

 

(3) Includes residential and general purpose mortgage loans.

 

(4) Includes interest accrued and unpaid on principal until the date on which payment becomes overdue.

 

(5) Consists of unfunded letters of credit, guarantees, performance bonds and other unfunded commitments.

 

(6) “Financial investments” includes primarily bonds issued by the Central Bank and foreign governments.

 

(7) See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Average Balance Sheets, Interest Earned on Interest Earning Assets and Interest Paid on Interest Bearing Liabilities.”

2005 and 2006. Interest revenue increased by 11.4%, from Ch$697,784 million in 2005 to Ch$777,654 million in 2006, primarily as a result of a 10.4% increase in average interest-earning assets and, to a lesser extent, a slight increase in average nominal interest rates earned (from 7.50% in 2005 to 7.57% in 2006). The increase in interest-earning assets was driven by a 15.7% growth in average loans, which more than offset the contraction of 13.0% in average financial investments. The increase in average nominal interest rates was mainly the result of an increase of the Central Bank’s reference nominal interest rates (from 4.50% as of December 2005 to 5.25% at the end of 2006), which was partially offset by a decrease in the inflation rate.

2004 and 2005. Interest revenue increased by 16.8%, from Ch$597,371 million in 2004 to Ch$697,784 million in 2005, primarily as a result of an increase in the average nominal interest rates earned from 6.60% in 2004 to 7.50% in 2005 and, to a lesser extent, a 2.8% growth in average interest earning assets driven by a 9.5% increase in average loans, which offset the 24.5% decrease in average investments. The increase in average nominal interest rates was mainly the result of an increase in the inflation rate (from 2.4% in 2004 to 3.7% in 2005) and successive increases of the Central Bank’s nominal reference rates (from 2.25% as of December 2004 to 4.50% at the end of 2005).

 

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Interest Expense

The following table sets forth information regarding our interest expense and average interest bearing liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year ended December 31,     % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004     2005     2006     2004/2005     2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Interest expense

   Ch$ 227,283     Ch$ 316,677     Ch$ 372,244     39.3 %   17.5 %
                                    

Average interest-bearing liabilities:

          

Time deposits(1)

   Ch$ 3,666,220     Ch$ 4,016,738     Ch$ 5,101,532     9.6     27.0  

Savings accounts

     155,255       142,192       138,928     (8.4 )   (2.3 )

Total Central Bank borrowings

     13,101       32,491       12,935     148.0     (60.2 )

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

     449,369       304,814       271,948     (32.2 )   (10.8 )

Mortgage finance bonds

     966,858       629,747       496,053     (34.9 )   (21.2 )

Other interest-bearing liabilities(2)

     1,188,738       1,492,015       1,532,615     25.5     2.7  
                                    

Total

   Ch$ 6,439,541     Ch$ 6,617,997     Ch$ 7,554,011     2.8 %   14.1 %
                                    

Average rates paid on total interest bearing liabilities(3):

          

Average nominal rates

     3.53 %     4.79 %     4.93 %   —       —    

Average real rates

     (0.67 )%     (0.86 )%     3.11 %   —       —    

Average (Chilean peso-denominated) non-interest bearing demand deposits

   Ch$ 2,209,133     Ch$ 2,231,730     Ch$ 2,048,877     1.0 %   (8.2 )%

(1) Includes interest-earning demand deposits.

 

(2) Combines bonds, interest-bearing demand deposits and other interest bearing liabilities.

 

(3) See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Average Balance Sheets, Interest Earned on Interest Earning Assets and Interest Paid on Interest Bearing Liabilities.”

2005 and 2006. Interest expense increased by 17.5%, from Ch$316,677 million in 2005 to Ch$372,244 million in 2006, primarily as a result of a 14.1% increase in average interest-bearing liabilities (from Ch$6,617,997 million in 2005 to Ch$7,554,011 million in 2006) and, to a lesser extent, due to an increase in average nominal interest rates paid (from 4.79% in 2005 to 4.93% in 2006). The increase in average nominal interest rates was largely the result of an increase in the Central Bank’s monetary policy rates during the first eight months of 2006. The increase in average interest bearing liabilities was primarily attributable to a 27% increase in time deposits.

2004 and 2005. Interest expense increased by 39.3%, from Ch$227,283 million in 2004 to Ch$316,677 million in 2005, primarily as a result of an increase in average nominal interest rates paid, from 3.53% in 2004 to 4.79% in 2005 and, to a lesser extent, the 2.8% increase in average interest-bearing liabilities from Ch$6,439,541 million in 2004 to Ch$6,617,997 million in 2005. The increase in average interest bearing liabilities was primarily a result of a 9.6% increase in time deposits and a 25.5% increase in other interest-bearing liabilities mainly related to bonds and subordinated bonds. The increase in average nominal interest rate paid was primarily attributable to the higher inflation rate and successive increases in the Central Bank’s monetary policy rates.

Provisions for Loan Losses

Chilean banks are required to maintain allowances to cover possible credit losses in accordance with regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. For statistical information with respect to our substandard loans and allowances for loan losses, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information” and Note 7 to our audited consolidated financial information. According to regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks applicable to such periods, the amount of provisions charged to income in any period consists of net provisions for possible loan losses and additional allowances. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulation and Supervision” and Note 7 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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The following table sets forth information with respect to our provisions and allowances for loan losses and charge-offs for each of the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004     2005     2006     2004/2005     2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Provisions:

          

Total provisions for loan losses

   Ch$ 42,073     Ch$ 22,491     Ch$ 36,228     (46.5 )%   61.1 %

Gross provisions for loan losses

     77,757       56,170       64,328     (27.8 )   14.5  

Total loan loss recoveries

     35,684       33,679       28,100     (5.6 )   (16.6 )

Charge-offs:

          

Total charge-offs

     104,781       68,757       60,671     (34.4 )   (11.8 )

Net charge-offs

     69,097       35,078       32,571     (49.2 )   (7.1 )

Other asset quality data:

          

Total loans

   Ch$ 7,286,831     Ch$ 8,378,248     Ch$ 9,695,166     15.0     15.7  

Consolidated risk index

     2.23 %     1.72 %     1.50 %   —       —    

Unconsolidated risk index

     2.23 %     1.70 %     1.48 %   —       —    

Allowances for loan losses(1)

   Ch$ 162,664     Ch$ 144,272     Ch$ 144,979     (11.3 )%   0.5 %

Allowances for loan losses as a percentage of total loans

     2.23 %     1.72 %     1.50 %   —       —    

(1) “Allowances for loan losses” includes additional loan loss allowances greater than those required by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulation and Supervision—Allowances for Loan Losses” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulation and Supervision—Additional Allowances.”

2005 and 2006. Our overall provisions for loan losses increased from Ch$22,491 million in 2005 to Ch$36,228 million in 2006, primarily as a result of higher consumer portfolio growth in the individual segment coupled with a moderate increase in its associated risk index (measured as provisions to total loans). Provisions for loan losses related to corporations remained stable because commercial loan expansion was offset by a decline in its risk level. In addition, higher provisions for loan losses were also affected by the 16.6% annual decrease in loan loss recoveries. Provisions for loan losses represented 0.41% and 0.29% of total average loans, in 2006 and 2005, respectively, showing exceptionally low levels of provisions as compared to the average figures recorded during the last ten years. On a consolidated basis, our risk index decreased from 1.72% in 2005 to 1.50% in 2006.

2004 and 2005. Despite the 15.0% increase in total loans in 2005, our overall provisions for loan losses decreased by 46.5%, from Ch$42,073 million in 2004 to Ch$22,491 million in 2005, primarily as a result of an improvement in the financial condition of our corporate clients and the economic environment. These factors positively impacted our corporate portfolios, in particular those related to the construction and commerce sectors. Provisions related to individuals also improved, registering a modest increase despite an approximately 13.0% increase in the size of the retail market loan portfolio. As a consequence, the ratio of provisions for loan losses to average loans fell to 0.29% in 2005 from 0.60% in 2004. On a consolidated basis, our risk index decreased from 2.23% in 2004 to 1.72% in 2005.

 

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Fees and Income from Services, Net

The following table sets forth certain components of our fees and income from services (net of fees paid to third parties that provide support for those services, principally fees relating to sales force and receipts and collection services provided to us) for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004     2005     2006     2004/2005     2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Mutual funds

   Ch$ 19,691     Ch$ 23,673     Ch$ 24,966     20.2 %   5.5 %

Checking accounts and overdrafts

     25,787       24,212       24,072     (6.1 )   (0.6 )

Insurance

     15,111       20,419       24,228     35.1     18.7  

Stock brokerage

     12,781       15,416       10,501     20.6     (31.9 )

Credit cards

     11,795       11,642       13,563     (1.3 )   16.5  

Sight accounts and ATMs

     11,141       13,380       14,484     20.1     8.3  

Cash management services

     8,549       9,560       10,771     11.8     12.7  

Collection of over-due loans

     9,064       8,838       9,883     (2.5 )   11.8  

Credits

     5,730       9,764       4,567     70.4     (53.2 )

Financial advisory services

     2,678       942       2,844     (64.8 )   201.9  

Credit lines

     7,137       7,425       8,078     4.0     8.8  

Letters of credit, guarantees, collaterals and other contingent loans

     5,445       4,848       3,839     (11.0 )   (20.8 )

Income and revenue from assets received in lieu of payment

     4,098       3,592       2,332     (12.3 )   (35.1 )

Foreign trade and currency exchange

     3,606       3,407       3,863     (5.5 )   13.4  

Collection services

     3,767       2,580       1,944     (31.5 )   (24.7 )

Custody and trust services

     1,480       1,799       2,076     21.6     15.4  

Leasing

     1,628       1,310       1,268     (19.5 )   (3.2 )

Factoring

     617       623       862     1.0     38.4  

Fees from sales force

     (11,840 )     (15,331 )     (22,253 )   29.5     45.2  

Cobranding

     (3,843 )     (5,939 )     (6,977 )   54.5     17.5  

Teller services expenses

     (3,584 )     (4,043 )     (4,606 )   12.8     13.9  

Other

     2,410       2,060       3,236     (14.5 )   57.1  
                                    

Total

   Ch$ 133,248     Ch$ 140,177     Ch$ 133,541     5.2 %   (4.7 )%
                                    

2005 and 2006. Fees and income from services, net decreased by 4.7%, from Ch$140,177 million in 2005 to Ch$133,541 million in 2006, primarily as a result of higher sales force expenses, a drop in fees from credits and lower fees posted by our stock brokerage subsidiary during 2006. This decrease in fees and income from services was partially offset by (i) higher fee-based income, mainly related to the Bank’s core products such as credit cards, debit accounts, ATMs and cash management services, (ii) an important network expansion and (iii) good customer support, which has enabled us to grow our customer base. In addition, as a consequence of our long-standing efforts to cross-sell products throughout the Bank’s various business lines, fees related to insurance, mutual funds and factoring increased during 2006.

2004 and 2005. Fees and income from services, net increased by 5.2%, from Ch$133,248 million in 2004 to Ch$140,177 million in 2005, primarily as a result of an increase in fees generated by insurance, mutual funds, credits (principally associated to corporate loan restructurings) and stock brokerage businesses, and to a lesser extent, to an increase in fees related to debit accounts and ATMs (primarily due to an increase in the client base with new checking accounts, coupled with the expansion of 257 new ATMs), receipts and payment of services and credit cards. The increase in fees was partially offset by higher sales force and cobranding expenses incurred in 2005, reflecting our aggressive efforts to expand our retail market business segment.

Other Operating Income (Loss), Net

Other operating income (loss), net, consists of net gains and losses from trading activities and net gains and losses from foreign exchange transactions. Trading results include gains and losses realized on the sale of financial investments, gains and losses arising from marking financial investments to market at period-

 

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end, as well as gains and losses coming from interest rate and currency derivatives. Net gains and losses from foreign exchange transactions include gains and losses realized upon the sale of foreign currency and foreign exchange derivatives and gains and losses arising from the period-end translation of foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities into pesos. Foreign exchange results also include net adjustments on U.S. dollar-indexed domestic currency transactions, or the exchange rate variation on foreign branches’ capital and reserves. Foreign exchange results include existing interest rate differences in currency derivatives.

The following table sets forth certain components of our other operating income (loss), net, in the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year Ended December 31,    % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004     2005    2006    2004/2005    2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Gains (losses) on sales of financial instrument and non-forward derivatives, net

   Ch$ (4,277 )   Ch$ 3,273    Ch$ 7,379    —      125.5 %

Foreign exchange transactions, and forward derivatives, net

     (2,134 )     4,662      14,400    —      208.9  
                                 

Net other operating income

   Ch$ (6,411 )   Ch$ 7,935    Ch$ 21,779    —      174.5 %
                                 

2005 and 2006. In 2006, other operating income, net nearly tripled, from Ch$7,935 million in 2005 to Ch$21,779 million in 2006, primarily as a result of (i) higher gains from investments securities as a consequence of a decrease in long-term interest rates during 2006, which positively affected the market value of Latin American bonds, mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank and corporate and financial institution securities and (ii) higher gains from forwards derivatives contracts. These trends largely offset the decrease in foreign exchange transactions, net.

2004 and 2005. In 2005, other operating income, increased from a loss of Ch$6,411 million in 2004 to an income of Ch$7,935 million in 2005, primarily as a result of higher earnings obtained from Central Bank securities maintained by our brokerage subsidiary and also due to better results obtained from foreign exchange transactions, net and forward derivatives instruments during 2005. Losses during 2004 were mainly related to decreases in the fair value of cross-currency swap transactions and to the sale of two loans in the manufacturing and retail sectors.

 

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Other Income and Expenses, Net

Other income and expenses, net consists of gains arising from non-operating income, non-operating expenses and income and gains arising from our affiliates accounted for by the equity method, offset by any minority interest participation in the net income of our subsidiaries. See Notes 9 and 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

The following table sets forth certain components of our “other income and expenses, net,” for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004     2005     2006     2004/2005     2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for
percentages)
 

Non-operating income

   Ch$ 5,104     Ch$ 8,024     Ch$ 16,717     57.2 %   108.3 %

Non-operating expenses

     (16,797 )     (15,081 )     (13,842 )   (10.2 )   (8.2 )
                                    

Subtotal

     (11,693 )     (7,057 )     2,875     (39.6 )   —    

Income from investments in other companies

     461       696       1,031     51.0     48.1 %

Minority interest

     (1 )     —         (1 )   (100.0 )   —    
                                    

Total

   Ch$ (11,233 )   Ch$ (6,361 )   Ch$ 3,905     (43.4 )%   —    
                                    

2005 and 2006. Other income and expenses, net increased from an expense of Ch$6,361 million in 2005 to income of Ch$3,905 million in 2006. The increase was primarily a result of (i) higher non-operating income from the sale of assets received in lieu of payments previously charged off and (ii) a non-recurring tax provision release of approximately Ch$3,350 million. To a lesser extent, lower non-operating expenses related to provisions for assets received in lieu of payments also explained the increase in other income and expenses, net.

2004 and 2005. Other income and expenses, net decreased by 43.4% from an expense of Ch$11,233 million in 2004 to an expense of Ch$6,361 million in 2005. The decrease was primarily a result of lower non-operating expenses, net recorded in 2005, which was primarily a result of higher gains on assets received in lieu of payment in 2005 and due to tax expenses from previous years related to credit cards recorded in 2004.

Operating Expenses

The following table sets forth information regarding our operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year Ended December 31,    % Increase (Decrease)  
     2004    2005    2006    2004/2005     2005/2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for
percentages)
 

Personnel salaries and expenses

   Ch$ 143,877    Ch$ 153,779    Ch$ 157,958    6.9 %   2.7 %

Administrative and other expenses:

             

Advertising

     11,484      12,226      16,354    6.5     33.8  

Building maintenance

     7,110      5,908      6,663    (16.9 )   12.8  

Rentals and insurance

     9,735      10,784      12,477    10.8     15.7  

Office supplies

     4,817      4,938      5,183    2.5     5.0  

Other expenses

     60,942      77,406      82,135    27.0     6.1  
                                 

Total administrative and other expenses

   Ch$ 94,088    Ch$ 111,262    Ch$ 122,812    18.3 %   10.4 %

Depreciation and amortization

     16,900      17,277      19,767    2.2     14.4  
                                 

Total

   Ch$ 254,865    Ch$ 282,318    Ch$ 300,537    10.8 %   6.5 %
                                 

 

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2005 and 2006. Our operating expenses increased by 6.5%, from Ch$282,318 million in 2005 to Ch$300,537 million in 2006, in line with our lending and transactional growth and product development activities. Higher operating expenses were primarily caused by (i) a 34% annual increase in advertising and marketing expenses oriented mainly to retail banking promotions of core revenue products, (ii) higher rental, communication, maintenance services and depreciation expenses, related to the significant expansion of our ATMs and branches during 2006 and (iii) higher computer services and software maintenance costs as well as an increase in amortizations and advisory expenses related to the implementation of new systems.

In addition, the 2.7% increase in salaries and personnel expenses was mainly due to the hiring of additional employees during 2006, principally related to the branch network, commercial areas, subsidiaries, and foreign branches. Higher expenses on salaries during 2006 were partially offset by lower severance expenses. As in 2005, we recorded non-recurring indemnities in 2006 due to a change in the organizational structure, which was made to adjust for client segmentation.

2004 and 2005. Our operating expenses increased by 10.8%, from Ch$254,865 million in 2004 to Ch$282,318 million in 2005, principally reflecting the impact of higher administrative expenses and, to a lesser extent, the growth in personnel costs.

Higher administrative expenses were primarily the result of expenses incurred by our U.S. branches during 2005 in connection with our efforts to comply with orders entered into with the OCC and the Federal Reserve. These expenses, which mainly included legal counsel and consulting expenses, amounted to approximately Ch$13,000 million in 2005, compared to Ch$1,500 million in late 2004. For a description of the orders, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.” To a lesser extent, administrative expenses during 2005 were impacted by higher advertising costs in order to support commercial activities, increased rental expenses (principally associated with the expansion of our distribution network) and higher consulting and technology expenses incurred by our subsidiaries.

Personnel costs and expenses increased by 6.9% during year 2005, mostly driven by higher indemnities principally related to expenses derived from the commercial reorganization we undertook in the second half of 2005 as part of our decision to adjust our client segmentation. To a lesser extent, salary increases and the incorporation of new employees during the year contributed to the increase in this item.

Loss from Price-Level Restatement

Chilean GAAP requires that adjustments be made to nonmonetary assets (including fixed assets), liabilities and shareholders’ equity at the end of each reported period to reflect the effects of inflation during such period. The net effect of this inflation adjustment is reflected in our results of operations under “gain (loss) from price-level restatement.” See “—Overview—Inflation.”

2005 and 2006. The loss from price-level restatement decreased from Ch$11,690 million in 2005 to Ch$8,526 million in 2006, primarily as a result of the decrease in the inflation rate used for adjustment purposes from 3.6% in 2005 to 2.1% in 2006.

2004 and 2005. The loss from price-level restatement increased from Ch$7,897 million in 2004 to Ch$11,690 million in 2005, primarily as a result of the increase in the inflation rate used for adjustment purposes from 2.5% in 2004 to 3.6% in 2005.

Income Tax

The statutory corporate income tax rate in Chile was 17% in 2006, 2005 and 2004. We are also permitted under Law No. 19,396 to deduct dividend payments made to SAOS. In addition, any other payments made by SAOS or its shareholders to the Central Bank in connection with the Central Bank

 

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indebtedness are tax deductible. Consequently, our effective tax rate is significantly lower than the statutory corporate income tax rate because of the deduction of such dividend payments from our taxable income. Additionally, but to a lesser extent, differences in the tax treatment for provisions on individual loans and for charge-offs for past-due loans have an impact on our effective tax rate. Finally, all real estate taxes paid on properties that are leased to customers are deductible from our taxable income.

2005 and 2006. In 2006, we recorded a tax expense of Ch$24,096 million as compared to a tax expense of Ch$21,840 million in 2005. This increase was primarily attributable to a higher income tax base in 2006 as a result of a 6.3% increase in net income before taxes.

2004 and 2005. In 2005, we recorded a tax expense of Ch$21,840 million as compared to a tax expense of Ch$19,414 million in 2004. This increase was primarily attributable to the higher income tax base in 2005 as a result of a 14.1% increase in net income before taxes.

Chilean and U.S. GAAP Reconciliation

We prepare our audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with Chilean GAAP, which differs in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. See Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a description of the material differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP, as they relate to us and our consolidated subsidiaries, reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income and shareholders’ equity and a discussion of new accounting rules under U.S. GAAP. The following table sets forth net income and shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 under Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP:

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Net income (Chilean GAAP)

   Ch$ 161,443    Ch$ 184,519    Ch$ 195,248

Net income (U.S. GAAP)

     155,397      172,375      172,836

Shareholders’ equity (Chilean GAAP)

     713,491      791,384      834,631

Shareholders’ equity (U.S. GAAP)

   Ch$ 1,400,758    Ch$ 1,459,771    Ch$ 1,476,418

Significant differences exist between our net income and shareholders’ equity under Chilean GAAP as presented in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” and our net income and shareholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP as presented in Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The differences are primarily in the context of the accounting treatment used for the merger. The principal differences are as follows:

 

   

Under Chilean GAAP, the merger with Banco de A. Edwards was accounted for as a “pooling of interests” on a prospective basis. As such, the historical financial statements for periods prior to the merger are not restated under Chilean GAAP and we are considered to be the surviving entity. Under U.S. GAAP, the merger of the two banks was accounted for as a merger of entities under common control, as L.Q. Inversiones Financieras, a holding company beneficially owned by Quiñenco S.A., controlled both banks since March 27, 2001. Consequently, U.S. GAAP requires that we restate our U.S. GAAP historical financial statements to retroactively reflect the merger as if both banks had been combined since March 27, 2001.

 

   

The pooling of interests method under Chilean GAAP eliminates any interbank balances and aggregates the results of both banks using their historical book values. Under U.S. GAAP, to the extent that we and Banco de A. Edwards were under common control, the assets and liabilities of Banco de A. Edwards were transferred into our accounts at their book value. However, as Quiñenco S.A. only owned 51.18% of Banco de A. Edwards, we effectively

 

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acquired from minority interest holders that portion that was not held by Quiñenco S.A. and so we applied purchase accounting. As a result, we calculated goodwill based on the difference between the purchase price (i.e., the market value of our shares) and the fair value of the proportion of assets and liabilities acquired from minority interest holders at the date of the merger. As part of this process, under U.S. GAAP, we were also required to value previously unrecorded intangible assets, such as the Banco de A. Edwards brand name, and to include these assets in our financial records. Such assets remain unrecorded under Chilean GAAP. The different basis of the assets and liabilities caused by this treatment has an effect on changes in depreciation and amortization in subsequent periods.

 

   

Under U.S. GAAP, when accounting for a merger of entities under common control, the book values of the merged entities that are held in the books of the common parent must be pushed down to the merged entity. This means that any goodwill in the books of Quiñenco S.A. at the time that it acquired each bank and any fair value differences created from those purchases must be included in our U.S. GAAP accounting records. In practice this means that the goodwill and fair value adjustments created from Quiñenco S.A.’s purchases of Banco de A. Edwards shares in September, October and December 1999 and from Quiñenco S.A.’s purchase of our shares in March 2001 are pushed down to us. As there is no analogous accounting treatment under Chilean GAAP, there is a considerable difference in the asset and liability bases under each body of accounting principles.

 

   

Under Chilean GAAP, allowances for loan losses are calculated according to specific guidelines set by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Under U.S. GAAP, allowances for loan losses should be in amounts adequate to cover inherent losses in the loan portfolio at the respective balance sheet dates. If we had applied U.S. GAAP, our net income would have decreased by Ch$1,006 million and Ch$15,704 million in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and shareholders’ equity would have increased by Ch$39,139 million and Ch$23,435 million in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

   

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks’ guidelines require that we account for forward contracts between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar, or between the U.S. dollar and the Chilean peso, or the UF, at the closing spot exchange rate. Any initial discount or premium is amortized over the life of the contract. Interest rate swap agreements are treated as off-balance-sheet financial instruments. The net interest effect, which corresponds to the difference between interest income and interest expense arising from such agreements, is recorded in net income in the period that such differences originate. Additionally, we and our subsidiaries record, in the line item “Gains on loss from trading activities,” the adjustment to market value of the swap contract portfolio that is used to hedge interest rate and foreign currency risk. Under U.S. GAAP, our portfolio of swap agreements are recorded at their estimated fair value and forward contracts between the U.S. dollar and the Chilean peso, or the UF, at the fair value based on the forward exchange rate. Additionally, we separately measure embedded derivatives included in certain contracts as freestanding derivative instruments at their estimated fair values, recognizing changes in earnings when they occur.

These differences are explained in greater detail in Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will be unable to meet our payment obligations and potential payment obligations as and when they become due without incurring unacceptable losses. To manage that risk, we maintain at all times a diversified portfolio of highly liquid assets that can be quickly mobilized, including cash, financial investments and Central Bank and government securities. Additionally, we have established lines of credit with foreign and domestic banks and have access to Central Bank borrowings to increase liquidity as necessary.

Our general policy is to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure our ability to honor withdrawals of deposits, make repayments of other liabilities at maturity, extend loans and meet our working capital needs. As a bank, we satisfy our working capital needs through general funding. The majority of our funding is derived from deposits and other borrowings from the public. We believe that our working capital is sufficient to meet our present needs. The minimum amount of liquidity is determined by the reserve requirements set by the Central Bank. These reserves are currently 9.0% of demand deposits and 3.6% of time deposits. We are in compliance with all of these requirements.

In addition, we are subject to a technical requirement applicable to Chilean banks pursuant to which we must hold a certain amount of assets in cash or in highly liquid instruments. This reserve is equal to the amount by which the daily balance of:

 

   

deposits in checking accounts;

 

   

other demand deposits or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

other deposits unconditionally payable immediately or within a term of less than 30 days; and

 

   

time deposits payable within ten days

in the aggregate exceeds 2.5 times the amount of our capital and reserves.

Chilean regulations also require that gaps between assets and liabilities maturing within less than 30 days not exceed a bank’s basic capital and that gaps among assets and liabilities maturing within less than 90 days not exceed twice a bank’s equity.

The senior members of our financial division evaluate liquidity by projecting daily cash flows over the following 90 days to verify that adequate liquidity is maintained, in compliance with limits imposed by Chilean banking regulations and those set internally by us.

 

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Cash Flows

The tables below set forth our principal sources of cash. Our subsidiaries are not an important source of cash for us and therefore, do not significantly influence our ability to meet our cash obligations. No legal, contractual or economic restrictions exist on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of loans or cash dividends as long as our subsidiaries abide by the regulations in the Chilean Corporations Law regarding loans to related parties and minimum dividend payments.

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Net cash provided by operating activities

   Ch$ 608,000    Ch$ 440,070    Ch$ 457,664
                    

2005 and 2006. Cash provided by operating activities increased to Ch$457,664 million in 2006 from Ch$440,070 million in 2005, primarily as a result of a positive net change in interest accruals in 2006 as compared to 2005.

2004 and 2005. Cash provided by operating activities decreased to Ch$440,070 million in 2005 from Ch$608,000 million in 2004, primarily as a result of a lower decrease in our financial investments, mainly short-term Central Bank securities as we placed a new series of subordinated bonds and 5-year bonds on the local market during 2005, which improved our liquidity and allowed us to reduce our lower-yielding short-term assets.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

Net cash used in investing activities

   Ch$ (679,788 )   Ch$ (1,250,455 )   Ch$ (1,349,088 )
                        

2005 and 2006. Cash used in investing activities increased to Ch$1,349,088 million in 2006 from Ch$1,250,455 million in 2005, primarily as a result of a 15.7% increase in the volume of our loan portfolio.

2004 and 2005. Cash used in investing activities increased to Ch$1,250,455 million in 2005 from Ch$679,788 million in 2004 primarily as a result of a 15.0% increase in the volume of our loan portfolio.

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Net cash provided by financing activities

   Ch$ 104,342    Ch$ 580,384    Ch$ 1,457,694
                    

2005 and 2006. The increase in cash provided by financing activities from Ch$ 580,384 million in 2005 to Ch$1,457,694 million in 2006 was primarily attributable to an increase in time and demand deposits and, to a lesser extent, to an increase in bonds issued by the Bank.

2004 and 2005. The increase in cash provided by financing activities from Ch$104,342 million in 2004 to cash provided by financing activities of Ch$580,384 million in 2005 was primarily attributable to an increase in time deposits and, to a lesser extent, related to an increase in long-term foreign borrowings and to the repurchase of 2.5% of our shares.

 

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Other Borrowings

Our long-term and short-term borrowings are summarized below. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, we do not present a classified balance sheet. Borrowings are described as short-term when they have original maturities of less than one year or are due on demand. All other borrowings are described as long-term, including the amounts due within one year on such borrowings.

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2005    Year Ended December 31, 2006
     Long-term    Short-term    Total    Long-term    Short-term    Total
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Central Bank Credit lines for renegotiation of loans

   Ch$ 1,436    Ch$ —      Ch$ 1,436    Ch$ 824    Ch$ —      Ch$ 824

Other Central Bank Borrowings

                 

Mortgage finance bonds

     568,191      —        568,191      477,637      —        477,637

Bonds

     331,522      —        331,522      554,272      —        554,272

Subordinated bonds

     311,696      —        311,696      405,942      —        405,942

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     —        92,054      92,054      —        88,261      88,261

Foreign borrowings

     661,107      14,277      675,384      319,173      272,400      591,573

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

     —        276,435      276,435      —        306,855      306,855

Other obligations

     1,366      33,086      34,452      2,848      23,584      26,432
                                         

Total other interest bearing liabilities

   Ch$ 1,875,318    Ch$ 415,852    Ch$ 2,291,170    Ch$ 1,760,696    Ch$ 691,100    Ch$ 2,451,796
                                         

Central Bank borrowings

Central Bank borrowings include credit lines for the renegotiation of loans and other Central Bank borrowings. Credit lines were provided by the Central Bank for the renegotiation of mortgage loans due to the need to refinance debts as a result of the economic recession and crisis of the Chilean banking system from 1982 to 1985. The credit lines for the renegotiations of mortgage loans are linked to the UF index and carry a real annual interest rate of 3.00% as of December 31, 2006. The maturities of the outstanding amounts are as follows:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006)

Due within 1 year

   Ch$ 824

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

     —  

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

     —  

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

     —  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

     —  

Due after 5 years

     —  
      

Total long-term (Credit lines for renegotiation of loans)

     824

Total short-term (Other Central Bank borrowings)

     —  
      

Total Central Bank borrowings

   Ch$ 824
      

 

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Mortgage finance bonds

Mortgage finance bonds are used to finance the granting of mortgage loans. The outstanding principal amounts of the bonds are amortized on a quarterly basis. The range of maturities of these bonds is between five and twenty years. The bonds are linked to the UF index and carry a weighted average annual interest rate of 4.56% as of December 31, 2006.

The maturities of outstanding mortgage finance bond amounts as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006)

Due within 1 year

   Ch$ 66,944

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

     49,487

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

     48,606

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

     47,341

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

     44,838

Due after 5 years

     220,421
      

Total mortgage finance bonds

   Ch$ 477,637
      

Bonds

Our bonds are linked to the UF Index and carry an average real annual interest rate of 4.06% as of December 31, 2006, with interest and principal payments due semi-annually. The bonds were originally intended to finance loans that had a maturity of greater than one year.

The maturities of outstanding bond amounts as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006)

Due within 1 year

   Ch$ 119,694

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

     116,688

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

     116,687

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

     53,318

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

     32,989

Due after 5 years

     114,896
      

Total bonds

   Ch$ 554,272
      

 

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Subordinated bonds

Our currently outstanding subordinated bonds are linked to the UF index with interest and principal payments due semi-annually. The discount on the issuance of the currently outstanding subordinated bonds is amortized over the life of the bond. As of December 31, 2006, the effective real interest rate was 6.77% taking into consideration the discount on issuance.

The bonds are intended to finance loans having a maturity greater than one year. As of December 31, 2006 the outstanding maturities of the bonds, which are considered long-term, are as follows:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006)

Due within 1 year

   Ch$ 32,404

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

     25,723

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

     25,723

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

     25,723

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

     25,723

Due after 5 years

     270,646
      

Total subordinated bonds

   Ch$ 405,942
      

On June 15, 2006, we issued U.S.$200,000,000 of 6.25% subordinated notes due 2016. The notes pay interest semi-annually and were issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under Regulation S and Rule 144A of the Securities Act.

Subordinated bonds are considered in the calculation of “effective equity” for the purpose of determining our minimum capital requirements.

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions, which are used to fund our general activities, carry a weighted average annual real interest rate of 4.96% as of December 31, 2006 and have the following outstanding maturities as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006)
 

Due within 1 year

   Ch$ —    

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

     —    

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

     —    

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

     —    

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

     —    

Due after 5 years

     —    
        

Total long-term

     —    

Total short-term

   Ch$ 88,261  (1)
        

Total borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   Ch$ 88,261  
        

(1) Includes borrowings with maturities that were originally greater than one year but which as of December 31, 2006 had remaining maturities of less than one year.

 

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Foreign borrowings

We have short-term and long-term borrowings from foreign banks. The outstanding maturities of these borrowings as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006)

Due within 1 year

   Ch$ 306,746

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

     5,393

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

     7,034

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

     —  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

     —  

Due after 5 years

     —  
      

Total long-term

     319,173

Total short-term

     272,400
      

Total foreign borrowings

   Ch$ 591,573
      

Each of these loans is denominated in foreign currency and is principally used to fund our foreign trade loans and carry an average annual nominal interest rate of 5.85% as of December 31, 2006.

Other obligations

 

     As of December 31,
     2005    2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Other long-term obligations:

     

Obligations with Chilean government

   Ch$ 1,366    Ch$ 2,848
             

Total other long-term obligations

     1,366      2,848

Other short-term obligations

     33,086      23,584
             

Total other obligations

   Ch$ 34,452    Ch$ 26,432
             

As of December 31, 2006, other obligations had the following maturities:

 

     As of December 31, 2006  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006)
 

Due within 1 year

   Ch$ 184  

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

     376  

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

     531  

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

     546  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

     379  

Due after 5 years

     832  
        

Total long-term

     2,848 (1)

Total short-term

     23,584 (1)
        

Total other obligations

   Ch$ 26,432  
        

(1) Includes borrowings with maturities that were originally greater than one year but which as of December 31, 2006 had remaining maturities of less than one year.

 

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Asset and Liability Management

Our asset and liability management policy is to maximize net interest revenue, return on assets and shareholders’ equity in light of interest rate, liquidity and foreign exchange risks, within the limits of Chilean banking regulations and our internal risk management policies. Subject to these constraints, we may from time to time take mismatched positions as to interest rates or, in certain limited circumstances, foreign currencies when justified, in our view, by market conditions and prospects, and subject to our asset and liability management policies. Our board of directors determines our asset and liability policies. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”

Funding

The following table sets forth our average daily balance of liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, in each case together with the related average nominal interest rates paid thereon:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006  
    Average
Balance
  % of
Total
Liabilities
    Average
Nominal
Rate
    Average
Balance
  % of
Total
Liabilities
    Average
Nominal
Rate
    Average Balance   % of
Total
Liabilities
    Average
Nominal
Rate
 
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)        

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

  Ch$ 2,209,133   23.3 %   —       Ch$ 2,231,730   22.7 %   —       Ch$ 2,048,877   18.9 %   —    

Time deposits

    3,666,220   38.7     2.5 %     4,016,738   40.8     4.3 %     5,101,532   47.1     5.1 %

Savings accounts

    155,255   1.7     2.2       142,192   1.4     3.8       138,928   1.3     2.1  

Mortgage finance bonds

    966,858   10.2     8.3       629,747   6.4     8.8       496,053   4.6     7.4  

Central Bank borrowings

    13,101   0.1     2.9       32,491   0.3     3.3       12,935   0.1     5.4  

Contingent liabilities

    505,979   5.4     —         629,319   6.4     —         828,263   7.7     —    

Other non-interest bearing liabilities

    315,754   3.3     —         371,299   3.8     —         395,280   3.7     —    

Other interest bearing liabilities

    1,638,107   17.3     3.2 %     1,796,829   18.2     4.6 %     1,804,563   16.6     4.0 %
                                         

Total liabilities

  Ch$ 9,470,407   100.0 %     Ch$ 9,850,345   100.0 %     Ch$ 10,826,431   100.0 %  
                                         

Our most important source of funding is our customer deposits, which consist primarily of peso-denominated non-interest bearing demand deposits and peso- and UF-denominated interest bearing time deposits. Non-interest bearing demand deposits represented 18.9% of our average total liabilities in 2006, and are our least expensive source of funding. Time deposits and mortgage finance bonds represented 51.7% of our average liabilities in 2006 and 47.2% of our average liabilities in 2005, respectively.

Our current funding strategy is to continue to utilize all sources of funding in accordance with their cost and availability and with our general asset and liability management strategy. We also intend to continue to broaden our customer deposit base, to emphasize core deposit funding and to fund our mortgage loans with the matched funding available through the issuance of mortgage finance bonds and other long-term bonds in Chile’s capital markets. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Principal Business Activities—Retail Market.”

A sound liquidity strategy assures the funding of business opportunities and the meeting of financial obligations when they are due. To accomplish these goals, we manage both the liability side as well as the asset side of our balance sheet and have a contingency funding plan for maintaining liquidity under adverse market conditions.

On the liability side, two kinds of limits control the diversification of our funding sources. The first limit establishes that: (1) the total deposits and repurchase agreements taken from any one institutional investor do not exceed a certain percentage of current liabilities; and (2) the sum of deposits and repurchase agreements

 

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taken from all institutional investors do not exceed a certain percentage of current liabilities. The second limit is a 30-day liquidity ratio, which limits volatile liabilities to a percentage of our liquid assets. Liquid assets are composed of low risk loans that are due within 30 days and short-term financial instruments.

On the asset side, we maintain a short-term financial investment portfolio composed of investments with a high degree of liquidity due to the depth of the market and the low “bid-offer” spreads.

 

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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

In the normal course of business, we are a party to a number of off-balance sheet activities that contain credit, market and operational risk that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. These activities include commitments to extend credit not otherwise accounted for as contingent loans, such as overdrafts and credit card lines of credit, and long-term contractual obligations under operating leases or service contracts.

We provide customers with off balance sheet credit support through loan commitments. Such commitments are agreements to lend to a customer at a future date, subject to compliance with the contractual terms. Since substantial portions of these commitments are expected to expire without our having to make any loans, total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent our actual future cash requirements. The amounts of these loan commitments were Ch$1,258,375 million (U.S.$2,355 million) and Ch$1,733,916 million (U.S.$3,244 million) as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. The amounts of subscribed leasing contracts were Ch$62,726 million (U.S.$117 million) and Ch$95,655 million (U.S.$179 million) as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Interest rate and cross-currency swaps, which are entered into in order to hedge the foreign investment portfolio, are recorded at their estimated fair market values. See Note 13 to our audited financial statements.

The credit risk of both on- and off balance sheet financial instruments vary based on many factors, including the value of collateral held and other security arrangements. To mitigate credit risk, we generally determine the need for specific covenant, guarantee and collateral requirements on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the financial instrument and the customer’s creditworthiness. The amount and type of collateral held to reduce credit risk varies, but may include real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and accounts receivable, as well as cash on deposit, stocks, bonds and other marketable securities that are generally held in our possession or at another appropriate custodian or depository. This collateral is valued and inspected on a regular basis to ensure both its existence and adequacy. Additional collateral is requested when appropriate.

Financial Guarantees

The following is a summary of instruments that are considered financial guarantees in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 45:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as
of December 31, 2006)

Performance bonds

   Ch$ 681,427

Foreign office guarantees

     39,067

Standby letters of credit

     26,343
      

Total

   Ch$ 746,837
      

Guarantees in the form of performance bonds, standby letters of credit and foreign office guarantees are issued in connection with agreements made by customers to counterparties. If the customer fails to comply with the agreement, the counterparty may enforce the performance bonds, standby letters of credit or foreign office guarantees as a remedy. Credit risk arises from the possibility that the customer may not be able to repay us for these guarantees.

 

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The expiration of guarantees per period is as follows:

 

      Due within 1
year
  

Due after 1
year but
within 3

years

  

Due after 3
years but
within 5

years

  

Due after 5

years

   Total
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Performance bonds

   Ch$ 398,065    Ch$ 239,332    Ch$ 43,535    Ch$ 495    Ch$ 681,427

Foreign office guarantees

     39,067      —        —        —        39,067

Standby letters of credit

     5,259      19,827      1,257      —        26,343
                                  

Total

   Ch$ 442,391    Ch$ 259,159    Ch$ 44,792    Ch$ 495    Ch$ 746,837
                                  

TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following tables set forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments by time remaining to maturity. As of December 31, 2006, the scheduled maturities of our contractual obligations, including accrued interest, were as follows:

 

      Due within 1
year
  

Due after 1
year but
within 3

years

  

Due after 3
years but
within 5

years

  

Due after 5

years

   Total
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)
Contractual Obligations               

Deposit and other term liabilities(1)

   Ch$ 5,782,020    Ch$ 173,940    Ch$    Ch$    Ch$ 5,955,960

Mortgage finance bonds

     66,944      98,093      92,179      220,421      477,637

Bonds issued

     152,098      284,821      137,753      385,542      960,214

Central Bank credit lines from renegotiations of loans

     824      —        —        —        824

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     88,261      —        —        —        88,261

Foreign borrowings

     579,146      12,427      —        —        591,573

Other obligations

     23,768      907      925      832      26,432

Lease contracts

     7,964      11,470      6,333      5,278      31,045

Services contracts

     78,120      110,380      85,200      1,631,157      1,904,857

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

     306,855      —        —        —        306,855
                                  

Total

   Ch$ 7,086,000    Ch$ 692,038    Ch$ 322,390    Ch$ 2,243,230    Ch$ 10,343,658
                                  

(1) Excludes demand accounts and savings accounts.

As of December 31, 2006, the scheduled maturities of other commercial commitments, including accrued interest, were as follows:

 

     Due within 1
year
   Due after 1
year but
within 3 years
   Due after 3
years but
within 5
years
   Due
after 5
years
   Total
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Commercial Commitments

              

Letters of Credit

   Ch$ 241,522      —        —        —      Ch$ 241,522

Guarantees

     442,391    Ch$ 259,159    Ch$ 44,792    Ch$ 495      746,837
                                  

Total other commercial commitments

   Ch$ 683,913    Ch$ 259,159    Ch$ 44,792    Ch$ 495    Ch$ 988,359
                                  

 

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Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Directors

Our administration is conducted by our board of directors, which, in accordance with our estatutos, or bylaws, consists of eleven directors and two alternate directors. The entire board of directors is elected every three years. Our current board of directors was elected in March 2005 and their term expires in March 2008. Our alternate directors were appointed in March 2006. The current chairman of the board, Pablo Granifo, was elected in March 2007 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Fernando Cañas.

Cumulative voting is permitted for the election of directors. Our chairman and our chief executive officer are appointed by our board of directors and hold their offices at its discretion. Scheduled meetings of our board of directors are held at least twice a month. Extraordinary board of directors meetings may be called by the chairman, when requested by a majority of the directors, or, in limited circumstances, when requested by one director.

Our current directors are as follows:

 

Director

  

Position

   Age

Pablo Granifo L.

   Chairman    48

Andronico Luksic C.

   Vice chairman    53

Jorge Awad M.

   Director    62

Jacob Ergas E.

   Director    72

Thomas Fürst F.

   Director    76

Guillermo Luksic C.

   Director    51

Rodrigo Manubens M.

   Director    48

Gonzalo Menendez D.

   Director    58

Hernan Büchi B.

   Director    58

Francisco Perez M.

   Director    48

Jaime Estevez V.

   Director    61

Jorge Diaz V.

   Alternate director    64

Jorge Ergas H.

   Alternate director    38

Pablo Granifo L. was elected as the chairman of our board of directors in 2007. He was our chief executive officer from 2001 to 2007. He was the chief executive officer of Banco de A. Edwards from 2000 to 2001, a commercial manager at Banco Santiago from 1995 to 1999 and a corporate manager at Banco Santiago from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Granifo is chairman of the board of directors of Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A., Socofin S.A., Banchile Securitizadora S.A. and Banchile Factoring S.A. and chairman of the executive committee of Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada. He is also director of Banchile Trade Services Limited. He holds a degree in business from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

Andrónico Luksic C. was reelected as a Director and Vice Chairman of our board of directors in 2005, a position he has held consecutively since 2002. Mr. Luksic is Vice Chairman of Quiñenco S.A. and a member of the board of directors at Compañia Cervecerias Unidas S.A., Manufacturas de Cobre Madeco S.A., Industria Nacional de Alimentos S.A., Sociedad de Fomento Fabril (SOFOFA) and Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Panama Canal Authority and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council. He was Chairman of the board of directors of Banco O’Higgins and subsequently Chairman of the board of directors of Banco Santiago until May 1999. Mr. Luksic was Director and Chairman of the board of directors of Banco de A. Edwards from September 1999 to December 2001. Mr. Luksic is a brother of Mr. Guillermo Luksic.

 

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Jorge Awad M. has been a member of our board of directors since 1996. From 1989 to 1996, he was a member of the board of directors of Banco de Santiago. Mr. Awad has been the chairman of the board of directors of Lan Airlines S.A. since 1994 and is a member of the board of directors of several other companies, including Envases del Pacifico S.A., Universidad de Talca, Universidad Miguel de Cervantes and Icare. Previously, Mr. Awad was a director of Codelco Chile, Television Nacional de Chile, Laboratorio Chile S.A and other companies. He is also a professor of business entrepreneurship at the Universidad de Chile, from which he holds a degree in commercial engineering.

Jacob Ergas E. has been a member of our board of directors since 2002. Mr. Ergas is also director of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. He is chairman of the board of directors of J. Ergas Inversiones y Rentas Limitada, Ever I BAE S.A., Ever II HNS S.A., Inmobiliaria Paidahue S.A. and INERSA S.A. He was chairman of the board of directors of Banedwards S.A., Administradora de Fondos Mutuos, Banedwards S.A. Fondos de Inversion and Banedwards Corredora de Seguros Limitada. He was director of Promarket S.A., Banedwards Compañia de Seguros de Vida S.A. and Banedwards Asesoria Financiera S.A. He was director and vice chairman of Banco de A. Edwards from 1986 to 2001 and also director of the Chilean Association of Banks and Financial Institutions. Presently, he is a member of the board of directors of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. Mr. Ergas is the father of Mr. Jorge Ergas H.

Thomas G. Fürst has been a member of our board of directors since 2004. He is also member of the board of directors of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. Previously, Mr. Fürst was vice chairman of the board of directors at Compañia Cervecerias Unidas S.A. and a member of the board of directors of several other companies, including Embotelladoras Chilenas Unidas S.A., Viña Dassault-San Pedro S.A, Southern Breweries Establishment, CCU Argentina S.A. and Compañia Industrial Cerveceria S.A. (CICSA). Mr. Fürst was a founder and member of the board of directors of Parque Arauco and he is partner and member of the board of directors of Grupo Plaza. Presently, he is a member of the board of directors of Plaza Vespucio S.A., Plaza Oeste S.A., Plaza del Trebol S.A. (Concepcion), Plaza La Serena S.A. (La Serena), Plaza Tobalaba, Plaza Los Angeles (Los Angeles), Plaza Antofagasta (Antofagasta), and Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. Mr. Fürst studied civil construction at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

Guillermo Luksic C. has been a member of our board of directors since 2001 and was previously the Vice Chairman of our board of directors between March 2001 and March 2002. Mr. Luksic is Chairman of the board of directors of Quiñenco S.A., Compañia Cervecerias Unidas S.A., Viña San Pedro S.A., CNT Telefonica del Sur S.A. and Madeco S.A. Since 2005, he also serves as a member of the board of directors of Antofagasta plc. Mr. Luksic is an active member of the Center of Public Studies and a member of the board of directors of Universidad Finis Terrae. Mr. Luksic is a brother of Mr. Andronico Luksic.

Rodrigo Manubens M. has been a member of our board of directors since 2001. Mr. Manubens was a member of the board of directors of Banco de A. Edwards from 1999 until 2001. From 1985 to 1999, Mr. Manubens was a member of the board of directors of Banco O’Higgins and continued in that role when it merged into Banco Santiago. From 1995 to 1999 he was chairman of Banco Tornquist in Argentina and a member of the board of directors of Banco Sur in Peru and Banco Asuncion in Paraguay. Mr. Manubens also served as a director and chairman of Endesa Chile S.A. He is chairman of, Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A.,a member of the board of directors of Banchile Factoring S.A., Banchile Compañia de Seguros de Vida S.A. and a member of the executive committee of Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada. Mr. Manubens holds a degree in business from Universidad Adolfo Ibañez and a Master’s of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Gonzalo Menendez D. has been a member of our board of directors since 2001. He is also the chairman of the board of directors of Inversiones Vita S.A. and, Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A. and a member of the boards of directors of several other companies, including Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A., Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A., Compañia Nacional de Telefonos, Telefonica del Sur S.A., Minera El Tesoro, Compañia de Telefonos de Coyhaique S.A., Quiñenco S.A., Antofagasta plc., Minera Michilla S.A., Mining

 

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Group Antofagasta Minerals S.A., Antofagasta Railway, Minera Los Pelambres, and Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. He is also Vice chairman of Fundacion Andronico Luksic A. and Fundación Pascual Baburizza. Previously, Mr. Menendez served as chief executive officer of Antofagasta Railway, Banco O’Higgins and Empresas Lucchetti. Since 1990, he has been a director and is now the chairman of the board of directors of the Latin American Export Bank. Mr. Menendez was a member of the board of directors and the executive committee of Banco Santiago and a member of the board of directors of Banco de A. Edwards. Mr. Menendez was a professor of finance and Chilean economic and business policy at the Universidad de Chile. He holds a degree in business administration and accounting from the Universidad de Chile.

Hernan Büchi B. has been a member of our board of directors since 2007. He is Chairman of the Board of the Center for the International Economy of Liberty and Development, member of the Board of the Institute Liberty and Development and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Universidad del Desarrollo. Mr. Büchi has served in the government of Chile as Undersecretary of the Economy (1979-80), Undersecretary of Health (1980-83), Minister of Planning (1983-84), Superintendent of Banks and Financial Institutions (1984-85) and Minister of Finance (1985-89). Between 1979-89 he was Chairman of the Board and/or Member of the Board of several state-owned companies including ENDESA, CAP, IANSA, FFCC, CTC and Codelco. In 1989 he was Candidate for the Presidency of Chile. Mr. Büchi, has a degree in Civil Engineering from Universidad de Chile, and has participated in postgraduate studies at Columbia University.

Francisco Perez M. has been a member of our board of directors since 2001. Since 1998, Mr. Perez has been the chief executive officer of Quiñenco S.A. He was formerly the chief executive officer of Compañia Cervecerias Unidas S.A., of which he is still a director. He is also a member of the board of directors of Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A. Prior to 1991, Mr. Perez was chief executive officer of Citicorp-Chile and also was Vicepresident of Bankers Trust in Chile. Mr. Perez holds a degree in business administration from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

Jaime Estevez V. has been a member of our board of directors since 2007. Presently, he is also a member of the board of directors of Endesa Chile. Previously, Mr. Estevez served as the Chairman of BancoEstado, a state bank. Additionally, he has served as a Director on the boards of AFP Provida and AFP Proteccion, two Chilean private funds. Mr. Estevez served as Minister of Public Works and Minister of Transport and Telecommunications and was a Congressman and President of the Lower Chamber of Congress. Mr. Estevez holds a degree in economics from the Universidad de Chile and has pursued post-graduate studies in Philosophy.

Jorge Diaz V. on February 23, 2006 was elected as an Alternate Director, after having been appointed Advisor to the board of directors on March 17, 2005. Mr. Diaz is the Chairman of the board of directors of Redbanc S.A, Sociedad Operadora de Tarjetas de Credito Nexus S.A. and Servipag Limitada, and Director of Transbank S.A. and Administrador Financiero de Transantiago S.A. Mr. Diaz was the Intendent at the Chilean Superintendency of Banks from 1976 to 1980, Director of Banco del Pacifico from 1980 to 1981, the administrator (appointed by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks) at Banco Unido de Fomento from 1982 to 1985, Chief Executive Officer of Banco Concepcion (now Corpbanca) from 1986 to 1991 and advisor of O’Higgins Central Hispano S.A. until 1999. He was a Director at Banco de A. Edwards from March 2001 to December 2001, after having been elected as an Alternate Director in March 2000. He holds a degree in economics from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

Jorge Ergas H. was elected as an alternate director of our board of directors in 2005, and has been an advisor to our board of directors since 2002. Mr. Ergas is vice chairman of Banchile Compañia de Seguros de Vida S.A., chairman of Movicenter and a director of Inersa S.A., Ever I BAE and Ever II HNS. Mr. Ergas was previously a director of Hotel Plaza San Francisco, Casa Piedra, HNS and Inmobiliaria Paidahue. Mr. Ergas is the son of Mr. Jacob Ergas E.

 

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Senior Management

Our current executive officers are as follows:

 

Executive Officers

  

Position

   Age

Fernando Cañas B.

   Chief executive officer    57

Arturo Concha U.

   Manager — Financial division    53

Nelson Rojas P.

   General legal counsel    53

Julio Guzman H.

   Manager — Corporate and international division    53

Mauricio Baeza L.

   Manager — Credit risk division    44

Alejandro Herrera A.

   Manager — Individual banking and branches    50

Marcelo Caracci L.

   Manager — Operations and technology division    57

Jennie E. Coleman A.

   Manager — Human resources division    53

Arturo Tagle Q.

   Manager — Planning and research division    48

Gonzalo Rios D.

   Manager — Marketing division    38

Pedro Bolados M.

   Manager — Risk control division    49

Eduardo Ebensperger O.

   Manager — Middle market division    42

Juan Cooper A. .

   Manager — Banco Credichile division    46

Oscar Mehech C.

   Manager — Global compliance division    42

Fernando Cañas B. was appointed our chief executive officer in 2007. He was the chairman of our board of directors from 2005 to 2007. Mr. Cañas joined Banco Santiago in 1977, beginning his financial services career, and participated in its development and management until 1983. Mr. Cañas returned to Banco Santiago in 1997 as vice chairman of its board of directors and became chief executive officer in 1998. Mr. Cañas was chief executive officer at Banco O’Higgins prior to its merger with Banco Santiago. He served as chairman of the board of directors at Banco Tornquist in Argentina, a director on the board of directors of Banco del Sur in Peru. In 2001, Mr. Cañas became chairman of the board of directors for Latin America and the Caribbean of MasterCard International. In 2002, he was chief executive officer of Banco Santander Chile, and, in 2003, he became the general director and head of payment methods for Latin America Banco Santander Central Hispano, based in Spain. Currently, Mr. Cañas is a member of the board of directors of Banchile Factoring S.A., Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A., Banchile Securitizadora S.A. Socofin S.A. and the executive committee of Banchile Corredores Seguros Limitada. Mr. Cañas has a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad de Chile.

Arturo Concha U. has been the manager of the financial division since 1986. He was chief financial officer at Banco Bice from 1985 to 1986 and worked in several positions, including chief financial officer at Banco Colocadora Nacional de Valores from 1976 to 1985. Presently, Mr. Concha is chairman of the board of directors at Sociedad Interbancaria de Depositos de Valores S.A. and a member of the board of directors of Deposito Central de Valores S.A. and Banchile Securitizadora S.A. Mr. Concha holds degrees in commercial engineering and accounting from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and participated in the International Senior Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Nelson Rojas P. has been our general legal counsel and the secretary of our board of directors since 2004. In 2002, he joined us as in-house legal counsel. Mr. Rojas joined Banco de A. Edwards in 1987 and was the general legal counsel and secretary of the board of directors from 1997 until 2002. He is also vice president of the legal affairs committee of the Chilean Bank Association. Mr. Rojas holds a degree in law from the Universidad de Chile.

Julio Guzman H. has managed our corporate and international division since 2002. He joined Banco de A. Edwards in 1992 and was the general manager from September 2001 to December 2001. Mr. Guzman is a member of the board of directors of Banchile Securitizadora S.A. and he is an alternate director of Banchile Trade Services Limited. He holds a degree in business from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

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Mauricio Baeza L. has been the manager of the credit risk division since December 2005. Mr. Baeza joined us in 1997 and was manager of the risk division during 2001 in Banco de A. Edwards. He was Risk manager at Banco Santiago from 1993 to 1997 and member of the board of directors of Santiago Administradora de Fondos de Inversion. Mr. Baeza is a member of the board of directors of Socofin S.A. He is also a member of the investment committee of Banchile Fondo Inmobiliario. He holds a degree in civil engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

Alejandro Herrera A. has been the manager of the individual banking and branches division since 2002. From 2006 he is also manager of medium market banking. He has served as the manager of the individual banking and branches division at Banco de A. Edwards from 2000 to 2001 and at Banco Sudamericano from 1996 to 1999, as the chief executive officer of Administradora de Fondos Mutuos Santiago S.A. from 1994 to 1995 and as branches manager at Banco Santiago for the Santiago region. Mr. Herrera is a member of the board of directors of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A., Banchile Securitizadora S.A. and Socofin S.A. and a member of the executive committee of Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada. He holds a degree in business from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso.

Marcelo Caracci L. has been the manager of the operations and technology division since 2001. Prior to that time, Mr. Caracci was founder and director of two technology companies, Sonda Bancos and Sonda Peru. He participated actively in the development and startup of Redbanc S.A., Transbank S.A., Servipag Limitada and Deposito Central de Valores S.A. Mr. Caracci holds a degree in civil engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

Jennie E. Coleman A. joined us as manager of the human resources division in March 2003. Previously, she was the manager of the human resources division, manager of organizational development and training chief executive at Banco Santiago, where she worked for more than 23 years. Mrs. Coleman holds a degree in public administration from the Universidad de Chile.

Arturo Tagle Q. has been the manager of the planning and research division since 2002. Mr. Tagle joined us in 1995. He was general manager of the Chilean Bankers Association from 1990 to 1994 and Director of Research at the Chilean Superintendency of Banks from 1984 to 1989. Mr. Tagle is the chief executive officer of Sociedad Matriz del Banco de Chile S.A. and SAOS. He holds a degree in commercial engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

Gonzalo Rios D. has been the manager of the marketing division since November 2005. He was the marketing manager of Falabella’s financial retail division from 2002 to 2005 and manager of non-store retail operations of Falabella Argentina from 2000 to 2002. He was a business consultant at McKinsey & Company from 1997 to 2000 and previously worked for IBM Argentina as a sales manager. Mr. Rios is a member of the executive committee of Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Instituto Tecnologico de Buenos Aires and a MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Pedro Bolados M. has been the manager of the risk control division since January 2002 and was previously comptroller of Banco de A. Edwards. He joined Banco de A. Edwards in 1992 after holding the position of corporate audit vice president at Citibank, N.A. in Latin America. Mr. Bolados holds an executive master’s degree in business administration from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

Eduardo Ebensperger O. has been the manager of the large market division since June 2005 and was previously the chief executive officer of Banchile Factoring S.A. from 2002 to 2005. He joined Banco de A. Edwards in 1989. Mr. Ebensperger was manager of the medium size companies division and manager of the regional branches of Banco de A. Edwards from 1997 to 2001. Presently, Mr. Ebensperger is the Chairman of the board of directors of Artikos S.A. He is also currently member of the board of directors of Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A. and Banchile Factoring S.A. Mr. Ebensperger holds a degree in business from the Universidad de Chile.

 

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Juan Cooper A. has been the manager of the Banco Credichile division since 2003. He was the chief executive officer of Altavida Santander Compañia de Seguros de Vida S.A. from 2001 to 2002 and the manager of the Santiago Express division of Banco Santiago from 1993 to 2000. He is also currently a member of the board of directors of Socofin S.A., and a member of the executive committee of Banchile Corredores Seguros Limitada. Mr. Cooper has a degree in business from the Universidad de Chile and a master’s degree in business administration from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

Oscar Mehech C. has been the global compliance division manager since April 2007. Mr. Mehech joined us in 2002 as a result of the merger with Banco de A. Edwards and since 2004 held the position of Deputy General Counsel of the Bank and secretary of the board of Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A. Previously, he was de deputy General Counsel of Banco de A. Edwards, which he joined in 1991. Mr. Mehech is a member of the executive committee for anti-money laundering of the Chilean Banks Association and holds a law degree from Universidad de Chile.

Our directors do not have any service contracts with the company that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.

COMPENSATION

The table below presents the amount of compensation, as established by our shareholders, to the members of our board of directors for the year ended December 31, 2006. These amounts include remuneration for services, fees for attendance at board meetings, committee meetings and subsidiary board meetings and consulting and travel expenses.

 

Name of Director

   Remuneration    Fees for
attendance at
board meetings
   Fees for attendance at
committee meetings
and subsidiary board
meetings
   Consulting    Total
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Fernando Cañas B. (1)

   Ch$ 315.3    Ch$ 41.8    Ch$ 234.6      —      Ch$ 591.7

Andronico Luksic C.

     130.8      8.2      —        —        139.0

Jorge Awad M.

     43.6      21.8      82.6      —        148.0

Jacob Ergas E.

     43.6      15.5      56.4      —        115.5

Thomas Fürst F.

     43.6      19.1      67.3      —        130.0

Guillermo Luksic C.

     43.6      9.1      —        —        52.7

Rodrigo Manubens M.

     43.6      19.1      92.6    Ch$ 8.2      163.5

Gonzalo Menendez D.

     43.6      21.8      118.1      —        183.5

Maximo Pacheco M.

     43.6      17.3      2.7      —        63.6

Francisco Perez M.

     43.6      19.1      53.6      —        116.3

Segismundo Schulin-Zeuthen S.

     43.6      19.1      40.0      —        102.7

Edmundo Eluchans U.

     7.2      2.7      4.5      —        14.4

Jorge Ergas H. (2)

     43.6      20.0      38.2      —        101.8

Jorge Diaz V. (3)

     36.4      17.3      34.6      —        88.3
                                  

Total

   Ch$ 925.7    Ch$ 251.9    Ch$ 825.2    Ch$ 8.2    Ch$ 2,011.0
                                  

(1) Mr. Cañas was elected as a director in 2005.

 

(2) Mr. Ergas was elected as an alternate director in 2006.

 

(3) Mr. Diaz was elected as an alternate director in 2006.

Consistent with Chilean law, we do not disclose to our shareholders, or otherwise make public, information regarding the compensation of our senior management. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the aggregate amount of compensation paid to our senior management, including the senior management of our subsidiaries, was Ch$5,190 million. Pursuant to the Chilean Corporations Law, our directors/audit committee must approve compensation plans, but we are not required to have a compensation committee. For

 

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the year ended December 31, 2006, no amounts were set aside or accrued by us to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for our directors and officers.

Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers

The Chilean Corporations Law provides that the board of directors must previously approve any transaction in which a director has a personal interest or is acting on behalf of a third party. The transaction may be approved only when the board of directors has been informed of such director’s interest and the terms of such transaction are similar to those prevailing in the market. If the proposed transaction involves amounts considered material, the board of directors must previously determine that such transaction is consistent with conditions prevailing in the market. If it is not possible for the board of directors to reach such a judgment, the board may appoint two independent evaluators. The evaluators’ final conclusions must be made available to shareholders and directors for a period of 20 business days, during which shareholders representing 5% or more of the issued voting shares may request the board of directors to summon a shareholders’ meeting to resolve the matter, with the agreement of two-thirds of the issued voting shares required for approval.

For purposes of this regulation, the law provides that the amount of a proposed transaction is material if (1) it exceeds 1% of the company’s paid-in capital and reserves (provided that it also exceeds 2,000 UF), or (2) it exceeds 20,000 UF. All resolutions approving such transactions must be reported to the company’s shareholders at the next annual shareholders’ meeting. Violations of this provision may result in administrative or criminal sanctions and civil liability to shareholders or third parties who suffer losses as a result of such violation.

Chilean law contains additional provisions restricting transactions with affiliates not involving directors or executive officers. The Chilean Corporations Law requires that our transactions with related parties be on market terms. We are required to compare the terms of any such transaction to those prevailing in the market at the date the transaction is to be entered into. Directors of companies that violate this provision are liable for losses resulting from such violation. As disclosed in Note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements, we incurred an aggregate of Ch$15,965 million in expenses and Ch$116 million in income from transactions other than loans with related parties in 2006.

As authorized by the General Banking Law, and within applicable regulatory limits, we also hold several outstanding loans owed by different affiliated corporations. All such loans:

 

   

were made in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rate and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons; and

 

   

did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.

We held an aggregate of Ch$159,448 million in loans to, including Ch$73,274 million in collateral pledged by, related parties as of December 31, 2006. See Note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements for details concerning these transactions.

 

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BOARD PRACTICES

Governance Practices

The board of directors delegates certain functions and activities to our committees to research, evaluate and report to the board of directors regarding specific matters which may affect our businesses.

The Directors/Audit Committee

Prior to March 24, 2005, the directors committee and audit committee were separate committees performing independent functions for the board of directors. On March 24, 2005, the board of directors resolved to merge the directors committee with the audit committee forming the directors/audit committee. The committee’s objectives are to seek the efficiency, maintenance, application and functioning of our internal control systems and compliance with the applicable rules and procedures governing our business; to identify our business risks; to supervise the functions of the risk control division, ensuring its independence from management; to supervise the functions of the global compliance division; to serve as link and coordinator of tasks between the internal audit work and the independent auditors and to act as a link with our board of directors.

Our directors/audit committee is composed of three members appointed by the board of directors. The directors/audit committee is currently composed of the following individuals:

 

   

Jorge Awad M. (chair and financial expert);

 

   

Jaime Estevez V.; and

 

   

Thomas Fürst F.

Mr. Awad and Mr. Fürst were appointed as members of the directors/audit committee by the board of directors at the meeting held on March 24, 2005. Mr. Estevez was appointed to the directors/audit committee at the meeting of the board of directors held on April 12, 2007.

Messrs. Awad, Estevez and Fürst satisfy the independence requirements of both Chilean law and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and are full voting members of our directors/audit committee.

The directors/audit committee usually meets monthly and at least eight times a year. The budget of the directors/audit committee is approved annually at the ordinary shareholders’ meeting. The directors/audit committee satisfies the applicable requirements of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and operates pursuant to a charter document. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks recommends that at least one of the members of the committee be experienced with respect to the accounting procedures and financial aspects of banking operations. The committee submits a report regarding its activities to our board of directors after each directors/audit committee meeting and presents an annual report at our annual shareholder’s meeting. As established in the committee’s bylaws, the chief executive officer, the general legal counsel and the manager of the risk control division also attend meetings. A partner of the independent auditor’s firm and other persons that the committee may invite may also attend meetings.

The committee may appoint independent personnel to carry out specific duties. The duties of the directors/audit committee include:

 

   

reviewing all related party transactions and informing the board of directors of such transactions;

 

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reviewing annual and interim financial statements and informing the board of directors of the results of such reviews;

 

   

reviewing the audit reports prepared by our internal comptroller and supervising our controlling divisions;

 

   

reviewing the reports, procedures and work of our external auditors and interacting with rating agencies;

 

   

selecting external auditors and rating agencies to be proposed to the board of directors;

 

   

coordinating with and delegating or recommending tasks to our internal and external auditors;

 

   

discussing the effectiveness and reliability of internal control procedures;

 

   

informing the board of directors of any change in accounting principles and its effects;

 

   

discussing the compensation structure and self-evaluation process for senior management;

 

   

reviewing and discussing money-laundering procedures, prevention, policies and compliance;

 

   

reviewing complaints presented by our clients to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks;

 

   

reviewing and deliberating on issues related to conflicts of interests;

 

   

investigating suspected fraudulent activities;

 

   

reviewing the inspection reports, instructions and presentations from the Chilean Superintendency of Banks;

 

   

reviewing the performance of information systems, their efficiency, reliability and utility in decision making;

 

   

intervening in any other situation where intervention is warranted in the committee’s discretion;

 

   

to be informed about the compliance of institutional policies related to the due fulfillment with laws, regulations and internal regulations that must fulfill the company; and

 

   

analyzing and reporting on activities relating to foreign branches.

Portfolio Committee

The main function of the portfolio committee is to inform the board of directors of changes in the composition and risk of our loan portfolio from a global perspective and from a sector point of view, and also segmented by lines of business. The committee closely reviews the performance of our principal debtors, overdue loan ratios, past-due loan indicators, write-offs and allowances for loan losses.

The loan portfolio committee prepares proposals for discussion with, and approval by, the board of directors with respect to credit policies, portfolio evaluation methods and the calculation of allowances for expected loan losses. The committee also performs analyses of the adequacy of allowances, authorizes extraordinary loan write-offs once recovery attempts have been exhausted and controls the disposal of assets acquired in lieu of payment.

This committee meets on a monthly basis and is comprised of five directors, in addition to our chief executive officer and the manager of our credit risk division.

 

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Credit Committee

The credit committee provides the highest level of approval of credit proposals presented by our credit risk segment and commercial officers. The committee evaluates proposals with respect to loans that would expose us to credit risks in excess of UF 250,000. It also evaluates proposals based upon certain qualitative aspects, irrespective of approval amounts, such as the approval of customers whose eventual collections might adversely affect our corporate image or the approval of transactions with related parties. The committee meets on a weekly basis and is comprised of our chief executive officer and the entire board of directors, with three directors required for a quorum.

Finance and International Committee

The finance and international committee provides a forum for members to discuss and analyze the implementation of financial management policies. The committee meets monthly and is comprised of five directors, our chief executive officer, the financial division manager, the corporate and international division manager, the planning and research division manager and the financial risk manager. Committee members conduct analyses and make presentations to the committee regarding certain matters, including:

 

   

analyzing the economic and financial environment, including changes in international exposure;

 

   

defining market risk policies, procedures and limits;

 

   

control of market risk limits, liquidity and other regulatory financial limits. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulation and Supervision;”

 

   

new operations and financial businesses;

 

   

monitoring positions and related market risks;

 

   

control of counterparty exposure in financial derivatives;

 

   

analysis of our current and forecasted financial structure;

 

   

allocating our capital to different lines of business;

 

   

defining policies setting the cost of funds; and

 

   

financial management of foreign branches.

Asset Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Prevention Committee

The Asset Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Prevention Committee was set up in April 2006 with the purpose of defining the policies and procedures that would comprise the Asset Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Prevention System, as well as evaluating compliance and deciding on all matters related to these subjects.

This Committee includes the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Legal Counsel, the Operations and Technology Division manager and the Chief Executive of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos. The Risk Control Division manager and the Global Compliance Division manager also serve as members of the Committee with full voting rights.

 

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The Committee meets monthly and is charged with pursuing the following functions:

 

   

to approve the policies and procedures concerning knowledge of the Corporation’s customers and their activities, and the acceptance and monitoring of their accounts, products and operations;

 

   

to approve policies and procedures concerning unusual transaction detection systems, formal channels of information to senior levels and monitoring, analysis and reporting mechanisms;

 

   

to approve policies and procedures concerning methods to improve vigilance and improve relations with correspondent banks;

 

   

to approve policies and procedures concerning staff selection, training programs and code of conduct;

 

   

to revise and analyze the results of the revisions made to verify compliance with current policies and procedures.

 

   

to consider the transactions analyzed and decisions made by the Transactions Analysis Committee;

 

   

to consider and approve specific training plans proposed by the Global Compliance Division; and

 

   

to inform the Board of regulatory changes related to the prevention of asset laundering and financing of terrorism.

Disclosure Committee

In May 2003, we established the disclosure committee, a management entity that formalizes the tasks necessary to ensure that information we provide to the market is detailed, accurate and complete. The members of the disclosure committee include the investor relations manager, the principal accounting officer, deputy general counsel, the managers of the risk control division, research area, planning and research division and global compliance division, and, as necessary, persons from our other divisions. The members of the disclosure committee are involved in the preparation and revision of all financial information published by us.

Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee was formed in 2005 to define and promote standards of professional and personal excellence among the company’s staff consistent with the company’s philosophy and values in order to enhance the bonds of trust between the company’s staff and its customers.

To meet these objectives and promote a culture of ethical behavior, the Committee arranges activities regarding regulation, training and communications. The Committee sets policies on ethics and ensures their compliance, develops training plans related to ethics in our business and publishes, and reinforces the positive behavioral outcomes. The Committee also acts and the forum for resolving the various situations where there is a conflict between certain types of conduct and the values promoted by the company.

This Committee is chaired by the Human Resources Division manager and includes the Risk Control manager, Legal Counsel, the managers of the Risk Control, Individuals and Companies, Operations and Large Corporations Divisions.

Corporate Risk Management Committee

During December 2005, we established the corporate risk management committee, which reports to the directors/audit committee. The corporate risk management committee has the following functions:

 

   

to centralize and coordinate the activities of corporate risk management;

 

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to implement an integrated risk management scheme throughout the organization;

 

   

to provide information to our board of directors to optimize use of capital;

 

   

to inform the directors/audit committee, the finance and international committee, the portfolio committee and management of risk matters; and

 

   

to manage our relationships with regulatory entities.

Global Compliance Division

During 2005, we implemented initiatives to reinforce and ensure regulatory compliance, especially concerning internationally applicable rules preventing money laundering.

In July 2005, our board of directors approved a global policy on prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism, applicable to all our affiliates, foreign branches and subsidiaries. The global policy is intended to meet the regulatory requirements of all the jurisdictions in which we operate.

In order to ensure compliance with these regulatory requirements, we created the global compliance division in April 2005. The division is independent and reports directly to the directors/audit committee. It has authority over all our affiliates, including our foreign branches and subsidiaries.

 

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NYSE Corporate Governance Comparison

Pursuant to Section 303A.11 of the Listed Company Manual of the NYSE, we are required to provide a summary of the significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those required for U.S. companies under the NYSE listing standards. We are a Chilean bank with shares listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange, the LSE and the Latibex. Our corporate governance practices are governed by our bylaws, the General Banking Law, the Chilean Corporations Law, the Ley de Mercado de Valores No. 18,045, or the Securities Market Law, and the regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks.

The table below discloses the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the NYSE standards.

 

NYSE Standards

  

Our Corporate Governance Practice

Director Independence. Majority of board of directors must be independent. “Controlled companies,” which would include our company if it were a U.S. issuer, are exempt from this requirement. §303A.01    Pursuant to the General Banking Law; we are not required to make a determination as to the independence of our directors.
  

 

Pursuant to the Chilean Corporations Law, we must determine whether the members of our directors/audit committee (all of whom are members of our board of directors) are independent.

   The definition of independence applicable to us pursuant to the Chilean Corporations Law differs in certain respects from the definition applicable to U.S. issuers under the NYSE rules.
   Under the Chilean Corporations Law, a director is deemed to be an independent member of the directors/audit committee if such member would have been elected as a director at the shareholders meeting after excluding the votes of any controller or party related to it. Under the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, members of the audit committee must satisfy international independence criteria.
Executive Sessions. Non-management directors must meet regularly in executive sessions without management. Independent directors should meet alone in an executive session at least once a year. §303A.03    There is no similar requirement under our bylaws or under applicable Chilean law.
Audit committee. Audit committee satisfying the independence and other requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, and the more stringent requirements under the NYSE standards is required. §§303A.06, 303A.07    We are in compliance with Rule 10A-3. The members of our audit committee are not required to satisfy the NYSE independence and other audit committee standards that are not prescribed by Rule 10A-3.

 

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NYSE Standards

  

Our Corporate Governance Practice

   For a description of the duties of our audit committee under applicable Chilean law, see “—Directors/Audit Committee Duties.”
Nominating/corporate governance committee. Nominating/corporate governance committee of independent directors is required. The committee must have a charter specifying the purpose, duties and evaluation procedures of the committee. “Controlled companies,” which would include our company if it were a U.S. issuer, are exempt from these requirements. §303A.04    We are not required to have, and do not have, a nominating/corporate governance committee.
Compensation committee. Compensation committee of independent directors is required, which must approve executive officer compensation. The committee must have a charter specifying the purpose, duties and evaluation procedures of the committee. “Controlled companies,” which would include our company if it were a U.S. issuer, are exempt from this requirement. §303A.05    We are not required to have a compensation committee. Pursuant to the Chilean Corporations Law, our directors/audit committee must approve compensation plans.
Equity compensation plans. Equity compensation plans require shareholder approval, subject to limited exemptions.    Equity compensation plans require shareholder approval, subject to limited exemptions.
Code of Ethics. Corporate governance guidelines and a code of business conduct and ethics is required, with disclosure of any waiver for directors or executive officers. §303A.10    We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to all of our directors and executive officers, a revised version of which is filed as an exhibit to this Form 20-F. We are required by Item 16B of Form 20-F to disclose any waivers granted to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and persons performing similar functions. Our code of ethics sets forth the principles and values that govern personnel conduct as well as other issues such as; conflicts of interests, usage of the privileged information, internal controls for fraud prevention and labor responsibility.

 

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EMPLOYEES

The following table shows the breakdown of our full-time, permanent employees at the dates indicated:

 

     As of December 31,
     2004    2005    2006

Banco de Chile

   6,361    6,745    7,232

Overseas branches and representative offices

   52    84    125

Subsidiaries

   2,952    3,328    3,862
              

Total

   9,365    10,157    11,219
              

At December 31, 2006, we had 11,219 employees (on a consolidated basis) of which approximately 2,340, or 20.9%, were unionized. All management positions are held by non-unionized employees. We are party to four collective bargaining agreements (one of which we assumed as part of the merger with Banco de A. Edwards) covering our unionized employees. These collective bargaining agreements were signed in December 2004 and expire in December 2008. We have not experienced a strike in the last 10 years and consider relations with our employees to be satisfactory.

We have a comprehensive personnel training and development program that includes internal courses on operational, technical and commercial subjects as well as participation in external seminars. In 2006, the total cost of training programs was approximately 0.859% of total personnel salaries and expense. We do not maintain any pension or retirement programs for the vast majority of our employees. We do, however, pay certain long-serving key employees a severance payment upon retirement. Although we have, in the past, provided productivity bonuses to individual employees on a discretionary basis, we do not maintain a formal profit-sharing plan.

SHARE OWNERSHIP

Mr. Andronico Luksic and Mr. Guillermo Luksic, members of our board of directors since March 2002 and March 2001, respectively, together with members of their family, control Quiñenco S.A. As of May 10, 2007, Quiñenco S.A. owns 21.11% of our outstanding shares (directly and indirectly through LQ Inversiones Financieras S.A.). Additionally, Quiñenco S.A. holds 52.14% of the voting rights in Banco de Chile (directly and indirectly through shares of SM-Chile S.A. that are owned by LQ Inversiones Financieras S.A. and Inversiones LQ-SM S.A.).

On June 28, 2007, Quiñenco S.A. informed us that it had begun discussions with Citigroup Inc. aimed at establishing a strategic partnership to manage their financial operations in Chile. We cannot assure you that Quiñenco’s discussions with Citigroup Inc. will result in any such strategic partnership or, if the discussions are fruitful, what the terms of any such strategic partnership would be.

Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of our board of directors since January 1, 2002, controls Ever I Bae S.A., Ever Chile S.A. and Inversiones Aspen Limitada. As of May 10, 2007, these holding companies own 2.39%, 2.39% and 1.64% of our outstanding shares, respectively. Mr. Ergas holds 6.41% of the voting rights in Banco de Chile through these holding companies.

None of our directors or senior management (other than Mr. Andronico Luksic, Mr. Guillermo Luksic and Mr. Jacob Ergas) owns 1% or more of our outstanding common stock. Further, none of our directors (including Mr. Andronico Luksic, Mr. Guillermo Luksic and Mr. Jacob Ergas) or senior management has different or preferential voting rights with respect to the shares they own.

We do not have any arrangements for involving employees in our capital, including any arrangements that involve the issue or grant of options of our shares or securities.

 

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Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of outstanding shares as of May 10, 2007 for the following:

 

   

each person or entity who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding share capital or voting power; and

 

   

our directors and members of our executive management group, as a group.

 

Name

   Amount Owned    Percentage(1)  

Quiñenco S.A. (2)

   14,757,967,055    21.11 %

Jacob Ergas (3)

   4,481,947,063    6.41 %

SM-Chile S.A.

   40,732,220,639    58.26 %

Directors and executive officers as a group (27 persons)

   16,936,473    0.02 %

(1) Percentages are based on 69,920,023,865 common shares outstanding as of May 10, 2007.

 

(2) As of December 31, 2006, members of the Luksic family or their affiliates beneficially owned 82.9% of the common shares of Quiñenco S.A. Mr. Andronico Luksic and Mr. Guillermo Luksic are members of our board of directors. Quiñenco S.A. holds 21.11% of our shares directly and indirectly through LQ Inversiones Financieras S.A.

 

(3) Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of our board of directors, holds his shares through Ever I Bae S.A., Ever Chile S.A. and Inversiones Aspen Ltda., which are holding companies under his control.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In the ordinary course of our business, we engage in a variety of transactions with certain of our affiliates and related parties. Financial information concerning these transactions is set forth in Note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The Chilean Corporations Law requires that our transactions with related parties be on market terms or on similar terms to those customarily prevailing in the market. We are required to compare the terms of any such transaction to those prevailing in the market on the date the transaction is entered into. Directors of companies that violate this provision are liable for losses resulting from such violations.

In addition, the Chilean Corporations Law provides that any transaction in which a director has a personal interest or is acting on behalf of a third party must be previously approved by a majority of the disinterested directors on the company’s board of directors. The terms of such transaction must be similar to those prevailing in the market. If the proposed transaction involves amounts considered to be material, the disinterested directors must previously determine that the terms and conditions of the transaction are consistent with those prevailing in the market. If it is not possible for the board of directors to reach such a judgment on its own, the board may appoint two independent evaluators. The evaluators’ final conclusions must be made available to shareholders and directors for a period of 20 business days, during which shareholders representing 5% or more of the issued voting shares may request the board of directors to summon a shareholders’ meeting to resolve the matter, with the agreement of two-thirds of the issued voting shares required for approval. For purposes of this requirement, the Chilean Corporations Law considers that the amount of a proposed transaction is material if (1) it exceeds 1% of the company’s paid-in capital and reserves, (provided that it also exceeds UF2,000) or (2) it exceeds UF20,000.

All resolutions approving such transactions must be reported to the company’s shareholders at the next annual shareholders’ meeting. Violations of this provision may result in administrative or criminal sanctions and civil liability to shareholders or third parties who suffer losses as a result of such violation. We believe that we have complied with the applicable requirements of the Chilean Corporations Law in all transactions with related parties and affirm that we will continue to comply with such requirements. See Note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a more detailed accounting of transactions with related parties.

 

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On December 24, 2004, we amended a master agreement that we entered into with Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada, our subsidiary, and Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A., an affiliate of Quiñenco S.A., as well as related agreements. The master agreement sets forth the general structure by which the Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A. provides mortgage loan insurance and non-mortgage loan insurance to our clients. The terms and prices set forth in the master agreement were based upon the market price for similar insurance products. The related agreements provide for:

 

   

our collection of insurance premiums from our clients for remittance to Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A.,

 

   

Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A.’s authorization to use our “Banchile” brand name,

 

   

Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A.’s access to our web page,

 

   

Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A.’s preferential right to offer life insurance to our individual borrowers and to use our distribution channels to offer general insurance to its customer base, and

 

   

life insurance that we acquire from Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A. for our borrowers.

On December 27, 2004, we entered into a service contract with Entel Chile S.A. to modernize our telecommunication systems. Quiñenco S.A. beneficially owns Entel Chile S.A. The contract was awarded in a competitive bidding process and is worth more than UF20,000 annually.

On December 28, 2005 we entered into an agreement with Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A., an affiliated insurance brokerage company, setting forth the specific terms of the life insurance policies associated with customer loans contracted by us for its borrower portfolio on behalf of the borrowers. The conditions of this agreement are an integral part of all the life insurance policies that we offer our borrowers. On December 31, 2006 the agreement was automatically renewed until December 31, 2007. The agreement can be automatically renewed for an additional one-year period through December 31, 2008. All the conditions contained in the agreement were previously reviewed and approved by our board of directors.

Loans to Related Parties

As authorized by the Chilean General Banking Law, and within the regulatory limits, we hold several outstanding loans owed by different corporations related to us. All such loans (i) were made in the ordinary course of business, (ii) were made on terms, including interest rates and collateral, substantially the same as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and (iii) did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features. See Note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 8. Financial Information

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

Please refer to “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

 

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Legal Proceedings

We and our subsidiaries are subject to claims and are parties to legal proceedings in the normal course of business.

In September 2004, the Federal Agencies of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta reviewed our New York and Miami branches respectively, in order to evaluate, among other matters, their compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act and other U.S. regulations pertaining to the prevention of money laundering. On February 1, 2005, as a consequence of these reviews, we agreed with the OCC to the issuance of a Consent Order and with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order. To comply with these orders, an action plan was developed to include the development and maintenance of programs designed to strengthen compliance with aforementioned regulations. The activities contained in the action plan, which was approved by the regulatory authorities, included specific time periods for their execution.

The implementation of activities related to re-documentation of client folders and certain specific activities of the internal controls program of the branch have required more time than was anticipated in the estimates of the plan. However, this plan was fully completed on March 31, 2007. Currently, other actions are being implemented in connection with the fulfillment of the OCC and Federal Reserve Orders, as those actions must be completed prior to the end of the third quarter of 2007.

Dividends

We currently have one class of common shares, and the dividends on our shares are proposed by our board of directors and are approved by our shareholders at the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting following the year with respect to which the dividends are proposed. Our annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting is held in the first three months of each year. Following shareholder approval, the dividends are declared and paid. Dividends are paid to shareholders of record on the fifth business day preceding the date set for payment of the dividend. The applicable record dates for the payment of dividends to holders of our ADSs are, to the extent practicable, the same. Under the Chilean Corporations Law and regulations issued thereunder, Chilean public corporations are generally required to distribute at least 30% of their earnings as dividends. Previously, a bank was permitted to distribute less than such minimum amount in any given year with approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding stock. In 2006, however, this possibility was eliminated by law. Under the General Banking Law, a Chilean bank may only pay a single dividend per year (i.e., interim dividends are not permitted).

Our dividend policy is affected to some extent by the rights of SAOS, our affiliate, pursuant to its assumption of the Central Bank indebtedness discussed in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Overview—The 1982-1983 Economic Crisis and the Central Bank Subordinated Debt.”

We currently have one class of capital shares. In March 2007, we paid a nominal dividend of Ch$ 1.9796 per share.

During an extraordinary shareholders meeting held on March 22, 2007, our shareholders resolved to pay a portion of our 2006 dividend in shares. In order to do so, our shareholders resolved to issue 882,459,200 new fully paid-in shares. On April 26, 2007, our board of directors agreed to distribute such new fully paid-in shares on May 10, 2007. On May 10, 2007, shareholders who were holders of record on May 4, 2007 received new fully paid-in shares at a ratio of 0.02213 new shares for each share held on May 4, 2007. As a consequence of the issuance of the new fully paid-in shares, we had 69,920,023,865 shares outstanding as of May 10, 2007.

 

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Dividends payable to holders of our ADSs are net of conversion expenses of the depositary and are subject to Chilean withholding tax currently at the rate of 35%, subject to certain credits. Owners of our ADSs are not charged any fees with respect to cash or stock dividends.

Pursuant to current Chilean foreign exchange regulations, a shareholder who is not a resident of Chile need not register as a foreign investor in order to receive dividends, sale proceeds or other amounts with respect to its shares remitted outside Chile, but the investor must inform the Central Bank about any such transactions and must remit foreign currency through the Formal Exchange Market. Under the foreign investment contract, the depositary, on behalf of our ADS holders, will be granted access to the Formal Exchange Market to convert cash dividends from Chilean pesos to U.S. dollars and to pay such U.S. dollars to ADS holders outside Chile.

The following table sets forth the cash dividends declared per common share and per ADS during the periods indicated:

 

      As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2006
     (in constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)    (in U.S.$)

Dividend payout ratio(1)

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0%

Dividend per common share(2)

   2.20     0.85     2.09     2.45     2.25     0.0042

Dividend per F shares(2)(3)

   0.49     —       —       —       —       —  

(1) Dividend payout ratio is calculated by dividing the amount of dividends paid by the earnings per share of the prior year.

 

(2) Dividends per share are calculated by dividing the amount of the dividend paid by the number of shares outstanding, excluding shares repurchased through the share repurchase program described elsewhere in this document.

 

(3) As part of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards, Banco de A. Edwards shareholders received F shares of Banco de Chile. The F shares had all the same rights as our common stock, except that they entitled holders to receive dividends in 2002 with respect to Banco de A. Edward’s 2001 income. Once these dividends were declared and paid, the F shares automatically converted on a one-for basis into shares of our common stock. Accordingly, the F shares no longer exist.

Whether future dividends will be paid will depend upon our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, governmental regulations and policies and other factors. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that dividends in future years will be paid at a rate similar to dividends paid in past years.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

No significant changes in our financial condition have occurred since the date of the most recent audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

 

Item 9. The Offer and Listing

Nature of Trading Market

Shares of our common stock are traded on the Chilean stock exchanges. They have been listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange since 1894, on the Electronic Stock Exchange since 1989 and on the Valparaiso Stock Exchange since 1894. The Santiago Stock Exchange is the principal trading market for our shares.

The Chilean securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than major securities markets in the United States. The Santiago Stock Exchange, which is Chile’s principal exchange, had a market capitalization of approximately U.S.$ 173.8 billion as of December 31, 2006 and an average monthly trading volume of approximately U.S.$ 2,397 million for 2006. The Santiago Stock Exchange was established in 1893 and is a private company whose equity consists of 48 shares held by 45 shareholders. As of December 31, 2006, 283 series of shares were listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange.

 

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The Santiago Stock Exchange accounts for approximately 86.2% of all amounts traded in Chile. The ten largest companies in terms of market capitalization represented, as of December 31, 2006, approximately 48.3% of the Santiago Stock Exchange’s aggregate market capitalization and during 2006 accounted for approximately 33.7% of its total volume. During 2006, 26.1% of the companies listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange had their shares traded on an average of 70% or more of the exchange’s trading days. Approximately 13.0% of equity trading in Chile is conducted on the Chilean Electronic Stock Exchange, an electronic trading market that was created by banks and non-member brokerage houses. The remaining 0.8% of equity is traded on the Valparaiso Stock Exchange.

ADSs, each representing 600 shares of common stock, without nominal (par) value, have been listed on the NYSE since January 2, 2002 under the symbol “BCH.” JPMorgan Chase Bank is our depositary for purposes of issuing the ADRs evidencing our ADSs. As of December 31, 2006, a maximum of 1,510,272 ADSs were outstanding (equivalent to 906,163,383 shares of common stock or 1.31% of the total number of issued shares of common stock). Since certain of our ADSs are held by brokers or other nominees, the number of direct record holders in the United States may not be fully indicative of the number of direct beneficial owners in the United States or of where the direct beneficial owners of such shares are resident.

We listed our shares on Latibex, and trading of our shares started on that exchange on October 8, 2002 under the code XBCH, grouped in trading units of 600 shares. In addition, since December 20, 2002, our shares are listed on the LSE.

 

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The table below shows, for the periods indicated, the annual, quarterly and monthly high and low closing prices (in nominal Chilean pesos) of the shares of our securities on the Santiago Stock Exchange, the Electronic Stock Exchange, and the Valparaiso Stock Exchange:

 

     Santiago Stock Exchange    Electronic Stock Exchange    Valparaiso Stock Exchange
     Common Stock    Common Stock    Common Stock
     High    Low    High    Low    High    Low
     (Ch$ per share )(1)    (Ch$ per share )(1)    (Ch$ per share )(1)

Annual Price History

                 

2002

   Ch$ 26.0    Ch$ 16.8    Ch$ 25.2    Ch$ 16.5    Ch$ 25.0    Ch$ 17.0

2003

     32.0      19.2      32.0      19.2      32.0      20.3

2004

     36.8      26.5      36.8      26.0      36.8      26.5

2005

     37.7      32.0      38.0      32.0      38.8      30.0

2006

     45.9      32.0      46.0      31.4      46.0      31.7

Quarterly Price History

                 

2005

                 

1st Quarter

     37.7      32.6      38.0      32.3      38.0      32.5

2nd Quarter

     34.0      32.0      34.2      32.0      34.0      30.0

3rd Quarter

     36.3      34.0      36.4      33.8      36.0      33.9

4th Quarter

     36.8      34.0      37.0      33.5      38.8      34.3

2006

                 

1st Quarter

     37.9      34.6      38.1      34.6      37.9      34.6

2nd Quarter

     35.0      32.0      35.7      31.4      35.0      31.7

3rd Quarter

     37.2      33.0      37.2      32.7      37.3      32.9

4th Quarter

     45.9      37.4      46.0      37.0      46.0      37.4

2007

                 

1st Quarter

     47.0      40.6      47.3      41.0      47.1      40.8

Monthly Price History

                 

December 2006

     45.9      38.2      46.0      38.6      46.0      38.6

January 2007

     47.0      41.8      47.3      41.5      47.1      41.5

February 2007

     45.2      40.6      45.6      41.2      45.5      40.8

March 2007

     45.0      41.9      45.0      41.0      45.5      42.5

April 2007

     44.9      43.3      45.0      43.1      45.0      43.5

May 2007

     44.8      40.5      44.4      40.0      44.6      40.9

Sources: Santiago Stock Exchange, Electronic Stock Exchange, Valparaiso Stock Exchange—Official Quotation Bulletin.

 

(1) Pesos per share reflect nominal price at trade date.

 

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The table below shows the annual, quarterly and monthly high and low closing prices in U.S. dollars and in Euros, respectively, as reported by the NYSE and Latibex:

 

     NYSE    Latibex
     ADS(1)    Trading Units(2)
     High    Low    High    Low
     (U.S.$ per ADS)    (Euros per Trading Unit)

Annual Price History

           

2006

   U.S.$ 54.40    U.S.$ 34.50    38.99    27.81

Quarterly Price History

           

2006

           

1st Quarter

     44.40      38.95      37.20      32.40

2nd Quarter

     41.30      34.50      33.35      27.87

3rd Quarter

     41.80      35.90      32.94      28.90

4th Quarter

     54.40      41.50      38.99      32.15

2007

           

1st Quarter

     52.38      44.03      41.03      34.10

Monthly Price History

           

December 2006

     52.40      43.35      38.99      32.50

January 2007

     52.38      45.50      41.03      35.15

February 2007

     50.33      45.38      40.00      34.60

March 2007

     50.58      44.03      37.60      34.10

April 2007

     51.00      48.00      38.50      35.70

May 2007

     51.25      46.19      38.00      34.48

Sources: NYSE and Latibex—Official Quotation Bulletin.

 

(1) One ADS represents 600 shares of common stock.

 

(2) One Trading Unit represents 600 shares of common stock.

 

Item 10. Additional Information

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Set forth below is a brief summary of the significant provisions of our bylaws, or estatutos and Chilean law. This description contains all material information concerning our shares, but does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our estatutos (a copy of which has been incorporated by reference into this annual report), the General Banking Law, the Chilean Corporations Law and the Securities Market Law. For a description of the provisions of our estatutos related to our board of directors and our directors/audit committee, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees” and for those related to our dividends, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends.”

We are an open stock (public) corporation. Open stock (public) corporations are those with 500 or more shareholders, or companies in which 100 or more shareholders own at least 10% of the subscribed capital (excluding those whose individual holdings exceed 10%), and all other companies that are registered in the Securities Registry of the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance. The Chilean Corporations Law sets forth the rules and requirements for establishing open stock corporations. Shareholder rights in a Chilean bank that is also an open stock corporation are governed by the bank’s estatutos, which effectively serve as both the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of a company incorporated in the United States. Article 137 of the Chilean Corporations Law provides that all provisions of the Chilean Corporations Law take precedence over any contrary provision in a corporation’s estatutos. Both the Chilean Corporations Law and our estatutos provide that legal actions by shareholders against us (or our officers or directors) to enforce their rights as shareholders or by one shareholder against another in their capacity as such are to be brought in Chile in arbitration proceedings.

 

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The Chilean securities markets are principally regulated by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance under the Securities Market Law and the Chilean Corporations Law. In the case of banks, compliance with these laws is supervised by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. These two laws provide for disclosure requirements, restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation and protection of minority investors. The Securities Market Law sets forth requirements relating to public offerings, stock exchanges and brokers, and outlines disclosure requirements for companies that issue publicly offered securities.

Capitalization

There is currently one outstanding series of our capital stock. We have a total of 69,920,023,865 outstanding shares. All of our shares are fully subscribed and paid and there are no legal restrictions on the payment of dividends from our net income, except that we may only pay a single dividend per year (i.e., interim dividends are not permitted). Chilean public corporations are generally required to distribute at least 30% of their earnings as dividends. Previously, a bank was permitted to distribute less than such minimum amount in any given year if the holders of at least two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding stock so determined, but in 2006 that possibility was eliminated by law. All of our shares have full voting rights.

Under Chilean law, the shareholders of a company, acting at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, have the power to authorize an increase in the company’s capital. When an investor subscribes for issued shares, the shares are registered in such investor’s name, even if not paid for, and the investor is treated as a shareholder for all purposes except with regard to receipt of dividends and the return of capital. The investor becomes eligible to receive dividends or the return of capital once it has paid for the shares; if it has paid for only a portion of such shares, it is entitled to reserve a corresponding pro-rata portion of the dividends declared with respect to such shares unless the company’s bylaws provide otherwise. If an investor does not pay for shares for which it has subscribed on or prior to the date agreed upon for payment, the company is entitled under Chilean law to auction the shares on the stock exchange and collect the difference, if any, between the subscription price and the auction proceeds. However, until such shares are sold at auction, the subscriber continues to exercise all the rights of a shareholder (except the right to receive dividends or the return of capital). In the case of banks, authorized shares and issued shares that have not been paid for within the period fixed for their payment by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks are cancelled and are no longer available for issuance by the company.

The Chilean Corporations Law provides that the purchaser of shares of a company implicitly accepts its bylaws and any agreements adopted at shareholders’ meetings.

Ownership Restrictions

Under the Securities Market Law and the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, shareholders of open stock corporations are required to report the following to the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance and the Chilean stock exchanges:

 

   

any direct or indirect acquisition or sale of shares that results in the holder’s acquiring or disposing of, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of an open stock corporation’s share capital; and

 

   

any direct or indirect acquisition or sale of shares or options to buy or sell shares, in any amount, if made by a holder of 10% or more of an open stock corporation’s capital or if made by a director, liquidator, main officer, general manager or manager of such corporation.

In addition, any person who acquires 10% or more of our shares must include in the report whether the purpose of the acquisition is to acquire control of us or if he or she is making a financial investment. A beneficial owner of ADSs representing 10% or more of our share capital will be subject to these reporting requirements under Chilean law.

 

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According to the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, Chilean banks that issue ADSs are required to inform the Chilean Superintendency of Banks if any person, directly or beneficially, acquires ADSs representing 5% or more of the total amount of shares of capital stock issued by such bank.

Under the Securities Market Law and the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, persons or entities intending to acquire control, directly or indirectly, of an open stock corporation are also required to inform the public of such intention at least 10 business days in advance but, in any case, as soon as negotiations regarding the change of control begin (i.e., when information and documents concerning the target are delivered to the potential acquirer) through a filing with the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, the stock exchanges, companies controlled by and that control the target and through a notice published in two Chilean newspapers, which notice must disclose, among other information, the person or entity purchasing or selling and the price and conditions of any negotiations.

Prior to such publication, a written communication to such effect must be sent to the target corporation, to the controlling corporation, to the corporations controlled by the target corporation, to the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance and to the Chilean stock exchanges. Title XV of the Securities Market Law provides the definition of a controlling power, direct holding and related party.

The General Banking Law provides that, as a matter of public policy, no person or company may acquire, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the shares of a bank without the prior authorization of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, which may not be unreasonably withheld. The prohibition also applies to beneficial owners of ADSs. In the absence of such authorization, any person or group of persons acting in concert would not be permitted to exercise voting rights with respect to the shares or ADSs acquired. In determining whether to issue such an authorization, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks considers a number of factors enumerated in the General Banking Law, including the financial stability of the purchasing party.

The General Banking Law also requires the prior authorization of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks for:

 

   

the merger of two or more banks;

 

   

the acquisition of all or a substantial portion of a bank’s assets and liabilities by another bank;

 

   

the control by the same person or controlling group of two or more banks; or

 

   

a substantial increase in the share ownership by a controlling shareholder of a bank.

The prior authorization is required solely when the acquiring bank or the resulting group of banks would own a significant market share in loans, defined by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks to be more than 20.0% of all loans in the Chilean banking system. The intended purchase may be denied by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, or may be conditioned on one or more of the following:

 

   

that the bank or banks maintain an effective equity higher than 8.0% and up to 14.0% of their risk-weighted assets;

 

   

that the technical reserve requirements established by Article 65 of the General Banking Law be applicable when deposits exceed one and a half times the resulting bank’s paid-in capital and reserves; or

 

   

that the margin for interbank loans be diminished to 20% of the resulting bank’s total capital.

 

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The General Banking Law and the regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks create the presumption that individuals that are holders of shares and who beneficially own more than 1% of the shares may be considered related to the bank and imposes certain restrictions on the amounts and terms of loans to them made by the related bank. This presumption also applies to beneficial owners of ADSs representing more than 1% of the shares.

Preemptive Rights and Increases of Share Capital

The Chilean Corporations Law provides that whenever a Chilean company issues new shares for cash, it must offer its existing shareholders the right to purchase a sufficient number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentages in the company. Pursuant to this requirement, we will offer preemptive rights in connection with any future issue of shares to the depositary as the registered owner of the shares underlying the ADSs. However, the depositary will not be able to make the preemptive rights available to U.S. holders of ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act, is effective with respect to the underlying shares or an exemption from the registration requirements thereunder is available.

We intend to evaluate, at the time of any preemptive rights offering, the practicality under Chilean law and Central Bank regulations in effect at the time of making such rights available to our ADS holders, as well as the costs and potential liabilities associated with the registration of such rights and the related shares of common stock under the Securities Act, and the indirect benefits to us of thereby enabling the exercise by all or certain U.S. holders of ADSs of their preemptive rights and any other factors we consider appropriate at the time. There can be no assurance that any registration statement would be filed. If we do not file a registration statement and no exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act is available, the depositary will sell such holders’ preemptive rights and distribute the proceeds if a premium can be recognized over the cost of such sale.

In the event that the depositary is not able, or determines that it is not feasible, to sell such rights at a premium over the cost of any such sale, all or certain U.S. holders of ADSs may receive no value for such rights. Non-U.S. holders of ADSs may be able to exercise their preemptive rights regardless of whether a registration statement is filed. The inability of all or certain U.S. holders of ADSs to exercise preemptive rights in respect of shares of common stock underlying such ADSs could result in such holders not maintaining their percentage ownership of the common stock following a preemptive rights offering unless the holder made additional market purchases of ADSs or shares of common stock.

Under Chilean law, preemptive rights are exercisable or freely transferable by shareholders during a period that cannot be less than 30 days following the grant of such rights. During such period, and for an additional 30-day period thereafter, a Chilean company is not permitted to offer any unsubscribed shares for sale to third parties on more favorable terms than those offered to its shareholders. At the end of such additional 30-day period, a Chilean open stock corporation is authorized to sell unsubscribed shares to third parties on any terms, provided that they are sold on a Chilean stock exchange. Unsubscribed shares that are not sold on a Chilean stock exchange can be sold to third parties only on terms no more favorable to the purchaser than those offered to shareholders.

Shareholders’ Meetings and Voting Rights

An ordinary annual meeting of shareholders is held within the first three months of each year, generally in March. The ordinary annual meeting of shareholders is the corporate body that approves the annual financial statements, all dividends in accordance with the dividend policy determined by our board of directors and any other matter that does not require an extraordinary shareholders meeting and elects our board of directors. On March 22, 2007, an ordinary annual meeting of our shareholders was held. Extraordinary meetings may be called by our board of directors when deemed appropriate, and ordinary or extraordinary meetings must be called by our board of directors when requested by shareholders representing at least 10% of the issued voting shares or by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. During the extraordinary shareholders meeting held on March 22, 2007, the shareholders agreed to increase the Banks capital in the amount of Ch$ 33,833,485,728 by means of an issuance of 882,459,200 fully paid-in shares. As agreed upon

 

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during the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on March 22, 2007, this increase in share capitalization will be charged to net income in fiscal year 2006 not distributed through dividends. In the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on May 17, 2007, the shareholders resolved to carry out a capital increase in the amount of Ch$110,000,000,000 by issuing 2,516,010,979 cash shares.

Notice to convene the ordinary annual meeting or an extraordinary meeting is given by means of three notices that must be published in a newspaper of our corporate domicile (currently Santiago, Chile) or in the Official Gazette in a prescribed manner, and the first notice must be published not less than 15 calendar days nor more than 20 calendar days in advance of the scheduled meeting. Notice must also be given to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and the Santiago, Valparaiso and Electronic Stock Exchanges. Currently, we publish our official notices in the Diario El Mercurio.

The notice of a shareholders’ meeting must be mailed not fewer than 15 calendar days prior to the date of such meeting and, in the case of an ordinary annual shareholders’ meeting, shareholders holding a prescribed minimum investment must be sent an annual report of our activities which includes audited consolidated financial statements. Shareholders who do not fall into this category but who request it must also be sent a copy of our annual report. In addition to these requirements, we regularly provide, and management currently intends to continue to provide, together with the notice of shareholders’ meeting, a proposal for the final annual dividend.

The quorum for a shareholders’ meeting is established by the presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders representing at least an absolute majority of the issued shares; if a quorum is not present at the first meeting on first call, the meeting can be reconvened (in accordance with the procedures described in the previous paragraph) and, upon the meeting being reconvened, shareholders present at the reconvened meeting are deemed to constitute a quorum regardless of the percentage of the shares represented.

The shareholders’ meetings pass resolutions by the affirmative vote of an absolute majority of those voting shares present or represented at the meeting. A vote by a two-thirds majority of the issued shares, however, required at any shareholders’ meeting to approve any of the following actions:

 

   

a change in corporate form, merger or spin-off;

 

   

an amendment to our term of existence or early dissolution;

 

   

a change in corporate domicile;

 

   

a decrease of corporate capital;

 

   

the approval of capital contributions in kind and a valuation of the assets contributed;

 

   

a modification of the powers of shareholders or limitations on the powers of our board of directors;

 

   

a reduction in the number of members of our board of directors;

 

   

the transfer of 50% or more of the corporate assets or the formation or amendment of any business plan that contemplates the transfer of 50% or more of our corporate assets;

 

   

any non-cash distribution in respect of the shares;

 

   

the granting of guarantees to secure third-party obligations in excess of 50% of our corporate assets, unless granted to a subsidiary; or

 

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the repurchase of shares.

Shareholders may aggregate their votes for the election of directors and cast the same in favor of one person.

In general, Chilean law does not require a Chilean open stock corporation to provide the level and type of information that U.S. securities laws require a reporting company to provide to its shareholders in connection with a solicitation of proxies. Shareholders are entitled to examine the books of a company within the 15-day period before its ordinary annual meeting.

The Chilean Corporations Law provides that whenever shareholders representing 10% or more of the issued voting shares so request, a Chilean company’s annual report must include, in addition to the materials provided by the board of directors to shareholders, any shareholders’ comments and proposals in relation to the company’s affairs. Similarly, the Chilean Corporations Law provides that whenever the board of directors of an open stock corporation convenes an ordinary meeting of the shareholders and solicits proxies for that meeting, or distributes information supporting its decisions or other similar material, it is obligated to include as an annex to its annual report any pertinent comments and proposals that may have been made by shareholders owning 10% or more of the company’s voting shares who have requested that such comments and proposals be included.

Only shareholders registered as such with us on the fifth business day prior to the date of a meeting are entitled to attend and vote their shares. A shareholder may appoint another individual (who need not be a shareholder) as his proxy to attend and vote on his behalf. Every shareholder entitled to attend and vote at a shareholders’ meeting has one vote for every share subscribed.

Dividend, Liquidation and Appraisal Rights

Under the Chilean Corporations Law, Chilean companies are generally required to distribute at least 30% of their earnings as dividends. Previously, the General Banking Law stated that banks were permitted to distribute less than such minimum amount in any given year with the approval of holders of at least two-thirds of the bank’s common stock. In 2006, however, this possibility was eliminated by law. In the event of any loss of capital or decrease in the legal reserve, no dividends can be distributed until the loss is recovered. Also, a bank cannot distribute dividends above the legal minimum if doing so would result in the bank exceeding its maximum indebtedness ratio or its lending limits. See “Item 8. Financial Information—Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends.”

Dividends that are declared but not paid by the date set for payment at the time of declaration are adjusted from the date set for payment to the date they are actually paid, and interest is accrued thereon. The right to receive a dividend lapses if it is not claimed within five years from the date the dividend is payable.

We may declare a dividend in cash or in shares. When a share dividend is declared above the legal minimum (which minimum must be paid in cash), our shareholders must be given the option to elect to receive cash. A U.S. holder of our ADSs may, in the absence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an available exemption from the registration requirement thereunder, effectively be required to receive a dividend in cash. See “—Preemptive Rights and Increases of Share Capital.”

In the event of our liquidation, the holders of our fully paid shares would participate equally and ratably, in proportion to the number of paid-in shares held by them, in our assets available after payment of all our creditors.

In accordance with the General Banking Law, our shareholders would have no appraisal rights in the event of a business combination or otherwise.

 

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Approval of Financial Statements

Our board of directors is required to submit our audited consolidated financial statements to the shareholders annually for their approval. The approval or rejection of the financial statements is entirely within our shareholders’ discretion. If our shareholders reject our financial statements, our board of directors must submit new financial statements not later than 60 calendar days from the date of the rejection. If our shareholders reject our new financial statements, our entire board of directors is deemed removed from office and a new board of directors is elected at the same meeting. Directors who individually approved our financial statements are disqualified from running for re-election for the ensuing period.

Registrations and Transfers

We act as our own registrar and transfer agent, as is customary among Chilean companies. In the case of jointly owned shares, an attorney-in-fact must be appointed to represent the joint owners in dealings with us.

Amendments to the Chilean Securities Laws and Chilean Corporations Law

On December 20, 2000, the Chilean Congress enacted Law No. 19.705, which amended the Securities Market Law and the Chilean Corporations Law. Among the amendments introduced, Law No. 19.705 established that certain transactions may only be performed via a tender offer. In particular, the acquisition of shares with the intention of obtaining control of an open stock corporation, an offer to buy shares representative of 3% or more of the outstanding shares after obtaining control of an open stock corporation and the sale of shares by controlling shareholders when the price paid is substantially higher than the market price must all be performed by means of a tender offer. According to the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, a price should be deemed substantially higher than the market price when it is 10% higher than the average market price for a period starting 90 calendar days and ending 30 calendar days before the proposed transaction.

The amendments introduced to the Chilean Corporations Law by the enactment of Law No. 19.705 also established that:

 

   

open stock corporations must create directors committees with the power to revise and approve transactions when the interest of the controlling shareholders is involved in those transactions. A majority of the committee’s members must be independent directors, if there are any;

 

   

open stock corporations can offer stock options to their officers and employees when their general shareholders’ meeting approves an increase of capital with the issuance of new shares, within a limit of 10% of the new shares issued;

 

   

open stock corporations can buy back their own shares with a limit of 5% of the paid-in capital and reserves;

 

   

mutual funds, as shareholders, can vote for the company’s board of directors, but they cannot vote for a member of the board who is related to the controlling shareholders of the company; and

 

   

directors and shareholders who hold 5% or more of the outstanding shares have the right to sue for indemnification on behalf of the company for any damages that the company may suffer as a result of a third party’s actions.

 

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EXCHANGE CONTROLS

The Central Bank is responsible for, among other things, monetary policies and exchange controls in Chile. Appropriate registration of a foreign investment in Chile grants the investor access to the Formal Exchange Market. Foreign investments can be registered with the Foreign Investment Committee under Decree Law No. 600 or can be registered with the Central Bank under the Central Bank Act.

On April 16, 2001, the Central Bank agreed that, effective April 19, 2001:

 

   

the prior foreign exchange restrictions would be eliminated; and

 

   

a new Compendio de Normas de Cambios Internacionales, or Compendium of Foreign Exchange Regulations, would be applied.

The main objective of this change, as declared by the Central Bank, is to facilitate capital movements from and into Chile and encourage foreign investment.

The following specific restrictions were eliminated:

 

   

a reserve requirement with the Central Bank for a period of one year. This mandatory reserve was previously imposed on foreign loans and funds brought into Chile to purchase shares other than those acquired in the establishment of a new company or in the capital increase of the issuing company. This reserve requirement was decreased from 30% to 0% of the proposed investment on September 16, 1998;

 

   

the requirement for prior approval by the Central Bank for certain operations, such as repatriation of investments and payments to foreign creditors;

 

   

the mandatory return of foreign currencies to Chile; and

 

   

the mandatory conversion of foreign currencies into Chilean pesos.

Under the amended regulations, only the following limitations are applicable to these operations:

 

   

the Central Bank must be provided with information related to certain operations, such as foreign investments and foreign credits; and

 

   

certain operations, such as money transfers to and from Chile must be conducted within the Formal Exchange Market.

The Central Bank also eliminated Chapter XXVI of the “Compendium of Foreign Exchange Regulations,” which regulated the establishment of an ADR facility by a Chilean company. According to the new rules, it is not necessary to seek the Central Bank’s prior approval in order to establish an ADR facility. The establishment of an ADR facility is now regarded as an ordinary foreign investment. The establishment of an ADR facility now simply requires that the Central Bank be informed of the transaction, and that the transaction be conducted exclusively through the Formal Exchange Market.

Foreign Investment Contract

We are a party, as legal successor of Banco de A. Edwards, to the currently existing foreign investment contract with the Central Bank and the depositary (a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-14020) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 18, 2001). Absent the foreign investment contract, under applicable Chilean exchange controls,

 

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investors would not be granted access to the Formal Exchange Market for the purpose of converting pesos to U.S. dollars and repatriating from Chile amounts received with respect to deposited shares or shares withdrawn from deposit on surrender of ADSs (including amounts received as cash dividends and proceeds from the sale in Chile of the underlying shares and any rights arising therefrom).

The following is a summary of the material provisions of the foreign investment contract. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the foreign investment contract. Under the foreign investment contract, the Central Bank agrees to grant to the depositary, on behalf of ADR holders, and to any investor not residing or domiciled in Chile who withdraws shares upon delivery of ADRs (we refer to such shares as withdrawn shares), access to the Formal Exchange Market to convert pesos to U.S. dollars (and remit such U.S. dollars outside of Chile) in respect of shares represented by ADSs or withdrawn shares, including amounts received as:

 

   

cash dividends;

 

   

proceeds from the sale in Chile of withdrawn shares (subject to receipt by the Central Bank of a certificate from the holder of the withdrawn shares (or from an institution authorized by the Central Bank) that such holder’s residence and domicile are outside Chile and a certificate from a Chilean stock exchange (or from a brokerage or securities firm established in Chile) that such withdrawn shares were sold on a Chilean stock exchange);

 

   

proceeds from the sale in Chile of rights to subscribe for additional shares;

 

   

proceeds from our liquidation, merger or consolidation; and

 

   

other distributions, including without limitation those resulting from any recapitalization as a result of holding shares represented by ADSs or withdrawn shares.

Transferees of withdrawn shares will not be entitled to any of the foregoing rights unless the withdrawn shares are redeposited with the depositary. Investors receiving withdrawn shares in exchange for ADRs will have the right to redeposit such shares in exchange for ADRs, provided that the conditions to redeposit are satisfied.

The foreign investment contract provides that a person who brings foreign currency into Chile to purchase shares with the benefit of the foreign investment contract must convert the foreign currency into pesos on the same date as the foreign currency is brought into Chile and then has five banking business days within which to invest the currency in shares in order to receive the benefits of the foreign investment contract. If the person decides within that period not to acquire shares, he or she can access the formal exchange market to reacquire dollars, provided that the applicable request is presented to the Central Bank within seven banking business days of the initial conversion into pesos. Shares acquired as described above may be deposited for ADSs and receive the benefits of the foreign investment contract, subject to:

 

   

receipt by the Central Bank of a certificate from the depositary that such deposit has been effected and that the related ADRs have been issued; and

 

   

receipt by the custodian of a declaration from the person making such deposit waiving the benefits of the foreign investment contract with respect to the deposited shares.

Access to the Formal Exchange Market under any of the circumstances described above is not automatic. Such access requires approval of the Central Bank based on a request presented through a banking institution established in Chile. The foreign investment contract provides that if the Central Bank has not acted on the request within seven banking days, the request will be deemed approved.

 

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Under current Chilean law, the foreign investment contract cannot be changed unilaterally by the Central Bank, and there are judicial precedents (which are not binding with respect to future judicial decisions) indicating that the foreign investment contract may not be abrogated by future legislative changes. On May 10, 2007, the Board of the Central Bank resolved to interpret the regulations regarding the previously established Chapter XXVI in connection with the access granted to the Formal Exchange Market. These regulations allow entities that endeavor to carry out capital increases by means of the issuance of cash shares before August 31, 2007 to apply the aforementioned regulation to their capital increases, but only once and only if those shares can be fully subscribed and paid by August 31, 2008, among other conditions. Consequently, future capital increases will be regarded as an ordinary foreign investment which will require that the Central Bank be informed of the transaction, and that the transaction be conducted exclusively through the Formal Exchange Market. However, the access to the Formal Exchange Market under these regulations will no longer be granted. Furthermore, there is no assurance that (i) additional Chilean restrictions may be inapplicable to the holders of ADRs, (ii) the disposition of underlying shares or the repatriation of the proceeds from such disposition will be subject to restrictions in the future and (iii) we can we assess the duration or impact of such restrictions if imposed.

TAXATION

Chilean Tax Considerations

The following discussion is based on certain Chilean income tax laws presently in force, including Ruling No. 324 of January 29, 1990 of the Servicio de Impuestos Internos, or the Chilean Internal Revenue Service, and other applicable regulations and rulings. The discussion summarizes the principal Chilean income tax consequences of an investment in ADSs or shares of common stock by an individual who is not domiciled in, or a resident of, Chile or a legal entity that is not organized under the laws of Chile and does not have a permanent establishment located in Chile, which we refer to as a foreign holder. For purposes of Chilean tax law, an individual holder is a resident of Chile if he or she has resided in Chile for more than six consecutive months in one calendar year or for a total of more than six months, whether consecutive or not, in two consecutive tax years. An individual holder is domiciled in Chile if he or she resides in Chile with the purpose of staying in Chile (such purpose to be evidenced by circumstances such as the acceptance of employment within Chile or the relocation of his or her family to Chile). This discussion is not intended as tax advice to any particular investor, which can be rendered only in light of that investor’s particular tax situation.

Under Chilean law, provisions contained in statutes such as tax rates applicable to foreign holders, the computation of taxable income for Chilean purposes and the manner in which Chilean taxes are imposed and collected may be amended only by another statute. In addition, the Chilean tax authorities issue rulings and regulations of either general or specific application and interpret the provisions of Chilean tax law. Chilean taxes may not be assessed retroactively against taxpayers who act in good faith relying on such rulings and regulations, but Chilean tax authorities may change rulings and regulations prospectively. There is no general income tax treaty in force between Chile and the United States.

Cash Dividends and Other Distributions

Cash dividends paid by us with respect to ADSs or shares of common stock held by a foreign holder will be subject to a 35.0% Chilean withholding tax, which is withheld and paid over by us, which we refer to as the Chilean withholding tax. A credit against the Chilean withholding tax is available based on the level of corporate income tax, or first category tax, actually paid on the taxable income to which the dividend is imputed; however, this credit does not reduce the Chilean withholding tax on a one-for-one basis because it also increases the base on which the Chilean withholding tax is imposed. In addition, distribution of book income in excess of retained taxable income is subject to the Chilean withholding tax, but such distribution is not eligible for the credit. Under Chilean income tax law, for purposes of determining the level of the first

 

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category tax paid, dividends generally are assumed to have been paid out of oldest retained taxable profits. The effective rate of withholding tax to be imposed on dividends paid by us will vary depending upon the amount of first category tax paid by us on the earnings to which the dividends are attributed. In our case, the amount paid as first category tax is lower than it would be based on our income because the dividends paid to SAOS are accounted for as a cost to us. Presently, the first category tax rate is 17%. Whether the first category tax is imposed or not, the effective overall combined rate of Chilean taxes imposed with respect to our distributed profits is 35.0%.

The foregoing tax consequences apply to cash dividends paid and dividend distributions made in property, other than shares of common stock. Share dividends are not subject to Chilean taxation.

Capital Gains

Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition by a foreign holder of ADSs (or ADRs evidencing ADSs) will not be subject to Chilean taxation, provided that such disposition occurs outside Chile or that it is performed under the rules of Title XXIV of the Chilean Securities Market Law. The deposit and withdrawal of shares of common stock in exchange for ADRs will not be subject to any Chilean taxes.

Gain recognized on the sale or exchange of shares of common stock (as distinguished from sales or exchanges of ADSs representing such shares of common stock) by a foreign holder will be subject to both the first category tax and the Chilean withholding tax (the former being creditable against the latter) if (1) the foreign holder has held such shares of common stock for less than one year since exchanging ADSs for the shares of common stock, (2) the foreign holder acquired and disposed of the shares of common stock in the ordinary course of its business or as a regular trader of stock or (3) the sale is made to a company in which the foreign holder holds an interest (10.0% or more of the shares in the case of open stock corporations). In all other cases, gain on the disposition of shares of common stock will be subject only to the first category tax levied as a sole tax. However, if it is impossible to determine the taxable capital gain, a 5.0% withholding will be imposed on the total amount to be remitted abroad, without any deductions, as a provisional payment of the total tax due.

The tax basis of shares of common stock received in exchange for ADSs will be the acquisition value of such shares on the date of the exchange. The valuation procedure set forth in the deposit agreement, which values shares of common stock that are being exchanged at the highest price at which they trade on the Santiago Stock Exchange on the date of the exchange, generally will determine the acquisition value for this purpose. Consequently, the conversion of ADSs into shares of common stock and sale of such shares of common stock for the value established under the deposit agreement will not generate a capital gain subject to taxation in Chile.

The distribution and exercise of preemptive rights relating to the shares of common stock will not be subject to Chilean taxation. Amounts received in exchange for the shares or assignment of preemptive rights relating to the shares will be subject to both the first category tax and the Chilean withholding tax (the former being creditable against the latter to the extent described above).

There is an exemption for the payment of income tax by foreign institutional investors such as mutual funds, pension funds and others, that obtain capital gains in the sales through a Chilean stock exchange, a tender offer or any other system authorized by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, of shares of publicly traded corporations that are significantly traded in stock exchanges. The Chilean Internal Revenue Service has not enacted any rule nor issued any ruling about the applicability of this regulation to foreign holders of ADSs.

 

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A foreign institutional investor is an entity that is either:

 

   

a fund that makes public offers of its shares in a country whose public debt has been rated investment grade by an international risk classification agency qualified by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance;

 

   

a fund that is registered with a regulatory entity of a country whose public debt has been rated investment grade by an international risk classification agency qualified by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, provided that the investments in Chile, including securities issued abroad that represent Chilean securities, held by the fund represent less than 30.0% of its share value;

 

   

a fund that holds investments in Chile that represent less than 30.0% of its share value, provided that it proves that no more than 10.0% of its share value is directly or indirectly owned by Chilean residents;

 

   

a pension fund that is exclusively formed by individuals that receive their pensions on account of capital accumulated in the fund;

 

   

a fund regulated by the Foreign Capital Investment Funds Law, Law No. 18,657, in which case all holders of its shares must reside abroad or be qualified as local institutional investors; or

 

   

another kind of institutional foreign investor that complies with the regulatory requirements of the prior report of the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance and the Chilean Internal Revenue Service.

In order to be entitled to the exemption, foreign institutional investors, during the time in which they operate in Chile, must:

 

   

be organized abroad and not be domiciled in Chile;

 

   

not participate, directly or indirectly, in the control of the issuers of the securities in which it invests and not hold, directly or indirectly, 10.0% or more of such companies’ capital or profits;

 

   

execute an agreement in writing with a Chilean bank or securities broker in which the intermediary is responsible for the execution of purchase and sale orders and for the verification, at the time of the respective remittance, that such remittances relate to capital gains that are exempt from income tax in Chile or, if they are subject to income tax, that the applicable withholdings have been made; and

 

   

register in a special registry with the Chilean Internal Revenue Service.

Also, the sale or disposition of shares of Chilean public corporations that are significantly traded on stock exchanges is exempted from Chilean taxes on capital gains if the sale or disposition was made:

 

   

on a local stock exchange or any other stock exchange authorized by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance or in a tender offer process according to Title XXV of the Chilean Securities Market Law, so long as the shares (a) were purchased on a public stock exchange or in a tender offer process pursuant to Title XXV of the Chilean Securities Market Law, (b) are newly issued shares issued in a capital increase of the corporation, or (c) were the result of the exchange of convertible bonds (in which case the conversion price is considered to be the price of the shares). In this case, gains exempted from Chilean taxes shall be calculated using the criteria set forth in the Chilean Income Tax Law; or

 

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within 90 days after the shares would have ceased to be traded in specified volumes on a stock exchange. In such case, the gains exempted from Chilean taxes on capital gains will be up to the average price per share of the last 90 days. Any gains above the average price will be subject to the first category tax.

Capital gains subject to taxation in Chile may be generated in the case where the sale of the shares is made on a day other than the date in which the exchange is recorded. On October 1, 1999, the Chilean Internal Revenue Service issued Ruling No. 3708, allowing Chilean issuers of ADSs to amend the deposit agreements to which they are parties in order to include a clause that states that, in the case that the exchanged shares are sold by the ADSs’ holders in a Chilean stock exchange, either on the same day in which the exchange is recorded in the shareholders’ registry of the issuer or within the two prior business days to such date, the acquisition price of such exchanged shares shall be the price registered in the invoice issued by the stock broker that participated in the sale transaction. Consequently, should we include this clause in the deposit agreement, the capital gain that may be generated if the exchange date is different than the date in which the shares received in exchange for ADSs were sold, will not be subject to taxation.

Other Chilean Taxes

No Chilean inheritance, gift or succession taxes apply to the transfer or disposition of the ADSs by a foreign holder but such taxes generally will apply to the transfer at death or by a gift of shares of common stock by a foreign holder. No Chilean stamp, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties apply to foreign holders of ADSs or shares of common stock.

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion summarizes the principal U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to an investment in the ADSs or shares of common stock by a holder that is a citizen or resident of the United States or a U.S. domestic corporation or that otherwise will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of the ADSs or shares of common stock, who is referred to as a U.S. holder, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase ADSs or shares of common stock. In particular, this discussion is directed only to U.S. holders that will hold ADSs or shares of common stock as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, and does not address the tax treatment of U.S. holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks, dealers in securities or currencies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, traders in securities electing to mark to market, financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, holders of 10% or more of our voting shares, certain short-term holders of ADSs or shares of common stock, persons holding ADSs or shares of common stock as a position in a “straddle” or conversion transaction, or as part of a “synthetic security” or other integrated financial transaction. Prospective purchasers who are U.S. holders are advised to consult their own tax advisors as to the overall United States federal, state and local tax consequences of their ownership of ADSs and the underlying shares of common stock.

The statements of United States tax laws set out below are based on the laws in force as of the date of this annual report and may be subject to any changes in United States law occurring after such date, including changes that may have retroactive effect.

ADRs

In general, U.S. holders of ADRs evidencing ADSs will be treated, for United States federal income tax purposes, as the beneficial owners of the underlying shares of common stock that are represented by those ADSs and evidenced by those ADRs.

 

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Cash Dividends and Other Distributions

The gross amount of cash dividends paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) with respect to the shares of common stock or ADSs, including the net amount of the Chilean withholding tax withheld on the distribution (after taking into account the credit for the first category tax), will be includable in the gross income of a U.S. holder as foreign source dividend income on the day the dividends are received by the U.S. holder, in the case of shares of common stock, or by the depositary, in the case of shares of common stock represented by ADSs, and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as currently in force. Dividends paid in Chilean pesos will be includable in the income of a U.S. holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day they are received by the U.S. holder, in the case of shares of common stock, or the depositary, in the case of shares of common stock represented by ADSs. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the treatment of foreign currency gain or loss, if any, on any Chilean pesos received that are converted into U.S. dollars on a date subsequent to receipt.

Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the U.S. dollar amount of dividends received by an individual prior to January 1, 2011 with respect to the ADSs will be subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 15% if the dividends are “qualified dividends.” Dividends paid on the ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends if (i) the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and (ii) we were not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and are not, in the year in which the dividend is paid a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC. The ADSs are listed on the NYSE and will qualify as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States so long as they are so listed. Based on our audited financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, we believe that we were not treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to our 2006 taxable year. In addition, based on our audited financial statements and our current expectations regarding the value and nature of our assets, the sources and nature of our income, and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for our 2007 taxable year.

Based on existing guidance, it is not entirely clear whether dividends received with respect to the common stock will be treated as qualified dividends, because the common stock is not itself listed on a U.S. exchange. In addition, the U.S. Treasury has announced its intention to promulgate rules pursuant to which holders of ADSs or common stock and intermediaries through whom such securities are held will be permitted to rely on certifications from issuers to establish that dividends are treated as qualified dividends. Because such procedures have not yet been issued, it is not clear whether we will be able to comply with them. Holders of ADSs and common stock should consult their own tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in the light of their own particular circumstances.

The Chilean withholding tax (after taking into account the credit for the first category tax) will be treated as a foreign income tax that a U.S. holder may elect to deduct in computing its income tax or, subject to generally applicable limitations and conditions under the Internal Revenue Code, to credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credits, dividends paid on the common stock or ADSs will generally constitute foreign source passive income for U.S. tax purposes. Foreign tax credits will not be allowed for withholding taxes imposed in respect of certain short-term or hedged positions in securities and may not be allowed in respect of arrangements in which a U.S. holder’s expected economic profit is insubstantial. U.S. holders should consult their own advisors concerning the implications of these rules in light of their particular circumstances.

Distributions of additional shares of common stock (or rights to subscribe for shares of common stock) to U.S. holders with respect to the ADSs or shares of common stock that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

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A non-U.S. holder, i.e., a holder of shares of common stock or ADSs that is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign corporation generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on dividends received on shares of common stock or ADSs, unless that income is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States.

Capital Gains

Gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADSs or shares of common stock will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the holder’s adjusted basis in the ADSs or the shares of common stock and the amount realized on the disposition. The gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss. Capital gains realized by an individual U.S. holder are generally subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% with respect to property held for more than one year.

Gains realized by a U.S. holder on a sale or other disposition of ADSs or shares of common stock generally will be treated as U.S. source income. Because a U.S. holder generally may not use a foreign tax credit to reduce its U.S. federal income tax liability in respect of its U.S. source income, in the case of a disposition of shares of common stock (which, unlike a disposition of ADSs, would be taxable in Chile), the U.S. holder generally would not be able to utilize foreign tax credits in respect of any Chilean tax imposed on such a disposition unless such holder has other income from foreign sources, in the appropriate category, for purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation rules. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the foreign tax credit limitation rules to their investment in, and disposition of, the ADSs and shares of common stock.

Deposits and withdrawals of shares of common stock by U.S. holders in exchange for ADSs will not result in the realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A non-U.S. holder of shares of common stock or ADSs will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale of shares of common stock or ADSs, unless (1) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States or (2) in the case of gain realized by an individual non-U.S. holder, the non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

In general, dividends paid to a U.S. holder and proceeds from a disposition of the ADSs or shares of common stock will be subject to information reporting requirements and the payments may be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax if the U.S. holder does not provide a taxpayer identification number or otherwise establish an exemption. Under certain circumstances, such payments made to a non-U.S. holder also may be subject to U.S. information reporting requirements and U.S. backup withholding tax, unless the holder certifies its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption.

The foregoing discussion of Chilean and United States tax considerations is intended only to provide a general description of the principal relevant factors. The discussion is not intended as tax advice to any particular investor, which advice can be rendered only in light of that investor’s particular tax situation. Investors should consult their tax advisors about the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs or shares of common stock.

 

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DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

The materials included in this annual report on Form 20-F, and exhibits thereto, may be inspected and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a World Wide Web site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and information statements and other information regarding us. The reports and information statements and other information about us can be downloaded from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

 

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Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Introduction

We are exposed to market risks in our asset liability management portfolio and in our trading portfolio. Our asset liability management portfolio is comprised of our nontrading activities and arises from engaging in our core banking activities. It includes retail and corporate deposits, mortgage bonds, foreign borrowings, consumer, commercial and mortgage loans, and foreign trade transactions. Our trading portfolio comprises positions in financial instruments that are held by business units whose business strategy is to trade or to make markets. Thus, trading positions are valued at market prices on a daily basis and it includes government securities, local and foreign corporate bonds, foreign exchange positions, forwards on foreign exchange and currency and interest rate swaps.

The Risk Process

We control financial risk primarily through a series of limits, which are approved by the finance and international committee. See “—Market Risk: Models and Measurement—Asset Liability Portfolio” and “—Market Risk: Models and Measurement—The Trading Portfolio” for an explanation of these limits. The finance and international committee’s membership is comprised of the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer and the managers of the planning and research division, the financial division and the corporate and international division. The finance and international committee sets limits based on an analysis of our business strategy, market volatility, liquidity of the products involved, management experience and our overall risk tolerance.

The frequency with which we monitor our exposure to market risk depends on the nature of the portfolio. Market risk for the trading portfolio is monitored on a daily basis. A risk report, highlighting the level of market risk, with its evolution and risk concentrations by asset class and business unit is distributed to several business segment managers of the planning and research division, the financial division and the corporate and international division and to the other finance and international committee members.

Market risk for the asset liability portfolio is monitored on a monthly basis. The risk report for the asset liability portfolio focuses on interest rate risk for local and foreign currency and on the evolution of our assets and liabilities positions is monitored in local and foreign currency. The report is distributed to several business segment managers and to the finance and international committee members.

The financial risk department manages market risks. Fully independent of the trading groups, it reports directly to the manager of the planning and research division. The financial risk department oversees our local financial activities as well as those of our international operations. Its responsibilities include:

 

   

the establishment of a comprenhensive market risk framework

 

   

the tracking of positions and the daily update of databases with market prices;

 

   

risk measurement, which involves the quantification of financial exposure, under normal and stress circumstances, using different risk models;

 

   

establishing policies, procedures and risk limits;

 

   

risk monitoring, where the level and the evolution of the different risks we are exposed to is analyzed;

 

   

the distribution of the risk report to senior management and the finance and international committee members;

 

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the verification of compliance with the board of directors’ established risk tolerance levels and limits and identification of any policy exceptions;

 

   

developing guidelines for new products and including new exposures within the current framework; and

 

   

applying new measurement methods to existing products.

The financial risk department is responsible for warning our business segments when they are about to exceed our risk limits. The finance and international committee is also notified whenever any of our business segments is about to exceed our risk limits. If the risk limit is exceeded, the responsible business segment must explain why the risk limit was exceeded, and the finance and international committee must meet to decide whether to eliminate the excess risk or grant a provisional limit increase. The finance and international committee updates risk limits once a year, unless market conditions change, in which case risk limits are updated more frequently, as needed.

 

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Balance Sheet Structure

The composition of our assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2006 by currency and term was as follows:

 

     At December 31, 2006  
     Ch$     UF     Foreign
Currency(1)
    Total     Percentage  
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006, except for percentages)  

Assets(2):

          

Cash and due from banks

   Ch$ 398,101       —       Ch$ 820,972     Ch$ 1,219,073     9.6 %

Other assets(1)

          

Less than one year

     3,127,432       1,389,888       1,559,845       6,077,165     47.8  

From one to three years

     568,889       1,110,920       154,288       1,834,097     14.4  

More than three years

     244,998       2,757,022       88,639       3,090,659     24.3  
                                      

Total financial assets

   Ch$ 4,339,420     Ch$  5,257,830     Ch$  2,623,744     Ch$  12,220,994     96.1 %
                                      

Other

     378,538       1,640       97,748       477,926     3.7  

Bank premises and equipment

     149,375       —         2,302       151,677     1.2  

Investment in other companies

     7,693       —         —         7,693     0.1  

Allowance for loan losses

     (144,735 )     —         (244 )     (144,979 )   (1.1 )
                                      

Total assets

   Ch$ 4,730,291     Ch$ 5,259,470     Ch$ 2,723,550     Ch$ 12,713,311     100.0 %
                                      

Percentage of total financial assets by currency

     35.51 %     43.02 %     21.47 %     100.00 %  

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity(2):

          

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

   Ch$ 1,911,832     Ch$ 8,312     Ch$ 322,067     Ch$ 2,242,211     17.5 %

Other liabilities(1)

          

Less than one year

     2,881,727       1,048,449       1,928,747       5,858,923     45.6  

From one to three years

     49,020       1,211,038       87,941       1,347,999     10.5  

More than three years

     638,702       1,272,004       111,343       2,022,049     15.7  
                                      

Total financial liabilities

   Ch$ 5,481,281     Ch$ 3,539,803     Ch$ 2,450,098     Ch$ 11,471,182     89.3 %
                                      

Other

     273,242       10,409       256,527       540,178     4.2  

Shareholders’ equity

     639,383       —         —         639,383     5.0  

2006 net income

     195,248       —         —         195,248     1.5  
                                      

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   Ch$ 6,589,154     Ch$ 3,550,212     Ch$ 2,706,625     Ch$ 12,845,991     100.00 %
                                      

Percentage of total financial liabilities and shareholders’ equity by currency

     47.78 %     30.86 %     21.36 %     100.00 %  

Asset/liability gap

   Ch$ (1,858,863 )   Ch$ 1,709,258     Ch$ 16,925     Ch$ (132,680 )  
                                  

(1) Includes assets and liabilities payable in Chilean pesos that are indexed according to the U.S. dollar exchange rate.

 

(2) Includes forward contracts.

Market Risk Identification

Market risk refers to potential losses arising from unfavorable market movements in inflation rates, interest rates or foreign exchange rates, as well as the correlation among these factors and their volatility. We are exposed to the material market risks described below because of the financial positions we maintain. See “Market Risk: Models and Measurement.”

Interest rate risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk in both our asset liability portfolio and in our trading portfolio. For the asset liability portfolio, interest rate risk arises from differences in the maturity or timing of our assets and liabilities. Changes in interest rates also affect the underlying economic value of our assets and liabilities, as

 

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the present value of future cash flows changes when interest rates change. As is explained below, we use two models to measure our asset liability management’s portfolio’s exposure to interest rate risk: an Interest Rate Gap Model and a Duration Gap Model.

For the trading portfolio, interest rate risk is the change in the value arising from changes in interest rates. To control interest rate risk we use different risk measures such as Value at Risk, Present Value Basis Point or PVBP and basis risk. See “Market Risk: Value at Risk (VaR).”

Currency risk

We are exposed to currency risk because of unequal amount between the asset and liability positions that we maintain in each currency, or currency mismatches, in our asset liability management portfolio as well as in our trading portfolio in any given period. Currency risk is managed in our trading portfolio. See “Market Risk: Value at Risk (VaR).”

In general, we maintain mismatches in local currency against the U.S. dollar and, to a lesser extent, against the Japanese Yen, Brazilian real, the Mexican peso and the euro. Other mismatches are not significant.

At December 31, 2006, our consolidated foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities were denominated principally in U.S. dollars:

 

     At December 31, 2006  
     Assets    Liabilities     Net  
     (in millions of constant en Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)  

U.S. dollar(1)

   Ch$  2,167,528    Ch$ (2,314,326 )   Ch$ (146,798 )

Japanese yen

     452,269      (331,807 )     120,462  

Euro

     70,532      (51,963 )     18,569  

Mexican pesos

     13,218      —         13,218  

Brazilian real

     9,744      —         9,744  

Pound sterling

     1,041      (216 )     825  

Canadian dollar

     421      (34 )     387  

Swiss franc

     551      (282 )     269  

Other

     8,246      (7,997 )     249  
                       

Total

   Ch$ 2,723,550    Ch$ (2,706,625 )   Ch$ 16,925  
                       

(1) Includes Ch$72,158 million in assets and Ch$449 million in liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and payable in Chilean pesos indexed to the U.S. dollar exchange rate.

Inflation risk

We are exposed to inflation risk because of differences between the asset and liability positions that we maintain in local currency. We have generally maintained more peso-denominated liabilities than peso-denominated assets and more UF-denominated assets than UF-denominated liabilities. The net asset position in UF is inflation-indexed whereas the net position in peso is not inflation-indexed. In 2006 the inflation rate was 2.6 %. We believe that inflation risk is not significant for inflation has fluctuated only within a range of 1.1% and 4.5% since 2000.

Market Risk Models and Measurement

The data needed for our market risk models are obtained from brokers or government agencies with access to information provided by Reuters or Bloomberg or from information on prices located at issuers’ Internet sites. We maintain a daily risk factor database for currency parities, bond prices and interest rates for different maturities and currencies.

 

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Asset Liability Portfolio

The finance and international committee’s policies with respect to the asset liability portfolio protect net interest revenue on a pre-tax basis and the value of equity from unexpected changes in interest rates, while complying with the limits that have been imposed by Chilean banking regulators and those internally set by us. We use the Interest Rate Gap Model to measure the interest rate risk of our net interest revenue. The Duration Gap Model is used to measure the interest rate risk of our equity. Currency risk associated with our asset liability portfolio is managed using the Value at Risk, or VaR, methodology. See “––Market Risk: Value at Risk (VaR).”

12-Month Interest Rate Risk: The Interest Rate Gap Model

Fluctuations in interest rates affect our reported earnings through changes in our net interest income and lead to repricing risk. Repricing risk results from differences in the timing of interest rate changes and the timing of cash flows that occur in the pricing and maturity of a bank’s interest earning assets and liabilities. Any mismatch of interest earning assets and interest earning liabilities exists whenever an unequal amount of interest earning assets or interest earning liabilities mature or reprice in any given period, and is known as an interest gap position. A positive gap denotes assets sensitivity and normally means that an increase in interest rates would have a positive effect on net interest revenue, while a decrease in interest rates would have a negative effect on net interest revenue.

Our financial division is responsible for managing our interest rate gap for local and foreign currency and for defining internal financial transfer prices, especially minimum and maximum fund raising rates and the cost of funds for each of our active transactions. For this purpose, the finance division buys and sells all matched funds so that the business segments do not have to assume the transaction’s financial risk. We only take mismatched interest rate positions in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the finance and international committee.

To compute our exposure to repricing risk for the next 12 months, we prepare, on a monthly basis, gap profiles for inflation-indexed portfolios, non-inflation indexed portfolios and for dollar portfolios. To compute the different gap profiles we use the following tenor buckets:

 

   

monthly, from one month to three months; and

 

   

quarterly, from 90 days to a year.

Next, we calculate the potential impact on net interest revenue over the next twelve months assuming a non-parallel shift in the yield curve for inflation indexed positions, and parallel shifts for non-inflation and dollar positions. To limit repricing risk, the finance and international committee has established that total potential losses resulting from these shifts cannot exceed a certain amount of net interest revenue. The following tables show, in nominal amounts, the average, low and high repricing risk for the years 2005 and 2006:

 

     Repricing Risk 2005
     Low    High    Average    December 31,
2005
     (in millions of nominal Ch$)

Pesos position

   Ch$ 519    Ch$ 5,816    Ch$ 3,350    Ch$ 5,816

UF position

     1,967      8,970      5,366      1,967

Foreign currency position

     59      733      400      59

 

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     Repricing Risk 2006
     Low    High    Average    December 31,
2006
     (in millions of nominal Ch$)

Pesos position

   Ch$ 911    Ch$ 9,311    Ch$ 4,564    Ch$ 4,325

UF position

     6      1,198      580      1,042

Foreign currency position

     99      1,274      618      1,035

During 2006, the one-year gap in pesos remained negative. Since we expected interest rates in pesos to continue to go up during the year, we increased the size and the average maturity of our one-year gap. Consequently, the low, high and average repricing risk in pesos increased during the year. At the beginning the second quarter of 2006, we also started the process of closing the one year UF gap, principally by issuing time deposits in UF. This action was pursued because UF-denominated deposits are inflation-indexed and our expectations for the inflation of the year was lower than the market’s expectation. As a result of a smaller one-year UF gap, the average repricing risk for the UF gap dropped from Ch$5,366 million to Ch$580 million. Finally, the low, high and average repricing risk for foreign currency increased during the year because we began using short-term forein currency funding to finance the “Reserva Técnica,” a regulatory liquidity reserve requirement.

Economic Interest Rate Risk: The Duration Gap Model

Changes in interest rates also affect a bank’s underlying economic value. This is called economic risk. The duration gap seeks to protect the economic value of our equity from unexpected changes in interest rates. To do so, potential losses for existing gaps for inflation-indexed and non-inflation position, and for dollar positions, are calculated assuming interest rate shifts based on different volatility scenarios. During 2006, the finance and international committee changed the limit that regulate potential losses resulting from these scenario analyses from a percentage of capital to a risk tolerance expressed in millions of pesos.

For ease of comparison, the first two tables show the average low and high economic risk exposure as a percentage of capital for the years 2005 and 2006. The last table shows economic risk in millions of pesos. The last columns of the three tables show our interest rate sensitivity as of December 31, 2005 and 2006.

 

     Economic Risks as a Percentage of Capital 2005  
     Low     High     Average     December 2005  

Pesos position

   0.41 %   1.51 %   0.82 %   0.95 %

UF position

   1.10 %   5.32 %   2.66 %   5.32 %

Foreign currency position

   0.05 %   0.15 %   0.10 %   0.05 %
     Economic Risks as a Percentage of Capital 2006  
     Low     High     Average     December 2006  

Pesos position

   1.52 %   3.26 %   2.70 %   2.97 %

UF position

   3.48 %   5.84 %   4.68 %   5.31 %

Foreign currency position

   0.08 %   0.69 %   0.27 %   0.35 %
     Economic Risks 2006  
     Low     High     Average     December 2006  
     (in millions of nominal Ch$)  

Pesos position

   9,031     19,382     16,008     17,647  

UF position

   20,714     34,701     27,796     31,590  

Foreign currency position

   507     4,279     1,674     2,151  

We maintain a positive medium-term and long-term gap in UF, which is financed with a negative peso gap and, since the third quarter of the year, with a negative one-year UF gap. Because we looked forward to a drop in medium-term and long-term interest rates in UF and that expected inflation for these terms fluctuated around 3 percent a year, we increased the size of our medium-term and long-term UF gap during 2006. As a

 

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result of the increase, the low, average and high economic risk as a percentage of capital for the UF gap increased during the year. The average economic risk for the peso position also rose during the year, going from 0.82% to 2.70% or Ch$ 16,008 million. The greater risk for this position is a consequence of the increase in the gap that was required to finance the larger medium-term and long-term UF gap. Finally, average economic risk for the foreign currency position remained low, going from 0.10% in 2005 to 0.27% (e.g., Ch$ 1,674 million) in 2006, with the one-year gap contribuiting to most of this risk.

The Trading Portfolio

Because no single measure can reflect all aspects of market risk, we use several risk measures, both statistical and non-statistical, to control the market risk of our trading portfolio. The statistical measure is VaR. The non-statistical measures are stress testing, Present Value Basis Point, or PVBP, basis risk and volume limit for fixed income portfolio and currency mismatch.

New Regulations on Market Risks

In September 2005, the Central Bank instituted new regulations aimed at measuring and controlling market risk. For a discussion of the new regulations, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulation and Supervision—Market Risk Regulations.”

Market Risk: Value at Risk (VaR)

Market risk is defined as the sensitivity of the value of the trading portfolio to changes in market parameters such as interest rates and exchange rates. We measure and control our market risk through VaR. VaR provides an estimate of potential market losses over a specified time horizon at a defined level of confidence.

The trading portfolio is comprised by our positions in fixed income and in foreign exchange. Fixed income positions refer to instruments that are tradable on the market and that are sufficiently liquid so that daily market valuations and daily risk measurements are necessary to manage actual and potential losses on a timely basis. There is no portfolio classification for “held to maturity” in Chile. Consequently, all instruments that are tradable on the market must be classified as trading or available for sale instruments. Instruments included in the fixed income portfolio are Central Bank bonds, mortgage bonds, corporate bonds issued by local or foreign issuers and sovereign bonds. The foreign exchange position includes both the currency risk of the fixed income positions and the currency risk associated with our asset liability portfolio.

The VaR estimates are based on the Riskmetrics methodology to measure market risk. Riskmetrics uses a 95% confidence interval, a one-day holding period and an exponential moving average model with 74 historical observations to forecast variances and covariances. The calculated VaR is adjusted by market liquidity, modeling bid-ask spreads. In addition to the total VaR, VaRs estimated by market parameters and asset class are also computed.

VaR estimated by market parameters shows the amount of risk due to:

 

   

foreign exchange risk measured as the exposure to the volatility of the U.S. dollar; and

 

   

interest rate risk represented in terms of the exposure to the relevant yield curve for the Chilean peso, UF and U.S. dollar.

The VaR estimated by asset class shows the amount of risk due to:

 

   

our foreign exchange portfolio;

 

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our short term fixed income portfolio, which includes: forwards, short-term instruments issued by the Central Bank, time deposits in Chilean pesos, UF and U.S. dollars and floating notes; and

 

   

our fixed income portfolio, which includes long term Central Bank securities, mortgage bonds, local corporate bonds, foreign corporate bonds and interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps.

Our financial Risk Department rechecks the VaR model on an on-going basis to assess its accuracy. The results of these tests have supported the reliability of our VaR model.

The following tables show the median, low and high daily VaR for the years 2005 and 2006, along with VaR at December 31, 2005 and 2006.

 

     Period Ended December 31, 2005     At December 31,
2005
 
     Median VaR     Minimum VaR     Maximum VaR     VaR  
     (in millions of nominal Ch$)  

Foreign exchange

   Ch$ 90     Ch$ 24     Ch$ 122     Ch$ 25  

Interest rate risk

     367       146       1,107       805  

Less: portfolio diversification

     (54 )     (13 )     (93 )     (24 )
                                

Total VaR

   Ch$ 403     Ch$ 157     Ch$ 1,136     Ch$ 806  
                                

 

     Period Ended December 31, 2006    

At December 31,

2006

 
     Median VaR     Minimum VaR     Maximum VaR     VaR  
     (in millions of nominal Ch$)  

Foreign exchange

   Ch$ 106     Ch$ 118     Ch$ 120     Ch$ 82  

Interest rate risk

     439       220       778       472  

Less: portfolio diversification

     (80 )     (113 )     (109 )     (117 )
                                

Total VaR

   Ch$ 465     Ch$ 225     Ch$ 789     Ch$ 437  
                                

 

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The chart below compares the VaR estimates with no-action-profit and loss, or NAPL, over the last 12 months ended on December 2006. NAPL describes the hypothetical profit and loss on the position that would have been incurred if the previous day’s closing position had been kept for the next 24 hours and then revalued.

In the chart below, the bars represent the daily NAPL whereas the line below the bars represents the daily VaR. We check the VaR model on an on-going basis to assess its accuracy. During 2006, the NAPL exceeded the calculated VaR on two occasions, which is within the model expectations.

LOGO

Assumptions and Limitations of the VaR Model. Our VaR model assumes that changes in market risk factors have a normal distribution and that the parameters o f this joint distribution have been estimated correctly. The normal distribution assumption, however, may result in our underestimating the probability of extreme market moves. For this reason, we also assess stress risk, or the potential loss due to extreme changes in risk factors. Stress testing is explained more thoroughly below. Another limitation to VaR testing is that while we compute VaR at the close of business, trading positions may change substantially during the course of the trading day and, thus, go unnoticed.

Non-statistical Risk Measures

Stress Risk. Stress risk is our exposure to unlikely but plausible changes, or outlier events, in risk factors resulting from maintaining prevailing positions after the close of a business/trading day. An extreme event is defined as a price variation that is beyond the 95% confidence level defined for normal analysis. Once the market movements for specific risk factors have been determined, they are applied to the portfolio. Then the portfolio is revalued to see the effect of the market move on the value of the portfolio. On a daily basis, the financial risk department performs a stress analysis. The stress analysis is done under two different methods: a standard VaR approach (parametric) and a historical simulation approach, since we believe that VaR may be subject to model risk. The standard VaR approach assumes that each risk factor experiences a decline in value greater than 3.5 standard deviations of the mean return and assumes zero correlation among asset classes. The financial risk department also computes a VaR figure using the historical simulation method. This amount is obtained from historical data that goes back 381 days from the date of the calculation.

Present Value Basis Point or PVBP. The PVBP is the change in an instrument’s value associated with the change in the reference yield of 1 basis point, or 0.01%. The finance and international committee has approved the PVBP risk limit. As of December 2006, the PVBP for the peso portfolio was Ch$24 million, for

 

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the UF portfolio Ch$164 million, and for the USD portfolio Ch$6 million. As of December 2005, the PVBP for the peso portfolio was Ch$12 million, Ch$177 million for the UF portfolio and for the USD portfolio Ch$23 million.

Basis Risk. Basis risk is the possibility of loss from imperfectly matched risk, offsetting positions in two related but not identical markets. We control our exposure to the basis risk between our Chilean foreign bonds portfolio and the interest rate swaps used to hedge them. As of December 2006, one basis point of basis risk was worth Ch$52 million. As of December 2005, one basis point of basis risk was worth Ch$35 million.

Position Limit for Fixed Income Portfolio and Currency Mismatch. To limit our exposure to interest rate risk, especially in periods of low volatility, we limit the size of our fixed income portfolio.

Currency Risk. The finance and international committee has determined that our net foreign currency mismatches cannot exceed a certain percentage of our capital. As of December 31, 2006, the net position of our foreign currency denominated assets and Chilean peso-denominated assets that contain repayment terms linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates exceeded our foreign currency denominated liabilities and Chilean peso-denominated liabilities that contain repayment terms linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates by Ch$16,925 million, equivalent to 2.6% of our paid-in capital and reserves.

The rate of devaluation or appreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar is expected to have the following material effects:

 

   

If we maintain a net asset position in U.S. dollars, and the peso devaluates against the dollar, we record a related gain (conversely, if the peso appreciates we record a related loss).

 

   

If we maintain a net liability position in U.S. dollars, and the peso devaluates against the dollar, we record a related loss (conversely, if the peso appreciates we record a related gain).

It is our policy to make foreign currency-denominated loans only to customers whose activities generate foreign currency-denominated cash flow or that are indexed to a foreign currency, or if the market value of a customer’s assets is indexed to the rate of exchange. At December 31, 2006, approximately 14% of our consolidated total loan portfolio was denominated in foreign currencies.

We enter into forward exchange contracts that are essentially of two types:

 

   

transactions covering U.S. dollars against other foreign currencies; and

 

   

transactions covering only Chilean pesos and UFs against U.S. dollars.

The following table presents notional amounts of our derivatives contracts at December 31, 2006:

 

     At December 31, 2006
Notional Amount
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as
of December 31, 2006)

Currency forwards

   Ch$ 3,655,156

Interest rate swaps

     921,892

Currency and rate swaps

     144,236

Call options

     682,801
      

Total

   Ch$ 5,404,085
      

 

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The following table presents foreign currency exchange rate risk instruments as of December 31, 2006, in notional amounts, for the next two years:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     2007    2008    Total
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2006)

Purchased:

        

Pay Chilean pesos / receive U.S. dollars

   48,099    10,689    58,788

Pay Chilean pesos / receive UF

   194,366    18,336    212,702

Pay U.S. dollars / receive Canadian dollars

   —      1,451    1,451

Pay U.S. dollars / receive Pound sterling

   5,200    839    6,039

Pay U.S. dollars / receive Japanese yen

   96    98,351    98,447

Pay U.S. dollars / receive euros

   5,210    3,534    8,744

Pay Chilean pesos / receive U.S. dollars

   1,012,861    185,962    1,198,823

Pay UF / receive U.S. dollars

   13,468    76,402    89,870

Pay Chilean pesos / receive Canadian dollars

   392    —      392

Pay Chilean pesos / receive Pound sterling

   4,512    1,049    5,561

Pay Chilean pesos / receive euros

   2,743    352    3,095
              

Subtotal

   1,286,947    396,965    1,683,912
              

Sold:

        

Futures Contract — Pay euros / receive U.S. dollars

   17,936    —      17,936

Futures Contract — Pay Japanese yen / receive U.S. dollars

   4,778    —      4,778

Pay U.S. dollars / receive Chilean pesos

   297,945    16,033    313,978

Pay UF / receive Chilean pesos

   190,698    25,671    216,369

Pay Canadian dollars / receive U.S. dollars

   392    1,451    1,843

Pay Pound sterling / receive U.S. dollars

   10,147    1,889    12,036

Pay Japanese yen / receive U.S. dollars

   213,956    —      213,956

Pay euros / receive U.S. dollars

   6,608    3,886    10,494

Pay U.S. dollars / receive Chilean pesos

   1,114,501    37,140    1,151,641

Pay U.S. dollars / receive UF

   17,307    9,500    26,807

Pay Japanese yen / receive Chilean pesos

   96    —      96

Pay euros / receive Chilean pesos

   1,310    —      1,310
              

Subtotal

   1,875,674    95,570    1,971,244
              

Total

   3,162,621    492,535    3,655,156
              

Foreign Operations

We apply the same policies and procedures described above with respect to the New York branch and the Miami branch. The only difference is the participation of their respective general managers on the proposal of limits and flow distribution standards. The manager of the corporate and international division is a permanent member of the finance and international committee. We place particular emphasis on monitoring interest rate risk over the total financial position and market risk of the portfolio of sovereign and corporate bonds maintained by the branches. The New York branch and the Miami branch do not maintain any other positions significant enough to warrant risk calculation. We perform control over the New York branch and the Miami branch individually and on a consolidated basis with the head office in Chile.

 

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Credit Risk for Derivatives

We make use of derivative transactions in the course of business to meet the financial needs of our customers, to generate revenues through our trading activities, and to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest and currency rates. We use the same credit risk management procedures when entering into derivative transactions as we do for traditional lending products. Our primary counter-parties in derivative transactions are investment-grade financial institutions.

In terms of outstanding exposure to credit risk, the true measure of risk from derivative transactions is the mark-to-market value of the contracts at a point in time (i.e., the cost to replace the contract at the current market rates should the counter-party default prior to the settlement). For most derivative transactions, the notional principal amount does not change hands; it is simply an amount that is used as a reference upon which to calculate payments. While notional principal is the most commonly used volume measure in the derivative and foreign exchange markets, it is not a measure of credit risk. As of December 31, 2006, the credit exposure of our foreign exchange forwards was Ch$9,222 million.

 

Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Not Applicable.

PART II

 

Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

None.

 

Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

None.

 

Item 15T. Controls and Procedures

We have evaluated, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2006. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management of the company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

 

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(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and

(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Based on our assessment and those criteria, management believes that the company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 16. [Reserved]

 

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Jorge Awad M., a member of our audit committee, qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” and as independent within the meaning of this Item 16A.

 

Item 16B.   Code Of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 16B of Form 20-F under the Exchange Act. Our code of ethics applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and persons performing similar functions, as well as to our directors and other employees without exception. A current copy of this code of ethics is filed as Exhibit 11.1 to this Form 20-F.

 

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Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by our independent auditors, Ernst & Young Limitada, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year ended December 31,
     2005    2006
     (in millions of constant
Ch$ as of
December 31, 2006)

Audit fees

   Ch$ 456    Ch$ 558

Audit-related fees

     —        6

Tax fees

     8      5

Other fees

     5      45
             

Total fees

   Ch$ 469    Ch$ 614
             

“Audit fees” in the above table are the aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young Limitada in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements. This line item includes: (i) reviews and advisory services related to filings with the LSE and the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) the statutory audit required by local regulations, (iii) the audit of the New York and Miami branches and (iv) the audit of the consolidated financial statements required by Item 18 of Form 20-F.

“Audit-related fees” in the above table are fees billed by Ernst & Young Limitada for other expenses related to review of our branches in Chile and the United States. This includes travel and subsistence expenses for the audit team.

“Tax fees” in the above table are fees billed by Ernst & Young Limitada for tax-related services.

“Other fees” in the above table are fees billed by Ernst & Young Limitada related to compensation research studies for 2006, the audit and comfort letter process related to the issuance of Rule 144A bonds in the United States.

 

I tem 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not Applicable.

 

Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

We did not make any purchases of our previously issued shares during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

PART III

 

Item 17. Financial Statements

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Item 18 hereof.

 

Item 18. Financial Statements

Our audited consolidated financial statements are included in this annual report beginning at page F-1.

 

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Item 19. Exhibits

LIST OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.   

Exhibit

  1.1    Estatutos of Banco de Chile, which serve as our articles of incorporation and bylaws (English translation).
  2.1    Form of Deposit agreement among Banco de Chile, JPMorgan Chase Bank as depositary, and the holders from time to time of ADSs (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-14020) filed on October 18, 2001).
  2.2    Form of Foreign Investment Contract among Banco de A. Edwards, Citibank, N.A. and the Central Bank of Chile relating to the foreign exchange treatment of an investment in ADSs, together with an English translation thereof (incorporated by reference to Banco de A. Edwards’ registration statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 33-97594) filed on September 29, 1995).
  2.3    Amendment to Foreign Investment Contract among Banco de Chile (as successor to Banco de A. Edwards), Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and the Central Bank of Chile, dated January 2, 2002, together with an English translation thereof (filed as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-15266) for the year ended December 31, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference).
  8.1    List of subsidiaries.
11.1    Code of Professional Ethics (English translation).
12.1    Certification under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
12.2    Certification under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.1    Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Omitted from the exhibits filed with this annual report are certain instruments and agreements with respect to our long-term debt, none of which authorizes securities in a total amount that exceeds 10% of our total assets. We hereby agree to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commision copies of any such omitted instruments or agreements as the Securities and Exchange Commision requests.

 

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SIGNATURE

The registrant, Banco de Chile, hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

BANCO DE CHILE
By   /s/ Fernando Cañas B.
  Name:   Fernando Cañas B.
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Date: June 29, 2007

 

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INDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2006

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006

   F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006

   F-7

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-8

Ch$   =    Chilean pesos
MCh$   =    Millions of Chilean pesos
US$   =    United States dollars
ThUS$   =    Thousands of United States dollars
UF   =    “Unidades de Fomento”, an inflation-indexed, peso denominated monetary unit. The UF rate is set daily based on changes in the Chilean Consumer Price Index.

Application of Constant Chilean Pesos

The December 31, 2004 and 2005 consolidated financial statements have been restated for general price-level changes and expressed in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2006 purchasing power.

 

F-1


Table of Contents

LOGO

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Banco de Chile:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Banco de Chile (the “Bank”) as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Bank’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Banco de Chile as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Chile and regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, which differ in certain respect from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (see Note 28 to the consolidated financial statements).

LOGO

ERNST & YOUNG LIMITADA

Santiago, Chile, January 25, 2007

(except for Note 28 for which the date is June 8, 2007)

 

F-2


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

         As of December 31,  
     NOTE   2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
    2006
ThUS$
(Note 1 (q))
 

ASSETS

        

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

   3      

Non-interest bearing

     652,015     865,513     1,619,507  

Interbank deposits-interest bearing

     21,139     353,560     661,565  
                    

Total cash and due from banks

     673,154     1,219,073     2,281,072  
                    

INVESTMENTS PURCHASED UNDER AGREEMENTS TO RESELL

     47,676     53,314     99,759  

FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS

   4      

Trading securities

     1,367,455     1,197,372     2,240,466  

Available for sale

     25,162     40,066     74,970  

Held to maturity

     15,739     16,003     29,944  
                    

Total financial investments

     1,408,356     1,253,441     2,345,380  
                    

LOANS, NET

   5      

Commercial loans

     3,584,631     3,970,909     7,430,176  

Consumer loans

     882,291     1,072,324     2,006,482  

Mortgage loans

     684,424     581,218     1,087,547  

Foreign trade loans

     562,336     677,296     1,267,324  

Interbank loans

     25,537     43,019     80,495  

Leasing contracts

   6   464,356     539,176     1,008,880  

Other outstanding loans

     1,363,056     1,762,225     3,297,391  

Past due loans

     72,847     61,685     115,422  

Contingent loans

     738,770     987,314     1,847,415  

Allowance for loan losses

   7   (144,272 )   (144,979 )   (271,278 )
                    

Total loans, net

     8,233,976     9,550,187     17,869,854  
                    

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

   13   —       50,501     94,495  

OTHER ASSETS

        

Bank premises and equipment, net

   8   145,441     151,677     283,811  

Investments in other companies

   9   7,310     7,693     14,395  

Assets received in lieu of payment, net

     10,669     10,799     20,207  

Other

   10(a)   386,461     463,601     867,467  
                    

Total other assets

     549,881     633,770     1,185,880  
                    

TOTAL ASSETS

     10,913,043     12,760,286     23,876,440  
                    

The accompanying notes 1 to 28 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

         As of December 31,
     NOTE   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$
   2006
ThUS$
(Note 1 (q))

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

          

DEPOSITS

          

Non-interest bearing

          

Current accounts

     1,548,060    1,738,972    3,253,882

Bankers’ drafts and other deposits

     494,691    503,239    941,637
                

Total non-interest bearing

     2,042,751    2,242,211    4,195,519

Interest bearing

          

Savings accounts and time deposits

     4,710,131    5,788,816    10,831,757
                

Total deposits

     6,752,882    8,031,027    15,027,276
                

OTHER INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

   11        

Central Bank credit lines for renegotiations of loans

     1,436    824    1,542

Other Central Bank borrowings

     —      —      —  
                

Total Central Bank borrowings

     1,436    824    1,542

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

     276,435    306,855    574,172

Mortgage finance bonds

     568,191    477,637    893,732

Bonds

     331,522    554,272    1,037,127

Subordinated bonds

     311,696    405,942    759,579

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     92,054    88,261    165,150

Foreign borrowings

     675,384    591,573    1,106,923

Other obligations

     34,452    26,432    49,458
                

Total other interest bearing liabilities

     2,291,170    2,451,796    4,587,683
                

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

   13   61,277    69,955    130,897

OTHER LIABILITIES

          

Contingent liabilities

   10(c)   739,109    988,359    1,849,370

Other

   10(b)   277,220    384,516    719,488

Minority interest

     1    2    4
                

Total other liabilities

     1,016,330    1,372,877    2,568,862
                

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   15        

Capital and reserves

     606,865    639,383    1,196,383

Net Income for the year

     184,519    195,248    365,339
                

Total Shareholders’ equity

     791,384    834,631    1,561,722
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     10,913,043    12,760,286    23,876,440
                

The accompanying notes 1 to 28 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

         Years ended December 31,  
     NOTE   2004
MCh$
    2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
    2006
ThUS$
(Note 1 (q))
 

INTEREST REVENUE AND EXPENSE

          

Interest revenue

     597,371     697,784     777,654     1,455,109  

Interest expense

     (227,283 )   (316,677 )   (372,244 )   (696,525 )
                          

Net interest revenue

     370,088     381,107     405,410     758,584  
                          

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

   7-19   (42,073 )   (22,491 )   (36,228 )   (67,788 )

FEES AND INCOME FROM SERVICES

   17        

Income from fees and other services

     173,701     187,678     192,447     360,098  

Other services expenses

     (40,453 )   (47,501 )   (58,906 )   (110,222 )
                          

Total fees and income from services, net

     133,248     140,177     133,541     249,876  
                          

OTHER OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

          

Gains from trading activities

     21,452     14,511     40,741     76,233  

Losses from trading activities

     (46,955 )   (30,731 )   (8,160 )   (15,269 )

Foreign exchange transactions, net

     19,092     24,155     (10,802 )   (20,212 )
                          

Total other operating income (loss), net

     (6,411 )   7,935     21,779     40,752  
                          

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES

          

Non-operating income

   17   5,104     8,024     16,717     31,279  

Non-operating expenses

   17   (16,797 )   (15,081 )   (13,842 )   (25,901 )

Equity participation in net income (loss) in investments in other companies

   9   461     696     1,031     1,929  

Minority interest

     (1 )   —       (1 )   (2 )
                          

Total other income and expenses

     (11,233 )   (6,361 )   3,905     7,305  
                          

OPERATING EXPENSES

          

Personnel salaries and expenses

     (143,877 )   (153,779 )   (157,958 )   (295,563 )

Administrative and other expenses

     (94,088 )   (111,262 )   (122,812 )   (229,800 )

Depreciation and amortization

     (16,900 )   (17,277 )   (19,767 )   (36,987 )
                          

Total operating expenses

     (254,865 )   (282,318 )   (300,537 )   (562,350 )
                          

NET LOSS FROM PRICE-LEVEL RESTATEMENT

   1(b)   (7,897 )   (11,690 )   (8,526 )   (15,953 )

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     180,857     206,359     219,344     410,426  
                          

INCOME TAXES

   21   (19,414 )   (21,840 )   (24,096 )   (45,087 )
                          

NET INCOME

     161,443     184,519     195,248     365,339  
                          

The accompanying notes 1 to 28 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2004
MCh$
    2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
(Note 1 (n))
    2006
ThUS$
(Note 1 (q))
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net income

   161,443     184,519     195,248     365,339  

Items that do not represent cash flows:

        

Depreciation and amortization

   16,900     17,277     19,767     36,987  

Provisions for loan losses

   77,757     56,170     64,328     120,367  

Provisions for assets received in lieu of payment

   940     586     (1,990 )   (3,724 )

Net change in trading investments

   336,319     228,071     123,054     230,253  

Equity participation in net (income) loss in investments in other companies

   (461 )   (696 )   (1,031 )   (1,929 )

Net gain on sales of assets received in lieu of payment

   (5,807 )   (5,179 )   (3,739 )   (6,996 )

Net gain on sales of bank premises and equipment

   (230 )   (100 )   (54 )   (101 )

Net loss from price-level restatement

   7,897     11,690     8,526     15,953  

Minority interest

   1     —       1     2  

Other charges not representing cash flows

   9,781     10,775     28,313     52,978  

Net change in interest accruals

   3,460     (63,043 )   25,241     47,230  
                        

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   608,000     440,070     457,664     856,359  
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Net increase in loans

   (530,481 )   (943,629 )   (1,057,026 )   (1,977,857 )

Net (increase) decrease in investments purchased under agreements to resell

   3,550     (20,813 )   (6,601 )   (12,352 )

Purchases of bank premises and equipment

   (13,021 )   (18,656 )   (22,141 )   (41,429 )

Proceeds from sale of bank premises and equipment

   1,423     298     116     217  

Investments in other companies

   (309 )   (1,700 )   —       —    

Sale of investments in other companies

   12     20     7     13  

Dividends received from investments in other companies

   775     572     629     1,177  

Proceeds from sale of assets received in lieu of payment

   17,678     15,175     9,206     17,226  

Net changes in other assets and liabilities

   (159,415 )   (281,722 )   (273,278 )   (511,345 )
                        

NET CASH USSED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (679,788 )   (1,250,455 )   (1,349,088 )   (2,524,350 )
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Net increase in current accounts

   208,054     93,575     222,735     416,771  

Net increase (decrease) in savings accounts and time deposits

   242,178     923,483     1,158,438     2,167,614  

Net increase (decrease) in bankers drafts and other deposits

   35,624     (217,288 )   18,772     35,125  

Net increase (decrease) in investments sold under agreements to repurchase

   (82,021 )   (80,045 )   36,159     67,659  

Increase in mortgage finance bonds

   141,791     521,720     50,704     94,875  

Repayment of mortgage finance bonds

   (337,035 )   (731,684 )   (118,446 )   (221,631 )

Proceeds from bond issues

   184,390     172,841     329,500     616,545  

Repayments of bond issues

   (10,539 )   (14,533 )   (11,949 )   (22,358 )

Net increase (decrease) in short-tem borrowings

   122,963     (378,769 )   246,923     462,031  

Proceeds from issuance of long-term borrowings

   248,210     723,535     510,095     954,466  

Repayment of long-term borrowings

   (455,374 )   (335,470 )   (835,507 )   (1,563,361 )

Sale of repayment of shares

   —       58,847     —       —    

Repurchase of shares

   (55,809 )   —       —       —    

Dividends paid

   (138,090 )   (155,828 )   (149,730 )   (280,168 )
                        

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   104,342     580,384     1,457,694     2,727,568  
                        

EFFECT OF PRICE-LEVEL RESTATEMENT ON CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

   (19,479 )   (38,899 )   (20,351 )   (38,079 )

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

   13,075     (268,900 )   545,919     1,021,498  

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR

   928,979     942,054     673,154     1,259,574  
                        

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS AT END OF YEAR

   942,054     673,154     1,219,073     2,281,072  
                        

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

        

Cash paid during the year for:

        

Interest paid

   252,560     290,703     356,316     666,722  

Income taxes paid

   34,319     32,807     35,456     66,344  

The accompanying notes 1 to 28 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Number
of shares
Millions
    Paid in
share
capital
MCh$
   Reserves
MCh$
   

Other

Accounts
MCh$

    Net
Income
MCh$
    Total
MCh$
 

Balance as of January 1, 2004

   68,079.8     482,504    78,741     3,878     130,553     695,676  

Transfer to retained earnings

   —       —      3     —       (3 )   —    

Dividends paid (1)

   —       —      —       —       (130,550 )   (130,550 )

Common stock repurchased (2)

   (1,702.0 )   —      (52,762 )   —       —       (52,762 )

Price-level restatement

   —       12,062    (75 )   —       —       11,987  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on permanent financial investments (*)

   —       —      —       (195 )   —       (195 )

Net adjustment for translation differences (* *)

   —       —      —       (2,251 )   —       (2,251 )

Net Income for the year

   —       —      —       —       152,628     152,628  
                                   

Balance as of December 31, 2004

   66,377.8     494,566    25,907     1,432     152,628     674,533  
                                   

Balance as of December 31, 2004 restated in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006

     523,130    27,403     1,515     161,443     713,491  
                               

Balance as of January 1, 2005

   66,377.8     494,566    25,907     1,432     152,628     674,533  

Transfer to retained earnings

   —       —      5     —       (5 )   —    

Dividends paid (3)

   —       —      —       —       (152,623 )   (152,623 )

Placement of shares (4)

   1,702.0     —      57,637     —       —       57,637  

Accumulated deficit development period (5)

   —       —      (188 )   —       —       (188 )

Price-level restatement

   —       17,804    523     —       —       18,327  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on permanent financial investments (*)

   —       —      —       (74 )   —       (74 )

Net adjustment for translation differences (* *)

   —       —      —       (3,229 )   —       (3,229 )

Net Income for the year

   —       —      —       —       180,724     180,724  
                                   

Balance as of December 31, 2005

   68,079.8     512,370    83,884     (1,871 )   180,724     775,107  
                                   

Balance as of December 31, 2005 restated in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006

     523,130    85,645     (1,910 )   184,519     791,384  
                               

Balance as of January 1, 2006

   68,079.8     512,370    83,884     (1,871 )   180,724     775,107  

Transfer to retained earnings

   —       —      10     —       (10 )   —    

Capitalization of retained earnings (6)

   957.8     30,984    —       —       (30,984 )   —    

Dividends paid (6)

   —       —      —       —       (149,730 )   (149,730 )

Adjustment to fair value as result of adoption of Circular 3,345 (7)

   —       —      960     —       —       960  

Price-level restatement

   —       11,411    1,321     —       —       12,732  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on permanent financial investments (*)

   —       —      —       (11 )   —       (11 )

Net adjustment for translation differences (* *)

   —       —      —       325     —       325  

Net Income for the year

   —       —      —       —       195,248     195,248  
                                   

Balance as of December 31, 2006

   69,037.6     554,765    86,175     (1,557 )   195,248     834,631  
                                   

 

(1) On March 18, 2004, the Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting agreed to distribute a dividend for a total of MCh$130,550 (in historical pesos).

 

(2) In April 2004, Banco de Chile purchased 1,701,994,590 shares issued by Banco de Chile at Ch$ 31 per share for a total amount of MCh$52,762 (in historical pesos), in accordance with the Share Repurchase Program issued by Banco de Chile and agreed upon at the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Banco de Chile held on March 20, 2003.

 

(3) On March 17, 2005, the Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting agreed to distribute a dividend for a total of MCh$152,623 (in historical pesos).

 

(4) During the period from May to August 2005, Banco de Chile sold 1,701,994,590 shares issued by Banco de Chile that had been repurchased as part of its Share Repurchase Program in April 2004, for a total amount of MCh$57,637 (in historical pesos).

 

(5) Relates to the recognition of the variation in the shareholders’ equity of “Administrador Financiero de Transantiago S.A.”, a banking support company, during its development period.

 

(6) On March 23, 2006, at the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Banco de Chile, the shareholders agreed to increase the Bank’s capital, through the capitalization of 30% of total income for the year 2005. On March 28, 2006, the Central Bank of Chile communicated its decision of opting for the cash payment of all income payable to it as creditor of the subordinated debt. Consequently, the amount capitalized was MCh$30,984 (in historical pesos), through the issuance and distribution of 957.8 million shares. This implied the distribution of a dividend totaling MCh$149,730 (in historical pesos).

 

(7) Relates to the valuation difference generated by the application of Circular No. 3,345, for those financial instruments and derivatives in force as of December 31, 2005 (See Note 2).

 

(*) These balances are presented net of the deferred taxes originated from adjustments to the market value of the available for sale securities of the New York Branch.

 

(**) Relates to the valuation of investments in branches abroad (See Note 1 (r)).

The accompanying notes 1 to 28 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Basis of presentation

Banco de Chile (“Banco de Chile” or the “Bank”) is a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Chile, regulated by the Chilean Superintendencia de Bancos e Instituciones Financieras (the “Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions”). Starting in 2001, Banco de Chile is regulated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as Banco de Chile is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), through its American Depository Receipt (“ADR”) program, which are also listed on the London Stock Exchange. Banco de Chile’s shares are also listed on the Latin American Securities Market of the Madrid Stock Exchange (“LATIBEX”).

Banco de Chile offers a broad range of banking services to customers, ranging from individuals to large corporations. The services are managed in the following segments for internal reporting purposes: wholesale, retail market, international banking and treasury. Banco de Chile’s subsidiaries provide other services including securities brokerage, mutual fund management, factoring, securitization activities, insurance brokerage and financial advisory services.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Chile and regulations of the Superintendency of Banks. For the convenience of the reader, the consolidated financial statements have been translated into English, certain reclassifications have been made and certain subtotals and clarifying account descriptions have been added.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In certain cases generally accepted accounting principles require that assets or liabilities be recorded or disclosed at their fair values. The fair value is the amount at which an asset could be bought or sold or in the case of a liability could be incurred or settled in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Where quoted markets are not available, Banco de Chile has estimated such values based on the best information available, including using modeling and other valuation techniques.

The consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of operations of Banco de Chile and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidation. The majority-owned subsidiaries of Banco de Chile as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 are as follows:

 

Subsidiary

   Interest Owned %
     2005    2006
     Direct    Indirect    Total    Direct    Indirect    Total

Banchile Trade Services Limited

   100.00    —      100.00    100.00    —      100.00

Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A.

   99.98    0.02    100.00    99.98    0.02    100.00

Banchile Asesoría Financiera S.A.

   99.96    —      99.96    99.96    —      99.96

Banchile Corredores de Seguros Ltda.

   99.75    0.25    100.00    99.75    0.25    100.00

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

   99.68    0.32    100.00    99.68    0.32    100.00

Banchile Factoring S.A.

   99.52    0.48    100.00    99.52    0.48    100.00

Banchile Securitizadora S.A.

   99.00    1.00    100.00    99.00    1.00    100.00

Socofin S.A.

   99.00    1.00    100.00    99.00    1.00    100.00

Promarket S.A.

   99.00    1.00    100.00    99.00    1.00    100.00

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(b) Price-level restatement

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis of general price-level accounting in order to reflect the effect of changes in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso for Banco de Chile and its Chilean subsidiaries during each year. At the end of each reporting period, the consolidated financial statements are stated in terms of the general purchasing power of the Chilean peso using changes in the Chilean consumer price index (“CPI”) as determined by the Chilean National Institute of Statistics as follows:

 

   

Non-monetary assets, liabilities, and Shareholders’ equity accounts are restated in terms of year-end purchasing power using the “prior month rule”, as described below.

 

   

Consistent with general banking practices in Chile, no specific purchasing power adjustments are made to the income statement accounts.

 

   

Monetary items are not restated, as such items are, by their nature, stated in terms of current purchasing power in the consolidated financial statements.

 

   

The price-level restatement debit or credit in the income statement represents the monetary loss or gain in purchasing power from holding monetary assets and liabilities exposed to the effects of inflation.

 

   

For comparative purposes, the consolidated financial statements for periods through December 31, 2005 have been restated in Chilean pesos of general purchasing power as of December 31, 2006 (“constant pesos”), to reflect changes in the CPI from the financial statement dates to December 31, 2006. This updating does not change the prior year’s financial statements or information in any way except to update the amounts therein to constant pesos of similar purchasing power. Amounts previously presented in constant Chilean pesos as of each balance sheet date have been adjusted by the percentage changes in the Chilean CPI to December 31, 2006, as follows:

 

Year

  

Change

in Index

 

2004

   3.6 %

2005

   2.1 %

The general price-level restatements are calculated using the CPI, and are based on the “prior month rule”, in which the inflation adjustments are based on the CPI at the close of the month preceding the close of the respective period or transaction. The CPI is considered by the business community, the accounting profession, and the Chilean government to be the index that most closely complies with the technical requirement to reflect the variation in the general level of prices in the country and, consequently, is widely used for financial reporting purposes in Chile.

The values of the CPI used for price-level restatement purposes are as follows:

 

Year

   Index (*)   

Change

in Index

2004

   117.28    2.5

2005

   121.53    3.6

2006

   124.11    2.1

* Index as of November 30, of each year under prior month rule described above.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(b) Price-level restatement (continued)

The price-level adjusted consolidated financial statements do not purport to represent appraised values, replacement cost, or any other current value of assets at which transactions would take place currently and are only intended to restate all non-monetary financial statement components in terms of local currency of a single purchasing power and to include in the net result for each year the gain or loss in purchasing power arising from the holding of monetary assets and liabilities exposed to the effects of inflation.

The net charge to income for price-level restatement is comprised of the following restatements of non-monetary assets and liabilities. These figures are expressed in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2006.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2004
MCh$
    2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
 

Shareholders’ equity

   (12,679 )   (18,712 )   (12,732 )

Bank premises and equipment

   3,194     4,771     2,941  

Investment in other companies

   63     220     140  

Other, net

   1,525     2,031     1,125  
                  

Net loss from price-level restatement

   (7,897 )   (11,690 )   (8,526 )
                  

(c) Index-linked assets and liabilities

Certain of Banco de Chile’s interest-bearing assets and liabilities are denominated in index-linked units of account.

The principal index-linked unit used in Chile is the Unidad de Fomento (“UF”), a unit of account, which changes daily to reflect changes in the CPI. The carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities change with the respective changes in the UF and serve to offset the monetary gains or losses from holding such assets and liabilities. As Banco de Chile’s UF-denominated assets exceed its UF-denominated liabilities, any increase in the Chilean CPI results in a net gain on indexation. Values for the UF are as follows (historical Chilean pesos per UF).

 

December 31,

   Ch$

2004

   17,317.05

2005

   17,974.81

2006

   18,336.38

The UF daily indexation adjustments from the 10th day of the month in question to the 9th day of the subsequent month are determined based on the previous month's changes in the Chilean CPI. The effect of changes in the UF index on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities is reflected in the income statement as an increase or decrease in interest income or expense.

(d) Interest revenue and expense recognition

Interest revenue and expense are recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method. Loans, investments and liabilities are stated at their cost, adjusted for accrued interest and the indexation adjustment applicable to such balances that are index-linked.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(d) Interest revenue and expense recognition (continued)

Banco de Chile suspends the accrual of interest and readjustments on loans when there is a high risk of unrecoverability or from the first day in which they become overdue. Accrued interest up to the suspension date remains on Banco de Chile’s assets and is considered a part of the loan balance when determining the allowance for loan losses. Payments received on past due loans are recognized as income, after reducing the balance of accrued interest, if applicable.

(e) Foreign currency and derivative activities

Banco de Chile and its subsidiaries protect themselves against variations in the foreign exchange market by using forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps and interest rates swaps. These activities include hedging and treasury operations and help Banco de Chile and its subsidiaries provide financial products to their clients.

Financial derivative contracts, which include foreign currency and U.F. forwards, interest rate forwards, currency and interest rate swaps, currency and interest rate options and other financial derivative instruments, are recorded in the balance sheet at cost (including transaction costs) at inception and subsequently measured at their fair value. The fair value is obtained from market quotes, discounted cash flows models and options valuation models, as and where applicable. Derivative contracts are reported as an asset when their fair value is positive and as a liability when negative under the line item “Derivative instruments”.

Certain derivatives embedded in other financial instruments are treated as separate derivatives when their risk and characteristics are not closely related to those of the main contract and this contract is not recorded at its fair value with its unrealized gains and losses included in income.

At inception, a derivative contract must be designated by the Bank as a derivative instrument for investing or hedging purpose.

Changes in the fair value of derivative contracts maintained for investing purpose are included under “Gains from trading activities” or “Losses from trading activities”, as and when applicable, in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Should a derivative instrument be classified as a hedge, it can be: (1) a hedge of the fair value of existing assets or liabilities or firm commitments, or (2) a hedge of cash flows related to existing assets or liabilities or forecasted transactions. A hedge relationship for hedge accounting purpose must comply with all of the following conditions: (a) at the inception, the hedge relationship has been formally documented; (b) it is expected that the hedge would be highly effective; (c) the effectiveness of the hedge can be measured in a reasonable manner; and (d) the hedge is highly effective with respect to the hedged risk on an ongoing basis and throughout the entire hedge relationship.

Certain derivatives transactions which do not qualify for hedge accounting are treated and reported as derivatives for investing purposes even though they provide an effective hedge on the risk of net positions.

When a derivative instrument hedges the risk of changes in the fair value of an existing asset or liability, the hedged asset or liability is recorded at its fair value with respect to the specific hedged risk. Gains or losses from fair value adjustments, both the hedged item and the derivative instrument, are recognized in income.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(e) Foreign currency and derivative activities (continued)

Should the hedged item in a fair value hedge be a firm commitment, changes in the fair value of the commitment with respect to the hedged risk are recorded as an asset or liability against net income for the year. Gains or losses from fair value adjustments of the hedging derivative are recorded in income. When an asset or liability is acquired as a result of the commitment, the initial recognition of the asset or liability acquired is adjusted to incorporate the accumulated effect of the valuation at fair value of the firm commitment which was previously recorded in the balance sheet.

When a derivative hedges the risk of changes in the cash flows of existing assets or liabilities or forecasted transactions, the effective portion of changes in the fair value related to the hedged risk is recorded in equity net of taxes. Any ineffective portion is directly recorded in income. The accumulated amounts recorded in equity are transferred to income at the moment that the hedge item affects income.

When a interest rate fair value hedge is performed on a portfolio basis and the hedged item is an amount instead of individualized assets or liabilities, gains or losses from fair value adjustments, both the hedged portfolio and the derivative instrument, are recorded in income but the fair value adjustment of the hedged portfolio is reported in the balance sheet under “Other assets” or “Other liabilities”, according to the position of the portfolio hedged at a moment in time.

Until December 31, 2005, forward contracts were recorded at the exchange rate in force at the close of each month and, in accordance with the standards issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, initial differences generated by this type of operations were recognized as deferred assets or liabilities and amortized over the term of the related contract. All other derivative instruments were reported at their market value.

(f) Financial investments

 

 

Trading securities:

Trading securities are securities acquired having the intention of generating profits as result of short-term prices fluctuation or as result of brokerage activities, or are part of a portfolio on which a short-term profit generating pattern exists.

Trading securities are stated at their fair market value as of the balance sheet date. Gains or losses from their fair market value adjustments, as well as gains or losses from trading activities, are included in “Gains (losses) from trading activities” in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Accrued interest and readjustments are reported as “Interest revenue”.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(f) Financial investments (continued)

All purchases and sales of trading securities that must be delivered within the period established by market regulations or conventions are recorded using the trade date, which is the date on which the purchase or sale of the asset is committed. Any other purchase or sale is treated as a derivative (forward) until liquidation occurs.

Until December 31, 2005, investment securities were classified as permanent and non-permanent. Non-permanent investments with a secondary market were adjusted at their market value in accordance with the specific instructions issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions. These instructions required that changes in non-permanent investments market value were recorded in income.

 

 

Investments held to maturity and available for sale securities:

Investments held to maturity include only those securities for which the Bank has the ability and intention of keep them until maturity. The remaining investments are considered as available for sale securities.

At inception, both investments are recorded at cost, including transaction costs.

Available for sale securities are subsequently measured at their fair value based on market prices or valuation models. Unrealized gains or losses as result of fair value adjustments are recorded in equity. When an available for sale securities is disposed of or impaired, the accumulated fair value adjustment recorded in equity is transferred to income and reported under the line item “Gains from trading activities” or “Losses from trading activities” when applicable.

Investments held to maturity are recorded at their cost plus accrued interest and readjustments less impairment provisions made when the carrying amount exceeds the estimated recovery amount.

Interest and readjustments of investments held to maturity and available for sale securities are included under the line item “Interest revenue.”

Investment securities which are subject to hedge accounting are adjusted according to the rules for hedge accounting.

Purchases and sales of investment securities that must be delivered within the period established by market regulations or conventions are recorded using the trade date, that is the date on which the purchase or sale of the asset is committed. Any other purchase or sale is treated as a derivative (forward) until liquidation occurs.

Until December 31, 2005, investment securities were classified as permanent and non-permanent. Investment securities classified as permanent investments were adjusted at their market value in accordance with the specific instructions issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions. These instructions required that changes in permanent investments market value were recorded in the equity line item “Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities”.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(g) Bank premises and equipment

Bank premises and equipment are stated at acquisition cost net of accumulated depreciation and have been restated for price-level changes. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the underlying assets. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to income. The cost of significant renovations and improvements is capitalized.

 

Property, plant and equipment

   Estimated
Useful Life

Land and buildings

   5-50

Furniture and fixtures

   3-10

Machinery and equipment

   2-10

Vehicles

   5

Other equipment

   6-8

(h) Leasing contracts

Banco de Chile leases certain property that meets the criteria for direct financing leases. At the time of entering into a direct financing lease transaction, Banco de Chile records the aggregate of the minimum lease payment receivable less unearned income. Generally, the lessee acquires the leased asset by remitting all lease payments due. There are no significant residual values assumed by Banco de Chile. Unearned income represents the excess of the minimum lease payments receivable plus any estimated residual value over the cost of the property acquired.

Unearned income is recognized in such a manner as to produce a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the direct financing lease. The net investment in financing leases is classified as “leasing contracts” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

(i) Factoring transactions

Banco de Chile and its subsidiary Banchile Factoring S.A. carry out factoring transactions, where they receive invoices and other commercial instruments representative of credit, with or without recourse, and they advance to the assignor a percentage of the total amounts to be collected from the original debtor.

The caption “Other outstanding loans” includes MCh$410,855 (MCh$316,999 in 2005), corresponding to the amount advanced to the assigner plus accrued interest net of payments received.

(j) Investments in other companies

Shares or rights in other companies that are integral to the operations of Banco de Chile and where Banco de Chile holds a less than majority interest but has significant influence over the operating activities of the invested are accounted for under the equity method. Other minority investments are carried at cost restated for price-level changes.

(k) Intangibles

In accordance with instructions from the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, intangible assets are classified in “Other Assets”. Both investments in software and licenses to use trademarks are valued at price-level restated cost and amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives. The amortization period of the investments in software cannot exceed six years.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(k) Intangibles (continued)

As of December 31, 2006, intangible assets amount to MCh$22,636 (MCh$14,592 in 2005), corresponding to investments in software and MCh$19 (MCh$5 in 2005) corresponding to payments for licenses to use trademarks.

(l) Allowance for loan losses

The loans granted and acquired by Banco de Chile and its subsidiaries are initially recorded at cost (i.e. the original amount loaned). After this initial recording, the loans are valued at their amortized cost and disclosed net of allowances for loan losses.

In accordance with regulations of the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, Banco de Chile, its subsidiaries and foreign branches utilize models and methods, based on an individual and group analysis of the debtors, to constitute the allowances for loan losses.

 

 

Allowances for individual evaluations

An individual analysis of debtors is applied to individuals or companies with whom, due to size, complexity or level of exposure with the entity, Banco de Chile must be completely familiar. Likewise, it requires assigning a risk category to each debtor and its respective loans. This risk category should consider the following factors: industry or sector, partners, management and administration, financial situation, behavior and payment capacity.

One of the following categories must be assigned to each debtor and its loans after the analysis has been finalized:

 

  i. Categories A1, A2 and A3 correspond to debtors without significant risks, whose payment capacity will continue to be positive even if unfavorable business, economic or financial situations should arise.

 

  ii. Category B corresponds to debtors that present some risk, but that do not show any sign of impairment. However, these debtors might stop paying some of its obligations in the fact of foreseeable, adverse business, economic or financial situations.

 

  iii. Categories C1, C2, C3, C4, D1 and D2 correspond to debtors with insufficient payment capacity.

In order to determine allowances for loan losses classified as A1, A2, A3 and B, Banco de Chile uses percentages approved by its Board of Directors. Allowance for debtors classified as C1, C2, C3, C4, D1 and D2 were determined, in conformity with new regulations, as follows:

 

Category

  

Range of estimated loss

   Allowance  

C1

   Up to 3%    2 %

C2

   More than 3% up to 19%    10 %

C3

   More than 19% up to 29%    25 %

C4

   More than 29% up to 49%    40 %

D1

   More than 49% up to 79%    65 %

D2

   More than 79%    90 %

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(l) Allowance for loan losses (continued)

 

 

Allowances for group evaluations

The group analysis is used to analyze a large number of operations whose individual amounts are not significant and present similar risk characteristics. For this analysis, Banco de Chile uses models based on attributes of the debtors and their loans, and on the behavior of a group of loans. In the group evaluations, the allowances are always constituted in accordance with the estimated loss using the aforementioned models.

 

 

Additional allowances

In conformity with regulations of the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, Banco de Chile has constituted additional allowances for its individually evaluated loan portfolio, taking into consideration the expected impairment of this portfolio. The calculation of this allowance is performed based on Banco de Chile’s historical experience and considering possible future adverse macroeconomic conditions or circumstances that could affect a certain sector, industry, groups of debtors or projects.

 

 

Charge-offs

Loans are written-off when the collection efforts have been exhausted but not later than the maximum periods prescribed by the Superintendency of Banks, which are as follows:

 

   

24 months past due (3 months past due for consumer loans) for loans without collateral.

 

   

36 months past due for loans with collateral.

 

 

Loan loss recoveries

Cash recoveries on written-off loans including loans that were reacquired from the Central Bank of Chile, recorded in memorandum accounts (see Note 19), are recorded directly to income, as a reduction of the “Provision for loan losses” item.

Previous Guidelines

 

 

Global loan loss allowance

Prior to 2004, the global loan loss allowance was calculated by multiplying Banco de Chile’s outstanding loans by the greater of its “risk index” or 0.75%. Banco de Chile’s risk index calculation was based upon a classification of a portion of its customers' outstanding loans into five categories based upon risk of loss for commercial loans and overdue status for consumer and residential mortgage loans. The classifications for risk index calculation purposes must have included the largest commercial loans and represent at least 75% of the commercial loan portfolio, and 100% of consumer and residential mortgage loans. Commercial and consumer loans are classified based on risk in categories denominated A, B, B -, C or D, while residential mortgage loans are classified only as A, B or B-. The total exposure of Banco de Chile to each of its customers and the classification of such customer’s loans are continuously reviewed by the commercial officers of Banco de Chile and by the risk control division. The allowances required for each category of loans, which were established by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, were as follows:

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(l) Allowance for loan losses (continued)

 

Category

   Provisions
as a percentage
of aggregate
exposure
 

A

   0 %

B

   1  

B-

   20  

C

   60  

D

   90 %

The resulting weighted average allowance rate was the risk index utilized in the calculation of the global loan loss reserve.

 

 

Individual loan loss allowance

Once a loan became overdue for more than 90 days, a specific allowance was calculated for 100% of the uncollateralized portion of the loan. Individual loan loss reserves are required only to the extent that, in the aggregate, they exceed the global loan loss reserve.

 

 

Voluntary loan loss allowance

Prior to 2004, Banco de Chile made a provision for voluntary allowances in addition to those required by the rules of the Superintendency of Banks. Such voluntary reserves were established to cover additional risks inherent in the portfolio.

(m) Income taxes

Effects of deferred income taxes are recorded in conformity with Technical Bulletin No. 60 and its related amendments, issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants.

The income tax provision is determined based on current Chilean tax legislation.

(n) Consolidated statements of cash flows

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 the consolidated statement of cash flows has been prepared in accordance with Technical Bulletin No.65 of the Chilean Association of Accountants.

(o) Staff severance indemnities

Banco de Chile has recorded a liability for long-term severance indemnities in accordance with employment contracts it has with certain employees. The liability, which is payable to specified retiring employees with more than 30 years of service, is recorded at the present value of the accrued benefits, which are calculated by applying a real discount rate to the benefit accrued as of year-end over the estimated average remaining service period. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the obligation has been discounted using the real interest rate of 7%, 6% and 6% per annum.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(p) Fees and expenses related to loans and services

Loan origination fees and expenses are considered to be adjustments to loan yield and are deferred and amortized as interest income over the term of the loan. Fees and expenses related to other financial products, including contingent loans, are generally deferred and recognized as income over the term of the products to which they relate. Fees related to financial advisory and other services are recognized on an accrual basis at the time services are provided.

(q) Convenience translation to U.S. dollars

Banco de Chile maintains its accounting records and prepares its consolidated financial statements in Chilean pesos. The U.S. dollar amounts disclosed in the accompanying financial statements are presented solely for the convenience of the reader at the observed exchange rate for December 31, 2006 of Ch$534.43 per US$1.00. This translation should not be construed as representing that the Chilean peso amounts actually represent or have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at such a rate or, any other rate.

(r) Translation of financial statements of Banco de Chile’s foreign branches and subsidiaries

Banco de Chile translates the accounting records of its branches in New York and Miami, USA and its subsidiary Banchile Trade Services Limited, Hong Kong to Chilean pesos from US dollars in accordance with guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions that are consistent with Technical Bulletin No. 64, “Accounting for investments abroad”, issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants. All income statement and balance sheet amounts are translated into Chilean pesos as of the exchange rate in effect as of the applicable balance sheet date. Under this standard the foreign investment recorded in the parent company’s books is price-level restated, the effects of which are reflected in income, while any foreign exchange gains or losses between the Chilean peso and the US dollar, net of the effects of Chilean inflation, is recorded in shareholders’ equity in the account “Other equity accounts”.

(s) Reclassifications

For comparative purposes, certain line items of the 2005 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified according to the new accounting standards for financial investments and derivatives. However, the valuation criteria applied in 2005 have not been changed.

The main lines items reclassified are as follows:

Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

 

Financial investments, based on the Bank’s intention and ability to maintain those securities were reclassified in the following categories: Trading securities, Available for sale and Held to maturity.

 

 

Financial derivatives were reclassified from “Other liabilities” to “Derivative instruments”.

 

 

Investments in mutual funds units were reclassified from “Other financial investments” to “Other assets”.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(s) Reclassifications (continued)

Consolidated Statement of Income.

Gains and losses from derivative instruments have been reclassified to “Gains from trading activities, net” or “Losses from trading activities”, as applicable. In prior periods, these gains or losses were reported following the instruments that generate them, in the following line items:

 

 

“Gains from foreign exchange transactions, net” or “Losses from foreign exchange transactions, net”: forward, currency futures and interest rate swaps accrued interest.

 

 

“Other operating income”: U.F. Chilean pesos forwards.

 

 

“Gains from trading activities” or “Losses from trading activities”: Fair value adjustments of interest rate swaps.

Readjustments generated by transactions linked to foreign currency, were reclassified from “Interest revenue” and “Interest expense” to “Gains from foreign exchange transactions, net” or “Losses from foreign exchange transactions, net”, as applicable.

Gains or losses generated by investments in mutual funds units were reclassified from “Interest revenue” to “Other operating income.”

(t) Assets received in lieu of payment

Assets received in lieu of payment are recorded at restated cost less regulatory charge-offs and presented net of a portfolio valuation allowance. The Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions requires regulatory charge-offs if the asset is not sold within one year of foreclosure.

2. Changes in Accounting Principles

In accordance with Circular No. 3,345 issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, beginning on June 30, 2006, the Bank effectively adopted the new accounting criteria for the measurement, classification and recording of trading and investment securities, derivative instruments, hedge accounting and asset derecognition.

The above mentioned Circular, required retrospective application as of December 31, 2005, recognizing the cumulative effect in equity during 2006. This resulted in a credit of MCh$960 (in historical pesos) to a “Reserves” account within equity in 2006. On other hand, for the investment securities and derivatives portfolio held during 2006, the application of this new standard generated a higher income of MCh$778, which is included in the line item “Gains from trading activities”.

3. Cash and Due from Banks

Included in cash and due from banks are amounts maintained by Banco de Chile with various foreign and local banks, including the Chilean Central Bank (“Central Bank”).

In accordance with guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks, Banco de Chile must maintain certain non-interest bearing balances in its account with the Central Bank. The required balances are based upon specified financial criteria, including the level of Banco de Chile’s deposits, the amounts of its foreign borrowings and its average liabilities. These restricted cash amounts totaled MCh$207,729 and MCh$224,534 as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

4. Financial Investments

(a) Trading Securities:

The detail of securities classified as trading is as follows:

 

               Weighted Average
Nominal Rate as of
December 31,2006 %
 
     As of December 31,   
     2005 MCh$    2006 MCh$   

Instruments issued by the Chilean Government and the Central Bank of Chile

        

Instruments issued by the Central Bank of Chile

   696,140    492,748    4.49 %

Other government instruments

   20,142    436    3.46  
                

Subtotal

   716,282    493,184    4.49  
                

Other Financial Instruments

        

Promissory notes for deposits in Chilean banks

   179,577    256,633    5.30  

Other foreign instruments issued

   309,093    241,278    5.49  

Bonds from other Chilean companies

   100,268    97,712    6.83  

Instruments issued by foreign Governments or Central Banks

   13,112    54,749    6.76  

Mortgage bonds of Chilean banks

   34,425    49,938    4.57  

Other instruments issued in Chile

   1,187    3,878    4.41  

Bonds from Chilean banks

   13,511    —      —    
                

Subtotal

   651,173    704,188    5.63  
                

Total

   1,367,455    1,197,372    5.16 %
                

Instruments issued by the Chilean Government and the Central Bank of Chile include instruments sold under agreements to repurchase to customers and financial institutions, amounting to MCh$91,901 and MCh$55,824 as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Other Financial Instruments include instruments sold under agreements to repurchase to customers and financial instruments, amounting to MCh$157,447 and MCh$217,824 as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

(b) Investment Securities:

The detail of instruments classified as available for sale securities and as investments held to maturity is as follows:

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

4. Financial Investments (continued)

(b) Investment Securities (continued):

(i) Available for sale

 

     As of December 31,   

Weighted Average

Nominal Rate as of
December 31, 2006 %

 
    

2005

MCh$

  

2006

MCh$

  

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Instruments issued by foreign Governments or Central Banks

   23,534    40,066    4.45 %

Bonds from Chilean companies

   1,628    —      —    
                

Total

   25,162    40,066    4.45 %
                

(ii) Held to maturity

 

     As of
December 31,
  

Weighted Average

Nominal Rate as of
December 31, 2006 %

 
    

2005

MCh$

  

2006

MCh$

  

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Instruments issued by foreign Governments or Central Banks

   15,739    16,003    5.09 %
                

Total

   15,739    16,003    5.09 %
                

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, the portfolio of available for sale securities include a net unrealized loss of MCh$4 and MCh$9 in 2005 and 2006, respectively, recorded in equity.

5. Loans

The loans included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are segregated into subcategories as described below:

Commercial loans are short-term and long-term loans granted to companies or businesses, at variable or fixed interest rates in order to finance working capital or investments.

Consumer loans are loans to individuals granted, principally in Chilean pesos, generally on a fixed rate basis, to finance the purchase of consumer goods or to pay for services. Credit card balances subject to interest charges are also included in this category.

Mortgage loans are inflation indexed, fixed rate, long-term loans with monthly payments of principal and interest collateralized by a real state mortgage. These loans are financed through the issuance of mortgage finance bonds. At the time of its issuance, the amount of a mortgage loan cannot be more than 75% of the value of the property.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

5. Loans (continued)

Foreign trade loans are variable or fixed rate, short-term loans granted in foreign currencies (mainly U.S. dollars) to finance imports and exports.

Interbank loans are fixed rate, short-term loans to financial institutions that operate in Chile.

Leasing contracts are agreements for financing leases of capital equipment and other property.

Other outstanding loans principally include bills of exchange, other mortgage loans, which are financed by Banco de Chile’s general borrowings and factoring.

Past due loans represent loans or shares of loans that are overdue as to any payment of principal or interest by 90 days or more.

Contingent loans consist of open and confirmed letters of credit together with guarantees granted by Banco de Chile in Ch$, UF and foreign currencies (mainly U.S. dollars).

The following table summarizes the most significant loan concentrations expressed as a percentage of total loans, excluding contingent loans and before allowance for loan losses:

 

     As of December 31,
    

2005

%

  

2006

%

Financial services

   19.22    20.53

Residential mortgage loans

   17.99    17.85

Manufacturing

   8.90    8.25

Commerce

   9.75    10.17

Agriculture, livestock, forestry, agribusiness, fishing

   5.48    4.95

Consumer loans

   11.63    12.41

Substantial portions of Banco de Chile’s loans are to borrowers doing business in Chile.

6. Leasing Contracts

Banco de Chile’s scheduled cash flows to be received from leasing contracts have the following maturities as of December 31, 2006:

 

     As of December 31, 2006

Maturity

  

Total

Receivable
MCh$

  

Unearned

Income
MCh$

   

Net lease

Receivable
MCh$

Due within one year

   191,144    (25,667 )   165,477

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   133,637    (18,542 )   115,095

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   94,911    (12,880 )   82,031

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   57,680    (9,124 )   48,556

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   40,713    (6,669 )   34,044

Due after 5 years

   111,021    (17,048 )   93,973
               

Total leasing contracts

   629,106    (89,930 )   539,176
               

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

6. Leasing Contracts (continued)

Leased assets consist principally of real estate, industrial machinery, vehicle, and computer equipment. The allowance for uncollectible lease receivable was MCh$6,231 as of December 31, 2006 (MCh$5,979 as of December 31, 2005), which forms part of the allowance for loan losses.

7. Allowance for Loan Losses

The changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated are as follows:

 

    

2004

MCh$

   

2005

MCh$

   

2006

MCh$

 

Balance as of January 1,

   194,561     162,664     144,272  

Price-level restatement (1)

   (4,873 )   (5,805 )   (2,950 )

Charge-offs

   (104,781 )   (68,757 )   (60,671 )

Provisions established

   79,404     57,795     64,836  

Provisions released

   (1,647 )   (1,625 )   (508 )
                  

Balance as of December 31,

   162,664     144,272     144,979  
                  

(1) Reflects the effect of both inflation and exchange rate changes of foreign branches and Banco de Chile’s subsidiary on the allowance for loan losses at the beginning of each period, adjusted to constant pesos of December 31, 2006.

The provisions for loan losses included in the results of operations for the periods indicated is as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
    

2004

MCh$

   

2005

MCh$

   

2006

MCh$

 

Provisions established

   79,404     57,795     64,836  

Provisions released

   (1,647 )   (1,625 )   (508 )

Loan loss recoveries

   (35,684 )   (33,679 )   (28,100 )
                  

Net charges to income

   42,073     22,491     36,228  
                  

8. Bank Premises and Equipment, net

The major categories of Bank premises and equipment net of accumulated depreciation are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,
    

2005

MCh$

  

2006

MCh$

Land and buildings

   97,619    99,148

Machinery and equipment

   39,369    46,344

Furniture and fixtures

   5,295    3,055

Vehicles

   852    841

Others

   2,306    2,289
         

Bank premises and equipment, net

   145,441    151,677
         

In accordance with rules of the Superintendency of Banks, Bank premises and equipment are presented net of accumulated depreciation.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

9. Investments in other companies

As of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, investments in other companies and Banco de Chile’s participation in those companies’ results of operations for each of the periods indicated, consist of the following:

 

     As of and for the years ended December 31,
     2004     2005     2006    

Ownership

Interest
2006 %

     Investment
MCh$
   Income
(Loss)
MCh$
    Investment
MCh$
   Income
(Loss)
MCh$
    Investment
MCh$
   Income
(Loss)
MCh$
   

Servipag Ltda.

   1,040    161     1,257    216     1,513    256     50.00

Soc. Operadora de Tarjetas de Crédito Nexus S.A.

   1,127    182     1,168    186     1,219    237     25.81

Administrador Financiero de Transantiago S.A. (1)

   —      —       1,297    71     1,197    (95 )   20.00

Redbanc S.A.

   935    146     931    142     943    153     25.42

Transbank S.A.

   915    140     915    141     915    141     17.44

Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago (Stock Exchange)

   590    96     597    105     628    148     4.17

Soc. Operadora Cámara Compensación de Pagos de Alto Valor S.A. (2)

   292    (18 )   287    (6 )   345    58     11.52

Centro de Compensación Automatizado S.A. (CCA S.A.)

   200    33     217    35     240    40     33.33

Sociedad Interbancaria de Depósito de Valores S.A

   230    36     186    35     188    41     17.60

Artikos Chile S.A. (3)

   46    (175 )   120    (187 )   164    43     50.00

Bolsa de Valores de Chile (Stock Exchange)

   138    3     144    7     153    9     5.00

Empresa de Tarjetas Inteligentes S.A.(4)

   —      (143 )   —      (49 )   —      —       —  
                                   

Total investments in other companies accounted for under the equity method

   5,513    461     7,119    696     7,505    1,031    

Other investments carried at cost

   212    —       191    —       188    —      
                                   

Total investments in other companies

   5,725    461     7,310    696     7,693    1,031    
                                   

 

(1) On June 8, 2005, as agreed by the Board of Directors of Banco de Chile at meeting No. 2,599, held on May 12, 2005, Banco de Chile subscribed and paid 200,000 shares, for a value of MCh$1,352 (in historical pesos), for this company’s capital, for the formation of an Banking Support Company to the line of business called “Administrador Financiero de Transantiago S.A.”.

 

(2) On September 23, 2004, a banking support company, “Sociedad Operadora Cámara de Compensación de Pagos de Alto Valor S.A.”, was formed. This company’s objective is to provide check clearing services among its members. Banco de Chile subscribed and fully paid MCh$292 (in historical pesos) for this company’s capital, which gives it a participation of 18.16%. As December 31, 2005 Banco de Chile’s participation decreased to 11.66% as result of payment of shares subscribed by other that were not paid as of December 31, 2004.

On January 5, 2006, Banco de Chile decreased its participation to 11.52% as a result of not concurrence to a capital increase in “Sociedad Operadora Cámara Compensación de Pagos de Alto Valor S.A.”.

 

(3) On June 2, 2005, as agreed by the Board of Directors of Banco de Chile at meeting No. 2,599, held on May 12, 2005, Banco de Chile subscribed and paid MCh$250 (in historical pesos) for a capital increase at “Artikos Chile S.A.”.

 

(4) On March 28, 2005, the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of “Empresa de Tarjetas Inteligentes S.A.” agreed to dissolve the company.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

10. Other Assets and Other Liabilities

(a) Other assets

 

     As of December 31,
    

2005

MCh$

  

2006

MCh$

Mutual funds

   24,427    99,510

Amounts receivable under spot foreign exchange transaction

   78,151    77,628

Credit card charges in process

   68,257    63,426

Deferred income tax assets

   64,264    54,488

Assets held for leasing

   22,568    40,214

Payments from counterparties to be settled

   52,294    36,766

Intangibles (software and licenses for trademark use)

   14,597    22,655

Deferred fees

   9,464    14,220

Transactions in process

   6,993    8,313

Notes receivable

   11,708    6,600

VAT fiscal credit

   5,789    6,030

Recoverable taxes

   1,831    4,916

Assets to be securitized

   —      4,860

Accounts receivable for assets received in lieu of payment sold

   1,332    2,309

Prepaid expenses

   1,715    1,855

Additional consideration paid in the purchase of mortgage bonds

   1,799    1,150

Materials and supplies

   637    640

Accounts receivable for financial investments sold

   2,035    —  

Other

   18,600    18,021
         

Total other assets

   386,461    463,601
         

(b) Other liabilities

 

     As of December 31,
    

2005

MCh$

  

2006

MCh$

Accounts payable

   86,523    156,151

Amounts payable under spot foreign exchange transaction

   52,167    81,406

Payments to counterparties to be settled

   48,989    44,604

Notes payable

   19,984    25,154

Deferred tax liabilities

   22,343    20,750

Accrued staff vacation expense

   10,929    12,233

Transactions in process

   2,122    7,882

Unearned interest on leasing transactions

   6,816    6,464

Provision for staff severance indemnities and personnel expenses

   6,930    6,436

VAT payable

   4,324    5,931

Administration and credit card contract provision

   3,818    5,500

Deferred fees

   4,224    3,769

Allowance of income taxes, net

   2,621    —  

Legal contingencies provision

   879    1,386

Other

   4,551    6,850
         

Total other liabilities

   277,220    384,516
         

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

10. Other Assets and Other Liabilities (continued)

(c) Contingent Liabilities

Contingent liabilities consist of open and unused letters of credit, together with guarantees granted by Banco de Chile in Chilean pesos, UF and foreign currencies (principally U.S. dollars). The liability represents Banco de Chile’s obligations under such agreements. Banco de Chile’s rights under these agreements are recognized as assets on Banco de Chile’s balance sheets under the caption “Contingent loans”. (See note 5).

11. Other Interest Bearing Liabilities

Banco de Chile’s long-term and short-term borrowings are summarized below. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks, Banco de Chile does not present a classified balance sheet. Borrowings are described as short-term when they have original maturities of less than one year or are due on demand. All other borrowings are described as long-term, including the amounts due within one year on such borrowings.

 

     As of December 31, 2005    As of December 31, 2006
    

Long-term

MCh$

  

Short-term

MCh$

  

Total

MCh$

  

Long-term

MCh$

  

Short-term

MCh$

  

Total

MCh$

Central Bank Credit lines for renegotiation of loans

   1,436    —      1,436    824    —      824

Mortgage finance bonds

   568,191    —      568,191    477,637    —      477,637

Bonds

   331,522    —      331,522    554,272    —      554,272

Subordinated bonds

   311,696    —      311,696    405,942    —      405,942

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   —      92,054    92,054    —      88,261    88,261

Foreign borrowings

   661,107    14,277    675,384    319,173    272,400    591,573

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

   —      276,435    276,435    —      306,855    306,855

Other obligations

   1,366    33,086    34,452    2,848    23,584    26,432
                             

Total other interest bearing liabilities

   1,875,318    415,852    2,291,170    1,760,696    691,100    2,451,796
                             

(a) Central Bank borrowings

Central Bank borrowings include credit lines for the renegotiation of loans and other Central Bank borrowings. Credit lines were provided by the Central Bank for the renegotiation of mortgage loans due to the need to refinance debts as a result of the economic recession and crisis of the Chilean banking system from 1982 to 1985. The credit lines for the renegotiations of mortgage loans are linked to the UF index and carry a real annual interest rate of 3.00%. The maturities of the outstanding amounts are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31, 2006
MCh$

Due within 1 year

   824

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   —  

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   —  

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   —  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   —  

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total long-term (Credit lines for renegotiation of loans)

   824

Total short-term (Other Central Bank borrowings)

   —  
    

Total Central Bank borrowings

   824
    

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

11. Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

(b) Mortgage finance bonds

These bonds are used to finance the granting of mortgage loans. The outstanding principal amounts of the bonds are amortized on a quarterly basis. The range of maturities of these bonds is between five and twenty years. The bonds are linked to the UF index and carry a weighted average annual rate of interest of 4.56% as of December 31, 2006.

The maturities of outstanding mortgage bond amounts as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

    

As of December 31,

2006

MCh$

Due within 1 year

   66,944

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   49,487

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   48,606

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   47,341

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   44,838

Due after 5 years

   220,421
    

Total mortgage finance bonds

   477,637
    

(c) Bonds

The maturities of outstanding bond amounts as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

    

As of December 31,

2006

MCh$

Due within 1 year

   119,694

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   116,688

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   116,687

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   53,318

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   32,989

Due after 5 years

   114,896
    

Total bonds

   554,272
    

Bonds are linked to the UF Index and carried an average real annual interest rate of 4.06% as of December 31, 2006, with interest and principal payments due semi-annually. The bonds were originally intended to finance loans that had a maturity of greater than one year.

(d) Subordinated bonds

Our currently outstanding subordinated bonds are linked to the UF index with interest and principal payments due semi-annually. The discount on the issuance of the currently outstanding subordinated bonds is amortized over the life of the bond. As of December 31, 2006, the effective real interest rate was 6.77% taking into consideration the discount on issuance.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

11. Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

The bonds are intended to finance loans having a maturity greater than one year. As of December 31, 2006 the outstanding maturities of the bonds, which are considered long-term, are as follows:

(d) Subordinated bonds (continued)

 

    

As of

December 31,
2006

MCh$

Due within 1 year

   32,404

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   25,723

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   25,723

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   25,723

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   25,723

Due after 5 years

   270,646
    

Total subordinated bonds

   405,942
    

On June 15, 2006, we issued U.S.$200,000,000 of 6.25% subordinated notes due 2016. The notes pay interest semi-annually, and were issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under Regulation S and Rule 144A of the United States’ Securities Act.

Subordinated bonds are considered in the calculation of “effective equity” for the purpose of determining our minimum capital requirements.

(e) Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions are used to fund Banco de Chile’s general activities, carry a weighted average annual real interest rate of 4.96% and have the following outstanding maturities as of December 31, 2006.

 

    

As of

December 31,
2006

MCh$

Due within 1 year

   —  

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   —  

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   —  

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   —  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   —  

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total long-term

   —  

Total short-term

   88,261
    

Total borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   88,261
    

 

F-28


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

11. Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

(f) Foreign borrowings

Banco de Chile has short-term and long-term borrowings from foreign banks. The outstanding maturities of these borrowings as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,
2006

MCh$

Due within 1 year

   306,746

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   5,393

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   7,034

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   —  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   —  

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total long-term

   319,173

Total short-term

   272,400
    

Total foreign borrowings

   591,573
    

Each of these loans is denominated in foreign currency and is principally used to fund our foreign trade loans and carry an average annual nominal interest rate of 5.85% as of December 31, 2006.

(g) Other obligations

 

    

As of

December 31,

    

2005

MCh$

  

2006

MCh$

Other long-term obligations:

     

Obligations with Chilean government

   1,366    2,848
         

Total other long-term obligations

   1,366    2,848

Other short-term obligations

   33,086    23,584
         

Total other obligations

   34,452    26,432
         

As of December 31, 2006, other obligations had the following maturities:

 

    

As of

December 31,
2006

MCh$

Due within 1 year

   184

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   376

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   531

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   546

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   379

Due after 5 years

   832
    

Total long-term

   2,848

Total short-term

   23,584
    

Total other obligations

   26,432
    

 

F-29


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

12. Obligations Arising From Lease Commitments

Banco de Chile leases certain premises under operating leases. The following table shows the future minimum payments under the terms of the lease commitments, expressed in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006.

 

    

As of

December 31,
2006

MCh$

Due within 1 year

   7,964

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   6,499

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   4,971

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   4,071

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   2,262

Due after 5 years

   5,278
    

Total obligations arising from lease commitments

   31,045
    

The rental expense on the premises was MCh$7,489, MCh$8,529 and MCh$10,100 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, and is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income under “Administrative and other expenses”.

13. Derivative Instruments

(a) The Bank uses derivative instruments for investing and hedging purposes

 

    Notional amount of contract with final expiration date in   Fair value
   

Less than

3 months

 

Over 3 months/

Less than 1 year

  Over 1 year   Assets   Liabilities
   

2005

MCh$

 

2006

MCh$

 

2005

MCh$

 

2006

MCh$

 

2005

MCh$

 

2006

MCh$

 

2005

MCh$

 

2006

MCh$

 

2005

MCh$

   

2006

MCh$

Derivatives held for hedging purposes

                   

Interest rate swaps

  —     —     —     —     —     106,886   —     3,298   —       —  
                                         

Total derivatives held for hedging purposes

  —     —     —     —     —     106,886   —     3,298   —       —  
                                         

Derivatives held for investing purposes

                   

Currency forwards

  1,073,498   1,345,767   1,966,270   1,816,854   964,741   492,535   —     22,519   43,454     29,211

Interest rate swaps

  40,117   —     483,014   —     210,042   815,006   —     4,343   (534 )   3,490

Currency and rate swaps

  —     —     36,692   23,989   105,002   120,247   —     19,915   18,357     36,705

Call options

  —     —     —     4,169   4,620   678,632   —     426   —       549
                                         

Total derivatives held for investing purposes

  1,113,615   1,345,767   2,485,976   1,845,012   1,284,405   2,106,420   —     47,203   61,277     69,955
                                         

Total derivative instruments

  1,113,615   1,345,767   2,485,976   1,845,012   1,284,405   2,213,306   —     50,501   61,277     69,955
                                         

 

F-30


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

13. Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

(b) Fair value of traded instruments

The table below sets forth the estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments held or issued by the Bank for trading and hedging purposes as of December 31, 2005 and 2006.

 

     Fair values as of
December 31,
 
    

2005

MCh$

   

2006

MCh$

 

Contract to purchase and sell foreign exchange

   (42,202 )   (6,692 )

Currency and interest rate swaps and options

   (17,823 )   (12,762 )

For those instruments held by the Bank where no quoted market prices are available, fair values have been estimated using modeling and other valuation techniques.

14. Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements

In accordance with the Chilean Banking Law, Chilean Banks are required to maintain a minimum equity level of UF800,000, equivalent to MCh$14,669 as of December 31, 2006. In addition, Chilean Banks are required to maintain a minimum “capital” (capital and reserves) of at least 3% of their total assets net of provisions, and an “effective equity” of not less than 8% of their “risk-weighted assets”. The “effective equity” is defined as “net capital base” plus subordinated bonds, up to 50% of the capital and reserves, plus voluntary provisions of up to 1.25% of their risk-weighted assets. The value of the subordinated bonds that can be considered in the “effective equity” should decrease by 20% per year beginning six years prior to maturity.

Banco the Chile’s actual qualifying “net capital base” and “effective equity” used to support its “risk-weighted assets” as of December 31, 2006, are set forth in the following table:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2006

MCh$

 

Basic Capital

   639,383  

3% of total assets net of provisions

   (385,856 )
      

Excess over minimum required equity

   253,527  
      

Net capital base as a percentage of the total assets, net of provisions

   4.97 %

Effective equity

   1,010,928  

8% of risk-weighted assets

   (757,995 )
      

Excess over minimum required equity

   252,933  
      

Effective equity as a percentage of the risk-weighted assets (*)

   10.67 %

(*) This ratio has been determined on total assets adjusted by risk on a consolidated basis, as established by Circular No.3.178 dated June 7, 2002, of the Superintendency of Banks.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

15. Shareholders’ Equity

Dividends

Dividends are declared and paid during the year subsequent to that in which the related net income was earned.

Dividends declared and paid in 2004, 2005 and 2006 in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

    

Paid during the year ended

December 31,

    

2004

MCh$

  

2005

MCh$

  

2006

MCh$

Dividends relating to prior year net income

   138,090    155,828    149,730

16. Transactions with Related Parties

In accordance with the rules of the Superintendency of Banks, related parties are defined as individuals or companies who are directors, officers, or shareholders who own more than 1% of Banco de Chile’s shares.

Entities in which a director, officer or shareholder of Banco de Chile holds more than a 5% interest as well as entities that have directors in common with Banco de Chile are also considered to be related parties. In the following tables, trading and manufacturing companies are defined as operating companies, and companies whose purpose is to hold shares in other companies are defined as investment companies.

(a) Loans granted to related parties

Loans to related parties, all of which are current, are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
    

Loans

MCh$

  

Collateral

Pledged

MCh$

  

Loans

MCh$

  

Collateral

Pledged

MCh$

  

Loans

MCh$

  

Collateral

Pledged

MCh$

Operating companies

   117,206    47,613    113,334    49,388    144,738    69,557

Investment companies

   18,006    2,478    8,426    127    10,865    121

Individuals (1)

   3,100    2,781    3,746    3,166    3,845    3,596
                             

Total

   138,312    52,872    125,506    52,681    159,448    73,274
                             

(1) Includes only debt obligations that are equal to or greater than UF3,000, equivalent to approximately MCh$55 as of December 31, 2006.

The activity in the balances of loans to related parties are as follows:

 

    

2005

MCh$

   

2006

MCh$

 
      

Balance as of January 1,

   138,312     125,506  

New loans

   52,523     74,233  

Repayments

   (60,523 )   (37,709 )

Price-level restatement (1)

   (4,806 )   (2,582 )
            

Balance as of December 31,

   125,506     159,448  
            

(1) Reflects the effect of restatement of beginning balances to constant pesos of December 31, 2006.

 

F-32


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

16. Transactions with Related Parties (continued)

(b) Other transactions with related parties

During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Banco de Chile incurred the following expenses and income as a result of transactions with related parties equal to or greater than UF 5,000 equivalent to approximately MCh$92 as of December 31, 2006.

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2004    2005    2006
     Expense
MCh$
   Revenue
MCh$
   Expense
MCh$
   Revenue
MCh$
   Expense
MCh$
   Revenue
MCh$

Redbanc S.A.

   2,969    —      3,538    —      3,870    —  

Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A.

   2,422    —      2,289    —      3,345    —  

Operadora de Tarjetas de Crédito Nexus S.A.

   2,185    —      2,625    —      3,145    —  

Entel Telefonía Local S.A.

   296    —      798    —      1,733    —  

Sonda S.A.

   —      —      611    —      868    —  

Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A.

   231    —      225    —      463    —  

Depósito Central de Valores, Depósitos de Valores S.A.

   275    —      418    —      440    —  

Soc. Operadora de la Cámara Com. Pagos Alto Valor S.A.

   —      —      38    —      353    —  

Banchile Cía de Seguros de Vida S.A.

   256    —      263    —      308    —  

Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago Bolsa de Valores

   90    —      211    —      303    —  

Plaza Oeste S.A.

   —      —      246    —      279    —  

Artikos S.A.

   14    —      121    —      204    —  

Asociación de Bancos e Instituciones Financieras

   112    —      108    —      136    —  

Plaza El Trébol S.A.

   —      —      56    —      96    —  

Línea Aérea Nacional Chile S.A.

   —      114    —      114    —      116
                             

Subtotal

   8,850    114    11,547    114    15,543    116
                             

Transactions between 1,000 and 5,000 UF:

                 

Services expenses

   195    —      148    —      273    —  

Rental income.

   —      —      127    —      149    —  
                             

Subtotal

   195    —      275    —      422    —  
                             

Total

   9,045    114    11,822    114    15,965    116
                             

These expense and revenue items are for services received and rendered by Banco de Chile from and to related parties at market rates. Article 89 of the Chilean Corporations Law requires that Banco de Chile’s transactions with related parties be carried out on a market basis or on terms similar to those prevailing in the market.

 

F-33


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

17. Fees and income from services and non-operating income and expenses

Banco de Chile’s fees and income from services and non-operating income and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are summarized as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  
     Income
MCh$
   Expenses
MCh$
    Income
MCh$
   Expenses
MCh$
    Income
MCh$
   Expenses
MCh$
 

Fees and income from services

               

Mutual funds management

   21,627    (1,936 )   26,007    (2,334 )   27,307    (2,341 )

Sight accounts and ATMs

   20,935    (9,794 )   22,875    (9,495 )   24,592    (10,108 )

Insurance

   15,293    (182 )   20,579    (160 )   24,429    (201 )

Checking accounts and overdrafts

   25,787    —       24,212    —       24,072    —    

Credit cards

   16,823    (5,028 )   17,921    (6,279 )   21,430    (7,867 )

Stock brokerage

   13,601    (820 )   15,448    (32 )   11,127    (626 )

Cash management services

   8,559    (10 )   9,795    (235 )   10,865    (94 )

Collection of over-due loans

   9,064    —       8,838    —       9,883    —    

Credit lines

   7,137    —       7,425    —       8,078    —    

Credit

   5,730    —       9,764    —       4,567    —    

Foreign trade and currency exchange

   3,606    —       3,407    —       3,863    —    

Letters of credit, guarantees, collaterals and other contingent loans

   5,445    —       4,848    —       3,839    —    

Income and revenue from assets received in lieu of payment

   5,808    (1,710 )   5,178    (1,586 )   3,740    (1,408 )

Financial advisory services

   2,678    —       942    —       2,844    —    

Custody and trust services

   1,480    —       1,799    —       2,076    —    

Collection services

   3,767    —       2,580    —       1,944    —    

Leasing

   1,719    (91 )   1,623    (313 )   1,467    (199 )

Factoring

   670    (53 )   631    (8 )   869    (7 )

Fees from sales force

   —      (11,840 )   —      (15,331 )   —      (22,253 )

Teller services expenses

   —      (3,584 )   —      (4,043 )   —      (4,606 )

Cobranding

   —      (3,843 )   —      (5,939 )   —      (6,977 )

Other

   3,972    (1,562 )   3,806    (1,746 )   5,455    (2,219 )
                                 

Total

   173,701    (40,453 )   187,678    (47,501 )   192,447    (58,906 )
                                 

Non-operating income and expenses

               

Gains on sales of assets received in lieu of payment

   891    —       4,478    —       9,541    —    

Prior year tax differences

   5    —       —      —       3,343    —    

Rental income

   2,492    —       2,402    —       2,396    —    

Gains from sale of shares

   —      —       —      —       447    —    

Recoveries of expenses

   617    —       301    —       258    —    

Foreign trade income

   154    —       134    —       110    —    

Income from sale of fixed assets

   314    —       125    —       71    —    

Dividends received

   59    —       93    —       55    —    

Leasing income

   80    —       57    —       6    —    

Indemnity of sinesters

   1    —       5    —       —      —    

Charge-offs assets received in lieu of payment

   —      (8,694 )   —      (11,053 )   —      (9,832 )

Charge-offs

   —      (1,404 )   —      (1,311 )   —      (1,360 )

Write-offs for frauds

   —      (1,124 )   —      (557 )   —      (558 )

Legal contingencies provision

   —      (193 )   —      (20 )   —      (537 )

Expenses on charge-offs for leasing

   —      (256 )   —      (367 )   —      (199 )

Advertising expenses

   —      (56 )   —      (63 )   —      (70 )

Charge-offs and provisions related to fixed assets

   —      (46 )   —      (25 )   —      (17 )

Provision for recovered leased assets

   —      (1,538 )   —      (1,084 )   —      (15 )

Reversal of adjustments and interest from previous years

   —      (131 )   —      (49 )   —      (13 )

Tax expenses from previous years

   —      (2,377 )   —      —       —      —    

Provision and charge-offs other assets

   —      (432 )   —      —       —      —    

Other

   491    (546 )   429    (552 )   490    (1,241 )
                                 

Total

   5,104    (16,797 )   8,024    (15,081 )   16,717    (13,842 )
                                 

 

F-34


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

18. Board of Directors Compensation

As agreed at the Shareholders Meeting, during 2005 and 2006 Banco de Chile and its subsidiaries have paid, and charged to income, the following compensation to their Directors:

 

     Remunerations    Fees for attending
Board meetings
   Fees for attending
Committees and
Subsidiary Board
meetings (1)
   Consulting    Total

Name of Director

   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$
   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$
   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$
   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$
   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$

Fernando Cañas Berkowitz

   295    315    39    42    173    234    —      —      507    591

Andrónico Luksic Craig

   129    131    16    8    —      —      —      —      145    139

Jorge Awad Mehech

   43    44    26    22    94    82    —      —      163    148

Jacob Ergas Ergas

   43    44    24    15    68    56    —      —      135    115

Thomas Fürst Freiwirth

   43    44    26    19    58    67    —      —      127    130

Guillermo Luksic Craig

   43    44    15    9    5    —      —      —      63    53

Rodrigo Manubens Moltedo

   43    44    22    19    91    93    415    8    571    164

Gonzalo Menéndez Duque

   43    44    29    22    132    118    —      —      204    184

Máximo Pacheco Matte

   43    44    28    17    3    3    —      —      74    64

Francisco Pérez Mackenna

   43    44    25    19    57    54    —      —      125    117

Segismundo Schulin-Zeuthen Serrano

   61    44    34    19    90    40    —      —      185    103

Edmundo Eluchans Urenda

   43    7    23    3    34    4    —      —      100    14

Jorge Ergas Heymann

   43    43    21    20    39    38    —      —      103    101

Jorge Díaz Vial

   3    36    2    17    2    35    —      —      7    88

Máximo Silva Bafalluy

   4    —      6    —      18    —      —      —      28    —  

Other subsidiaries directors

   —      —      —      —      93    115    —      —      93    115
                                                 

Total

   922    928    336    251    957    939    415    8    2,630    2,126
                                                 

(1) Includes fees paid to members of the advisory committee of Banchile Corredores de Seguros Ltda.

19. Loan Loss Recoveries

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2004
MCh$
   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$

Loan portfolio previously charged-off

   29,997    33,174    28,063

Loans reacquired from Central Bank

   5,687    505    37
              

Total

   35,684    33,679    28,100
              

Recovery of loans re-acquired from the Central Bank includes payments received on such loans, which at the date of their repurchase from the Central Bank were deemed to have no value and were recorded in memorandum accounts, are recorded directly to income, as a reduction of the “Provision for loan losses” item.

 

F-35


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

20. Foreign Currency Position

The consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which have been translated to Chilean pesos at the Observed Exchange Rates as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 and assets and liabilities denominated in Chilean pesos but that contain repayment terms linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, detailed below:

 

     As of December 31, 2005    As of December 31, 2006
    

Payable in

Foreign

Currency
MCh$

   

Payable in
Chilean

Pesos
MCh$

   Total
MCh$
  

Payable in

Foreign

Currency
MCh$

   

Payable in
Chilean

Pesos
MCh$

   Total
MCh$

ASSETS

               

Cash and due from banks

   361,001     —      361,001    820,972     —      820,972

Loans

   759,346     15,701    775,047    890,800     10,691    901,491

Contingent loans

   295,018     —      295,018    407,535     —      407,535

Trading securities

   491,992     12,195    504,187    376,208     9,273    385,481

Held to maturity and available for sale

   40,901     —      40,901    56,069     —      56,069

Leasing contracts

   —       40,945    40,945    —       52,194    52,194

Other assets

   421,818     —      421,818    100,050     —      100,050
                               

Total assets

   2,370,076     68,841    2,438,917    2,651,634     72,158    2,723,792
                               

LIABILITIES

               

Deposits

   1,170,166     281    1,170,447    1,165,879     209    1,166,088

Contingent liabilities

   296,235     —      296,235    409,278     —      409,278

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   92,047     —      92,047    125,369     —      125,369

Foreign borrowings

   675,235     —      675,235    591,503     —      591,503

Other liabilities

   177,855     92    177,947    414,389     240    414,629
                               

Total liabilities

   2,411,538     373    2,411,911    2,706,418     449    2,706,867
                               

NET (LIABILITIES) ASSETS

   (41,462 )   68,468    27,006    (54,784 )   71,709    16,925
                               

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

21. Income Taxes

Banco de Chile and its subsidiaries have recorded in the Financial Statements the effects of deferred taxes and amortization of its complementary accounts, as provided by the Chilean Association of Accountants. The movements and effects from deferred taxes are shown on the following table:

 

    

Balance as of

December 31,
2005 (1)
MCh$

  

2006

Deferred taxes
MCh$

   

Balance as of

December 31,
2006 MCh$

Deferred tax assets

       

Allowances for loan losses

   25,634    207     25,841

Obligations with repurchase agreements

   11,829    (2,908 )   8,921

Leasing equipment

   6,808    (3,464 )   3,344

Assets at market value

   1,202    (363 )   839

Personnel provisions

   2,170    166     2,336

Staff vacations

   1,813    214     2,027

Accruals interest and readjustments from past due loans

   2,196    (734 )   1,462

Staff severance indemnities

   951    8     959

Charge-offs from financial investment

   66    (66 )   —  

Other adjustments

   10,273    (1,514 )   8,759
               

Total

   62,942    (8,454 )   54,488
               

Deferred tax liabilities

       

Investments with repurchase agreements

   10,842    (1,931 )   8,911

Depreciation and price-level restatement of fixed assets

   6,225    (235 )   5,990

Transitory assets

   2,292    866     3,158

Other adjustments

   2,524    167     2,691
               

Total

   21,883    (1,133 )   20,750
               

(1) For presentation purposes, deferred income tax balances as of December 31, 2005 are presented on a historical basis. For comparison purposes, price-level restated amounts for 2005 correspond to MCh$64,264 for net deferred tax assets and MCh$22,343 for net deferred tax liabilities.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

21. Income Taxes (continued)

“Income taxes” as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are summarized as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
    

2004

MCh$

   

2005

MCh$

   

2006

MCh$

 

Current income tax provision

   (21,388 )   (15,396 )   (15,872 )

Amortization of complementary accounts

   (494 )   —       —    

Deferred tax effect for the year

   3,281     (4,892 )   (7,321 )

Non-deductible expenses Art. 21

   (813 )   (1,552 )   (903 )
                  

Income taxes expense

   (19,414 )   (21,840 )   (24,096 )
                  

22. Commitments and contingencies

(a) Legal contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, Banco de Chile and its subsidiaries act as defendant or co-defendant in various litigation matters. Although there can be no assurances, Banco de Chile’s management believes, based on information currently available, that the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. Banco de Chile has established provisions for legal contingencies in the amount of MCh$879 and MCh$1,386 as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

(b) Commitments

Banco de Chile is party to transactions with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its business, which exposes Banco de Chile to credit risk in addition to amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements. These transactions include commitments to extend credit not otherwise accounted for as contingent loans, such as overdrafts and credit card lines of credit. Such commitments are agreements to lend to a customer at a future date, subject to compliance with the contractual terms. Since a substantial portion of these commitments is expected to expire without being drawn on, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent actual future cash requirements of Banco de Chile. The amounts of these loan commitments are MCh$1,258,375 and MCh$1,733,916 and the amounts of subscribed leasing contracts are MCh$62,726 and MCh$95,655 as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

(c) Obligations regarding the New York and Miami Branches

In September 2004, the Federal Agencies of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta reviewed our New York and Miami branches respectively, in order to evaluate, among other matters, their compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act and other U.S. regulations pertaining to anti money laundering. As a consequence of said reviews and on the date of February 1, 2005, the Bank agreed with the OCC to the issuance of a Consent Order and with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order. In agreement with these orders, an action plan was developed to include the elaboration and maintenance of programs designed to strengthen compliance with aforementioned regulations. The activities contained in the action plan, which was approved by the regulatory authorities, included specific time periods for their execution.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

22. Commitments and contingencies (continued)

(c) Obligations regarding the New York and Miami Branches (continued)

Implementation of activities related to re-documentation of client folders and to certain specific activities of the internal controls program of the branch, has required a period of time superior to that which was anticipated in the time estimates of said plan. Both activities have had advanced significantly during year 2006 and it is likely that they will be completed during fiscal year 2007.

(d) Contingency for Lawsuit in the Courts of New York

On or about November 30, 2005, the Fundacion Presidente Allende – an entity organized in accordance with the laws of Spain – filed a civil claim against Banco de Chile and others for an amount not less than US$7 million and punitive damages for US$100 million. On September 28, 2006, the Court of the Southern District of New York dismissed all claims related to the above referenced lawsuit.

The Fundacion appealed this decision, and on January 18, 2007 requested to discontinue the aforementioned appeal.

23. Fiduciary Activities

The following items are recorded in memorandum accounts by Banco de Chile and represent fiduciary safekeeping and custody services:

 

     As of December 31,
     2005
MCh$
  

2006

MCh$

Securities held in safe custody

   3,533,471    3,677,291

Amounts to be collected on behalf of domestic third parties

   174,140    255,645

Amounts to be collected on behalf of foreign third parties

   257,969    209,206
         

Total fiduciary activities

   3,965,580    4,142,142
         

24. Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of credit risk (whether on or off-balance sheet) arising from financial instruments exist in relation to certain groups of customers. A group concentration arises when a number of parties have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions. Pursuant to Chilean banking regulations, significant exposure exists when the concentration of any individual customer or counterparty exceeds ten percent of Banco de Chile’s effective equity. Banco de Chile does not have a significant exposure to any individual customer or counterparty.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

24. Concentrations of Credit Risk (continued)

Counterparty risk

Banco de Chile maintains a series of deposits, investments purchased under agreements to resell, forward contract agreements and other financial instruments with institutions in the Chilean banking sector. The principal counterparties within the Chilean banking sector, excluding the Central Bank, and Banco de Chile’s related exposure to credit risk, as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 are as follows:

 

     Counterparty Risk
As of December 31,

Bank

   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$

Banco del Estado de Chile

   6,521    40,467

Banco Santander- Chile

   15,607    16,179

Corpbanca

   11,459    14,177

BBVA Banco Bhif

   12,407    8,254

Banco de Crédito e Inversiones

   6,071    6,691

BankBoston N.A.

   2,337    4,083

Banco Bice

   2,828    3,611

Banco Falabella

   3,589    3,171

Banco Ripley

   1,862    2,891

ABN Amro Bank (Chile)

   306    2,585

Banco Security

   8,398    2,445

Scotiabank Sud Americano

   993    1,407

Banco del Desarrollo

   —      765

Citibank N.A.

   84    652

HSBC Bank Chile

   —      637

JP Morgan Chase Bank

   701    293

Deutsche Bank (Chile)

   —      254

Banco Paris

   —      211

Banco Monex

   —      137

Banco Internacional

   23    131

Banco Penta

   84    —  

Banco de Chile maintains a policy of placing deposits with a number of different financial institutions and does not believe that any one of these banks represents an unacceptable credit risk. Banco de Chile does not usually require collateral from these counterparties.

25. Sales and Purchases of Loans

From time to time, Banco de Chile sells and purchases loans based on specific requirements from customers. During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Banco de Chile sold loans totaling MCh$68,127, MCh$20,232 and MCh$28,265, respectively, however, Banco de Chile does not generally originate loans for future sale. Banco de Chile did not retain servicing or any other interest in the loans sold or retains any risks in the event of non-collection by the purchaser. During the year ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, Banco de Chile purchased loans amounting to MCh$61,470 and MCh$161,997 respectively. During prior years Banco de Chile did not purchase loans. Any gains or losses on such transactions are recognized in results of operations at the time of the transactions.

The aggregate gains on sales of loans were MCh$10,497, MCh$2,452 and MCh$772 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

26. Maturity of Assets and Liabilities

The maturity dates of assets and liabilities are shown in the following table including accrued interest as of December 31, 2006.

 

     As of December 31, 2006   

Total

2005

MCh$

     Due within
1 year
MCh$
  

Due after 1
year

but within
3 years
MCh$

  

Due after 3
years

but within
6 years
MCh$

   Due after 6
years
MCh$
  

Total

2006

MCh$

  

ASSETS

                 

Loans (1)

   3,984,666    1,591,890    978,382    2,048,764    8,603,702    7,514,069

Securities (2)

   1,253,441    —      —      —      1,253,441    1,408,356

Derivative instruments

   23,506    18,327    4,217    4,451    50,501    —  
                             

Total

   5,261,613    1,610,217    982,599    2,053,215    9,907,644    8,922,425
                             

LIABILITIES

                 

Deposit and other obligations (3)

   5,782,020    173,940    —      —      5,955,960    4,568,900

Mortgage finance bonds

   66,944    98,093    133,106    179,494    477,637    568,191

Bonds

   152,098    284,821    175,523    347,772    960,214    643,218

Chilean Central Bank borrowings:

                 

Central Bank credit lines for renegotiations of loans

   824    —      —      —      824    1,436

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   88,261    —      —      —      88,261    92,054

Foreign borrowings

   579,146    12,427    —      —      591,573    675,384

Other obligations

   23,768    907    1,224    533    26,432    34,452

Derivative instruments

   29,787    36,936    2,078    1,154    69,955    61,277
                             

Total

   6,722,848    607,124    311,931    528,953    8,170,856    6,644,912
                             

(1) Excludes contingent loans, overdue loans (1-89 days) and past due loans (90 days or more).

 

(2) Excludes unrealized gains on available for sale securities included in equity of MCh$4 and MCh$9 for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 respectively. In accordance with Superintendency of Banks trading investments are classified as due within 1 year.

 

(3) Excludes demand deposit accounts, saving accounts, investments sold under agreements to repurchase and contingent liabilities.

27. Subsequent Events

At the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of the subsidiary Banchile Factoring S.A. held on January 9, 2007, the shareholders agreed to increase this subsidiary’s paid-in capital by MCh$18,379. This increase was paid in full by Banco de Chile and therefore the Bank now has ownership of 99.75% in the aforementioned subsidiary.

Management is not aware of any other significant subsequent events occurring between December 31, 2006 and the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements which affect or may affect the Bank’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

The following is a description of the significant quantitative differences between accounting principles as prescribed by the Superintendency of Banks and accounting principles generally accepted in Chile (collectively “Chilean GAAP”), and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

References below to “SFAS” are to United States Statements of Financial Accounting Standards. Pursuant to Chilean GAAP, the Bank’s financial statements recognize certain effects of inflation. In addition, the Bank translates the accounting records of its branch in New York, USA, its agency in Miami, USA and its subsidiary Banchile Trade Services Limited in Hong Kong to Chilean pesos from US dollars in accordance with guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks, which are consistent with Technical Bulletin Nº64, “Accounting for Investments Abroad”, issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants. In the opinion of the Bank, this foreign currency translation methodology forms part of the comprehensive basis of preparation of price-level adjusted financial statements required by Chilean GAAP. Inclusion of inflation and the effects of translation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements under the Chilean accounting standards in the financial statements is considered appropriate under the inflationary conditions that have historically affected the Chilean economy even though the cumulative inflation rate for the last three years does not exceed 100% and, accordingly have not been eliminated in the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP included under paragraph (q) below.

(a) Push Down Accounting and Purchase Accounting

Under Chilean GAAP, the merger on January 1, 2002 between Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards (the “Predecessor Banks”) was accounted for as a “pooling of interests” on a prospective basis. As such, the historical financial statements for periods prior to the merger were not restated and Banco de Chile was considered to be the continuing entity for legal and accounting purposes. Under U.S. GAAP, the merger of the two banks was accounted for as a merger of entities under common control, as LQ Inversiones Financieras, a holding company beneficially owned by Quiñenco, controlled both Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards since March 27, 2001.

Under U.S. GAAP, when accounting for a merger of entities under common control, the book values of the merging entities that are held in the books of the common parent must be pushed down to the merged entity. This means that goodwill previously created in the books of Quiñenco, the transferring entity, at the time that it acquired each bank and also any fair value differences created from those purchases must be included in the U.S. GAAP accounting records of the Bank. In practice this means that the goodwill and fair value adjustments created from Quiñenco’s purchases of Banco de A. Edwards during September and October, 1999 and from Quiñenco’s purchases of Banco de Chile made during 1999, 2000 and March 2001 are pushed down to the merged entity. As this treatment does not apply in Chilean GAAP, there is a significant difference in the asset and liability bases under each body of accounting principles.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(a) Push Down Accounting and Purchase Accounting (continued)

Quiñenco acquired Banco de A. Edwards, through step acquisitions between September 2, 1999 and October 26, 1999. There were no additional share transactions between 1999 and the date of the merger. Similarly, Quiñenco acquired Banco de Chile through step acquisitions between October 1999 and March 27, 2001.

Under U.S. GAAP, acquisitions that are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting result in the identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired bank being adjusted to their fair values in the consolidated financial statements of the acquirer. Adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed to fair value and recording the fair values of unrecognized intangible assets are generically referred to as purchase accounting adjustments. As a result of its acquisitions of Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards, Quiñenco recorded purchase accounting adjustments to reflect differences related to:

 

   

the fair value of intangible assets, including brand names and long-term customer-relationship intangible (core deposit intangibles);

 

   

the fair values of loans, excluding any adjustments in the acquiree’s historical allowance for loan losses or other contingent liabilities;

 

   

the accounting for staff severance liabilities;

 

   

the fair value of bank premises and equipment and other

The above mentioned purchase accounting adjustments and goodwill and any equity method investments or equity participation in the results of operations of the acquired banks recorded by the common parent, must be recorded in the U.S. GAAP accounting records of the Bank. The effects of accounting for the push down of these purchase accounting adjustments, goodwill and any equity participation in the results of operations of the acquired banks into the accounting records of the Bank and their subsequent effects on net income is included in paragraph (q), below.

In addition to the above mentioned adjustments, under US GAAP Quiñenco has considered the fair value of the subordinated debt arising from the economic crisis of 1982-1983. A detailed discussion of this matter is included below.

Background

During the 1982-1983 economic crisis, the Chilean banking system experienced significant instability requiring that the Chilean Central Bank and the Chilean government provide assistance to most Chilean private sector banks, including Banco de Chile. During this period, Banco de Chile experienced significant financial difficulties. In 1985 and 1986, Banco de Chile increased its capital and sold shares representing 88% of its capital to more than 30,000 new shareholders. As a result, no single shareholder held a controlling stake in our company. In 1987, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks returned the control and administration of the bank to our shareholders. Subsequent to the crisis, like most major Chilean banks, Banco de Chile sold certain of its non-performing loans to the Central Bank at face value on terms that included a repurchase obligation. The repurchase obligation was later exchanged for subordinated debt of each participating bank issued in favor of the Central Bank. In 1989, pursuant to Law No. 18,818, banks were permitted to repurchase the portfolio of non-performing loans for a price equal to the economic value of such loans, provided that the bank assume a subordinated obligation equal to the difference between the face value and economic value of such loans. In November 1989, Banco de Chile repurchased its portfolio of non-performing loans from the Central Bank and assumed the Central Bank’s subordinated debt relating to our nonperforming loans.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(a) Push Down Accounting and Purchase Accounting (continued)

In November 1996, pursuant to Law No. 19,396, which established a new treatment for subordinated debts in the Chilean banking system, the former Banco de Chile’s shareholders approved a reorganization by which the former Banco de Chile was converted to a holding company named SM-Chile. In turn, SM-Chile created a new wholly owned banking subsidiary named Banco de Chile (the “Bank”) to which it contributed all of its assets and liabilities other than the Central Bank subordinated debt. SM-Chile then created a second wholly owned subsidiary, Sociedad Administradora de la Obligacion Subordinada SAOS S.A., (“SAOS”). Pursuant to a prior agreement with the Central Bank, SAOS assumed a new repayment obligation in favor of the Central Bank that replaced the Central Bank subordinated debt in its entirety. In exchange for assuming the Central Bank indebtedness, SAOS received from SM-Chile, a holding company that beneficially owns SAOS and Banco de Chile, 63.6% of Banco de Chile shares as collateral for this indebtedness.

Subsequently, as a result of Banco de Chile merger with Banco de A. Edwards, the percentage of Banco de Chile’s shares held by SAOS decreased to 42.0%. As a result of the share dividend paid in May 2006, the percentage further decreased to 41.4%.

Business purpose of the reorganization

The business purpose of this reorganization transaction, including the formation of the holding company SAOS, was to structure the repayment of the subordinated debt that had neither a fixed term nor a repayment schedule to the Chilean Central Bank. Although Banco de Chile utilized a reorganization alternative, the law provided a range of options for the banks with subordinated debt with the Chilean Central Bank to modify the payment conditions for the subordinated obligations; depending on whether or not under the original conditions they were able to serve such debt within a 40 year-term. Those banks that were unable to repay their subordinated obligation within this period, were permitted to agree with Chilean Central Bank, to either repay the subordinated obligation in 40 fixed, annual, consecutive and equal installments, or to adopt a scheme for bidding shares, plus the transfer of shares in settlement to Banco Central de Chile.

Nature of the Variable Interest in SAOS

Banco de Chile believes that SAOS is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) under FIN46(R) and its parent company SM-Chile has a variable interest in SAOS. In performing its analysis, the Bank identified the Chilean Central Bank, and the consolidated group SM-Chile, which includes Banco de Chile, as having variable interests in SAOS as a result of being debt and equity holders, respectively, which will absorb portions of SAOS’ expected losses and residual returns. Banco de Chile does not have an obligation to absorb any portions of the expected losses nor will it receive portions of SAOS’ expected residual returns.

Terms of the agreement between Banco de Chile and SAOS and the payments of dividends

The Central Bank indebtedness, for which SAOS is solely responsible and for which there is no recourse to Banco de Chile nor SM-Chile, was equal to the unpaid principal of the Central Bank subordinated debt that it replaced but had terms that differed in some respects, the most important of which included a rescheduling of the debt for a term of 40 years providing for equal annual installments and a pledge of Banco de Chile’s shares as collateral for such debt. The Central Bank indebtedness bears interest at a rate of 5.0% per year and it is denominated in UF. Dividends received from Banco de Chile are the sole source of SAOS’ revenue, which must be applied to repay this indebtedness. According to Chilean Corporations Law 18.046 banks must generally distribute a cash dividend in an amount equal to at least 30% of its net income each year, as

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(a) Push Down Accounting and Purchase Accounting (continued)

determined in accordance with Chilean GAAP, unless and except to the extent the Bank has unabsorbed prior year losses. 1

Under SAOS’ agreement with the Central Bank, Banco de Chile has no particular obligation to distribute dividends to its shareholders. If the Bank decides to retain and capitalize all or part of its annual net income in order to finance future growth, and to distribute stock dividends to its shareholders, the Central Bank may require Banco de Chile to pay the portion of the net income corresponding to shares owned by SAOS in cash to SAOS. If Banco de Chile distributes stock dividends and the Central Bank does not require it to pay that portion in cash, the shares received by SAOS must be sold by SAOS within the following 12 months. The shareholders of SM-Chile will have a right of first refusal with respect to that sale.

To the extent distributed dividends are not sufficient to pay the amount due on this indebtedness; SAOS is permitted to maintain a cumulative deficit balance with the Central Bank that SAOS commits to pay with future dividends. If the cumulative deficit balance exceeds an amount equal to 20% of Banco de Chile’s paid-in capital and reserves, the Central Bank may require SAOS to sell a sufficient number of Banco de Chile’s stock owned by SAOS to the public in order to pay the entire accumulated deficit amount.

Decision making function in SAOS

Pursuant to the law under which it was established, the only function that SAOS has is to hold the subordinated debt and the ownership interest in Banco de Chile. As such no decision making is necessary as it functions on an “autopilot mechanism”. Consequently, no fees other than minor costs related to legal, accounting and other compliance functions are paid related to the decision making function.

Investment at risk in SAOS

Although Banco de Chile has no investment at risk in SAOS, SM-Chile S.A., its parent company has investment at risk in SAOS’ equity, as it is the sole owner of the common stock of SAOS. As defined in paragraph 5(a) of FIN 46(R), there is insufficient investment at risk to permit SAOS to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support due to SM-Chile having had negative equity under US GAAP at the time of the reorganization. Under US GAAP the reorganization pursuant to Law No. 19,396 would have been accounted for at the book values of the underlying assets and liabilities.

 


1

Law N° 20,109 enacted June 24, 2006 amended Article 56 of the General Banking Law. Prior to such amendment, banks were permitted to distribute less than such minimum amount in any given year if the holders of at least two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding shares so determined.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(a) Push Down Accounting and Purchase Accounting (continued)

Distribution of voting rights and control among the parties involved

As of the date of these financial statements, the organizational and ownership chart is as follows:

LOGO

Related parties

For purposes of the analysis under FIN 46(R) the Bank considered variable interests in SAOS held by its related parties at the time that SAOS was formed. For purposes of this Interpretation, the term related parties included only SM-Chile as there were no other parties identified under FASB Statement No. 57, Related Party Disclosures, or other parties that were acting as de facto agents or de facto principals of the variable interest holder.

Banco de Chile believes that the party most closely associated with SAOS, by virtue of its involvement with the reorganization with the subordinated debt is the Chilean Central Bank; and notwithstanding that Banco de Chile does not have a variable interest in SAOS, as it forms part of the consolidated group SM-Chile, in accordance with FIN 46(R) Banco de Chile has performed a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of the expected losses of the VIE SAOS at the time of the reorganization. Based on the allocation of SAOS’ expected losses and residual returns to its variable interest holders, the Bank has concluded that substantially all of the expected losses and rewards attributable to SAOS will be absorbed by SM-Chile.

As a result of the analysis performed the Bank concluded, under the provisions of FIN46(R), that SAOS should not be consolidated by the Bank as SM-Chile is the primary beneficiary.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(b) Acquisition of Banco de A. Edwards

Under U.S. GAAP, to the extent that the Predecessor Banks were under common control, the assets and liabilities of Banco de A. Edwards were transferred into Banco de Chile using the U.S. GAAP carrying values of such assets and liabilities included in the records of the common parent. However, as Quiñenco only owned 51.18% of Banco de A. Edwards at the time of the merger, to the extent that the minority interest of Banco de A. Edwards was acquired through the issuance of Banco de Chile shares, Banco de Chile was considered the acquirer.

Therefore, Banco de Chile calculated goodwill based on the difference between the purchase price (i.e. the market value of the shares issued by Banco de Chile) and the fair value of the proportion of assets and liabilities acquired at the date of the merger. As part of this process, under U.S. GAAP, Banco de Chile was also required to value the interest acquired of previously unrecorded intangible assets, such as the Banco de Edwards brand name and core deposit intangibles, and to include these assets in the financial records of the Bank. Such assets were not required to be recorded under existing Chilean GAAP at that time.

As a consequence of the merger between Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards, Banco de Chile issued 23,147,126,425 shares in exchange for all the outstanding common shares of Banco de A. Edwards using an exchange ratio of 3.135826295 Banco de Chile shares for each Banco de A. Edwards share. Under U.S. GAAP Banco de Chile was considered to have acquired 48.82% of the outstanding shares in Banco de A. Edwards, which corresponded to those shares that Quiñenco did not own as of that date. The acquisition of these shares has been accounted for using purchase accounting as described in the preceding paragraph. The consideration paid has been determined using an average of the market value of the publicly traded Banco de Chile shares, which at January 1, 2002 was Ch$25,110.17 (historical Chilean pesos) per share, plus merger expenses.

Under U.S. GAAP, purchase allocation of the 48.82% participation acquired from shareholders other than Quiñenco and its subsidiaries as of January 1, 2002 was as follows:

 

     MCh$  

Net book value of Banco de A. Edwards

   131,807  

Incremental fair value of identified intangible assets (1)(2)

   34,108  

Fair value increment of identified net assets acquired

   (49,183 )
      

Fair value of Banco de A. Edwards

   116,732  
      

Purchase price

  

Market value of Banco de Chile shares issued

   (320,047 )

Direct costs of acquisition

   (1,286 )
      

Goodwill

   (204,601 )
      

 

(1) Core deposit intangibles resulting from the acquisition amounted to MCh$30,374 and is being amortized over the estimated run-off period by product of the acquired customer base at the date of purchase.

 

(2) Brand name intangibles resulting from the acquisition amounted to MCh$3,734 and is being amortized over 10 years.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(b) Acquisition of Banco de A. Edwards (continued)

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

 

     As of January 1, 2002
MCh$

Cash and due from banks

   134,311

Financial investments

   198,448

Loans, net

   1,150,888

Intangibles

   34,108

Other

   92,183
    

Total assets acquired

   1,609,938
    

Deposits

   912,834

Other interest bearing liabilities

   500,814

Other liabilities

   79,558
    

Total liabilities assumed

   1,493,206
    

Net assets acquired

   116,732
    

Of the MCh$34,108 of acquired intangible assets, MCh$30,374 was assigned to core deposits subject to amortization (using an estimated rate that the bank’s customers are expected to leave the bank in future years, based on a historical analyses performed by the Bank), and MCh$3,734 has been assigned to a registered trademark that is being amortized over a 10 year useful life.

The Bank does not amortize goodwill related to the acquisition of Banco de A. Edwards, following the provisions of SFAS No. 142, as described in paragraph (c) below.

(c) Amortization of Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Bank adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, (“SFAS 142”) as of January 1, 2002. SFAS 142 applies to all goodwill and identified intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Under this standard, beginning January 1, 2002, all goodwill, including that acquired before initial application of the standard, and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but must be tested for impairment at least annually.

The Bank has performed the annual impairment test of goodwill required by the standard, which did not result in any impairment. Under Chilean GAAP, the Bank does not present any goodwill as of December 31, 2006. Under U.S. GAAP, the carrying value of goodwill, net of accumulated amortization, related to the push-down of goodwill from Quiñenco, the acquisitions of Banco de A. Edwards and Leasing Andino, described in paragraphs (a), (b) and (n) to this note, respectively, were MCh$391,942 MCh$204,601 and MCh$2,030, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(c) Amortization of Goodwill and Intangible Assets (continued)

The table below presents the allocation of the total carrying value of goodwill by segments of the Bank:

 

Business Segments

   MCh$

Wholesale

   352,378

Retail Market

   166,310

International

   43,437

Treasury

   11,552

Subsidiaries

   24,896
    

Total goodwill

   598,573
    

(d) Deferred Income taxes

Under Chilean GAAP, prior to 1999, the Bank did not record the effects of deferred income taxes. Effective January 1, 1999, and in accordance with the new accounting standard under Chilean GAAP, the Bank was required to record the effects of deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the liability method, with deferred tax assets and liabilities established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Bank’s assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized. As a transitional provision to reduce the impact of adoption of this standard, the banks were permitted to record a contra (“complementary”) asset or liability as of the date of implementation of the new accounting standard, January 1, 1999, related to the effects of deferred income taxes from prior years.

These complementary assets and liabilities are to be amortized over the estimated period of reversal of the temporary differences that generate the future income tax asset or liability. Such period ended as of December 31, 2004.

Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, income taxes are recognized using the liability method in a manner similar to Chilean GAAP, except for the transitional provisions allowed by Chilean GAAP as described above.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(d) Deferred Income taxes (continued)

Additional disclosures required under SFAS No. 109 are further described in paragraph (t) below.

(e) Investments in other companies

As shown in Note 9, certain long-term investments of less than 20% of the outstanding shares in other companies have been recorded using the equity method of accounting. Under U.S. GAAP these investments would generally be accounted for at cost less any non-temporary impairment in value. The effect of recording these assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP is included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity in paragraph (q) below.

(f) Repurchase agreements

The Bank enters into repurchase agreements as a source of financing. In this regard, up to December 31, 2005 under Chilean GAAP the Bank’s investments that have been sold subject to repurchase agreements were reclassified from their investment category to investment collateral under agreements to repurchase. Under U.S. GAAP, no such reclassification is made since, in substance, the investment securities serve only as collateral on the borrowing. Beginning January 1, 2006 the bank no longer reclassifies these investments to the investment collateral under agreements to repurchase category; therefore, no presentation differences arise for the current period, that require reclassifications for purposes of the Article 9 consolidated balance sheets included in paragraph (s) below.

(g) Interest income recognition on non-accrual loans

The Bank suspends the accrual of interest on loans when it is determined to be a loss or when it becomes past due. Previously accrued but uncollected interest is not reversed at the time the loan ceases to accrue interest.

Under U.S. GAAP, recognition of interest on loans is generally discontinued when, in the opinion of management, there is an assessment that the borrower will likely be unable to meet all contractual payments as they become due. As a general practice, this occurs when loans are 90 days or more overdue. Any accrued but uncollected interest is reversed against interest income at that time.

In addition, under Chilean GAAP, any payment received on past due loans is treated as income to the extent that accrued interest is due, but has not been recorded because the status of the loan, after reducing any recorded accrued interest receivable. Any remaining amount is then applied to reduce the outstanding principal balance. Under U.S. GAAP, any payment received on loans when the collectibility of the principal is in doubt is treated as a reduction of the outstanding principal balance of the loan until such doubt is removed. The effect of the difference in interest recognition on non-accrual loans is not material to the Bank’s financial position and results of its operations.

(h) Contingent assets and liabilities

Under Chilean GAAP the Bank recognizes rights and obligations with respect to contingent loans as contingent assets and liabilities. Under U.S. GAAP, such contingent amounts are not recognized on the balance sheet. If U.S. GAAP had been followed, the total assets and liabilities of the Bank would have been lower by MCh$739,109 and MCh$988,359 as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. This reclassification is included in the Article 9 consolidated financial statements in paragraph (s) below.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(h) Contingent assets and liabilities (continued)

Within contingent assets and liabilities the Bank includes financial guarantees. For guarantees, in accordance to FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”), a guarantor is required to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. Under Chilean GAAP, the Bank recognizes a liability which approximates fair value of the obligation related to guarantees. The required FIN 45 disclosures have been incorporated into paragraph (z), below.

(i) Allowance for loan losses

The determination of the allowance for loan losses and disclosure requirements under U.S. GAAP differs from that under Chilean GAAP in the following respects:

1) Allowance for loan losses

Under Chilean GAAP, the allowance for loan losses is calculated according to specific guidelines set out by the rules of the Superintendency of Banks, as described in Note 1 (1).

Under U.S. GAAP allowances for loan losses should be in amounts adequate to cover inherent losses in the loan portfolio at the respective balance sheet dates. The Bank has estimated its required reserve under U.S. GAAP in the following manner:

i) Commercial loans and leasing operations considered not impaired under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” (“SFAS No. 114”), were analyzed and adjusted, if necessary, to reflect the estimated losses not identified based on individual credit analysis. The estimations were performed using historical loan data, in order to estimate the inherent losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio, using patterns and trends based upon historical changes in loan classifications (“migration analysis”).

ii) Commercial loans and leasing operations considered impaired in accordance with the criteria established by SFAS No. 114, were valued at the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective contractual interest rate, or at market rates in the case of those loans that were considered to be collateral dependent.

iii) Allowance for loan losses for mortgage and consumer loans were determined using risk matrix models including historical loan charge-offs net of recoveries and other variables to adjust changes in trends and conditions.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(i) Allowance for loan losses (continued)

Based on the preceding estimation process the Bank computed its allowance for loan losses under U.S. GAAP, and compared this estimate with the reported allowance determined in accordance with the guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks. The additional loan loss allowance included in the determination of the Bank’s allowance for loan losses under Chilean GAAP has not been considered in the determination of the reserve requirements under U.S. GAAP to arrive at a cumulative U.S. GAAP adjustment, as follows:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
 

U.S. GAAP loan loss reserve

   105,133     121,544  

Less: Chilean GAAP loan loss allowance as required by the Superintendency of Banks

   (144,272 )   (144,979 )
            

U.S. GAAP adjustment

   (39,139 )   (23,435 )
            

The effects of adopting SFAS No. 114 are included in the reconciliation included in paragraph (q) below.

2) Recognition of income

As of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 the recorded investment in loans for which impairment had been recognized in accordance with SFAS No.114 totaled MCh$474,263, MCh$387,203 and MCh$361,861, respectively, with a corresponding valuation allowance of MCh$99,340 MCh$72,769 and MCh$67,060, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 the average recorded investment in impaired loans was MCh$533,748, MCh$417,877 and MCh$365,492, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Bank recognized interest on impaired loans MCh$41,254, MCh$45,048 and MCh$27,210. The Bank recognizes interest on impaired loans on an accrual basis, except for past due loans for which the Bank recognizes interest on a cash basis, as described in paragraph (g) above. As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, the Bank had made provisions against all loans which it considered to be impaired.

3) Loan loss recoveries

Under U.S. GAAP recoveries of loans previously charged-off are presented as a reduction of the provision for loan losses. Under Chilean GAAP, until 2003, such recoveries were recognized as other income. Beginning 2005, such recoveries are presented as a reduction of the provision for loan losses.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(i) Allowance for loan losses (continued)

The following presents an analysis under U.S. GAAP of the changes in the allowance for loan losses during the periods presented.

 

     2004
MCh$
    2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
 

Allowance for loan losses in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as of January 1

   163,151     122,519     105,133  

Price-level restatement (1)

   (4,873 )   (5,805 )   (2,950 )

Charge-offs

   (104,781 )   (68,757 )   (60,671 )

Loan loss recoveries

   35,684     33,679     28,100  

Allowances for loan losses established

   34,985     25,122     52,440  

Allowances for loan losses released

   (1,647 )   (1,625 )   (508 )
                  

Balances as of December 31,

   122,519     105,133     121,544  
                  

(1) Reflects the effect of inflation and exchange rate changes of branches abroad on the allowance for loan losses under Chilean GAAP at the beginning of each period, adjusted to constant pesos of December 31, 2006.

4) Charge-offs

As discussed in Note 1 (1) of these financial statements, under Chilean GAAP the Bank charges-off loans when collection efforts have been exhausted. Under the rules and regulations established by the Superintendency of Banks, charge-offs must be made within the following maximum prescribed limits:

 

   

24 months after a loan is past due (3 months after past due for consumer loans) for loans without collateral;

 

   

36 months after a loan is past due for loans with collateral.

Under U.S. GAAP, loans should be written-off in the period that they are deemed uncollectible. The Bank believes that the charge-off policies it applies in accordance with Chilean GAAP are generally the same as those required under U.S. GAAP.

5) Loan Purchases

On a non-recurring basis, the Bank acquires non-impaired loans directly from the market of from other financial institutions, mainly to meet its customer requirements. Under Chilean GAAP, loans purchased are recorded at fair value (price paid) when acquired, classified and recorded in the loan portfolio line item to which it relates and any discount or premium is recognized as an adjustment to interest income using the effective interest rate method. The Bank does not purchase loans that are deemed impaired at the acquisition date.

Under US GAAP, the Bank applies the requirements of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 91 (“SFAS 91”), “Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases to non-impaired loans”. When discounts or premiums are attributable to the credit quality of the purchased loan, the accounting treatment for this differences is prescribed by the Statement of Position (SOP) No. 03-3, “Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer” (SOP 03-3).

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(i) Allowance for loan losses (continued)

SFAS 91 states that any purchase premiums or discounts on loans shall be recognized as an adjustment of yield generally by the effective interest method based on the contractual terms of the loan. SOP 03-3 requires acquired loans to be recorded at fair value and prohibits carrying over valuation allowances in the initial accounting for acquired impaired loans. Furthermore SOP 03-3 limits the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) to the excess of the undiscounted expected cash flows over the investor’s initial investment in the loan. The excess of the contractual cash flows over expected cash flows (nonaccretable yield) may not be recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual or valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected are recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairments.

Considering that the Bank is not engaged in the purchase of impaired loans and the accounting treatment between Chilean and US GAAP for discounts or premiums as result of the acquisition of non-impaired loans does not differ, no differences arise.

During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006, Banco de Chile purchased non-impaired loans amounting to MCh$ 5,379, MCh$61,470 and MCh$ 161,997.

(j) Investment securities

Under Chilean GAAP, until December 31, 2005 investment securities were classified as permanent and non-permanent. Non-permanent investments with a secondary market were adjusted at their market value in accordance with the specific instructions issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions. These instructions required that changes in non-permanent investments market value were recorded in income.

Investment securities classified as permanent investments were adjusted at their market value in accordance with the specific instructions issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions. These instructions required that changes in permanent investments market value were recorded in a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of taxes.

Under U.S. GAAP, Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (“SFAS No. 115”), requires that debt and equity securities be classified in accordance with the Bank’s intent and ability to hold the security, as follows:

 

   

Debt securities that the Bank has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are reported at amortized cost.

 

   

Debt and equity securities that are bought and held by the Bank, principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term, are classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.

 

   

Debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities are classified as available-for-sale securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of taxes.

Consequently, investments classified as permanent until 2005 under Chilean GAAP were considered to be “available-for-sale” and all other investments are considered to be “trading”, with the exception of certain investments, maintained by the Bank’s branches in the United States of America, which are classified as “held-to-maturity”.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(j) Investment securities (continued)

Under Chilean GAAP, securities maintained by the Bank’s branches abroad classified as “held-to-maturity” were stated at fair market value. Under U.S. GAAP, held-to-maturity investments are stated at amortized cost and analyzed for impairment on a periodic basis.

Investment securities maintained by the Bank’s subsidiaries are carried at the lower of price-level restated cost or market value and are classified as “trading” for U.S. GAAP purposes.

(1) Under Chilean GAAP, the unrealized holdings gains (losses) related to investments classified as permanent until 2005 have been included in Shareholders’ equity, which does not differ from the treatment of “available-for-sale” investments under U.S. GAAP.

As stated in Note 2 to these financial statements, beginning 2006 the Bank adopted Circular No.3,345 (the “ Circular”), as issued by the Superintendency of Banks. This circular established new accounting and classification criteria for investments securities and derivative instruments, among other. The new accounting criteria and classification rules are broadly similar to US GAAP, therefore, beginning 2006 no differences arise for investment securities. See Note 1(f) for further details on Chilean GAAP accounting rules on investment securities.

The following are required disclosures for investments classified as available-for-sale in accordance with SFAS Nº115 and the presentation requirements of Article 9 (see paragraph (s) below), and have been prepared using amounts determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Realized gains and losses are determined using the proceeds from sales less the cost of the investment identified to be sold. Gross gains and losses realized on the sale of available-for-sale securities for the year ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are as follows:

 

     Years ended
December 31,
     2004
MCh$
   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$

Proceeds on sale of investments resulting in gains

   1,527    —      —  

Realized gains

   28    —      —  

Proceeds on sale of investments resulting in losses

   —      —      —  

Realized losses

   —      —      —  

The carrying value and market value of securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 are as follows:

 

    Years ended December 31,
    2005   2006
    Carrying
Value
MCh$
 

Gross
Unrealized

Gains
MCh$

 

Gross
Unrealized

Losses
MCh$

 

Estimated
Fair

Value
MCh$

  Carrying
Value
MCh$
 

Gross

Unrealized

Gains
MCh$

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses (*)
MCh$

   

Estimated
Fair

Value
MCh$

Available-for-sale Instruments:

               

U.S. Government debt securities

  23,533   1   —     23,534   40,075   —     (9 )   40,066

Chilean private sector debt securities

  1,624   4   —     1,628   —     —     —       —  
                                 

Total

  25,157   5   —     25,162   40,075   —     (9 )   40,066
                                 

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(j) Investment securities (continued)

The contractual maturities of securities, classified by the Bank as available-for-sale, are as follows:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     Within
one
year
MCh$
  

After one year

but within five

years MCh$

  

After five years

but within 10

years MCh$

   Total
MCh$

Available-for-sale Instruments:

           

U.S. Government debt securities

   40,066    —      —      40,066
                   

Estimated fair value

   40,066    —      —      40,066
                   

 

(*) Investments with unrealized losses are disclosed and segregated in accordance with paragraph 21 of EITF 03-01. The unrealized losses were caused by interest rate increases. The contractual terms of these investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. Because the Bank has the ability and intends to hold investment until recovery of its investment, which may be maturity, the Bank does not consider these investments to be other than temporary impaired as of December 31, 2006.

(2) The following disclosures are required for investments classified as held-to-maturity in accordance with SFAS No. 115:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2005    2006
     Amortized
Cost
MCh$
   Unrealized
Losses
MCh$
    Estimated
Fair
Value
MCh$
   Amortized
Cost
MCh$
   Unrealized
Losses
MCh$
   Estimated
Fair
Value
MCh$

Held-to-maturity Instruments:

                

U.S. Government debt securities

   15,740    (1 )   15,739    16,003    —      16,003
                              

Total

   15,740    (1 )   15,739    16,003    —      16,003
                              

The contractual maturities of securities classified by the Bank as held-to-maturity are as follows:

 

     As of December 31, 2006
     Within one
year
MCh$
   After one year but
within five years
MCh$
   After five years
MCh$
   Total
MCh$

Held-to-maturity Instruments:

           

U.S. Government debt securities

   16,003    —      —      16,003
                   

Estimated fair value

   16,003    —      —      16,003
                   

(3) Under U.S. GAAP, the Bank is required to disclose the amounts of unrealized holding gains and losses included in income on securities classified as trading. For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 the Bank recognized in income unrealized holding losses of MCh$759 and MCh$3,319 respectively, and December 31, 2006 recognized in income unrealized holding gains of MCh$4,142 on these securities.

The Bank evaluates all securities for declines in value that are considered other than temporary (“permanent impairment”). The Bank charges-off to earnings any amounts which are deemed to be a permanent impairment of the value of that security.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(k) Derivatives

The Bank enters into derivative transactions for its own account and to meet customers’ risk management needs. Banco de Chile and its subsidiaries protect themselves against variations in the foreign exchange and interest rate market by using forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps and interest rates swaps. These activities include hedging and treasury operations and help Banco de Chile and its subsidiaries provide financial products their clients.

In order to manage any credit risk associated with its derivative products, the Bank grants lines of credit to transaction counterparties, in accordance with its credit policies, for each derivative transaction. The counterparty risk exposure is a function of the type of derivative, the term to maturity of the transaction and the volatility of the risk factors that affect the derivative’s market value, which are managed by the Bank on an on-going basis as market conditions warrant.

Until December 31, 2005, forward contracts were recorded at the exchange rate in force at the close of each month and, in accordance with the standards issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, initial differences generated by this type of operations were recognized as deferred assets or liabilities and amortized over the term of the related contract. All other derivative instruments were reported at their market value.

Beginning 2006, as a result of the adoption of Circular N°3,345 under Chilean GAAP all financial derivative contracts, which include foreign currency and U.F. forwards, interest rate forwards, currency and interest rate swaps, currency and interest rate options and other financial derivative instruments, are recorded in the balance sheet at cost (including transaction costs) at inception and subsequently measured at their fair value. The fair value is obtained from market quotes, discounted cash flows models and options valuation models, as and where applicable. Derivative contracts are reported as an asset when their fair value is positive and as a liability when negative under the line item “Derivative instruments”. The losses recognized in income associated with these contracts for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 were MCh$21,226 and MCh$19,493 respectively, and the gains recognized in income associated with these contracts for the year ended December 31, 2006 was MCh$25,202.

Until 2005, Chilean accounting rules did not considered the existence of embedded derivatives and, therefore, were not reflected in the financial statements. Beginning 2006, certain derivatives embedded in other financial instruments are treated as separate derivatives when their risk and characteristics are not closely related to those of the main contract and this is not recorded at its fair value with its unrealized gains and losses included in income. The above mentioned circular did not included service type contracts when evaluating for embedded derivatives.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(k) Derivatives (continued)

Beginning 2006, certain derivatives transactions which do not qualify for hedge accounting under the new accounting rules set by the above mentioned circular are treated and reported as derivatives for investing purposes even though they provide an effective hedge on the risk of net positions.

See further details about the Chilean accounting treatment of derivate instruments in note 1(e).

Under U.S. GAAP, the Bank applies SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended by SFAS No.138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities” and SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (collectively “SFAS 133”), which established comprehensive accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. The Standard required that all derivative instruments be recorded in the balance sheet at fair value. However, the accounting for changes in fair value of the derivative instrument depends on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge. The standards also require formal documentation procedures for hedging relationships and effectiveness testing when hedge accounting is to be applied. If the derivative instrument does not qualify as a hedge, changes in fair value are reported in earnings when they occur. If the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge, the accounting treatment varies based on the type of risk being hedged.

As a result of the new accounting rules adopted in 2006, as set by the circular, no significant differences arise when applying SFAS 133 to derivatives accounting, other than the recognition of certain derivatives embedded in service type contracts.

Fair Value Hedge

During 2006, Banco de Chile has entered into an interest rate swap agreement for hedging its interest rate risk exposure related to the subordinated debt issue during 2006. The interest rate swap agreement modifies the Bank’s exposure to interest risk by converting its subordinated note’s fixed-rate debt to a floating interest. This agreement involves the payment of a fixed rate amount in exchange for floating rate interest payments over the life of the agreement without exchanging any underlying principal.

During the year ended December 31, 2006, Banco de Chile recognized in the line item “Gains from trading activities” a net gain of MCh$ 841 related to the ineffective portion of its hedging instruments.

The effects of the differences in accounting for derivative instruments between Chilean and U.S. GAAP on the consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity of the Bank are included in paragraph (q) below.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(l) Mandatory dividend

As required by the Chilean General Banking Law, unless otherwise decided by a two-thirds vote of its issued and subscribed shares, the Bank must distribute a cash dividend in an amount equal to at least 30% of its net income for each year as determined in accordance with Chilean GAAP, unless and except to the extent the Bank has unabsorbed prior year losses.

Since the payment of these dividends is a legal requirement in Chile, an accrual for U.S. GAAP purposes is made to recognize the corresponding decrease in equity at each balance sheet date. The Bank’s liabilities would have been greater by MCh$55,356 and MCh$58,574 as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively, under U.S. GAAP. The effects of these adjustments on the shareholders’ equity of the Bank are included in paragraph (q) below.

(m) Assets received in lieu of payment

Under Chilean GAAP, assets received in lieu of payment are carried at cost and have been restated for price-level changes, less a portfolio valuation allowance if the total of the market value of those assets is lower than the carrying amount. Market value is determined based on appraiser valuations, as required by the Superintendency of Banks. If the asset is not sold within one year, then recorded asset amounts must be written-off on at least a straight-line basis over the following 12-month period.

Under U.S. GAAP, assets received in lieu of payment are initially recorded at fair value less any estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure, on an individual asset basis. The effect of recording these assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP is included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholders' equity in paragraph (q) below.

(n) Acquisition of Leasing Andino

On April 23, 1999, the Bank and its subsidiary Banchile Asesorías Financieras S.A. acquired the remaining 35% of shares of Leasing Andino that it did not already own from Orix Corporation for MCh$15,085. Under Chilean GAAP, the Bank recorded goodwill in the amount of MCh$1,326 based on the differences between the investment purchase price and the amount of the underlying equity in the carrying value of the investee’s net assets. As permitted by Chilean GAAP, goodwill can be amortized on an accelerated basis to the extent of the Bank’s net income. Accordingly the Bank completely amortized the goodwill recorded as a result of this transaction during the year ended December 31, 1999.

Under U.S. GAAP, the difference between the cost of an investment and the amount of underlying equity in net assets is allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities based on their respective fair values at the time of the acquisition. Any excess of the cost of the investment over such fair value is treated as goodwill.

The effect of the differences in purchase accounting and the amortization of goodwill is included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholders' equity in paragraph (q) below.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(o) Staff severance indemnities

The provision for staff severance indemnities relates to a benefit payable to a defined number of employees, upon their retirement from the Bank, conditional upon having completed 30 years of continuous service. The Bank makes indemnity payments upon termination of the applicable employees, and has not set aside assets to fund its benefit obligation. Under Chilean GAAP, the corresponding liability is calculated by discounting the benefit accrued using real interest rates, as described in Note 1(o), considering current salary levels of all employees eligible under the plan and the estimated average remaining service period. Under U.S. GAAP the corresponding liability is recorded using the shutdown method, consistent with the accounting criteria applied by its parent company, Quiñenco.

The effects of accounting for termination indemnity benefits under U.S. GAAP have been presented in paragraph (q), below.

(p) Accumulated deficit development period

For Chilean GAAP purposes, investments in companies which are in the development stage, over which the Bank has significant influence, are recorded using the equity method, and the Bank’s proportional share of the investee’s income is recorded in a reserve that forms part of the Bank’s shareholders equity. For US GAAP purposes, the proportional share of the investee’s income must be charged directly to income. The effect of differences in accounting methods between Chilean and U.S. GAAP on the consolidated net income and shareholder’s equity of the Bank is included in paragraph (q) below.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(q) Summary of Income Statement and Shareholders’ Equity differences

The following is a reconciliation of consolidated net income under Chilean GAAP to the corresponding U.S. GAAP amounts:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2004
MCh$
    2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
    2006
ThUS$
 

Net income in accordance with Chilean GAAP

   161,443     184,519     195,248     365,339  

U.S. GAAP adjustments:

        

Push Down accounting (Note 28(a))

        

Fair value of intangibles

   (12,809 )   (10,679 )   (13,371 )   (25,019 )

Fair value of loans

   (1,589 )   (634 )   (993 )   (1,858 )

Fair value of premises

   (240 )   (303 )   (238 )   (445 )

Fair value of other

   (79 )   (354 )   221     414  

Acquisition of Banco Edwards (Note 28(b))

        

Fair value of intangibles

   (4,023 )   (3,319 )   (2,637 )   (4,934 )

Fair value of loans

   846     683     548     1,025  

Fair value of other interest bearing liabilities

   4,574     4,335     4,159     7,782  

Fair value of deposits

   (27 )   —       —       —    

Fair value of premises

   (9 )   (9 )   (9 )   (17 )

Fair value of other

   87     83     79     148  

Investments in other companies (Note 28 (e))

   28     88     (104 )   (195 )

Deferred income taxes (Note 28 (d))

   507     —       —       —    

Allowance for loan losses (Note 28 (i))

   8,735     (1,006 )   (15,704 )   (29,385 )

Derivatives (Note 28 (k))

   (1,270 )   (4,988 )   (404 )   (756 )

Held-to-Maturity investments (Note 28 (j))

   4     49     69     129  

Assets received in lieu of payment (Note 28 (m))

   1,082     2,891     1,640     3,069  

Staff severance indemnities (Note 28(o))

   204     (1,256 )   (436 )   (816 )

Deferred tax effect of the above U.S. GAAP adjustments (Note 28 (d))

   (2,067 )   2,467     4,768     8,922  

Accumulated deficit development period (Note 28 (p))

   —       (192 )   —       —    
                        

Net income in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   155,397     172,375     172,836     323,403  
                        

Other comprehensive income, net of tax (Note 28(u))

   (2,582 )   (3,377 )   314     587  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

   (201 )   (80 )   (11 )   (21 )

Adjustment for translation differences

   (2,381 )   (3,297 )   325     608  
                        

Comprehensive income in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   152,815     168,998     173,150     323,990  
                        

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(q) Summary of Income Statement and Shareholders’ Equity differences (continued)

The following is a reconciliation of consolidated shareholders' equity differences under Chilean GAAP to the corresponding amounts under U.S. GAAP:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
    2006
ThUS$
 

Shareholders’ Equity in accordance with Chilean GAAP

   791,384     834,631     1,561,722  

U.S. GAAP adjustments:

      

Push Down accounting (Note 28(a))

      

Goodwill

   412,297     412,297     771,471  

Goodwill accumulated amortization (Note 28(c))

   (20,355 )   (20,355 )   (38,087 )

Fair value of intangibles

   187,775     187,775     351,356  

Amortization of fair value of intangibles

   (68,274 )   (81,645 )   (152,770 )

Fair value of loans

   993     —       —    

Fair value of premises

   12,008     12,008     22,469  

Amortization of fair value of premise

   (1,209 )   (1,447 )   (2,708 )

Fair value of other

   (221 )   —       —    

Acquisition of Banco Edwards (Note 28 (b))

      

Goodwill

   204,601     204,601     382,840  

Fair value of intangibles

   34,108     34,108     63,821  

Amortization of fair value of intangibles

   (18,872 )   (21,509 )   (40,247 )

Fair value of loans

   (4,039 )   (3,491 )   (6,532 )

Fair value of other interest bearing liabilities

   (32,247 )   (28,088 )   (52,557 )

Fair value of premises

   93     93     174  

Amortization of fair value of premises

   (38 )   (47 )   (88 )

Fair value of other

   (615 )   (536 )   (1,003 )

Investments in other companies (Note 28 (e))

   659     555     1,038  

Allowance for loan losses (Note 28 (i))

   39,139     23,435     43,850  

Derivatives (Note 28 (k))

   1,440     66     123  

Held-to-Maturity investments (Note 28 (j))

   50     119     223  

Assets received in lieu of payment (Note 28 (m))

   5,053     6,693     12,524  

Minimum Dividend (Note 28 (l))

   (55,356 )   (58,574 )   (109,601 )

Goodwill – Leasing Andino Acquisition (Note 28 (n))

   2,030     2,030     3,798  

Staff severance indemnities (Note 28 (o))

   (5,132 )   (5,568 )   (10,419 )

Deferred tax effect of the above U.S. GAAP adjustments (Note 28 (d))

   (25,501 )   (20,733 )   (38,794 )
                  

Shareholders’ Equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   1,459,771     1,476,418     2,762,603  
                  

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(q) Summary of Income Statement and Shareholders’ Equity differences (continued)

The following summarizes the changes in shareholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
    2006
ThUS$
 

Balance as of January 1,

   1,400,759     1,459,771     2,731,454  

Dividends paid

   (161,910 )   (153,285 )   (286,819 )

Mandatory dividends, previous date

   48,433     55,356     103,579  

Mandatory dividends, closing date

   (55,356 )   (58,574 )   (109,601 )

Unrealized gains on Available-for-sale investments, net of taxes

   (80 )   (11 )   (21 )

Placement of shares

   58,847     —       —    

Cumulative translation adjustment

   (3,297 )   325     608  

Net income in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   172,375     172,836     323,403  
                  

Balance as of December 31,

   1,459,771     1,476,418     2,762,603  
                  

(r) Net income per share

The following disclosure of net income per share information is not generally required for presentation in the financial statements under Chilean GAAP but is required under U.S. GAAP. Earnings per share is determined by dividing combined net income by the weighted average number of total shares outstanding.

 

     Years Ended December 31,
     2004
Ch$
   2005
Ch$
   2006
Ch$

Chilean GAAP (1)

        

Earnings per share

   2.41    2.75    2.84

Weighted average number of total shares outstanding (in millions)

   66,932.70    67,091.30    68,821.29

U.S. GAAP (1)

        

Earnings per share

   2.32    2.57    2.51

Weighted average number of total shares outstanding (in millions)

   66,932.70    67,091.30    68,821.29

(1) Basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. There are no potentially dilutive effects on the earnings of Banco de Chile as it had not issued convertible debt or equity securities.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(s) Article 9 Presentation of Income Statements and Balance Sheets

The presentation of the consolidated financial statements differs significantly from the format required by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Rules 210.9 to 210.9-07 of Regulation S-X (“Article 9”). The following financial statements are presented in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2006 and are presented in a format that complies with the requirements of Article 9 of Regulation S-X. The Income Statements presented for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 disclose the Bank’s U.S. GAAP income statements in a format that complies with the requirements of Article 9 of regulation S-X.

The principal reclassifications and adjustments which were made to the basic Chilean GAAP consolidated financial statements in order to present them in the Article 9 format are as follows:

 

  1. Elimination of contingent assets and liabilities from the balance sheet.

 

  2. Reclassification of fees relating to contingent loans from interest income under Chilean GAAP to other income under Article 9.

 

 

3.

Elimination of the cash clearing account from cash and due from banks.(1)

 

  4. Presentation of forward contracts classified based on the legal right to offset

 

  5. Reclassification of assets under lease from other assets to Bank premises and equipment.

 

  6. Presentation of deferred taxes on net basis.

 

  7. Reclassification of Mutual Fund units from other assets to trading investments

 

  8. Reclassification of the amortization of deferred sales forces fees related with loans origination from fees and income from services to interest and fees on loans

 

  9. Reclassification of other non-operating income and expenses items to other income and expenses as result of being operational income and expenses for US GAAP purposes.

 

  10. Inclusion of adjustments to U.S. GAAP described in Note 28(q).

(1) In accordance with regulations issued by the Superintendency of Banks, Chilean banks include under the caption “Cash and due from banks” amounts related to checks from other banks that have been deposited in their clients’ checking accounts that are pending of settlement. As no cash is involved in the transaction, these amounts should not be recorded under U.S. GAAP until the cash is received, which normally occurs the following business day.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(s) Article 9 Presentation of Income Statements and Balance Sheets (continued)

The following income statements presented for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP to disclose the Bank’s consolidated income statement in accordance with the requirements of Article 9:

Income Statements

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2004
MCh$
    2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
 

INTEREST INCOME:

      

Interest and fees on loans

   550,046     646,208     708,580  

Interest on investments

   59,787     54,957     65,985  

Interest on deposits with banks

   2,498     9,061     8,568  

Interest under agreements to resell

   11,624     9,502     12,495  
                  

Total interest income

   623,955     719,728     795,628  
                  

INTEREST EXPENSE:

      

Interest on deposits

   (93,982 )   (176,803 )   (262,171 )

Interest on investments sold under agreements to purchase

   (8,262 )   (10,098 )   (12,375 )

Interest on short-term debt

   (5,891 )   (5,855 )   (8,866 )

Interest on long-term debt

   (114,599 )   (117,879 )   (83,389 )

Interest on other borrowed funds

   —       (1,706 )   (1,284 )

Price-level restatement (1)

   (7,897 )   (11,690 )   (8,526 )
                  

Total interest expense

   (230,631 )   (324,031 )   (376,611 )
                  

Net interest income

   393,324     395,697     419,017  

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

   (33,339 )   (23,496 )   (51,932 )
                  

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

   359,985     372,201     367,085  
                  

OTHER INCOME:

      

Fees and income from services, net

   105,674     117,567     113,287  

Brokerage and securities income net gain (losses) on trading activities

   (26,436 )   (20,361 )   34,160  

Net gains (losses) on foreign exchange

   19,092     24,155     (10,802 )

Other income

   6,675     11,507     19,505  
                  

Total other income

   105,005     132,868     156,150  
                  

OTHER EXPENSES:

      

Salaries

   (143,877 )   (153,779 )   (157,958 )

Net premises and equipment expenses

   (24,638 )   (26,119 )   (30,114 )

Administration expenses

   (86,396 )   (103,990 )   (113,148 )

Other expenses

   (33,707 )   (29,433 )   (29,850 )

Minority interest

   (1 )   —       (1 )
                  

Total other expenses

   (288,619 )   (313,321 )   (331,071 )
                  

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

   176,371     191,748     192,164  

INCOME TAXES

   (20,974 )   (19,373 )   (19,328 )
                  

NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR

   155,397     172,375     172,836  
                  

In connection with the preparation of the Article 9 income statement:

 

(1) The price-level restatement includes the effect of inflation primarily resulting from the loss in purchasing power on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities due to inflation. As the Bank does not maintain the price-level adjustment for separate categories of assets and liabilities, such adjustment is presented as a component of interest expense.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(s) Article 9 Presentation of Income Statements and Balance Sheets (continued)

The following balance sheets presented as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP to disclose the Bank’s consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the requirements of Article 9:

Balance Sheets

 

     As of December 31,  
     2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
 

ASSETS

    

Cash and due from banks

   507,019     693,418  

Term Federal Funds

   236,209     101,869  

Interest bearing deposits in other banks

   74,803     631,709  

Investments under agreements to resell

   47,676     53,314  

Trading investments

   1,102,058     916,983  

Available-for-sale investments

   25,162     40,066  

Held-to-maturity investments

   15,739     16,003  
            

Subtotal

   2,008,666     2,453,362  

Loans

   7,782,624     8,856,672  

Unearned income

   (78,273 )   (89,930 )

Allowance for loan losses

   (105,133 )   (121,544 )
            

Loans, net

   7,599,218     8,645,198  

Premises and equipment, net

   178,863     202,498  

Goodwill

   598,573     598,573  

Other assets

   460,030     417,360  
            

TOTAL ASSETS

   10,845,350     12,316,991  
            

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Deposits:

    

Non-interest bearing

   1,897,754     2,070,115  

Interest bearing

   4,710,131     5,788,816  
            

Total deposits

   6,607,885     7,858,931  

Short-term borrowings

   139,417     384,245  

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

   276,435     306,855  

Other liabilities

   454,275     501,756  

Long-term debt

   1,907,566     1,788,784  
            

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   9,385,578     10,840,571  

Minority interest

   1     2  

Shareholder’s equity:

    

Common stock

   523,130     554,765  

Other Shareholders’ equity

   936,641     921,653  
            

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   1,459,771     1,476,418  
            

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   10,845,350     12,316,991  
            

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(s) Article 9 Presentation of Income Statements and Balance Sheets (continued)

The following is a reconciliation of total assets presented in accordance with guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks and the presentation prescribed by Article 9:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
 

Total assets of the Bank under Chilean GAAP

   10,913,043     12,760,286  

Elimination of assets offset by liabilities:

    

Cash clearing account

   (144,997 )   (172,096 )

Contingent loans

   (739,109 )   (988,359 )

Reclassification of forward contracts

   77,018     3,357  

Reclassification of deferred taxes

   (22,343 )   (20,750 )

U.S. GAAP adjustments, net

   761,738     734,553  
            

Total assets as per Article 9 presentation

   10,845,350     12,316,991  
            

(t) Income taxes

The reconciliation of the provision for income taxes charged to income under Chilean GAAP to the corresponding amounts under U.S. GAAP is as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2004
MCh$
    2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
 

Tax expense for the year under Chilean GAAP

   (19,414 )   (21,840 )   (24,096 )

U.S. GAAP Adjustments:

      

Deferred tax effect of applying SFAS No. 109

   507     —       —    

Deferred tax effect of U.S. GAAP adjustments

   (2,067 )   2,467     4,768  
                  

Tax expense for the year under U.S. GAAP

   (20,974 )   (19,373 )   (19,328 )
                  

 

F-67


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(t) Income taxes (continued)

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are summarized as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,
    

2005

MCh$

  

2006

MCh$

Deferred Tax Assets:

     

Allowance for loan losses

   19,519    21,858

Obligations with repurchase agreements

   12,077    8,921

Leasing equipment

   6,951    3,344

Deffered income taxes related to purchase accounting of Banco de A. Edwards

   3,674    3,310

Personnel provisions

   2,216    2,336

Staff vacations

   1,851    2,027

Staff severance indemnities

   1,844    1,906

Accrued interests and readjustments from risky loan portfolio

   2,242    1,462

Assets at market value

   1,227    839

Charge-offs from financial investment

   67    —  

Other adjustments

   9,377    7,590
         

Total Deferred Tax Assets

   61,045    53,593
         

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

     

Deferred income taxes related to push down accounting adjustments

   22,282    19,838

Investments sold under repurchase agreements

   11,070    8,911

Depreciation and price-level restatement of fixed assets

   6,356    5,990

Transitory assets

   2,340    3,158

Other adjustments

   2,577    2,691
         

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

   44,625    40,588
         

NET DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

   16,420    13,005
         

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(t) Income taxes (continued)

The provision (benefit) for income taxes under U.S. GAAP differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable Chilean statutory income tax rate to pretax income as a result of the following differences:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2004
MCh$
    2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
 

Chilean taxes due at the applicable statutory rate (1)

   29,983     32,597     32,668  

Increase (decrease) in rates resulting from:

      

Non-deductible expenses

   5,213     4,105     4,660  

Non-taxable income

   (16,424 )   (17,492 )   (18,175 )

Effect on tax and financial equity restatement (2)

   (1,661 )   (1,970 )   (674 )

Other

   3,863     2,133     849  
                  

At effective tax rate

   20,974     19,373     19,328  
                  

(1) The Chilean statuary first category (corporate) income tax rate is 17% for 2004, 2005 and 2006.

 

(2) This item corresponds to the difference in the basis used for the price-level restatement calculation of shareholder’s equity for financial and tax purposes.

(u) Comprehensive Income

The Bank presents comprehensive income and its components with the objective to report a measure of all changes in shareholders’ equity that result from transactions and other economic events of the period other than transactions with owners (“comprehensive income”). Comprehensive income is the total net income and other non-owner equity transactions that result in changes in net equity.

The following represents accumulated other comprehensive income balance, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year ended December 31, 2006  
     Before-tax
amount
MCh$
    Tax (expense)
or benefit
MCh$
    Net-of-tax
amount
MCh$
 

Beginning balance

   (3,655 )   (916 )   (4,571 )

Price-level restatement (1)

   113     (19 )   94  

Unrealized gains on securities available for sale:

      

Unrealized gains arising during the period

   (13 )   2     (11 )

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in income

   —       —       —    
                  

Net unrealized gains

   (13 )   2     (11 )

Adjustment for translation differences

   325     —       325  
                  

Ending balance

   (3,230 )   (933 )   (4,163 )
                  

 

F-69


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(u) Comprehensive Income (continued)

 

     Year ended December 31, 2005  
     Before-tax
amount
MCh$
    Tax (expense)
or benefit
MCh$
    Net-of-tax
amount
MCh$
 

Beginning balance

   (314 )   (923 )   (1,237 )

Price-level restatement (1)

   52     (9 )   43  

Unrealized losses on securities available for sale:

      

Unrealized losses arising during the period

   (96 )   16     (80 )

Less: reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income

   —       —       —    
                  

Net unrealized losses

   (96 )   16     (80 )

Adjustment for translation differences

   (3,297 )   —       (3,297 )
                  

Ending balance

   (3,655 )   (916 )   (4,571 )
                  
     Year ended December 31, 2004  
     Before-tax
amount
MCh$
    Tax (expense)
or benefit
MCh$
    Net-of-tax
amount
MCh$
 

Beginning balance

   2,351     (971 )   1,380  

Price-level restatement (1)

   (42 )   7     (35 )

Unrealized losses on securities available for sale:

      

Unrealized losses arising during the period

   (270 )   46     (224 )

Less: reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income

   28     (5 )   23  
                  

Net unrealized losses

   (242 )   41     (201 )

Adjustment for translation differences

   (2,381 )   —       (2,381 )
                  

Ending balance

   (314 )   (923 )   (1,237 )
                  

(1) Reflects the effect of inflation on the comprehensive income at the beginning of each period, adjusted to constant pesos of December 31, 2006.

(v) Segment information

The Bank presents information in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No.131 “Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” which establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments and related disclosures about products and services and geographic areas. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is regularly used by the Chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(v) Segment information (continued)

The Bank has strategically aligned its operations into five major segments of business based on its market segmentation and the needs of its clients and trading partners. The Bank manages and measures the performance of its operations through these business segments using an internal profitability reporting system. As stated by SFAS 131, figures for years before 2005 have been restated for comparative purpose according to the current segments in which the Bank measures its business segments during 2005. The internally reported segments are as follows:

Wholesale Market,

The Wholesale market business segment serves the needs of corporate customers with annual sales in excess of Ch$1,200 million that are engaged in a wide spectrum of industry sectors. Services provided include depositing and lending in both Chilean pesos and foreign currency, trade and project financing, working capital financing, leasing, factoring, foreign trade financing, lines of credit, commercial mortgage loans and various non-credit services, such as financial consultancy, collections, supplier payments, payroll management and a wide array of treasury and risk management products, as well as electronic banking services.

Retail Market,

The Retail market business segment serves the financial needs of individuals and middle-market companies (with annual sales of up to Ch$1,200 million) through the Bank of branches network. The principal financial services offered include credit cards, debit cards, residential mortgage loans, consumer loans, commercial loans, leasing loans, as well as deposit services such as checking and savings accounts and time deposits.

International Banking,

The International Banking segment includes services offered principally through the Bank’s New York and Miami branches, but also includes representative offices in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Mexico City and Beijing and a worldwide network of correspondent banks.

Treasury,

The Treasury segment is responsible for the management of the Bank’s assets and liabilities and also offers financial services to other segments and external customers such as currency intermediation, instruments developed for currency and interest rate risk hedging, transactions under repurchase agreements and investment products based on bonds, mortgage notes and deposits. The Treasury segment is also responsible for monitoring compliance with regulatory deposit limits, technical reserves and maturity and rate matches.

Subsidiaries,

The Subsidiaries segment includes non-banking financial services that are offered through separate legal entities. These include securities brokerage, mutual fund and investment fund management, financial advisory services, factoring, insurance brokerage, securitization, trade, collection and sales services.

The financial information used to measures the performance of the Bank’s business segments is not necessarily comparable with similar information from other financial institutions because it is based on internal reporting policies. The accounting policies are the same as those applied under Chilean GAAP as described in Note 1, except as noted below:

 

   

The net interest margin of loans and deposits is measured on an individual transaction and individual client basis, stemming from the difference between the effective customer rate and the related Bank's fund transfer price in terms of maturity, re-pricing and currency.

 

   

The results associated with the gap management (interest rate mismatches) have been allocated amongst different segments in accordance with the amount of long-term loans in each segment.

 

F-71


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(v) Segment information (continued)

 

   

The performance of the business areas, measured by an internal profitability system considers results that are directly related to performance and not to overhead expenses of corporate and support departments, additional allowances (previously referred to as “voluntary allowances” under guidelines prior to 2004), taxes and other non-operating income and expenses.

 

   

The internal performance profitability system considers capital allocation in each segment in accordance to Basle guidelines.

 

   

Provisions for loan losses in each segment are measured on a client basis.

 

   

In addition to direct costs (consisting mainly of labor and administrative expenses), the Bank allocates the majority of its indirect operating costs to each business area based on the type and amount of the relevant transactions. These costs are mainly related to the use of technology and other computer equipment. Other indirect costs are allocated using activity-base costing methodology.

The following tables show the results of the Bank by operating segments for the three years ended December 31, 2006:

 

     Year ended December 31, 2006 (1)  
     Wholesale
Market
MCh$
    Retail
Market
MCh$
    Treasury
MCh$
    International
Banking
MCh$
    Subsidiaries
MCh$
    Other (2)
MCh$
    Total
MCh$
 

Operating Revenues

   130,331     321,937     22,677     15,086     71,843     (1,144 )   560,730  

Provisions

   5,794     (42,319 )   —       (90 )   (1,114 )   1,501     (36,228 )

Operating Expenses

   (46,900 )   (145,554 )   (3,548 )   (21,296 )   (41,446 )   (41,793 )   (300,537 )

Other income and expenses

   (6,572 )   (3,324 )   (20 )   (303 )   (1,435 )   7,033     (4,621 )
                                          

Net income before taxes

   82,653     130,740     19,109     (6,603 )   27,848     (34,403 )   219,344  
                                          
     Year ended December 31, 2005 (1)  
     Wholesale
Market
MCh$
    Retail
Market
MCh$
    Treasury
MCh$
    International
Banking
MCh$
    Subsidiaries
MCh$
    Other (2)
MCh$
    Total
MCh$
 

Operating Revenues

   120,975     291,006     19,226     14,123     71,546     12,343     529,219  

Provisions

   10,316     (31,546 )   —       829     (972 )   (1,118 )   (22,491 )

Operating Expenses

   (48,659 )   (138,478 )   (2,748 )   (21,022 )   (41,409 )   (30,002 )   (282,318 )

Other income and expenses

   (16,273 )   (4,020 )   (397 )   (159 )   (2,086 )   4,884     (18,051 )
                                          

Net income before taxes

   66,359     116,962     16,081     (6,229 )   27,079     (13,893 )   206,359  
                                          

 

F-72


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(v) Segment information (continued)

 

     Year ended December 31, 2004 (1)  
     Wholesale
Market
MCh$
    Retail
Market
MCh$
    Treasury
MCh$
    International
Banking
MCh$
    Subsidiaries
MCh$
    Other (2)
MCh$
    Total
MCh$
 

Operating Revenues

   109,178     264,568     28,767     12,433     69,487     12,492     496,925  

Provisions

   (8,240 )   (31,669 )   —       (89 )   (1,807 )   (268 )   (42,073 )

Operating Expenses

   (50,397 )   (128,595 )   (2,432 )   (8,398 )   (37,033 )   (28,010 )   (254,865 )

Other income and expenses

   (14,750 )   (2,641 )   (226 )   (152 )   (839 )   (522 )   (19,130 )
                                          

Net income before taxes

   35,791     101,663     26,109     3,794     29,808     (16,308 )   180,857  
                                          

(1) Segment information disclosed above is based on internal reporting policies and does not conform to Chilean or U.S. GAAP.

 

(2) “Other” includes the effect of conforming management accounting policies to accounting principles generally accepted in Chile and a number of non-allocated costs, such as corporate overhead expenses, voluntary provisions and depreciation costs. Also included within other are amounts of miscellaneous income or expenses that are not earned or incurred by one specific segment, including all external rental income.

 

F-73


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(v) Segment information (continued)

Information about geographic areas.

The financial information presented below has been classified considering the country in which the related transactions were originated. Those transactions originated in the United States of America, through Banco de Chile’s operations in New York and Miami, U.S.A., are primarily completed with Chilean and Argentine citizens and enterprises, and are principally denominated in U.S. dollars.

A summary of activities by geographic area is as follows:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2004
MCh$
    2005
MCh$
    2006
MCh$
 

Total Interest Revenues

      

Republic of Chile

   583,600     678,636     753,257  

U.S.A.

   13,771     19,148     24,397  

Hong Kong

   —       —       —    

Total Net Income

      

Republic of Chile

   157,572     190,000     199,473  

U.S.A.

   3,878     (5,618 )   (4,420 )

Hong Kong

   (7 )   137     195  

Mortgage Loans

      

Republic of Chile

   867,235     684,424     581,218  

U.S.A.

   —       —       —    

Hong Kong

   —       —       —    

Commercial Loans

      

Republic of Chile

   2,949,508     3,537,483     3,937,467  

U.S.A.

   83,383     47,148     33,442  

Hong Kong

   —       —       —    

Income Taxes

      

Republic of Chile

   (19,538 )   (21,781 )   (23,990 )

U.S.A.

   123     (30 )   (66 )

Hong Kong

   1     (29 )   (40 )

Bank Premises and equipment

      

Republic of Chile

   139,600     143,171     149,375  

U.S.A.

   732     2,270     2,302  

Hong Kong

   —       —       —    

Total Assets

      

Republic of Chile

   9,550,660     10,347,194     12,290,366  

U.S.A.

   655,841     565,836     469,901  

Hong Kong

   2     13     19  

 

F-74


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(w) Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Derivative Financial Instruments

The accompanying tables provide disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments owned by the Bank. Various limitations are inherent in the presentation, including the following:

 

   

The data excludes non-financial assets and liabilities, such as bank premises and equipment and excludes values attributable to deposit and credit card relationships.

 

   

While the data represents management’s best estimates, the data is subjective, involving significant estimates regarding current economic and market conditions and risk characteristics.

The methodologies and assumptions used depend upon the terms and risk characteristics of the various instruments and include the following:

 

   

Cash and due from banks represents cash and short-term deposits which approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

   

Most of the Bank’s securities are considered as trading and therefore are generally carried at quoted market prices. Interest earning assets and liabilities with an original maturity of less than one year are considered to have a fair value, which is not materially different from their book value.

 

   

For interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities which are contracted at variable interest rates, their book value is considered to be equivalent to their fair value.

 

   

For performing loans with fixed-rates and an original maturity of greater than one year, the fair values were calculated by discounting contractual cash flows, using the Bank’s current origination rates for loans with similar terms and similar risk characteristics.

 

   

For loans where the Bank’s management believes that the amounts outstanding will not be paid in accordance with contractual terms, the estimated cash flows arising from the liquidation of collateralized assets and other expected flows have been discounted at an estimated discount rate commensurate with the risk in the collection of these amounts.

 

   

For interest-bearing liabilities with fixed rates and an original contractual maturity of greater than one year, the fair values are calculated by discounting contractual cash flows at current market origination rates with similar terms.

 

   

The estimated fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts was determined using quoted market prices of financial instruments with similar characteristics.

 

   

The fair value of interest rate swaps represents the estimated amount the Bank would expect to receive or pay to terminate the contracts or agreements, taking into account current interest rates. As no quoted market prices are available for the interest rate swap and forward rate instruments held by the Bank, such estimates have been estimated using modeling and other valuation techniques.

 

F-75


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(w) Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

The estimated fair values of financial instruments and derivatives financial instruments are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,
     2005    2006
     Carrying
Amount
MCh$
  

Estimated

fair value
MCh$

   Carrying
Amount
MCh$
  

Estimated

fair value
MCh$

ASSETS

           

Cash and due from banks

   507,019    507,019    693,418    693,418

Interest bearing deposits in other banks

   74,803    74,803    631,709    631,709

Term federal funds

   236,209    236,209    101,869    101,869

Accounts receivable under spot foreign exchange transactions (1)

   78,151    78,151    77,628    77,628

Financial investments

   1,190,635    1,190,634    1,026,366    1,026,366

Loans, net (2)

   7,599,218    8,134,636    8,645,198    8,382,822

Derivative instruments

   78,459    78,459    53,924    53,924

LIABILITIES

           

Deposits

   6,607,884    6,724,403    7,858,932    9,567,349

Accounts payable under spot foreign exchange transactions (1)

   52,167    52,167    81,406    81,406

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

   276,435    276,435    306,855    306,855

Short term and long term borrowings

   2,046,983    1,993,248    2,173,029    2,187,005

Derivative instruments

   138,295    138,295    73,312    73,312

(1) Included under the captions other assets and other liabilities.

 

(2) The carrying amounts of loans in the above table excludes contingent loans since they represent undisbursed amounts under undrawn letters of credit and other credit guarantees granted by the Bank.

(x) Investments in other companies

As of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, investments in other companies and the Bank’s participation in such companies’ results of operations for each of the periods indicated, consist of the following:

 

     As of and for the years ended December 31,
     2004     2005     2006      
     Investment
MCh$
   Income
(Loss)
MCh$
    Investment
MCh$
   Income
(Loss)
MCh$
    Investment
MCh$
   Income
(Loss)
MCh$
    Ownership
Interest
2006 %

Servipag Ltda.

   1,040    161     1,257    216     1,513    256     50.00

Soc. Operadora de Tarjetas de Crédito Nexus S.A

   1,127    182     1,168    186     1,219    237     25.81

Administrador Financiero Transantiago S.A.

   —      —       1,297    71     1,197    (95 )   20.00

Redbanc S.A.

   935    146     931    142     943    153     25.42

Centro de Compensación Automatizado S.A.

(CCA S.A.)

   200    33     217    35     240    40     33.33

Artikos Chile S.A.

   46    (175 )   120    (187 )   164    43     50.00
                                   

Total investments in other companies accounted for under the equity method

   3,348    347     4,990    463     5,276    634    

Other investments carried at cost

   2,948    142     2,979    129     2,972    293    
                                   

Total investments in other companies

   6,296    489     7,969    592     8,248    927    
                                   

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(y) Bank premises and equipment, net

The major categories of Bank premises and equipment net of accumulated depreciation are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,
     2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$

Land and buildings

   108,418    109,709

Machinery and equipment

   39,369    46,344

Assets under lease

   22,568    40,214

Furniture and fixtures

   5,295    3,055

Other assets

   2,361    2,335

Vehicles

   852    841
         

Bank premises and equipment, net

   178,863    202,498
         

In accordance with rules of the Superintendency of Banks, bank premises and equipment are presented net of accumulated depreciation. As a result no information is available for either accumulated depreciation or total bank premises and equipment.

(z) Other assets and other liabilities

(1) Other assets

 

     As of December 31,
     2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$

Intangibles

   134,736    118,728

Amounts receivable under spot foreign exchange transaction

   78,151    77,628

Derivative instruments

   78,459    53,924

Payments from counterparties to be settled

   52,294    36,766

Intangibles (software and licenses for trademark use)

   14,597    22,655

Assets received in lieu of payment

   15,722    17,492

Deferred fees

   9,464    14,220

Deferred income tax assets, net

   16,420    13,005

Transactions in process

   6,993    8,313

Investments in other companies

   7,969    8,248

Notes receivable

   11,708    6,600

VAT fiscal credit

   5,789    6,030

Recoverable taxes

   1,831    4,916

Assets to be securitized

   —      4,860

Accounts receivable for assets received in lieu of payment sold

   1,332    2,309

Prepaid expenses

   1,715    1,855

Additional consideration paid in the purchase of mortgage bonds

   1,799    1,150

Materials and supplies

   637    640

Accounts receivable for financial investments sold

   2,035    —  

Other

   18,379    18,021
         

Total other assets

   460,030    417,360
         

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(z) Other assets and other liabilities (continued)

(2) Other liabilities

 

     As of December 31,
     2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$

Accounts payable

   86,523    156,151

Amounts payable under spot foreign exchange transaction

   52,167    81,406

Derivative instruments, net

   138,295    73,312

Provision for minimum dividend

   55,356    58,574

Payments to counterparties to be settled

   48,989    44,604

Notes payable

   19,984    25,154

Accrued staff vacation expense

   16,061    17,801

Transactions in process

   2,122    7,882

Leasing deferred gains

   6,816    6,464

Provision for staff severance indemnities and personnel expenses

   6,930    6,436

VAT

   4,324    5,931

Administration and credit card contract provision

   3,818    5,500

Deferred fees

   4,224    3,769

Legal contingencies provision

   879    1,386

Allowance for income taxes, net

   2,621    —  

Other

   5,166    7,386
         

Total other liabilities

   454,275    501,756
         

(3) Contingent Liabilities

Contingent liabilities consist of open and unused letters of credit, together with guarantees granted by the Bank in Chilean pesos, UF and foreign currencies (principally U.S. dollars). The liability represents the Bank’s obligations under such agreements. The Bank’s rights under these agreements are recognized as assets on the Bank’s balance sheets under the caption “Contingent loans”. See Note 5.

 

    

As of

December 31, 2005

  

As of

December 31, 2006

    

Book

value

MCh$

  

Contract
amount

MCh$

  

Book

value

MCh$

  

Contract
amount

MCh$

Performance bonds

   3,220    550,712    3,139    681,427

Foreign office guarantees

   11    22,437    11    39,067

Standby letters of credits

   136    11,307    129    26,343
                   

Total

   3,367    584,456    3,279    746,837
                   

Guarantees in the form of performance bonds, stand by letters of credit and foreign office guarantees are issued in connection with agreements made by customers to counterparties. If the customer fails to comply with the agreement, the counterparty may enforce the performance bond as a remedy. Credit risk arises from the possibility that the customer may not be able to repay the Bank for performance bonds. To mitigate credit risk, the Bank generally determines the need for specific covenant, guarantee and collateral requirements on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the financial instrument and the customer’s creditworthiness.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(z) Other assets and other liabilities (continued)

The expiration of guarantees, per period is as follows:

 

    

Due within 1

year

MCh$

  

Due after

1 year but

within

3 year
MCh$

  

Due after

3 years but

within

5 years
MCh$

  

Due after

5 years
MCh$

   Total
MCh$

Performance bonds

   398,065    239,332    43,535    495    681,427

Foreign office guarantees

   39,067    —      —      —      39,067

Standby letters of credits

   5,259    19,827    1,257    —      26,343
                        

Total

   442,391    259,159    44,792    495    746,837
                        

(aa) Other Interest Bearing Liabilities

The Bank’s long-term and short-term borrowings are summarized below. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks, the Bank does not present a classified balance sheet. Borrowings are described as short-term when they have original maturities of less than one year or are due on demand. All other borrowings are described as long-term, including the amounts due within one year on such borrowings.

 

     As of December 31, 2005    As of December 31, 2006
     Long-term
MCh$
   Short-term
MCh$
   Total
MCh$
   Long-term
MCh$
   Short-term
MCh$
   Total
MCh$

Foreign borrowings

   661,108    14,277    675,385    319,173    272,400    591,573

Bonds

   331,522    —      331,522    554,272    —      554,272

Mortgage finance bonds

   600,439    —      600,439    505,725    —      505,725

Subordinated bonds

   311,695    —      311,695    405,942    —      405,942

Investments under agreements to repurchase

   —      276,435    276,435    —      306,855    306,855

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   —      92,054    92,054    —      88,261    88,261

Other obligations

   1,366    33,086    34,452    2,848    23,584    26,432

Central Bank Credit lines for renegotiation of loans

   1,436    —      1,436    824    —      824
                             

Total other interest bearing liabilities

   1,907,566    415,852    2,323,418    1,788,784    691,100    2,479,884
                             

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(aa) Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

Mortgage finance bonds

These bonds are used to finance the granting of mortgage loans. The outstanding principal amounts of the bonds are amortized on a quarterly basis. The range of maturities of these bonds is between five and twenty years. The bonds are linked to the UF index and carry a weighted average annual rate of interest of 4.56% as of December 31, 2006.

The maturities of outstanding mortgage bond amounts as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2006

MCh$

Due within 1 year

   66,944

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   49,487

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   48,606

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   47,341

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   44,838

Due after 5 years

   248,509
    

Total mortgage finance bonds

   505,725
    

(ab) Shareholders’ Equity

The Bank’s paid-in capital consists of 69,037,564,665 authorized shares with no fixed nominal value, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2006. Dividends related to the year ended December 31, 2005 were paid-out based on the legal entities in existence as of the year end.

Dividends are declared and paid during the year subsequent to that in which the related net income was earned.

Dividends were declared and paid to shareholders based on prior year net income determined under Chilean GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 (presented in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006) are as follows:

 

     Paid during the year ended
December 31,
     2004
MCh$
   2005
MCh$
   2006
MCh$

Dividends

   142,135    161,910    153,285

Dividends per share

   2.09    2.44    2.25

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(ac) Fees and income from services

The Bank’s fees and income from services and non-operating income and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are summarized as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  
     Income
MCh$
   Expenses
MCh$
    Income
MCh$
   Expenses
MCh$
    Income
MCh$
   Expenses
MCh$
 

Fees and income from services

               

Mutual funds management

   21,380    (1,936 )   25,293    (2,334 )   25,472    (2,341 )

Sight accounts and ATMs

   20,935    (9,794 )   22,875    (9,495 )   24,592    (10,108 )

Insurance

   15,293    (182 )   20,579    (160 )   24,429    (201 )

Stock brokerage

   13,601    (820 )   15,448    (32 )   11,127    (626 )

Cash management services

   8,559    (10 )   9,795    (235 )   10,865    (94 )

Collection of overdue loans

   9,064    —       8,838    —       9,883    —    

Credit lines

   7,137    —       7,425    —       8,078    —    

Demand deposits

   6,051    —       5,959    —       6,723    —    

Contingent fees

   3,945    —       4,440    —       4,963    —    

Credit

   5,730    —       9,764    —       4,567    —    

Foreign trade and currency exchange

   3,606    —       3,407    —       3,863    —    

Income and revenue from assets received in lieu of payment

   5,808    (1,710 )   5,178    (1,586 )   3,740    (1,408 )

Financial advisory services

   2,678    —       942    —       2,844    —    

Letters of credit guarantees, collaterals and other contingent loans

   3,149    —       3,083    —       2,470    —    

Custody and trust services

   1,480    —       1,799    —       2,076    —    

Collection services

   3,767    —       2,580    —       1,944    —    

Leasing

   1,719    (91 )   1,623    (313 )   1,467    (199 )

Factoring

   670    (53 )   631    (8 )   869    (7 )

Teller services expenses

   —      (3,584 )   —      (4,043 )   —      (4,606 )

Cobranding

   —      (3,843 )   —      (5,939 )   —      (6,977 )

Fees from sales force

   —      (9,285 )   —      (10,007 )   —      (13,354 )

Other

   3,972    (1,562 )   3,806    (1,746 )   5,455    (2,219 )
                                 

Total

   138,544    (32,870 )   153,465    (35,898 )   155,427    (42,140 )
                                 

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(ad) Other income and expense

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  
     Income
MCh$
   Expenses
MCh$
    Income
MCh$
   Expenses
MCh$
    Income
MCh$
   Expenses
MCh$
 

Other income and expenses

               

Gains on sales of assets received in lieu of payment

   891    —       4,478    —       9,541    —    

Prior year tax differences

   5    —       —      —       3,343    —    

Rental income

   2,492    —       2,402    —       2,396    —    

Assets received in lieu of payment

   1,082    —       2,891    —       1,640    —    

Income (losses) attributable to investments in other companies, net

   489    —       592    —       927    —    

Gains from sale of shares

   —      —       —      —       447    —    

Recoveries of expenses

   617    —       301    —       258    —    

Fair Value Other

   —      (78 )   —      (354 )   221    —    

Foreign trade income

   154    —       134    —       110    —    

Income from sale of fixed assets

   314    —       125    —       71    —    

Dividends received

   59    —       93    —       55    —    

Leasing income

   80    —       57    —       6    —    

Tax expenses from previous years

   —      (2,377 )   —      —       —      —    

Provision and charge-offs other assets

   —      (432 )   —      —       —      —    

Amortization of intangibles

   —      (16,832 )   —      (13,998 )   —      (16,008 )

Charge-offs assets received in lieu of payment

   —      (8,694 )   —      (11,053 )   —      (9,832 )

Charge-offs

   —      (1,404 )   —      (1,311 )   —      (1,360 )

Write-offs for frauds

   —      (1,124 )   —      (557 )   —      (558 )

Legal contingencies provision

   —      (193 )   —      (20 )   —      (537 )

Expenses on charge-offs for leasing

   —      (256 )   —      (367 )   —      (199 )

Advertising expenses

   —      (56 )   —      (63 )   —      (70 )

Charge-offs and provisions related to fixed assets

   —      (46 )   —      (25 )   —      (17 )

Provision for recovered leased assets

   —      (1,538 )   —      (1,084 )   —      (15 )

Reversal of adjustments and interest from previous years

   —      (131 )   —      (49 )   —      (13 )

Other

   492    (546 )   434    (552 )   490    (1,241 )
                                 

Total

   6,675    (33,707 )   11,507    (29,433 )   19,505    (29,850 )
                                 

(ae) Recent accounting pronouncements

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157. SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The election to measure a financial asset or liability at fair value can be made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. The difference between carrying value and fair value at the election date is recorded as a transition adjustment to opening retained earnings. Subsequent changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the adoption of the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS 157 clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Additionally, it establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Management does not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price - level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2006)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

(ae) Recent accounting pronouncements (continued)

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”. FIN 48 is an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” and seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. In addition, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and requires expanded disclosure with respect to the uncertainty in income taxes. FIN 48 is effective as of the beginning of our 2007 fiscal year. The cumulative effect, if any, of applying FIN 48 is to be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption. Management is currently evaluating the effect of this interpretation on the Bank’s results of operations and financial condition.

On February 16, 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155 (“SFAS 155”), “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Instruments”, which permits, but does not require, fair value accounting for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that would otherwise require bifurcation in accordance with SFAS 133. The statement also subjects beneficial interests issued by securitization vehicles to the requirements of SFAS 133. The statement is effective as of January 1, 2007, with earlier adoption permitted. Management is currently evaluating the effect of the statement on the Bank’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

F-83