UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
 
o
 REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
 
x
 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
OR
 
o
 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
  Commission file number:  1-14554
 
BANCO SANTANDER-CHILE
(d/b/a Santander, Banco Santander, Banco Santander Santiago, and Santander Santiago)
 
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
SANTANDER-CHILE BANK
(d/b/a Santander, Banco Santander, Santander Santiago Bank, and Santander Santiago)
 
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
 
Chile
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
Bandera 140
Santiago, Chile
Telephone: 011-562-320-2000
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Robert Moreno Heimlich
Tel: +562-320-8284, Fax: +562-687-3855, E-mail: rmorenoh@santander.cl
Bandera 140, 19th Floor, Santiago, Chile
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
 
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 (“ADS”), each representing the right to receive 1,039 Shares of Common Stock without par value
New York Stock Exchange
Shares of Common Stock, without par value*
New York Stock Exchange

*
Santander-Chile’s shares of common stock are not listed for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.
 
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:
 
7.375% Subordinated Notes due 2012
(Title of Class)
 
The number of outstanding shares of each class of common stock of Banco Santander-Chile at December 31, 2009, was:
 
188,446,126,794 Shares of Common Stock, without par value
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
 x Yes      o 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.
 
 o Yes       x No
 
Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
 
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.
 
 x Yes       o 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 x
Accelerated filer o
Non-Accelerated filer o
 
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
 oU.S. GAAP
 
 xInternational Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
 oOther

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
 oItem 17        oItem 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).
 o Yes       x No
 


 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
We have made statements in this Annual Report on Form 20-F that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements appear throughout this report and include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations regarding:
 
 
·  
asset growth and alternative sources of funding
 
 
·  
growth of our fee-based business
 
 
·  
financing plans
 
 
·  
impact of competition
 
 
·  
impact of regulation
 
 
·  
exposure to market risks:
 
 
·  
interest rate risk
 
 
·  
foreign exchange risk
 
 
·  
equity price risk
 
 
·  
projected capital expenditures
 
 
·  
liquidity
 
 
·  
trends affecting:
 
 
·  
our financial condition
 
 
·  
our results of operation
 
The sections of this Annual Report which contain forward-looking statements include, without limitation, “Item 3: Key Information—Risk Factors,” “Item 4: Information on the Company—Strategy,” “Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” “Item 8: Financial Information—Legal Proceedings,” and “Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” Our forward-looking statements also may be identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “intends,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “seeks,” “aim,” “combined,” “estimates,” “probability,” “risk,” “VaR,” “target,” “goal,” “objective,” “future” or similar expressions.
 
You should understand that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report and in the documents which are incorporated by reference, could affect our future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements:
 
 
·  
changes in capital markets in general that may affect policies or attitudes towards lending to Chile or Chilean companies
 
 
·  
changes in economic conditions
 
 
·  
the monetary and interest rate policies of the Banco Central de Chile (the “Central Bank”)
 
 
·  
inflation
 
 
·  
deflation
 
 
·  
unemployment
 
 
·  
unanticipated turbulence in interest rates
 
 
·  
movements in foreign exchange rates
 
 
·  
movements in equity prices or other rates or prices
 
 
·  
changes in Chilean and foreign laws and regulations
 
 
·  
changes in taxes
 
 
·  
competition, changes in competition and pricing environments
 
 
·  
our inability to hedge certain risks economically
 
 
·  
the adequacy of loss allowances
 
 
·  
technological changes
 
 
·  
changes in consumer spending and saving habits
 
 
·  
increased costs
 
 
·  
unanticipated increases in financing and other costs or the inability to obtain additional debt or equity financing on attractive terms
 
 
·  
changes in, or failure to comply with, banking regulations
 
 
·  
our ability to successfully market and sell additional services to our existing customers
 
 
·  
disruptions in client service
 
 
·  
natural disasters
 
 
·  
implementation of new technologies
 
 
·  
an inaccurate or ineffective client segmentation model
 
You should not place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this Annual Report, and we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS
 
As used in this Annual Report, “Santander-Chile”, “the Bank”, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Banco Santander-Chile and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
When we refer to “Banco Santander Spain” or “Santander Spain”, we refer to our parent company, Banco Santander, S.A.
 
As used in this Annual Report, the term “billion” means one thousand million (1,000,000,000).
 
In this Annual Report, references to “$”, “US$”, “U.S. dollars” and “dollars” are to United States dollars, references to “Chilean pesos,” “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 with a value in Chilean pesos that changes daily to reflect changes in the official Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) of the Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas (the Chilean National Institute of Statistics) for the previous month. The Bank does not perform inflation accounting, but some loan and deposits products are contracted in “UF” and are accounted for in a similar fashion as a variable rate financial instrument. See “Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”.
 
In this Annual Report, references to the Audit Committee are to the Bank’s Comité de Directores y Auditoría.
 
In this Annual Report, references to “BIS” are to the Bank for International Settlement, and references to “BIS ratio” are to the capital adequacy ratio as calculated in accordance with the Basel Capital Accord.
 
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Santander-Chile is a Chilean bank and maintains its financial books and records in Chilean pesos and prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), in order to comply with requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
 
As required by local regulations, our locally filed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles issued by the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions (the “SBIF”). The accounting principles issued by the SBIF are substantially similar to IFRS but there are some exceptions.  Therefore, our locally filed consolidated financial statements have been adjusted according to IFRS 1: First Time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (see Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements attached to this Annual Report).
 
The notes to the audited consolidated financial statements contain information in addition to that presented in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Consolidated Statement of Income, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The notes provide narrative descriptions or details of these financial statements.
 
The audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report have been prepared from accounting records maintained by the Bank and its subsidiaries.
 
The Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2008, and January 1, 2008, as well as the Consolidated Statement of Income, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2008, included for comparative purposes, were also prepared in accordance with IFRS, on a basis consistent with the financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2009.
 
The transition of the consolidated financial statements of the Bank to IFRS has been carried out through the application of IFRS 1: First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, applying the exemptions provided by this standard.
 
We have formatted our financial information according to the classification format for banks used in Chile. We have not reclassified the line items to comply with Article 9 of Regulation S-X.  Article 9 is a regulation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that contains formatting requirements for bank holding company financial statements.
 
Our auditors, Deloitte Auditores y Consultores Limitada, an independent registered public accounting firm, have audited our consolidated financial statements in respect of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 included in this Annual Report in accordance with IFRS.  See page F-1 to our consolidated financial statements for the 2009 and 2008 report prepared by Deloitte Auditores y Consultores Limitada.
 
Functional and Presentation currency
 
According to International Accounting Standard No 21, the Chilean peso, which is the currency of the primary economic area in which the Bank operates and the currency which influences its structure of costs and revenues, has been defined as the functional and presentation currency.  Accordingly, all the balances and transactions denominated in currencies other than the Chilean peso are treated as “foreign currency.”

For presentation purposes we have translated millions of Chilean pesos (MCh$) into thousands of US dollars (ThUS$) using the rate as indicated below, for the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Consolidated Statement of Income, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the period ended as of December 31, 2009.

Loans
 
Unless otherwise specified, all references herein (except in the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements) to loans are to loans and financial leases before deduction for loan loss allowance, and, except as otherwise specified, all market share data presented herein are based on information published periodically by the Superintendency of Banks. Non-performing loans include loans for which either principal or interest is overdue, and which do not accrue interest. Restructured loans for which no payments are overdue are not ordinarily classified as non-performing loans. Past due loans include, with respect to any loan, only the portion of principal and interest that is overdue for 90 or more days, and do not include the installments of such loan that are not overdue or that are overdue for less than 90 days, unless legal proceedings have been commenced for the entire outstanding balance according to the terms of the loan, in which case the entire loan is considered past due within 90 days after initiation of such proceedings. See “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information—Classification of Loan Portfolio Based on the Borrower’s Payment Performance.”
 
According to the regulations established by IFRS, a loan is evaluated on each financial statement filing date to determine whether objective evidence of impairment exists.  A loans will be impaired if, and only if, objective evidence of impairment exists as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the loan, and such event or events have an impact on the estimated future cash flows of such loan that can be reliably estimated. It may not be possible to identify a single event that was the individual cause of the impairment.
 
An impairment loss relating to a loan is calculated as the difference between the recorded amount of the asset and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the effective interest rate.
 
Individually significant loans are individually tested to determine if impairment exists. The remaining financial assets are evaluated collectively in groups with similar credit risk characteristics.
 
The reversal of an impairment loss occurs only if it can be objectively related to an event occurring after the initial impairment loss was recorded. In the case of loans recorded at amortized cost, the reversal is recorded in income.  See “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information—Analysis of Loan Loss Allowance.”
 
Outstanding loans and the related percentages of Santander-Chile’s loan portfolio consisting of corporate and consumer loans in the section entitled “Item 4: C. Business Overview” are categorized based on the nature of the borrower. Outstanding loans and related percentages of the loan portfolio of Santander-Chile consisting of corporate and consumer loans in the section entitled “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information” are categorized in accordance with the reporting requirements of the Superintendency of Banks, which are based on the type and term of loans. This disclosure is consistent with IFRS.
 
Effect of Rounding
 
Certain figures included in this Annual Report and in the 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, certain percentage amounts in this Annual Report may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain other amounts that appear in this Annual Report may not sum due to rounding.
 
Economic and Market Data
 
In this Annual Report, unless otherwise indicated, all macroeconomic data related to the Chilean economy is based on information published by the Central Bank, and all market share and other data related to the Chilean financial system is based on information published by the Superintendency of Banks and our analysis of such information. Information regarding the consolidated risk index of the Chilean financial system as a whole is not available.
 
Exchange Rates
 
This Annual Report contains translations of certain Chilean peso amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. 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 the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated, were converted or will be converted at all.
 
Unless otherwise indicated, all the U.S. dollar amounts at any year end or for any full year have been translated from Chilean pesos based on the interbank market rate published by Reuters at 1:30 pm on the last business day of the year. On December 31, 2009, and June 25, 2010, the exchange rate in the Informal Exchange Market as published by Reuters at 1:30 pm on these days was Ch$507.25 and Ch$537.25, or 0.16% more expensive and 0.45% cheaper, respectively, than the published observed exchange rate for such date of Ch$506.43 and Ch$539.68, respectively, per US$1.00. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for the Chilean peso. For more information on the observed exchange rate. See “Item 3: A. Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates.”
 
PART I
 
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
 
A. 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 and notes at and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 included in this Annual Report are prepared in accordance with IFRS and therefore differ in some respects from the financial statements at and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 previously issued by the Bank.
 
We have selected the following financial information from our audited consolidated financial statements. You should read this information in connection with, and this information is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
In US$ thousands(1)
   
In Ch$ millions(2)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA (IFRS)
                 
Net interest revenue
    1,688,548       856,516       892,066  
Provision for loan losses
    (658,151 )     (333,847 )     (287,983 )
Fee income
    500,995       254,130       243,129  
Operating costs (3)                                                                  
    (804,128 )     (407,894 )     (428,168 )
Other income, net (4)
    308,782       156,629       61,665  
Income before taxes                                                                  
    1,036,046       525,534       480,709  
Income tax
    (175,306 )     (88,924 )     (59,742 )
Net income                                                                  
    860,740       436,610       420,967  
Net income attributable to:
                       
Net income attributable to shareholders                                                                  
    850,778       431,557       413,370  
Minority interest                                                                  
    9,962       5,053       7,597  
Net income attributable to shareholders per share
    4.52       2.29       2.19  
Net income attributable to shareholders per ADS (5)
    4,690.76       2,379.39       2,279.12  
Dividends per share  (6)                                                                  
    2.70       1.37       1.13  
Dividends per ADS (6)                                                                  
    2,812.48       1,426.63       1,176.00  
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions)
    -       188,446.13       188,446.13  
Weighted-average ADS outstanding (in millions)
    -       181.373       181.373  

 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
In US$ thousands(1)
   
In Ch$ millions(2)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION DATA (IFRS)
                 
Cash and deposits in banks
    4,028,503       2,043,458       855,411  
Financial investments (7)                                                                  
    5,209,756       2,642,649       2,746,666  
Loans                                                                  
    27,109,465       13,751,276       14,681,088  
Loan loss allowance                                                                  
    (689,063 )     (349,527 )     (274,240 )
Financial derivative contracts (assets) (8)                                                                  
    2,747,911       1,393,878       1,846,509  
Other assets (9)                                                                  
    2,545,374       1,291,141       1,229,073  
Total assets
    40,951,946       20,772,875       21,084,507  
Deposits
    21,111,466       10,708,791       12,704,428  
Other interest bearing liabilities
    12,287,790       6,232,982       4,769,980  
Financial derivative contracts (liabilities) (8)
    2,659,253       1,348,906       1,469,724  
Total shareholder’s equity (10)
    3,331,500       1,689,903       1,517,649  
Attributable to shareholders (11)
    3,272,754       1,660,104       1,491,770  
 
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS
(IFRS)
           
Profitability and performance:
           
Net interest margin (12)
    5.3 %     5.7 %
Return on average total assets (13)
    2.2 %     2.3 %
Return on average equity (14)
    27.3       32.4 %
Capital:
               
Average equity as a percentage of average total assets (15)
    8.0 %     7.0 %
Total liabilities as a multiple of equity (16)
    11.3       12.9  
Credit Quality:
               
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans (17)
    2.97 %     2.61 %
Allowance for loan losses as percentage of total loans
    2.54 %     1.87 %
Operating Ratios:
               
Operating expenses /operating revenue (18)
    34.0 %     37.6 %
Operating expenses /average total assets
    2.2 %     2.5 %
                 
OTHER DATA
               
Inflation Rate (19)
    -1.4 %     7.1 %
Revaluation (devaluation) rate (Ch$/US$) at period end (19)
    -19.5 %     26.9 %
Number of employees at period end
    11,118       11,592  
Number of branches and offices at period end
    498       505  

(1)
Amounts stated in U.S. dollars at and for the year ended December 31, 2009, have been translated from Chilean pesos at the interbank market exchange rate of Ch$507.25 = US$1.00 as of December 31, 2009. See “Item 3: A. Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates” for more information on the observed exchange rate.
 
(2)
Except per share data, percentages and ratios, share numbers, employee numbers and branch numbers.
 
(3)
Operating costs is equal to the sum of personnel expenses, administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization and impairment. See “Note 1—Impairment” to our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(4)
Other income, net is the sum of other operating income, other operating expenses, net gains (losses) from mark-to-market and trading and foreign exchange transactions, and income from investments in other companies.
 
(5)
1 ADS = 1,039 shares of common stock.
 
(6)
The dividends per share of common stock and per ADS are determined based on the previous year’s net income. The dividend per ADS is calculated on the basis of 1,039 shares per ADS.
 
(7)
Includes financial investments held for trading, repos, financial investments available for sale and financial investments held to maturity.
 
(8)
For figures at December 31, 2008, derivatives are valued at market price and classified as a separate line item on the balance sheet. See “Note 1” of our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(9)
Includes unsettled transactions, investments in other companies, intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, current taxes, deferred taxes and other assets.
 
(10)
Equity includes shareholders’ equity plus non-minority interest.   According to IFRS, equity must include minority interest and a minimum provision for mandatory dividends.  This provision is made pursuant to Article 79 of the Corporations Act, in accordance with the Bank’s internal policy, and pursuant to which at least 30% of net income for the period is distributed, except in the case of a contrary resolution adopted at the respective shareholders’ meeting by the unanimous vote of the outstanding shares.
 
(11)
Shareholders’ equity is calculated according to IFRS. The main difference between this and equity is that the provision for mandatory dividends equal to 30% of net income and minority interest are not included.
 
(12)
Net interest revenue divided by average interest earning assets (as presented in “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information”).
 
(13)
Net income divided by average total assets (as presented in “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information”).
 
(14)
Net income divided by average equity (as presented in “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information”).
 
(15)
This ratio is calculated using total equity including minority interest.
 
(16)
Total liabilities divided by equity.
 
(17)
Non-performing loans include the aggregate unpaid principal and accrued but unpaid interest on all loans with at least one installment over 90 days overdue.  December 31, 2008 non-performing loans amount is as reported on January 1, 2009.
 
(18)
The efficiency ratio is equal to operating expenses over operating revenue. Operating expenses includes personnel expenses, administrative expenses, depreciation and amortizations, deterioration (See “Note 1—Impairment” to our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements) and other operating expenses. Operating revenue includes net interest revenue, fee income, net gain (loss) from mark-to-market and trading, foreign exchange transactions and other operating income.
 
(19)
Based on information published by the Central Bank.
 

Exchange Rates
 
Chile has two currency markets, the Mercado Cambiario Formal, or the Formal Exchange Market and the Mercado Cambiario Informal, or the Informal Exchange Market. According to Law 18,840, the organic law of the Central Bank, and the Central Bank Act (Ley Orgánica Constitucional del Banco Central de Chile), the Central Bank determines which purchases and sales of foreign currencies must be carried out in the Formal Exchange Market. Pursuant to Central Bank regulations which are currently in effect, all payments, remittances or transfers of foreign currency abroad which are required to be effected through the Formal Exchange Market may be effected with foreign currency procured outside the Formal Exchange Market. The Formal Exchange Market is comprised of the banks and other entities so authorized by the Central Bank. The conversion from pesos to U.S. dollars of all payments and distributions with respect to the ADSs described in this Annual Report must be transacted at the spot market rate in the Formal Exchange Market. Current regulations require that the Central Bank be informed of certain transactions and that they be effected through the Formal Exchange Market.
 
Purchases and sales of foreign currencies performed may be legally carried out in the Informal Exchange Market. The Informal Exchange Market reflects transactions carried out at informal exchange rates by entities not expressly authorized to operate in the Formal 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 31, 2009, and June 25, 2010, the exchange rate in the Informal Exchange Market as published by Reuters at 1:30 pm on these days was Ch$507.25 and Ch$537.25, or 0.16% more expensive and 0.45% cheaper, respectively, than the published observed exchange rate for such date of Ch$506.43 and Ch$539.68, respectively, per US$1.00.
 
The following table sets forth the annual low, high, average and period end observed exchange rate for U.S. dollars for each of the following periods, as reported by the Central Bank. We make no representation that the Chilean peso or the U.S. dollar amounts referred to herein actually represent, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Chilean pesos, as the case may be, at the rates indicated, at any particular rate or at all.
 
   
Daily Observed Exchange Rate Ch$ Per US$(1)
 
   
Low(2)
   
High(2)
   
Average(3)
   
Period End(4)
 
Year
                       
2004
    559.21       649.45       609.55       559.83  
2005
    509.70       592.75       559.86       514.21  
2006
    511.44       549.63       530.26       534.43  
2007
    493.14       548.67       522.69       495.82  
2008
    431.22       676.75       521.79       629.11  
2009
    491.09       643.87       559.67       506.43  
 
   
Daily Observed Exchange Rate Ch$ Per US$(1)
 
   
Low(2)
   
High(2)
   
Average(3)
   
Period End(4)
 
Month
                       
November 2009
    491.09       531.83       507.78       495.84  
December 2009
    494.82       508.75       501.45       506.43  
January 2010
    489.47       531.75       500.66       531.75  
February 2010
    525.48       546.18       532.56       529.69  
March 2010
    508.66       533.87       523.16       526.29  
April 2010
    514.91       527.38       520.62       520.99  
May 2010
    517.23       549.17       533.21       529.23  
June 2010 (up to June 25, 2010)     530.32       548.16       536.27       539.68  

Source: Central Bank.
 
(1)
Nominal figures.
 
(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.
 

Dividends
 
Under the current General Banking Law, a Chilean bank may only pay a single dividend per year (i.e., interim dividends are not permitted). Santander-Chile’s annual dividend is proposed by its Board of Directors and is approved by the shareholders at the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting held the year following that in which the dividend is generated. For example, the 2009 dividend must be proposed and approved during the first four months of 2010. Following shareholder approval, the proposed dividend is declared and paid. Historically, the dividend for a particular year has been declared and paid no later than one month following the shareholders’ meeting. Dividends are paid to shareholders of record on the fifth day preceding the date set for payment of the dividend. The applicable record dated for the payment of dividends to holders of ADSs will, to the extent practicable, be the same.
 
Under the General Banking Law, a bank must distribute cash dividends in respect of any fiscal year in an amount equal to at least 30% of its net income for that year, as long as the dividend does not result in the infringement of minimum capital requirements. The balances of our distributable net income are generally retained for use in our business (including for the maintenance of any required legal reserves). Although our Board of Directors currently intends to pay regular annual dividends, the amount of dividend payments will depend upon, among other factors, our then current level of earnings, capital and legal reserve requirements, as well as market conditions, and there can be no assurance as to the amount or timing of future dividends.
 
Dividends payable to holders of ADSs are net of foreign currency conversion expenses of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary (the “Depositary”) and will be subject to the Chilean withholding tax currently at the rate of 35% (subject to credits in certain cases as described in “Item 10: E. Taxation—Material Tax Consequences of Owning Shares of Our Common Stock or ADSs”).
 
Under the Foreign Investment Contract (as defined herein), the Depositary, on behalf of ADS holders, is 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, net of taxes, and no separate registration by ADS holders is required. In the past, Chilean law required that holders of shares of Chilean companies who were not residents of Chile to register as foreign investors under one of the foreign investment regimes contemplated by Chilean law in order to have dividends, sale proceeds or other amounts with respect to their shares remitted outside Chile through the Formal Exchange Market. On April 19, 2001, the Central Bank deregulated the Exchange Market and eliminated the need to obtain approval from the Central Bank in order to remit dividends, but at the same time this eliminated the possibility of accessing the Formal Exchange Market. These changes do not affect the current Foreign Investment Contract, which was signed prior to April 19, 2001, which grants access to the Formal Exchange Market with prior approval of the Central Bank. See “Item 10: D. Exchange Controls.”
 
The following table presents dividends declared and paid by us in nominal terms in the past two years:
 
 
Year
 
Dividend
Ch$ mn (1)
   
Per share
Ch$/share (2)
   
Per ADR
Ch$/ADR (3)
   
% over
earnings (4)
   
% over
earnings (5)
 
2009
    213,295       1.13       1,176.00       65       52  
2010
    258,751       1.37       1,426.63       60       60  

(1)
Million of nominal pesos.
 
(2)
Calculated on the basis of 188,446 million shares.
 
(3)
Calculated on the basis of 1,039 shares per ADS.
 
(4)
Calculated by dividing dividend paid in the year by net income attributable to shareholders for the previous year as required by local regulations.
 
 
(5)
Calculated by dividing dividend paid in the year by net income attributable to shareholders for the previous year under IFRS.
 

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
 
Not applicable.
 
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
 
Not applicable.
 
D. Risk Factors
 
You should carefully consider the following risk factors, which should be read in conjunction with all the other information presented in this Annual Report. 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 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”
 
Risks Associated with Our Business
 
We are vulnerable to the current disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets.
 
In the past two years, the global financial system has experienced difficult credit and liquidity conditions and disruptions leading to less liquidity, greater volatility, general widening of spreads and, in some cases, lack of price transparency on interbank lending rates. Global economic conditions deteriorated significantly in the second half of 2008, and many countries, including the United States, fell into recession. Many major financial institutions, including some of the world’s largest global commercial banks, investment banks, mortgage lenders, mortgage guarantors and insurance companies, have been experiencing significant difficulties. Around the world, there have also been runs on deposits at several financial institutions, numerous institutions have sought additional capital and many lenders and institutional investors have reduced or ceased providing funding to borrowers (including to other financial institutions).
 
Continued or worsening disruption and volatility in the global financial markets could have a material adverse effect on our ability to access capital and liquidity on financial terms acceptable to us, if at all.  If capital markets financing ceases to become available, or becomes excessively expensive, we may be forced to raise the rates we pay on deposits to attract more customers.  Any such increase in capital markets funding costs or deposit rates could have a material adverse effect on our interest margins.
 
In Chile, the continued economic recession has also caused a rise in unemployment, a fall in consumer spending, a fall in real estate prices and a general decline in economic activity. All of these may lead to a decrease in demand for individual and corporate borrowing, a decrease in demand for financial services and a decrease in credit card spending, which may in turn materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.
 
Increased competition and industry consolidation may adversely affect our results of operations.
 
The Chilean market for financial services is highly competitive. We compete with other private sector Chilean and non-Chilean banks, with Banco del Estado, the principal public sector bank, with department stores and larger supermarket chains that make consumer loans and sell other financial products to a large portion of the Chilean population. The lower middle- to middle-income segments of the Chilean population and the small- and mid-sized corporate segments have become the target markets of several banks and competition in these segments is likely to increase. As a result, net interest margins in these segments are likely to decline. Although we believe that demand for financial products and services from individuals and for small- and mid-sized companies 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 and non-finance competitors (principally department stores and larger supermarket chains) with respect to some of our credit products, such as credit cards, consumer loans and insurance brokerage. In addition, we face competition from non-bank finance competitors, such as leasing, factoring and automobile finance companies, with respect to credit products, and from mutual funds, pension funds and insurance companies with respect to savings products.
 
The increase in competition within the Chilean banking industry in recent years has led to consolidation in the industry. We expect the trends of increased competition and consolidation to continue and result in the formation of large new financial groups. Consolidation in the industry, which can result in the creation of larger and stronger competitors, may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations by decreasing the net interest margins we are able to generate. In addition, since November 7, 2001, insurance companies have been allowed to participate and compete with banks in the residential mortgage and credit card businesses.
 
Our allowances for impairment losses may not be adequate to cover future actual losses to our loan portfolio.
 
At December 31, 2009, our allowance for impairment losses on loans and other assets was Ch$349,527 million, and the ratio of our allowance for impairment losses to total loans was 2.5%. The amount of allowances is based on our current assessment of and expectations concerning various factors affecting the quality of our loan portfolio. These factors include, among other things, our borrowers’ financial condition, repayment abilities and repayment intentions, the realizable value of any collateral, the prospects for support from any guarantor, Chile’s economy, government macroeconomic policies, interest rates and the legal and regulatory environment. As the recent global financial crisis has demonstrated, many of these factors are beyond our control. In addition, as these factors evolve, the models we use to determine the appropriate level of allowance for impairment losses on loans and other assets require recalibration, which can lead to increased provision expense.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations for Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2009—Provision for loan losses”. We believe our allowance is adequate as of the date hereof for all known losses. If our assessment of and expectations concerning the above mentioned factors differ from actual developments, or if the quality of our loan portfolio deteriorates or the future actual losses exceed our estimates, our allowance for impairment losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses and we may need to make additional provisions for impairment losses, which may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Our exposure to individuals and small businesses could lead to higher levels of past due loans, allowances for loan losses and charge-offs.
 
A substantial number of our customers consist of individuals (approximately 53.0% of the value of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2009, if interbank loans are included) and, to a lesser extent, small- and mid-sized companies (those with annual sales of less than US$2.4 million), which comprised approximately 18.1% of the value of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2009. As part of our business strategy, we seek to increase lending and other services to small companies and individuals. Small companies and lower- to middle-income individuals are, however, more likely to be adversely affected by downturns in the Chilean economy than large corporations and individuals with high incomes. In addition, at December 31, 2009, our residential mortgage loan book totaled Ch$4,159,053 million, representing 30.2% of our total loans. (See “Note 9: Interbank Loans” and “Note 10: Loans and Accounts Receivables from Customers” in our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for a description and presentation of residential mortgages in the balance sheet). If the economy and real estate market in Chile experience a significant downturn, as it may due to the global financial and economic crisis, this could materially adversely affect the liquidity, businesses and financial conditions of our customers, which may in turn cause us to
 
experience higher levels of past due loans, thereby resulting in higher provisions for loan losses and subsequent write-offs. This may materially and adversely affect our asset quality, results of operations and financial condition.
 
If we are unable to maintain the quality of our loan portfolio, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
 
At December 31, 2009, our non-performing loans were Ch$409,067 million, and the ratio of our non-performing loans to total loans was 2.97%. For additional information on our asset quality, see “Selected Statistical Information at and for the Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008—Classification of Loan Portfolio Based on the Borrower’s Payment Performance”. We seek to continue to improve our credit risk management policies and procedures. However, we cannot assure you that our credit risk management policies, procedures and systems are free from any deficiency. Failure of credit risk management policies may result in an increase in the level of non-performing loans and adversely affect the quality of our loan portfolio. In addition, the quality of our loan portfolio may also deteriorate due to various other reasons, including factors beyond our control, such as the macroeconomic factors affecting Chile’s economy. If such deterioration were to occur, it could materially adversely affect our financial conditions and results of operations.
 
The value of the collateral securing our loans may not be sufficient, and we may be unable to realize the full value of the collateral securing our loan portfolio.
 
The value of the collateral securing our loan portfolio may significantly fluctuate or decline due to factors beyond our control, including macroeconomic factors affecting Chile’s economy. The real estate market is particularly vulnerable in the current economic climate and this may affect us as real estate represents a significant portion of the collateral securing our residential mortgage loan portfolio. We may also not have sufficiently recent information on the value of collateral, which may result in an inaccurate assessment for impairment losses of our loans secured by such collateral. If this were to occur, we may need to make additional provisions to cover actual impairment losses of our loans, which may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Additionally, there are certain provisions under Chilean law that may affect our ability to foreclose or liquidate residential mortgages if the real estate in question has been declared as “family property” by a court. If any party occupying the real estate files a petition with the court requesting that such real estate be declared as family property, our ability to foreclose may be very limited.
 
The growth of our loan portfolio may expose us to increased loan losses.
 
From December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2009, our aggregate loan portfolio grew by 81.0% in nominal terms to Ch$13,751,276 million (US$27.1 billion), while our consumer loan portfolio grew by 106.2% in nominal terms to Ch$2,244,049 million (US$4.4 billion). The further expansion of our loan portfolio (particularly in the consumer, small- and mid-sized companies and real estate segments) can be expected to expose us to a higher level of loan losses and require us to establish higher levels of provisions for loan losses.
 
Our loan portfolio may not continue to grow at the same rate. The current economic turmoil may lead to a contraction in our loan portfolio.
 
There can be no assurance that our loan portfolio will continue to grow at similar rates to the historical growth rate. A reversal of the rate of growth of the Chilean economy, a slowdown in the growth of customer demand, an increase in market competition or changes in governmental regulations, could adversely affect the rate of growth of our loan portfolio and our risk index and, accordingly, increase our required allowances for loan losses. The continuing economic turmoil could materially adversely affect the liquidity, businesses and financial condition of our customers as well as lead to a general decline in consumer spending and a rise in unemployment. All this could in turn lead to decreased demand for borrowings in general.
 
The effectiveness of our credit risk management is affected by the quality and scope of information available in Chile.
 
In assessing customers’ creditworthiness, we rely largely on the credit information available from our own internal databases, the Superintendency of Banks, Dicom (a Chilean nationwide credit bureau) and other sources. Due to limitations in the availability of information and the developing information infrastructure in Chile, our
 
assessment of the credit risks associated with a particular customer may not be based on complete, accurate or reliable information. In addition, although we have been improving our credit scoring systems to better assess borrowers’ credit risk profiles, we cannot assure you that our credit scoring systems collect complete or accurate information reflecting the actual behavior of customers or that their credit risk can be assessed correctly. Without complete, accurate and reliable information, we have to rely on other publicly available resources and our internal resources, which may not be effective. As a result, our ability to effectively manage our credit risk may be materially adversely affected.
 
Fluctuations in the rate of inflation may affect our results of operations.
 
Inflation in Chile gained momentum in 2007 and 2008. In 2007 and 2008, inflation reached 7.1% and 7.8%, respectively. High levels of inflation in Chile could adversely affect the Chilean economy and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Extended periods of deflation could also have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In 2009, inflation was (1.4%).
 
Our assets and liabilities are denominated in Chilean pesos, UF and foreign currencies. The UF is revalued in monthly cycles. On each day in the period beginning on the tenth day of any given month through the ninth day of the succeeding month, the nominal peso value of the UF is indexed up (or down in the event of deflation) in order to reflect a proportionate amount of the change in the Chilean Consumer Price Index during the prior calendar month. For more information regarding the UF, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Impact of Inflation”, “Selected Statistical Information at and for the Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008—Average Balance Sheets, Income Earned from Interest-Earning Assets And Interest Paid on Interest-Bearing Liabilities” and “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information—Average Balance Sheets, Income Earned from Interest-Earning Assets And Interest Paid on Interest-Bearing Liabilities.” Although we benefit from inflation in Chile, due to the current structure of our assets and liabilities (i.e., a significant portion of our loans are indexed to the inflation rate, but there are no corresponding features in deposits, or other funding sources that would increase the size of our funding base), there can be no assurance that our business, financial condition and result of operations in the future will not be adversely affected by changing levels of inflation, including from extended periods of inflation that adversely affect economic growth or periods of deflation.
 
Our results of operations are affected by interest rate volatility.
 
Our results of operations depend to a great extent on our net interest income. Net interest income represented 72.4% of our operating income in 2008 and 65.7% in 2009. 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 income or a decrease in customer demand for our loan or deposit products. 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. In the current economic climate, there is a greater degree of uncertainty and unpredictability in the policy decisions and the setting of interest rates by the Central Bank. Any changes in interest rates could adversely affect our business, our future financial performance and the price of our securities. The following table shows the yields on the Chilean government’s 90-day notes as reported by the Central Bank of Chile at year-end 2004 to 2009 and up to March 31, 2010.
 
 
Year
 
Yield on
90-day note at Period-end
 
2004
       2.24%  
2005
    4.90  
2006
    5.11  
2007
    6.15  
2008
    7.86  
2009
    0.48  
March 31, 2010                  
       0.50%  

Source: Central Bank.
 

Since our principal sources of funds are short-term deposits, a sudden shortage of funds could cause an increase in costs of funding and an adverse effect on our revenues.
 
Customer deposits are our primary source (56.1%) of funding. At December 31, 2009, 90.3% of our customer deposits had remaining maturities of one year or less, or were payable on demand. A significant portion of our assets have longer maturities, resulting in a mismatch between the maturities of liabilities and the maturities of assets. If a substantial number of our depositors withdraw their demand deposits or do not roll over their time deposits upon maturity, our liquidity position, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected. We cannot assure you that in the event of a sudden or unexpected shortage of funds in the banking system, any money markets in which we operate will be able to maintain levels of funding without incurring high funding costs or the liquidation of certain assets. If this were to happen, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
 
The legal restrictions on the exposure of Chilean pension funds may affect our access to funding.
 
Chilean regulations impose restrictions on the share of assets that a Chilean pension fund management company (Administradora de Fondos de Pension, an “AFP”) may allocate to a single issuer, which is currently 7% per fund managed by an AFP (including any securities issued by the issuer and any bank deposits with the issuer). If the exposure of an AFP to a single issuer exceeds the 7% limit, the AFP is required to reduce its exposure below the limit within three years. At December 31, 2009, the aggregate exposure of AFPs to us was approximately US$4.7 billion or 3.9% of their total assets. If the exposure of any AFP to us exceeds the regulatory limit, we would need to seek alternative sources of funding, which could be more expensive and, as a consequence, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Pension funds must also comply with other investment limits. Recently approved legislation in Chile (Reformas al Mercado de Capitales II (also known as MK2) relaxed the limits on making investments abroad in order to permit pension funds to further diversify their investment portfolios. As of December 31, 2009, the limit on making investments abroad was 60%. This limit was increased from 55% as of April 1, 2009 to its current level in August 2009, and will gradually increase to 80% in 2011.  As a result, pension funds may change the composition of their portfolios, including reducing their deposits with local banks. At December 31, 2009, 15.8% of our time deposits were from AFPs. Although the legislation referred to above is intended to promote a gradual relaxation of the investment limits, and we may be able to substitute the reduced institutional funds with retail deposits, there can be no assurance that this occurrence will not have a materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We may be unable to meet requirements relating to capital adequacy.
 
Chilean banks are required by the General Banking Law to maintain regulatory capital of at least 8% of risk-weighted assets, net of required loan loss allowance and deductions, and paid-in capital and reserves (“basic capital”) of at least 3% of our total assets, net of required loan loss allowances. As we are the result of the merger between two predecessors, we are currently required to maintain a minimum regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 11%. At December 31, 2009, the ratio of our regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets, net of loan loss allowance and deductions, was 15.59%. Certain developments could affect our ability to continue to satisfy the current capital adequacy requirements applicable to us, including:
 
 
·  
the increase of risk-weighted assets as a result of the expansion of our business or regulatory changes;
 
 
·  
the failure to increase our capital correspondingly;
 
 
·  
losses resulting from a deterioration in our asset quality;
 
 
·  
declines in the value of our investment instrument portfolio;
 
 
·  
changes in accounting rules;
 
 
·  
changes in provisioning guidelines that are charged directly against our equity or net income; and
 
 
·  
changes in the guidelines regarding the calculation of the capital adequacy ratios of banks in Chile.
 
In 2012, Chilean banks will most likely adopt the guidelines set forth under Basel II with adjustments incorporated by the Superintendency of Banks. This should result in a different level of minimum capital required to be maintained by us. No assurance can be given that these changes will not have a material impact on our capitalization ratio.
 
We may also be required to raise additional capital in the future in order to maintain our capital adequacy ratios above the minimum required levels. Our ability to raise additional capital may be limited by numerous factors, including: our future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; any necessary government regulatory approvals; our credit ratings; general market conditions for capital raising activities by commercial banks and other financial institutions; and domestic and international economic, political and other conditions.
 
If we require additional capital in the future, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such capital on favorable terms, in a timely manner or at all. Furthermore, the Superintendency of Banks may increase the minimum capital adequacy requirements applicable to us. Accordingly, although we currently meet the applicable capital adequacy requirements, we may face difficulties in meeting these requirements in the future. If we fail to meet the capital adequacy requirements, we may be required to take corrective actions. These measures could materially and adversely affect our business reputation, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we are unable to raise sufficient capital in a timely manner, the growth of our loan portfolio and other risk-weighted assets may be restricted, and we may face significant challenges in implementing our business strategy. As a result, our prospects, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
 
Our business is highly dependent on proper functioning and improvement of information technology systems.
 
Our business is highly dependent on the ability of our information technology systems to accurately process a large number of transactions across numerous and diverse markets and products in a timely manner. The proper functioning of our financial control, risk management, accounting, customer service and other data processing systems is critical to our business and our ability to compete effectively. We have backup data for our key data processing systems that could be used in the event of a catastrophe or a failure of our primary systems, and have established alternative communication networks where available. However, we do not operate all of our redundant systems on a real time basis and cannot assure you that our business activities would not be materially disrupted if there were a partial or complete failure of any of these primary information technology systems or communication networks. Such failures could be caused by, among other things, major natural catastrophes (such as earthquakes), software bugs, computer virus attacks or conversion errors due to system upgrading. In addition, any security breach caused by unauthorized access to information or systems, or intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware or other computer equipment, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Our ability to remain competitive and achieve further growth will depend in part on our ability to upgrade our information technology systems and increase our capacity on a timely and cost effective basis. Any substantial failure to improve or upgrade information technology systems effectively or on a timely basis could materially and adversely affect our competitiveness, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Operational problems or errors can have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Like all large financial institutions, we are exposed to many types of 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. Fraud or other misconduct by employees or third parties may be difficult to detect and prevent and could subject us to financial losses and sanctions imposed by governmental authorities as well as seriously harm our reputation. 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 materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Banking regulations may restrict our operations and thereby adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
We are subject to regulation by the Superintendency of Banks. In addition, we are subject to regulation by the Central Bank with regard to certain matters, including reserve requirements, interest rates, foreign exchange
 
mismatches and market risks. During the Chilean financial crisis of 1982 and 1983, the Central Bank and the Superintendency of Banks strictly controlled the funding, lending and general business matters of the banking industry in Chile.
 
Pursuant to the General Banking Law, all Chilean banks may, subject to the approval of the Superintendency of Banks, engage in certain businesses other than commercial banking depending on the risk associated with such business and their financial strength. Such additional businesses include securities brokerage, mutual fund management, securitization, insurance brokerage, leasing, factoring, financial advisory, custody and transportation of securities, loan collection and financial services. 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 and limits the discretion of the 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. Any such change could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
Historically, Chilean banks have not paid interest on amounts deposited in checking accounts. However, since June 1, 2002, the Central Bank has allowed banks to pay interest on checking accounts. Currently, there are no applicable restrictions on the interest that may be paid on checking accounts. We have begun to pay interest on some checking accounts under certain conditions. If competition or other factors lead us to pay higher interest rates on checking accounts, to relax the conditions under which we pay interest or to increase the number of checking accounts on which we pay interest, any such change could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
We must maintain higher regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets than other banks in Chile. Our current required minimum regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets ratio is 11% and as of December 31, 2009, we were at 15.59%. Although we have not failed in the past to comply with our capital maintenance obligations, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so in the future.
 
We are subject to regulatory inspections and examinations.
 
We are also subject to various inspections, examinations, inquiries, audits and other regulatory requirements by Chilean regulatory authorities. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet all of the applicable regulatory requirements and guidelines, or that we will not be subject to sanctions, fines, restrictions on our business or other penalties in the future as a result of noncompliance. If sanctions, fines, restrictions on our business or other penalties are imposed on us for failure to comply with applicable requirements, guidelines or regulations, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our reputation and ability to engage in business may be materially and adversely affected.
 
Risks Relating to Chile
 
The recent earthquake in Chile is likely to adversely affect the quality of our loan portfolio in segments of the Chilean economy that have been negatively affected and, as a result, is likely to negatively affect our results of operations.
 
Chile lies on the Nazca tectonic plate, making it one of the world’s most seismically active regions. Chile has been adversely affected by powerful earthquakes in the past, including an 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Santiago in 1985 and a 9.5 magnitude earthquake in 1960 which was the largest earthquake ever recorded.
 
On February 27, 2010, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Chile. The quake epicenter was located 200 miles southwest of Santiago and 70 miles north of Concepción, Chile’s second largest city. Due to the severity of the earthquake and its devastating consequences, former President Michelle Bachelet declared a national “state of catastrophe” on February 28, 2010. Significant aftershocks followed the initial earthquake, including aftershocks of 6.2, 5.4 and 5.6 magnitudes within an hour of the initial earthquake, aftershocks of 6.9, 6.7 and 6.0 magnitudes on March 11, 2010 and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on March 13, 2010.
 
The regions of Bío Bío and Maule were the most severely affected regions. Concepción, located approximately 200 miles south of Santiago, was the most affected city, with its infrastructure and numerous buildings severely damaged. The coastal area of Concepción, including the neighboring cities Talcahuano and Penco, were hit by a
 
tsunami shortly after the earthquake that significantly damaged port facilities. Several cities in the Maule region, including its capital city of Talca, were also seriously affected by the earthquake. The region of Valparaíso, including the port of Valparaíso and the city of Viña del Mar, was also severely affected.  Region VI suffered serious damages as a result of the 7.2 magnitude quake on March 13, 2010 which forced President Sebastián Piñera to declare a “state of catastrophe” in that region. Rancagua, the capital city of Region VI, located approximately 56 miles from Santiago, also suffered significant damages.
 
The earthquake and its aftershocks, as well as tsunamis from adjacent coastal waters, caused severe damage to Chile’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, ports and Santiago’s international airport. According to an initial assessment by Chile’s Minister of Infrastructure, the repair of these damages, excluding damages to port facilities, is likely to take between three and four years. On March 12, 2010, President Piñera said that preliminary assessments of reconstruction costs indicate that they could total approximately US$30 billion. As of March 23, 2010, at least 1,500,000 homes are believed to have been damaged, more than 400 people are believed to have been killed and hundreds of people are missing.
 
The Bank’s branches, systems and employees were all impacted by the recent earthquake. Of the Bank’s 498 branches, 405 had some form of damage, of which 32 sustained serious damages and 9 were closed as of May 31, 2010. Of the Bank’s 1,856 ATMs, 100% were operating normally as of May 31, 2010.  The Bank’s systems were not functioning immediately following the earthquake, but by March 1, 2010 the systems were functioning normally, all open branches were online and all remote channels were operating normally.
 
Of the Bank’s 11,118 employees, 194 sustained damage to their homes but there was no loss of lives. The Bank offered employees with severe damage to their homes an emergency loan of two months salary with a cap of Ch$2,000,000.  The terms of these employee loans include no interest, an 18 month maturity and a 3 month grace period. The Bank expects additional costs from the earthquake, net of insurance proceeds, to total US$7.5 million related to the repair of branches, systems, ATMs and other costs.  The Bank expects additional administrative expenses from the earthquake, net of insurance proceeds, recognized in 2010 to be US$6 million.
 
The damage to Chile’s roads, port and other infrastructure is likely to have an adverse impact on the Chilean economy, and in particular on export businesses that operate in the affected areas.  The Central Bank of Chile has stated that it expects the growth of Chilean gross domestic product to slow in 2010 as a result of the earthquake.  The regions of Chile most affected by the earthquake, regions VI, VII and VIII, account for approximately 12% of our loan portfolio and a broadly similar portion of our fee income.  Although it is premature to assess the extent of the adverse effect of the recent earthquake on our customers and our loan portfolio, it is likely that these events will adversely affect economic activity of our customers.  As a result, we may experience deterioration of asset quality and an increase in provision expense, lower fee growth due to lower consumer spending and usage of bank products and an uncertain impact on loan growth as some sectors will be negatively affected while others will be positively affected by the earthquake. All of these factors could have a material adverse impact on us, including our results of operations and financial condition.  We and our corporate customers may also experience an increase in the corporate tax rate as certain government officials have proposed legislation that would raise the corporate income tax rate in order to pay for reconstruction following the earthquake, which if enacted would have an adverse effect on us. The proposed legislation would increase the corporate tax rate to 20% in 2011 from 17% currently. In 2012 the rate would be 18.5% and 17% in 2013.
 
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 in particular, and 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. Our results of operations and financial condition could be affected by changes in economic or other policies of the Chilean government, which has exercised and continues to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector, or other political or economic developments in Chile. Chile’s economy may not continue to grow in the future and future developments could negatively affect Chile’s exports and economic activity. In line with the global economic climate, Chile’s economy contracted in 2009 for the first time since 1999. Although the economy is expected to recover in 2010, overall economic activity in Chile could be negatively affected as a consequence of the 2010 earthquake that struck parts of Chile. All this may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
Economic and political problems encountered by other countries may adversely affect the Chilean economy, our results of operations and the market value of our securities.
 
The prices of securities issued by Chilean companies, including banks, are to varying degrees influenced by economic and market considerations in other countries. We cannot assure you that future developments in or affecting the Chilean economy, including consequences of economic difficulties in other markets, will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
We are directly exposed to risks related to the weakness and volatility of the economic and political situation in Asia, the United States, Europe, Brazil, Argentina and other nations, including the recent global credit crunch and economic world crisis. If these nations’ economic environments deteriorate, the economy in Chile could also be affected and could experience slower growth than in recent years.  Thus, we may need to increase our allowances for loan losses, thus affecting our financial results, our results of operations and the price of our securities.  At December 31, 2009, approximately 0.83% of our assets were held abroad. The global financial and sub-prime crisis has had a significant impact on the growth rate of the Chilean economy in 2009 and is expected to continue to negatively impact growth, consumption, unemployment, investment and the price of exports.
 
Chile is also involved in an international litigation with Peru regarding maritime borders and has had other conflicts with neighboring countries in the past. We cannot assure you that crisis and political uncertainty in other Latin American countries will not have an adverse effect on Chile, the price of our securities or our business.
 
Current economic conditions may make it more difficult for us to continue funding our business on favorable terms.
 
Historically, one of our principal sources of funds has been time deposits.  Time deposits represented 49.9% and 37.6% of our total funding as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  Large-denominations in time deposits from institutional investors may, under some circumstances, be a less stable source of funding than savings and bonds, such as during periods of significant changes in market interest rates for these types of deposit products and any resulting increased competition for such funds.  The recent liquidity crisis triggered by the U.S. subprime market impacted global markets and affected sources of funding, including time deposits.  As of December 31, 2009, our investment portfolio did not contain instruments (i) backed by, or otherwise related to, U.S. subprime mortgages or (ii) with exposure to monoline financial guarantors.  Although our results of operations and financial position have not suffered a significant impact as a consequence of the recent credit market instability in the U.S. and the liquidity available in the Chilean market has permitted us to fund out operations and maintain our regular business activities, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue funding our business or, if so, maintain our current levels of funding without incurring higher funding costs or having to liquidate certain assets.
 
Currency fluctuations could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and the value of our securities.
 
Any future changes in the value of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of our securities. The Chilean peso has been subject to large devaluations and appreciations in the past and could be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. Our results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rates between the peso and the dollar despite our policy and Chilean regulations relating to the general avoidance of material exchange rate exposure. In order to avoid material exchange rate exposure, we enter into forward exchange transactions. The following table shows the value of the Chilean peso relative to the U.S. dollar as reported by the Central Bank at period end for the last six years and the five months ended May 31, 2010 and the devaluation or revaluation of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar in each of those periods.
 
 
Year
 
Exchange rate (Ch$)
Period-end
   
Devaluation (Revaluation) (%)
 
2004
    559.83       (6.6 %)
2005
    514.21       (8.1 %)
2006
    534.43       3.9 %
2007
    495.82       (7.2 %)
2008
    629.11       26.9 %
2009
    506.43       (19.5 %)
May 31, 2010              
    529.23       4.5 %

Source: Central Bank.
 
We may decide to change our policy regarding exchange rate exposure. Regulations that limit such exposures may also be amended or eliminated. Greater exchange rate risk 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 exposures, the economic policies of the Chilean government and any future fluctuations of the peso against the dollar could affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Furthermore, 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 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 by our ADS holders from the Depositary will be reduced.
 
Chile’s banking regulatory and capital markets environment is continually evolving and may change.
 
Changes in banking regulations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Chilean laws, regulations, policies and interpretations of laws relating to the banking sector and financial institutions are continually evolving and changing. In 2007, new regulations governing the Chilean capital markets were approved (Reformas al Mercado de Capitales II (also known as MK2)). These regulations, among other things, modified certain provisions set forth in the General Banking Law. Under new legislation, the limit on the amount that a bank is allowed to grant as an unsecured loan to a single individual or entity was increased to 10% of our regulatory capital (and up to 30% of our regulatory capital if any loans granted in excess of the 10% is secured by collateral). Previously, these limits were set at 5% and 25%, respectively. Although any such increase may increase our lending activity, it may also increase the risks associated with the growth of our loan portfolio and increase competition as the number of banks that can compete in the corporate segment increases.
 
Further new regulations governing the Chilean capital markets are being discussed. Chile’s Congress passed a new bill on June 1, 2010 (known as MK3) that aims to increase trading in Chile, Latin America’s third-biggest securities market, by allowing new instruments such as exchange-traded funds and covered bonds. The Chamber of Deputies, Chile’s lower house, voted in favor of the bill, which also seeks to ease credit access for consumers and small companies. The measures will make it easier for foreign banks to offer loans in Chile, cut securitization costs and allow banks to sell bonds backed by mortgages. The new law will also offer tax breaks to foreign investors in Chilean mutual funds. The bill also aims to reduce the cost of setting up mutual funds and create an exchange-traded funds industry by modifying mutual fund rules to allow secondary trading and enable pension funds to invest in them. The new law also removes limits on employing non-Chileans that may have prevented overseas fund managers from opening offices in Chile. It also strikes down a law that prevented foreign banks from advertising loans. The new class of bonds, known as “mortgage bonds,” will be debt backed by the company that sells them as well as by a pool of mortgages, as in European covered bonds. Unlike covered bonds, they may be issued by non-banks as well as banks.
 
The current Finance Minister, Felipe Larrain, plans another package of reforms known as MKB (Reformas al Mercado Financiero Bicentenario). The MKB is comprised of a series of administrative changes and new regulations over the next four years. The reforms include the creation of a financial consumer protection agency, the transformation of the local securities exchange regulator (SVS) into a securities commission and giving more autonomy to the SBIF. The new regulations would also aim to expand the use of the Chilean peso and simplify taxes on fixed-income securities. The proposed legislation would also include measures to increase bank penetration and household savings. The reforms also aim to create new instruments that give more efficient financing alternatives to small and mid-sized companies and individuals, together with creating specific statutes for niche banks and micro credit financing. The proposed legislation would also reduce the pro-cyclicality of loan loss provisions and seek to enhance solvency and liquidity (the latter must be done through a change in the General Banking Law).

These new reforms could result in increased competition in the industry and thus may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Increased regulation of the financial services industry in Chile could increase our costs and result in lower profits.
 
As a result of the recent global financial crisis, there has been an increase in government regulation of the financial services industry in many countries. Such regulation may also be increased in Chile, including the imposition of higher capital requirements, heightened disclosure standards and restrictions on certain types of transaction structures.  In addition, novel regulatory proposals abound in the current environment. If enacted, new regulations could require us to inject further capital into our business as well as in businesses we acquire, restrict the type or volume of transactions we enter into, or set limits on or require the modification of rates or fees that we charge on certain loans or other products, any of which could lower the return on our investments, assets and equity.  We may also face increased compliance costs and limitations on our ability to pursue certain business opportunities.
 
In line with the future adoption of Basel II regulations in Chile, the Superintendency of Banks has recently proposed to increase the minimum regulatory capital ratio from 8% to 10%, which would require an amendment to the General Banking Law. Although currently we have a regulatory capital ratio of 15.59%, this change could require us to inject additional capital to our business in the future.
 
A worsening of labor relations in Chile could impact our business.
 
As of December 31, 2009, on a consolidated basis we had 11,118 employees, of which 58.2% were unionized. In May 2010, a new collective bargaining agreement was signed, which will become effective on January 1, 2011 and that will expire on December 31, 2014, but this may be negotiated ahead of schedule with the consent of management and the union. We generally apply the terms of our collective bargaining agreement to unionized and non-unionized employees. We have traditionally enjoyed good relations with our employees and their unions, but we cannot assure you that in the future a strengthening of cross-industry labor movements will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
Any downgrading of Chile’s debt credit rating for domestic and international debt and/or our parent company’s ratings by international credit rating agencies may also affect our ratings, our business, our future financial performance, stockholder’s equity and the price of our shares and ADSs.
 
Our foreign currency deposit ratings are equivalent to the Chilean sovereign ratings. On July 31, 2009, Moody’s downgraded our foreign currency senior ratings, foreign currency subordinated bond ratings and local currency deposit ratings, following similar action on the ratings of our parent company, Banco Santander Spain.  In addition, on February 23, 2010, Moody’s further downgraded the subordinated debt ratings and preferred share ratings of our parent company. Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s both have a negative outlook for our parent company’s ratings.  Any adverse revisions to our parent company’s ratings and/or Chile’s credit ratings for domestic and international debt by international rating agencies may adversely affect our ratings, our business, future financial performance, stockholder’s equity and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
 
Chile has different corporate disclosure and accounting standards than those you may be familiar with in the United States.
 
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. financial institution. There are also material differences between IFRS and  U.S. accounting and financial reporting standards.
 
The securities laws of Chile, which govern open or publicly listed companies such as us, aim to promote disclosure of all material corporate information to the public. Chilean disclosure requirements, however, differ from those in the United States in some material respects. In addition, although Chilean law imposes restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, applicable Chilean laws are different from those in the United States and in certain respects the Chilean securities markets are not as highly regulated and supervised as the U.S. securities markets.
 
Our status as a controlled company and a foreign private issuer exempts us from certain of the corporate governance standards of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), limiting the protections afforded to investors.
 
We are a “controlled company” and a “foreign private issuer” within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards. Under the NYSE rules, a controlled company is exempt from certain NYSE corporate governance requirements. In addition, a foreign private issuer may elect to comply with the practice of its home country and not to comply with certain NYSE corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that (1) a majority of the Board of Directors consist of independent directors, (2) a nominating and corporate governance committee be established that is composed entirely of independent directors and has a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities, (3) a compensation committee be established that is composed entirely of independent directors and has a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities and (4) an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees be undertaken. We currently use these exemptions and intend to continue using these exemptions. Accordingly, you will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all NYSE corporate governance requirements. For more details on the differences between our corporate governance standards and the NYSE standards, please see “Item 6: C. Board Practices – Summary Comparison of Corporate Governance Standards and NYSE Listed Company Standards”.
 
Chile imposes controls on foreign investment and repatriation of investments that may affect your investment in, and earnings from, our ADSs.
 
Equity investments in Chile by persons who are not Chilean residents have generally been subject to various exchange control regulations which restrict the repatriation of the investments and earnings therefrom. In April 2001, the Central Bank eliminated the regulations that affected foreign investors except that investors are still required to provide the Central Bank with information relating to equity investments and conduct such operations within Chile’s Formal Exchange Market. The ADSs are subject to a contract, dated May 17, 1994, among the Depositary, us and the Central Bank (the “Foreign Investment Contract”) that remains in full force and effect. The ADSs continue to be governed by the provisions of the Foreign Investment Contract subject to the regulations in existence prior to April 2001. The Foreign Investment Contract grants the Depositary and the holders of the ADSs access to the Formal Exchange Market, which permits the Depositary to remit dividends it receives from us to the holders of the ADSs. The Foreign Investment Contract also permits ADS holders to repatriate the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock withdrawn from the ADR facility, or that have been received free of payment as a consequence of spin offs, mergers, capital increases, wind ups, share dividends or preemptive rights transfers, enabling them to acquire the foreign currency necessary to repatriate earnings from such investments. Pursuant to Chilean law, the Foreign Investment Contract cannot be amended unilaterally by the Central Bank, and there are judicial precedents (although not binding with respect to future judicial decisions) indicating that contracts of this type may not be abrogated by future legislative changes or resolutions of the Advisory Council of the Central Bank. Holders of shares of our common stock, except for shares of our common stock withdrawn from the ADS facility or received in the manner described above, are not entitled to the benefits of the Foreign Investment Contract, may not have access to the Formal Exchange Market, and may have restrictions on their ability to repatriate investments in shares of our common stock and earnings therefrom.
 
Holders 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, currently imposed at a rate of 35.0% (subject to credits in certain cases). 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 cannot assure you that 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 will not be imposed in the future, nor can we advise you as to the duration or impact of such restrictions if imposed.
 
ADS holders may not be able to effect service of process on, or enforce judgments or bring original actions against, us, our directors or our executive officers, which may limit the ability of holders of ADSs to seek relief against us.
 
We are a Chilean corporation. None of our directors are residents of the United States and most of our executive officers reside outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our directors and executive officers are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for ADS holders to effect service of process outside Chile upon us or our directors and executive officers or to bring an action against us or such persons in the United States or Chile to enforce liabilities based on U.S. federal securities laws. It may also be difficult for ADS holders to enforce in the United States or in Chilean courts money judgments obtained in United States courts against us or our directors and executive officers based on civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. If a U.S. court grants a final money judgment in an action based on the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States, enforceability of this money judgment in Chile will be subject to the obtaining of the relevant “exequatur” (i.e., recognition and enforcement of the foreign judgment) according to Chilean civil procedure law currently in force, and consequently, subject to the satisfaction of certain factors. The most important of these factors are the existence of reciprocity, the absence of a conflicting judgment by a Chilean court relating to the same parties and arising from the same facts and circumstances and the Chilean courts’ determination that the U.S. courts had jurisdiction, that process was appropriately served on the defendant and that enforcement would not violate Chilean public policy. Failure to satisfy any of such requirements may result in non-enforcement of your rights.
 
We cannot assure you of the accuracy or comparability of facts, forecasts and statistics contained in this report with respect to Chile, its economy and global banking industries.
 
Facts, forecasts and statistics in this document relating to Chile, Chile’s economy and the Chilean banking industry, including market share information, are derived from various official and other publicly available sources that we generally believe to be reliable. However, we cannot guarantee the quality and reliability of such official and other sources of materials. In addition, these facts, forecasts and statistics have not been independently verified by us and, therefore, we make no representation as to the accuracy of such facts, forecasts and statistics, which may not be consistent with other information compiled within or outside of Chile and may not be complete or up to date. We have taken reasonable care in reproducing or extracting the information from such sources. However, because of possibly flawed or ineffective methodologies underlying the published information or discrepancies between the published information and market practice and other problems, these facts, forecasts or statistics may be inaccurate and may not be comparable from period to period or to facts, forecasts or statistics produced for other economies, and you should not unduly rely upon them.
 
Risks Relating to Our ADSs
 
There may be a lack of liquidity and market for our shares and ADSs.
 
Our ADSs are listed and traded on the NYSE. Our common stock is listed and traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange, the Chile Electronic Stock Exchange and the Valparaiso Stock Exchange, which we refer to collectively as the Chilean Stock Exchanges, although the trading market for the common stock is small by international standards. At December 31, 2009, we had 188,446,126,794 shares of common stock outstanding. The Chilean securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than major securities markets in the United States. According to Article 14 of the Ley de Mercado de Valores, Ley No. 18,045, or the Chilean Securities Market Law, the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros, or the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, may suspend the offer, quotation or trading of shares of any company listed on one or more Chilean Stock Exchanges for up to 30 days if, in its opinion, such suspension is necessary to protect investors or is justified for reasons of public interest. Such suspension may be extended for up to 120 days. If, at the expiration of the extension, the circumstances giving rise to the original suspension have not changed, the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance will then cancel the relevant listing in the registry of securities. In addition, the Santiago Stock Exchange may inquire as to any movement in the price of any securities in excess of 10% and suspend trading in such securities for a day if it deems necessary.
 
Although our common stock is traded on the Chilean Stock Exchanges, there can be no assurance that a liquid trading market for our common stock will continue to exist. Approximately 23.09% of our outstanding common stock is held by the public (i.e., shareholders other than Banco Santander Spain and its affiliates), including our
 
shares that are represented by ADSs trading on the NYSE. A limited trading market in general and our concentrated ownership in particular may impair the ability of an ADS holder to sell in the Chilean market shares of common stock obtained upon withdrawal of such shares from the ADR facility in the amount and at the price and time such holder desires, and could increase the volatility of the price of the ADSs.
 
You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights.
 
The Ley Sobre Sociedades Anónimas, Ley No. 18,046 and the Reglamento de Sociedades Anónimas, which we refer to collectively as the Chilean Companies Law, and applicable regulations require that whenever we issue new common stock for cash, we grant preemptive rights to all of our shareholders (including holders of ADSs), giving them the right to purchase a sufficient number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentage. Such an offering would not be possible in the United States unless a registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), as amended, were effective with respect to such rights and common stock or an exemption from the registration requirements thereunder were available.
 
Since we are not obligated to make a registration statement available with respect to such rights and the common stock, you may not be able to exercise your preemptive rights in the United States. If a registration statement is not filed or an applicable exemption is not available under U.S. securities law, 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.
 
You may have fewer and less clearly defined shareholders’ rights than with shares of a company in the United States.
 
Our corporate affairs are governed by our estatutos, or by-laws, and the laws of Chile. Under such laws, our shareholders may have fewer or less clearly defined rights than they might have as shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction. For example, under legislation applicable to Chilean banks, our shareholders would not be entitled to appraisal rights in the event of a merger or other business combination undertaken by us.
 
Holders of ADSs may find it difficult to exercise voting rights at our shareholders’ meetings.
 
Holders of ADSs will not be direct shareholders of our company and will be unable to enforce directly the rights of shareholders under our by-laws and the laws of Chile.  Holders of ADSs may exercise voting rights with respect to the common stock represented by ADSs only in accordance with the deposit agreement governing the ADSs.  Holders of ADSs will face practical limitations in exercising their voting rights because of the additional steps involved in our communications with ADS holders.  Holders of our common stock will be able to exercise their voting rights by attending a shareholders’ meeting in person or voting by proxy.  By contrast, holders of ADSs will receive notice of a shareholders’ meeting by mail from the Depositary following our notice to the Depositary requesting the Depository to do so.  To exercise their voting rights, holders of ADSs must instruct the Depositary on a timely basis on how they wish to vote.  This voting process necessarily will take longer for holders of ADSs than for holders of our common stock.  If the Depositary fails to receive timely voting instructions for all or part of the ADSs, the Depositary will assume that the holders of those ADSs are instructing it to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote their ADSs, except in limited circumstances.
 
Holders of ADSs also may not receive the voting materials in time to instruct the Depositary to vote the common stock underlying their ADSs.  In addition, the Depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions of the holders of ADSs or for the manner of carrying out those voting instructions.  Accordingly, holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise voting rights, and they will have little, if any, recourse if the common stock underlying their ADSs are not voted as requested.
 
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
 
A. History and Development of the Company
 
Overview
 
We are the largest bank in Chile in terms of total assets, total deposits and shareholders’ equity. At December 31, 2009, we had total assets of Ch$20,772,875 million (US$40,952 million), loans net of allowances outstanding of Ch$13,751,276 million (US$27,109 million), total deposits of Ch$10,708,791 million (US$21,111 million) and
 
shareholders’ equity of Ch$1,689,903 million (US$3,331 million). As of December 31, 2009, we employed 11,118 people (on a consolidated basis) and had the largest private branch network in Chile with 498 branches. Our headquarters are located in Santiago and we operate in every major region of Chile.
 
We provide a broad range of commercial and retail banking services to our customers, including Chilean peso and foreign currency denominated loans to finance a variety of commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts and credit lines and a variety of retail banking services, including mortgage financing. We seek to offer our customers a wide range of products while providing high levels of service. In addition to our traditional banking operations, we offer a variety of financial services including financial leasing, financial advisory services, mutual fund management, securities brokerage, insurance brokerage and investment management.
 
The legal predecessor of Santander-Chile was Banco Santiago (“Santiago”). Santiago was incorporated by public deed dated September 7, 1977 granted at the Notary Office of Alfredo Astaburuaga Gálvez. Santiago received its permission to incorporate and function as a bank by Resolution No. 118 of the Superintendency of Banks on October 27, 1977. Santiago’s by-laws were approved by Resolution No. 103 of the Superintendency of Banks on September 22, 1977. In January 1997, Santiago merged with Banco O’Higgins with Santiago being the surviving entity. In 1999, Santiago became a controlled subsidiary of Banco Santander Spain. As of June 30, 2002, Santiago was the second largest private sector bank in Chile in terms of total assets, deposits, loans and shareholders’ equity.
 
Old Santander-Chile was established as a subsidiary of Banco Santander Spain in 1978. In 1982, Old Santander-Chile acquired a significant portion of the assets and liabilities of Banco Español-Chile, a domestic bank that had become insolvent. In July 1996, Old Santander-Chile was merged into Banco Osorno y la Unión becoming “Banco Santander-Chile”, the third largest private bank in terms of outstanding loans at that date.
 
On August 1, 2002, Santiago and Old Santander Chile merged, whereby the latter ceased to exist and Santander-Chile (formerly known as Santiago) being the surviving entity.
 
Our principal executive offices are located at Bandera 140, Santiago, Chile. Our telephone number is +562-320-2000 and our website is www.santander.cl. None of the information contained on our website is incorporated by reference into, or forms part of, this Annual Report.
 
Relationship with Banco Santander Spain
 
We believe that our relationship with our controlling shareholder, Banco Santander Spain, offers us a significant competitive advantage over our peer Chilean banks. Banco Santander Spain is one of the largest financial groups in Brazil and the rest of Latin America, in terms of total assets measured on a regional basis. It is the largest financial group in Spain and is a major player elsewhere in Europe, including the United Kingdom through its Abbey subsidiary and Portugal, where it is the third-largest banking group. Through Santander Consumer, it also operates a leading consumer finance franchise in the United States as well as in Germany, Italy, Spain, and several other European countries.
 
Our relationship with Banco Santander Spain provides us with access to the group’s client base, while its multinational focus allows us to offer international solutions to our clients’ financial needs. We also have the benefit of selectively borrowing from Banco Santander Spain’s product offerings in other countries as well as benefiting from their know-how in systems management. We believe that our relationship with Banco Santander Spain will also enhance our ability to manage credit and market risks by adopting policies and know-how developed by Banco Santander Spain. Our internal auditing function has been strengthened and is more independent from management as a result of the addition of an internal auditing department that concurrently reports directly to our Audit Committee and the audit committee of Banco Santander Spain. We believe that this structure leads to improved monitoring and control of our exposure to operational risks.
 
Banco Santander Spain’s support includes the assignment of managerial personnel to key supervisory areas of Santander-Chile, like Risks, Auditing, Accounting and Financial Control. Santander-Chile does not pay any management fees to Banco Santander Spain in connection with these support services.
 
B. Organizational Structure
 
Banco Santander Spain controls Santander-Chile through its holdings in Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Ltda. and Santander-Chile Holding, which are controlled subsidiaries. This gives Banco Santander Spain control over 76.91% of the shares of the Bank and actual participation when excluding minority shareholders that participate in Santander Chile Holding is 76.74%.
 
Shareholder
 
Number of Shares
   
Percentage
 
Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Ltda.
    78,108,391,607       41.45 %
Santander Chile Holding
    66,822,519,695       35.46 %

Management Team
 
The chart below sets forth the names and areas of responsibility of our senior commercial managers.
 
 
The chart below sets forth the names and areas of responsibilities of our operating managers.
 

C. Business Overview
 
We have 498 total branches, 260 of which are operated under the Santander brand name, with the balance under certain specialty names, including 98 under the Santander Banefe brand name, 46 under the SuperCaja brand name, 24 under the BancaPrime brand name and 41 as auxiliary and payment centers. We provide a full range of financial services to corporate and individual customers. We divide our clients into the following segments: (i) Retail, (ii) Middle–Market and (iii) Global Banking and Markets.
 
The Retail segment is comprised of the following sub–segments:
 
 
·  
Lower–middle to middle–income, consisting of individuals with monthly incomes between Ch$150,000 (US$296) and Ch$400,000 (US$789) and served through our Banefe branch network. This segment accounts for 4.4% of our total loans outstanding at December 31, 2009. This segment offers customers a range of products, including consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans, residential mortgage loans, debit card accounts, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage.
 
 
·  
Middle– and upper–income, consisting of individuals with a monthly income greater than Ch$400,000 (US$789). Clients in this segment account for 48.6% of our total loans outstanding at December 31, 2009 and are offered a range of products, including consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans, commercial loans, foreign trade financing, residential mortgage loans, checking accounts, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage.
 
 
·  
Small and mid-sized companies, consisting of small companies with annual revenue of less than Ch$1,200 million (US$2.4 million). At December 31, 2009, this segment represented approximately 18.1% of our total loans outstanding. Customers in this segment are offered a range of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, credit cards, mortgage loans, checking accounts, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage.
 
 
·  
Institutional, such as universities, government agencies, municipalities and regional governments. At December 31, 2009, these clients represented 2.1% of our total loans outstanding. Customers in this sub-segment are also offered the same products that are offered to the customers in our small businesses segment. This sub-segment is included in the Retail segment because customers in this sub-segment are a potential source for new individual customers.
 
The Middle–Market segment is comprised of the following sub–segments:
 
 
·  
Companies, consisting of companies with annual revenue over Ch$1,200 million (US$2.4 million) and up to Ch$10,000 million (US$19.7 million). Customers in this segment are offered a wide range of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, credit cards, mortgage loans, checking accounts, cash management, treasury services, financial advisory, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage. At December 31, 2009, these clients represented 7.6% of our total loans outstanding.
 
 
·  
Real estate, consisting of all companies in the real estate sector with annual revenue over Ch$800 million (US$1.6 million), including construction companies and real estate companies that execute projects for sale to third parties. At December 31, 2009, these clients represented 7.1% of our total loans outstanding. To these clients we offer, in addition to traditional banking services, specialized services for financing, primarily residential projects, in order to increase the sale of residential mortgage loans.
 
 
·  
Large corporations, consisting of companies with annual revenue over Ch$10,000 million (US$19.7 million). Customers in this segment are also offered the same products that are offered to the customers in our mid–sized companies segment. At December 31, 2009, these clients represented 3.2% of our total loans outstanding.
 
The Global Banking and Markets segment is comprised of the following sub–segments:
 
 
· 
Wholesale banking corporate, consisting of companies that are foreign multinationals or part of a larger Chilean economic group with sales of over Ch$10,000 million (US$19.7 million). At December 31, 2009, these clients represented 8.7% of our total loans outstanding. Customers in this segment are offered a wide range of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, mortgage loans, checking accounts, cash management, treasury services, financial advisory, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage.
 
 
·  
The Treasury Division provides sophisticated financial products mainly to companies in the wholesale banking and the middle–market segments. This includes products such as short–term financing and funding, securities brokerage, interest rate and foreign currency derivatives, securitization services and other tailor made financial products. The Treasury division also manages our trading positions.
 
In addition, we have a Corporate Activities segment comprised of all other operational and administrative activities that are not assigned to a specific segment or product mentioned above.  These activities include Financial Management, which manages global functions such as the management of our structural foreign exchange gap position, our structural interest rate risk and our liquidity risk. Financial Management also oversees the use of our resources, the distribution of capital among our different units and the overall financing cost of investments.
 
The table below sets forth our lines of business and certain statistical information relating to each of them for the year ended December 31, 2009. Please see “Note 4” to our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for details of revenue by business segment in the last three years.
 
 
   
As of Dec ember 31, 2009 (Ch$ million)
 
   
Loans and accounts receivable from customers (1)
   
Net interest income
   
Net fee income
   
Financial transactions, net (2)
   
Net loan loss allowances (3)
   
Operating expenses (4)
   
Net segment contribution (5)
 
SEGMENTS
                                         
Individuals
    7,287,925       532,060       171,433       19,027       (230,503 )     (268,934 )     223,083  
Santander Banefe
    609,808       115,840       29,452       5,078       (82,588 )     (54,913 )     12,869  
Commercial Banking
    6,678,117       416,220       141,981       13,949       (147,915 )     (214,021 )     210,214  
SMEs
    2,485,505       228,928       41,917       11,037       (76,075 )     (58,741 )     147,066  
Institutional
    282,933       18,789       1,962       664       (327 )     (6,799 )     14,289  
Companies
    2,471,162       114,432       20,567       16,181       (24,333 )     (30,628 )     96,219  
Companies
    1,051,875       53,407       9,813       7,248       (8,618 )     (15,989 )     45,861  
Real estate
    982,938       17,792       2,338       148       2,041       (4,280 )     18,039  
Large Corporations
    436,349       43,233       8,416       8,785       (17,756 )     (10,359 )     32,319  
                                                         
Global Banking & Markets
    1,194,706       33,738       18,747       64,557       (2,511 )     (29,485 )     85,046  
Corporate
    1,194,706       54,728       19,387       5       (2,511 )     (14,803 )     56,806  
Treasury (6)
    -       (20,990 )     (640 )     64,552       -       (14,682 )     28,240  
Other (7)
    29,045       (71,431 )     (496 )     55,662       (98 )     (13,307 )     (29,670 )
                                                         
TOTAL
    13,751,276       856,516       254,130       167,128       (333,847 )     (407,894 )     536,033  
                                                         
Other operating income
                                      25,866  
Other operating expenses
                                      (36,662 )
Income from investments in other companies
                                      297  
Income tax
                                      (88,924 )
Consolidated profit (loss) for the year
                                      436,610  

(1)  
Loans and accounts receivables from customers plus interbank loans, gross of loan loss allowances.
 
(2)  
Includes net gains from trading, net mark-to-market gains and foreign exchange transactions.
 
(3)  
Includes gross provisions for loan losses, net of releases on recoveries.
 
(4)  
Equal to the sum of personnel expenses, administrative expenses, amortizations and depreciations and deterioration.
 
(5)  
Equal to the sum of the net interest revenue, net fee income and net financial transactions, minus net provision for loan losses and operating expenses.
 
(6)  
Includes the Treasury’s client business and trading business.
 
(7)  
Includes contribution of non-segmented items such as interbank loans, the cost of the Bank’s capital and fixed assets. Financial transactions, net included in other is mainly comprised of the results from the Financial Management Division (Gestion Financiera). The area of Financial Management carries out the function of managing the structural interest rate risk, the structural position in inflation indexed assets and liabilities, shareholder’s equity and liquity. The aim of Financial Management is to inject stability and recurrence into the net income of commercial activities and to assure the Bank complies with internal and regulatory limits regarding liquidity, regulatory capital, reserve requirements and market risk.
 
Operations through Subsidiaries
 
Today, the General Banking Law permits us to directly provide the leasing and financial advisory services that we could formerly offer only through our subsidiaries, to offer investment advisory services outside of Chile and to undertake activities we could not formerly offer directly or through subsidiaries, such as factoring, securitization, foreign investment funds, custody and transport of securities and insurance brokerage services. For the twelve–month period ended December 31, 2009, our subsidiaries collectively accounted for 2.8% of our total consolidated assets.
 
   
Percentage Owned
 
 
Subsidiary
 
As of December 2009
   
As of December 2008
 
   
Direct
   
Indirect
   
Total
   
Direct
   
Indirect
   
Total
 
   
%
   
%
   
%
   
%
   
%
   
%
 
Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa(1) (2)
    50.59       0.41       51.00       50.59       0.41       51.00  
Santander Corredores de Seguro Ltda. (Ex–Santander Leasing S.A.) (2) (3) (4)
    99.75       0.01       99.76       99.75       0.01       99.76  
Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos 
    99.96       0.02       99.98       99.96       0.02       99.98  
Santander S.A. Agente de Valores
    99.03             99.03       99.03             99.03  
Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora
    99.64             99.64       99.64             99.64  
Santander Servicios de Recaudación y Pagos Limitada
    99.90       0.10       100.00       99.90       0.10       100.00  

(1)
During the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on January 15, 2007 by Santander Investment S.A. Corredores de Bolsa, a related company to Banco Santander Chile, the merger between Santiago Corredores de Bolsa Limitada, a subsidiary of Banco Santander Chile, into Santander Investment S.A. Corredores de Bolsa was approved and became effective January 1, 2007. Santander Investment S.A. Corredores de Bolsa, as of January 15, 2007, became a subsidiary of Banco Santander Chile and the legal successor of Santiago Corredores de Bolsa Limitada.
 
(2)
During fiscal year 2008, the following subsidiaries changed their registered commercial names:
 
 
 
a. Santander Corredores de Seguro Ltda.
 
 
 
b. Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa
 
(3)
On December 4, 2007, the Superintendency of Bank, authorized the statutes modification, social rights sell and merger of the subsidiaries Santander Leasing S.A. (formerly Santiago Leasing S.A.) and Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada (formerly Santander Santiago Corredora de Seguros Limitada).
 
(4)
During the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on October 1, 2008 by Santander Corredora de Seguros S.A., a company affiliated with Banco Santander Chile, approved the merger which incorporated the affiliated Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada into Santander Corredora de Seguro S.A. (previously Santander Leasing S.A.). The merger was effective January 1, 2008. At the time of the above mentioned merger, Santander Corredora de Seguros S.A. became a legal extension of Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada. The merger of Santander Corredora de Seguros S.A. and Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada did not result in any changes in accounting for Banco Santander Chile.
 
The consolidation/valuation methods used up to December 31, 2008 will continue to be used for subsidiaries and investment in other companies. Furthermore, pursuant to the provisions of International Accounting Standard (IAS) 27 and Standard Interpretations Committee (SIC) 12, we must determine the existence of Special Purpose Entities (SPE), which must be consolidated with the financial results of the Bank. As a result, we have incorporated into our financial statements the following companies:
 
 
·  
Santander Gestión de Recaudación y Cobranzas Ltda. (collection services)
 
 
·  
Multinegocios S.A. (management of sales force)
 
 
·  
Servicios Administrativos y Financieros Ltda. (management of sales force)
 
 
·  
Servicios de Cobranzas Fiscalex Ltda. (collection services)
 
 
·  
Multiservicios de Negocios Ltda. (call center)
 
 
·  
Bansa Santander S.A. (management of repossessed assets and leasing of properties)
 

Competition
 
Overview
 
The Chilean financial services market consists of a variety of largely distinct sectors. The most important sector, commercial banking, includes a number of privately–owned banks and one public–sector bank, Banco del Estado (which operates within the same legal and regulatory framework as the private sector banks). The private–sector banks include local banks and a number of foreign–owned banks which are operating in Chile. The Chilean banking system is comprised of 24 private–sector banks and one public–sector bank. The five largest private–sector banks along with the state–owned bank together accounted for 82.1% of all outstanding loans by Chilean financial institutions at December 31, 2009.
 
The Chilean banking system has experienced increased competition in recent years largely due to consolidation in the industry and new legislation. Effective in November 2007, Scotiabank Sud Americano merged with Banco del Desarrollo, while in January 2008, Banco de Chile merged with Citibank Chile. We also face competition from non–bank and non–finance competitors (principally department stores) with respect to some of our credit products, such as credit cards, consumer loans and insurance brokerage. In addition, we face competition from non–bank finance 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. Currently, banks continue to be the main suppliers of leasing, factoring and mutual funds, and the insurance sales business has grown rapidly.
 
As shown in the following table, we are the market leader for nearly every banking service in Chile:
 
   
As of December 31, 2009,
unless otherwise noted
 
   
Market Share
   
Rank
 
Commercial loans
    17.2 %     2  
Consumer loans
    25.8       1  
Residential mortgage loans
    23.7       2  
Foreign trade loans (loans for export, import and contingent)
    17.9       2  
Total loans
    19.9       1  
Deposits(1) 
    18.2       3  
Mutual funds (assets managed)
    19.7       2  
Credit card accounts
    34.8       1  
Checking Accounts(2) 
    26.2       1  
Branches(3) 
    19.9       1  

Source: Superintendency of Banks
 
(1)
Net of clearance (excludes amounts being cleared with other banks).
 
(2)
According to latest data available as of November 2009.
 
(3)
According to latest data available as of September 2009. Excludes special–service payment centers.
 

The following tables set out certain statistics comparing our market position to that of our peer group, defined as the five largest banks in Chile in terms of total loans market share as of December 31, 2009.
 
Loans
 
As of December 31, 2009, our loan portfolio was the largest among Chilean banks. Our loan portfolio on a stand–alone basis represented 19.9% of the market for loans in the Chilean financial system at such date. The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s market shares in terms of loans at the dates indicated.
 
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
 
Loans
 
Ch$ million
   
US$ million
   
Market
Share
 
Santander Chile
    13,727,864       27,063       19.9 %
Banco de Chile
    13,184,553       25,992       19.1  
Banco del Estado
    11,078,221       21,840       16.1  
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    8,797,325       17,343       12.8  
Corpbanca
    5,011,656       9,880       7.3  
BBVA, Chile
    4,818,896       9,500       7.0  
Others
    12,319,530       24,287       17.9  
Chilean financial system
    68,938,045       135,905       100.0 %

Source: Superintendency of Banks
 
Deposits
 
On a stand alone basis, we had a 18.3% market share in deposits, ranking third among banks in Chile at December 31, 2009. Deposit market share is based on total time and demand deposits at the respective dates. The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s market shares in terms of deposits at the dates indicated.
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
 
Deposits
 
Ch$ million
   
US$ million
   
Market
Share
 
Santander Chile
    10,708,791       21,111       18.2 %
Banco de Chile
    11,145,557       21,973       19.0  
Banco del Estado
    10,763,983       21,220       18.4  
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    7,892,111       15,559       13.5  
BBVA, Chile
    3,837,236       7,565       6.6  
Corpbanca
    3,812,315       7,516       6.5  
Others
    10,409,967       20,522       17.8  
Chilean financial system
    58,569,960       115,466       100.0 %

Source: Superintendency of Banks
 
Shareholders’ equity
 
With Ch$1,658,316 million (US$3,269 million) in shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2009, we were the largest commercial bank in Chile in terms of shareholders’ equity. The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2009.
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
 
Shareholders’ Equity(1)
 
Ch$ million(2)
   
US$ million
   
Market
Share
 
Santander Chile
    1,658,316       3,269       20.7 %
Banco de Chile
    1,392,745       2,746       17.4  
Banco del Estado
    933,484       1,840       11.7  
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    896,150       1,767       11.2  
Corpbanca
    503,535       993       6.3  
BBVA, Chile
    479,960       946       6.0  
Others
    2,139,319       4,217       26.7  
Chilean financial system
    8,003,509       15,778       100.0 %

Source: Superintendency of Banks.
 
(1)  Percentage of total shareholders’ equity of all Chilean banks.
 
(2)  As required by local regulations.
 

Efficiency
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, we were the most efficient bank in our peer group. The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s efficiency ratio (defined as operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, which is the aggregate of net interest income, fees and income from services (net), net gains from mark–to–market and trading, exchange differences (net) and other operating income (net)) for the twelve–month period indicated.
 
 
Efficiency ratio
 
As of December 31, 2009(1)
 
   
%
 
Santander Chile
    32.2 %
Banco de Chile
    46.7  
Banco del Estado
    61.9  
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    46.4  
BBVA, Chile
    48.0  
Corpbanca
    40.8  
Chilean financial system
    46.1 %

Source: Superintendency of Banks.
 
(1)  As required by local regulations.
 

Net income
 
For the twelve–month period ended December 31, 2009, we were the largest bank in Chile in terms of net income with Ch$436,306 million (US$860.1 million). The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s net income for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
 
Net income(1)
 
Ch$ million(2)
   
US$ million
   
Market
Share
 
Santander Chile
    436,306       860.1       35.6 %
Banco de Chile
    257,887       508.4       21.0  
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    160,774       317.0       13.1  
Corpbanca
    85,109       167.8       6.9  
BBVA, Chile
    68,030       134.1       5.6  
Banco del Estado
    60,357       119.0       4.9  
Others
    156,724       309.0       12.8  
Chilean financial system
    1,225,187       2,415.4       100.0 %

Source: Superintendency of Banks.
 
(1)  Net income before minority interest.
 
(2)  As required by local regulations.
 

Return on average equity
 
As of December 31, 2009, we were the most profitable bank in our peer group (as measured by return on average equity) and the most capitalized bank as measured by the BIS ratio. The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s return on average equity and BIS ratio for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
   
Return on average equity
as of December 31, 2009
   
BIS Ratio as of
December 31, 2009
 
             
Santander Chile
    27.3       15.6 %
Banco de Chile
    19.0       12.7  
Banco del Estado
    6.3       12.4  
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    19.3       12.1  
BBVA, Chile
    14.7       14.0  
Corpbanca
    17.5       13.9  
Chilean Financial System
    15.5 %     14.3 %

Source:
Superintendency of Banks,except Santander Chile. Calculated by dividing annual net income by monthly average equity. For Santander Chile, the average equity is calculated on a daily basis.

 
Asset Quality
 
At December 31, 2009, on a stand alone basis, we had the second highest loan loss allowance to total loans ratio (expected loss ratio) in our peer group. The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s loan loss allowance to total loans ratio as defined by the Superintendency of Banks at the dates indicated.
 
   
Loan loss allowances/total loans as of December 31, 2009
 
       
Santander Chile
    2.54 %
Banco de Chile
    2.45  
Banco del Estado
    2.75  
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    2.21  
BBVA, Chile
    1.61  
Corpbanca
    1.91  
Chilean financial system
    2.43 %

Source: Superintendency of Banks
 
 
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 Superintendency of Banks and the Central Bank. Chilean banks are primarily subject to the General Banking Law and secondarily, to the extent not inconsistent with this statute, the provisions of the Chilean Companies Law governing public corporations, except for certain provisions which are expressly excluded.
 
The modern Chilean banking system dates from 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 General Banking Law. That law, amended most recently in 2001, 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 and mutual fund services, administration of investment funds, factoring, securitization products and financial leasing services.
 
The Central Bank
 
The Central Bank is an autonomous legal entity created by the Chilean Constitution. It is subject to the Chilean Constitution and its own ley orgánica constitucional, or organic constitutional law. To the extent not inconsistent with the Chilean Constitution or the Central Bank’s organic constitutional law, the Central Bank is also subject to private sector laws (but in no event is it 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 the approval of the Senate.
 
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, establishing regulations and guidelines regarding finance companies, foreign exchange (including the Formal Exchange Market) and banks’ deposit-taking activities.
 
The Superintendency of Banks
 
Banks are supervised and controlled by the Superintendency of Banks, an independent Chilean governmental agency. The 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 cases of noncompliance with such legal and regulatory requirements, the Superintendency of Banks has the ability to impose sanctions. In extreme cases, it can 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 by-laws or any increase in its capital.
 
The Superintendency of Banks examines all banks from time to time, generally at least once a year. Banks are also required to submit their financial statements monthly to the Superintendency of Banks, and a bank’s financial statements are published at least four times a year in a newspaper with countrywide coverage. In addition, banks are required to provide extensive information regarding their operations at various periodic intervals to the Superintendency of Banks. A bank’s annual financial statements and the opinion of its independent auditors must also be submitted to the 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 Superintendency of Banks. Absent such approval, the acquiror of shares so acquired will not have the right to vote. The Superintendency of Banks may only refuse to grant its approval, based on specific grounds set forth in the General Banking Law.
 
According to Article 35bis of the General Banking Law, the prior authorization of the Superintendency of Banks is required for:
 
 
·  
the merger of two or more banks;
 
 
·  
the acquisition of all or a substantial portion of a banks’ 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 existing control of a bank by a controlling shareholder of that bank.
 
Such 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 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 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 regulatory capital 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 regulatory capital.
 
If the acquiring bank or resulting group would own a market share in loans determined by the Superintendency of Banks to be more than 15% but less than 20%, the authorization will be conditioned on the bank or banks maintaining a regulatory capital not lower than 10% of their risks-weighted assets for the period specified by the Superintendency of Banks, which may not be less than one year. The calculation of the 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.
 
Pursuant to the regulations of the Superintendency of Banks, the following ownership disclosures are required:
 
 
·  
a bank is required to inform the Superintendency of Banks of 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 is required to notify the bank as to the identity of beneficial owners of ADSs which such Depositary has registered and the bank, in turn, is required to notify the Superintendency of Banks as to the identity of the beneficial owners of the ADSs representing 5.0% or more of such banks’ 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 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: making loans, 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, equity investments, securities, mutual fund management, investment fund management, financial advisory and leasing activities. Subject to specific limitations and the prior approval of the Superintendency of Banks and the Central Bank, Chilean banks may own majority or minority interests in foreign banks.
 
Since June 1, 2002, Chilean banks are allowed to offer a new checking account product that pays interest. The Superintendency of Banks also stated that these accounts may be subject to minimum balance limits and different interest rates depending on average balances held in the account and that banks may also charge fees for the use of
 
this new product. For banks with a solvency score of less than A the Central Bank has also imposed additional caps to the interest rate that can be paid.
 
On June 5, 2007, pursuant to Law 20.190, new regulations became effective authorizing banks to enter into transactions involving a wider range of derivatives, such as futures, options, swaps, forwards and other derivative instruments or contracts subject to specific limitations established by the Central Bank of Chile. Previously, banks were able to enter into transactions involving derivatives, but subject to more restrictive guidelines.
 
Deposit Insurance
 
The Chilean government guarantees up to 90.0% of the principal amount of certain time and demand deposits and savings accounts held by natural persons with a maximum value of UF120 per person (Ch$2,513,146 or US$4,954 as of December 31, 2009) per calendar year in the entire financial system.
 
Reserve Requirements
 
Deposits are subject to a reserve requirement of 9.0% for demand deposits and 3.6% for time deposits (with terms of less than one year). For purposes of calculating the reserve obligation, banks are authorized to deduct daily from their foreign currency denominated liabilities, the balance in foreign currency of certain loans and financial investments held outside of Chile, the most relevant of which include:
 
 
·  
cash clearance account, which should be deducted from demand deposit for calculating reserve requirement;
 
 
·  
certain payment orders issued by pension providers; and
 
 
·  
the amount set aside for “technical reserve” (as described below), which can be deducted from reserve requirement.
 
The Central Bank has statutory authority to require banks to maintain reserves of up to an average of 40.0% for demand deposits and up to 20.0% for time deposits (irrespective, in each case, of the currency in which they are denominated) to implement monetary policy. In addition, to the extent that the aggregate amount of the following types of liabilities exceeds 2.5 times the amount of a bank’s regulatory capital, a bank must maintain a 100% “technical reserve” against them:  demand deposits, deposits in checking accounts, or obligations payable on sight incurred in the ordinary course of business, and in general all deposits unconditionally payable immediately.
 
Minimum Capital
 
Under the General Banking Law, a bank is required to have a minimum of UF800,000 (approximately Ch$16,754 million or US$33.0 million as of December 31, 2009) of paid-in capital and reserves, regulatory capital of at least 8% of its risk weighted assets, net of required allowances, and paid in capital and reserves of at least 3% of its total assets, net of required allowances.
 
Regulatory capital is defined as the aggregate of:
 
 
·  
a bank’s paid-in capital and reserves, excluding capital attributable to subsidiaries and foreign branches or capital básico;
 
 
·  
its subordinated bonds, valued at their placement price (but decreasing by 20.0% for each year during the period commencing six years prior to maturity), for an amount up to 50.0% of its basic capital; and
 
 
·  
its voluntary allowances for loan losses for an amount of up to 1.25% of risk weighted-assets.
 
Capital Adequacy Requirements
 
According to the General Banking Law, each bank should have regulatory capital of at least 8.0% of its risk-weighted assets, net of required allowances. The calculation of risk weighted assets is based on a five-category risk classification system for bank assets that is based on the Basel Committee recommendations. On 2009, the Superintendency of Banks postponed until 2012 the application of the third pillar of Basel II in Chile, which
 
includes the implementation of capital limits with market risk and operational risk-weighted assets. These changes must be approved by Congress as it involves a modification to the General Banking Law.
 
Banks should also have capital básico, or basic capital, of at least 3.0% of their total assets, net of allowances. Basic capital is defined as a bank’s paid-in capital and reserves and is similar to Tier 1 capital except that it does not include net income for the period.
 
Starting in 2008, banks are able to include net income for the period as basic capital, net of a 30% deduction for minimum dividends accrued.
 
Within the scope of Basel II in Chile, further changes in regulation may occur. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Chile—Chile’s banking regulatory and capital markets environment is continually evolving and may change.”
 
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 or individual (or any one group of related entities), except for another financial institution, directly or indirectly, unsecured credit in an amount that exceeds 10.0% of the bank’s regulatory capital, or in an amount that exceeds 30.0% of its regulatory capital if the excess over 10.0% is secured by certain assets with a value equal to or higher than such excess. These limits were raised from 5.0% and 25.0%, respectively, in 2007 by the Reformas al Mercado de Capitales II (also known as MK2). In the case of financing infrastructure projects built by government concession, the 10.0% 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 regulatory capital;
 
 
·  
a bank may not directly or indirectly grant a loan whose purpose 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. In addition, the aggregate amount of loans to related parties may not exceed a bank’s regulatory capital.
 
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 regulatory capital, 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.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
Chilean banks are required to provide to the Superintendency of Banks detailed information regarding their loan portfolio on a monthly basis. The Superintendency of Banks examines and evaluates each financial institution’s credit management process, including its compliance with the loan classification guidelines. Banks are classified into four categories: 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each bank’s category depends on the models and methods used by the bank to classify its loan portfolio, as determined by the Superintendency of Banks. Category 1 banks are those banks whose methods and models are satisfactory to the Superintendency of Banks. Category 1 banks will be entitled to continue using the same methods and models they currently have in place. A bank classified as a category 2 bank will have to maintain the minimum levels of reserves established by the Superintendency of Banks while its Board of Directors will be made aware of the problems detected by the Superintendency of Banks and required to take steps to correct
 
them. Banks classified as categories 3 and 4 will have to maintain the minimum levels of reserves established by the Superintendency of Banks until they are authorized by the Superintendency of Banks to do otherwise.
 
Under our loan classification categories loans are divided into: (i) consumer loans (including loans granted to individuals for the purpose of financing the purchase of consumer goods or payment of services); (ii) residential mortgage loans (including loans granted to individuals for the purchase, construction or improvements of residential real estate, in which the value of the property covers at least 100% of the amount of the loan); and (iii) commercial loans (includes all loans other than consumer loans and residential mortgage loans). A detailed description of the models established for determining loan loss allowances is set forth in “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information—Classification of Loan Portfolio” and in Note 1 of our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
New Guidelines of Provisioning Levels for Contingent Loans in 2010
 
Commencing in January 2010, all Chilean banks will be required by the SBIF to include in the calculation of expected loss and reserve levels, a percentage of off-balance sheet contingent loans. This includes, among others, lines of credit approved but not disbursed, unused credit card lines, stand-by letters of credit and other operations guaranteed by the Bank.  As a result, a greater percentage of these assets will be included in the calculation of risk weighted assets.  The impact of this change was Ch$52,662 million charged against equity as of March 31, 2010. This provision only applies to locally filed financial statements.
 
Off-balance sheet contingent operations
 
Percentage of total debt outstanding to be included in new risk weightings
Guarantees
 
50%-100%
Lines of credit and unused credit card balances
 
50%
Stand-by letters of credit
 
20%

 
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 in financial leasing, mutual fund and investment fund administration, investment advisory services and merger and acquisition services. These subsidiaries are regulated by the Superintendency of Banks and, in some cases, also by the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, the regulator of the Chilean securities market, open-stock corporations and insurance companies.
 
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 stability. If the shareholders reject the capital increase, or if it is not effected within the term and in the manner agreed to at the meeting, or if the 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 in 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 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 Superintendency of Banks, but need not be submitted to the borrowing bank’s shareholders for their approval. In any event, a creditor bank cannot grant interbank loans to an insolvent bank in an amount exceeding 25.0% of the creditor bank’s regulatory capital. 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, condone 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 regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets not to be lower than 12.0%. If a bank fails to pay an obligation, it must notify the Superintendency of Banks, which shall determine if the bank is solvent.
 
Dissolution and Liquidation of Banks
 
The Superintendency of Banks may establish that a bank should be liquidated for the benefit of its depositors or other creditors when such bank does not have the necessary solvency to continue its operations. In such case, the Superintendency of Banks must revoke a bank’s authorization to exist and order its mandatory liquidation, subject to agreement by the Central Bank. The Superintendency of Banks must also revoke a bank’s authorization if the reorganization plan of such bank has been rejected twice. The resolution by the Superintendency of Banks must state the reason for ordering the liquidation and must name a liquidator, unless the Chilean Superintendency of Banks assumes this responsibility. When a liquidation is declared, all checking accounts and other demand deposits received in the ordinary course of business, are required to be paid by using existing funds of the bank, 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 rest of the bank’s 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.
 
Obligations Denominated in Foreign Currencies
 
Foreign currency denominated obligations of Chilean banks are subject to various limits and obligations. The regulations of the Central Bank do not permit the difference, whether positive or negative, between a bank’s assets and liabilities denominated in any foreign currency (including assets and liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars but payable in pesos, as well as those denominated in pesos and indexed to the U.S. dollar exchange rate) to exceed 20% of the bank’s paid-in capital and reserves; except in the case where the balance of such assets exceeds the balance of such liabilities and the excess difference does not exceed the bank’s allowances and reserves denominated in such foreign currency (excluding profits to be remitted abroad). Santander-Chile must also comply with various regulatory and internal limits regarding exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates (See “Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks”).
 
Investments in Foreign Securities
 
Under current Chilean banking regulations, banks in Chile may grant loans to foreign individuals and entities and invest in certain securities of foreign issuers. 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 be complementary to 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 must be (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. A bank may invest up to 5% of its regulatory capital in securities of foreign issuers. Such securities must have a minimum rating as follows.
 
Table 1
 
Rating Agency
 
Short Term
 
Long Term
Moody’s
 
P2
 
Baa3
Standard and Poor’s
 
A3
 
BBB-
Fitch
 
F2
 
BBB-
Duff & Phelps
 
D2
 
BBB-

In the event that the sum of the investments in foreign securities which have a: (i) rating that is below that indicated in Table 1 above, but is equal to or exceeds the ratings mentioned in the Table 2 below; and (ii) loans granted to other entities resident abroad exceed 20% (and 30% for banks with a BIS ratio equal or exceeding 10%) of the regulatory capital of such bank, the excess is subject to a mandatory reserve of 100%.
 
Table 2
 
Rating Agency
 
Short Term
 
Long Term
Moody’s
 
P2
 
Ba3
Standard and Poor’s
 
A3
 
BB-
Fitch
 
F2
 
BB-
Duff & Phelps
 
D2
 
BB-

In addition, banks may invest in foreign securities for an additional amount equal to a 70% of their regulatory capital which ratings are equal or exceeds those mentioned in the following Table 3. This limit constitutes an additional margin and it is not subject to the 100% mandatory reserve.
 
Additionally, a Chilean Bank may invest in foreign securities whose rating is equal to or exceeds those mentioned in the following Table 3 in: (i) term deposits with foreign banks; and (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by sovereign states or their central banks or those securities issued or guaranteed by foreign entities within the Chilean State; such investment will be subject to the limits by issuer up to 30% and 50%, respectively, of the regulatory capital of the Chilean bank that makes the investment.
 
Table 3
 
Rating Agency
 
Short Term
 
Long Term
Moody’s
 
P1
 
Aa3
Standard and Poor’s
 
A1+
 
AA-
Fitch
 
F1+
 
AA-
Duff & Phelps
 
D1+
 
AA-

Chilean banks may invest in securities without ratings issued or guaranteed by sovereign states or their central banks and structured notes issued by investment banks with a rating equal to or above that in the immediately preceding Table 3, which return is linked with a corporate or sovereign note with a rating equal to or above that in Table 2.
 
Subject to specific conditions, a bank may grant loans in U.S. dollars to subsidiaries or branches of Chilean companies located abroad, to companies listed on foreign stock exchanges authorized by the Central Bank and, in general, to individuals and entities domiciled abroad, as long as the Central Bank is kept informed of such activities.
 
New regulations for the financial markets
 
Further new regulations governing the Chilean capital markets are being discussed. Chile’s Congress passed a new bill on June 1, 2010 (known as MK3) that aims to increase trading in Chile, Latin America’s third-biggest securities market, by allowing new instruments such as exchange-traded funds and covered bonds. The Chamber of Deputies, Chile’s lower house, voted in favor of the bill, which also seeks to ease credit access for consumers and small companies. The measures will make it easier for foreign banks to offer loans in Chile, cut securitization costs and allow banks to sell bonds backed by mortgages. The new law will also offer tax breaks to foreign investors in Chilean mutual funds. The bill also aims to reduce the cost of setting up mutual funds and create an exchange-traded funds industry by modifying mutual fund rules to allow secondary trading and enable pension funds to invest in them. The new law also removes limits on employing non-Chileans that may have prevented overseas fund managers from opening offices in Chile. It also strikes down a law that prevented foreign banks from advertising loans. The new class of bonds, known as “mortgage bonds,” will be debt backed by the company that sells them as well as by a pool of mortgages, as in European covered bonds. Unlike covered bonds, they may be issued by non-banks as well as banks.
 
The current Finance Minister, Felipe Larrain, plans another package of reforms known as MKB (Reformas al Mercado Financiero Bicentenario). The MKB is comprised of a series of administrative changes and new regulations over the next four years. The reforms include the creation of a financial consumer protection agency, the transformation of the local securities exchange regulator (SVS) into a securities commission and giving more autonomy to the SBIF. The new regulations would also aim to expand the use of the Chilean peso and simplify taxes on fixed-income securities. The proposed legislation would also include measures to increase bank penetration and household savings. The reforms also aim to create new instruments that give more efficient financing alternatives to
 
small and mid-sized companies and individuals, together with creating specific statutes for niche banks and micro credit financing. The proposed legislation would also reduce the pro-cyclicality of loan loss provisions and seek to enhance solvency and liquidity (the latter must be done through a change in the General Banking Law).

U.S. Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Regulations
 
The Bank, as a foreign private issuer whose securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”).  The FCPA generally prohibits such issuers and their directors, officers, employees and agents from using any means or instrumentality of U.S. interstate commerce in furtherance of any offer or payment of money to any foreign official or political party for the purpose of influencing a decision of such person in order to obtain or retain business. It also requires that the issuer maintain books and records and a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that accountability of assets is maintained and accurate financial statements can be prepared. Penalties, fines and imprisonment of the Bank’s officers and/or directors can be imposed for violations of the FCPA.
 
Furthermore, the Bank is subject to a variety of U.S. anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing laws and regulations, such as the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended, and the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001, as amended, and a violation of such laws and regulations may result in substantial penalties, fines and imprisonment of the Bank’s officers and/or directors.
 
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
 
We are domiciled in Chile and own our principal executive offices located at Bandera 140, Santiago, Chile. We also own ten other buildings in the vicinity of our headquarters and we rent five other buildings. At December 31, 2009, we owned the locations at which 33.5% of our branches were located. The remaining branches operate at rented locations. We believe that our existing physical facilities are adequate for our needs.
 
The Bank’s branches, systems and employees were all impacted by the recent earthquake. Of the Bank’s 498 branches, 405 had some form of damage, of which 32 sustained serious damages and 9 were closed as of May 31, 2010. Of the Bank’s 1,856 all were operating normally as of May 31, 2010.  The Bank’s systems were not functioning immediately following the earthquake, but by March 1, 2010 the systems were functioning normally, all open branches were online and all remote channels were operating normally.  The Bank expects additional administrative expenses from the earthquake, net of insurance proceeds, recognized in 2010 to be US$6 million.
 
 
Main properties as of December 31, 2009
 
Number
 
Central Offices
     
Own
    10  
Rented
    5  
Total
    15  
         
Branches (1)
       
Own
    167  
Rented
    245  
Total
    412  
         
Other property (2)
       
Own
    62  
Rented
    6  
Total
    68  

(1)
Some branches are located inside central office buildings and other properties. Including these branches the total number of branches is 498. Special payment centers are included in Other property.
 
(2)
Consists mainly of parking lots, mini-branches and property owned by our subsidiaries.
 

The following table sets forth a summary of the main computer hardware and other systems-equipment that we own.
 
Category
Brand
Application
Mainframe
IBM
Back-end, Core-System Altair, Payment means and foreign trade.
Midrange
IBM
Interconnections between Mainframe and mid-range
Midrange
SUN/Unix
SUN/UNIX
Interconnections applications Credit & debit cards
Treasury, MIS, Work Flow, Accounting
Midrange
IBM
WEB
Desktop
IBM/HP/Lenovo
Platform applications
Call Center
Avaya
Genesys
Nice
Periphonics
Telephone system
Integration Voice/data
Voice recorder
IVR

 
The main software systems that we use are:
 
Category
 
Product
 
Origin
Core-System
 
ALTAMIRA
 
Accenture
Data base
 
DB2
 
IBM
Data base
 
Oracle
 
Oracle
Data base
 
SQL Server
 
Microsoft
WEB Service
 
Internet Information Server
 
Microsoft
Message Service
 
MQSeries
 
IBM
Transformation
 
MQIntegrator
 
IBM


ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
As of the date of the filing of this Annual Report on 20-F, we do not have any unresolved comments from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
 
A. Accounting Standards Applied in 2009
 
Santander-Chile is a Chilean bank and maintains its financial books and records in Chilean pesos and prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), in order to comply with requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
 
As required by local regulations, our locally filed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles issued by the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions (the “SBIF”). The accounting principles issued by the SBIF are substantially similar to IFRS but there are some exceptions.  Therefore, our locally filed consolidated financial statements have been adjusted according to IFRS 1: First Time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (see Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements attached to this Annual Report).
 
In Chile, the local securities exchange regulator (SVS) announced in 2004 that all public companies will be required to present full IFRS financial statements beginning in 2009. The convergence from local accounting regulations to IFRS is to follow a gradual adoption plan which will take place over at least a three-year period from 2009 to 2011, beginning with banking institutions in 2009.  Full convergence is the intended goal of the transition to IFRS.  However, due to the gradual approach to the adoption of IFRS and because not all regulators require full IFRS, different accounting frameworks will coexist for a period of time.
 
Chilean banks are subject to the regulatory supervision of the SBIF under the provisions of the General Banking Act (“Act”) of 1997. The Act establishes that in accordance with legal regulations, Chilean banks must abide by the accounting standards stipulated by the SBIF.
 
The SBIF, by means of Circular No. 3,410 (2007) and Circular No. 3,443 (2008) announced the “Compendium of Accounting Standards”, which contains new accounting standards and reporting formats for the financial industry required to be adopted by banking institutions effective January 1, 2009. Banks are required to apply the new accounting and reporting to the current period financial statements for 2009 and to retrospectively apply the new standard to January 1, 2008 and include an opening balance sheet for the reporting period ended December 31, 2008.
 
Although banks are required to apply IFRS as of January 1, 2009, certain exceptions introduced by the SBIF prevent the banks from achieving full convergence with IFRS.  In those situations which are not addressed by the guidance issued by the SBIF, institutions shall follow the generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Association of Chilean Accountants which coincide with IFRS as issued by the IASB (“IFRS-IASB”).
 
Therefore, as stated above, in order to comply with requirements of the SEC, the Bank has prepared the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under IFRS-IASB.
 
Santander-Chile’s transition date to IFRS is January 1, 2008.  The Bank prepared its opening balance under these standards as of such date.  Consequently, the date of adoption of the new standards by the Bank and its subsidiaries is January 1, 2009.
 
Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, “First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards”, provides a reconciliation between the balances of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at the opening and closing of the year ending December 31, 2008 and the corresponding Consolidated Statement of Income, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows generated during such year.  Therefore, the figures shown in the Bank’s financial statements for 2008, included in the attached financial statements, differ from those reported in the previous year, which were prepared under the previous accounting standards.
 
The notes to the audited consolidated financial statements contain information in addition to that presented in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Consolidated Statement of Income, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. These notes provide a narrative description of such statements.
 
The financial statements for the period ending as of December 31, 2009 were the first prepared according to IFRS.  This change incorporates the following important aspects:
 
- Significant changes in accounting policies, valuation criteria, and forms of presentation of financial statements.

- A significant increase in the information included in the notes to the financial statements.

The following is a description of the nature of the principal effects or adjustments arising from the first time adoption of IFRS:
 
Financial Statements—Consolidation Requirements
 
The consolidation/valuation methods used up to December 31, 2008 under previous accounting standards have continued to be used for subsidiaries and investments in other companies. Furthermore, pursuant to the provisions of International Accounting Standard (IAS) 27 and Standard Interpretations Committee (SIC) 12, the Bank must determine the existence of Special Purpose Entities (SPE), which must be consolidated with the financial results of the Bank. As a result, we have incorporated into our financial statements the following companies:
 
-Santander Gestión de Recaudación y Cobranzas Ltda. (collection services)
-Multinegocios S.A. (management of sales force)
-Servicios Administrativos y Financieros Ltda. (management of sales force)
-Fiscalex Ltda. (collection services)
-Multiservicios de Negocios Ltda. (call center)
-Bansa Santander S.A. (management of repossessed assets and leasing of properties)

Investments in other companies
 
The effects generated by adopting IFRS on each of the companies in which we have investments consolidated by the equity method are reflected in this item based on the percentage of these companies’ equity that is held by us.
 
Price level restatement
 
Pursuant to IAS 29 “Financial Information in Hyperinflationary Economies,” a price level restatement will henceforth be applied only when the entity whose functional currency is that of a hyperinflationary economy (defined as an economy experiencing 100 percentage points of inflation in 3 years). The Bank’s functional currency is the Chilean peso. Since the Chilean economy does not meet the aforementioned requirements, the Bank was required to eliminate the price level restatement as of January 1, 2008.  Pursuant to the use of exceptions permitted or required by IFRS 1, the price level restatement applied up to December 31, 2007 was not reversed.
 
Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
 
The main effects of the recalculation of depreciation and amortization of intangible assets (software and information technology developments) and property, plant and equipment as a result of the elimination of the price-level restatement (as described above) and the determination of the cost of property, plant and equipment on January 01, 2008 are included.
 
In accordance with IFRS 1, a first-time adopter may elect to use a revaluation pursuant to previous accounting standards of an item of property, plant and equipment at, or before, the date of transition to IFRS at deemed cost at the date of the revaluation, if the revaluation was, at the date of the revaluation, broadly comparable to: (i) fair value; or (ii) cost or depreciated cost in accordance with IFRS.  The Bank has elected to revalue certain items of property, plant and equipment at its fair value and use that fair value at its deemed cost.  For the remaining items of property, plant and equipment, it has used the depreciated cost for revaluation pursuant to previous accounting standards as its deemed cost.
 
Assets received in lieu of payment
 
Previously, assets received in lieu of payment (“ARP”) were valued at cost (the price agreed upon with the debtor for the transfer in payment or the value determined at a judicial auction, as the case may be, after price-level restatement), minus a provision for individual valuation based on an independent appraisal.
 
The most important change in the valuation of ARP in IFRS (in addition to the elimination of the price-level restatement as described previously) is that, when making the provision for initial valuation, it is necessary to take into account its net realizable value, i.e., its fair value (independent appraised value), minus the necessary costs of maintaining and divesting it.
 
According to studies performed by the Bank, an average cost of sale (the cost of maintaining and divesting the good) estimated at 5.8% of the appraised value was determined as of January 1, 2008; such cost rose to 6.5% as of December 31, 2008.
 
The effects generated by the application of the cost of sale described above are presented in this item.
 
Charge-offs
 
Under previous accounting standards, the term for charging off (or impairment loss on loans) past-due and late installments on credits and accounts receivable was calculated from the time of their classification in the past-due portfolio, which represented loans in arrears for payment of principal and interest by ninety days or more. This method was realized previously on a scheduled payment by payment basis.
 
Under IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” an impairment loss of a financial asset or a group of financial assets is recognized if, and only if , objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after initial recognition of the asset (a loss event), and that loss (or events) has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of a financial asset or group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated. It may not be possible to identify a single event that caused the impairment. According to this definition, the impairment is determined for each loan by considering its total amount and no longer on a scheduled payment by payment basis as under previous accounting standards.
 
An impairment relating to a loan is calculated as the difference between the recorded asset’s carrying value and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the effective interest rate.
 
 Individually significant financial assets are individually tested to determine their impairment. All impairments are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
 
The Bank has recognized the effects arising from the application of IFRS for charge-offs of loans and accounts receivable, as well as the associated effect caused in the allowances established for each transaction (when 100% of the transaction was charged-off, the related allowances were released).
 
 Deferred taxes
 
This item brings together the tax effects (deferred taxes) generated by the timing differences arising, in turn, out of the aforementioned adjustments, whether they apply directly to shareholders' equity or to income.
 
B. First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
 
The transition of the consolidated financial statements of the Bank to IFRS has been carried out through the application of IFRS 1: First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, applying the exemption provided by this standard.
 
The Bank has applied the following exemptions as permitted by IFRS 1:
 
i. Business Combinations
 
The Bank has applied the exemption provided under IFRS 1 for business combinations, and, therefore, did not apply IFRS 3, Business Combinations retrospectively to those business combinations that occurred prior to the transition date of January 1, 2008.
 
ii. Value or revaluations as deemed cost
 
The Bank elected to measure certain items of property, plant and equipment at the date of transition at their fair value and use that fair value as their deemed cost at that date.  Likewise, the Bank decided to measure the other items of property, plant and equipment at their price-level restated cost as of January 1, 2008.
 
C. Other Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our consolidated financial statements include various estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, estimates of the fair value of certain financial instruments, the selection of useful lives of certain assets and the valuation and recoverability of goodwill. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results in future periods could differ from those estimates and assumptions, and if these differences were significant enough, our reported results of operations would be affected materially. We believe that the following are the more critical judgment areas or involve a higher degree of complexity in the application of the accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Derivative activities
 
As of December 31, 2008 and 2009, derivatives are valued at market price on the balance sheet and the net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives is classified as a separate line item on the income statement. In prior periods, the notional amounts were carried off the balance sheet.
 
Pursuant to the new accounting standards, banks must mark-to-market derivatives. A derivative financial instrument held for trading purposes must be marked to market and the unrealized gain or loss recognized in the income statement. The Superintendency of Banks recognizes three kinds of hedge accounting: (i) cash flow hedges, (ii) fair value hedges and (iii) hedging of foreign investments.
 
 
·  
When a cash flow hedge exists, the fair value movements on the part of the hedging instrument that is effective are recognized in equity. Any ineffective portion of the fair value movement on the hedging instrument is recognized in the income statement.
 
 
·  
When a fair value hedge exists, the fair value movements on the hedging instrument and the corresponding fair value movements on the hedged item are recognized in the income statement. Hedged items in the balance sheet are presented at their market value since 2006.
 
 
·  
When a hedge of foreign investment exposure exists (i.e., investment in a foreign branch), the fair value movements on the part of the hedging instrument that is effective are recognized in equity. Any ineffective portion of the fair value movement on the hedging instrument is recognized in the income statement.
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
The Bank maintains loan loss allowances in amounts determined in accordance with its internal models. These models for rating and evaluating credit risk are approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. Our credit scoring system considers both the length of time by which the loan is overdue and the borrower’s risk profile, which includes the borrower’s overall indebtedness and credit behavior under the borrower’s obligations to third parties. (See “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information—Loan Portfolio—Classification of Loan Portfolio.”
 
Our internal provisioning models use statistical models that take into account a borrower’s credit history and indebtedness levels. Group ratings that determine loan loss allowances based only on non-performance are being phased out and replaced by statistical scoring systems. Large commercial loans are rated on an individual basis. For large commercial loans, leasing and factoring, we assign a risk category level to each borrower and its respective loans. We consider the following risk factors in classifying a borrower’s risk category: (i) the borrower’s industry or sector, (ii) owners or managers, (iii) financial condition, (iv) payment ability and (v) payment behavior. For a detailed description of the models we use to determine loan loss allowances for commercial loans. See “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information—Loan Portfolio—Classification of Loan Portfolio—Allowances for large commercial loans.” Group assessment for loan loss allowances is applied for a large number of borrowers whose individual loan amounts are relatively insignificant. Currently, we use group analysis to determine loan loss
 
allowances for certain types of loans, such as loans to small- and mid-sized companies and commercial loans to individuals. (See “Item 5: F. Selected Statistical Information—Loan Portfolio—Classification of Loan Portfolio—Allowances for group evaluations on small- and mid-sized commercial loans.”)
 
D. Operating Results
 
Chilean Economy
 
All of our operations and substantially all of our customers are located in Chile. Accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations are substantially dependent upon economic conditions prevailing in this country. In the first half of 2009, the Chilean economy continued to feel the effects of the global financial crisis while in the second half of the year economic growth began to gather momentum. As a result, for the full year 2009, GDP contracted 1.4% compared to an increase of 3.4% in 2008. In 1Q10, the economy contracted 1.5% mainly due to the impacts of the earthquake that occurred in February 2010.
 
Quarterly and Yearly Evolution of GDP, %
 
 
The decline in the Chilean economy in 2009 was due in part to the fall in the average prices of Chile’s main exports. The average price of copper in 2009 fell 28% compared to the average price in 2008. In the same period, the average price of fish meal increased 1.7% and average paper pulp prices decreased 29.2%. This led to a 20.2% decrease in total exports which totaled US$53.0 billion in 2009 compared to US$66.5 billion in 2008.  The recovery of the Chilean economy in the second half was led in part by a recovery of the prices  of Chile’s main exports. The year-end price of copper increased 126.7%, fish meal increased 46% and paper pulp prices rose 19.4% compared to the year-end price of these products in 2008.
 
Evolution of Prices of Chile’s Main Exports (Base 100 = Dec. 2007)
 
Source: Banco Central de Chile
 

The global economic crisis also affected domestic demand levels (investment and consumption) in 2009. Total investment in 2009 decreased 33.3% and private sector consumption increased 0.2%. This was partially offset by an 8.2% rise in government spending levels as the government used part of the sovereign funds accumulated in previous years. At year-end 2009 the Chilean government still had US$17 billion in sovereign funds and the Chilean Central Bank had reserves of US$26.2 billion.  The general decline in domestic demand had a negative impact on unemployment, which averaged 9.9% in 2009 compared to 9.6% compared to 7.7% in 2008.
 
The CPI reversed the upward trend seen in 2008 and prices fell in 2009. CPI deflation reached 1.4% in 2009 compared to a 7.1% rise in prices in 2008. As a result of the contraction of price levels and lower economic activity, interest rates declined in 2009. The overnight interbank rate set by the Central Bank was lowered by 750 basis points in 2009 and is currently at 1.0%. Despite this deflation, the Chilean peso appreciated in 2009 as the value of the dollar weakened worldwide. As of December 31, 2009, the Chilean peso had appreciated 19.5% against the dollar since year-end 2008.
 
Central Bank Reference Rate, %
 
Source: Banco Central de Chile
 
 
Banking Sector
 
The Chilean banking sector also evolved in line with the economic developments during 2009 with a reduction in the volume of loan growth as result of the economic slowdown and an increase in disintermediation among large corporate clients through the local bond market.  Total loans as of December 31, 2009 in the Chilean financial system were Ch$68,938,045 million (US$136 billion), a decrease of 1.9% compared to the balance of loans as of December 31, 2008.  Total customer funds defined as time deposits plus checking accounts plus mutual funds totaled Ch$75,929,201 million (US$150 billion) as of December 31, 2009, an increase of 5.0% compared to year-end 2008.  The table below demonstrates the deterioration of asset quality in the Chilean financial system was observable as a result of the economic slowdown from 2008 to 2009:
 
Evolution of expected loan loss ratio*
 
 
* Expected loss divided by Total loans. Expected loss = Loan loss reserves / Total loans. Source: Superintendency of Banks

Earthquake
 
On February 27, 2010, Chile was struck by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake, which mainly affected the mid-southern regions of Chile. As a result of these developments, economic activity in Chile could be adversely affected in 2010. We also expect the economy and banking activity generally and our results of operations specifically in 2010 to be adversely affected.  We may experience any or all of the following:
 
 
·  
deterioration of our asset quality and an increase in our provision expense;
 
 
·  
lower fee growth or fee decreases due to lower consumer expenditure and usage of bank products;
 
 
·  
higher net interest margins as a result of higher inflation; and
 
 
·  
uncertainty in our loan growth as some sectors will be negatively affected while others will be positively affected by the temblor.
 
Impact of Inflation
 
Our assets and liabilities are denominated in Chilean pesos, Unidades de Fomento (UF) and foreign currencies. The Bank no longer performs inflation accounting and has eliminated price level restatement in line with IFRS, but inflation impacts our results of operations as some loan and deposit products are contracted in UF. The UF is revalued in monthly cycles. Each day in the period beginning on the tenth day of the current month through the ninth day of the succeeding month, the nominal peso value of the UF is indexed up (or down in the event of deflation) in order to reflect a proportionate amount of the change in the Chilean Consumer Price Index during the prior calendar month. One UF equaled Ch$21,452.57 at December 31, 2008 and Ch$20,942.88 at December 31, 2009.  High levels of inflation in Chile could adversely affect the Chilean economy and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Negative inflation rates also negatively impact our results. In 2009, CPI deflation reached 1.6% compared to a rise of 7.1% and 7.8% in 2008 and 2007, respectively.  There can be no assurance that Chilean inflation will not change significantly from the current level. Although we currently benefit from moderate levels of inflation, due to the current structure of our assets and liabilities (i.e., a significant portion of our loans are indexed to the inflation rate, but there are no corresponding features in deposits or other funding sources that would increase the size of our funding base), there can be no assurance that our business, financial condition and result of operations in the future will not be adversely affected by changing levels of inflation. In summary:
 
 
·  
UF-denominated assets and liabilities. In 2009, UF inflation was -2.4% compared to +9.3% in 2008. The effect of any changes in the nominal peso value of our UF-denominated interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities is reflected in our results of operations as an increase (or decrease, in the event of deflation) in interest income and expense, respectively.  Our net interest income will be positively affected by an inflationary environment to the extent that our average UF-denominated interest earning assets exceed our average UF-denominated interest bearing liabilities. Our net interest income will be negatively affected in a deflationary environment if our average UF-denominated interest earning assets exceed our average UF-denominated interest bearing liabilities. Our net interest income will be negatively affected by inflation in any period in which our average UF-denominated interest bearing liabilities exceed our average UF-denominated interest earning assets. Our average UF-denominated interest earning assets exceeded our average UF-denominated interest bearing liabilities by Ch$2,689,614 million in 2009 compared to Ch$2,439,563 million in 2008. See “Selected Statistical Information at and for the Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008―Average Balance Sheets, Income Earned from Interest-Earning Assets And Interest Paid on Interest Bearing Liabilities.” In general, the Bank has more UF-denominated financial assets than UF-denominated financial liabilities. In the year ended December 31, 2009, the interest gained on interest earning assets denominated in UF decreased 77.3% compared to 2008 as a result of the deflation rates in 2009 compared to 2008. The interest paid on these liabilities decreased by 90.3% during this period.

 
·  
Inflation and interest rate hedge. A key component of our asset and liability policy is the management of interest rate risk. The Bank’s assets generally have a longer maturity than our liabilities. As the Bank’s mortgage portfolio grows, the maturity gap tends to rise as these loans, which are contracted in UF, have a longer maturity than the average maturity of our funding base. As most of our long term financial instruments and mortgage loans are contracted in UF and most of our deposits are in nominal pesos, the rise in mortgage lending increases the Bank’s exposure to inflation and to interest rate risk. The size of this gap is limited by internal and regulatory guidelines in order to avoid excessive potential losses due to strong shifts in interest rates (see “Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”). In order to keep this duration gap below regulatory limits the Bank issues long term bonds denominated in UF or interest rate swaps. The financial cost of the bonds and the efficient part of these hedges is recorded as net interest income. In 2009, the gain from the swaps taken in order to hedge mainly for inflation and interest rate risk totaled Ch$24,988 million compared to a financial cost of Ch$53,956 million in 2008.  The gain in 2009 compared to a negative result in 2008 was a direct result of the deflation rate in 2009.
 
   
As of December 31,
   
% Change
 
Inflation sensitive income
 
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(In million of Chilean pesos)
 
Interest gained on UF assets(1) 
    224,614       990,430       (77.3 %)
Interest paid on UF liabilities(1) 
    (67,559 )     (694,758 )     (90.3 %)
Hedging results
    24,988       (53,956 )     (146.3 %)
Net gain
    182,043       241,716       (24.7 %)

(1) Excludes results from hedging
 
 
·  
Peso-denominated assets and liabilities. Interest rates prevailing in Chile during any period primarily reflect the inflation rate during the period and the expectations of future inflation. The sensitivity of our peso-denominated interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities to changes to such prevailing rates varies. (See “Item 5: D. Operating Results—Interest Rates”). We maintain a substantial amount of non-interest bearing peso-denominated demand deposits. Because such deposits are not sensitive to inflation, any decline in the rate of inflation would adversely affect our net interest margin on inflation indexed assets funded with such deposits, and any increase in the rate of inflation would increase the net interest margin on such assets. (See “Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2008 20-F). The ratio of the average of such demand deposits to average interest-earning assets was 15.66% and 15.12% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
 
Interest Rates
 
Interest rates earned and paid on our assets and liabilities reflect, to a certain degree, inflation, expectations regarding inflation, changes in short term interest rates set by the Central Bank 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 reprice sooner than our assets, changes in the rate of inflation or short term rates in the economy are reflected in the rates of interest paid by us on our liabilities before such changes are reflected in the rates of interest earned by us on our assets. Therefore, when short term interest rates fall, our net interest margin is positively impacted, but when short term rates increase, our interest margin is negatively affected. At the same time, our net interest margin tends to be adversely affected in the short term by a decrease in inflation rates since generally our UF-denominated assets exceed our UF-denominated liabilities. (See “Item 5: C. Operating Results—Impact of Inflation—Peso-denominated Assets and Liabilities”). An increase in long term rates has a positive effect on our net interest margin, because our interest earning assets generally have longer terms than our interest bearing liabilities. In addition, because our peso-denominated liabilities have relatively short repricing periods, they are generally more responsive to changes in inflation or short term rates than our UF-denominated liabilities. As a result, during periods when current inflation or expected inflation exceeds the previous period’s inflation, customers often switch funds from UF-denominated deposits to peso-denominated deposits, which generally bear higher interest rates, thereby adversely affecting our net interest margin.
 
Foreign Exchange Fluctuations
 
The Chilean government’s economic policies and any future changes in the value of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. The Chilean peso has been subject to significant devaluation in the past and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. In 2009, the Chilean peso in relation to the U.S. dollar appreciated 19.5% compared to a 26.9% depreciation in 2008. (See “Item 3: A. Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates”). A significant portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies, principally the U.S. dollar, and we historically have maintained and may continue to maintain material gaps between the balances of such assets and liabilities. Because such assets and liabilities, as well as interest earned or paid on such assets and liabilities, and gains and losses realized upon the sale of such assets, are translated to Chilean pesos in preparing our financial statements, our reported income is affected by changes in the value of the Chilean peso relative to foreign currencies (principally the U.S. dollar). The translation gain or loss over assets and liabilities (excluding derivatives held for trading) is included as foreign exchange transactions in the income statement. The translation and mark-to-market of foreign currency derivatives held for trading is recognized as a gain or loss in the net results from mark-to-market and trading.
 
The Bank also uses a sensitivity analysis both internal limits and according to regulatory limits to minimize the potential loss in net interest income resulting from fluctuations of interest rates on U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities and a VaR model to limit foreign currency trading risk (see “Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”).
 
Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2009
 
The following discussion is based upon and should be read in conjunction with the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.  The Audited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. The following table sets forth the principal components of our net income for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
 
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
       
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA
 
US$ ths.(1)
   
Ch$ million of constant pesos
   
% Change
2009 /2008
 
IFRS:
                       
Interest income and expense
                       
Interest income
    2,381,031       1,207,778       2,061,346       (41.4 %)
Interest expense
    (692,483 )     (351,262 )     (1,169,280 )     (70.0 %)
Net interest income
    1,688,548       856,516       892,066       (4.0 %)
Fees and income from services
                               
Fees and commission income
    622,819       315,925       295,969       6.7 %
Fees and commission expense
    (121,824 )     (61,795 )     (52,840 )     16.9 %
Total net fees and commission income
    500,995       254,130       243,129       4.5 %
Other operating income
                               
Net income from financial operations
    7,663       3,887       273,477       (98.6 %)
Foreign exchange profit (loss), net
    321,816       163,241       (187,042 )     (187.3 %)
Financial transactions, net
    329,479       167,128       86,435       93.4 %
Other operating income
    50,993       25,866       10,896       137.4 %
Total other operating income
    380,472       192,994       97,331       98.3 %
Total operating income
    2,570,015       1,303,640       1,232,526       5.8 %
Provision for loan losses
    (658,151 )     (333,847 )     (287,983 )     15.9 %
Operating income, net of provisions
    1,911,864       969,793       944,543       2.7 %
Operating expenses
                               
Personnel salaries and expenses 
    (442,551 )     (224,484 )     (246,775 )     (9.0 %)
Administrative expenses
    (269,516 )     (136,712 )     (133,682 )     2.3 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (91,913 )     (46,623 )     (47,627 )     (2.1 %)
Impairment
    (148 )     (75 )     (84 )     (10.7 %)
Other operating expenses
    (72,276 )     (36,662 )     (36,298 )     1.0 %
Total operating expenses
    (876,404 )     (444,556 )     (464,466 )     (4.3 %)
Net Operating income
    1,035,460       525,237       480,077       9.4 %
Other non-operating results
                               
Income from investments in other companies
    586       297       632       (53.0 %)
Total other non-operating results
    586       297       632       (53.0 %)
Income before tax
    1,036,046       525,534       480,709       9.3 %
Income tax
    (175,306 )     (88,924 )     (59,742 )     48.8  
Net income
    860,740       436,610       420,967       3.7  
Net income attributable to:
                               
Equity holders of the Bank
    850,778       431,557       413,370       4.4  
Minority interest
    9,962       5,053       7,597       (33.5 %)
                                 

(1)
Amounts stated in U.S. dollars at and for the year ended December 31, 2009, have been translated from Chilean pesos at the exchange rate of Ch$507.25 = US$1.00 as of December 31, 2009. See “Item 3: A. Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates”  for more information on exchange rate.
 
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2009, increased 3.7% to Ch$436,610 million. Net income attributable to equity holders of the Bank in the same period increased 4.4% to Ch$431,557 million. Our return on average equity was 27.4% in 2009 compared to 32.7% in  2008.
 
Total operating income was Ch$1,303,640 million in 2009, an increase of 5.8% compared to the corresponding period in 2008. Our net interest income decreased by 4.0% to Ch$856,516 million. The average balance of our interest-earning assets increased by 3.7% in 2009 compared to 2008. Our net interest margin decreased 40 basis points to 5.3% in 2009 due to the negative effects of deflation over margins.
 
Interest income decreased by 41.4% to Ch$1,207.8 billion, reflecting a 43.5% decline in the average rate of interest earned on interest earning assets, offset in part by a 3.7% increase in average interest earning assets.  As
 
 
discussed in further detail below, the decline in the average rate of interest earned resulted from steep declines in market rates of interest and the effect of deflation on our UF-denominated assets, both resulting from the overall recessionary environment of 2009.
 
Net fees and commission income grew by 4.5% to Ch$254,130 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period of 2008. The growth in fee income was mainly driven by fees from credit, debit and ATM cards, which increased by 18.0%, reflecting increased usage of these credit cards. Fees from collections increased by 11.0% in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same 2008 period. The fees from the collection of insurance increased 28.4% in 2009 compared to 2008 and was also a contributor to the overall increase in fee income.  This growth in fee income was partially offset by the 17.2% decrease in fees from checking accounts and lines of credit, which includes the maintenance fee for checking accounts and lines of credit and fees charged for the unauthorized overdraft of lines of credit.  This decrease was mainly due to a 68.5% decrease in fees from unauthorized overdrafts of credit lines, which fees were prohibited by the Superintendency of Banks beginning in May 2009.
 
Results of financial transactions, net, which is the sum of trading activities, mark-to-market adjustments and foreign exchange transactions, totaled Ch$167,128 million in 2009, an increase of 93.4% compared to 2008. The net result from mark-to-market and trading was Ch$3,887 million in 2009, a decrease of 98.6% compared to 2008. This lower result was mainly due to the appreciation of the Chilean peso and its effect on the mark-to-market of foreign currency derivatives, which produced a loss of Ch$102,825 million, compared to a gain of Ch$178,883 million in the same period in 2008. These results were offset in part by the mark-to-market of and the realized gains from our available-for-sale fixed income portfolio. These results produced a gain of Ch$47,335 million in 2009 compared to a gain of Ch$3,807 million in 2008. In the first half of 2009, as a result of decreases in interest rates, we recognized gains from sales of our fixed income portfolio, which is mainly comprised of Central Bank bonds.
 
These results were offset by the gain from conversion to pesos of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and hedge-accounted derivatives recorded as a gain in the foreign exchange transactions line item. Foreign exchange profit (loss), net totaled a net gain of Ch$163,241 million in 2009 compared to a loss of Ch$187,042 million in 2008. The appreciation of the Chilean peso in 2009 compared to a depreciation in 2008 explains this difference in results, which was largely offset by the mark-to-market of foreign exchange derivatives in net gains from trading and our mark-to-market as described above.
 
Other operating income totaled a gain of Ch$25,866 million in 2009, a 137.4% increase from Ch$10,896 million in 2008. The gains from the sale of Bank property, plant and equipment increased 510.7% to Ch$7,622 million. This result includes a one-time gain of Ch$7,072 million from the sale of a building in December 2009. Income from the reversal of provisions for non-specific contingencies increased to Ch$14,793 million in 2009 compared to 2008 (See Note 36(a) of the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements). The Bank reversed in the second half of 2009 provisions for non-specific contingencies recognized at the beginning of 2009 and previous periods, as the Bank assigned specific credit provisions to loans in the provision for loan losses as a result of recalibration of its credit models.
 
Provisions for loan losses totaled Ch$333,847 million for the one-year period ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 15.9% compared to the corresponding period in 2008. Gross provision expense increased by 50.1% to Ch$77,290 million in 2009 compared to the corresponding period in 2008.  This increase was mainly due to the recalibration of our consumer credit scoring model, which resulted in approximately Ch$35,000 million in additional provisions of which Ch$32,000 million related to loans to individuals and Ch$3,000 million to the commercial loan book.  Charge-offs in 2009 increased 7.8% compared to 2008, totaling Ch$295,831 million. This was mainly due to a 46.1% increase in charge-offs in the commercial loan portfolio in 2009 compared to 2008 which resulted from the economic downturn that adversely affected asset quality in various sectors of the economy. Recoveries on loans previously charged off increased by 3.6% from 2008.
 
Despite the rise in provision expense, operating income, net of provisions, increased 2.5% in 2009 compared to 2008 and totaled Ch$971,772 million.
 
Operating expenses in 2009 decreased by 4.3% compared to 2008. The efficiency ratio improved from 37.6% in 2008 to 34.0% in 2009. Personnel salaries and expenses decreased by 9.0%, mainly due to a 5.3% reduction in average headcount, an 82.7% reduction in severance payments and other cost saving measures. Administrative expenses increased 2.3% in 2009 compared to 2008, mainly due to higher rent expenses for branch and ATM locations. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by 2.1%, mainly due to lower depreciation expense of real estate as the Bank spent less on improvements and remodeling, and lower depreciation of intangibles as three important computer systems were fully depreciated in 2008.
 
Other operating expenses were Ch$36,662 million in 2009, a 1.0% increase compared to 2008, principally due to a 92.8% increase in expenses related to repossessed assets, which was a result of an increase in provisions for repossessed assets in line with the general economic downturn.
 
Net operating results, which are operating income net of provisions and operating expense, increased by 9.4% in 2009, compared to the corresponding period in 2008.
 
These operating results were offset by a 48.8% increase in income tax expense. The effective tax rate for 2009 was 16.9%, compared to 12.4% in the corresponding period in 2008, due to the change in our taxable income base. Our taxable income base changed as a result of the adoption of the new accounting standards, which eliminated price level restatement which in prior periods generated tax deductible losses.  The statutory tax rate in Chile has not changed and continues to be 17% on income before taxes.
 
Net interest income
 
(in millions of Ch$, except percentages)
 
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
Individuals
    532,060       520,332       2.3 %
Small and mid sized companies
    228,928       220,058       4.0 %
Institutional
    18,789       17,591       6.8 %
Total retail
    779,777       757,981       2.9 %
Total middle-market
    114,432       113,223       1.1 %
Global banking & markets
    33,738       31,783       6.2 %
Other(1) 
    (71,431 )     (10,921 )     554.1 %
Net interest income
    856,516       892,066       (4.0 %)
Average interest-earning assets
    16,265,592       15,681,754       3.7 %
Average non-interest-bearing demand deposits
    2,475,050       2,456,747       0.7 %
Net interest margin(2) 
    5.3 %     5.7 %      
Average shareholders’ equity and average non-interest-bearing demand deposits to total average interest-earning assets
    25.1 %     24.0 %      

(1)
Consists mainly of net interest income from Financial Management and the cost of funding our fixed income trading portfolio.
 
(2)
Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
 
Our net interest income decreased 4.0% to Ch$856,516 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 from net interest income of Ch$892,066 million in the corresponding period in 2008. Average interest earning assets increased 3.7% in 2009 compared to 2008, principally reflecting a 5.1% increase in average loans, offset in part by a 16.6% decrease in financial investments.
 
Net interest margin in 2009 was 5.3% compared to 5.7% in the same period in 2008, reflecting the deflationary environment in 2009, offset in part by a higher spread loan mix. In the twelve month period ended December 31, 2009, the value of the UF declined by 2.4% compared to an increase of 9.3% in the same period of 2008. As we have more interest-earning assets than liabilities linked to the UF, our net interest income is negatively affected by deflation. In 2009, the average gap between UF-denominated interest-earning assets and UF-denominated average interest bearing liabilities was approximately Ch$2,689,614 million compared to Ch$2,439,563 million in the corresponding period in 2008.
 
Net interest income and margins were positively affected by the fall in short-term interest rates. As interest-bearing liabilities generally have shorter terms than interest-earning assets, a fall in short-term rates has a positive effect on our margins. The overnight interbank rate set by the Central Bank was lowered by 775 basis points in 2009 and is currently at 0.50%. As a result, the average nominal rate we paid on our interest-bearing liabilities was 2.6% in 2009 compared to 11.1% in 2008.
 
The evolution of net interest income by segment was as follows:
 
 
·  
Net interest income from the retail banking segment increased by 2.9% in 2009 compared to the 2008, with increases of 2.3% in the individuals segment, 4.0% in the small and mid-sized companies segment and 6.8% to the institutional client segment. This increase in net interest income was mainly due to a 5.3% increase in loans in retail banking in 2009 compared to 2008. Loans to small and mid-sized companies increased 0.7% and lending to institutions rose 25.9% in 2009 compared to 2008. Loan growth in Santander Banefe, the Bank’s business segment for mid-lower income individuals, decreased 12.7% in 2009 compared to 2008, reflecting the Bank’s increased selectivity in making loans in the context of 2009’s recessionary economic environment. This was offset by an 8.4% increase in lending to individuals in Banca Comercial that targets mainly mid-upper income individuals.
 
 
·  
Net interest income from the middle-market segment increased by 1.1%, due to higher margins in this segment as funding costs fell at a faster pace than the rate earned over interest-earning assets. This was achieved despite a 14.3% decline in loan volumes in the period being analyzed.
 
 
·  
Net interest income from the global banking and markets segment increased by 6.2%. This was achieved despite a 46.2% decline in loan volumes in the period as this segment’s margins were positively impacted by the lower interest rate environment as funding costs declined more than lending rates.
 
 
·  
The 554.1% increase in the loss in other net interest income principally resulted from the impact of the deflationary environment on our UF asset/liability gap, which is managed by the Financial Management division.

The following table shows our balances of loans and accounts receivables from customers and interbank loans by segment at the dates indicated.
 
   
As of December 31,
   
% Change
 
Loans by product
 
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Individuals
    7,287,925       6,859,547       6.2 %
Small and mid-sized companies
    2,485,505       2,468,820       0.7 %
Institutional
    282,933       224,776       25.9 %
Total retail
    10,056,363       9,553,143       5.3 %
Total middle-market
    2,471,162       2,882,943       (14.3 %)
Global banking & markets
    1,194,706       2,221,144       (46.2 %)
Other
    29,045       23,858       21.7 %
Total loans(1) 
    13,751,276       14,681,088       (6.3 %)

(1)
Includes interbank loans.
 
Fee and commission income
 
The following table sets forth certain components of our income from services (net of fees paid to third parties directly connected to providing those services, principally fees relating to credit card processing and ATM network administration) in the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Collections
    65,782       59,237       11.0 %
Checking accounts and lines of credit
    53,388       64,483       (17.2 %)
Credit, debit and ATM cards
    51,670       43,772       18.0 %
Asset management
    30,766       28,220       9.0 %
Letters of credit
    24,558       17,092       43.7 %
Insurance brokerage
    16,307       15,284       6.7 %
Custody and brokerage services
    6,532       6,538       (0.1 %)
Office banking
    2,552       1,944       31.3 %
Other fees
    2,575       6,559       (60.7 %)
Total fees and commission income, net
    254,130       243,129       4.5 %

Net fees and commission income grew by 4.5% to Ch$254,130 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period of 2008.
 
Fees from collections increased by 11.0% in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same 2008 period. The fees from the collection of brokerage premiums on in-force credit insurance increased 28.4% in 2009 compared to 2008 and was the principal driver of this fee item.
 
Fees from checking accounts and lines of credit, which includes the maintenance fee for checking accounts and lines of credit and fees charged for the unauthorized overdraft of lines of credit, decreased 17.2% in 2009 compared to 2008.   This decrease was principally due to a 68.5% decrease in fees from unauthorized overdrafts of credit lines, which fees were prohibited by the Superintendency of Banks beginning in May 2009.
 
Fees from credit, debit and ATM cards increased by 18.0%, reflecting increased usage of our credit cards, the total number of which remained substantially constant. As of December 2009, the Bank, with 33.1% of all bank credit cards in Chile, generated 38.2% of all monetary purchases in Chile. Billing was up 22.9% in real terms in 2009 compared to 8.1% for the rest of the market, excluding Santander.
 
Fees from our asset management business increased 9.0% in 2009 compared to 2008. Total funds under management increased 55.9% in the period being analyzed and totaled Ch$3,427,829 million (US$6.8 billion). The recovery of the local and global equity markets in 2009 resulted in an increase in funds under management. The Bank’s commercial teams have also proactively funneled customer deposits to mutual funds, which is a more profitable product for the Bank.
 
Fees were also driven by a 43.7% increase in fees from letters of credit and other contingent operations.  This was mainly due to higher income from stand-by letters of credit from our foreign trade finance business and correspondent banking resulting from a differential pricing strategy, based on segmenting the client base more thoroughly.
 
Insurance brokerage fees increased by 6.7%. This was mainly due to greater business volumes in our insurance brokerage subsidiary and higher sale of insurance products through our website.
 
Custody and brokerage fees decreased 0.1% in 2009 compared to 2008. This was primarily due to the lower stock brokerage fees, especially in the first quarter of 2009 when equity market activity generally decreased due to perceived adverse market conditions in 2009.
 
Fees from office banking increased 31.3%. This was mainly due to increase on-line banking activities on behalf of middle-market and corporate clients.
 
Other fee income decreased by 60.7%. This was due in part to lower fees from the issuance of cashier’s checks and other services on behalf of companies which are now done more efficiently through automated processes but at lower prices.
 
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated our fee income from our business segments.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Individuals
    171,433       160,286       7.0 %
Small and mid-sized companies
    41,917       39,931       5.0 %
Institutional
    1,962       1,789       9.7 %
Total retail
    215,312       202,006       6.6 %
Total middle-market (Companies)
    20,567       16,846       22.1 %
Global banking and markets
    18,747       14,786       26.8 %
Other
    (496 )     9,491       %
Total fees and commission income, net
    254,130       243,129       4.5 %

Retail banking fees increased by 6.6% in 2009 compared to 2008 mainly as a result of the increase in fees from credit and debit cards, asset management and insurance brokerage. This was partially offset by lower fees from checking accounts and lines of credit.
 
Fees in the middle market segment increased by 22.1% mainly as a result from the rise in fees from letters of credit and contingent operations and office banking fees. The fees from the global banking and markets segment increased by 26.8% mainly as a result of an increase in fees from letters of credit, investment banking, advisory services and office banking.
 
Financial transactions, net
 
The following table sets forth information regarding our income (expenses) from financial transactions in the year-ended December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Net income from financial operations
    3,887       273,477       (98.6 %)
Foreign exchange profit (loss), net
    163,241       (187,042 )     %
Total financial transactions, net
    167,128       86,435       93.4 %

The net gains from financial transactions, which is the sum of trading activities, mark-to-market adjustments and foreign exchange transactions totaled Ch$167,128 million for 2009, an increase of 93.4% compared to the corresponding period in 2008. These results include the results of our Treasury Department’s trading business and financial transactions with customers as well the results of our Financial Management division.
 
The net income from financial operations was Ch$3,887 million in 2009, a decrease of 98.6% compared to 2008. This lower result was mainly due to the appreciation of the Chilean peso and its effect on the mark-to-market of foreign currency derivatives, which was a loss of Ch$102,825 million, compared to a gain of Ch$178,883 million in the same period in 2008. These lower results were also due to lower interest income from our investments classified as trading. This was mainly due to the deflation in the period, which lowered the interest earned on these assets. These results were offset in part by the mark-to-market and the realized gains from our available-for-sale fixed income portfolio. These results totaled a gain of Ch$47,335 million in 2009 compared to a gain of Ch$3,807 million in 2008. In the last quarter of 2008, we increased our domestic bond portfolio as a result of the strong inflow of deposits and the high interest rate environment.  In the first half of 2009, as interest rates decreased we recognized gains from our fixed income portfolio. This portfolio is mainly comprised of Central Bank bonds.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Derivatives classified as trading
    (102,825 )     178,883       %
Trading investments
    49,220       77,222       (36.3 %)
Sale of loans
    9,231       15,017       (38.5 %)
Available-for-sale instruments sales
    47,335       3,807       1143.4 %
Other results
    926       (1,452 )     (163.8 %)
Net income from financial operations
    3,887       273,477       (98.6 %)

These results were offset by the conversion gain of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and hedge-accounted derivatives recorded as a gain in the foreign exchange transactions line item. The derivatives included in this line item are mainly cross-currency swaps that hedge interest rate risk of bonds issued abroad. Foreign exchange profit (loss), net totaled a net gain of Ch$163,241 million in 2009 compared to a loss of Ch$187,042 million in 2008. The appreciation of the Chilean peso in 2009 compared to a depreciation in 2008 explains this difference in results and which was largely offset by the mark-to-market of foreign exchange derivatives in net gains from trading and mark-to-market as described above.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Foreign exchange transactions
    401,695       (402,927 )     %
Hedge-accounting derivatives
    (266,221 )     243,979       %
Translation gains and losses over  assets and liabilities indexed to foreign currencies
    27,767       (28,094 )     %
Net results from foreign exchange profit (loss)
    163,241       (187,042 )     %

Excluding derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting, the conversion and mark-to-market of foreign currency derivatives are for the most part recognized as a gain or loss in the net results from mark-to-market and trading and not as foreign exchange transactions. This distorts the results from mark-to-market and trading and foreign exchange transactions. In order to more easily compare the results from financial transactions, net, we present the following table that separates the results by line of business.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(In million of Chilean pesos)
         
Santander Global Connect and market-making
    89,847       89,659       0.2 %
Proprietary trading
    14,360       4,311       233.1 %
Sale of loans and charged-off loans
    9,231       15,017       (38.5 %)
Financial Management (ALCO) and other results
    53,690       (22,552 )     %
Total financial transactions, net
    167,128       86,435       93.4 %

The results from Santander Global Connect (SGC) and market-making mainly include the results from the sale of derivatives, foreign exchange and fixed income instruments to our client base. Santander Global Connect is a specialized platform designed to facilitate the sale of derivatives to a broad range of companies in all segments and through the branch network. In 2009, the results from SGC and market-making increased by 0.2% to Ch$89,847 million.
 
The results from proprietary trading totaled a gain of Ch$14,360 million in 2009 compared to a gain of Ch$4,311 million in 2008. The sharp reduction in rates, especially in the first half of 2009, had a positive effect on our proprietary trading positions compared to the surge in inflation and rates in 2008.
 
The results from the Financial Management Division and other results totaled a gain of Ch$53,690 million in 2009 compared to a loss of Ch$22,552 million in 2008. The Financial Management Division manages the structural interest rate risk, the structural position in inflation-indexed assets and liabilities, shareholders’ equity and liquidity. The aim of the Financial Management Division is to inject stability and recurrence into the net interest income of commercial activities and to ensure that we comply with internal and regulatory limits regarding liquidity, regulatory capital, reserve requirements and market risk. The gain recognized by the Financial Management Division was mainly due to the sale of available-for-sale fixed income instruments as rates fell, especially in the first quarter of 2009 in order to offset the negative impact of deflation on net interest margins.
 
Other operating income
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(In million of Chilean pesos)
         
Gain on sales of assets received in lieu of payment
    29       1,518       (98.1 %)
Recovery of charged-off of assets received in lieu of payment
    --       --          
Income from assets received in lieu of payment
    29       1,518       (98.1 %)
Net results from sale of investment in other companies
    1,859       4,348       (57.2 %)
Operational leases
    1,123       1,304       (13.9 %)
Gain on sale of Bank premises and equipment
    7,622       1,248       510.7 %
Recovery of provisions for non-specific contingencies
    14,793       1,246       1087.2 %
Other
    440       1,232       (64.3 %)
Sub-total other income
    23,978       5,030       376.7 %
Total other operating income
    25,866       10,896       137.4 %

Other operating income totaled a gain of Ch$25,866 million in 2009, an 137.4% increase from Ch$10,896 million in 2008.  In 2009, income from repossessed assets totaled Ch$29 million, a 98.1% decline compared to the corresponding period in 2008, mainly due to the economic downturn, which led to us holding on to repossessed assets for longer periods. Income from the sale of investments in other companies decreased by 57.2% mainly as a result of a Ch$1,847 million gain from the sale of shares in Visa Inc. and MasterCard in the first half of 2009,
 
compared to a Ch$974 million one-time gain from the sale of shares in the Santiago Stock Exchange and a Ch$3,368 million one-time gain from the sale of shares in Visa Inc. in the first half of 2008.
 
The gains from the sale of Bank premises and equipment increased 510.7% to Ch$7,622 million. This result includes a one-time gain of Ch$7,072 million from the sale of a building in December 2009.
 
Finally, gains from the recovery of provisions for non-specific contingencies increased 1,087.2% to Ch$14,793 million. This figure includes the reversal during 2009 of non-specific contingencies, recognized at the beginning of 2009 and previous periods, as the Bank assigned specific credit provisions to loans, which were reflected under provision for loan losses, as a result of recalibration of its credit models (See Provision Expense and Note 36(a) to our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Provision for loan losses
 
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information relating to our provision expenses.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Gross provision expenses(1) 
    (77,290 )     (51,505 )     50.1 %
Charge-offs
    (295,831 )     (274,372 )     7.8 %
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
    39,274       37,894       3.6 %
Provision expenses, net
    (333,847 )     (287,983 )     15.9 %
Period-end loans(2) 
    13,751,276       14,681,088       (6.3 %)
Past due loans(3) 
    193,250       160,824       20.2 %
Non-performing loans(4) 
    409,067       383,458       6.7 %
Substandard loans(5) 
    1,485,737       870,259       70.7 %
Loan loss allowance(6) 
    349,527       274,240       27.5 %
Non-performing loans / period-end loans(4) 
    2.97 %     2.61 %        
Past due loans / period-end loans
    1.41 %     1.10 %        
Expected loan loss ratio(7) 
    2.54 %     1.87 %        
Coverage ratio non-performing loans(8) 
    85.44 %     71.52 %        
Coverage ratio past due loans(9) 
    180.87 %     170.52 %        

(1)
Net of the reversal of allowances on loans charged off during the period.
 
(2)
Includes Ch$95,534 million in 2008 and Ch$23,412 million in 2009 in interbank loans.
 
(3)
Past-due loans all are installments and lines of credit that are over 90 days overdue.
 
(4)
Non-performing loans include the aggregate unpaid principal and accrued but unpaid interest on all loans with at least one installment over 90 days overdue.  December 31, 2008 non-performing loans amount is as reported on January 1, 2009.
 
(5)
Substandard loans prior to December 2009 include: (i) all non-performing loans, (ii) all renegotiated consumer loans, and (iii) all commercial loans that are at risk of default. As of December 31, 2009, substandard loans include: (i) all loans to a single client that are evaluated on a group basis, including performing loans, that have a loan classified as non-performing,  (ii) all renegotiated consumer loans and (iii) all commercial loans at risk of default. See Note 10(a) of the Consolidated Financial Statements. As a result of this change in definition substandard loans as of December 31, 2009 are not comparable to December 31, 2008 figures.
 
(6)
Includes Ch$35 million in 2008 and Ch$42 million in 2009 in loan loss allowances for interbank loans.
 
(7)
Loan loss allowance divided by total loans.
 
(8)
Loan loss allowance divided by non-performing loans.
 
(9)
Loan loss allowance divided by past due loans.
 
Net provision expense for loan losses totaled Ch$287,983 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 15.9% compared to 2008.
 
Gross provision expense increased by 50.1% to Ch$77,290 million in 2009 compared to the corresponding period in 2008.  This rise was mainly due to the recalibration of our consumer credit scoring model. All consumer loans are now assigned a provision at the moment a loan is granted that depends on the risk profile of the client. In addition, the historical time period used for statistically determining the risk level of consumer loans was shortened in the first half of 2009 from 21 months to 18 months for non-renegotiated loans and 12 months for renegotiated loans. This recalibration was done in order to increase the weighting of the time period in which the economic downturn has been affecting the risk levels of the consumer loan book. The Bank also made some adjustments to its commercial loan portfolio credit scoring models in 2009. In total these changes resulted in approximately Ch$35,000 million in additional provisions in 2009 of which Ch$32,000 million were with respect to loans to individuals and Ch$3,000 million the commercial loan book.  The rise in gross provisions was also due to an increase in risk of the commercial loan book, especially in the salmon sector.  The following table shows provision expense by type of loan:
 
Gross provision expense by loan product
 
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Consumer loans
    (19,030 )     (12,207 )     55.9 %
Residential mortgage loans
    (3,903 )     (3,044 )     28.2 %
Commercial loans
    (53,042 )     (35,812 )     48.1 %
Contingent loans (off-balance sheet)
    (1,308 )     (407 )     221.4 %
Interbank loans
    (7 )     (35 )     80.0 %
Total gross provisions
    (77,290 )     (51,505 )     50.1 %

Charge-offs increased 8.1% in 2009 compared to 2008, totaling Ch$296,526 million. This was mainly due to a 48.2% increase in charge-offs in the commercial loan portfolio in 2009 compared to 2008 as a result of the economic downturn that hurt asset quality in various sectors of the economy. Charge-offs in the consumer loan portfolio increased 1.1%.  The following table shows charge-offs by type of loan.
 
Charge-offs by loan product
 
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Consumer loans
    (239,005 )     (236,405 )     1.1 %
Residential mortgage loans
    (8,708 )     (5,032 )     73.1 %
Commercial loans
    (48,118 )     (32,935 )     46.1 %
Total charge-offs
    (295,831 )     (274,372 )     7.8 %

Recoveries on loans previously charged off increased by 3.6% in from to 2008. This was mainly due to increased collection efforts by our commercial teams, whose compensation was revised in 2009 to provide greater incentives to increase recoveries. The increased participation by our commercial teams in the recovery process and our efforts toward controlling initial non-performance has had a positive effect on the levels of loan loss recoveries in the period.
 
Recovery of loans previously charged-off
 
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Consumer loans
    28,268       26,718       5.8 %
Residential mortgage loans
    2,560       1,932       32.5 %
Commercial loans
    8,446       9,244       (8.6 %)
Total recoveries
    39,274       37,894       3.6 %

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated our provision expense broken down by business segment.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Individuals
    (230,503 )     (221,715 )     4.0 %
Small and mid sized companies (SMEs)
    (76,075 )     (53,669 )     41.7 %
Institutional
    (327 )     (290 )     12.8 %
Total retail
    (306,905 )     (275,674 )     11.3 %
Total middle-market (Companies)
    (24,333 )     (16,188 )     50.3 %
Global banking & markets
    (2,511 )     (759 )     230.8 %
Other
    (98 )     4,638       (102.1 %)
Total provisions, net
    (333,847 )     (287,983 )     15.9 %

 
By business segment, the 15.9% increase in provision was provision expense was mainly due to the 41.7% increase in net provision expense among SMEs, the middle market and global banking and markets.  This rise was due to an increase in risk of the commercial loan book as a result of the economic downturn and higher provisions in the salmon sector, which are mainly middle market clients.
 
Net provision expense among individuals only increased 4.0% in 2009 compared to 2008.  During 2009, we also sought to reduce exposure to the riskiest consumer loans. Loan growth in Santander Banefe, the Bank’s business segment for mid-lower income individuals, decreased 12.7% in 2009 compared to 2008. This was offset by an 8.4% increase in lending to individuals in Banca Comercial that encompasses mainly the less riskier mid-upper income individuals. We also modified our collection procedures for short-term non-performing consumer loans (< 90 days and before being charged-off) by placing commercial teams as the main responsible for performing this task instead of the collections area.  This was done by increasing the weighting of recoveries on variable incentives for commercial teams and improving  IT systems so commercial teams could receive more quickly alerts regarding their client base.
 
Asset quality indicators deteriorated in 2009 as a result of the economic recession, but with a more favorable evolution in the second half of the year. The expected loss ratio, loan loss allowances over total loans, which measures how much we expect to lose on our loan book, according to our internal models and the Superintendency of Banks guidelines, reached 2.54% as of December 31, 2009 compared to 1.87% as of December 31, 2008. The ratio of past due loans as a percentage of total loans reached 1.41% as of December 31, 2009 compared to 1.10% as of December 31, 2008. Total non-performing loans, a new measure of asset quality introduced in 2009, which includes not only the past due installments, but also the full balance of any loan with one or more installments more than 90 days overdue, reached 2.97% as of December 31, 2009 compared to 2.61% as of December 31, 2008.
 
We believe that our loan loss allowances are currently adequate for all known and expected losses. In 2010 our required loan loss allowances will be impacted by the effects of the recent earthquake on asset quality, in addition to the normal evolution of our business.  On February 27, 2010, areas of Chile were affected by an earthquake.  These areas should be negatively affected economically and therefore asset quality indicators should deteriorate in these areas.  The Bank’s loan exposure to the areas most affected (Regions VI-VIII) is approximately Ch$1,658,845 million or 11.8% of the Bank’s loan portfolio as of February 28, 2010.  We are currently unable to estimate the extent of the earthquake’s impact on asset quality because not enough time has passed since the earthquake, although the impact could be material.  See “Risk Factors— The recent earthquake in Chile is likely to adversely affect the quality of our loan portfolio in segments of the Chilean economy that have been negatively affected and, as a result, is likely to negatively affect, as a result, is likely to negatively.”
 
Operating expenses
 
The following table sets forth information regarding our operating expenses in the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
     
Year ended December 31,
     
% Change
 
     
2009
     
2008
     
2009/2008
 
     
 (in millions of Ch$)
         
Personnel salaries and expenses
    (224,484 )     (246,775 )     (9.0 %)
Administrative expenses
    (136,712 )     (133,682 )     2.3 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (46,623 )     (47,627 )     (2.1 %)
Impairment
    (75 )     (84 )     (10.7 %)
Other operating expenses
    (36,662 )     (36,298 )     1.0 %
Total operating expenses
    (444,556 )     (464,466 )     (4.3 %)
Efficiency ratio (1) 
    34.0 %     37.6 %        

(1)
The efficiency ratio is the ratio of total operating expenses to total operating income. Total operating income consists of net interest income, fee income, and other operating income.
 
Operating expenses in 2009 decreased by 4.3% compared to 2008. The efficiency ratio improved from 37.6% in 2008 to 34.0% in 2009. The 9.0% decrease in personnel salaries and expenses was mainly due to the 5.3% reduction in average headcount, an 82.7% reduction in severance payments and other cost saving measures.
 
Administrative expenses increased 2.3% in 2009 compared to 2008, mainly due to higher rent expenses for branch and ATM locations.
 
The impact on administrative expenses from the earthquake, net of insurance proceeds, recognized in 2010 is expected to be US$6 million.
 
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by 2.1%, mainly due to lower depreciation expense of real estate as we spent less on improvements and remodeling and lower depreciation of intangibles as three important computer systems completed their depreciation schedule in 2008.
 
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated our personnel, administrative and depreciation expenses broken down by business segment.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Individuals
    (268,934 )     (281,532 )     (4.5 %)
Small and mid-sized companies
    (58,741 )     (61,663 )     (4.7 %)
Institutional
    (6,799 )     (7,189 )     (5.4 %)
Total retail
    (334,474 )     (350,384 )     (4.5 %)
Total middle-market (Companies)
    (30,628 )     (32,692 )     (6.3 %)
Global banking and markets
    (29,485 )     (31,184 )     (5.4 %)
Other
    (13,307 )     (13,908 )     (4.3 %)
Total personnel, administrative, depreciation and impairment expense
    (407,894 )     (428,168 )     (4.7 %)

 
By business segment, the 4.7% decrease in personnel, administrative and depreciation expenses was mainly due to cost cutting and increases in productivity among all business segments.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
Other operating expenses
 
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Repossessed asset expenses
    (6,128 )     (3,178 )     92.8 %
Credit card expenses
    (5,902 )     (7,286 )     (19.0 %)
Customer service expenses
    (8,807 )     (9,366 )     (6.0 %)
Other expenses
    (15,825 )     (16,468 )     (3.9 %)
Total
    (36,662 )     (36,298 )     1.0 %

 
Other operating expenses were Ch$36,662 million in 2009, a 1.0% increase compared to 2008. Other operating expenses include provisions and expenses related to repossessed assets, expenses related to our credit card business, customer service expenses mainly related to our call-center and other expenses such as non-credit charge-offs, the cost of insurance policies (mainly life insurance) over products, tax paid on interest of foreign debt issued by us. Other operating expenses also include provisions for contingencies that may be non-specific credit or other impairments such as tax and legal contingencies. The rise in other expenses was mainly due to a 92.8% rise in expenses related to repossessed assets, which was a results of an increase in provisions for repossessed assets in line with the economic downturn and higher expenses to maintain repossessed assets.

Income tax
 
   
Year ended December 31,
   
% Change
 
   
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Income before tax
    525,534       480,709       9.3 %
Income tax
    (88,924 )     (59,742 )     48.8 %
Effective tax rate(1) 
    16.9 %     12.4 %        

(1)
The effective tax is the income tax divided by net income before tax.
 
Our income tax expense increased by 48.0% in 2009 compared to 2008. As a consequence of the adoption of new accounting standards, our taxable income base changed, mainly as a result of the elimination of price level restatement. In a positive inflationary environment, we previously recognized a tax deductible loss from price level restatement in our income statement. In 2008, we recognized in our historical income statement a Ch$78,027 million loss from price level restatement. Historical and non-restated income before taxes in 2008 totaled Ch$394,745 million. The effective tax rate paid on non-restated historical income before taxes was 16.1% in 2008 compared to 16.9% in 2009. The statutory tax rate in Chile has not changed and is 17% on income before taxes.  Going forward and in line with the Chilean government’s proposal for financing the reconstruction of the areas of Chile affected by the earthquake the statutory corporate tax rate will rise to 20% in 2011 to gradually return to 17% by 2013.
 
     
Year ended December 31,
     
% Change
 
     
2009
     
2008
(historical non-restated)
     
2009/2008
 
     
(in millions of Ch$)
         
Income before tax
    525,534       394,745       33.1 %
Income tax
    (88,924 )     (63,728 )     39.5 %
Effective tax rate(1) 
    16.9 %     16.1 %        

(1)
The effective tax  is the income tax divided by net income before tax.
 
E. Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Sources of Liquidity
 
Santander Chile’s liquidity depends upon its (i) capital, (ii) reserves and (iii) financial investments, including investments in government securities. To cover any liquidity shortfalls and to augment its liquidity position, Santander-Chile has established lines of credit with foreign and domestic banks and also has access to Central Bank borrowings.
 
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments by time remaining to maturity.  As of the date of the filing of this Annual Report, the Bank does not have significant purchase obligations. At December 31, 2009, the scheduled maturities of our contractual obligations and of other commercial commitments, including accrued interest, were as follows:
 
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Due within 1
year
   
Due after 1
year but
within 3 years
   
Due after 3
years but
within 6 years
   
Due after 6
years
   
Total
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Deposits and other obligations (1)
    6,035,291       1,006,289       23,157       11,535       7,076,272  
Mortgage finance bonds
    50,011       60,378       72,064       81,411       263,864  
Subordinated bonds
    -       132,110       172,832       287,084       592,026  
Bonds
    166,814       656,785       674,846       570,341       2,068,786  
Chilean Central Bank borrowings:
                                       
Credit lines for renegotiations of Loans
    1,850       -       -       -       1,850  
Other Central Bank borrowings
    947,753       -       -       -       947,753  
Borrowings from domestic financial institutions
    26,301       -       -       -       26,301  
Investments under repurchase agreements
    166,852       -       -       -       166,852  
Foreign borrowings
    1,812,296       206,343       -       -       2,018,639  
Derivatives
    375,097       370,429       329,440       273,940       1,348,906  
Other obligations
    37,898       8,097       33,523       67,393       146,911  
Total of cash obligations
    9,620,163       2,440,431       1,305,862       1,291,704       14,658,160  

(1)
Excludes demand deposit accounts and saving accounts.
 

Operational Leases
 
Certain bank premises and equipment are leased under various operating leases. Future minimum rental commitments as of December 31, 2009, under non-cancelable leases are as follows:
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Due within 1 year
    12,161  
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    11,201  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    9,139  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    7,685  
Due after 4 years but within 5 years
    6,478  
Due after 5 years
    22,240  
Total
    68,904  

 
Other Commercial Commitments
 
As of December 31, 2009, the scheduled maturities of other commercial commitments, including accrued interest, were as follows:
 
 
Other Commercial Commitments
 
Due within 1
year
   
Due after 1
year but
within 3 years
   
Due after 3
years but
within 6 years
   
Due after 6
years
   
Totals
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Letters of credit issued
    148,521       7,435       -       -       155,956  
Letters of credit confirmed
    33,239       2,417       162       -       35,818  
Available credit lines
    4,615,787       -       -       -       4,615,787  
Guarantees
    455,583       161,314       37,952       931       655,780  
Other commercial commitments
    153,482       15,980       469       -       169,931  
Total other commercial commitments
    5,406,612       187,146       38,583       931       5,633,272  

Risk-Weighted Assets and Regulatory Capital
 
We currently have regulatory capital in excess of the minimum requirement under the current Chilean regulations. According to the General Banking Law, a bank is required to have regulatory capital of at least 8% of its risk weighted assets, net of required loan loss allowances, and paid-in capital and reserves (i.e., the basic capital, as defined above) of at least 3% of its total assets, net of required loan loss allowances. For these purposes, the regulatory capital of a bank is the sum of (1) the bank’s basic capital, (2) subordinated bonds issued by the bank valued at their placement price for an amount up to 50% of its basic capital; provided that the value of the bonds is required to be decreased by 20% for each year that elapses during the period commencing six years prior to their maturity, and (3) its voluntary allowances for loan losses, for an amount of up to 1.25% of its risk weighted assets. Santander Chile does not have goodwill, but if it did, this value would be required to be deducted from regulatory capital. When calculating risk weighted assets, the Bank also includes off-balance sheet contingent loans. The merger of Old Santander-Chile and Santiago required a special regulatory pre-approval of the Superintendency of Banks, which was granted on May 16, 2002. The resolution granting this pre-approval imposed a regulatory capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 12% for the merged bank. This requirement was reduced to 11% by the Superintendency of Banks effective January 1, 2005. For purposes of weighing the risk of a bank’s assets, the General Banking Law considers five different categories of assets, based on the nature of the issuer, the availability of funds, and the nature of the assets and the existence of collateral securing such assets.
 
The following table sets forth our consolidated and risk-weighted assets and regulatory capital as of December 31, 2008 and 2009.

   
Consolidated assets
   
Risk-weighted assets
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Ch$ million)
 
Asset Balance (Net of allowances)
     
Cash and deposits in bank
    2,043,458       855,411       -       -  
Unsettled transactions 
    468,134       335,405       191,287       58,580  
Trading investments
    798,539       1,166,426       41,918       97,594  
Investments under resale agreements
    14,020       -       14,020       -  
Financial derivative contracts 
    1,391,886       1,459,901       837,692       844,892  
Interbank loans
    23,370       95,499       4,674       19,100  
Loans and accounts receivables from customers
    13,378,379       14,311,349       11,717,337       12,721,633  
Available for sale investments 
    1,830,090       1,580,240       154,089       167,995  
Investments in other  companies
    7,417       7,277       7,417       7,277  
Intangibles assets
    77,260       68,232       77,260       68,232  
Property, plant and equipment 
    184,122       200,389       184,122       200,389  
Current taxes
    4,541       18,715       454       1,872  
Deferred taxes 
    95,229       88,825       9,523       8,883  
Other assets 
    452,559       508,655       269,313       382,452  
Off-balance sheet assets
                               
Contingent loans 
    1,160,118       1,240,690       693,009       735,126  
Total
    21,929,122       21,937,014       14,202,115       15,314,025  
                                 
                   
Ratio
 
      2009       2008       2009       2008  
   
(Ch$ million)
   
%
   
%
 
Basic capital
    1,658,316       1,489,689       7.56 (1)     6.79 (1)
Regulatory capital
    2,214,092       2,104,225       15.59 (2)     13.74 (2)

(1)
As a percentage of total assets.
 
(2)
As a percentage of risk weighted assets (BIS ratio).
 
Financial Investments
 
The following table sets forth our investment in Chilean government and corporate securities and certain other financial investments at the dates indicated. Financial investments that have a secondary market are carried at market value. All other financial investments are carried at acquisition cost, plus accrued interest and indexation readjustments, as applicable. Interest income from the trading portfolio is no longer included as interest income, but as income from trading and mark-to-market of securities.
 
a) Trading
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Chilean Central Bank and Government Securities
           
Chilean Central Bank bonds
    667,703       786,263  
Chilean Central Bank notes
    63,868       218,355  
Other Chilean Central Bank and government securities
    29,806       71,739  
Subtotal
    761,377       1,076,357  
Other Chilean Securities
               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    -       -  
Mortgage bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    11       2,787  
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       3,030  
Chilean corporate bonds
    -       24,832  
Other Chilean securities
    -       -  
Subtotal
    11       30,649  
Foreign Financial Securities
               
Other foreign financial instruments
    -       -  
Subtotal
    -       -  
Investments in mutual funds
               
Funds managed by related entities
    37,151       59,420  
Subtotal
    37,151       59,420  
                 
Total
    798,539       1,166,426  
 

b) Available for sale
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Chilean Central Bank and Government Securities
           
Chilean Central Bank bonds
    1,063,879       690,123  
Chilean Central Bank notes
    264,011       49,204  
Other Chilean Central Bank and government securities
    212,362       93,128  
Subtotal
    1,540,252       832,455  
Other Chilean Securities
               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    41,407       1,305  
Mortgage bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    236,847       284,033  
Chilean corporate bonds
    11,584       13,522  
Subtotal
    289,838       298,860  
Others Financial Securities
               
Central Bank and Government Foreign Securities
    -       -  
Other Foreign financial securities(1) 
    -       448,925  
Subtotal
    -       448,925  
                 
Total
    1,830,090       1,580,240  

(1)
Corresponds to overnight dollar deposits in the U.S.
 
c) Held-to-maturity
 
No financial investments were classified as held-to-maturity as of December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
The following table sets forth an analysis of our investments as of December 31, 2009, by remaining maturity and the weighted average nominal rates of such investments.
 
   
Within one year
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
   
After one year but within five years
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
   
After five years but within ten years
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
   
After ten years
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
   
Total
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
 
   
(in millions of Ch$ , except rates)
 
Held for Trading
                                                           
Central Bank and Government Securities
                                                           
Central Bank bonds
    639,870       1.5 %     25,850       2.2 %     1,983       3.2 %                 667,703       1.5 %
Central Bank notes
    26,551       3.4 %     32,599       2.4 %     1,250       3.0 %     3,468       2.8 %     63,868       2.8 %
Other Chilean Central Bank and Treasury securities
          %     12,813       2.8 %     16,993       3.5 %                 29,806       3.2 %
Subtotal
    666,421               71,262               20,226               3,468               761,377          
Other Chilean Securities
                                                                               
Mortgage finance bonds
          %           %           %     11       4.0 %     11       4.0 %
Chilean financial institutions bonds
          %           %           %           %           %
Chilean corporate bonds
          %           %           %           %           %
Subtotal
                                              11               11          
Investment in mutual funds
                                                                               
Mutual funds administered by related parties
    37,151       0.1 %                                               37,151       0.1 %
Subtotal
    37,151                                                         37,151          
Total
    703,572               71,262               20,226               3,479               798,539          

 
69

 
   
Within one year
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
   
After one year but within five years
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
   
After five years but within ten years
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
   
After ten years
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
   
Total
   
Weighted average Nominal Rate
 
   
(in millions of Ch$, except percentages )
 
Available-for-sale Investments
                                                           
Central Bank and Government Securities
                                                           
Central Bank Bonds
    310,326       0.8 %     537,921       2.9 %     205,813       4.1 %     9,819       3.1 %     1,063,879       2.5 %
Central Bank notes
    198,877       0.1 %     63,533       0.2 %     1,601       1.8 %           %     264,011       0.1 %
Others securities
    10,838       1.5 %     5,800       2.8 %     177,653       4.9 %     18,071       3.2 %     212,362       4.5 %
Subtotal 
    520,041               607,254               385,067               27,890               1,540,252          
Other Chilean Securities
                                                                               
Deposits in Chilean Financial Institutions
    41,407       0.1 %           %           %           %     41,407       0.1 %
Mortgage Finance Bonds
    28       5.4 %     2,125       3.6 %     26,073       3.8 %     208,621       3.9 %     236,847       3.9 %
Chilean Corporate Bonds
          %     11,584       4.9 %           %           %     11,584       4.9 %
Subtotal 
    41,435       %     13,709       %     26,073       %     208,621       %     289,838       %
Total 
    561,476       %     620,963       %     411,140       %     236,511       %     1,830,090       %

 
Credit Risk Ratings
 
The Bank also has credit ratings from three international agencies.
 
Moody’s
Rating
Long-term foreign currency bank deposits
Aa3
Senior bonds
Aa3
Subordinated debt
A1
Bank Deposits in Local Currency
Aa3
Bank financial strength
B-
Short-term deposits
P-1
Outlook
Stable

Standard & Poor’s
Rating
Long-term Foreign Issuer Credit
A+
Long-term Local Issuer Credit
A+
Short-term Foreign Issuer Credit
A-1
Short-term Local Issuer Credit
A-1
Outlook
Stable

 
Fitch
Rating
Foreign Currency Long-term Debt
A+
Local Currency Long-term Debt
A+
Foreign Currency Short-term Debt
F1
Local Currency Short-term Debt
F1
Individual rating
B
Outlook
          Stable

 
On June 15, 2009, Moody’s downgraded the credit risk ratings of 25 Spanish banks, but maintained the rating of our parent company, but with negative outlook. Any adverse revisions to our parent company’s ratings and/or Chile’s credit ratings for domestic and international debt by international rating agencies may adversely affect our ratings. In 2010 Fitch ratings performed a similar downgrade of Spanish banks. Our ratings may also be negatively affected by a worsening of our financial condition, especially in terms of asset quality indicators.
 
On June 16, 2010, Moody’s upgraded the Bank’s foreign currency rating to Aa3 in line with a similar action to Chile’s sovereign rating.
 
Working Capital
 
As a bank, we satisfy our working capital needs through general funding, the majority of which derives from deposits and other borrowings from the public. (See “Item 5: E. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Deposits and Other Borrowings”). In our opinion, our working capital is sufficient for our present needs.
 
Liquidity Management
 
Liquidity management seeks to ensure that, even under adverse conditions, we have access to the funds necessary to cover client needs, maturing liabilities and capital requirements. Liquidity risk arises in the general funding for our financing, trading and investment activities. It includes the risk of unexpected increases in the cost of funding the portfolio of assets at appropriate maturities and rates, the risk of being unable to liquidate a position in a timely manner at a reasonable price and the risk that we will be required to repay liabilities earlier than anticipated.
 
Our general policy is to maintain liquidity adequate to ensure our ability to honor withdrawals of deposits, make repayments of other liabilities at maturity, extend loans and meet our own working capital needs. Our minimum amount of liquidity is determined by the statutory reserve requirements of the Central Bank. Deposits are subject to a statutory reserve requirement of 9% for demand deposits and 3.6% for Chilean peso, UF-denominated and foreign currency denominated time deposits with a term of less than a year. (See “Item 4: D. Regulation and Supervision”). The Central Bank has statutory authority to increase these percentages to up to 40% for demand deposits and up to 20% for time deposits. In addition, a 100% special reserve (reserva técnica) applies to demand deposits, deposits in checking accounts, other demand deposits received or obligations payable on sight and incurred in the ordinary course of business, other than deposits unconditionally payable immediately. This special reserve requirement applies to the amount by which the total of such deposits exceeds 2.5 times the amount of a bank’s regulatory capital. Interbank loans are deemed to have a maturity of more than 30 days, even if payable within the following 10 days.
 
The Central Bank also requires us to comply with the following liquidity limits:
 
 
·  
Our total liabilities with maturities of less than 30 days cannot exceed our total assets with maturities of less than 30 days by an amount greater than our capital. This limit must be calculated in local currency and foreign currencies together as one gap.
 
 
·  
Our total liabilities with maturities of less than 90 days cannot exceed our total assets with maturities of less than 90 days by more than twice of our capital. This limit must be calculated in local currency and foreign currencies together as one gap.
 
We have set other liquidity limits and ratios that minimize liquidity risk. See “Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”
 
Cash Flow
 
The tables below set forth our main sources of cash. The subsidiaries are not an important source of cash flow for us and therefore have no impact on our ability to meet our cash obligations. No legal or economic restrictions exist on the ability of subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of loans or cash dividends as long as these subsidiaries abide by the regulations of the Ley de Sociedad Anónimas regarding loans to related parties and minimum dividend payments. Please see our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed breakdown of the Bank’s cash flow.
 
Millions of Ch$
 
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,323,587       (10,324 )

Cash provided by operating activities totaled Ch$1,323,587 million in 2009 as a result of higher business activity, bond issuances and the decrease of our loan book. This was partially offset by the decrease in deposits. The Ch$(10,324) million in cash consumed by operating activities in 2008 was mainly due to an increase in the Bank’s loan book offset in part by the rise in deposits.
 
Millions of Ch$
 
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net cash provided by investment activities
    (28,129 )     (45,339 )

Net cash used in investing activities in 2009 totaled Ch$28,129 million. The largest consumption of cash involved the purchase of fixed and intangible assets offset in part by the sale of fixed assets. In 2008, the consumption of cash for investing totaled Ch$45,339 million for the same reasons as in 2009.
 
Millions of Ch$
 
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    (172,065 )     (173,608 )

In 2009, the net cash used by financing activities totaled Ch$172,065 million and the main consumption the redemption of bonds and dividends paid. In 2008 the consumption of cash by financing activities was due to similar reasons.

 
 
Deposits and Other Borrowings
 
The following table sets forth our average daily balance of liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, in each case together with the related average nominal interest rates paid thereon.
 
(millions of Ch$, except percentages)
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
Average
Balance
   
% of Total
Average
Liabilities
   
Average
Nominal
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
% of Total
Average
Liabilities
   
Average
Nominal
Rate
 
Savings accounts
    100,294       0.5 %     (1.0 %)     100,520       0.5 %     8.5 %
Time deposits
    8,355,446       41.8 %     2.8 %     8,343,001       45.1 %     9.8 %
Central Bank borrowings
    297,346       1.5 %     0.9 %     58,546       0.3 %     8.6 %
Repurchase agreements
    486,000       2.4 %     2.9 %     376,365       2.0 %     10.6 %
Mortgage finance bonds
    301,501       1.5 %     2.8 %     372,493       2.0 %     15.0 %
Other interest bearing liabilities
    3,909,793       19.6 %     2.5 %     3,373,806       18.3 %     14.3 %
Subtotal interest bearing liabilities
    13,450,380       67.3 %     2.6 %     12,624,731       68.2 %     11.1 %
Non-interest bearing liabilities
                                               
Non-interest bearing deposits
    2,475,050       12.4 %             2,456,747       13.3 %        
Derivatives
    1,387,026       6.9 %             1,332,232       7.2 %        
Other non-interest bearing liabilities
    1,079,516       5.4 %             769,286       4.2 %        
Shareholders’ equity
    1,599,938       8.0 %             1,299,098       7.1 %        
Subtotal non-interest bearing liabilities
    6,541,530       32.7 %             5,857,363       31.8 %        
Total liabilities
    19,991,910       100.0 %             18,482,094       100.0 %        
 
Our most important source of funding is our time deposits. Average time deposits represented 41.8% of our average total liabilities and shareholders’ equity in 2009. Our current funding strategy is to continue to utilize all sources of funding in accordance with their costs, their availability and our general asset and liability management strategy. Special emphasis is being placed on lengthening the maturities of time deposits with institutional clients and increasing in general our deposits from retail customers. We also intend to continue to broaden our customer deposit base and to emphasize core deposit funding. We have also followed the strategy in 2009 of increasing senior and subordinated bonds to increase the duration of liabilities and fund the growth of the mortgage portfolio. We believe that broadening our deposit base by increasing the number of account holders has created a more stable funding source.
 
Composition of Deposits
 
The following table sets forth the composition of our deposits and similar commitments at December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Demand deposits and other demand obligations
           
Current accounts
    2,776,607       2,268,991  
Other deposits and demand accounts
    303,495       206,347  
Other demand obligations
    453,432       472,824  
Subtotals
    3,533,534       2,948,162  
Time deposits and other time deposits
               
Time deposits
    4,219,392       9,476,024  
Time saving accounts
    98,985       102,951  
Other time deposits
    2,856,880       177,291  
Subtotals
    7,175,257       9,756,266  
Total deposits and other commitments
    10,708,791       12,704,428  
 
 
 
Maturity of Deposits
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the currency and maturity of our deposits as of December 31, 2009, expressed in percentages of our total deposits in each currency category. UF-denominated deposits are similar to peso-denominated deposits in all respects, except that the principal is readjusted periodically based on variations in the Chilean consumer price index.
 
   
Ch$
   
UF
   
Foreign
Currencies
   
Total
 
Demand deposits
    0.1 %     -       -       0.0 %
Savings accounts
    0.0 %     3.7 %     -       1.4 %
Time deposits:
                               
Maturing within 3 months
    75.9 %     24.2 %     77.8 %     57.0 %
Maturing after 3 but within 6 months
    10.8 %     12.0 %     13.4 %     11.6 %
Maturing after 6 but within 12 months
    7.9 %     28.2 %     8.8 %     15.5 %
Maturing after 12 months
    5.3 %     31.9 %     0.0 %     14.5 %
Total time deposits
    99.9 %     96.3 %     100.0 %     98.6 %
Total deposits
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

The following table sets forth information regarding the maturity of our outstanding time deposits in excess of US$100,000 as of December 31, 2009.
 
   
Ch$
   
UF
   
Foreign
Currencies
   
Total
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Time deposits:
                       
Maturing within 3 months
    2,338,964       644,901       618,582       3,602,447  
Maturing after 3 but within 6 months
    399,730       342,275       120,692       862,697  
Maturing after 6 but within 12 months
    258,880       743,318       79,976       1,082,174  
Maturing after 12 months
    159,056       746,733       68       905,857  
Total time deposits
    3,156,630       2,477,227       819,318       6,453,175  

Short-term Borrowings
 
The principal categories of our short-term borrowings are amounts borrowed under foreign trade lines of credit, domestic interbank loans, Central Bank borrowings and repurchase agreements. The table below presents the amounts outstanding at each year-end indicated and the weighted-average nominal interest rate for each such year by type of short-term borrowing.
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Balance
   
Weighted-
Average
Nominal
Interest
Rate
   
Balance
   
Weighted-
Average
Nominal
Interest
Rate
 
   
in millions of Ch$, except percentages
 
Balances under repurchase agreements
    166,852       0.2 %     291,940       6.3 %
Central Bank borrowings
    947,753       0.5 %     269,430       8.5 %
Domestic interbank borrowings
    26,301       0.4 %     5,003       8.1 %
Borrowings under foreign trade credit lines
    1,812,296       0.7 %     1,107,997       1.9 %
Total short-term borrowings
    2,953,202       0.6 %     1,674,370       3.7 %
 
 

 
The following table shows the average balance and the average nominal rate for each short-term borrowing category for the years indicated.
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Average Balance
   
Average Nominal Interest Rate
   
Average Balance
   
Average Nominal Interest Rate
 
   
(in millions of Ch$, except percentages)
 
Investment under repurchase agreements
    486,000       2.9 %     376,365       9.9 %
Central Bank borrowings
    297,346       0.9 %     58,546       8.5 %
Domestic interbank borrowings
    81,767       1.7 %     43,341       8.1 %
Borrowings under foreign trade credit lines
    1,433,710       1.9 %     1,276,543       3.9 %
Total short-term borrowings
    2,298,823       2.0 %     1,754,795       5.4 %

The following table presents the maximum month-end balances of our principal sources of short-term borrowings during the years indicated.
 
In millions of Ch$ 
 
Maximum 
2009
Month-End
Balance
   
Maximum 
2008
Month-End
Balance
 
Investment under repurchase agreements
    1,165,241       425,463  
Central Bank borrowings
    2,711       2,675  
Domestic interbank borrowings
    256,717       154,101  
Borrowings under foreign trade credit lines
    2,014,913       1,751,620  
Total short-term borrowings
    3,439,582       2,333,859  
 
 

 
Total Borrowings
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Long-term
   
Short-term
   
Total
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Central Bank Credit lines for renegotiations of loans (a)
    -       1,850       1,850  
Investment under repurchase agreements 
    -       1,114,605       1,114,605  
Mortgage finance bonds (b)
    213,853       50,011       263,864  
Senior bonds (c)
    1,901,972       166,814       2,068,786  
Subordinated bonds (d)
    592,026       -       592,026  
Borrowings from domestic financial institutions
    -       26,301       26,301  
Foreign borrowings (e)
    206,343       1,812,296       2,018,639  
Other obligations (f)
    109,013       37,898       146,911  
Total borrowings
    3,023,207       3,209,775       6,232,982  


   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Long-term
   
Short-term
   
Total
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Central Bank Credit lines for renegotiations of loans (a)
    -       3,012       3,012  
Investment under repurchase agreements 
    853       561,370       562,223  
Mortgage finance bonds
    289,913       54,767       344,680  
Senior bonds
    1,362,198       256,582       1,618,780  
Subordinated bonds
    687,912       -       687,912  
Borrowings from domestic financial institutions
    -       5,003       5,003  
Foreign borrowings
    309,055       1,107,997       1,417,052  
Other obligations
    32,277       99,041       131,318  
Total borrowings
    2,682,208       2,087,772       4,769,980  
 
(a)      Interbank borrowings
 
As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, interbank borrowings are summarized as follows:
 
   
As of December 31,
 
Ch$ million
 
2009
   
2008
 
Central Bank borrowings
    1,850       3,012  
Financial entities borrowings
    26,301       5,003  
Foreign Financial entities borrowings
    2,018,639       1,417,052  
Total
    2,046,790       1,425,067  
 

 
 
Credit lines for renegotiations of loans
 
Central Bank borrowings include credit lines for the renegotiations of loans and other Central Bank borrowings. These credit lines were provided by the Central Bank for the renegotiations of loans due to the need to refinance debts as a result of the economic recession and crisis of the banking system in the early 1980s. The lines for the renegotiations, which are considered long-term, are related with mortgage loans linked to the UF index and bore a real annual interest rate of 3% as of December 31, 2008 and 2009. The maturities of the outstanding amounts due under these credit lines, which are considered long-term, are as follows:

  
 
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Due within 1 year
    1,850  
Total
    1,850  

(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 bear a real weighted-average annual interest rate of 4.6% and 4.7% as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The following table sets forth the remaining maturities of our mortgage finance bonds at December 31, 2009.
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Due within 1 year
    50,011  
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    31,804  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    28,574  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    23,277  
Due after 4 years but within 5 years
    27,350  
Due after 5 years
    102,848  
Total mortgage finance bonds
    263,864  

(c)      Senior Bonds
 
The following table sets forth, at the dates indicated, our issued bonds. The bonds are denominated principally in UFs or U.S. dollars, and are principally used to fund the Bank’s mortgage portfolio.
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Santander bonds denominated in UF
    1,660,877       1,362,198  
Santander bonds denominated in US$
    407,909       256,582  
Total bonds
    2,068,786       1,618,780  
 
 

 
The maturities of these bonds are as follows:
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Due within 1 year
    166,814  
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    218,339  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    438,446  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    378,064  
Due after 4 years but within 5 years
    171,647  
Due after 5 years
    695,476  
Total bonds
    2,068,786  

In 2009 the Bank also issued senior bonds for UF 16,289,000 and USD 800,000.000.
 
 
Bonds Series
 
Amount
 
Term
 
Issue Rate
 
Issue Date
 
Maturity Date
F1
UF 3,000,000
8 years
3.50% per annum simple
5/2/2008
5/2/2016
F2
UF 2,379,000
9 years
4.20% per annum simple
9/1/2008
9/1/2017
F3
UF 3,000,000
5 years
4.50% per annum simple
2/1/2009
2/1/2014
F4
UF 3,000,000
4 years
4.50% per annum simple
2/1/2009
2/1/2013
F5
UF 3,000,000
4.5 years
2.50% per annum simple
5/1/2009
11/1/2013
F6
UF 3,000,000(*)
5 years
3.50% per annum simple
9/1/2009
9/1/2014
F7
UF 3,000,000(**)
4.5 years
3.30% per annum simple
11/1/2009
5/1/2014
Total
UF 20,379,000
       
144 A
USD 500,000,000
3 years
2.88% per annum simple
11/13/2009
11/13/2012
144 A
USD 300,000,000
3 years
2.88% per annum simple
11/13/2009
11/13/2012
Total
USD 800,000,000
       
 

(*)
On September 1, 2009 a line of bank bonds totaling UF 3,000,000 corresponding to Series F6 with a 5-year term was registered in the SBIF’s Registry of Securities. The F6 bond has an unplaced face value of UF 1,090,000 as of December 31, 2009.
 
(**)
On November 1, 2009 a line of bonds totaling UF 3,000,000 corresponding to Series F7 with a 4.5-year term was registered in the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions’ registry of securities. No placements of this bond have been made in the current fiscal year.
 
(d)      Subordinated bonds
 
The following table sets forth, at the dates indicated, the balances of our subordinated bonds. The following table sets forth, at the dates indicated, our issued subordinated bonds. The bonds are denominated principally in UFs or U.S. dollars, and are principally used to fund the Bank’s mortgage portfolio and can be considered in the Bank’s regulatory capital.
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Subordinated bonds denominated in US$
    278,087       364,410  
Subordinated bonds linked to the UF
    313,939       323,502  
Total subordinated bonds
    592,026       687,912  
 
 

 
The maturities of these bonds, which are considered long-term, are as follows.
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Due within 1 year
    -  
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    12,899  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    119,211  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    -  
Due after 4 years but within 5 years
    158,876  
Due after 5 years
    301,040  
Total subordinated bonds
    592,026  

In 2009, the Bank issued subordinated bonds in the local market for UF 300,000 (Ch$6,283 million), as follows:
 
Subordinated bonds
         
 
Series
 
Amount
 
Term
 
Issue rate
 
Issue date
 
Maturity date
G2 (*)
UF 300,000
30 years
4.8% per annum simple
9/1/2008
3/1/2038
Total
UF 300,000
       


(*)
As of December 31, 2009 there are unplaced Series G2 bonds with a U.F. face value 1,950,000.
 
(e)      Foreign borrowings
 
These are short-term and long-term borrowings from foreign banks used to fund our foreign trade business. The maturities of these borrowings are as follows.
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Due within 1 year
    1,812,296  
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    206,343  
Total foreign borrowings
    2,018,639  

The foreign borrowings are denominated principally in U.S. dollars, and are principally used to fund the Bank’s foreign trade loans, and bear an annual average interest rate of 3.9% and 1.4% at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
 
(f)      Other obligations
 
Other obligations are summarized as follows:
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    4,583  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    3,515  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    3,556  
Due after 4 years but within 5 years
    27,868  
Due after 5 years
    69,491  
Total long term obligations
    109,013  
Amounts due to credit card operators
    31,045  
Other obligations, due in less than 1 year
    6,853  
Total short-term obligations
    37,898  
Total other obligations
    146,911  
 
 

 
Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Commitments
 
In the ordinary course of our business, we are party to transactions with off balance sheet risk in the normal course of our business. These transactions expose us to credit risk in addition to amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The most important off-balance sheet item are contingent loans. Contingent loans consist of guarantees granted by us in Ch$, UF and foreign currencies (principally US$), unused letters of credit and commitments to extend credit such as overdraft protection and credit card lines of credit. Such commitments are agreements to lend to a customer at a future date, subject to the customer compliance with the contractual terms. Since a substantial portion of these commitments is expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total amount of commitments does not necessarily represent our actual future cash requirements. We use the same credit policies in making commitments to extend credit as we do for granting loans. In the opinion of our management, our outstanding commitments do not represent an unusual credit risk.
 
The following table presents the Bank’s outstanding contingent loans as of December 31, 2008 and 2009:
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Issued and documented letters of credit
    155,956       181,381  
Confirmed foreign letters of credit
    35,818       122,783  
Documented guarantees
    655,780       766,727  
Other guarantees
    169,931       172,568  
Subtotals
    1,017,485       1,243,459  
Lines of credit with immediate availability
    4,615,787       4,041,849  
Totals
    5,633,272       5,285,308  

Asset and Liability Management
 
Please refer to “Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk—Asset and Liability Management” regarding our policies with respect to asset and liability management.
 
Capital Expenditures
 
The following table reflects capital expenditures in each of the three years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Land and Buildings
    5,730       10,310  
Machinery and Equipment
    5,085       5,949  
Furniture and Fixtures
    202       2,304  
Vehicles
    678       589  
Other
    61       410  
Total
    11,756       19,562  
 
The decrease in capital expenditures in 2009 compared to 2008 was mainly due to the lower investment in branches and ATMs. We expect to invest US$376 million in branches, ATMs, phone banking, internet banking and other client relationship systems between 2010 and 2012. We expect to spend US$6.0 million in costs related to the earthquake.
 

 
F. 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 the discussion in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of our Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  The UF is linked to, and is adjusted daily to, reflect changes in the previous month’s Chilean consumer price index.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Impact of Inflation. The following tables show, by currency of denomination, average balances and, where applicable, interest amounts and real rates for our assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
Average Balance Sheets, Income Earned from 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 daily balances for us on an unconsolidated basis. Such average balances are presented in Chilean pesos, UFs and in foreign currencies (principally U.S. dollars). Figures from our subsidiaries have been calculated on the basis of monthly balances. The average balances of our subsidiaries, except Santander S.A. Agente de Valores, have not been categorized by currency. As such it is not possible to calculate average balances by currency for such subsidiaries on the basis of daily, weekly or monthly balances.
 
The nominal interest rate has been calculated by dividing the amount of interest and principal readjustment due to changes in the UF index (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:
 
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 U.S. dollar for the period; and
     
I
=
inflation rate in Chile for the period (based on the variation of the Chilean 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. The following example illustrates the calculation of the real interest rate for a dollar-denominated asset bearing a nominal annual interest rate of 10.0% (Nd = 0.10), assuming a 5.0% annual devaluation rate (D = 0.05) and a 12.0% annual inflation rate (I = 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 15.0%, using the same numbers, the real rate in Chilean pesos would be 12.9%, which is higher than the nominal rate in U.S. dollars. Using the same numbers, if the annual inflation rate were greater than 15.5%, the real rate would be negative.
 
Foreign exchange gains or losses on foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities are not included in interest income or expense. Similarly, interest on the available for sale investment portfolio does not include trading or mark-to-market gains or losses on these investments. Interest is not recognized on non-performing loans.   Non-performing loans that are overdue for 90 days or less have been included in each of the various categories of loans, and therefore affect the various averages. Non-performing loans consist of loans as to which either principal or interest is overdue (i.e., non-accrual loans) and restructured loans earning no interest.
 
Included in interbank deposits are checking accounts maintained in the Central Bank and foreign banks. Such assets have a distorting effect on the average interest rate earned on total interest-earning assets because currently balances maintained in Chilean peso amounts do not earn interest, and the only balances held in a foreign currency that earn interest are those maintained in U.S. dollars, but those only earn interest on the amounts that are legally required to be held for liquidity purposes. Additionally, this account includes interest earned by overnight investments. Consequently, the average interest earned on such assets is comparatively low. We maintain these deposits in these accounts to comply with statutory requirements and to facilitate international business, rather than to earn income.
 
The following tables show, by currency of denomination, average balances and, where applicable, interest amounts and real rates for our assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 

 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Earned
   
Average
Real Rate
   
Average
Nominal Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Earned
   
Average
Real Rate
   
Average
Nominal Rate
 
   
(in millions of Ch$, except for rate data)
 
ASSETS
                                               
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
                                               
Deposits in Central Bank
                                               
Ch$
    207,738       2,652       3.9 %     1.3 %     114,052       9,515       (0.5 %)     8.3 %
UF
                %     %                 %     %
Foreign currencies
                %     %                 %     %
Subtotal
    207,738       2,652       3.9 %     1.3 %     114,052       9,515       (0.5 %)     8.3 %
Financial investments
                                                               
Ch$
    939,455       32,782       6.2 %     3.5 %     851,635       80,356       0.5 %     9.4 %
UF
    547,220       4,507       3.5 %     0.8 %     614,704       51,794       (0.4 %)     8.4 %
Foreign currencies
    486,051       5,840       (17.8 %)     1.2 %     900,291       5,888       19.1 %     0.7 %
Subtotal
    1,972,726       43,129       (0.5 %)     2.2 %     2,366,630       138,038       7.3 %     5.8 %
Commercial Loans
                                                               
Ch$
    3,624,473       375,026       13.2 %     10.4 %     3,232,299       456,590       4.8 %     14.1 %
UF
    2,822,742       111,952       6.7 %     4.0 %     3,015,409       410,113       4.3 %     13.6 %
Foreign currencies
    1,053,718       53,074       (14.7 %)     5.0 %     1,076,102       60,080       24.9 %     5.6 %
Subtotal
    7,500,933       540,052       6.9 %     7.2 %     7,323,810       926,783       7.6 %     12.7 %
Consumer loans
                                                               
Ch$
    2,018,473       501,981       28.1 %     24.9 %     1,835,824       449,591       14.3 %     24.5 %
UF
    115,640       6,320       8.2 %     5.5 %     113,148       18,161       6.6 %     16.1 %
Foreign currencies
    8,161       1       (18.8 %)     %     8,161             18.3 %     %
Subtotal
    2,142,274       508,302       26.9 %     23.7 %     1,957,133       467,752       13.9 %     23.9 %
Mortgage loans
                                                               
Ch$
    6,028       535       11.7 %     8.9 %     14,359       1,310       0.2 %     9.1 %
UF
    3,946,434       101,804       5.3 %     2.6 %     3,637,661       510,362       4.7 %     14.0 %
Foreign currencies
                %     %                 %     %
Subtotal
    3,952,462       102,339       5.3 %     2.6 %     3,652,020       511,672       4.7 %     14.0 %
Interbank Loans
                                                               
Ch$
    19,532       262       4.0 %     1.3 %     16,838       1,077       (2.3 %)     6.4 %
UF
                %     %     56             (8.2 %)     %
Foreign currencies
    2,521             (18.8 %)     %     5,618       196       22.4 %     3.5 %
Subtotal
    22,053       262       1.4 %     1.2 %     22,512       1,273       3.8 %     5.7 %
Investments under agreements to resell
                                                               
Ch$
    261,288       10,680       6.8 %     4.1 %     21,148       1,610       (1.2 %)     7.6 %
UF
    852       31       6.4 %     3.6 %                 %     %
Foreign currencies
    198       6       (16.4 %)     3.0 %                 %     %
Subtotal
    262,338       10,717       6.8 %     4.1 %     21,148       1,610       (1.2 %)     7.6 %
Threshold
                                                               
Ch$
                %     %                 %     %
UF
                %     %                 %     %
Foreign currencies
    205,068       325       (18.7 %)     0.2 %     224,449       4,703       20.8 %     2.1 %
Subtotal
    205,068       325       (18.7 %)     0.2 %     224,449       4,703       20.8 %     2.1 %
Total interest-earning assets (1)
                                                               
Ch$
    7,076,987       923,918       16.0 %     13.1 %     6,086,155       1,000,049       6.9 %     16.4 %
UF
    7,432,888       224,614       5.7 %     3.0 %     7,380,978       990,430       4.2 %     13.4 %
Foreign currencies
    1,755,717       59,246       (16.1 %)     3.4 %     2,214,621       70,867       22.1 %     3.2 %
Subtotal
    16,265,592       1,207,778       7.8 %     7.4 %     15,681,754       2,061,346       7.8 %     13.1 %

 

 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Earned
   
Average
Real Rate
   
Average
Nominal
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Earned
   
Average
Real Rate
   
Average
Nominal
Rate
 
   
(in millions of Ch$, except for rate data)
 
NON-INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
                                               
Cash
                                               
Ch$
    398,396                         275,180                    
UF
                                               
Foreign currencies
    14,482                         19,432                    
Subtotal
    412,878                         294,612                    
Reserves for loan losses
                                                         
Ch$
    (315,361 )                       (248,172 )                  
UF
                                               
Foreign currencies
                                               
Subtotal
    (315,361 )                       (248,172 )                  
Fixed Assets
                                                         
Ch$
    215,789                         257,548                    
UF
                                               
Foreign currencies
                                               
Subtotal
    215,789                         257,548                    
Derivatives
                                                         
Ch$
    1,708,712                         1,861,855                    
UF
    (184,072 )                       (1,507,963 )                  
Foreign currencies
    (7,390 )                       1,064,876                    
Subtotal
    1,517,250                         1,418,768                    
Financial investments trading (1)
                                                         
Ch$
    233,977                         125,073                    
UF
    726,009                         308,302                    
Foreign currencies
    45,029                         28,367                    
Subtotal
    1,005,015                         461,742                    
Other assets
                                                         
Ch$
    688,310                         184,142                    
UF
    42,584                         66,754                    
Foreign currencies
    159,853                         364,946                    
Subtotal
    890,747                         615,842                    
Total non-interest earning assets
                                                         
Ch$
    2,929,823                         2,455,626                    
UF
    584,521                         (1,132,907 )                  
Foreign currencies
    211,974                         1,477,621                    
Total
    3,726,318                         2,800,340                    
TOTAL ASSETS
                                                               
Ch$
    10,006,810       923,918                   8,541,781       1,000,049              
UF
    8,017,409       224,614                   6,248,071       990,430              
Foreign currencies
    1,967,691       59,246                   3,692,242       70,867              
Total
    19,991,910       1,207,778                   18,482,094       2,061,346              

 
 

 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2009
2008
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Paid
 
Average Real Rate
Average Nominal Rate
 
Average Balance
Interest Paid
Average Real Rate
Average Nominal Rate
 
(in millions of Ch$, except for rate data)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
               
Savings accounts
               
Ch$
777
11
4.1%
1.5%
739
13
(6.5%)
1.8%
UF
99,517
(1,039)
1.6%
(1.0%)
99,781
8,516
(0.3%)
8.5%
Foreign currencies
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Subtotal
100,294
(1,028)
1.6%
(1.0%)
100,520
8,529
(0.3%)
8.5%
Time deposits
               
Ch$
4,442,195
183,641
6.9%
4.1%
3,879,461
291,134
(1.3%)
7.5%
UF
2,490,859
19,618
3.4%
0.8%
2,958,841
368,973
3.3%
12.5%
Foreign currencies
1,422,392
26,614
(17.3%)
1.9%
1,504,699
55,842
(4.8%)
3.7%
Subtotal
8,355,446
229,873
1.7%
2.8%
8,343,001
715,949
(0.3%)
9.8%
Central Bank borrowings
               
Ch$
295,319
2,561
3.5%
0.9%
55,300
4,570
(0.6%)
8.3%
UF
2,027
(11)
2.1%
(0.5%)
3,246
386
2.8%
11.9%
Foreign currencies
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Subtotal
297,346
2,550
3.5%
0.9%
58,546
4,956
(0.4%)
8.6%
Repurchase agreements
               
Ch$
461,168
13,454
5.6%
2.9%
311,307
34,487
2.0%
11.1%
UF
23,915
429
4.5%
1.8%
9,080
940
1.3%
10.4%
Foreign currencies
917
1
(18.7%)
0.1%
55,978
1,925
(5.0%)
3.4%
Subtotal
486,000
13,884
5.5%
2.9%
376,365
37,352
0.9%
10.6%
Mortgage finance bonds
               
Ch$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
UF
301,501
8,391
5.5%
2.8%
372,493
55,713
5.6%
15.0%
Foreign currencies
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Subtotal
301,501
8,391
5.5%
2.8%
372,493
55,713
5.6%
15.0%
Other interest-bearing liabilities
               
Ch$
141,415
8,173
8.6%
5.8%
99,390
10,697
(1.7%)
10.8%
UF
1,825,455
40,171
4.9%
2.2%
1,497,974
260,230
7.8%
17.4%
Foreign currencies
1,942,923
49,248
(16.6%)
2.5%
1,776,442
75,854
(4.2%)
4.3%
Subtotal
3,909,793
97,592
(5.7%)
2.5%
3,373,806
346,781
1.3%
14.3%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
               
Ch$
5,340,874
207,840
6.6%
3.9%
4,346,197
340,901
(1.0%)
7.8%
UF
4,743,274
67,559
4.1%
1.4%
4,941,415
694,758
4.7%
14.1%
Foreign currencies
3,366,232
75,863
(17.0%)
2.3%
3,337,119
133,621
(4.5%)
4.0%
Total
13,450,380
351,262
(0.2%)
2.6%
12,624,731
1,169,280
0.3%
11.1%
 
 
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Average Balance
   
Interest Paid
   
Average Real Rate
   
Average Nominal Rate
   
Average Balance
   
Interest Paid
   
Average Real Rate
   
Average Nominal Rate
 
   
(in millions of Ch$ except for rate data)
 
NON-INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
                                               
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
                                               
Ch$
    2,458,860       -       -       -       2,455,741       -       -       -  
UF
    13,039       -       -       -       25       -       -       -  
Foreign currencies
    3,151       -       -       -       981       -       -       -  
Subtotal
    2,475,050       -       -       -       2,456,747       -       -       -  
Derivatives
                                                               
Ch$
    1,059,863       -       -       -       1,027,615       -       -       -  
UF
    193,392       -       -       -       168,985       -       -       -  
Foreign currencies
    133,771       -       -       -       135,632       -       -       -  
Subtotal
    1,387,026       -       -       -       1,332,232       -       -       -  
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities
                                                               
Ch$
    512,216       -       -       -       423,539       -       -       -  
UF
    287,124       -       -       -       244,874       -       -       -  
Foreign currencies
    280,176       -       -       -       100,873       -       -       -  
Subtotal
    1,079,516       -       -       -       769,286       -       -       -  
Shareholders` Equity
                                                               
Ch$
    1,599,938       -       -       -       1,299,098       -       -       -  
UF
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Foreign currencies
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal
    1,599,938       -       -       -       1,299,098       -       -       -  
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity
                                                               
Ch$
    5,630,877       -       -       -       5,205,993       -       -       -  
UF
    493,555       -       -       -       413,884       -       -       -  
Foreign currencies
    417,098       -       -       -       237,486       -       -       -  
Total
    6,541,530       -       -       -       5,857,363       -       -       -  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                                               
Ch$
    10,971,751       207,840       -       -       9,552,190       340,901       -       -  
UF
    5,236,829       67,559       -       -       5,355,299       694,758       -       -  
Foreign currencies
    3,783,330       75,863       -       -       3,574,605       133,621       -       -  
Total
    19,991,910       351,262       -       -       18,482,094       1,169,280       -       -  
 
Changes in Net Interest Revenue and Interest Expense: Volume and Rate Analysis
 
The following table allocates, by currency of denomination, changes in our interest revenue and interest expense between changes in the average volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in their respective nominal interest rates for 2008 compared to 2007 and 2009 compared to 2008. Volume and rate variances have been calculated based on movements in average balances over the period and changes in nominal interest rates on average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities.
 
 
     
Increase (Decrease) from 2008 to 2009
 
     
Due to Changes in
 
     
Volume
   
Rate
   
Rate and
Volume
   
Net Change
from 2008 to
2009
 
ASSETS
                         
Interest-earning assets
                         
Deposits in Central Bank
                         
   
Ch $
 
      7,745       (8,019 )     (6,589 )     (6,863 )
   
UF
                         
   
Foreign currency
                         
   
Total
      7,745       (8,019 )     (6,589 )     (6,863 )
Financial investments
                                 
   
Ch $
 
      8,230       (50,596 )     (5,208 )     (47,574 )
   
UF
      (5,673 )     (46,741 )     5,127       (47,287 )
   
Foreign currency
      (2,793 )     4,711       (1,966 )     (48 )
   
Total
      (236 )     (92,626 )     (2,047 )     (94,909 )
Commercial loans
                                 
   
Ch $
 
      54,608       (121,432 )     (14,740 )     (81,564 )
   
UF
      (26,253 )     (290,379 )     18,471       (298,161 )
   
Foreign currency
      (1,161 )     (5,980 )     135       (7,006 )
   
Total
      27,194       (417,791 )     3,866       (386,731 )
Consumer loans
                                 
   
Ch $
 
      44,382       7,283       725       52,390  
   
UF
      401       (11,978 )     (264 )     (11,841 )
   
Foreign currency
            1             1  
   
Total
      44,783       (4,694 )     461       40,550  
Mortgage loans
                                 
   
Ch $
 
      (762 )     (30 )     17       (775 )
   
UF
      43,220       (416,573 )     (35,205 )     (408,558 )
   
Foreign currency
                         
   
Total
      42,458       (416,603 )     (35,188 )     (409,333 )
Interbank loans
                                 
   
Ch $
 
      174       (853 )     (136 )     (815 )
   
UF
                         
   
Foreign currency
      (108 )     (196 )     108       (196 )
   
Total
      66       (1,049 )     (28 )     (1,011 )
Investments Under Agreements to Resell
                                 
   
Ch $
 
      18,227       (744 )     (8,413 )     9,070  
   
UF
                  31       31  
   
Foreign currency
                  6       6  
   
Total
      18,227       (744 )     (8,376 )     9,107  
Threshold
                                       
   
Ch $
 
                         
   
UF
                         
   
Foreign currency
      (409 )     (4,335 )     366       (4,378 )
   
Total
      (409 )     (4,335 )     366       (4,378 )
Total interest-earning assets
                                 
   
Ch $
 
      132,604       (174,391 )     (34,344 )     (76,131 )
   
UF
      11,695       (765,671 )     (11,840 )     (765,816 )
   
Foreign currency
      (4,471 )     (5,799 )     (1,351 )     (11,621 )
   
Total
      139,828       (945,861 )     (47,535 )     (853,568 )
 

 
 
   
Increase (Decrease) from 2008 to 2009
       
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Rate and Volume
   
Net Change from 2008 to 2009
 
LIABILITIES
                       
Interest-bearing liabilities
                       
Savings accounts
                       
Ch$
    1       (2 )     (1 )     (2 )
UF
    (23 )     (9,556 )     24       (9,555 )
Foreign currencies
                       
Subtotal                  
    (22 )     (9,558 )     23       (9,557 )
Time deposits
                               
Ch$
    42,473       (130,967 )     (18,999 )     (107,493 )
UF
    (58,434 )     (345,739 )     54,818       (349,355 )
Foreign currencies
    (3,100 )     (27,585 )     1,457       (29,228 )
Subtotal                  
    (19,061 )     (504,291 )     37,276       (486,076 )
Central Bank borrowings
                               
Ch$
    19,885       (4,097 )     (17,797 )     (2,009 )
UF
    (145 )     (403 )     151       (397 )
Foreign currencies
                       
Subtotal                  
    19,740       (4,500 )     (17,646 )     (2,406 )
Repurchase agreements
                               
Ch$
    16,680       (25,457 )     (12,256 )     (21,033 )
UF
    1,544       (780 )     (1,275 )     (511 )
Foreign currencies
    (1,880 )     (1,855 )     1,811       (1,924 )
Subtotal                  
    16,344       (28,092 )     (11,720 )     (23,468 )
Mortgage finance bonds
                               
Ch$
                       
UF
    (10,630 )     (45,368 )     8,676       (47,322 )
Foreign currencies
                       
Subtotal                  
    (10,630 )     (45,368 )     8,676       (47,322 )
Other interest-bearing liabilities
                               
Ch$
    4,542       (4,967 )     (2,099 )     (2,524 )
UF
    57,055       (227,400 )     (49,714 )     (220,059 )
Foreign currencies
    7,360       (31,056 )     (2,910 )     (26,606 )
Subtotal                  
    68,957       (263,423 )     (54,723 )     (249,189 )
Total interest-bearing liabilities
                               
Ch$
    83,581       (165,490 )     (51,152 )     (133,061 )
UF
    (10,633 )     (629,246 )     12,680       (627,199 )
Foreign currencies
    2,380       (60,496 )     358       (57,758 )
Total                  
    75,328       (855,232 )     (38,114 )     (818,018 )

 

 
Interest-Earning Assets: Net Interest Margin
 
The following table analyzes, by currency of denomination, the levels of average interest-earning assets and net interest earned by Santander-Chile, and illustrates the comparative margins obtained, for each of the years indicated in the table.
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Total average interest-earning assets
           
Ch$
    7,076,987       6,086,155  
UF
    7,432,888       7,380,978  
Foreign currencies
    1,755,717       2,214,621  
Total
    16,265,592       15,681,754  
Net interest earned (1)
               
Ch$
    716,078       659,148  
UF
    157,055       295,672  
Foreign currencies
    (16,617 )     (62,754 )
Total
    856,516       892,066  
Net interest margin (2)
               
Ch$
    10.1 %     10.8 %
UF
    2.1 %     4.0 %
Foreign currencies
    (0.9 %)     (2.8 %)
Total
    5.3 %     5.7 %
 

(1)
Net interest earned is defined as interest revenue earned less interest expense incurred.
 
(2)
Net interest margin is defined as net interest earned divided by total average interest-earning assets.
 
Return on Equity and Assets; Dividend Payout
 
The following table presents certain information and selected financial ratios for Santander-Chile for the years indicated.
 
Ch$ million
 
2009
   
2008
 
Net income
    436,610       420,967  
Average total assets
    19,991,910       18,482,094  
Average equity
    1,599,938       1,299,098  
Net income as a percentage of:
               
Average total assets
    2.2 %     2.3 %
Average equity
    27.3 %     32.4 %
Average equity as a percentage of:
               
Average total assets
    8.0 %     7.0 %
 
The following table presents dividends declared and paid by us in nominal terms in the following years:
 
 
Year
 
Dividend
Ch$ mn (1)
   
Per share
Ch$/share (2)
   
Per ADR
Ch$/ADR (3)
   
% over
earnings (4)
   
% over
earnings (5)
 
2009
    213,295       1.13       1,176.00       65       52  
2010
    258,751       1.37       1,426.63       60       60  


(1)
Millions of nominal pesos.
 
(2)
Calculated on the basis of 188,446 million shares.
 
(3)
Calculated on the basis of 1,039 shares per ADS.
 
(4)
Calculated by dividing dividend paid in the year by net income attributable to shareholders for the previous year as required by local regulations.
 
(5)
Calculated by dividing dividend paid in the year by net income attributable to shareholders for the previous year under IFRS.
 
 
 
Loan Portfolio
 
The following table analyzes our loans by product type. Except where otherwise specified, all loan amounts stated below are before deduction for loan loss allowances. Total loans reflect our loan portfolio, including principal amounts of past due loan and substandard loans. 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 generally vary from loan to loan.
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Ch$ million)
 
Commercial Loans:
           
Commercial loans
    5,489,595       5,475,455  
Foreign trade loans(1) 
    636,328       1,459,184  
Loans with mortgage guarantee
    92,911       121,400  
Factoring operations
    130,272       323,136  
Leasing contracts
    964,698       965,094  
Other loans and accounts receivables from customers
    10,958       11,591  
Subtotal
    7,324,762       8,355,860  
                 
Mortgage loans:
               
Draft loans
    175,592       228,722  
Mortgage finance bonds
    199,139       197,305  
Other mortgage mutual loans
    3,784,322       3,554,529  
Leasing contracts
    -       -  
Other loans and accounts receivables from customers
    -       -  
Subtotal
    4,159,053       3,980,556  
                 
Consumer loans:
               
Installment consumer loans
    1,378,044       1,347,142  
Credit card loans
    586,937       582,593  
Consumer leasing contracts
    3,835       4,865  
Other consumer loans
    275,233       314,538  
Subtotal
    2,244,049       2,249,138  
                 
Subtotal Loans to customers
    13,727,864       14,585,554  
                 
Interbank loans
    23,412       95,534  
                 
Total
    13,751,276       14,681,088  


(1)
The decline in foreign trade loans is due to lower trade volume as a result of the global economic slowdown and a focus on higher yielding loans.
 
The loan categories are as follows:
 
Commercial loans
 
Commercial loans are long-term and short-term loans, including checking overdraft lines for companies granted in Chilean pesos, inflation linked, US$ linked or denominated in US$. The interest on these loans is fixed or variable and is used primarily to finance working capital or investments. General commercial loans also includes factoring operations.
 
Foreign trade loans are fixed rate, short-term loans made in foreign currencies (principally U.S.$) to finance imports and exports.
 
 
 
Mortgage loans financed with mortgage bonds mainly include mortgage loans (fixed and variable rate) that are inflation-indexed long-term loans with monthly payments of principal and interest secured by a real property mortgage. These are financed by issuing mortgage bonds.
 
Factoring operations mainly include short-term loans to companies with a fixed monthly nominal rate backed by a company invoice.
 
Leasing contracts are agreements for the financial leasing of capital equipment and other property.
 
Other outstanding loans include other loans and accounts payable.
 
Residential mortgage loans
 
Draft loans mainly include mortgage loans (fixed and variable rate) that are inflation-indexed long-term loans with monthly payments of principal and interest secured by a real property mortgage. These loans can be endorsed to a third party.  These are financed by our general borrowings.
 
Residential mortgage loans backed by mortgage bonds are inflation-indexed, fixed or variable rate, long-term loans with monthly payments of principal and interest secured by a real property mortgage that are financed with mortgage finance bonds. At the time of approval, these types of mortgage loans cannot be more than 75% of the lower of the purchase price or the appraised value of the mortgaged property or such loan will be classified as a commercial loan. Mortgage bonds are our general obligations, and we are liable for all principal and accrued interest on such bonds. In addition, if the issuer of a mortgage finance bond becomes insolvent, the General Banking Law’s liquidation procedures provide that these types of mortgage loans with their corresponding mortgage bonds shall be auctioned as a unit and the acquirer must continue paying the mortgage finance bonds under the same conditions as the original issuer.
 
Other mortgage mutual loans mainly include mortgage loans (fixed and variable rate) that are inflation-indexed long-term loans with monthly payments of principal and interest secured by a real property mortgage. These are financed by our general borrowings.
 
Consumer loans
 
Installment consumer loans are loans to individuals, granted in Chilean pesos, generally on a fixed rate nominal basis, to finance the purchase of consumer goods or to pay for services.
 
Consumer loans through lines of credit are checking overdraft lines to individuals, granted in Chilean pesos, generally on a fixed rate nominal basis and linked to an individual’s checking account.
 
Credit card loans include credit card balances subject to nominal fixed rate interest charges.
 
Consumer leasing contracts are agreements for the financial leasing of automobiles and other property to individuals.
 
Non-client loans
 
Interbank loans are fixed rate, short-term loans to financial institutions that operate in Chile.
 
 
 
Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans
 
The following table sets forth an analysis by type and time remaining to maturity of our loans at December 31, 2009.
 
   
Due in 1 year or less
   
Due after 1 year through 5 years
   
Due after 5 years
   
Total balance at December 31, 2009
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
General commercial loans
    2,414,031       1,954,832       1,120,732       5,489,595  
Foreign trade loans
    510,427       99,550       26,351       636,328  
Leasing contracts
    255,535       456,909       252,254       964,698  
Other outstanding loans
    146,796       87,345             234,141  
Subtotal commercial loans
    3,326,789       2,598,636       1,399,337       7,324,762  
Residential loans backed by mortgage bonds
    36,904       77,193       61,495       175,592  
Other residential mortgage loans
    250,723       732,598       3,000,140       3,983,461  
Subtotal residential mortgage loans
    287,627       809,791       3,061,635       4,159,053  
Consumer loans
    1,262,996       894,390       86,663       2,244,049  
Subtotal
    4,877,412       4,302,817       4,547,635       13,727,864  
Interbank loans
    23,412          
– 
      23,412  
Total loans
    4,900,824       4,302,817       4,547,635       13,751,276  
 
The following tables present the interest rate sensitivity of outstanding loans due after one year at December 31, 2009. (See also Item 5: D. Operating Results—Interest Rates.)
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Variable Rate
     
Ch$
    689,171  
UF
    1,576,384  
Foreign currencies
    23,764  
Subtotal
    2,289,319  
Fixed Rate
       
Ch$
    3,143,448  
UF
    2,979,859  
Foreign currencies
    437,826  
Subtotal
    6,561,133  
Total
    8,850,452  
 
 
 
Loans by Economic Activity
 
The following table sets forth, at the dates indicated, an analysis of our client loan portfolio based on the borrower’s principal economic activity and geographic distribution. Loans to individuals for business purposes are allocated to their economic activity.
 
   
Domestic loans (*) as of December 31,
   
Foreign loans as of December 31,
   
Total loans as of
December 31,
   
% of total loans as of
December 31,
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
%
   
2008
%
 
Commercial loans
                                               
Manufacturing
    640,395       937,305                   640,395       937,305       4.66       6.39  
Mining
    67,057       323,269                   67,057       323,269       0.49       2.20  
Electricity, gas and water
    144,386       207,542                   144,386       207,542       1.05       1.41  
Agriculture and livestock
    610,909       647,897                   610,909       647,897       4.44       4.41  
Forestry
    71,085       88,554                   71,085       88,554       0.52       0.60  
Fishing
    127,025       170,934                   127,025       170,934       0.92       1.16  
Transport
    362,508       423,856                   362,508       423,856       2.64       2.89  
Communications
    164,077       192,750                   164,077       192,750       1.19       1.31  
Construction
    817,293       887,391                   817,293       887,391       5.94       6.04  
Commerce
    1,650,903       2,219,987       23,409       95,534       1,674,312       2,315,521       12.18       15.78  
Services
    288,256       395,840                   288,256       395,840       2.10       2.70  
Other
    2,380,871       1,860,535                   2,380,871       1,860,535       17.31       12.68  
                                                                 
Subtotals
    7,324,765       8,355,860       23,409       95,534       7,348,174       8,451,394       53.44       57.57  
                                                                 
Mortgage loans
    4,159,053       3,980,556                   4,159,053       3,980,556       30.24       27.11  
                                                                 
Consumer loans
    2,244,049       2,249,138                   2,244,049       2,249,138       16.32       15.32  
                                                                 
Totals
    13,727,867       14,585,554       23,409       95,534       13,751,276       14,681,088       100.00       100.00  
 
(*) As of March 31, 2010, foreign country loans, including foreign interbank deposits classified as financial investments totaled Ch$35,763 million, representing 0.18% of our total assets.
 
Classification of Loan Portfolio
 
Credit Review Process
 
The Risk Division, our credit analysis and risk management group, is largely independent of our Commercial Division. Risk evaluation teams interact regularly with our clients. For larger transactions, risk teams in our headquarters work directly with clients when evaluating credit risks and preparing credit applications. Various credit approval committees, all of which include Risk Division and Commercial Division personnel, must verify that the appropriate qualitative and quantitative parameters are met by each applicant. Each committee’s powers are defined by our Board of Directors.
 
In addition, Banco Santander Spain is involved in the credit approval process of our largest loans and borrowers. If a single borrower or an economic group owes us an aggregate amount in excess of US$40 million, any additional loan to such borrower or member of such group must be reported to Banco Santander Spain.
 
Credit Approval
 
The Risk Division, our credit analysis and risk management group, is largely independent of our Commercial Division. Risk evaluation teams interact regularly with our clients. For larger transactions, risk teams in our headquarters work directly with clients when evaluating credit risks and preparing credit applications. Various credit approval committees, all of which include Risk Division and Commercial Division personnel, must verify that the
 
 
appropriate qualitative and quantitative parameters are met by each applicant. Each committee’s powers are defined by our Board of Directors.
 
In addition, Banco Santander Spain is involved in the credit approval process of our largest loans and borrowers. If a single borrower or an economic group owes us an aggregate amount in excess of US$40 million, any additional loan to such borrower or member of such group must be reported to Banco Santander Spain.
 
The following table lists our committees from which credit approval is required depending on total risk exposure for loans evaluated on an individual basis:
 
Approved By
 
Maximum approval in Thousands of US$
 
Executive Credit Committee
 
>20,000
 
Loan Credit Committee
    20,000  
Business Segment Committee
    8,000-10,000  
Large Companies
    10,000  
Real estate sector
    10,000  
Medium-sized companies
    8,000  
Regional Committee
    5,000  
Branch committee
    300  
Companies
    300  
Mortgage
    120  
Persons
    30  

The Executive Credit Committee is comprised of the Chairman of the Board, three additional Board members, the Corporate Legal Counsel, the CEO, the Manager of Global Banking, the Corporate Director of Risk and two senior members of the Credit Risk department who present the loans being reviewed. This committee reviews the loan positions reviewed by the Senior Credit Committee above US$10 million and approves those loan positions greater than US$20 million. In addition, any loan position above US$40 million must also be reviewed by Banco Santander Spain’s credit committee.
 
The Loan Credit Committee is comprised of the CEO, the Manager of the Wholesale segment, the Manager of the Medium-sized companies segment, General Counsel, the Corporate Director of Credit Risk and the Manager of Credit Admissions. The Loan Credit Committee reviews and will either approve or deny transactions in the range of US$8 million to US$20 million that have been previously approved by one of the Business Segment Committees: (i) Large Companies, (ii) Medium-sized Companies and (iii) Real Estate. The Regional Committees have a maximum approval of up to US$5 million. The Regional Committees oversee the branch networks outside of Santiago. At the branch level, the maximum approval is US$300,000 for companies, US$30,000 for individuals and US$120,000 for mortgages. For the lower level committees, credit granting authority varies according to the seniority and experience of the committee members, and the values indicated represent upper limits. All committees include at least two bank officers from the commercial and credit areas.
 
We also have a department designated to monitor the quality of the loan portfolio on a continuous basis. The purpose of this special supervision is to maintain constant scrutiny of the portions of the portfolio that represent the greatest risk and to anticipate any deterioration. Based on this ongoing review of the loan portfolio, we believe that we are able to detect problem loans and make a decision on a client’s status. This includes measures such as reducing or extinguishing a loan, or requiring better collateral from the client. The control systems require that these loans be reviewed at least three times per year for those clients in the lowest category of credit watch.
 
Credit Approval: Corporate
 
In preparing a credit proposal for a corporate client, Santander-Chile’s personnel verify such parameters as debt servicing capacity (including, usually, projected cash flows), the company’s financial history and projections for the economic sector in which it operates. The Risk Division is closely involved in this process, and prepares the credit application for the client. All proposals contain an analysis of the client’s strengths and weaknesses, a rating and a recommendation. Credit limits are determined not on the basis of outstanding balances of individual clients, but on the direct and indirect credit risk of entire financial groups. For example, a corporation will be evaluated together with its subsidiaries and affiliates.
 
 
 
Credit Approval: Retail Banking
 
Retail loans are evaluated and approved by the Risk for Individuals, Micro businesses and Small Businesses Division. The majority of loans to individuals are approved by the Standardized Risk Area. The credit evaluation  process is based on an evaluation system known as Garra for Banco Santander and Syseva for Santander Banefe, both processes are decentralized, automated and are based on a scoring system which incorporates our Credit Risk Policies.
 
The credit evaluation process is based on the gathering of information to determine a client’s financial stability, payment capacity and commercial nature. The following parameters are used to evaluate an applicant’s credit risk: (i) income, (ii) length of current employment, (iii) indebtedness, (iv) credit reports and (v) background information, which is accessed by means of internal and external databases. Operations which cannot be approved by Garra or Syseva are sent to the Approval Center, a centralized area that carries out yearly analyses and renewals of credit lines and credit cards and evaluates higher risk credits.
 
The following table lists our approval limits for loans evaluated using standardized statistical models:
 
Bank excluding Banefe
 
Non-mortgage loans
 
Approved By
 
Non-Mortgage Loans
Up to Ch$ million
 
Corporate Manager of Standardized Risk
    300  
Manager Approval Center
    150  
Segment Risk Manager
    100  
Risk Manager
    80  
Senior Analyst
    40  
Junior Analyst
    10  

Mortgage loans
 
Approved by:
 
Mortgage Loans
Up to UF
 
Corporate Manager of Standardized Risk
    20,000  
Admissions Manager
    14,000  
Segment Risk Manager
    9,000  
Risk Manager
    9,000  
Senior Analyst
    5,000  
Junior Analyst
    3,000  

Santander Banefe
 
Non-mortgage loans
 
Approved By
 
Non-Mortgage Loans
Up to Ch$ million
 
Corporate Manager of Standardized Risk
    300  
Manager Approval Center
    150  
Segment Risk Manager
    20  
Risk Manager
    15  
Risk Analyst
    6  
 
 

 
Mortgage loans
 
Approved By
 
Mortgage Loans
Up to UF
 
Corporate Manager of Standardized Risk
    20,000  
Admissions Manager
    14,000  
Segment Risk Manager
    4,000  
Risk Manager
    2,500  
Risk Analyst
    1,500  

Classification of Loan Portfolio
 
Loans are divided into: (i) consumer loans (including loans granted to individuals for the purpose of financing the acquisition of consumer goods or payment of services); (ii) 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); and (iii) commercial loans (includes all loans other than consumer loans and residential mortgage loans). The models and methods used to classify our loan portfolio and establish credit loss allowances must follow the following guiding principles, which have been established by the Superintendency of Banks and approved by our Board of Directors.
 
Allowances for large commercial loans
 
For large commercial loans, leasing and factoring, the Bank assigns a risk category level to each borrower and its respective loans. The Bank considers the following risk factors: industry or sector of the borrower, owners or managers of the borrower, borrower’s financial situation, its payment capacity and payment behavior. The Bank assigns one of the following risk categories to each loan and borrower:
 
 
i.
Classifications A1, A2 and A3 correspond to borrowers with no apparent credit risk.
 
 
ii.
Classification B corresponds to borrowers with some credit risk but no apparent deterioration of payment capacity.
 
 
iii.
Classifications C1, C2, C3, C4, D1 and D2 correspond to borrowers whose loans have deteriorated.
 
For loans classified as A1, A2, A3 and B, the Bank assigns a specific provision level on an individual basis to each borrower and, therefore, the amount of loan loss allowance is determined on a case-by-case basis. The amount of allowances for the remaining classifications is set by the Superintendency of Banks as described below. All commercial loans for companies, including leasing and factoring, have been individually rated. In determining provisions, we make a distinction between normal debtors and deteriorated debtors.
 
Debtor Classes
 
Two debtor classes have been determined based on debtors’ credit behavior in order to calculate loan loss allowance:
 
·  
Normal Debtors, which are classified as A1, A2, A3 or B, are current on their payment obligations and show no sign of deterioration in their credit quality.
 
·  
Deteriorated Debtors, which are classified as C1, C2, C3, C3, C4, D1 or D2, includes loans with us have been charged off or administered by our Recovery Unit, or classified as Precontenciosos (PRECO or Deteriorated).
 
 
 
Expected Loan Loss = Loan Loss Allowance
 
The expected loss is obtained by multiplying all risk factors defined in the following equation:
 
EL
=
PNP x EXP x SEV
 
EL
=
Expected Loss
PNP
=
Probability of Non-Performing
EXP
=
Exposure
SEV
=
Severity

EL = Expected Loss. The expected loss is how much could be lost in the event a debtor does not perform the obligations under the loan.
 
PNP = Probability of Non-Performing. This variable, expressed as a percentage, indicates the probability that a debtor will default next year. This percentage is associated with the internal rating that we give to each debtor, which is determined by analyzing such parameters as debt servicing capacity (including, usually, projected cash flows), the company’s financial history, the solvency and capacity of shareholders and management, and projections for the economic sector in which it operates. The internal rating can be different from ratings obtained from external third parties.
 
EXP  = Exposure. This corresponds to the value of commercial loans without discounting the value of guarantees or collateral.
 
SEV  = Severity. This is the effective loss rate for debtors in the same segment, which is determined statistically based on the historical effective losses for the Bank for each segment.
 
Determination of loan loss allowance  according to Borrower Class
 
Normal Debtors
 
·  
The loan loss allowance for each debtor is calculated based on the Expected Loss equation (EL = PNP * EXP * SEV).
 
·  
A risk category is assigned to each debtor based on the PNP summarized in the following table:
 
 
PNP result
 
 
Classification
 
 
Loan loss allowance
External Classification> AA-
 
A1
 
Determined by a
PNP ≤  1%
 
A2
 
model
1% < PNP ≤  4%
 
A3
 
on an
PNP > 4%
 
B
 
individual basis

Deteriorated Debtors
 
For loans classified in Categories C1, C2, C3, C4, D1 and D2, the Bank must have the following levels of allowance, which are required by the provisioning model of the Bank:
 
 
Classification
 
 
Estimated loss
 
 
Allowance(1)
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)
Represents percentages of the aggregate amount of principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the loan.
 
 
 
New Guidelines of Provisioning Levels for Contingent Loans in 2010
 
Commencing in January 2010, all Chilean banks will be required by the SBIF to include in the calculation of expected loss and reserve levels, a percentage of off-balance sheet contingent loans. This includes, among others, lines of credit approved but not disbursed, unused credit card lines, stand-by letters of credit and other operations guaranteed by the Bank.  As a result, a greater percentage of these assets will be included in the calculation of risk weighted assets.  The impact of this change was Ch$52,662 million charged against equity as of March 31, 2010. This provision only applies to locally filed financial statements.
 
Off-balance sheet contingent operations
 
Percentage of total debt outstanding to be included in new risk weightings
Guarantees
 
50%-100%
Lines of credit and unused credit card balances
 
50%
Stand-by letters of credit
 
20%
 
Allowances for consumer loans
 
Consumers are assigned an allowance level on and based on credit risk profiles, utilizing a more automated statistical model and considering such borrower’s credit history, including any defaults on obligations to other creditors, as well as the overdue periods on loans from us. We differentiate between old and new clients when determining a client’s risk profile for consumer loans and those that have gone through some type of renegotiation in the past in the financial system. All loans are assigned a provision at the moment a loan is granted depending on the risk profile of the client. We are continuously improving and recalibrating our credit scoring and provisioning models and this may change the minimum provision standards for the various client profiles as depicted in this document.  The following table sets forth the required allowances for consumer loans in 2009.
 
       
Allowance Level(1)
 
       
Not renegotiated
   
Renegotiated
 
Loan type
 
Risk Profile
 
New Clients
   
Old Clients
   
New Clients
   
Old Clients
 
Consumer
 
Profile 1
    30.5 %     21.0 %     31.4 %     38.4 %
   
Profile 2
    21.7 %     17.7 %     21.2 %     26.4 %
   
Profile 3
    14.9 %     9.7 %     6.1 %     22.1 %
   
Profile 4
    12.3 %     6.2 %             8.90 %
   
Profile 5
    8.9 %     2.9 %             2.10 %
   
Profile 6
    5.7 %     1.4 %     -       -  
   
Profile 7
    2.7 %     0.6 %     -       -  


(1)
Percentage of total outstanding.
 
Allowances for residential mortgage loans
 
Residential mortgage loans are assigned an allowance level based on credit risk profiles, utilizing a more automated and sophisticated statistical model and considering such borrower’s credit history, including any defaults on obligations to other creditors, as well as the overdue periods on the loans borrowed from us. Once the rating of the client is determined, the allowance for mortgage loans is calculated using a risk category and related allowance to loan ratio, which is directly related to the overdue periods. The following table sets forth the allowance to loan ratios on loans based on overdue time.  The ratios represent the percentage of required allowance amount to the aggregate amount of the principal and accrued but unpaid interest on the loan.
 
 
Loan type
 
Overdue days
 
        1-30       31-60       61-120       121-180       181-360       361- 720    
>720
 
Mortgage
Profile 1
    0.3 %     0.5 %     1.2 %     2.4 %     6.8 %     14.1 %     28.3 %
 
Profile 2
    1.5 %     1.6 %     2.5 %     4.4 %     6.8 %     14.1 %     28.3 %
 
 

 
Allowances for group evaluations on small and mid-sized commercial loans
 
·  
Allowances based on group evaluations are permitted for a large number of borrowers whose individual loan amounts are relatively insignificant. These models are intended to be used primarily to analyze commercial loans to individuals and small companies.
 
·  
Levels of required reserves are to be determined by the Bank, according to the estimated loss that may result from the loans, by classifying the loan portfolio using one or both of the following models:
 
 
i.
A model based on the characteristics of the borrowers and their outstanding loansborrowers and their loans with similar characteristics will be placed into groups and each group will be assigned a risk level.
 
 
ii.
A model based on the behavior of a group of loans—loans with analogous past payment histories and similar characteristics will be placed into groups and each group will be assigned a risk level.
 
Additional reserves
 
Banks are permitted to establish allowances above the limits described above only to cover specific risks that have been authorized by their Board of Directors. Voluntary reserves that cover no specific risk are no longer permitted.

Analysis of Santander Chile’s Loan Classification
 
The following tables provide statistical data regarding the classification of our loans at December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
Category
 
Commercial Loans
   
Consumer Loans
   
Residential Mortgage Loans
   
Total Loans
   
Percentage Evaluated Loans
 
                               
A
          1,895,241             1,895,241       13.8 %
A1
                             
A2
    3,187,959             3,808,195       6,996,154       50.9 %
A3
    2,998,956             223,928       3,222,884       23.5 %
B
    601,080       165,181       10,481       776,742       5.5 %
B-
          69,150             69,150       0.5 %
C
          74,735       3,636       78,371       0.6 %
C1
    224,732             18,101       242,833       1.8 %
C2
    97,885             8,640       106,525       0.8 %
C3
    60,679             2,012       62,691       0.4 %
C4
    56,985             27,294       84,279       0.6 %
D
          39,742             39,742       0.3 %
D1
    80,574             42,438       123,012       0.9 %
D2
    39,324             14,328       53,652       0.4 %
Totals
    7,348,174       2,244,049       4,159,053       13,751,276       100.0 %
 
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
Category
 
Commercial Loans
   
Consumer Loans
   
Residential Mortgage Loans
   
Total Loans
   
Percentage Evaluated Loans
 
A
          1,811,060       3,562,617       5,373,677       36.7 %
A1
                            %
A2
    6,463,445                   6,463,445       44.0 %
A3
    1,351,054                   1,351,054       9.2 %
B
    208,954       203,375       199,087       611,416       4.2 %
B-
          75,281       79,930       155,211       1.1 %
C
          94,507       64,972       159,479       1.1 %
C1
    220,434                   220,434       1.5 %
C2
    26,738                   26,738       0.2 %
C3
    34,296                   34,296       0.2 %
C4
    36,100                   36,100       0.2 %
D
          64,915       73,950       138,865       0.9 %
D1
    48,711                   48,711       0.3 %
D2
    61,662                   61,662       0.4 %
Total loans
    8,451,394       2,249,138       3,980,556       14,681,088       100.0 %
 
 
 

Classification of Loan Portfolio Based on the Borrower’s Payment Performance
 
Accrued interest from overdue loans are recognized only when, and to the extent, received. Non-performing loans includes loans as to which either principal or interest is more than 90 days overdue, and which do not accrue interest.
 
Past due loans include, with respect to any loan, only the portion of principal or interest that is overdue for 90 or more days, and do not include the installments of such loan that are not overdue or that are overdue for less than 90 days, unless legal proceedings have been commenced for the entire outstanding balance according to the terms of the loan, in which case the entire loan is considered past due within 90 days of the beginning of such proceedings.
 
Substandard loans in 2008 include: (i) all non-performing loans, (ii) all renegotiated consumer loans and (iii) all commercial loans that are at risk of default. As of December 31, 2009 substandard loans include: (i) all loans to a single client that are evaluated on a group basis, including performing loans, that have a loan classified as non-performing, (ii) all renegotiated consumer loans and (iii) all commercial loans at risk of default. See Note 10(a) of the Consolidated Financial Statements. As a result of this change in definition substandard loans as of December 31, 2009 are not comparable to December 31, 2008 figures. Restructured loans, on which payments are not overdue, are not ordinarily classified as non-performing loans, but do not accrue interest. Prior to 2009, only restructured commercial loans did not accrue interest.
 
The term for charging-off loans must now be calculated from the beginning of arrears (one installment is 90 days overdue) and once this term is reached, the entire loan is charged-off . The following is a table showing the principal types of loans and their respective terms for charge-offs as stipulated by the new accounting standards:
 
 
Type of contract
 
 
Term
Leasing Operations
   
Consumer leasing
 
6 months
Other leasing operations
 
12 months
Property leasing (commercial or residential)
 
36 months
Other Operations
   
Consumer credits with or without real guarantees
 
6 months
Other operations without real guarantees
 
24 months
Commercial credits with real guarantees
 
36 months
Mortgage loans for housing
 
48 months

We may write off any loan (commercial or consumer) before the first installment becomes overdue only in accordance with special procedures established by the Superintendency of Banks. In certain circumstances, we must write off an overdue loan (commercial or consumer) sooner than the terms set forth above. Loans are written off against the loan loss reserve to the extent of any required allowances for such loans; the remainder of such loans is written off against income.
 
In general, legal collection proceedings are commenced with respect to consumer loans once they are overdue for 90 days and, with respect to mortgage loans, once they are past due for 120 days. Legal collection proceedings are always commenced within one year of such loans becoming past due, unless we determine that the size of the past due amount does not warrant such proceedings. In addition, the majority of our commercial loans are short–
 
 
 
term, with single payments at maturity. Past due loans are required to be covered by individual loan loss reserves equivalent to 100.0% of any unsecured portion thereof.
 
The following table sets forth a loan aging schedule at the end of 2008 and 2009. Amounts shown as overdue and past due include only installments that are overdue or past due and not the aggregate principal amount of such loans.
 
 
 

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$, except percentages)
 
Overdue for 1-29 days(1)
    36,264       50,029  
Overdue for 30-89 days(1)
    22,846       41,022  
Overdue for 90 days or more (Past due loans) (2)
    193,250       160,824  
Non-performing loans(3) 
    409,067       383,458  
Substandard loans(4) 
    1,485,737       870,259  
Total loans
    13,751,276       14,681,088  
Overdue loans expressed as a percentage of total loans
    1.84 %     1.72 %
Past due loans expressed as a percentage of total loans
    1.41 %     1.10 %
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans
    2.97 %     2.61 %
Substandard loans as a percentage of total loans
    10.80 %     5.93 %


(1)
Includes only the overdue portion. Does not include the aggregate principal amount of such loans.
 
(2)
All installments and lines of credit more than 90 days overdue. Does not include the aggregate principal amount of such loans.
 
(3)
Non-performing loans are all loans with at least one installment over 90 days overdue and includes the aggregate principal amount of such loans.
 
(4)
Substandard loans prior to December 2009 include: (i) all non-performing loans, (ii) all renegotiated consumer loans and (iii) all commercial loans that are at risk of default. As of December 31, 2009, substandard loans include: (i) all loans to a single client that are evaluated on a group basis, including performing loans, that have a loan classified as non-performing, (ii) all renegotiated consumer loans and (iii) all commercial loans with some risk of default. See Note 10(a) of the Consolidated Financial Statements. As a result of this change in definition substandard loans as of December 31, 2009 are not comparable to December 31, 2008 figures.
 
(5)
Includes reserves for interbank loans.
 
(6)
Includes interbank loans.
 
We suspend the accrual of interest and readjustments on all overdue loans. The amount of interest that would have been recorded on overdue loans if they had been accruing interest was Ch$20,320 million and Ch$21,899 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Accrued interest and UF indexation adjustments from overdue loans are recognized only when, and to the extent, received.
 
Loans included in the previous table which have been restructured and that bear no interest are as follows.
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Ch$ million)
 
Ch$
    276,703       17,631  
Foreign currency
    45,030       2,556  
UF
    78,973       32,941  
Total
    400,706       53,128  
 
The amount of interest that would have been recorded on these loans for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, if these loans had been earning a market interest rate was Ch$7,461 million and Ch$47,888 million, respectively.  The increase in foregone interest is mainly due to a regulatory change in 2009 which prohibited banks from recognizing interest on restructured consumer loans. We do not accrue interest on restructured loans.
 
 
 
Loan Loss Allowances
 
The following table sets forth our balance of loan loss allowances, the minimum allowances to be established by us in accordance with the regulations of the Superintendency of Banks and our total loan loss allowances expressed as a percentage of total loans as of December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
In millions of Ch$
 
Individual, global and additional loan loss allowances
    349,527       274,240  
Minimum reserves required
    349,527       274,240  
Voluntary reserves
    -       -  
Total loan loss allowances
    349,527       274,240  
Total loan allowances as a percentage of total loans (expected loss ratio)
    2.5 %     1.9 %

 
Analysis of Substandard Loans and Amounts Past Due
 
The following table analyzes our substandard loans. Substandard loans in 2008 include: (i) all non-performing loans, (ii) all renegotiated consumer loans and (iii) all commercial loans that are at risk of default. As of December 31, 2009, substandard loans include: (i) all loans to a single client that are evaluated on a group basis, including performing loans, that have a loan classified as non-performing, (ii) all renegotiated consumer loans and (iii) all commercial loans at risk of default. See Note 10(a) of the Consolidated Financial Statements. As a result of this change in definition substandard loans as of December 31, 2009 are not comparable to December 31, 2008 figures.
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Ch$ million)
 
Total loans
    13,751,276       14,681,088  
Substandard loans
    1,485,737       870,259  
Substandard loans as a percentage of total loans
    10.80 %     5.93 %
                 
Amounts past due
    193,250       160,824  
     To the extent secured
    114,282       69,053  
     To the extent unsecured
    78,968       91,771  
                 
Amounts past due as a percentage of total loans
    1.41 %     1.10 %
     To the extent secured(2)
    0.83 %     0.47 %
     To the extent unsecured
    0.57 %     0.63 %
                 
Loans loss allowances as a percentage of:
               
        Total loans
    2.54 %     1.87 %
        Total amounts past due
    180.87 %     170.52 %
        Total amounts past due-unsecured
    442.62 %     298.83 %
 

(1)          Security generally consists of mortgages on real estate, pledges of marketable securities, letters of credit or cash.
 
 
Analysis of Loan Loss Allowances
 
The following table analyzes our loan loss allowances and changes in the allowances attributable to write-offs, provisions, allowances released, allowances on loans acquired.  Loan loss allowances must be debited the full amount of all charge-offs (irrespective of whether the charged-off loan was fully provisioned) and simultaneously credited the same amount through the taking of a new provision. The net effect of these two entries, which are included in the table below under “charge-offs” and “allowances established,” respectively, is to leave the loan loss allowance unchanged following the charge-off of a loan. Subsequently, at the end of each calendar month, loan loss allowances are released to the extent not needed. Such releases, which are included in the table below under
 
 
 
“allowances released,” therefore include any amounts relating to provisions originally made in respect of loans that have been charged off.
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$, except percentages)
 
Loan loss allowances at beginning of the year
    274,240       230,404  
Release of allowances upon charge-offs (1)
    (295,831 )     (274,372 )
Allowances established (2)
    398,416       326,121  
Allowances released (3)
    (27,298 )     (7,913 )
Loan loss allowances at end of year
    349,527       274,240  
Ratio of charge-offs to total loans
    2.0 %     2.0 %
Loan loss allowances at end of period as a percentage of total loans
    2.5 %     1.9 %
 

(1)
Reflects release of loan loss allowance equal to the entire amount of loans charged off, including any portion of such loans with respect to which no allowance had been established prior to the charge-off.
 
(2)
Includes, in addition to provisions made in respect of increased risk of loss during the period, provisions made to replace allowances released upon charge-off of loans. See Note (1) to this table.
 
(3)
Represents the amount of loan loss allowances released during the year as a consequence of reduction in the level of risk existing in the loan portfolio, including as a result of improvement in the credit risk classification of borrowers and the charge-off of loans.
 
The following table shows charge-offs by Santander-Chile by type of loan.
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Commercial loans
    48,118       32,935  
Consumer loans
    239,005       236,405  
Residential mortgage loans
    8,708       5,032  
Total
    295,831       274,372  

The following table shows recoveries by Santander-Chile by type of loan.
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Commercial loans
    8,446       9,244  
Consumer loans
    28,268       26,718  
Residential mortgage loans
    2,560       1,932  
Total
    39,274       37,894  
 
Based on information available regarding our borrowers, we believe that our loan loss allowances are sufficient to cover known potential losses and losses inherent in a loan portfolio of the size and nature of our loan portfolio.
 
 
 
Allocation of the Loan Loss Allowances
 
The following tables set forth, at December 31 of each of the two  years, the proportions of our required minimum loan loss allowances that were attributable to our commercial, consumer and residential mortgage loans, and the amount of voluntary allowances (which are not allocated to any particular category) at each such date.
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Allowance amount (1)
   
Allowance amount as a percentage of loans in category
   
Allowance amount as a percentage of total loans
   
Allowance amount as a percentage of total allocated allowances (2)
   
Allowance amount (1)
   
Allowance amount as a percentage of loans in category
   
Allowance amount as a percentage of total loans
   
Allowance amount as a percentage of total allocated allowances (2)
 
Commercial loans
    158,600       2.49 %     1.15 %     46.42 %     107,656       1.46 %     0.73 %     40.22 %
Consumer loans
    166,503       4.00 %     1.21 %     48.74 %     147,446       3.70 %     1.00 %     55.07 %
Residential mortgage loans
    16,534       0.74 %     0.12 %     4.84 %     12,630       0.56 %     0.09 %     4.71 %
Total allocated allowances
    341,637       2.68 %     2.48 %     100.00 %     267,732       1.97 %     1.82 %     100.00 %
Leasing
    7,848       0.81 %     0.06 %             6,473       0.67 %     0.04 %        
Interbank loans
    42       0.18 %     - %             35       0.04 %     - %        
Total allowances
    349,527       2.54 %     2.54 %             274,240       1.87 %     1.87 %        
 
 

 
 
A. Directors and Senior Management
 
Directors
 
We are managed by our Board of Directors, which, in accordance with our by-laws, consists of 11 directors and two alternates who are elected at annual ordinary shareholders’ meetings. Except as noted below, the current members of the Board of Directors were elected by the shareholders in the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 22, 2008. Members of the Board of Directors are elected for three-year terms. Except as noted below, the term of each of the current board members expires in April of 2011. Cumulative voting is permitted for the election of directors. The Board of Directors may appoint replacements to fill any vacancies that occur during periods between elections. If any member of the Board of Directors resigns before his or her term has ended, and no other alternate director is available to take the position at the next annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting a new replacing member will be elected. Our executive officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and hold office at its discretion. Scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors are held monthly. Extraordinary meetings can be held when called in one of three ways: by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, by three directors with the consent of the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the majority of directors. None of the members of our Board of Directors has a service contract which entitles any Director to any benefits upon termination of employment with Santander-Chile.
 
Our current directors are as follows:
 
Directors
Position
Committees
Term Expires
Mauricio Larraín Garcés
Chairman and Director
Asset and Liability Committee
Executive Credit Committee
Market Committee
Marketing and Communications Committee
University Committee
April 2011
Jesús Zabalza Lotina
First Vice Chairman and Director
April 2011
Oscar Von Chrismar Carvajal
Second Vice Chairman and Director
Asset and Liability Committee
Executive Credit Committee
Market Committee
Strategy Committee
Technology Committee
April 2011
Carlos Olivos Marchant
Director
Audit Committee
Executive Credit Committee
April 2011
Víctor Arbulú Crousillat
Director
Audit Committee
April 2011
Marco Colodro Hadjes
Director
Asset and Liability Committee
Executive Credit Committee
Market Committee
April 2011
Lucía Santa Cruz Sutil (1)
Director
Audit Committee
University Committee
April 2011
Roberto Méndez Torres
Director
Executive Credit Committee
Marketing and Communications Committee
University Committee
April 2011
Vittorio Corbo Lioi
Director
Asset and Liability Committee
Market Committee
April 2011
Roberto Zahler Mayanz (1)
Director
Asset and Liability Committee
Market Committee
April 2011
Claudia Bobadilla Ferrer
Director
Technology Committee
Analysis and Resolution Committee
April 2011
Juan Manuel Hoyos Martínez de Irujo
Alternate Director
Strategy Committee
April 2011
Raimundo Monge Zegers
Alternate Director
Asset and Liability Committee
Strategy Committee
April 2011
 
(1)  In May 2010 Lucía Santa Cruz resigned from the Audit Committee and was replaced by Roberto Zahler, an independent Board member.
 
 

 
 
Mauricio Larraín Garcés is our Chairman. He is a member of the Asset and Liability Committee, the Executive Credit Committee, the Market Committee, the Marketing and Communications Committee and the University Committee. He is also President of Santander Chile Holding S.A. and Universia Chile S.A. He is a Director of the Asociación de Bancos e Instituciones Financieras de Chile and the Santiago Stock Exchange. He is also a member of the Council of Paz Ciudadana and was a former President of ICARE. Mr. Larraín began working at Santander-Chile in 1989. Previously, he was Intendente (Director) of the Superintendency of Banks, Manager of External Debt at the Banco Central de Chile and a Senior Finance Specialist at the World Bank in Washington. He holds degrees in Law from Universidad Católica de Chile and from Harvard University.
 
Jesús María Zabalza Lotina became a Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board on October 28, 2008. He currently is a Director of Grupo Santander’s Latin America Division and a Board member of Banco Santander Puerto Rico and President of the Board of Banco Santander Colombia. Mr. Jesús Zabalza is a patron of the Fundación Padre Garralda. Previously, Mr. Zabalza was Director of Retail Banking in Madrid of Banco BBVA. He was also on the Board of e-La Caixa, Telefónica Factoring S.A, Adeslas y Terra. Mr. Zabalza holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Bilbao.
 
Oscar von Chrismar Carvajal became Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board on January 1, 2010 after having served as the chief executive officer of Santander-Chile since August 2003.  Mr. Von Chrismar is a member of the Asset and Liability Committee, Executive Credit Committee, Market Committee, Strategy Committee and the Technology Committee.  Prior to assuming the chief executive officer post, he was the Manager of Global Banking. Prior to the merger, he was the former chief executive officer of Old Santander-Chile since September 1997, after being General Manager of Banco Santander-Peru since September 1995. Mr. von Chrismar is also Alternate Director of Universia Chile S.A. Prior to that, Mr. von Chrismar was the manager of the Finance Division of Santander-Chile, a position that he had held since joining Santander-Chile in 1990. Mr. von Chrismar holds an Engineering degree from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile.
 
Carlos Olivos Marchant is Director since 2007 and has been a Board member since the merger was consummated in 2002. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Executive Credit Committee. He was Chairman of the Board of Santiago since 1987 until the date of the merger, and he was Chairman of that board between May 1999 until the merger. He is a partner in the law firm Guerrero, Olivos, Novoa y Errazuriz. From 1981 to 1983, Mr. Olivos served as General Counsel of the Central Bank of Chile, and from 1984 to 1986, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Banco Osorno. Mr. Olivos holds a law degree from the Universidad de Chile and a Masters of Jurisprudence from New York University School of Law.
 
Vittorio Corbo Lioi is one of Chile’s leading economists. In 2003, Mr. Corbo was named President of Chile’s Central Bank. Following the end of his tenure there, Mr. Corbo has been named to various boards and is currently a Senior Investigator at the Centro de Estudio Públicos (CEP), a local think tank. Previously, Mr. Corbo between 1991 and 1995 was an economic advisor to the Bank and a member of the Board of Santander Chile between 1995 and 2003. Mr. Corbo is a member of the Asset and Liability Committee and the Market Committee. Mr. Corbo has a Business Administration Degree from the Universidad de Chile and a Ph.D. in Economics from MIT.
 
Víctor Arbulú Crousillat became a Director on May 6, 1999. He is a member of the Audit Committee and has been designated as a Financial Expert. He was a Managing Director of JPMorgan, member of its European management committee and Chief Executive Officer for Spain and Portugal from 1988 until 1998. He has worked for JPMorgan for over 25 years in various positions in Europe, North America and Latin America. Mr. Arbulú also worked for the Inter-American Development Bank. He is also Director of Aurum S.A. Mr. Arbulú holds a degree in Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration.
 
Marco Colodro Hadjes became a Director on April 19, 2005. Mr. Colodro is a member of the Asset and Liability Committee, Executive Credit Committee and Market Committee. Mr. Colodro was President of the Board of Telefónica Chile and a Director of Codelco. He is a former chairman of TVN (national television network) and former vice chairman of Banco del Estado (state bank). He was also owner of Agencia de Valores Alfa S.A. Prior to that, he was Foreign Trade Director at the Central Bank of Chile. Mr. Colodro holds a degree in Economics from the Universidad de Chile, and has done post-graduate studies at the University of Paris.
 
 
 
Lucía Santa Cruz Sutil became a Director on August 19, 2003. Ms. Santa Cruz was a member of the Bank’s Audit Committee until May 2010 and the University Committee. Ms. Santa Cruz holds a degree in History and a Masters Degree in Philosophy from Oxford University. She is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts of the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez. Ms. Santa Cruz is also a Director of Universia Chile S.A. She is also on the Board of Compañía de Seguros Generales y de Vida La Chilena Consolidada and Fundación Minera Escondida. She is also on the Advisory Board of Nestle Chile and the Fundación Educacional Santa Teresa de Avila. She is also a member of the Self-Regulation Committee for Insurance Companies in Chile.
 
Roberto Méndez Torres is a former member of the Board of Old Santander-Chile, to which he was appointed in 1996. He is a member of the Executive Credit Committee, the Marketing and Communication Committee and the University Committee. He is a professor of Economics at Universidad Católica de Chile. He has been Advisor to Grupo Santander-Chile since 1989. Mr. Méndez is President and Director of Adimark Chile Gfk and on the Board of the Chilean and German Chamber of Commerce. He is also Vice-Chairman of Universia S.A. He graduated with a degree in Business from Universidad Católica de Chile, and holds an MBA and a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.
 
Roberto Zahler Mayanz became a Director on August 31, 1999. He is a member of the Audit Committee since May 2010, the Asset and Liability Committee and the Market Committee. Currently, he is President of Zahler & Co, a consulting firm. He is also Director of Air Liquide-Chile and member of the CLAAF or the Latin American Committee for Financial Affairs. He was formerly President of the Board of Siemens Chile. He was also a visiting professor at the IMF’s Research Department. Between 1991 and 1996, he was President of the Central Bank of Chile and Vice-President from 1989 to 1991. He also serves as a consultant for the World Bank, the IDB, the IMF and the International Bank of Settlements. Mr. Zahler has also provided technical assistance to various Central Banks and Finance Ministries in most countries of Latin America, Indonesia and Kosovo. Mr. Zahler holds a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad de Chile and a Masters in Economics from the University of Chicago.
 
Claudia Bobadilla Ferrer was elected to the Board in April 2006. She is a member of the Technology Committee and the Analysis and Resolution Committee. She is CEO of Fundación País Digital, a member of the Executive Committee of Innovation and Technology of ICARE, council member of Endeavor Chile and Executive Director of the Chile-Japón Siglo XXI Committee. She was also founder and President of Comunidad Mujer, an organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the workforce. She is a member of the council of Fundación Chilena del Pacífico, Proyecto Astronómico ALMA and Movimiento Educación 2020. She was previously Director of Legal Affairs at Terra Networks Chile S.A. She is a lawyer from the Universidad Diego Portales.
 
Juan Manuel Hoyos Martínez de Irujo was the Managing Director of McKinsey & Company in Spain from 1997 to 2003 where he was also President of the Client Committee of McKinsey’s Board. He began his career at McKinsey where he was named partner in 1984 and Director in 1991. Currently, he is in charge of partner development worldwide and continues to serve on the Board. His consulting career has been focused in the areas of strategy and organization of corporations, especially in the telecommunications, banking and metallurgy sectors. He has worked with companies in Spain, the United States, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Africa.  He is currently a member of the Strategy Committee of the Bank.  He received an economics degree from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Columbia University.
 
Raimundo Monge Zegers became an Alternate Director on April 29, 2003.  He is currently a member of the Strategy Committee of the Bank. He is Corporate Director of Strategic and Financial Planning for Grupo Santander-Chile and is CEO of Santander-Chile Holding S.A. and Santander Inversiones Ltda. He is also President of Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora and Santander Factoring S.A. He is a Director of Aurum S.A., Santander Asset Management Chile S.A. and Bansa Santander S.A. Mr. Monge has a degree in business from the Universidad Católica de Chile and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
 
 
 
Senior Management
 
Our senior managers are as follows:
 
Senior Manager
 
Position
 
Date Appointed
Claudio Melandri
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
January 1, 2010
Gabriel Montoya
 
Corporate Financial Controller
 
April 1, 2009
José Manuel Manzano
 
Corporate Director of Risk
 
July 1, 2007
Javier Montero
 
Corporate Director of Internal Audit
 
May 1, 2010
Alejandra Mehech
 
Corporate Director Human Resources
 
May 1, 2010
Joaquín Quirante
 
Global Banking and Markets
 
March 11, 2008
Francisco Murillo
 
Manager Retail Banking
 
May 1, 2010
Felipe Contreras
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
October 1, 2008
Juan Fernández
 
Administration and Operations
 
July 18, 2002
Emiliano Muratore
 
Manager Financial Management
 
April 8, 2008
Juan Pedro Santa María
 
General Counsel
 
July 30, 2009

Claudio Melandri became the Chief Executive Officer of Santander-Chile in January 2010 after being our Retail Banking Manager since February 21, 2008. He started his career at Santander-Chile in 1990 becoming a regional branch manager and manager of Santander-Chile’s branch network. He was also a Vice-President at Banco Santander Venezuela from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, he was appointed Corporate Director of Human Resources of Banco Santander-Chile. He is also on the Board of Santander Seguros de Vida S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos and Santander Seguros Generales S.A. Mr. Melandrí has a Business Degree from the Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana in Chile.
 
Gabriel Montoya B. was appointed Financial Controller of Santander Chile in April 2009 and has been working for Santander Spain and its affiliates since 1997. Between 2005-2009, Mr. Montoya was Director of the MIS America Project and was responsible for implementing management information systems in Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina and Brazil. Previous to that Mr. Montoya was Financial Controller of Santander Puerto Rico, Head of Financial Control for the Americas Division of Santander and various other management positions in Santander Colombia. He is a Director of  Santander Consumer Chile S.A. Mr. Montoya has a Business Administration Degree from Universidad del Rosario and an Executive Administration Diploma from the Universidad de los Andes, both in Colombia.
 
José Manuel Manzano became Corporate Director of Risk in July 2007. Prior to that he was Corporate Director of Human Resources for Santander-Chile since October 31, 2002. Previously, he served as Manager of Human Resources for Old Santander-Chile since 1999. He was also General Manager of Santander Fund Management and Managing Director of Bancassurance. He is also a Director of Santander Chile Holding and Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora. Mr. Manzano holds an MBA and a degree in Business from Universidad Católica de Chile.
 
Javier Montero is the Corporate Director of Internal Auditing, a position he has held since May 1, 2010. Prior to that he was Manager of Internal Auditing in the Financial Risk Department at Banco Santander Chile since 2006. Mr. Montero has worked for Grupo Santander since 2000 in the Internal Auditing Division of Grupo Santander. Mr. Montero has a Business Degree and an Auditing degree from Universidad San Pablo in Madrid.
 
Francisco Murillo was appointed Manager of Retail Banking of Santander-Chile on May 1, 2010. Prior to that, he held the position of Corporate Director of Human Resources for Santander-Chile since February 21, 2008. Mr. Murillo has worked in Grupo Santander Chile since 1993. Previously he served as Corporate Director of Santander Asset Management and President of Bansander AFP. He was also the former CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Bansander AFP. Mr. Murillo is President of Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora de General de Fondos, President of Santander Seguros de Vida S.A., President of Santander Seguros Generales S.A., Director of Santander Chile Holding, Director of Aurum S.A., Director of Santander Asset Management Chile S.A., Director of Santander Consumer Chile S.A., Director of Santander Factoring, CEO of Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Ltda and CEO of Aurum S.A. Mr. Murillo has a Business Degree from the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez.
 
Alejandra Mehech was appointed Corporate Director of Human Resources for Santander-Chile on May 1, 2010. Prior to that, Mrs. Mehech served as manager of Human Resources for the Global Businesses area and for top executives, position she held since December 2007. She has also served as manager of Human Resources of the
 
 
 
Asset Management Division of Grupo Santander in Chile. Mrs. Mehech has worked in Grupo Santander since 1994 and holds a Business Degree and a degree in Sociology, both from Universidad Católica de Chile.
 
Joaquin Quirante was appointed the Manager of Global Banking and Markets, that includes wholesale banking and treasury services, on March 11, 2008. Mr. Quirante began working for Santander in 2004 and was the Global Manager of Debt Capital Markets. Previous to working at Santander, Mr. Quirante worked for 9 years at Bank of America where he also led the Debt Capital Markets Group for Southern Europe. He also was a vice-president of Risk for the Bank of America in the UK and worked in the International Division of Argentaria. He is on the Board of Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa. Mr. Quirante is an economist from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and has a MBA from IESE.
 
Juan Carlos Chómali became Manager of the Santander Banefe Division of Santander-Chile in Month, 2010. Prior to that he was Manager of Retail Banking of Santander-Chile, position he held since January 2010 and after being our Corporate Director of Customers and Quality. Prior to that he was Commercial Manager of Bansander AFP, Manager of E-Business of Grupo Santander, General Manager of Santander Multimedios, Manager of Remote Banking at Banco Santander. Mr. Chómali is also Director of Universia Chile S.A., Director of Aquanima Chile S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos, Santander Seguros de Vida S.A. and Director of Santander Seguros Generales S.A. Mr. Chómali has a degree in business from the Universidad Católica de Chile and a certificate in Marketing from the University of California, Los Angeles.
 
Felipe Contreras F. was named Chief Accounting Officer of Santander Chile in October 2008. He has worked for 14 years in the Bank’s Accounting Department, most recently as Manager of the Consolidation and Reporting Departments, overseeing the Bank’s Chilean, U.S. and Spanish GAAP reporting requirements. He recently was in charge of the Bank’s recent transition to International Financial Reporting Standards. Mr. Contreras is a Public Accountant from the University of Santiago and is currently a candidate to a Masters in Advanced Finance from the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez.
 
Juan Fernández is our manager of Administration and Operations. He is the former Manager of Administration and Cost Control of Old Santander-Chile, a position he held from April 1999 until August 2002, when the merger with Santiago was consummated. Mr. Fernández is also Director of Santander Chile Holding S.A., Aquanima Chile S.A., Santander Factoring S.A., Isban Chile S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., Santander Consumer Chile S.A., Multinegocios S.A. and Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa. Previously Mr. Fernández served as Manager for Accounting and Administration of Old Santander-Chile since January 1993. Prior to that, Mr. Fernández held positions at Banchile Agencia de Valores y Subsidiarias, and at JPMorgan in Santiago and Madrid.
 
Emiliano Muratore was appointed Manager of Financial Management in April 2008. Mr. Muratore entered Santander Group in 1999 in Santander Argentina. From 2002 to 2006 he worked in  Financial Management in Santander Spain. He is on the Board of Santander S.A. Agente de Valores. Mr. Muratore has a Business Degree from the Universidad Católica Argentina and a Masters in Finance from the Universidad de San Andrés in Buenos Aires.
 
Juan Pedro Santa María  is our General Counsel, a position he has held since July 30, 2009 after being General Counsel of Grupo Santander Chile. He is also a Director of Santander Chile Holding S.A., Santander Factoring S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., Aquanima Chile S.A., Director of Aurum S.A. and Director of Santander Asset Management Chile S.A. Mr. Santa María, a lawyer, previously worked at Banco O’Higgins and Banco Santiago. He has been Chairman of the Law Committee at the Asociación de Bancos e Instituciones Financieras de Chile for the last twenty years.  He has a degree in Law from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
 
B.           Compensation
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the aggregate amount of compensation paid by us to all of our directors was Ch$645 million, including attendance fees and monthly stipends. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the aggregate amount of compensation paid by us to all of our executive officers and our management members was Ch$28,663 million (US$56.5 million). At our annual shareholder meeting held on April 27, 2010, shareholders approved a monthly stipend per director of UF 230 (US$9,496), UF 460 (US$18,992) for the Chairman of the Board and UF 345 (US$14,244) for the Vice-Chairman of the Board. This amount will be increased by UF 30 per month (US$1,239) if a Board member is named to one or more committees of the Board. For the President of a committee the additional amount will be UF 60 (US$2,477) and UF 45 (US$1,858) for the Vice-President of a committee.
 
 
 
Shareholders also approved the Audit Committee 2010 budget and the remuneration for its members. The remuneration is a 33% additional compensation over the monthly stipend received by a regular board member, or UF 77 (US$3,179), totaling a monthly stipend of UF 307 (US$12,675). This remuneration is in line with the new Chilean corporate governance law. In addition, we pay certain directors professional service fees for the consulting services that they rendered to us in their fields of expertise. For the year ended December 31, 2009, payments to our directors for consulting fees totaled Ch$526 million (US$1.0 million).
 
Santander Spain has set up remuneration systems tied to the performance of the stock market price of the shares of Santander Spain based on the achievement of two targets: appreciation of its share price and growth in earnings per share, in both cases based on a sample of comparable banks.
 
In this regard, certain high-level executives of Santander Chile participate in this global incentive-retention program implemented by Santander Spain. This consisted of giving to qualifying executives a fixed number of options on shares of Santander, if the following parameters were met: (i) share price growth in the top 10 compared to 30 other global banks, (ii) earnings per share growth in the top 10 compared to 30 other global banks, (iii) that Banco Santander Chile achieved its commercial and financial budget targets in the last two years and (iv) that the executive achieved his personal targets in the last two years, and remained employed with the Bank until the end of the incentive program. This program has no dilutive effect for Santander Chile minority shareholders.
 
The fair value of each option granted is calculated at the grant date. In order to value the incentive-retention plan, two valuation reports were performed by two multinational investment banks. These valuation specialists used the Black-Scholes equity option pricing model considering the following parameters: the expected life of the options, interest rates, volatility, exercise price, market price and dividends of Santander Spain shares and the shares of comparable banks. The fair value of the options granted was calculated as the average value resulting from the two valuations.
 
 
Number of
Shares
   
Euros
Exercise
Price
   
Employee
Group
   
Number
of Persons
 
Date of
Commencement
of Exercise Period 
 
Date of
Expiry of
Exercise Period
 
Plans in force on January 1, 2005
                       
Rights granted (Plan I06)
4,284,700
 
9.09 (**)
 
Managers
 
123
 
1/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
Options exercised
-
 
-
 
-
             
Options cancelled or not exercised
(267,700)
 
-
 
-
 
(6)
 
1/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
                         
Plans in force on December 31, 2005
4,017,000
 
9.09
                 
Options exercised
-
 
-
 
-
             
Options cancelled, net (Plan I06)
(166,600)
 
9.09
 
Managers
 
(5)
 
1/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
                         
Plans in force on December 31, 2006
3,850,400
 
9.09
                 
Rights granted (Plan I09)
270,823
 
-
 
Managers
 
159
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
Rights granted (Plan I09)
12,844
 
-
 
Other non-managerial positions
 
23
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
                         
Rights granted (Plan I10)
402,865
 
-
 
Managers
 
159
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
Rights granted (Plan I10)
18,564
 
-
 
Other non-managerial positions
 
23
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
                         
Options cancelled, net (Plan I06)
(184,900)
 
9.09
 
Managers
             
                         
Plans in force on December 31, 2007
4,370,596
 
-
                 
Rights granted (Plan I09)
134,985
 
-
 
Managers
 
159
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
Rights granted (Plan I09)
6,401
     
Other non-managerial positions
 
22
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
                         
Rights granted (Plan I10)
133,874
 
-
 
Managers
 
159
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
Rights granted (Plan I10)
6,169
 
-
 
Other non-managerial positions
 
22
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
                         
Options cancelled, net (Plan I06)
(565,650)
 
-
 
-
     
4/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
Options exercised, net (Plan I06)
(3,099,850)
 
-
 
Managers
 
 90
         
 
 
 
 
Number of
Shares
   
Euros
Exercise
Price
   
Employee
Group
   
Number
of Persons
 
Date of
Commencement
of Exercise Period 
 
Date of
Expiry of
Exercise Period
 
Plans in force on December 31, 2008
986,525
                     
Rights granted (Plan I09)
269,472
 
-
 
Managers
 
159
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
Rights granted (Plan I09)
12,780
 
-
 
Other non-managerial positions
 
22
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
                         
Rights granted (Plan I10)
400,842
 
-
 
Managers
 
159
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
Rights granted (Plan I10)
18,470
 
-
 
Other non-managerial positions
 
22
 
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
                         
Rights granted (Plan I11)
443,098
 
-
 
Managers
 
161
 
7/31/2008
 
7/31/2011
 
Rights granted (Plan I11)
32,927
 
-
 
Other non-managerial positions
 
53
 
7/31/2008
 
7/31/2011
 
                         
Rights granted (Plan I12)
458,850
 
-
 
Managers
 
176
 
7/31/2009
 
7/31/2012
 
Rights granted (Plan I12)
63,305
 
-
 
Other non-managerial positions
 
95
 
7/31/2009
 
7/31/2012
 
                         
Rights granted (Plan I09)
(675,280)
 
-
 
Managers
 
159
         
Rights granted (Plan I09)
(32,025)
 
-
 
Other non-managerial positions
 
22
         
                         
Plans in force on December 31, 2009
1,978,964
                     
                         
Of which:
                       
                         
Plan I10
980,784
                     
Plan I11
476,025
                     
Plan I12
522,155
                     
 
 (**)The exercise price of the options under Plan I06 is €9.09 per share, which is the weighted average of the daily average market price of the Bank shares on the continuous market in the first 15 trading days of January 2005. This was the criterion established in the resolution approving Plan I06 adopted at the Annual General Meeting of Santander Spain held on June 18, 2005.
 
Long-term incentive policy
 
During 2007, Santander Spain’s Board of Directors approved a long-term incentive policy for the period 2008-2010 aimed at Group Santander’s executive directors and certain executive personnel in Spain and other Santander Group companies. Certain high-level executives of Santander Chile participate in this global Performance Share Plan implemented by Santander Spain.
 
As of December 31, 2008 approximately 90 of the Bank’s executives enrolled in Plan PI06 exercised 3,099,850 options on Banco Santander S.A. shares (the Parent Company located in Spain) at a price of €9,09.
 
Performance Share Plan
 
This multi-annual incentive plan is payable in shares of Santander Spain. The beneficiaries of the plan are the executive directors and other members of senior management, together with any other Group executives determined by the Board of Directors of Santander Spain or, when delegated by it, the Executive Committee.
 
This plan will involve successive three-year cycles of share deliveries to the beneficiaries, so that each year one cycle will begin and, from 2009 onwards, another cycle will also end. The aim is to establish an adequate sequence between the end of the incentive program linked to the previous plan and the successive cycles of this plan. Thus, the first two cycles commenced in July 2007, the first cycle having duration of two years (PI09) and the second cycle having a standard three-year term (PI10). In June 2008 and 2009, the third and fourth three-year cycles were approved by Santander Spain (PI11 and PI12, respectively). These new three-year cycle plans began to impact the Consolidated Income Statement of 2009.
 
For each cycle, a maximum number of shares of Santander Spain is established for each beneficiary who remains in the Bank’s employ for the duration of the plan. The targets, which, if met, will determine the number of shares to be delivered, are defined by comparing the Santander Group’s performance with that of a benchmark group of financial institutions and are linked to two parameters, namely Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and growth in Earnings per Share (EPS). These parameters each have a 50% weighting in determining the percentage of shares to be delivered. In addition, the executives of Santander Chile must also meet their local commercial and earnings
 
 
 
goals in order to receive this benefit, and the Bank must also reach other commercial and earnings targets set by Santander Spain.
 
The ultimate number of shares to be delivered will be determined in each of the cycles by the degree of achievement of the targets on the third anniversary of commencement of each cycle (with the exception of the first cycle, for which the second anniversary will be considered), and the shares will be delivered within a maximum period of seven months from the end of the cycle. This number will range from the maximum percentage of shares, if Grupo Santander, for each of the measures considered (TSR and EPS growth), ranks within the third quartile of the Benchmark Group, including the 75th percentile, to 30% of the maximum number of shares if it is placed at the median (50th percentile). If Grupo Santander ranks below the median, all assignments of shares will be rendered null and void.
 
Plan PI09 ended in 2009 and rights over 707,305 shares were exercised by 181 Bank executives. In addition, Plan PI10 commenced during that fiscal year; rights over 419,312 shares were granted to 181 executives, yielding a cumulative total of 980,784 shares to be distributed to 181 executives. Plan PI11 allocated 476,025 rights over shares, and Plan PI12 allocated 522,155 rights over shares, to 214 and 271 executives, respectively. At December 31, 2009, the Bank recorded a cost for the period of Ch$2,371 million (US$4.677 million) corresponding to the fair value of plan PI09 (which ended on July 31, 2009), Plan I10, Plan I11 and Plan I12 for the equity instruments distributed. This amount is charged to income on the specific period in which the beneficiaries provide their services to the Bank.
 
At December 31, 2009 the fair value of the Share Plans based on the achievement of the stated objectives was calculated as follows:
 
·  
It was assumed that the beneficiaries will not leave the Group’s employ during the term of each plan.
 
·  
The fair value of 50% relating to the Bank’s relative TSR (Total Shareholder Return) position was determined by an independent expert based on the use of the Monte Carlo valuation model which carried out 10,000 simulations to determine the TSR of each of the companies in the Benchmark Group, taking into account the aforementioned variables. The results (each of which represents the delivery of a number of shares) are classified in descending order by calculating the weighted average and discounting this amount at the risk-free interest rate.
 
 
PI09
PI10
PI11
PI12
Expected volatility(*)
16.25%
15.67%
19.31%
42.36%
Annual dividend yield based on historical
3.23%
3.24%
3.47%
4.88%
Risk-free interest rate [return on Treasury Bonds (zero coupon)] over the life of the plan
4.473%
4.497%
4.83%
2.04%
 
(*) Determined on the basis of historical volatility over the period (two or three years)
 
The application of the simulation model resulted in percentage values of 42.7% for PI09, 42.3% for PI10 (second cycle), 44,9% for PI11 (third cycle) and 55.4% for PI12 (fourth cycle), which are applied to 50% of the value of the shares granted, in order to determine the book value of the TSR-based portion of the incentive. Since this valuation relates to a market condition, it cannot be adjusted after the grant date.
 
In view of the high correlation between TSR and EPS (Earning per Share), it was considered reasonable to conclude that, in a high percentage of cases, the TSR value is also valid for EPS. Therefore, it was determined that the fair value of the portion of the plans linked to the Bank’s relative EPS position, i.e. of the remaining 50% of the shares granted, was the same as that of the 50% corresponding to the TSR. Since this valuation refers to a non-market condition, the number of shares expected to vest shall be reviewed and adjusted on a yearly basis.
 
 
 
 Post employment benefits
 
During the second half of 2009, the Bank granted an additional benefit to its principal executives, consisting of a pension plan whose purpose is to endow them with funds for a better supplementary pension upon their retirement. In practical terms, the Bank will match the voluntary contributions made by the beneficiaries for their future pensions with an equivalent contribution. The executives will be entitled to receive this benefit only when they fulfill the following linked conditions: i) retire from the Bank (or from any other Santander Group company) and be 60 years of age or older and; ii) the reason for termination of their employment may not be any of the legal grounds for dismissal attributable to the executive in question. During the period, the Bank made a contribution of $4,726 million, and a current contribution of $267 million. For more information, see “Note 37—g Post employment benefits” on our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
C.           Board Practices
 
Audit Committee
 
Board member
 
Position in Committee
Carlos Olivos
 
Chairman
Víctor Arbulú Crousillat
 
Vice Chairman and Financial Expert
Roberto Zahler*
 
Member
     
*Replaced Lucia Santa Cruz who resigned in May 2010
 
The Audit Committee (Comité de Directores y Auditoría) is comprised of three members of the Board of Directors. The General Secretary is the Committee Secretary. The Chief Executive Officer, General Auditor and other persons from the Bank can be invited to the meetings if necessary and are present on specific matters. This Committee’s primary responsibility is to support the Board of Directors in the continuous improvement of our system of internal controls, which includes reviewing the work of both the external auditors and the Internal Audit Department. The committee is also responsible for analyzing observations made by regulatory entities of the Chilean financial system about us and for recommending measures to be taken by our management in response. This committee also performs functions of a remuneration committee as established in Chilean Law, and reviews annually the salary and bonus programs for the executive officers of the Bank. The external auditors are recommended by this committee to our Board of Directors and appointed by our shareholders at the annual shareholders’ meeting.
 
This committee is also responsible for:
 
·  
Presenting to the Board of Directors a list of candidates for the selection of an external auditor.
 
·  
Presenting to the board or directors a list of candidates for the selection of rating agencies.
 
·  
Overseeing and analyzing the results of the external audit and the internal reviews.
 
·  
Coordinating the activities of internal auditing with the external auditors’ review.
 
·  
Analyzing the interim and year-end financial statements and reporting the results to the Board of Directors.
 
·  
Analyzing the external auditors’ reports and their content, procedures and scope.
 
·  
Analyzing the rating agencies’ reports and their content, procedures and scope.
 
·  
Obtaining information regarding the effectiveness and reliability of the internal control systems and procedures.
 
·  
Analyzing the information systems performance, and its sufficiency, reliability and use in connection with decision-making processes.
 
 
 
·  
Obtaining information regarding compliance with the company’s policies regarding the due observance of laws, regulations and internal rules to which the company is subject.
 
·  
Obtaining information and resolving conflict of interest matters and investigating suspicious and fraudulent activities.
 
·  
Analyzing the reports of the inspection visits, instructions and presentations of the Superintendency of Banks.
 
·  
Obtaining information, analyzing and verifying the company’s compliance with the annual audit program prepared by the internal audit department.
 
·  
Informing the Board of Directors of accounting changes and their effects.
 
·  
Examining on an annual basis the compensation plans of high level executives and managers.
 
Asset and Liability Committee
 
Board member
 
Position in Committee
Mauricio Larraín
 
Chairman
Oscar von Chrismar
 
Member
Marco Colodro
 
Member
Vittorio Corbo
 
Member
Roberto Zahler
 
Member
 
The Comité de Activos y Pasivos or the Asset and Liability Committee (the “ALCO”), following guidelines set by the Board of Directors and Santander Spains’s Global Risk Department, is responsible for establishing Santander-Chile’s policies, procedures and limits with respect to market risks and monitoring the overall performance in light of the risks assumed. The ALCO constantly monitors whether these policies are adhered to. Santander-Chile’s Market Risk and Control Department and the Financial Management Division perform the day-to-day risk management functions required for the trading and non-trading activities of Santander-Chile.
 
The Asset and Liabilities Management Committee includes the Chairman of the Board and four additional members of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Manager of the Financial Management Division, the Manager of Market Risk, the Manager of the Treasury Division, the Financial Controller and other senior members of management. Senior members of Santander-Chile’s Finance Division have a formal meeting each month with the Asset and Liabilities Management Committee and outside consultants.
 
 
Market Committee
 
Board member
 
Position in Committee
Mauricio Larraín
 
Chairman
Oscar von Chrismar
 
Member
Roberto Zahler
 
Member
Marco Colodro
 
Member
Vittorio Corbo
 
Member
 
The Comité de Mercados or the Market Committee is responsible for establishing Santander-Chile’s policies, procedures and limits with respect to its trading portfolio, market risks and monitoring the overall performance in light of the risks assumed. The ALCO constantly monitors whether these policies are fulfilled. Santander-Chile’s Market Risk and Control Department carry out the day-to-day risk management functions required for the trading and non-trading activities of Santander-Chile.
 
The Market Committee includes the Chairman of the Board, four additional members of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Manager of Global Banking and Markets, the Manager of the Treasury Division, the Manager
 
 
 
of Proprietary Trading,  the Manager of the Financial Management Division, the Manager of Market Risk, the Financial Controller and other senior members of management.
 
 
Executive Credit Committee
 
Board member
 
Position in Committee
Mauricio Larraín
 
Chairman
Oscar von Chrismar
 
Member
Carlos Olivos
 
Member
Roberto Méndez
 
Member
Marco Colodro
 
Member
 
The Executive Credit Committee is comprised of the Chairman of the Board, three additional Board members, the Corporate Legal Counsel, the CEO, the Manager of Global Banking, the Corporate Director of Risk, the Manager of Corporate Banking, the Manager of Middle Market and two senior members of the Credit Risk department that present the loans being reviewed for approval. This committee confirms the loan positions reviewed by the Senior Loan Committee, with approval rights up to the maximum exposure permitted by the General Banking Law.
 
Marketing and Communications Committee
 
Board member
 
Position in Committee
Mauricio Larraín
 
Chairman
Roberto Méndez
 
Member
 
The Marketing and Communications Committee is comprised of the Chairman of the Board and an additional Board member, the CEO, the Manager of Retail Banking, the Manager of Santander Banefe, the Manager of Human Resources, the Manager of Corporate Communications, the Manager of Marketing and other senior managers of the Bank. This committee reviews and confirms all matters related to products, corporate image and communications.
 
Technology Committee
 
Board member
 
Position in Committee
Claudia Bobadilla
 
Member
Oscar von Chrismar Carvajal
 
Member
 
The Technology Committee reviews all matters related to analyzing technological developments that improve efficiency and client service. This committee oversees the Annual Technology Plan, which includes the   automation of key processes, telecommunication innovations, information security, market intelligence and new technological trends.
 
University Committee
 
Board member
 
Position in Committee
Mauricio Larraín
 
Member
Lucía Santa Cruz   Member
Roberto Méndez   Member
 
The University Committee reviews the Bank’s support for higher education and integrates this with the growth of the Institutional business segment and retail banking for college graduates.
 
 
 
Strategy Committee
 
Board member
 
Position in Committee
Oscar von Chrismar Carvajal
 
Member
Raimundo Monge
 
Member
Juan Hoyos
 
Member
 
The Strategy Committee is in charge of the Bank’s strategic planning process and follow-up.
 
D.           Employees
 
As of December 31, 2009, on a consolidated basis we had 11,118 employees, 8,411 of whom were bank employees, 350 of whom were employees of our subsidiaries and 2,357 were employees of Special Purpose Entities. Prior to December 31, 2009, we did not consolidate these Special Purpose Entities or include these employees in our headcount disclosures.  We have traditionally enjoyed good relations with our employees and their unions. Of the total headcount of the Bank and his subsidiaries, 4,822 or 54.7% were unionized. In May 2010, a new collective bargaining agreement was signed, which will become effective on January 1, 2011 and that will expire on December 31, 2014, but this may be negotiated ahead of schedule with the consent of management and the union. We generally apply the terms of our collective bargaining agreement to unionized and non-unionized employees. The following chart summarizes the number of employees employed by the bank.
 
Employees
 
2009
 
Executives                                
    636  
Professionals                                
    4,414  
Administrative                                
    6,068  
Total                                
    11,118  
 
E.           Share Ownership
 
 
No director or executive officer owns more than 1% of the shares of Santander-Chile. As of December 31, 2009, the following directors and executives held shares in Santander-Chile:
 
 

 
Directors
Shares
Mauricio Larraín Garcés
568
Carlos Olivos Marchant
1,960,822
Senior Managers
 
Juan Fernández
35,536

 
Santander-Chile currently does not have any arrangements for involving employees in its capital and there is no systematic arrangement for grant of options or shares or securities of Banco Santander-Chile to them. However, our parent company gave each employee 100 shares in Banco Santander Spain stock in 2007. This program had no costs for Santander-Chile.
 

 
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
A.           Major Shareholders
 
As of December 31, 2009, Santander-Chile’s largest shareholders were the following:
 
 
Shareholder
 
Number of Shares
   
Percentage
 
Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Ltda.*
    78,108,391,607       41.45 %
Santander Chile Holding S.A.
    66,822,519,695       35.46 %
 

* Formerly known as Teatinos Siglo XXI S.A.
 
Banco Santander Spain controls Santander-Chile through its holdings in Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Ltda. and Santander-Chile Holding, which are controlled subsidiaries of Banco Santander Spain. As of December 31, 2009, Banco Santander Spain directly or indirectly owned or controlled 99.5% of Santander-Chile Holding and directly or indirectly owned or controlled 100% of Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Ltda.  This gives Banco Santander Spain control over 76.91% of the shares of the Bank, and actual participation, when excluding minority shareholders, of 76.74% at December 31, 2009.
 
Banco Santander Spain is in a position to cause the election of a majority of the members of Santander-Chile’s Board of Directors, to determine its dividend and other policies and to determine substantially all matters to be decided by a vote of shareholders. Banco Santander Spain holds ordinary shares to which no special voting rights are attached. Each share represents one vote and there are no shareholders with different voting rights.
 
The number of outstanding shares of Santander-Chile (of which there is only one class, being ordinary shares) at December 31, 2009, was 188,446,126,794 shares, without par value. Santander-Chile’s shares are listed for trading on the Chilean Stock Exchanges and on the NYSE in connection with the registration of ADRs. The market capitalization of Santander-Chile at the same date was Ch$5,792,834 million (US$11,749 million), representing 188,446,126,794 shares of common stock. At December 31, 2009, Santander-Chile had 12,797 holders registered in Chile, including JP Morgan as Depositary (the “Depositary”) of Santander-Chile’s American Depositary Share Program. As of December 31, 2009, there were a total of 33 ADR holders on record. Since some of these ADRs are held by nominees, the number of record holders may not be representative of the number of beneficial holders.
 
Other than the information disclosed in this section, there are no arrangements to the knowledge of Santander-Chile, which can result in a change of control of Santander-Chile.
 
B.           Related Party Transactions
 
The Chilean Companies Law requires that our transactions with related parties be on a market basis, that is, 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 at the date the transaction is to be entered into. Directors of companies that violate this provision are liable for losses resulting from such violations.
 
In addition, under the Chilean Companies Law, a company may not enter into a transaction with related parties unless (i) such transaction has received the prior approval of the company’s Board of Directors and (ii) the terms of such transaction are consistent with the terms of transactions of a similar type prevailing in the market. If it is not possible to make this determination, 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 to call 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 considers the amount of a proposed transaction to be material if (1) it exceeds 1% of the company’s net worth (provided that it also exceeds 20,000UF) 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 civil liability to the corporation, the shareholders and/or third parties who suffer losses as a result of such violation.
 
 
Loans granted to related parties
 
In addition to subsidiaries and associated entities, the Bank’s “related parties” include the “key personnel” of the Bank’s executive staff (members of the Bank’s Board and the Managers of Banco Santander Chile and its subsidiaries, together with their close relatives), as well as the entities over which the key personnel could exert significant influence or control.
 
The Bank also considers the companies that are part of the Santander Group worldwide as related parties, given that all of them have a common parent, i.e., Banco Santander S.A. (located in Spain).
 
The table below shows loans and receivables and contingent loans with related parties. For more information, see “Note 37—Transactions with Related Parties” in our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report:
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Companies of the Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key personnel
   
Other
   
Companies of the Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key personnel
   
Other
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
                     
(in millions of Ch$)
                   
LOANS AND RECEIVABLES
                                               
Commercial loans
    11,331       914       2,840       108,372       54,996       51       2,417       110,074  
Mortgage loans
    -       -       12,754       -       -       -       11,517       -  
Consumer loans
    -       -       1,744       -       -       -       911       -  
Loans and receivables
    11,331       914       17,338       108,372       54,996       51       14,845       110,074  
                                                                 
Provision for loan losses
    (13 )     (1 )     (11 )     (298 )     (114 )     -       (8 )     (34 )
Net loans
    11,318       913       17,327       108,074       54,882       51       14,837       110,040  
                                                                 
Guarantees
    4,552       -       45,550       596       62,040       -       13,867       602  
                                                                 
Contingent loans
                                                               
Personal guarantees
    -       -       15,900       -       -       -       -       -  
Letters of credit
    1,868       -       -       -       1,582       -       -       -  
Performance bonds
    134,644       -       -       259       51,237       -       -       25  
Contingent loans
    136,512       -       -       259       52,819       -       -       25  
                                                                 
Provision for contingent loans
    (21 )     -               -       (4 )     -       -       -  
                                                                 
Net contingent loans
    136,491       -       -       259       52,815       -       -       25  
 
The largest related party loan was rendered by the Bank to Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos for Ch$25,890 million (US$40 million). The loan is in Chilean nominal pesos at a rate of 0.15% per month and will be due in May 2011.
 
Under the Chilean General Banking Law, Chilean banks are subject to certain lending limits, including the following:
 
·  
a bank may not extend to any person or legal entity (or group of related entities), directly or indirectly, unsecured loans in an amount that exceeds 5.0% of the bank’s regulatory capital, or secured loans in an amount that exceeds 25.0% of its regulatory capital. In the case of foreign export trade finance, this 5.0% ceiling is raised to: 10.0% for unsecured financing, 30.0% for secured financing. This ceiling is raised to 15.0% for loans granted to finance public works under the concessions system contemplated in the Decree with Force of Law 164 of 1991, of the Ministry of Public Works, provided that either the loan is secured on the concession, or the loan is granted as part of a loan syndication;
 
·  
a bank may not grant loans bearing more favorable terms than those generally offered by banks in the same community to any entity (or group of related entities) that is directly or indirectly related to its owners or management;
 
·  
a bank may not extend loans to another bank in an aggregate amount exceeding 30.0% of its regulatory capital;
 
·  
a bank may not directly or indirectly grant a loan, the purpose of which is to allow the borrower to acquire shares in the lending 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, or to certain related parties; and
 
·  
a bank may not grant loans to individuals or legal entities involved in the ownership or management of the bank, whether directly or indirectly (including holders of 1.0% or more of its shares), on more favorable terms than those generally offered to non-related parties. Loans may not be extended to senior executives and to companies in which such individuals have a participation of 5.0% or more of the equity or net earnings in such companies. The aggregate amount of loans to related parties may not exceed a bank’s regulatory capital.
 
We are not aware of any loans to any related parties exceeding the above lending limits.
 
The table below shows assets and liabilities with related parties:
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Companies of the Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key personnel
   
Other
   
Companies of the Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key personnel
   
Other
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Assets
                                               
Trading investments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Investments under resale agreements
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Financial derivatives contracts
    405,411       -       -       -       293,649       -       -       -  
Available for sale investments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other assets
    117,060       -       -       -       15,422       -       -       -  
                                                                 
Liabilities
                                                               
Demand deposits and other demand obligations
    1,503       6,238       502       925       6,827       4,963       1,442       5,761  
Investments under repurchase agreements
    -       -       -       -       40,345       -       -       -  
Deposits and other time liabilities
    411,295       -       1,126       21,652       387,477       -       2,918       3,057  
Financial derivatives contracts
    245,574       -       -       -       358,747       -       -       -  
Issued debt instruments
    89,258       -       -       -       186,098       -       -       -  
Other financial liabilities
    55,156       -       -       -       8,967       -       -       -  
Other liabilities
    310       -       -       -       2,710       -       -       -  
 

 
 
Other transactions with related parties
 
During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, the Bank had the following significant income (expenses) from services provided to (by) related parties:
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Companies of the Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key personnel
   
Other
   
Companies of the Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key personnel
   
Other
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Income (expense) recorded
                                               
Income and expenses from interest and adjustments
    (23,344 )     42       308       (769 )     1,070       -       67       (11 )
Income and expenses from fees and services
    56,822       71       79       50       47,984       -       11       5  
Net income from financial and foreign exchange transactions (*)
    129,046       -       2       (13,634 )     (210,308 )     -       -       97  
Other operating revenues and expenses
    (4,294 )     -       -       -       (3,995 )     -       -       -  
Key personnel compensation and expenses
    -       -       (28,663 )     -       -       -       (29,820 )     -  
Administrative and other expenses
    (13,107 )     (16,666 )     -       -       (12,656 )     (28,016 )     -       -  
                                                                 
Totals
    145,123       (16,553 )     (28,274 )     (14,353 )     (177,905 )     (28,016 )     (29,742 )     91  


* Reflects derivative contracts that hedge Group positions in Chile.

 
Only transactions with related parties equal to or greater than UF 5,000 are included individually in the table above. Transactions with related parties between UF 1,000 and up to UF 5,000 are included in other transactions with related parties. All transactions were conducted at arms length.
 
C.           Interests of Experts and Counsel
 
Not applicable.
 
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
A.           Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
 
Financial Information
 
See Item 18.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
Upon the recommendation of our legal advisors, we estimate that our aggregate liability, if all legal proceedings were determined adversely to us, could result in significant losses not estimated by us. As of December 31, 2009, we have set aside Ch$830 million (US$1.6 million) as provisions for these legal actions. These provisions are presented under the Contingency allowances item in our financial statements.
 
Dividends and dividend policy
 
See “Item 3: A. Selected Financial Data—Dividends.”
 
B.           Significant Changes
 
None.
 
 
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
 
A.           Historical Trading Information
 
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 common stock on the Santiago Stock Exchange and the annual, quarterly and monthly high and low closing prices (in U.S. dollars) as reported by the NYSE.
 
   
Santiago Stock Exchange
   
NYSE
 
   
Common Stock
   
ADS(2)
 
   
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
   
(Ch$ per share(1))
   
(US$ per ADS)
 
Annual Price History
                       
2005
    22.75       17.11       22.75       30.40  
2006
    26.20       19.60       51.46       37.40  
2007
    27.10       21.25       55.30       41.76  
2008
    24.86       16.51       54.60       28.16  
2008
    31.00       18.23       64.78       31.22  
Quarterly Price History
                               
2008
                               
1st Quarter
    24.86       20.00       53.37       45.58  
2nd Quarter
    24.46       21.05       54.60       41.78  
3rd Quarter
    23.33       19.30       46.41       37.10  
4th Quarter
    22.96       16.51       42.99       28.16  
2009
                               
1st Quarter
    23.00       18.23       38.84       31.22  
2nd Quarter
    23.90       19.44       46.69       34.01  
3rd Quarter
    30.41       23.34       57.94       44.97  
4th Quarter
    31.00       26.96       64.78       52.64  
                                 
1st Quarter 2010 
    34.99       30.74       70.63       60.59  
                                 
Monthly Price History
                               
December 2009
    31.00       28.35       64.78       58.40  
January 2010
    34.56       30.74       70.63       61.83  
February 2010
    33.60       31.43       65.82       60.59  
March 2010
    34.99       32.12       70.05       64.16  
April 2010
    35.55       32.68       71.88       64.80  
May 2010
    33.10       31.03       66.20       59.40  
 
B.           Plan of Distribution
 
Not applicable
 
C.           Nature of Trading Market
 
Nature of Trading Market
 
Shares of our common stock are traded on the Chilean Stock Exchanges. Each ADS represents 1,039 shares of common stock. ADRs have been issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2008, among Santander-Chile, the Depositary and all holders from time to time of ADRs. As of December 31, 2009, 30,583,111 ADSs were outstanding (equivalent to 31,775,852,329 shares of common stock or 16.9% of the total number of issued shares of common stock).
 
D.           Selling Shareholders
 
Not applicable.
 
 
E.           Dilution
 
Not applicable.
 
F.           Expenses of the Issue
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
A.           Share Capital
 
Not applicable.
 
B.           Memorandum and Articles of Association
 
The legal predecessor of Santander-Chile was Banco Santiago (Santiago). Santiago was incorporated by public deed dated September 7, 1977 granted at the Notary Office of Alfredo Astaburuaga Gálvez. Santiago received its permission to incorporate and function as a bank by Resolution No. 118 of the Superintendency of Banks on October 27, 1977. The Bank’s by-laws were approved by Resolution No. 103 of the Superintendency of Banks on September 22, 1977. In January 1997, Santiago merged with Banco O’Higgins’ with Santiago as the surviving entity. In 1999, Santiago became a controlled subsidiary of Banco Santander Spain.
 
On May 24, 2007, we have changed our by-laws insofar as our official name shall be Banco Santander-Chile (formerly: Banco Santander Chile) and that the Bank may also use the following names: Banco Santander Santiago, Santander Santiago, Banco Santander, or Santander (formerly only: Banco Santander Santiago and Santander Santiago.)
 
Shareholder rights in a Chilean bank that is also an open stock (public) corporation are governed by (1) the corporation’s estatutos, which effectively serve the purpose of both the articles or certificate of incorporation and the by-laws of a company incorporated in the United States, (2) the General Banking Law and (3) to the extent not inconsistent with the General Banking Law, by the provisions of Chilean Companies Law applicable to open stock corporations, except for certain provisions that are expressly excluded. Article 137 of the Chilean Companies Law provides that all provisions of the Chilean Companies Law take precedence over any contrary provision in a corporation’s estatutos. Both the Chilean Companies 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, notwithstanding the plaintiff’s right to submit the action to the ordinary courts of Chile.
 
The Chilean securities markets are principally regulated by the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance under the Chilean Securities Market Law and the Chilean Companies Law. In the case of banks, compliance with these laws is supervised by the Superintendency of Banks. These two laws provide for disclosure requirements, restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation and protection of minority investors. The Chilean 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. The Chilean Companies Law sets forth the rules and requirements for establishing open stock corporations while eliminating government supervision of closed (closely-held) corporations. Open stock (public) corporations are those with 500 or more shareholders, or companies in which 100 or more shareholders own at least 10.0% of the subscribed capital (excluding those whose individual holdings exceed 10.0%), and all other companies that are registered in the Securities Registry of the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance.
 
Santander-Chile is a bank providing a broad range of commercial and retail banking services, as well as a variety of financial services. Our objects and purposes can be found in Article 4 of our estatutos.
 
 
Board of Directors
 
The Board of Directors has 11 regular members and 2 alternate members, elected by shareholder vote at General Shareholders’ Meetings. The directors may be either shareholders or non-shareholders of the Company. There is no age limit for directors.
 
A director remains in office for three years and may be reelected indefinitely. If for any reason, the General Shareholders’ Meeting where the newly appointments of directors are to be made is not held, the duties of those serving as such shall be extended until their replacements are designated, in which case, the Board of Director shall convene a Meeting at the earliest possible time in order to effect the appointments.
 
The directors are entitled to compensation for the performance of their duties. The amount of their compensation is determined annually by the General Shareholders’ Meeting. In addition, payments in the form of wages, fees, travel accounts, expense accounts, dues as representatives of the Board of Directors and other cash payments, payments in kind or royalties of any sort whatsoever, may be paid to certain directors for the performance of specific duties or tasks in addition to their functions as directors imposed upon them specifically by the General Shareholders’ Meeting. Any special compensation is authorized or approved at the General Shareholders’ Meeting, and for that purpose, a detailed and separate entry shall be made in the Annual Report, which shall expressly indicate the complete name of each of the directors receiving special compensation.
 
Without prejudice to any other incapacity or incompatibility established by law, the following may not be directors: (a) those persons who have been sentenced or are being tried, either as principals or accessories, for crimes punishable with a penalty of temporary or permanent suspension from or incapacity to hold public office; (b) those persons who have been declared bankrupt and have not been rehabilitated; (c) members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; (d) directors or employees of any other financial institution; employees appointed by the President of the Republic and employees or officers of (i) the State, (ii) any public service, public institution, semi-public institution, autonomous entity or state-controlled company (any such entity a “Public Entity”) or (iii) any enterprise, corporation or public or private entity in which the State or a Public Entity has a majority interest, has made capital contributions, or is represented or participating, provided that persons holding positions in teaching activities in any of the above entities may be directors; and (f) the Bank’s employees, which shall not prevent a director from holding on a temporary basis and for a term not to exceed ninety days the position of General Manager. Chief Executive Officers may not be elected as directors.
 
For purposes of the appointment of directors, each shareholder shall have the right to one vote per share for purposes of appointing a single person, or to distribute his votes in between candidates as he may deem convenient, and the persons obtaining the largest number of votes in the same and single process shall be awarded positions, until all positions have been filled. The election of the regular and alternate board members shall be carried out separately. For purposes of the casting of the vote, the Chairman and the Secretary, together with any other persons that may have been previously designated by the Meeting to sign the minutes thereof, shall issue a certificate giving evidence of the oral votes of shareholders attending, following the order of the list of attendance being taken.
 
Each shareholder shall be entitled, however, to cast his vote by means of a ballot signed by him, stating whether he signs for his own account or as a representative. This entitlement notwithstanding, in order to expedite the voting process, the Chairman of the Bank or the Superintendency, as the case may be, is entitled to order that the vote be taken alternatively or by oral vote or by means of ballots. At the time of polling, the Chairman may instruct that the votes be read aloud, in order for those in attendance to count for themselves the number of votes issued and verify the outcome of the voting process.
 
The Secretary tabulates the votes and the Chairman announces those who have obtained the largest majorities until all the director positions have been filled. The Secretary places the documents evidencing the outcome of the count, duly signed by the persons charged with the duty of verifying the number of votes issued, together with the ballots delivered by the shareholders who did not vote orally, in an envelope which shall be closed and sealed with the corporate seal and shall remain deposited with the Bank for a least two years.
 
Every appointment of directors, or any changes in the appointment of directors, shall be transcribed into a public deed before a notary public, published in a newspaper of Santiago and notified to the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, by means of the filing of a copy of the respective public deed. Likewise, the
 
 
appointments of General Manager, Manager and Deputy Managers shall be communicated and transcribed into a public deed.
 
If a director ceases to be able to perform his or her duties, whether by reason of conflict of interest, limitation, legal incapacity or bankruptcy, impossibility, resignation or any other legal cause, the vacancy shall be filled as follows: (a) the positions of regular directors shall be filled by an alternate director; and (b) the positions of alternate directors vacated upon the application of (a) above, and the positions of regular directors if a regular director’s position can not be filled pursuant to clause (a) because both alternate members have already become regular members, shall be filled by the Board of Directors on its first meeting after the vacancy occurs. Board members appointed pursuant to clause (b) will remain in the position until the next General Shareholders’ Meeting, where the appointment may be ratified, in which case, the replacement director will remain in his or her position until the expiration of the term of the director he or she replaced.
 
The alternate directors may temporarily replace regular directors in case of their absence or temporary inability to attend a board meeting, or in a definitive manner in case of vacancy. The alternate board members are always entitled to attend and speak at board meetings. They will be entitled to vote at such meetings only when a regular member is absent and such alternate member acts as the absent member’s replacement.
 
During the first meeting following the General Shareholders’ Meeting, the Board of Directors shall elect in separate votes from among its members, a Chairman, a First Vice Chairman and a Second Vice Chairman. In the event of a tie, the appointment shall be decided by lottery.
 
The Board of Directors meet in ordinary sessions at least once a month, held on pre-set dates and times determined by the Board. Extraordinary meetings are held whenever called by the Chairman, whether at his own will or upon the request of three or more directors, so long as the Chairman determines in advance that the meeting is justified, except if the request is made by the absolute majority of the directors in office, in which case the meeting shall be held without such prior determination. The extraordinary meetings may only address those matters specifically included in the agenda for the extraordinary meeting, except that, if the meeting is attended by all the directors in office, they may agree otherwise by a unanimous vote. Extraordinary meetings shall be called by means of a written instrument signed by the Chairman or the Secretary or his alternate and delivered to each of the directors at least three days prior to the date set for the meeting.
 
The quorum for the Board of Directors’ Meeting is six of its members. Resolutions shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of the absolute majority of the attending directors. In the event of a tie, the person acting as the Chairman of the meeting shall cast a deciding vote.
 
Directors having a vested interest in a negotiation, act, contract or transaction that is not related to the bank business, either as principal or as representative of another person, shall communicate such fact to the other directors. If the respective resolutions are approved by the Board, it shall be in accordance to the prevailing fair market conditions and director’s interest must be disclosed at the next General Shareholders’ Meeting.
 
The discussions and resolutions of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in a special book of minutes maintained by the Secretary. The relevant minutes shall be signed by the directors attending the meeting and by the Secretary, or his alternate. If a director determines that the minutes for a meeting are inaccurate or incomplete, he is entitled to record an objection before actually signing the minutes. The resolutions adopted may be carried out prior to the approval of the minutes at a subsequent meeting. In the event of death, refusal or incapacity for any reason of any of the directors attending to sign the minutes, such circumstance shall be recorded at the end of the minutes stating the reason for the impediment.
 
The directors are personally liable for all of the acts they effect in the performance of their duties. Any director who wishes to disclaim responsibility for any act or resolution of the Board of Directors must to record his opposition in the minutes, and the Chairman must report the opposition at the following General Shareholders’ Meeting.
 
The Board will represent the Bank in and out of court and, for the performance of the Bank’s business, a circumstance that will not be necessary to prove before third parties, it will be empowered with all the authorities and powers of administration that the law or the by-laws do not set as exclusive to the General Shareholders’ Meeting, without being necessary to grant any special power of attorney, even for those acts that the law requires to
 
 
do so. This provision is notwithstanding the judicial representation of the Bank that is part of the General Manager’s authorities. The Board may delegate part of its authority to the General Manager, to the Managers, Deputy Managers or Attorneys of the Bank, a Director, a Commission of Directors, and for specifically determined purposes, in other persons.
 
Meetings and Voting Rights
 
An ordinary annual meeting of shareholders is held within the first four months of each year. The ordinary annual meeting of shareholders is the corporate body that approves the annual financial statements, approves all dividends in accordance with the dividend policy determined by our Board of Directors, elects the Board of Directors and approves any other matter that does not require an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting. The last ordinary annual meeting of our shareholders was held on April 27, 2010. 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 10.0% of the issued voting shares or by the Superintendency of Banks. Notice to convene the ordinary annual meeting or an extraordinary meeting is given by means of three notices which must be published in a newspaper of our corporate domicile (currently Santiago) or in the Official Gazette in a prescribed manner, and the first notice must be published not less than 15 days nor more than 20 days in advance of the scheduled meeting. Notice must also be mailed 15 days in advance to each shareholder and given to the Superintendency of Banks and the Chilean Stock Exchanges. Currently, we publish our official notices in the El Mercurio newspaper of Santiago.
 
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, 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. The vote required at any shareholders’ meeting to approve any of the following actions, however, is a two-thirds majority of the issued shares:
 
·  
a change in corporate form, spin-off or merger;
 
·  
an amendment of the term of existence, if any, and the early dissolution of the bank;
 
·  
a change in corporate domicile;
 
·  
a decrease of corporate capital previously approved by the Superintendency of Banks, provided it is not reduced below the legal minimum capital;
 
·  
a decrease in the number of directors previously approved by the Superintendency of Banks;
 
·  
the approval of contributions and appraisal of properties other than cash, in those cases where it is permitted by the General Banking Act;
 
·  
the amendment of authority of the general shareholders’ meeting or the restriction of the authority of the Board of Directors;
 
·  
the transfer of 50.0% or more of the corporate assets, regardless of whether it includes liabilities, or the implementation or amendment of any business plan that contemplates the transfer of 50.0% or more of the corporate assets;
 
·  
a change in the manner of distribution of profits established in the by-laws;
 
·  
any non-cash distribution in respect of the shares;
 
 
·  
the repurchase of shares of stock in the Bank; or
 
·  
the approval of material related-party transactions when requested by shareholders representing at least 5.0% of the issued and outstanding shares with right to vote if they determine that the terms and conditions of those transactions are not favorable to the interests of the bank or if two independent assessments of those transactions requested by the Board materially differ from each other.
 
Shareholders may accumulate their votes for the election of directors and cast all of their votes 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. However, shareholders are entitled to examine the books of the bank within the 15-day period before the ordinary annual meeting. Under Chilean law, a notice of a shareholders’ meeting listing matters to be addressed at the meeting must be mailed not fewer than 15 days prior to the date of such meeting, and, in cases of an ordinary annual meeting, shareholders holding a prescribed minimum investment must be sent an Annual Report of the bank’s activities which includes audited financial statements. Shareholders who do not fall into this category but who request it must also be sent a copy of the bank’s 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 Chilean Corporations Law provides that whenever shareholders representing 10.0% 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, such 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 shareholders’ meeting 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 10.0% or more of the company’s voting shares who have requested that such comments and proposals be so 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. Each share represents one vote and there are no special classes of shares with different rights. Our by-laws do not include any condition that is more significant than required by law to change the right of shareholders.
 
Capitalization
 
Under Chilean law, the shareholders of a company, acting at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, have the power to authorize an increase in such 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, provided that the shareholders may, by amending the by-laws, also grant the right to receive dividends or distributions of capital. The investor becomes eligible to receive dividends and returns 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 and/or returns of capital with respect to such shares unless the company’s by-laws 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 and return of capital).
 
Article 22 of the Chilean Corporations Law states that the purchaser of shares of a company implicitly accepts its by-laws and any agreements adopted at shareholders’ meetings.
 
 
Approval of Financial Statements
 
Our Board of Directors is required to submit our audited financial statements to the shareholders annually for their approval. The approval or rejection of such 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 days from the date of such 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 such rejected financial statements are disqualified 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.
 
Dividend, Liquidation and Appraisal Rights
 
Under the Chilean Corporations Law, Chilean companies are generally required to distribute at least 30.0% of their earnings as dividends.
 
In the event of any loss of capital, no dividends can be distributed so long as such loss is not recovered. Also, no dividends of a bank above the legal minimum can be distributed if doing so would result in the bank exceeding its ratio of risk-weighted assets to regulatory capital or total assets.
 
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 such dividends are actually paid, and they accrue interest.
 
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. Our ADS holders 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 “Item 10: B. Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation—Preemptive Rights and Increases of Share Capital.” A dividend entitlement lapses after 5 years and the funds go to the Chilean Treasury.
 
In the event of our liquidation, the holders of fully paid shares would participate equally and pro rata, in proportion to the number of paid-in shares held by them, in the assets available after payment of all creditors. The holders of fully paid shares would not be required to contribute additional capital to the Bank in the event of our liquidation.
 
In accordance with the General Banking Law, our shareholders do not have appraisal rights.
 
Ownership Restrictions
 
Under Article 12 of the Chilean Securities Market Law and the regulations of the Superintendency of Banks, shareholders of open stock corporations are required to report the following to the 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, directly or indirectly, 10.0% 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 10.0% 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, majority shareholders must include in their report whether their purpose is to acquire control of the company or if they are making a financial investment. A beneficial owner of ADSs representing 10.0% or more of our share capital will be subject to these reporting requirements under Chilean law.
 
 
 
Under Article 54 of the Chilean Securities Market Law and the regulations of the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, persons or entities intending to acquire control, directly or indirectly, of an open stock corporation, regardless of the acquisition vehicle or procedure, and including acquisitions made through direct subscriptions or private transactions, are also required to inform the public of such acquisition at least 10 business days before the date on which the transaction is to be completed, 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 acquiror) through a filing with the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, the stock exchanges and the 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 Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, and to the Chilean stock exchanges on which the securities are listed.
 
In addition to the foregoing, Article 54A of the Chilean Securities Market Law requires that within two business days of the completion of the transactions pursuant to which a person has acquired control of a publicly traded company, a notice shall be published in the same newspapers in which the notice referred to above was published and notices shall be sent to the same persons mentioned in the preceding paragraphs.
 
The provisions of the aforementioned articles do not apply whenever the acquisition is being made through a tender or exchange offer.
 
Title XXV of the Chilean Securities Market Law on tender offers and the regulations of the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance provide that the following transactions must be carried out through a tender offer:
 
·  
an offer which allows a person to take control of a publicly traded company, unless (i) the shares are being sold by a controlling shareholder of such company at a price in cash which is not substantially higher than the market price and the shares of such company are actively traded on a stock exchange and (ii) those shares are acquired (a) through a capital increase, (b) as a consequence of a merger, (c) by inheritance or (d) through a forced sale; and
 
·  
an offer for a controlling percentage of the shares of a listed company if such person intends to take control of the parent company (whether listed or not) of such listed company, to the extent that the listed company represents 75.0% or more of the consolidated net worth of the parent company.
 
In addition, Article 69bis of the Companies Law requires that whenever a controlling shareholder acquires two thirds of the voting shares of a listed company, such controlling shareholder must offer to purchase the remaining shares from the minority shareholders in a tender offer.
 
Article 200 of the Chilean Securities Market Law prohibits any shareholder that has taken control of a publicly traded company to acquire, for a period of 12 months from the date of the transaction in which it gained control of the publicly traded company, a number of shares equal to or greater than 3.0% of the outstanding issued shares of the target without making a tender offer at a price per share not lower than the price paid at the time of taking control. Should the acquisition from the other shareholders of the company be made on a stock exchange and on a pro rata basis, the controlling shareholder may purchase a higher percentage of shares, if so permitted by the regulations of the stock exchange.
 
Title XV of the Chilean Securities Market Law sets forth the basis to determine what constitutes a controlling power, a direct holding and a related party. The Chilean Securities Market Law defines control as the power of a person or group of persons acting (either directly or through other entities or persons) pursuant to a joint action agreement, to direct the majority of the votes at the shareholders’ meetings of the corporation, to elect the majority of members of its Board of Directors, or to influence the management of the corporation significantly. Significant influence is deemed to exist in respect of the person or group of persons with an agreement to act jointly that holds, directly or indirectly, at least 25.0% of the voting share capital, unless:
 
·  
another person or group of persons acting pursuant to joint action agreement, directly or indirectly, controls a stake equal to or greater than the percentage controlled by such person or group of persons;
 
 
 
·  
the person or group does not control, directly or indirectly, more than 40.0% of the voting share capital and the percentage controlled is lower than the sum of the shares held by other shareholders holding more than 5.0% of the share capital (either directly or pursuant to a joint action agreement); or
 
·  
in cases where the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance has ruled otherwise, based on the distribution or atomization of the overall shareholding.
 
According to the Chilean Securities Market Law, a joint action agreement is an agreement among two or more parties which, directly or indirectly, own shares in a corporation at the same time and whereby they agree to participate with the same interest in the management of the corporation or in taking control of the same. The law presumes that such an agreement exists between:
 
·  
a principal and its agents;
 
·  
spouses and relatives within certain degrees of kinship;
 
·  
entities within the same business group; and
 
·  
an entity and its controller or any of the members of the controller.
 
Likewise, the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance may determine that a joint action agreement exists between two or more entities considering, among other things, the number of companies in which they participate and the frequency with which they vote identically in the election of directors, appointment of managers and other resolutions passed at extraordinary shareholders’ meetings.
 
According to Article 96 of the Chilean Securities Market Law, a business group is a group of entities with such ties in their ownership, management or credit liabilities that it may be assumed that the economic and financial action of such members is directed by, or subordinated to, the joint interests of the group, or that there are common credit risks in the credits granted to, or in the acquisition of securities issued by, them. According to the Chilean Securities Market Law, the following entities are part of the same business group:
 
·  
a company and its controller;
 
·  
all the companies with a common controller together with that controller;
 
·  
all the entities that the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance declares to be part of the business group due to one or more of the following reasons:
 
·  
a substantial part of the assets of the company is involved in the business group, whether as investments in securities, equity rights, loans or guaranties;
 
·  
the company has a significant level of indebtedness and the business group has a material participation as a lender or guarantor;
 
·  
any member of a group of controlling entities of a company mentioned in the first two bullets above and there are grounds to include it in the business group; or
 
·  
the company is controlled by a member of a group of controlling entities and there are grounds to include it in the business group.
 
Article 36 of the General Banking Law states that as a matter of public policy, no person or company may acquire, directly or indirectly, more than 10.0% of the shares of a bank without the prior authorization of the Superintendency of Banks, which may not be unreasonably withheld. The prohibition would also apply 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 or not to issue such an authorization, the Superintendency of Banks considers a number of factors enumerated in the General Banking Law, including the financial stability of the purchasing party.
 
 
 
According to Article 35bis of the General Banking Law, the prior authorization of the Superintendency of Banks is required for:
 
·  
the merger of two or more banks;
 
·  
the acquisition of all or a substantial portion of a banks’ 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 existing control of a bank by a controlling shareholder of that bank.
 
This prior authorization is only required when the acquiring bank or the resulting group of banks would own a significant market share in loans, defined by the 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 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:
 
·  
the bank or banks maintaining regulatory capital higher than 8.0% and up to 14.0% of risk-weighted assets;
 
·  
the technical reserve established in Article 65 of the General Banking Law being applicable when deposits exceed one and a half times the resulting bank’s paid-in capital and reserves; or
 
·  
the margin for interbank loans be reduced to 20.0% of the resulting bank’s regulatory capital.
 
If the acquiring bank or resulting group would own a market share in loans determined by the Superintendency of Banks to be more than 15% but less than 20%, the authorization will be conditioned on the bank or banks maintaining a regulatory capital not lower than 10% of their risks weighted assets for the period specified by the Superintendency of Banks, which may not be less than one year. The calculation of the 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.
 
According to the General Banking Law, a bank may not grant loans to related parties on terms more favorable than those generally offered to non-related parties. Article 84 No. 2 of the General Banking Law and the regulations issued by the Superintendency of Banks creates the presumption that natural persons who are holders of shares and who beneficially own more than 1.0% of the shares are related to the bank and imposes certain restrictions on the amounts and terms of loans made by banks to related parties. This presumption would also apply to beneficial owners of ADSs representing more than 1.0% of the shares. Finally, according to the regulations of the Superintendency of Banks, Chilean banks that issue ADSs are required to inform the Superintendency of Banks if any person, directly or indirectly, acquires ADSs representing 5.0% or more of the total amount of shares of capital stock issued by such bank.
 
Article 16bis of the General Banking Law provides that the individuals or legal entities that, individually or with other people, directly control a bank and who individually own more than 10.0% of its shares must send to the Superintendency of Banks reliable information on their financial situation in the form and in the opportunity set forth in Resolution No. 3,156 of the Superintendency of Banks.
 
There are no limitations for non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on the securities.
 
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 number of shares sufficient to maintain their existing ownership percentages in the company. Pursuant to this requirement, preemptive rights in connection with any future issue of shares will be offered by us to the Depositary as the registered owner of the shares underlying the ADSs. However, the Depositary will not be able to make such preemptive rights available to 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 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 holders of ADSs of their preemptive rights and any other factors we consider appropriate at the time, and then to make a decision as to whether to file such registration statement. We cannot assure you 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 thereof 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 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 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 such preemptive rights offering unless such 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 corporation is not permitted to offer any unsubscribed shares for sale to third parties on terms which are more favorable 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 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 for the purchaser than those offered to shareholders.
 
C.           Material Contracts
 
On December 3, 2007, we entered into a long-term contract with Produban for the operation of certain of our systems, providing us with information data processing, technology services and hardware infrastructure to run our core transactional systems. On April 4, 2008, the Superintendency of Bank authorized the transfer of the Bank’s data processing center from IBM Chile to Produban, a subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A. located in Madrid, Spain. This contract also includes an improvement in transactional capacities,  services and back-up requirement compared to previous services. We agreed to pay Produban approximately €55 million (US$77 million) in the next five years. In 2009, we paid Produban Ch$8,924 million (US$18 million).
 
On December 30, 2009, Banco Santander Chile sold the building located at calle Bandera N°201 to “IM Trust Administradora General de Fondos para el Fondo de Inversión Privado Inmobiliario Bandera” a private real estate investment fund. The total payment for this transaction amounted to $11,102 million. The building’s book value at the time of the sale was Ch$4,030 million, yielding an income of Ch$7,072 million from the sale, included in Other operating income in the Consolidated Income Statement.

D.           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. See “Item 3: A. Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates.” 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. The Central Bank Act is an organic constitutional law requiring a “special majority” vote of the Chilean Congress to be amended. Since April 18, 2001, all exchange controls in Chile have been eliminated.
 
Previously, Chilean law mandated that holders of shares of Chilean companies that were not residents of Chile register as foreign investors under one of the foreign investment regimes contemplated by Chilean law in order to receive dividends, sale proceeds or other amounts with respect to their shares remitted outside Chile through the Formal Exchange Market. Under the Foreign Investment Contract (as defined herein), the Depositary, on behalf of ADS holders, is 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, net of taxes, and no separate registration by ADR holders is required. As of April 19, 2001, the Central Bank deregulated the Exchange Market, eliminating the need to obtain approval from the Central Bank in order to remit dividends, but at the same time eliminating the possibility of guaranteeing access to the Formal Exchange Market. It is important to point out that this does not
 
 
affect the current Foreign Investment Contract, which was signed prior to April 19, 2001, and still permits access to the Formal Exchange Market based on the prior approval of the Central Bank. Therefore the holders of ADRs of Santander-Chile are still subject to the Foreign Investment Contract, including its clauses referring to the prior exchange rules including the now extinct Chapter XXVI of the Compedium.
 
E.           Taxation
 
The following discussion summarizes certain material Chilean tax and United States federal income tax consequences to beneficial owners arising from the ownership and disposition of our common stock and ADSs. The summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all potential Chilean tax and United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to own or dispose of our common stock and ADSs and is not intended as tax advice to any particular investor. This summary does not describe any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, locality or other taxing jurisdiction other than Chile and the United States. There is currently no income tax treaty between the United States and Chile.  However, the U.S. government and the government of Chile signed on February 4, 2010 the Proposed 2010 Income Tax Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Chile (the “Proposed U.S.-Chile Treaty”), which is now subject to ratification by the U.S. Senate.  If the Proposed U.S.-Chile Treaty becomes effective, U.S. investors should consult their tax advisers as to the applicability of the treaty in their particular circumstances.
 
Material Tax Consequences of Owning Shares of Our Common Stock or ADSs
 
Chilean Taxation
 
The following is a summary of certain Chilean tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock or of ADSs evidenced by ADRs by Foreign Holders (as defined herein). The summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to own or dispose of shares of our common stock or ADSs and does not purport to deal with the tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of whom may be subject to special rules. Holders of shares of our common stock or ADSs are advised to consult their own tax advisers concerning the Chilean and other tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock or of ADSs evidenced by ADRs.
 
The description of Chilean tax laws set forth below is based on Chilean laws in force as of the date of this Annual Report and is subject to any changes in such laws occurring after the date of this Annual Report. These changes can be made on a retroactive basis.
 
For purposes of this summary, the term “Foreign Holder” means either (1) in the case of an individual, a person who is not resident or domiciled in Chile; or (2) in the case of a legal entity, a legal entity that is not domiciled in Chile, unless the shares of our common stock or ADSs are assigned to a branch or a permanent establishment of such entity in Chile.  For purposes of Chilean taxation, (a) an individual holder is resident in Chile if he or she has resided in Chile for more than six months in one calendar year, or a total of more than six months in two consecutive fiscal years and (b) an individual is domiciled in Chile if he or she resides in Chile with the actual or presumptive intent of staying in Chile.
 
Taxation of Dividends
 
Cash dividends paid by us with respect to shares of our common stock held by a Foreign Holder, including shares represented by ADSs, will be subject to a 35% Chilean withholding tax, which is withheld and paid over by us (the “Withholding Tax”). If we have paid corporate income tax (the “First Category Tax”) on the income from which the dividend is paid, a credit for the First Category Tax effectively reduces the rate of Withholding Tax. When a credit is available, the Withholding Tax is computed by applying the 35% rate to the pre-tax amount needed to fund the dividend and then subtracting from the tentative withholding tax so determined the amount of First Category Tax actually paid on the pre-tax income. For purposes of determining the rate at which First Category Tax was paid, dividends are treated as paid from our oldest retained earnings.
 
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 underlying the dividends. The effective rate for the First Category Tax attributed to earnings generated during the fiscal year 2004 and onwards is 17.0%. Full applicability of the First Category Tax credit at the 17.0% rate results in an effective Withholding Tax rate of 21.7 %.
 
 
 
Consequently, the Withholding Tax rate with respect to dividends fluctuates between 21.7% and 35.0%, depending on whether or not we are subject to the First Category Tax.
 
The example below illustrates the effective Chilean Withholding Tax burden on a cash dividend received by a Foreign Holder, assuming a Withholding Tax rate of 35%, an effective First Category Tax rate of 17% and a distribution of all of the net proceeds available after payment of the First Category Tax.
 
Taxable income
 
US$ 100
 
First Category Tax (17% of US$100)
    (17 )
Net proceeds available
    83  
Dividend payment
    83  
Withholding Tax (35% of the sum of the dividend (US$83) and the available First Category Tax credit (US$17))
    (35 )
First Category Tax credit
    17  
Payable Withholding Tax
    (18 )
Net dividend received
    65(83-18 )
Effective dividend withholding tax rate
    21.7% (18/83 )

 
Dividend distributions made in kind would be subject to the same Chilean tax rules as cash dividends. Stock dividends are not subject to Chilean taxation. The distributions of preemptive rights relating to shares of common stock will not be subject to Chilean taxation.
 
If the Proposed U.S.-Chile Treaty becomes effective, it would among other things reduce the current rate of withholding on dividends paid to U.S. investors who are eligible for the benefits of such treaty.  If the Proposed U.S.-Chile Treaty becomes effective, U.S. investors should consult their tax advisers as to the applicability of the treaty in their particular circumstances.
 
Taxation of Capital Gains
 
Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition by a Foreign Holder of 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, as amended by Law No. 19,601, dated January 18, 1999. The deposit and withdrawal of shares of common stock in exchange for ADSs will not be subject to any Chilean taxes.
 
Gain recognized on a 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 an income tax on capital gains, which is assessed at the same rate as the First Category Tax (currently imposed at a rate of 17%)  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. In certain other cases, gain on the disposition of shares of common stock will be subject only to the tax on capital gains (currently imposed at a rate of 17%). The sale of shares of common stock by a Foreign Holder to an individual or entity resident or domiciled in Chile is subject to a provisional withholding. Such a provisional withholding will be equal to (i) 5% of the amount, without any deduction, paid to,credited to, put at the disposal of, or corresponding to, the Foreign Holder if the transaction is subject to the First Category Tax as sole tax, unless the gain subject to taxation can be determined, in which case the withholding is equal to 17% on the gain, or (ii) 20% of the amount, without any deduction, paid to, credited to, put at the disposal of, or corresponding to, the Foreign Holder if the transaction is subject to the First Category Tax and the Chilean withholding tax, with a credit of the First Category Tax already paid. For income tax purposes, the capital gain shall be the difference between the sales price and the acquisition cost of the stock. The tax basis of shares of common stock received in exchange for ADSs will be the acquisition value of such shares. 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.
 
 
 
In the case where the sale of the shares is made on a day that is different than the date on which the exchange is recorded, capital gains subject to taxation in Chile may be generated. On October 1, 1999, the Chilean Internal Revenue Service issued Ruling No. 3708 whereby it allowed 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’ holder on 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, because we have included this clause in the form of ADRs attached to the deposit agreement, the capital gain that may be generated if the shares received in exchange for ADSs were sold within two days prior to the date on which the exchange is recorded will not be subject to taxation.
 
The distribution and exercise of preemptive rights relating to the shares of common stock will not be subject to Chilean taxation. Cash 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).
 
In certain cases and provided certain requirements are met, capital gains realized on the sale of actively traded stock of Chilean public companies may be exempt from Chilean income taxes. Our stock is currently considered an actively traded stock in the Santiago Stock Exchange, and Foreign Holders of the stock may qualify for an income tax exemption. Foreign Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisers to determine whether an exemption applies to them.
 
If the Proposed U.S.-Chile Treaty becomes effective, it may further restrict the amount of Chilean tax, if any, imposed on gains derived from the sale or exchange of shares of common stock by U.S. residents eligible for the benefits of the treaty.  If the Proposed U.S.-Chile Treaty becomes effective, U.S. investors should consult their tax advisers as to the applicability of the treaty in their particular circumstances.
 
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 gift of shares of our common stock by a Foreign Holder. No Chilean stamp, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties apply to Foreign Holders of shares or ADSs.
 
Withholding Tax Certificates
 
Upon request, we will provide to foreign holders appropriate documentation evidencing the payment of Chilean withholding taxes. For further information, the investor should contact:  Robert Moreno, rmorenoh@santander.cl.
 
Dividends payable to holders of ADSs are net of foreign currency conversion expenses of the Depositary and will be subject to the Chilean withholding tax currently at the rate of 35% (subject to credits in certain cases as described above).
 
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
 
The following is a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of shares of our common stock or ADSs to U.S. holders described below, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to hold such securities. The discussion applies only if you hold shares of our common stock or ADSs as capital assets for tax purposes and it does not address special classes of holders, such as:
 
 
·
certain financial institutions;
 
 
·
insurance companies;
 
 
·
dealers and traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;
 
 
·
persons holding shares or ADSs as part of a hedge, “straddle,” conversion transaction, or integrated transaction;
 
 
 
·
persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;
 
 
·
partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
 
 
·
persons liable for the alternative minimum tax;
 
 
·
tax-exempt entities, including “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs”;
 
 
·
persons holding shares of our common stock or ADSs that own or are deemed to own ten percent or more of our voting stock; and
 
 
·
persons who acquired shares of our common stock or ADSs pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option plan or otherwise as compensation.
 
If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of our common stock or ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding shares of our common stock or ADSs and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of the shares of our common stock or ADSs.
 
As used herein, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock or ADSs that is for U.S. federal tax purposes:
 
 
·
a citizen or resident of the United States;
 
 
·
a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; or
 
 
·
an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.
  
This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. It is also based in part on representations by the Depositary and assumes that each obligation under the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms. Please consult your own tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of owning and disposing of shares or ADSs in your particular circumstances.
 
In general, if you own ADSs, you will be treated as the owner of the underlying shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized if you exchange ADSs for the underlying shares represented by those ADSs.
 
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom American depositary shares are released prior to delivery of shares to the Depositary (“pre-release”) or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between U.S. holders of American depositary shares and the issuer of the security underlying the American depositary shares may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits for holders of American depositary shares. These actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rates of tax, described below, applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate holders. Accordingly, the creditability of Chilean taxes and the availability of the reduced rates for dividends received by certain non-corporate holders, each described below, could be affected by future actions that may be taken by such parties or intermediaries.
 
This discussion assumes that we are not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company, as described below.
 
 
 
Taxation of Distributions
 
Distributions paid on shares of our common stock or ADSs, other than certain pro rata distributions of common shares or rights, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Because we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. holders as dividends. Subject to applicable limitations and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury, under current law, certain dividends paid by “qualified foreign corporations” to certain non-corporate U.S. holders in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, will be taxable at reduced rates, up to a maximum rate of 15%. A foreign corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid on stock that is readily tradable on a securities market in the United States, such as the NYSE where our ADSs are traded. You should consult your own tax advisers to determine whether the favorable rates may apply to dividends you receive and whether you are subject to any special rules that limit your ability to be taxed at the favorable rates. The amount of the dividend will include any amounts withheld by us or our paying agent in respect of Chilean taxes at the effective rate as described above under “ — Chilean Taxation.” The amount of the dividend will be treated as foreign-source dividend income to you and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations under the Code.
 
Dividends will be included in your income on the date of your (or in the case of ADSs, the Depositary’s) receipt of the dividend.  The amount of any dividend income paid in Chilean pesos will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars.  If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, you should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. You may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of its receipt.
 
Subject to applicable limitations that may vary depending upon your circumstances and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury, Chilean taxes withheld from cash dividends on shares of our common stock or ADSs, reduced in respect of any First Category Tax, as described above under “—Chilean Taxation,” generally will be creditable against your U.S. federal income tax liability.  If, however, the Proposed U.S.-Chile Treaty becomes effective, any Chilean income taxes withheld from dividends on shares or ADSs in excess of the rate provided by the treaty will not be creditable by a U.S. holder who is eligible for the benefits of the treaty.  The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and you should consult your own tax advisers to determine whether you are subject to any special rules that limit your ability to make effective use of foreign tax credits.  Instead of claiming a credit, you may, at your election, deduct such Chilean taxes in computing your taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations under U.S. law.  
 
Sale or Other Disposition of Shares or ADSs
 
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, gain or loss you realize on the sale or other disposition of shares of our common stock or ADSs generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the shares of our common stock or ADSs for more than one year.  The amount of your gain or loss will be equal to the difference between your tax basis in the shares of our common stock or ADSs disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition in each case as determined in U.S. dollars.  If a Chilean tax is withheld on the sale or disposition of the shares of our common stock or ADSs, your amount realized will include the gross amount of the proceeds of such sale or disposition before deduction of the Chilean tax.  See “—Chilean Taxation—Taxation of Capital Gains” for a description of when a disposition may be subject to taxation by Chile.  Such gain or loss generally will be U.S.-source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes.  If the Proposed U.S.-Chile Treaty becomes effective, however, a U.S. holder who is eligible for the benefits of the treaty may elect to treat disposition gain that is subject to Chilean tax as foreign source gain and claim a credit in respect of the tax.  You should consult your tax advisers as to whether the Chilean tax on gains may be creditable against your U.S. federal income tax on foreign-source income from other sources.
 
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
 
Based on proposed Treasury regulations (“Proposed Regulations”), which are proposed to be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1994, we believe that we were not a “Passive Foreign Investment Company” (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the year ended December 31, 2009. However, since
 
 
the Proposed Regulations may not be finalized in their current form and since PFIC status depends upon the composition of a company’s income and assets and the market value of its assets (including, among others, less than 25 percent owned equity investments) from time to time, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which you held an ADS or a share, certain adverse tax consequences could apply to you.
 
If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which you held shares of our common stock or ADSs, gain recognized by you on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of a share of our common stock or an ADS would generally be allocated ratably over your holding period for the share of our common stock or ADS. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the amount allocated to that taxable year. Similar rules would apply to any distribution in respect of shares of our common stock or ADSs that exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on shares of our common stock or ADSs received by you during the preceding three years or your holding period, whichever is shorter. Certain elections (including a mark-to-market election) may be available that would result in alternative treatments of the shares of our common stock or ADSs. In addition, if we were a PFIC in a taxable year in which we pay a dividend or the prior taxable year, the 15% dividend rate discussed above with respect to dividends paid to non-corporate shareholders would not apply.
 
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
 
Payment of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries generally are subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding unless (i) you are a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii), in the case of backup withholding, you provide a correct taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to backup withholding.
 
The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
F.           Dividends and Paying Agents
 
Not applicable.
 
G.           Statement by Experts
 
Not applicable.
 
H.           Documents on Display
 
The documents concerning Santander-Chile which are referred to in this Annual Report may be inspected at our offices at Bandera 140 Santiago, Chile. We are, and Santiago and Old Santander-Chile were, subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, except that, as a foreign issuer, we are not subject to the proxy rules or the short-swing profit and disclosure rules of the Exchange Act. In accordance with these statutory requirements, we file or furnish reports and other information with the SEC. Reports and other information filed or furnished by us with the SEC may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the SEC’s Regional Office at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2511. Copies of such material may be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Section by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. The SEC maintains a website 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 SEC’s website and can also be inspected and copied at the offices of the NYSE, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
 
I.           Subsidiary Information
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Introduction
 
This section describes the market risks that we are exposed to, the tools and methodology used to control these risks, the portfolios over which these market risk methods were applied and quantitative disclosure that demonstrate the level of exposure to market risk that we are assuming. This section also discloses the derivative instruments that we use to hedge exposures and offer to our clients.
 
The principal types of risk inherent in Santander-Chile’s business are market, liquidity, operational and credit risks. The effectiveness with which we are able to manage the balance between risk and reward is a significant factor in our ability to generate long term, stable earnings growth. Toward that end, our senior management places great emphasis on risk management.
 
Market Risk
 
Market risk is the risk of losses due to unexpected changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, inflation rates and other rates or prices. We are exposed to market risk mainly as a result of the following activities:
 
·  
trading in financial instruments, which exposes us to interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk;
 
·  
engaging in banking activities, which subjects us to interest rate risk, since a change in interest rates affected gross interest income, gross interest expense and customer behavior;
 
·  
engaging in banking activities, which exposes us to inflation rate risk, since a change in expected inflation affects gross interest income, gross interest expense and customer behavior;
 
·  
trading in the local equity market, which subjects us to potential losses caused by fluctuations of the stock market; and
 
·  
investing in assets whose returns or accounts are denominated in currencies other than the Chilean peso, which subjects us to foreign exchange risk between the Chilean peso and such other currencies.
 
Market Risk Exposure Categories
 
Our policy with respect to asset and liability management is to capitalize on our competitive advantages in treasury operations, maximizing our net interest income and return on assets and equity with a view to interest rate, liquidity and foreign exchange risks, while remaining within the limits provided by Chilean banking regulations. Subject to these constraints, we constantly have mismatched positions with respect to interest rates, inflation-linked assets and liabilities and foreign currencies.
 
Our asset and liability management policies are developed by the Asset and Liability Committee (the “ALCO”) following guidelines and limits established by our Board of Directors, Banco Santander Spain’s Global Risk Department and our Market Risk and Control Department. The ALCO is composed of the Chairman of the Board, four additional members of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Manager of the Financial Management Division, the Manager of Market Risk, the Manager of the Treasury Division, the Financial Controller and other senior members of management. Senior members of Santander Chile’s Finance Division meet monthly on a formal basis with the ALCO and outside consultants. Following guidelines set by Santander Spain, the ALCO is responsible for developing financial strategies and policies regarding our asset and liability structure together with our Financial Management Division. The aim of the Financial Management Division is to inject stability and recurrence into the net interest income of commercial activities and to ensure that we comply with internal and regulatory limits regarding liquidity, regulatory capital, reserve requirements and market risk. Our Market Risk and Control Department carries out the day-to-day measurements of the risks taken by the ALCO.
 
 
The Market Committee is responsible for establishing our policies, strategies, procedures and limits with respect to our trading portfolio in line with the policies of Santander Spain. The composition of the Market Committee includes the Chairman of the Board, three additional members of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Manager of Global Banking and Markets, the Manager of the Treasury Division, the Manager of Proprietary Trading, the Manager of the Financial Management Division, the Manager of Market Risk, the Financial Controller and other senior members of management.
 
Impact of Inflation
 
Our assets and liabilities are denominated in Chilean pesos, Unidades de Fomento (UF) and foreign currencies. The Bank no longer performs inflation accounting and has eliminated price level restatement in line with IFRS, but inflation impacts our results of operations as some loan and deposit products are contracted in UF. The UF is revalued in monthly cycles. Each day in the period beginning on the tenth day of the current month through the ninth day of the succeeding month, the nominal peso value of the UF is indexed up (or down in the event of deflation) in order to reflect a proportionate amount of the change in the Chilean Consumer Price Index during the prior calendar month. One UF equaled Ch$21,452.57 at December 31, 2008 and Ch$20,942.88 at December 31, 2009.  High levels of inflation in Chile could adversely affect the Chilean economy and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Negative inflation rates also negatively impact our results. In 2009, CPI deflation reached 1.6% compared to a rise of 7.1% and 7.8% in 2008 and 2007, respectively.  There can be no assurance that Chilean inflation will not change significantly from the current level. Although we currently benefit from moderate levels of inflation, due to the current structure of our assets and liabilities (i.e., a significant portion of our loans are indexed to the inflation rate, but there are no corresponding features in deposits or other funding sources that would increase the size of our funding base), there can be no assurance that our business, financial condition and result of operations in the future will not be adversely affected by changing levels of inflation. In summary:
 
·  
UF-denominated assets and liabilities. In 2009, UF inflation was -2.4% compared to +9.3% in 2008. The effect of any changes in the nominal peso value of our UF-denominated interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities is reflected in our results of operations as an increase (or decrease, in the event of deflation) in interest income and expense, respectively. Our net interest income will be positively affected by an inflationary environment to the extent that our average UF-denominated interest earning assets exceed our average UF-denominated interest bearing liabilities. Our net interest income will be negatively affected in a deflationary environment if our average UF-denominated interest earning assets exceed our average UF-denominated interest bearing liabilities. Our net interest income will be negatively affected by inflation in any period in which our average UF-denominated interest bearing liabilities exceed our average UF-denominated interest earning assets. Our average UF-denominated interest earning assets exceeded our average UF-denominated interest bearing liabilities by Ch$2,689,614 million in 2009 compared to Ch$2,439,563 million in 2008. See “Selected Statistical Information at and for the Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008―Average Balance Sheets, Income Earned from Interest-Earning Assets And Interest Paid on Interest Bearing Liabilities.” In general, the Bank has more UF-denominated financial assets than UF-denominated financial liabilities. In the year ended December 31, 2009, the interest gained on interest earning assets denominated in UF decreased 77.3% compared to 2008 as a result of the deflation rates in 2009 compared to 2008. The interest paid on these liabilities decreased by 90.3% during this period.
 
·  
Inflation and interest rate hedge. A key component of our asset and liability policy is the management of interest rate risk. The Bank’s assets generally have a longer maturity than our liabilities. As the Bank’s mortgage portfolio grows, the maturity gap tends to rise as these loans, which are contracted in UF, have a longer maturity than the average maturity of our funding base. As most of our long term financial instruments and mortgage loans are contracted in UF and most of our deposits are in nominal pesos, the rise in mortgage lending increases the Bank’s exposure to inflation and to interest rate risk. The size of this gap is limited by internal and regulatory guidelines in order to avoid excessive potential losses due to strong shifts in interest rates. In order to keep this duration gap below regulatory limits the Bank issues long term bonds denominated in UF or interest rate swaps. The financial cost of the bonds and the efficient part of these hedges is recorded as net interest income. In 2009, the gain from the swaps taken in order to hedge mainly for inflation and interest rate risk totaled Ch$24,988 million compared to a financial cost of Ch$53,956 million in 2008.  The gain in 2009 compared to a negative result in 2008 was a direct result of the deflation rate in 2009.
 
 
   
As of December 31,
   
% Change
 
Inflation sensitive income
 
2009
   
2008
      2009/2008  
   
(In million of Chilean pesos)
         
Interest gained on UF assets(1) 
    224,614       990,430       (77.3 %)
Interest paid on UF liabilities(1) 
    (67,559 )     (694,758 )     (90.3 %)
Hedging results
    24,988       (53,956 )     (146.3 %)
Net gain
    182,043       241,716       (24.7 %)
 

(1)           Excludes results from hedging
 
·  
Peso-denominated assets and liabilities. Interest rates prevailing in Chile during any period primarily reflect the inflation rate during the period and the expectations of future inflation. The sensitivity of our peso-denominated interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities to changes to such prevailing rates varies. (See “Item 5: C. Operating Results—Interest Rates”). We maintain a substantial amount of non interest bearing peso-denominated demand deposits. Because such deposits are not sensitive to inflation, any decline in the rate of inflation would adversely affect our net interest margin on inflation indexed assets funded with such deposits, and any increase in the rate of inflation would increase the net interest margin on such assets. The ratio of the average of such demand deposits to average interest-earning assets was 15.66% and 15.12% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
 
Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
Interest rates earned and paid on our assets and liabilities reflect, to a certain degree, inflation, expectations regarding inflation, changes in short term interest rates set by the Central Bank 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 reprice sooner than our assets, changes in the rate of inflation or short term rates in the economy are reflected in the rates of interest paid by us on our liabilities before such changes are reflected in the rates of interest earned by us on our assets. Therefore, when short term interest rates fall, our net interest margin is positively impacted, but when short term rates increase, our interest margin is negatively affected. Our net interest margin also tends to be adversely affected in the short term by a decrease in inflation rates since generally our UF-denominated assets exceed our UF-denominated liabilities. An increase in long term rates has a positive effect on our net interest margin, because our interest earning assets generally have longer terms than our interest bearing liabilities. In addition, because our peso-denominated liabilities have relatively short repricing periods, they are generally more responsive to changes in inflation or short term rates than our UF-denominated liabilities. As a result, during periods when current inflation or expected inflation exceeds the previous period’s inflation, customers often switch funds from UF-denominated deposits to peso-denominated deposits, which generally bear higher interest rates, thereby adversely affecting our net interest margin.
 
 
As of December 31, 2009, the breakdown of maturities of assets and liabilities is as follows:
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
Up to 30 days
   
31-60 days
   
61-90 days
   
91-180 days
   
181-365 days
   
1-3 years
   
Over 3 years
   
Total
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                               
Interbank loans
    23,412       -       -       -       -       -       -       23,412  
Investments under resale agreements     14,020       -       -       -       -       -       -       14,020  
Financial investments
    136,665       85,399       37,199       189,423       816,362       404,743       958,838       2,628,629  
Commercial loans
    1,005,151       376,918       395,649       791,896       757,175       1,688,107       2,309,866       7,324,762  
Mortgage loans
    107,294       15,720       16,871       48,454       99,288       404,839       3,466,587       4,159,053  
Consumer loans
    834,145       41,634       50,630       120,641       215,946       626,226       354,827       2,244,049  
Total Interest-earning assets
    2,120,687       519,671       500,349       1,150,414       1,888,771       3,123,915       7,090,118       16,393,925  
                                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                               
Deposits
    5,971,783       915,675       834,731       840,175       1,105,446       1,036,470       4,511       10,708,791  
Investments under agreements to repurchase
    191,118       104,677       212,510       606,091       209       -       -       1,114,605  
Interbank borrowings
    72,786       144,838       205,808       607,865       809,150       206,343       -       2,046,790  
Issued debt instruments
    21,758       1,169       167,843       8,632       17,423       843,196       1,864,655       2,924,676  
Other financial liabilities
    33,606       390       214       1,379       2,309       8,098       100,915       146,911  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    6,291,051       1,166,749       1,421,106       2,064,142       1,934,537       2,094,107       1,970,081       16,941,773  
Asset/liability gap
    (4,170,364 )     (647,078 )     (920,757 )     (913,728 )     (45,766 )     1,029,808       5,120,037       (547,848 )
Cumulative gap
    (4,170,364 )     (4,817,442 )     (5,738,199 )     (6,651,927 )     (6,697,693 )     (5,667,885 )     (547,848 )        

Foreign Exchange Fluctuations
 
The Chilean government’s economic policies and any future changes in the value of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. The Chilean peso has been subject to significant devaluation in the past and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. In 2009, the Chilean peso in relation to the U.S. dollar appreciated 19.5% compared to a 26.9% depreciation in 2008. (See “Item 3: A. Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates”). A significant portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies, principally the U.S. dollar, and we historically have maintained and may continue to maintain material gaps between the balances of such assets and liabilities. Because such assets and liabilities, as well as interest earned or paid on such assets and liabilities, and gains and losses realized upon the sale of such assets, are translated to Chilean pesos in preparing our financial statements, our reported income is affected by changes in the value of the Chilean peso relative to foreign currencies (principally the U.S. dollar). The translation gain or loss over assets and liabilities (including  derivatives defined as for hedging purposes) is included as foreign exchange transactions in the income statement. The translation and mark–to–market of foreign currency derivatives held for trading is recognized as a gain or loss in the net results from mark–to–market and trading.
 
The composition of our assets, liabilities and equity at December 31, 2009, by currency are as follows:
 

 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Ch$
   
UF
   
Foreign Currency
   
Total
   
Percentage
 
   
(in millons of Ch$, except for percentages)
 
Assets
                             
Cash and deposits in banks
    1,353,731       -       689,727       2,043,458       9.8 %
Other assets:
                                       
Less than one year
    4,701,888       1,516,655       693,788       6,912,331       33.3 %
From one to three years
    2,149,050       1,282,589       41,426       3,473,065       16.7 %
More than three years
    2,201,005       5,542,574       126,962       7,870,541       37.9 %
Property, plant and equipment and other
    590,396       1,724       230,887       823,007       4.0 %
Allowance for loan losses
    (349,527 )     -       -       (349,527 )     (1.7 )%
                                         
Total
    10,646,543       8,343,542       1,782,790       20,772,875       100.0 %
                                         
Percentage of total assets
    51.3 %     40.1 %     8.6 %     100.0 %        
                                         
Liabilities and sholder´s equity
                                       
                                         
Non interest bearing deposits
    2,890,689       295,781       347,064       3,533,534       17.0 %
Other liabilities:
                                       
Less than one year
    4,872,588       2,169,639       2,952,395       9,994,622       48.1 %
From one to three years
    552,998       1,010,921       876,981       2,440,900       11.7 %
More than three years
    699,019       1,898,078       -       2,597,097       12.5 %
Allowance, taxes and others
    365,113       18,279       133,427       516,819       2.5 %
Shareholders' equity
    1,258,346       -       -       1,258,346       6.1 %
2009 net income
    431,557       -       -       431,557       2.1 %
                                         
Total
    11,070,310       5,392,698       4,309,867       20,772,875       100.0 %
                                         
                                         
Percentage of Liabilities and Shareholders’ equity
    53.3 %     26.0 %     20.7 %     100.0 %        

 
Liquidity risk management
 
The Financial Management Division receives information from all the business units on the liquidity profile of their financial assets and liabilities, as well as breakdowns of other projected cash flows stemming from future businesses. On the basis of that information, Financial Management maintains a portfolio of liquid short–term assets, comprised mainly of liquid investments, loans and advances to other banks, to make sure the Bank has sufficient liquidity. The business units’ liquidity needs are met through short–term transfers from Financial Management to cover any short–term fluctuations and long–term financing to address all the structural liquidity requirements.
 
The Bank monitors its liquidity position every day, determining the future flows of its outlays and revenues. In addition, stress tests are performed at the close of each month, for which a variety of scenarios encompassing both normal market conditions and conditions of market fluctuation are used. The liquidity policy and procedures are subject to review and approval by the Bank’s Board. Periodic reports are generated by the Market Risk Department, providing a breakdown of the liquidity position of the Bank and its subsidiaries, including any exceptions and the corrective measures adopted, which are regularly submitted to the ALCO for review.
 
 
 
The Bank relies on customer (retail) and institutional deposits, obligations to banks, debt instruments, and time deposits as its main sources of funding. Although most obligations to banks, debt instruments and time deposits mature in over a year, customer (retail) and institutional deposits tend to have shorter maturities and a large proportion of them are payable within 90 days. The short–term nature of these deposits increases the Bank’s liquidity risk, and hence, the Bank actively manages this risk by continual supervision of the market trends and price management.
 
The Bank must comply with regulatory limits imposed by the SBIF and the Central Bank that are the following:
 
·  
The sum of the liabilities with a maturity of less than 30 days may not exceed the sum of the assets with a maturity of less than 30 days by more than an amount greater than our capital. This limit must be calculated in local currency and foreign currencies together as one gap. At December 31, 2009 the percentage of (x) our liabilities with a maturity of less than 30 days in excess of our assets with a maturity of less than 30 days to (ii) our capital and reserves was 20%.
 
·  
The sum of the liabilities in foreign currency with a maturity of less than 30 days may not exceed the sum of the assets in foreign currency with a maturity of less than 30 days by more than an amount greater than our capital. At December 31, 2009 the percentage of (x) our liabilities with a maturity of less than 30 days in foreign currency in excess of our assets in foreign currency with a maturity of less than 30 days to (ii) our capital and reserves was 6%.
 
·  
The sum of the liabilities with a maturity of less than 90 days may not exceed the sum of the assets with a maturity of less than 90 days by more than 2 times our capital. This limit must be calculated in local currency and foreign currencies together as one gap. At December 31, 2009 the percentage of (x) our liabilities with a maturity of less than 90 days in excess of our assets with a maturity of less than 90 days to (ii) our capital and reserves was 64%.
 
Market risk management
 
The Bank’s internal management of market risk is based chiefly on the procedures and standards of Santander Spain, which are in turn based on analysis of management in three principal components:
 
·  
trading portfolio;
 
·  
local financial management portfolio;
 
·  
foreign financial management portfolio.
 
The trading portfolio is comprised chiefly of investments valued at fair market value and free of any restriction on their immediate sale, which are often bought and sold by the Bank with the intention of selling them in the short term to benefit from short–term price fluctuations. The financial management portfolios include all the financial investments not considered to be part of trading portfolio.
 
The ALCO has the overall responsibility for market risk. The Bank’s risk/finance department is responsible for formulating detailed management policies and applying them in the Bank’s operations, in conformity with the guidelines adopted by the ALCO and the Banco Santander de España Global Risk Department.
 
The department’s functions in related to trading portfolio imply the following:(i) apply the “Value at Risk” (VaR) techniques to measure the interest rate risk, (ii) adjust the trading portfolios to the market and measure the daily profit and loss from the commercial activities, (iii) compare the real VaR with the established limits, (iv) establish procedures to prevent losses in excess of predetermined limits and (v) furnish information on the trading activities to the ALCO, other members of the Bank’s management and the Santander – Spain Global Risk Department.
 
 
The department’s functions in relation to the financial management portfolios imply the following: (i) perform sensitivity simulations (as is explained below) to measure interest rate risk for the activities in local currency and the potential loss forecast by these simulations and (ii) provide daily reports thereon to the ALCO, other members of the Bank’s management, and the Santander – Spain Global Risk Department.
 
Market risk – management of trading portfolio
 
The Bank applies VaR methodologies to measure the market risk of its trading portfolio. The Bank has a consolidated commercial position comprised of fixed–income investments, foreign currency trading, and a minimal position in stock investments. This portfolio is comprised mostly of Central Bank of Chile bonds, mortgage bonds and locally issued, low–risk corporate bonds. At the end of the year, the trading portfolio included no stock portfolio investments.
 
For the Bank, the VaR estimate is made under the historical simulation methodology, which consists of observing the behavior of the profits and losses that would have occurred in the current portfolio if the market conditions for a given historical period had been in force, in order to infer the maximum loss on the basis of that information, with as given degree of confidence. The methodology has the advantage of precisely reflecting the historical distribution of the market variables and not requiring any assumptions regarding the distribution of specific probabilities. All the VaR measures are intended to determine the distribution function for a change in the value of a given portfolio, and once that distribution is known, to calculate the percentile related to the necessary degree of confidence, which will be equal to the value at risk by virtue of those parameters. As calculated by the Bank, the VaR is an estimate of the maximum expected loss of market value for a given portfolio over a 1–day horizon, with a 99.00% confidence level. It is the maximum 1–day loss that the Bank could expect to experience in a given portfolio, with a 99.00% confidence level. In other words, it is the loss that the Bank would expect to experience only 1.0% of the time. The VaR provides a single estimate of market risk which is not comparable from one market risk to another. Returns are calculated through the use of a 2–year time window or at least 520 data points obtained since the last reference date for calculation of the VaR going backward in time.
 
The Bank uses the VaR estimates to provide a warning when the statistically expected losses in its trading portfolio would exceed prudent levels, and hence, there are certain predetermined limits.
 
Limitations of the VaR model

When applying a calculation methodology, no assumptions are made regarding the probability distribution of the changes in the risk factors; the historically observed changes are used for the risk factors on which each position in the portfolio will be valued.
 
It is necessary to define a valuation function fj(xi) for each instrument j, preferably the same one used to calculate the market value and income of the daily position. This valuation function will be applied in each scenario to generate simulated prices for all the instruments in each scenario.
 
In addition, the VaR methodology is subject to the following limitations:
 
·  
Changes in market rates and prices may not be independent and identically distributed random variables, and may not have a normal distribution; In particular, the assumption of normal distribution may underestimate the probability of extreme market movements;
 
·  
The historical data used by the Bank may not provide the best estimate of the joint distribution of changes in the risk factors in the future, and any modification of the data may be inadequate; In particular, the use of historical data may fail to capture the risk of potential extreme and adverse market fluctuations, regardless of the time period used;
 
·  
A 1–day time horizon may not fully capture the market risk positions which cannot be liquidated or covered in a single day; It would not be possible to liquidate or cover all the positions in a single day;
 
·  
The VaR is calculated at the close of business, but trading positions may change substantially in the course of the trading day;
 
 
 
·  
The use of a 99% degree of confidence does not take account of, or make any statement about, the losses that could occur outside of that degree of confidence; and
 
·  
A model such as the VaR does not capture all the complex effects of the risk factors over the value of the positions or portfolios, and accordingly, it could underestimate potential losses.
 
At no time in 2009 and 2008 did the Bank exceed the VaR limits in regard to the 3 components which comprise the trading portfolio: fixed–income investments, variable–income investments and foreign currency investments. The high, low, and average levels for each component and each year were as follows:
 
 
Consolidated
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of $US)
 
VaR:
           
High                                                              
    9.79       11.6  
Low                                                              
    4.24       3.7  
Average                                                              
    5.98       6.6  
                 
Fixed–income investments:
               
High                                                              
    9.14       9.5  
Low                                                              
    4.22       3.3  
Average                                                              
    5.87       6     
                 
Variable–income investments:
               
High                                                              
    1.65       1.4  
Low                                                              
    0.04       0.2  
Average                                                              
    0.17       0.5  
                 
Foreign currency investments
               
High                                                              
    7.02       4.0  
Low                                                              
    0.66       0.6  
Average                                                              
    2.31       2.5  

Market risk – local and foreign financial management
 
The Bank’s financial management portfolio includes most of the Bank’s non–trading assets and liabilities, including the credit/loan portfolio. For these portfolios, investment and financing decisions are strongly influenced by the Bank’s commercial strategies.
 
The Bank uses a sensitivity analysis to measure the market risk of local and foreign currency (not included in the trading portfolio). The Bank performs a simulation of scenarios, which will be calculated as the difference between the present value of the flows in the chosen scenario (a curve with a parallel movement of 100 bp in all its segments) and their value in the base scenario (current market). All the inflation–indexed local currency (UF) positions are adjusted by a sensitivity factor of 0.57, which represents a 57 basis point change in the rate curve for the real rates and a 100 basis point change for the nominal rates. The same scenario is performed for the net foreign currency positions and the interest rates in US dollars. The Bank has also established limits in regard to the maximum loss which these interest rate movements could impose on the capital and net financial income budgeted for the year.
 
Limitations of the sensitivity models
 
The most important assumption is the use of a 100 basis point change in the yield curve (57 basis points for the real rates). The Bank uses a 100 basis point change because sudden changes of that magnitude are considered realistic. The Santander Spain Global Risk Department has established comparable limits by country, to be able to compare, monitor and consolidate the market risk by country in a realistic and orderly way. In addition, the sensitivity simulation methodology should be interpreted with consideration for the following limitations:
 
 
 
·  
The simulation of scenarios assumes that the volumes remain in the Bank’s Consolidated General Balance Sheet and are always renewed at maturity, thereby omitting the fact that certain credit risk and prepayment considerations may affect the maturity of certain positions.
 
·  
This model assumes an identical change along the entire length of the yield curve and takes no account of the different movements for different maturities.
 
·  
The model takes no account of the sensitivity of volumes which results from interest rate changes.
 
·  
The limits to losses of budgeted financial income are calculated on the basis of the financial income foreseen for the year, which may not be actually earned, meaning that the real percentage of financial income at risk may be higher than the expected one.
 
Market Risk – Financial management portfolio – December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Effect on net interest income
   
Effect on equity
   
Effect on net interest income
   
 Effect on equity
 
Financial management portfolio – local currency (in millions of $Ch$)
                       
Loss limit
    37,264       127,000       24,000       86,400  
High
    17,711       123,834       16,720       85,837  
Low
    1,504       95,791       3,138       60,251  
Average
    6,404       107,239       10,807       72,622  
                                 
Financial management portfolio – foreign currency (in millions of $US)
                               
Loss limit
    46.0       74.0       36.0       54.0  
High
    18.4       17.3       31.2       9.4  
Low
    1.2       1.5       1.8       0.2  
Average
    6.9       11.4       15.1       4.2  
                                 
Financial management portfolio – consolidated (in millions of $Ch$)
                               
Loss limit
    37,264       127,000       24,000       86,400  
High
    17,724       123,836       16,720       86,051  
Low
    1,939       96,280       3,138       60,252  
Average
    8,188       107,495       10,707       72,683  

 
Market risk –Regulatory method
 
The following table illustrates our market risk exposure according to the Chilean regulatory method, as of December 31, 2009. This report is sent to the Superintendency of Banks on a quarterly basis. Our maximum exposure to long-term interest rate fluctuations is set at 35% of regulatory capital and is approved by the board of directors.
 

 
 
Regulatory Market Risk
 
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
(Ch$ million)
 
Market risk of trading portfolio (EMR)
     
Interest rate risk of trading portfolio
    58,925  
Foreign currency risk of trading portfolio
    1,483  
Risk from interest rate options
    47,151  
Risk from foreign currency options
    48  
Total market risk of trading portfolio
    107,607  
10% x Risk-weighted assets
    1,409,874  
Subtotal
    1,517,481  
Limit = Regulatory Capital
    2,177,899  
Available margin
    660,418  
         
Non-trading portfolio market risk
       
Short-term interest rate risk
    45,696  
Inflation risk
    27,157  
Long-term interest rate risk
    337,549  
Total market risk of non-trading portfolio
    410,402  
         
Regulatory limit of exposure to short-term interest rate and inflation risk
       
Short-term exposure to interest rate risk
    45,696  
Exposure to inflation risk
    27,157  
Limit: 20% of (net interest income + net fee income sensitive to interest rates)
    170,449  
Available margin
    97,596  
         
Regulatory limit of exposure to long-term interest rate risk
       
Long-term exposure to interest rate risk
    337,549  
35% of regulatory capital
    762,265  
Available margin
    424,716  

 
Volume Limits
 
We have also developed volume limits, which place a cap on the actual size of the different portfolios being monitored.
 
Fixed Income: Volume Equivalent. This system is considered to be an additional limit to the size of our consolidated fixed income trading portfolio. This measure seeks to conform the different instruments in our fixed income trading portfolio and convert the portfolio into a single instrument with a duration of one year. Santander-Chile limits the size of this volume equivalent portfolio. The equivalent volume is calculated by the Market Risk and Control Department and limits are set by the ALCO with respect to the size of the volume equivalent portfolio.
 
Net Foreign Currency Trading Position: Maximum Net Position. We also set an absolute limit on the size of Santander-Chile’s consolidated net foreign currency trading position. At December 31, 2009, this was equal to US$200 million. The limit on the size of the net foreign currency position is determined by the ALCO and is calculated and monitored by the Market Risk and Control Department.
 
 
Derivative activities
 
At December 31, 2008 and 2009, derivatives are valued at market price on the balance sheet and the net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives is classified as a separate line item on the income statement. In prior periods, the notional amounts were carried off the balance sheet. Banks must mark to market derivatives. A derivative financial instrument held for trading purposes must be marked to market and the unrealized gain or loss recognized in the income statement. The Superintendency of Banks recognizes three kinds of hedge accounting: (i) cash flow hedges, (ii) fair value hedges and (iii) hedging of foreign investments.
 
·  
When a cash flow hedge exists, the fair value movements on the part of the hedging instrument that is effective are recognized in equity. Any ineffective portion of the fair value movement on the hedging instrument is recognized in the income statement.
 
·  
When a fair value hedge exists, the fair value movements on the hedging instrument and the corresponding fair value movements on the hedged item are recognized in the income statement. Hedged items in the balance sheet are presented at their market value since 2006.
 
·  
When a hedge of foreign investment exposure exists (i.e. investment in a foreign branch), the fair value movements on the part of the hedging instrument that is effective are recognized in equity. Any ineffective portion of the fair value movement on the hedging instrument is recognized in the income statement.
 
We classify some of our derivative financial instruments as being held for trading, due to the guidelines from the Superintendency of Banks. However, substantially all of our derivatives are not actually used for speculative purposes or trading. We use derivatives to hedge our exposure to foreign exchange, interest rate and inflation risks. We had the following derivative financial instruments portfolio as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
 

 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Notional amounts
   
Fair Value
 
   
Within 3 months
   
After 3 months but within one year
   
After one year
   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
 
(Ch$ million)
 
Fair value hedge derivative instruments
                             
Currency forwards
                             
Interest rate swaps 
          86,963       580,132       2,446       3,794  
Cross currency swaps 
          26,079       583,035       16,972       805  
Call currency options
                             
Call interest rate options
                             
Put currency options
                             
Put interest rate options
                             
Interest rate future
                             
Other Derivatives
                             
                                         
Subtotal
          113,042       1,163,167       19,418       4,599  
                                         
Cash Flow hedge derivative instruments
                                       
Currency forwards
                             
Interest rate swaps 
                             
Cross currency swaps 
    51,993       582,830       73,551       4,741       52,301  
Call currency options
                             
Call interest rate options
                             
Put currency options
                             
Put interest rate options
                             
Interest rate future
                             
Other Derivatives
                             
                                         
Subtotal
    51,993       582,830       73,551       4,741       52,301  
                                         
Derivative instruments for trading
                                       
Currency forwards
    6,533,147       4,195,874       587,541       199,665       184,112  
Interest rate swaps 
    2,418,161       4,240,574       9,618,573       243,965       330,975  
Cross currency swaps 
    887,942       1,594,972       9,880,693       922,498       772,959  
Call currency options
    34,341       22,107             203       43  
Call interest rate options
    122       5,189       39,900       281       595  
Put currency options
    33,198       15,487             3,083       3,232  
Put interest rate options
                             
Interest rate future
                             
Other Derivatives
    29,320                   24       90  
                                         
Subtotal
    9,936,231       10,074,203       20,126,707       1,369,719       1,292,006  
                                         
Total
    9,988,224       10,770,075       21,363,425       1,393,878       1,348,906  
 

 
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Notional amounts
   
Fair Value
 
   
Within 3 months
   
After 3 months but within one year
   
After one year
   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
 
(Ch$ million)
 
Fair value hedge derivative instruments
                             
Currency forwards
                             
Interest rate swaps 
                45,849       1,234       1,332  
Cross currency swaps 
                359,100       106,335        
Call currency options
                             
Call interest rate options
                             
Put currency options
                             
Put interest rate options
                             
Interest rate future
                             
Other Derivatives
                             
                                         
Subtotal
                404,949       107,569       1,332  
                                         
Cash Flow hedge derivative instruments
                                       
Currency forwards
                             
Interest rate swaps 
                             
Cross currency swaps 
    51,300       573,598       128,250       73,036       151  
Call currency options
                             
Call interest rate options
                             
Put currency options
                             
Put interest rate options
                             
Interest rate future
                             
Other Derivatives
                             
                                         
Subtotal
    51,300       573,598       128,250       73,036       151  
                                         
Derivative instruments for trading
                                       
Currency forwards
    5,643,973       2,983,543       438,347       600,199       302,479  
Interest rate swaps 
    3,865,373       4,635,536       9,922,492       239,867       362,813  
Cross currency swaps 
    619,041       1,634,073       9,281,020       803,199       780,614  
Call currency options
    225,936       157,871       1,347       21,901       18,126  
Call interest rate options
          128,250                   45  
Put currency options
    195,792       138,795       1,347       657       4,164  
Put interest rate options
          64,125                    
Interest rate future
                             
Other Derivatives
    15,016                   81        
                                         
Subtotal
    10,565,131       9,742,193       19,644,553       1,665,904       1,468,241  
                                         
Total
    10,616,431       10,315,791       20,177,752       1,846,509       1,469,724  


 
Other Subsidiaries
 
For VaR measurements and scenario simulations, our consolidated trading and consolidated non-trading portfolios do not consolidate the asset liability structure of the following subsidiaries:
 
·  
Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa
 
·  
Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos
 
·  
Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora
 
·  
Santander Corredores de Seguros Ltda.
 
·  
Santander Servicios de Recaudación y Pagos Ltda.
 
The balance sheets of these subsidiaries are mainly comprised of non sensitive assets and liabilities, fixed assets and capital and in total only represent 1.6% of our total consolidated assets.
 

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
 
A.           Debt Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
B.           Warrants and Right
 
Not applicable.
 
C.           Other Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
D.           American Depositary Shares
 
Our Depositary is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., with its principal executive office located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2070.
 
Each ADS represents the right to receive 1,039 shares of Common Stock without par value.
 
 
 
·  
Fees charged to investors as outlined in the deposit agreement are the following:
 
Category of Service
 
Depositary Actions
 
Associated Fee
         
(a) Deposit or substituting the underlying shares
 
Each person to whom ADSs are issued against deposits of shares, including deposits in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions. 1
Each person surrendering ADRs for the withdrawal of deposited securities.
 
$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) delivered or surrendered.
 
(b) Receiving or distributing dividends
 
Distribution of dividends.
 
$0.01 per ADS.
(c) Selling or Exercising Rights
 
Distribution or sale of securities, the fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities.
 
$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof).
(d) Withdrawing an underlying security
 
Acceptance of ADRs surrendered for withdrawal of
deposited securities.
 
$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) evidenced by the ADRs surrendered.
(d) Expenses of the Depositary
 
Expenses incurred on behalf of holders in connection with:
 
i) Stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges.
ii) Cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery.
iii) Expenses of the Depositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into US dollars (which are paid out of such foreign currency).
iv) Such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary (including without limitation expenses incurred on behalf of holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in delivery of deposited securities or otherwise in connection with the Depositary’s or its Custodian’s compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation.
 
Expenses payable at the sole discretion of the depositary.
1 The Depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of such share distributions, rights and other distributions prior to such deposit to cover such charge.

Direct and Indirect Payments
 
The Depositary, has agreed to reimburse certain of our reasonable expenses related to our ADR program and incurred by us in connection with the program. Under certain circumstances, including termination of the program, we are required to repay to the Depositary amounts reimbursed in prior periods.
 
The reimbursements include direct payments (legal and accounting fees incurred in connection with preparation of Form 20-F and ongoing SEC compliance and listing requirements, listing fees, investor relations expenses, advertising and public relations expenses and fees payable to service providers for the distribution of hard copy materials to beneficial ADR holders in the Depositary Trust Company, such as information related to shareholders’ meetings and related voting instruction cards); and indirect payments (third-party expenses paid directly and fees waived).
 
In 2009, the Depositary made direct payments and reimbursements to us in the amount of US$164,490 for expenses related to investor relations.
 
 
PART II
 
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of December 31, 2009, the Bank, under the supervision and with the participation of the Bank’s management, including the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). There are, as described below, inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any control system, including disclosure controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
 
Based on such evaluation, the Bank’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Bank’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information relating to the Bank, including its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in the reports it files under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to the management, including principal financial officers as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
The Bank’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Bank’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS-IASB and includes those policies and procedures that:
 
·  
Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Bank;
 
·  
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS-IASB, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Bank’s management and directors; and
 
·  
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed may not prevent or detect misstatements, due to the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden or that misstatements due to error or fraud may occur that are not detected. 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.
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Bank’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in the Enterprise-Wide Risk Management – Integrated Framework.
 
 
Based on this assessment, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
 
Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, has been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which follows below.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There has been no change in the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this Annual Report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
   Banco Santander Chile

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Banco Santander Chile and subsidiaries (the “Bank”) as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  The Bank’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exist, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the bank’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the bank’s board of directors, management, and other personnel 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.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the bank; (2) 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 bank are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the bank; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the bank’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Bank maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our report dated June 21, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and included two explanatory paragraphs: one paragraph explains that as it is indicated in Note 2  to the consolidated financial statements, the Bank adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards in 2009, being its transition date on January 1, 2008 and the date of adoption on January 1, 2009. The consolidated financial statements for 2008 and the consolidated opening statements of financial position have been reformulated for comparative purposes. The second paragraph indicates that our audit also comprehended the translation of Chilean peso amounts into U.S. dollar amounts and we are not aware of any modifications that should be made for such translation to be in conformity with the basis stated in Note 1 e. and such U.S. dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of readers in the United States of America.


/s/Deloitte
Santiago, Chile
June 21, 2010

 
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]
 
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
 
Our Board of Directors has determined that one of the members of our Audit Committee, Víctor Arbulú Crousillat, meets the requirements of an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with SEC rules and regulations, in that he has an understanding of IFRS-IASB and financial statements, the ability to assess the general application of IFRS-IASB in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves, experience analyzing and evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by our consolidated financial statements, an understanding of internal controls over financial reporting, and an understanding of audit committee functions. All three members of our Audit Committee have experience overseeing and assessing the performance of Santander-Chile and its consolidated subsidiaries and our external auditors with respect to the preparation, auditing and evaluation of our consolidated financial statements.
 
All three members of our Audit Committee are considered to be independent according to applicable NYSE criteria. Víctor Arbulú Crousillat is relying on the exemption provided by Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(B), which allows an otherwise independent director to serve on both the audit committee of the issuer and the Board of Directors of an affiliate.
 
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
 
The Bank has adopted a code of ethics that is applicable to all of the Bank’s employees and a copy is included as an exhibit hereto. We will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of our code of ethics. Please email rmorenoh@santander.cl to request a copy.  Our code of ethics is available on our website, which does not form part of this annual report on Form 20-F, at www.santander.cl under the heading “Informatción Corporativa”.
 
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
Amounts paid to the auditors for statutory audit and other services were as follows:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Ch$)
 
Audit Services
           
- Statutory audit
    534       530  
- Audit-related regulatory reporting
    93       42  
Tax Fees
               
- Compliance
           
- Advisory Services
    99       93  
All Other Services
    192       74  
Total
    918       739  

 
Statutory audit: Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements that are provided by Deloitte Auditores y Consultores Limitada in 2007 and 2008 in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, and attest services.
 
Audit-related regulatory reporting: Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that were specifically related to the performance of the audit and review of our filings under the Securities Act.
 
Auditors are pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The selection of external auditors is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. All proposed payments have been presented to our Audit Committee, which has determined that they are reasonable and consistent with internal policies.
 
 
 
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
 
In 2009, neither Santander-Chile nor any of its affiliates purchased any of Santander-Chile’s equity securities.
 
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
Summary Comparison of Corporate Governance Standards and NYSE Listed Company Standards
 
Our corporate governance standards, dictated by Chilean corporate law, differ from the standards followed by U.S. companies under the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing standards in a number of ways. Consequently, you will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all NYSE corporate governance requirements. The following is a non-exhaustive summary of a few key differences:
 
·  
Whether a company’s executive officers may serve as its directors – the NYSE standards do not prohibit a U.S. company’s executive officer from also serving as a director, whereas our corporate governance standards prohibits this.
 
·  
Whether the shareholders must be given an opportunity to vote on equity-compensation plans – the NYSE standards require that shareholders be allowed to vote on all equity compensation plans of a U.S. company, whereas our corporate governance standards only require that shareholders be allowed to vote on director compensation.
 
·  
The adoption and disclosure of corporate governance guidelines – the NYSE standards require all U.S. companies listed on the NYSE to adopt the NYSE corporate governance guidelines, whereas we follow the corporate governance guidelines established under Chilean law.
 
As more than 50% of our voting power is held by another company, Banco Santander Spain, S.A., we would be permitted to elect for certain exemptions under NYSE corporate governance standards if we were a U.S. company. Specifically, as a U.S. company, we could elect to be exempted from the requirements (i) that we have a majority of independent directors (as defined by the NYSE), (ii) that we have a nominating/corporate governance committee meeting certain conditions, and (iii) that we have a compensation committee meeting certain requirements. Because we would not be required to follow these standards if we were a U.S. company, we have not summarized the differences, if any, between these provisions and our own corporate governance procedures.
 
Summary of Corporate Governance Standards
 
Santander-Chile has adopted diverse measures to promote good corporate governance. Among the measures adopted are:
 
·  
Board of Directors mainly composed of professionals not related to Banco Santander Spain, our parent company.
 
·  
Active participation of Directors in main committees of the Bank.
 
·  
All personnel must subscribe to a code of ethics and good conduct. Those who interact directly with the capital markets must also subscribe to an additional code of conduct.
 
 
·  
Segregation of functions in order to assure adequate management of risks. Commercial areas separated from back office areas. Risk management independent of commercial areas. Main credit decisions taken in committees.
 
·  
Internal Auditing Area clearly independent from the Administration.
 
·  
The Bank also has an Internal Compliance Division that oversees the fulfillment of the Bank’s codes of conduct.
 
Santander-Chile has a commitment to transparency. This includes:
 
·  
Equal treatment for all shareholders: one share equals to one vote.
 
·  
Monthly publication of the Bank’s results by the Superintendency of Banks.
 
·  
Quarterly report of a detailed analysis of Bank results published by us at least 30 days after the close of each interim quarter and 40 days after close of the full year.
 
·  
Quarterly conference call open to the public.
 
·  
All information relevant to the public available immediately on the web page www.santander.cl.
 
·  
Ample and periodic coverage of the Bank by international and local stock analysts.
 
·  
The Bank has five credit risk ratings by five independent rating agencies, domestic and international.
 

 
PART III
 
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of this item.
 
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Reference is made to Item 19 for a list of all financial statements filed as part of this Annual Report.
 
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
 
a) Index to Financial Statements
 
Review report of independent registered public accounting firm
 
F-1
     
Audited consolidated financial statements:
   
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the Consolidated Opening Statement of Financial Position as of January 1, 2008
 
F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
F-6
Notes to consolidated financial statements
 
F-8
 
b) Index to Exhibits

Exhibit
Number
Description
1A.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Santander-Chile (Spanish Version) (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Registration No. 333-100975) filed with the Commission on December 12, 2002).
   
1A.2
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Santander-Chile (English Version) (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Registration No. 333-100975) filed with the Commission on December 12, 2002).
   
1B.1
Amended and Restated By-Laws (estatutos) of Santander-Chile (Spanish Version) (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 1-4554) filed with the Commission on June 30, 2005).
 
 
 
   
1B.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws (estatutos) of Santander-Chile (English Version) (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 1-4554) filed with the Commission on June 30, 2005).
   
2A.1
Form of Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated August 4, 2008, among Banco Santander-Chile, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (as depositary) and Holders of American Depositary Receipts (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form F-6 (Registration No. 333-152664) filed with the Commission on July 31, 2008).
   
2A.2
Form of Foreign Investment Contract among Banco Santiago, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the Central Bank of Chile relating to the foreign exchange treatment of an investment in ADSs (accompanied by an English translation) (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7676) filed with the Commission on October 23, 1997).
   
2A.3
Copy of the Central Bank Chapter XXVI Regulations Related to the Acquisition of Shares in Chilean Corporations and the Issuance of Instrument on Foreign Stock Exchanges or under Other Terms and Conditions of Issue (accompanied by an English translation) (incorporated by reference to Old Santander-Chile’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 1-13448) filed with the Commission on June 30, 1997).
   
2B.1
Agreement for the Issuance of Bonds dated November 26, 1996 between Old Santander-Chile and Banco Security (accompanied by an English translation) (incorporated by reference to Old Santander-Chile’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 1-13448) filed with the Commission on June 30, 1997).
   
2B.2
Indenture dated December 9, 2004 between Santander-Chile and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, providing for issuance of securities in series (incorporated by reference to Banco Santiago’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 1-4554) filed with the Commission on April 12, 2006).
   
2B.3
Indenture dated March 16, 2001, as amended on May 30, 2003, October 22, 2004, May 3, 2005, and September 20, 2005 between Santander-Chile and Banco de Chile, as trustee, relating to issuance of UF14 million senior notes (copy to be furnished upon request).
   
4A.1
Automatic Teller Machines Participation Agreement dated October 1, 1988 between Banco Espanol-Chile (predecessor to Old Santander-Chile) and REDBANC (accompanied by an English translation) (incorporated by reference to Old Santander-Chile’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 1-13448) filed with the Commission on June 30, 1997).
   
4A.2
Outsourcing agreement between Banco Santiago and IBM de Chile S.A.C. dated June 30, 2000 (including English summary) (incorporated by reference to Banco Santiago’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 1-4554) filed with the Commission on June 28, 2001).
   
4A.3
Systems and Technology Service and Consulting Agreement between Santander-Chile and Altec dated December 30, 2003 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 1-14554) filed with the Commission on June 29, 2004).
   
4A.4
Purchase-Sale Contract between Santander-Chile and Empresas Almacenes París dated December 6, 2004 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 1-14554) filed with the Commission on June 12, 2006).
 
 
 
 
 
   
4A.5
Service Participant operating contract dated August 9, 2005 between Banco Santander-Chile and Socieded Operadora de la Cámera de Compensación de Pagos de Alto Valor (English translation) (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (File No. 1-14554) filed with the Commission on June 19, 2007).
   
4A.6
Commercial Pledge Agreement dated February 5, 2007 by Santander-Chile of shares in Administrador Financiero de Transantiago (English Translation) (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (File No. 1-14554) filed with the Commission on June 19, 2007).
   
4A.7
Contract for the Outsourcing of Computer Services between Santander-Chile and Produban, Servicios Informaticos Generales, S.L, dated December 3, 2007 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 1-14554) filed with the Commission on June 27, 2008).
   
7.1
Statement explaining Calculation of Ratios (incorporated by reference to Old Santander-Chile’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 1-13448) filed with the Commission on June 28, 2001).
   
8.1
List of Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 1-4554) filed with the Commission on June 30, 2005).
   
11.1
Code of Conduct for Executive Personnel of Banco Santander-Chile and Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 1-4554) filed with the Commission on June 30, 2005).
   
11.2
Code of Conduct for all Grupo Santander Personnel (incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 1-4554) filed with the Commission on June 30, 2005).
   
12.1
Section 302 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer.
   
12.2
Section 302 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer.
   
13.1
Section 906 Certification.
 
We will furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, copies of any unfiled instruments that define the rights of holders of long-term debt of Banco Santander-Chile.

 

SIGNATURES
 
The registrant 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 SANTANDER-CHILE
 
   
   
By:
/s/ Juan Pedro Santa María
 
Name:
Juan Pedro Santa María
 
Title:
General Counsel
 
 
Date: June 30, 2010

 
 
 

 
   
   
   
   
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Financial Statements
For the period ended as of December 31, 2009 and 2008
and as of January 1, 2008.
 
   
   
   
   




 
 
Contents
   
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
   
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
   
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
   
F-8
F-36
F-48
F-51
F-56
F-57
F-58
F-61
F-69
F-70
F-75
F-76
F-82
F-84
F-86
F-89
F-92
F-93
F-94
F-96
F-101
F-104
F-106
F-107
F-110
F-113
F-115
F-117
F-119
F-120
F-120
F-121
F-122
F-126
F-127
F-128
F-130
F-139
F-144
F-158


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Banco Santander Chile

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Banco Santander Chile and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and the consolidated statements of financial position as of January 1, 2008, and the corresponding consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the years ending December 31, 2009 and 2008. The preparations of these financial statements are the responsibility of the Management of Banco Santander Chile. 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 of America). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit 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, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Banco Santander Chile and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and as of January 1, 2008, the results of their operations, the comprehensive income, and the changes in equity and cash flows for the years ending December 31, 2009 and 2008, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

As is indicated in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Bank adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards in 2009, being its transition date on January 1, 2008 and the date of adoption on January 1, 2009. The consolidated financial statements for 2008 and the consolidated opening statements of financial position have been reformulated for comparative purposes.

Our audit also comprehended the translation of Chilean peso amounts into U.S. dollar amounts and we are not aware of any modifications that should be made for such translation to be in conformity with the basis stated in Note 1e.   Such U.S. dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of readers in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated June 21, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


/s/Deloitte
Santiago, Chile
June 21, 2010
 

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
For the periods ending as of
 
         
December 31,
2009
   
December 31,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
   
January 1,
2008
 
   
Note
   
ThUS$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                               
ASSETS
                             
Cash and deposits in banks
   
5
      4,028,503       2,043,458       855,411       1,108,637  
Unsettled transactions
   
5
      922,886       468,134       335,405       316,240  
Trading investments
   
6
      1,574,251       798,539       1,166,426       1,093,445  
Investments under resale agreements
   
7
      27,639       14,020       -       33,999  
Financial derivative contracts
   
8
      2,747,911       1,393,878       1,846,509       780,775  
Interbank loans, net
   
9
      46,072       23,370       95,499       45,961  
Loans and accounts receivables from customers, net
   
10
      26,374,330       13,378,379       14,311,349       12,022,275  
Available for sale investments
   
12
      3,607,866       1,830,090       1,580,240       779,635  
Held to maturity investments
   
12
      -       -       -       -  
Investments in other companies
   
13
      14,622       7,417       7,277       7,301  
Intangible assets
   
14
      152,311       77,260       68,232       56,224  
Property, plant and equipment
   
15
      362,981       184,122       200,389       202,489  
Current taxes
   
16
      8,952       4,541       18,715       2,499  
Deferred taxes
   
16
      186,977       94,844       88,502       80,321  
Other assets
   
17
      896,645       454,823       510,553       464,210  
TOTAL ASSETS
            40,951,946       20,772,875       21,084,507       16,994,011  
                                         
LIABILITIES
                                       
Deposits and other demand liabilities
   
18
      6,966,060       3,533,534       2,948,162       2,867,934  
Unsettled transactions
   
5
      543,073       275,474       142,552       135,219  
Investments under repurchase agreements
   
7
      2,197,348       1,114,605       562,223       307,630  
Time deposits and other time liabilities
   
18
      14,145,406       7,175,257       9,756,266       7,887,897  
Financial derivative contracts
   
8
      2,659,253       1,348,906       1,469,724       778,217  
Interbank borrowings
   
19
      4,035,071       2,046,790       1,425,067       1,099,457  
Issued debt instruments
   
20
      5,765,749       2,924,676       2,651,372       2,154,996  
Other financial liabilities
   
20
      289,622       146,911       131,318       175,667  
Current taxes
   
16
      125,837       63,831       791       16,067  
Deferred taxes
   
16
      6,663       3,380       19,437       11,084  
Provisions
   
22
      367,101       186,212       166,213       50,102  
Other liabilities
   
23
      519,263       263,396       293,733       118,549  
                                         
TOTAL LIABILITIES
            37,620,446       19,082,972       19,566,858       15,602,819  
                                         
EQUITY
                                       
                                         
Attributable to Bank shareholders:
            3,272,754       1,660,104       1,491,770       1,373,058  
Capital
   
25
      1,757,128       891,303       891,303       818,535  
Reserves
   
25
      101,605       51,539       51,539       47,330  
Valuation adjustments
   
25
      (52,842 )     (26,804 )     (7,552 )     (9,475 )
Retained earnings
   
25
      1,466,863       744,066       556,480       516,668  
Retained earnings of prior years
   
25
      871,318       441,976       241,048       516,668  
Income for the period
   
25
      850,778       431,557       413,370       -  
Minus: Provision for mandatory dividends
   
25
      (255,233 )     (129,467 )     (97,938 )     -  
Non controlling interest
   
27
      58,746       29,799       25,879       18,134  
                                         
TOTAL EQUITY
            3,331,500       1,689,903       1,517,649       1,391,192  
                                         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
            40,951,946       20,772,875       21,084,507       16,994,011  


 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the periods ending as of

         
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
         
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Note
   
ThUS$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
OPERATING INCOME
                       
                         
Interest income
   
28
      2,381,031       1,207,778       2,061,346  
Interest expense
   
28
      (692,483 )     (351,262 )     (1,169,280 )
                                 
Net interest income
            1,688,548       856,516       892,066  
                                 
Fee and commission income
   
29
      622,819       315,925       295,969  
Fee and commission expense
   
29
      (121,824 )     (61,795 )     (52,840 )
                                 
Net fee and commission income
            500,995       254,130       243,129  
                                 
Net income from financial operations (net trading income)
   
30
      7,663       3,887       273,477  
Foreign exchange profit (loss), net
   
31
      321,816       163,241       (187,042 )
Other operating income
   
36
      50,993       25,866       10,896  
                                 
Total operating income
            2,570,015       1,303,640       1,232,526  
                                 
Provision for loan losses
   
32
      (658,151 )     (333,847 )     (287,983 )
                                 
NET OPERATING PROFIT
            1,911,864       969,793       944,543  
                                 
Personnel salaries and expenses
   
33
      (442,551 )     (224,484 )     (246,775 )
Administrative expenses
   
34
      (269,516 )     (136,712 )     (133,682 )
Depreciation and amortization
   
35
      (91,913 )     (46,623 )     (47,627 )
Impairment
   
15
      (148 )     (75 )     (84 )
Other operating expenses
   
36
      (72,276 )     (36,662 )     (36,298 )
                                 
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
            (876,404 )     (444,556 )     (464,466 )
                                 
OPERATING INCOME
            1,035,460       525,237       480,077  
                                 
Income from investments in other companies
   
13
      586       297       632  
                                 
Income before tax
            1,036,046       525,534       480,709  
                                 
Income tax expense
   
16
      (175,306 )     (88,924 )     (59,742 )
                                 
CONSOLIDATED INCOME FOR THE PERIOD
            860,740       436,610       420,967  
                                 
Attributable to:
                               
Bank shareholders (Equity holders of the Bank)
            850,778       431,557       413,370  
Non controlling interest
   
27
      9,962       5,053       7,597  
                                 
Earnings per share attributable to Bank shareholders:
                               
(expressed in Chilean pesos and US dollars)
                               
Basic earning
   
25
      0.00452       2.290       2.194  
Diluted earning
   
25
      0.00452       2.290       2.194  



 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the periods ending as of

     
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
         
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
NOTE
   
ThUS$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
CONSOLIDATED INCOME FOR THE PERIOD
          860,740       436,610       420,967  
                               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                             
                               
Available for sale investments
   
12
      (18,305 )     (9,285 )     (14,471 )
Cash flow hedge
   
8
      (27,669 )     (14,035 )     16,740  
                                 
Other comprehensive income before income tax
            (45,974 )     (23,320 )     2,269  
                                 
Income tax related to other comprehensive income
   
16
      7,815       3,964       (385 )
                                 
Total other comprehensive income
            (38,159 )     (19,356 )     1,884  
                                 
                                 
CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR
            822,581       417,254       422,851  
                                 
Attributable to:
                               
Bank shareholders
            812,824       412,305       415,293  
Non controlling interest
   
27
      9,757       4,949       7,558  


 
 BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the periods ending as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in millions of pesos)
 
         
RESERVES
   
VALUATION ACCOUNTS
   
RETAINED EARNINGS
                   
   
Capital
   
Reserves and other retained earnings
   
Merger of companies under common control
   
Available for sale investments
   
Cash flow coverage
   
Income tax
   
Retained earnings from prior years
   
Income for the Period
   
Provision for mandatory dividend
   
Total attributable to shareholders
   
Non controlling interest
   
TOTAL EQUITY
 
                                                                         
Equity as of December 31, 2007
    818,535       49,372       (2,042 )     (5,548 )     (5,867 )     1,940       273,005       308,647       -       1,438,042       20,047       1,458,089  
Distribution of income from previous period
    -               -       -       -       -       308,647       (308,647 )     -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    818,535       49,372       (2,042 )     (5,548 )     (5,867 )     1,940       581,652       -       -       1,438,042       20,047       1,458,089  
Effect of first application of IFRS
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (64,984 )     -       -       (64,984 )     (1,913 )     (66,897 )
Equity as of January 1, 2008
    818,535       49,372       (2,042 )     (5,548 )     (5,867 )     1,940       516,668       -       -       1,373,058       18,134       1,391,192  
Adjustment pursuant to Circular No.3443, mandatory dividend 2008
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (92,594 )     (92,594 )     -       (92,594 )
Dividends distributions / Withdrawals made
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (200,619 )     -       92,594       (108,025 )     (33 )     (108,058 )
2008 price-level restatement restitution (*)
    72,768       2,415       (182 )                             (75,001 )                     -       -       -  
Other changes in equity
    -       1,976       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,976       220       2,196  
Provision for mandatory dividends
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (97,938 )     (97,938 )     -       (97,938 )
Subtotals
    72,768       4,391       (182 )     -       -       -       (275,620 )     -       (97,938 )     (296,581 )     187       (296,394 )
Other comprehensive income
    -       -       -       (14,424 )     16,740       (393 )     -       -       -       1,923       (39 )     1,884  
Income for the period
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       413,370       -       413,370       7,597       420,967  
Subtotals
    -       -       -       (14,424 )     16,740       (393 )     -       413,370       -       415,293       7,558       422,851  
Equity as of December 31, 2008
    891,303       53,763       (2,224 )     (19,972 )     10,873       1,547       241,048       413,370       (97,938 )     1,491,770       25,879       1,517,649  
                                                                                                 
Equity as of December 31, 2008
    891,303       53,763       (2,224 )     (19,972 )     10,873       1,547       241,048       413,370       (97,938 )     1,491,770       25,879       1,517,649  
Distribution of income from previous period
    -       -       -       -       -       -       413,370       (413,370 )     -       -       -       -  
Equity as of January 1, 2009
    891,303       53,763       (2,224 )     (19,972 )     10,873       1,547       654,418       -       (97,938 )     1,491,170       25,879       1,517,649  
Increase or decrease of capital and reserves
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       5,600       5,600  
Dividends distributions / Withdrawals made
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (213,295 )     -       97,938       (115,357 )     (5,258 )     (120,615 )
Other changes in equity
    -       -       -               -       -       853       -       -       853       (1,371 )     (518 )
Provision for mandatory dividends 2008
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (129,467 )     (129,467 )     -       (129,467 )
Subtotals
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (212,442 )     -       (31,529 )     (243,971 )     (1,029 )     (245,000 )
Other comprehensive income
    -       -       -       (9,160 )     (14,035 )     3,943       -       -       -       (19,252 )     (104 )     (19,356 )
Income for the period
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       431,557       -       431,557       5,053       436,610  
Subtotals
    -       -       -       (9,160 )     (14,035 )     3,943       -       431,557       -       412,305       4,949       417,254  
Equity as of December 31, 2009
    891,303       53,763       (2,224 )     (29,132 )     (3,162 )     5,490       441,976       431,557       (129,467 )     1,660,104       29,799       1,689,903  

(*) For further details, see Note 2 f) iii. “First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards”.



BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
For the periods ending

         
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
         
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
NOTE
   
ThUS$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
A - CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
CONSOLIDATED INCOME BEFORE TAX
          1,036,046       525,534       480,709  
Debits (credits) to income that do not represent cash flows
          (1,476,533 )     (748,971 )     (770,158 )
Depreciation and amortization
   
35
      91,913       46,623       47,627  
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
   
15
      148       75       84  
Provision for loan losses
   
32
      735,576       373,121       325,877  
Mark to market of trading investments
            (58,997 )     (29,926 )     (1,121 )
Net gain on investments in other companies
   
13
      (586 )     (297 )     (632 )
Net gain on sale of assets received in lieu of payment
   
36
      (57 )     (29 )     (1,518 )
Net gain on sale of investments in other companies
   
36
      (3,665 )     (1,859 )     (4,348 )
Net gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
   
36
      (14,979 )     (7,598 )     (719 )
Net interest income
   
28
      (1,688,548 )     (856,516 )     (892,066 )
Net fee and commission income
   
29
      (500,995 )     (254,130 )     (243,129 )
Changes in assets and liabilities due to deferred taxes
   
16
      (36,343 )     (18,435 )     (213 )
Increase/decrease in operating assets and liabilities
            3,049,826       1,547,024       279,125  
Decrease (increase) of loans and accounts receivable from customers
            1,283,578       651,095       (1,947,234 )
Decrease (increase) of financial investments
            141,031       71,538       (909,242 )
Decrease (increase) due to resale agreements
            (26,965 )     (13,678 )     39,512  
Decrease (increase) of interbank loans
            142,196       72,129       (49,561 )
Decrease of assets received or awarded in lieu of payment
            14,706       7,459       (8,165 )
Increase of debits in checking accounts
            998,634       506,557       108,470  
Increase (decrease) of time deposits and other time liabilities
            (4,361,508 )     (2,212,375 )     1,547,972  
Increase of obligations with domestic banks
            54,017       27,400       1,786  
Increase (decrease) of other demand liabilities or time obligations
            230,484       116,913       (57,278 )
Increase of obligations with foreign banks
            1,177,311       597,191       321,580  
Decrease of obligations with Central Bank of Chile
            (1,199 )     (608 )     (959 )
Increase of repurchase agreements
            1,093,782       554,821       280,412  
Decrease of other short-term liabilities
            (18,752 )     (9,512 )     (58,173 )
Net increase of other assets and liabilities
            (212,826 )     (107,956 )     (200,039 )
Issuance of letters of credit
            8,883       4,506       -  
Redemption of letters of credit
            (206,957 )     (104,979 )     (161,664 )
Senior bond issuances
            1,477,378       749,400       303,722  
Redemption of senior bonds and payments of interest
            (505,668 )     (256,500 )     (24,771 )
Subordinated bond issuances
            11,856       6,014       145,421  
Redemption of subordinated bonds and interest payments
            (273,451 )     (138,708 )     (12,728 )
Interest received
            3,113,755       1,579,452       1,604,287  
Interest paid
            (1,417,790 )     (719,174 )     (828,248 )
Dividends received from investments in other companies
   
13
      1,642       833       638  
Fees and commissions received
   
29
      622,819       315,925       295,969  
Fees and commissions paid
   
29
      (121,824 )     (61,795 )     (52,840 )
Income tax paid
   
16
      (175,306 )     (88,924 )     (59,742 )
Net cash from (used in) operating activities
            2,609,339       1,323,587       (10,324 )



 
F-6


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
For the periods ending

         
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
         
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
NOTE
   
ThUS$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
B - CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:
                       
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
   
15
      (23,176 )     (11,756 )     (19,562 )
Sales of property, plant and equipment
            34,322       17,410       12,014  
Purchases of investments in other companies
   
13
      (63 )     (32 )     -  
Sales of investments in other companies
   
13
      412       209       386  
Purchases of intangible assets
   
14
      (66,949 )     (33,960 )     (38,177 )
Net cash used in investment activities
            (55,454 )     (28,129 )     (45,339 )
                                 
C - CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                               
From shareholders’ financing activities
            (339,886 )     (172,407 )     (173,575 )
Increase of other obligations
            80,607       40,888       27,044  
Dividends paid
   
25
      (420,493 )     (213,295 )     (200,619 )
From non controlling interest financing activities
            674       342       (33 )
Increases of capital
            11,040       5,600       -  
Dividends and/or withdrawals paid
            (10,366 )     (5,258 )     (33 )
Net cash used in financing activities
            (339,212 )     (172,065 )     (173,608 )
                                 
D – NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS DURING THE PERIOD
            2,214,673       1,123,393       (229,271 )
                                 
E – EFFECTS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE VARIATIONS ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
            127,080       64,461       (12,123 )
                                 
F - INITIAL BALANCE OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
            2,066,563       1,048,264       1,289,658  
                                 
FINAL BALANCE OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
   
5
      4,408,316       2,236,118       1,048,264  


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES:

Corporate Information
 
Banco Santander Chile (formerly Banco Santiago) is a corporation (sociedad anónima bancaria) organized under the laws of the Republic of Chile, that provides a broad range of general banking services to its customers, from individuals to major corporations. Banco Santander Chile and its affiliates (collectively referred to herein as the “Bank” or “Banco Santander Chile”) offer commercial and consumer banking services, and provide other services, including factoring, collection, leasing, securities and insurance brokerage, mutual and investment fund management, and investment banking.
 
A Special Meeting of Shareholders of Banco Santiago was held on July 18, 2002, the minutes of which were notarized as a public deed on July 19, 2002 at the Notarial Office of Santiago before Notary Nancy de la Fuente Hernández, and it was agreed to merge Banco Santander Chile with Banco Santiago by merging the former into the latter, which acquired the former’s assets and liabilities. It was likewise agreed to dissolve Banco Santander Chile in advance and change the name of Banco Santiago to Banco Santander Chile. This change was authorized by Resolution No.79 of the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, adopted on July 26, 2002, published in the Official Journal on August 1, 2002 and registered on page 19,992 under number 16,346 for the year 2002 in the Registry of Commerce of the Curator of Real Estate of Santiago.

In addition to the amendments to the bylaws discussed above, the bylaws have been amended on multiple occasions, the last time at the Special Shareholders Meeting of April 24, 2007, the minutes of which were notarized as a public deed on May 24, 2007 at the Notarial Office of Nancy de la Fuente Hernández. This amendment was approved pursuant to Resolution No.61 of June 6, 2007 of the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions. An extract thereof and the resolution were published in the Official Journal of June 23, 2007 and registered in the Registry of Commerce for 2007 on page 24,064 under number 17,563 of the aforementioned Curator.

By means of this last amendment, Banco Santander Chile, pursuant to its bylaws and as approved by the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, may also use the names Banco Santander Santiago or Santander Santiago or Banco Santander or Santander.

a)       Basis of preparation

These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the international financial reporting standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The securities exchange regulator (“SVS”) announced in 2004 that all public companies will required to present full International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) financial statements beginning in 2009. The convergence from Chilean GAAP to IFRS will follow a gradual adoption plan which will take place over at least a three-year period from 2009 to 2011, beginning with financial institutions in 2009. Full convergence is the intended goal of the transition to IFRS. However, due to the gradual approach to the adoption of the IFRS and because not all regulators require full IFRS, different accounting frameworks will coexist for a period of time.

Chilean banks are subject to the regulatory supervision of the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions (“SBIF”) under the provisions of the General Banking Act (“Act”) of 1997. The Act establishes that in accordance with legal regulations, Chilean Banks must abide by the accounting standards stipulated by the SBIF.

In the framework of the strategic plan, the SBIF, by means of Circular No. 3,410 (2007) and Circular No. 3,443 (2008) announced the “Compendium of Accounting Standards”, which contains the new accounting standards and reporting formats for the financial industry required to be adopted by banking institutions effective January 1, 2009. Banks are required to apply the new accounting and reporting to the current period financial statements (2009) and to retrospectively apply the new standard to January 1, 2008 and include an opening balance sheet for the reporting period ended December 31, 2008.


 
F-8

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

Although banks are required to apply IFRS as of January 1, 2009, certain exceptions introduced by the regulator prevent the banks from achieving full convergence. In those situations which are not addressed by the guidance issued by the SBIF, institutions must follow the generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Association of Chilean Accountants which coincide with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB).

Therefore, in order to comply with requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Bank has prepared its financial statements under IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB).

Santander’s transition date is January 1, 2008. The Bank prepared its opening balance under these standards as of such date. Consequently, the date of adoption of the new standards by the Bank and its subsidiaries is January 1, 2009.

Note 2 to the financial statements, “First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards” submits a reconciliation between the balances of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at the opening and closing of the year ending as of December 31, 2008 and the corresponding Consolidated Statement of Income, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows generated during such year and that, therefore, they are shown in the Bank’s financial statements as corresponding to fiscal year 2008; reason why the figures included in the attached financial statements for the year 2008, differ from those reported in the previous fiscal year.

The Notes to the financial statements contain additional information to that submitted in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Consolidated Statement of Income, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. These statements provide a narrative description of such statements in a clear, reliable and comparable manner.

The financial statements for the period ending as of December 31, 2009 were the first prepared according to the International Financial Reporting Standards issued by IASB. This legislation incorporates the following important aspects:

- Significant changes in accounting policies, valuation criteria, and forms of presentation of financial statements.
- A significant increase in the information included in the notes to the financial statements.

For purposes of these financial statements we use certain terms and conventions. References to “US$”, “U.S. dollars” and “dollars” are to United States dollars, references to “Chilean pesos,” “pesos” or “Ch$” are to Chilean pesos and references to “UF” are to Unidades de Fomento. The UF is an inflation-indexed Chilean monetary unit with a value in Chilean pesos that changes daily to reflect changes in the official Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) of the Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas (the Chilean National Institute of Statistics) for the previous month.

The UF is revalued in monthly cycles. Each day in the period beginning on the tenth day of the current month through the ninth day of the succeeding month, the nominal peso value of the UF is indexed up (or down in the event of deflation) in order to reflect a proportionate amount of the change in the Chilean Consumer Price Index during the prior calendar month. One UF equaled Ch$21,452.57 as of December 31, 2008 and Ch$20,942.88 as of December 31, 2009.  In 2009, UF inflation was -2.4% compared to +9.3% in 2008. The effect of any changes in the nominal peso value of our UF-denominated interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities is reflected in our results of operations as an increase (or decrease, in the event of deflation) in interest income and expense, respectively.
 
The main accounting policies adopted in preparing these financial statements are described below.
 

b)       Basis of consolidation for the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the preparation of separate (individual) financial statements of the Bank and the companies that participate in the consolidation of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and January 1, 2008, and include the adjustments and reclassifications needed to make the accounting policies and valuation criteria applied by the IFRS.
 
 
 
F-9

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


 NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

Subsidiaries

“Subsidiaries” are defined as entities over which the Bank has the ability to exercise control, which is generally but not exclusively reflected by the direct or indirect ownership of at least 50% of the investee’s voting rights, or even if this percentage is lower or zero when the Bank is granted control pursuant to agreements with the investee’s shareholders. Control is understood as the power to significantly influence the investee’s financial and operating policies, so as to profit from its activities.

The financial statements of the Subsidiaries are consolidated with those of the Bank through the global integration method (line by line). Accordingly, all the balances and transactions between the consolidated companies are eliminated through the consolidation process.

In addition, third parties’ shares in the Consolidated Bank’s equity are presented as “Non controlling interests” in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. Their shares in the year’s income are presented under “Non controlling interests” in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

The following companies are considered “Affiliates associate entities” in which the Bank holds equity and accounts for it through the equity method:

   
Percentage Share
 
   
As of December 31,
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
Direct
%
   
Indirect
%
   
Total
%
   
Direct
%
   
Indirect
%
   
Total
%
   
Direct
%
   
Indirect
%
   
Total
%
 
                                                       
Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada (formerly Santander Leasing S.A.) (*)
    99.75       0.01       99.76       99.75       0.01       99.76       99.50       -       99.50  
Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa
    50.59       0.41       51.00       50.59       0.41       51.00       50.59       0.41       51.00  
Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos
    99.96       0.02       99.98       99.96       0.02       99.98       99.96       0.02       99.98  
Santander S.A. Agente de Valores
    99.03       -       99.03       99.03       -       99.03       99.03       -       99.03  
Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora
    99.64       -       99.64       99.64       -       99.64       99.64       -       99.64  
Santander Servicios de Recaudación y Pagos Limitada
    99.90       0.10       100.00       99.90       0.10       100.00       99.90       0.10       100.00  
Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada (*)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       99.99       -       99.99  

(*)This Company was merged pursuant to Articles 9 and 10 of Law 18,045 and the dispositions IFRS 3 “Business Combinations”, at a Special Shareholders’ Meeting of the Subsidiary Santander Corredora de Seguros S.A. held on October 1, 2008, at which the merger by absorption of the Subsidiary Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada by Santander Corredores de Seguros S.A. (formerly Santander Leasing S.A.) was approved. During 2008, Santander Leasing S.A. changed its corporate name to Santander Corredora de Seguros S.A. due to its subsequent merger with Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada; it thereafter changed its corporate name again, ultimately becoming Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada.

Affiliates entities

Associated entities are those entities over which the Bank may exercise significant influence but not control or joint control, usually because it holds 20% or more of the entity’s voting power. Investments in associated entities are accounted for pursuant to the “equity method.”

The following companies are considered “Affiliates entities” in which the Bank accounts for its participation pursuant to the equity method:

   
Percentage of Interest
 
   
As of December 31,
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
Redbank S.A.
    33.42 %     33.42 %     33.42 %
Transbank S.A.
    32.71 %     32.71 %     32.71 %
Centro de Compensación Automatizado
    33.33 %     33.33 %     33.33 %
Sociedad Interbancaria de Depósito de Valores S.A.
    29.28 %     29.28 %     29.28 %
Cámara Compensación de Alto Valor S.A.
    11.52 %     11.52 %     11.52 %
Administrador Financiero del Transantiago S.A.
    20.00 %     20.00 %     20.00 %
Sociedad Nexus S.A.
    12.90 %     12.90 %     12.90 %
 
 
 
F-10

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

Special Purpose Entities

According to IFRS, the Bank must continuously analyze its perimeter of consolidation.  The key criteria for such analysis is the degree of control held by the Bank over a given entity, not the percentage of holding in such entity’s equity.

In particular, as set forth by International Accounting Standard 27 “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements” (IAS 27) and by the Standard Interpretations Committee 12 “Consolidation — Special Purpose Entities” (SIC 12), issued by the IASB, the Bank must determine the existence of Special Purpose Entities (SPEs), which must be included in its perimeter of consolidation. The following are the main characteristics for SPEs that should be included in the perimeter of consolidation:

 
·
The SPEs’ activities have essentially been conducted on behalf of the company that presents the consolidated financial statements and in response to its specific business needs.
 
·
The necessary decision making authority is held to obtain most of the benefits from these entities’ activities, as well as the rights to obtain most of the benefits or other advantages from such entities.
 
·
The entity essentially retains most of the risks inherent to the ownership or residuals of the SPEs or its assets, for the purpose of obtaining the benefits from its activities.

This assessment is based on methods and procedures which consider the risks and profits retained by the Bank, for which all the relevant factors, including the guarantees furnished or the losses associated with collection of the related assets retained by the Bank, are taken into account. As a consequence of this assessment, the Bank concluded that it exercised control over the following entities:

- Santander Gestión de Recaudación y Cobranza Limitada.
- Multinegocios S.A.
- Servicios Administrativos y Financieros Limitada.
- Fiscalex Limitada.
- Multiservicios de Negocios Limitada.
- Bansa Santander S.A.

When the initial assessment was performed, Multimedios S.A. was considered into the perimeter of consolidation of the Bank because of its mainly source of revenues came from transactions with the Bank and, as a result, the Bank exercised control over it. At the beginning of 2009, this company changed its line of business and as a result its income no longer depended mainly on transactions with the Bank. Consequently, it was determined that the Bank no longer exercised control over it and therefore should be excluded from the perimeter of consolidation since March 2009.

Investments in other companies

Entities in which the Bank has no control or significant influence are presented in this category. These holdings are shown at purchase value (historical cost).

c)       Non controlling interests

Non controlling interest represents the portion of earnings and losses and net assets which the Bank does not own, either directly or indirectly. It is presented separately in the Consolidated Statement of Income, and separately from shareholders equity in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

In the case of Special Purpose Entities (SPEs), 100% of their Income and Equity is presented in non controlling interest, since the Bank only has control but not actual ownership thereof.


 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

d)       Operating segments

The Bank discloses separate information for each operating segment that:

i.       has been identified;
ii.      exceeds the quantitative thresholds stipulated for a segment.

Operating segments with similar economic characteristics often have a similar long-term financial performance. Two or more segments can be combined only if aggregation is consistent with the basic principles of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 8 and the segments have similar economic characteristics and are similar in each of the following respects:

 
i.
the nature of the products and services;
 
ii.
the nature of the production processes;
 
iii.
the type or category of customers that use their products and services;
 
iv.
the methods used to distribute their products or services; and
 
v.
if applicable, the nature of the regulatory framework, for example, banking, insurance, or utilities.

The Bank reports separately on each operating segment that exceeds any of the following quantitative thresholds:

 
i.
Its reported income, from both external customers and intersegment sales or transfers, is 10% or more of the combined internal and external income of all the operating segments.

 
ii.
The absolute value of its reported profit or loss is 10% or more, in absolute terms, of the greater of: (i) the combined reported profit of all the operating segments that did not report a loss; (ii) the combined reported loss of all the operating segments that reported a loss.

 
iii.
Its assets represent 10% or more of the combined assets of all the operating segments.

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

Operating segments that do not reach any of the quantitative thresholds may be treated as segments to be reported, in which case the information must be disclosed separately if management believes it could be useful for the users of the financial statements.

Information on other business activities of the operating segments not separately reported is combined and disclosed in the “Other segments” category.

According to the information presented, the Bank’s segments were determined under the following definitions:

Operating segments: An operating segment is a component of an entity:

 
i.
that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses from transactions with other components of the same entity);
 
ii.
whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the entity’s chief executive officer to make decisions about resources allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and
 
iii.
for which separate financial information is available.

e)       Functional and presentation currency

According to International Accounting Standard No.21 (IAS 21), the Chilean peso, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Bank operates and the currency which influences its structure of costs and revenues, has been defined as the functional and presentation currency.

Accordingly, all the balances and transactions denominated in currencies other than the Chilean Peso are treated as “foreign currency.”

For presentation purposes we had translated million Chilean pesos (MCh$) into thousand US dollars (ThUS$) using the rate as indicated below, for the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Consolidated Statement of Income, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and for the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the period ended as of December 31, 2009.

f)       Foreign currency transactions

According to IAS 29 “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies,” a price-level restatement is applicable only when the entity’s functional currency is a currency corresponding to a hyperinflationary economy (an economy with 100% inflation during a 3-year period). Since the Chilean economy does not fulfill this requirement, it is not necessary for the Bank to use price-level restatement.

Furthermore, the Bank grants loans and accepts deposits in amounts denominated in foreign currencies, mainly the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and only held by the Bank are translated to Chilean pesos based on the market rate published by Reuters at 1:30 p.m. on the last business day of every month; the rate used was Ch$507.25 per US$1 as of December 31, 2009 (Ch$641.25 per US$1 as of December 31, 2008 and Ch$497.78 per US$1 as of January 1, 2008). The Subsidiaries record their foreign currency positions at the exchange rate reported by the Central Bank of Chile at the close of operations on the last business day of the month, amounting to Ch$507.10 per US$1 as of December 31, 2009 (Ch$636.45 per US$1 as of December 31, 2008 and Ch$496.89 per US$1 as of January 1, 2008).

Since the use of these exchange rates does not create significant differences, these criteria have been kept in the consolidated financial statements.

The amounts of net foreign exchange profits and losses includes recognition of the effects that exchange rate variations have on assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and the profits and losses on foreign exchange spot and forward transactions undertaken by the Bank.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

g)       Definitions and classification of financial instruments

i. Definitions

A “financial instrument” is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity, and simultaneously to a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity.

A “capital instrument” or “net equity instrument” is a legal transaction that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the entity which issues it after deduction of all its liabilities.

A “financial derivative” is a financial instrument whose value changes in response to the changes in an observable market variable (such as an interest rate, a foreign exchange rate, a financial instrument price, or a market index, including credit ratings), whose initial investment is very small compared with other financial instruments having a similar response to changes in market factors, and which is generally settled at a future date.

“Hybrid financial instruments” are contracts that simultaneously include a non-derivative host contract together with a financial derivative, known as an embedded derivative, which is not separately transferable and has the effect that some of the cash flows of the hybrid contract vary in a way similar to a stand-alone derivative.
 
ii. Classification of financial assets for measurement purposes

The financial assets are initially classified into the various categories used for management and measurement purposes.

Financial assets are included for measurement purposes in one of the following categories:

-
Portfolio of trading investments (at fair value with the changes recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income): this category includes the financial assets acquired for the purpose of generating a profit in the short term from fluctuations in their prices. This category includes the portfolio of trading investments and financial derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments.

-
Available-for-sale investment instrument portfolio: debt instruments not classified as “held-to-maturity investments,” “Credit investments (loans and accounts receivable from customers or interbank loans)” or “Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.” Available for sale investments are initially recorded at cost, which includes transactional costs. Available-for-sale instruments are subsequently valued at their fair value, or based on appraisals made with the use of internal models when appropriate. Unrealized profits or losses stemming from changes of fair value are recorded as a debit or credit to equity accounts (“Valuation accounts”). When these investments are divested or become impaired, the adjustments to accumulated fair value in equity are transferred to the Consolidated Statement of Income under “Net income from financial operations.”

-
Held-to-maturity instrument portfolio: this category includes debt securities traded on an active market, with a fixed maturity, and with fixed or determinable payments, for which the Bank has both the intent and a proven ability to hold to maturity. Held to maturity investments are recorded at their cost plus interest earned, minus provisions for impairment established when their recorded value exceeds the estimated recoverable value.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

-
Credit investments (loans and accounts receivable from customers or interbank loans): this category includes financing granted to third parties, based on their nature, regardless of the type of borrower and the form of financing. Includes loans and accounts receivable from customers, interbank loans, and financial lease transactions in which the consolidated entities act as lessors.
 
iii. Classification of financial assets for presentation purposes

Financial assets are classified by their nature into the following line items in the consolidated financial statements:

-
Cash and deposits in banks: Cash balances, checking accounts and on-demand deposits with the Central Bank of Chile and other domestic and foreign financial institutions. Amounts placed in overnight transactions will continue to be reported in this line item and in the lines or items to which they correspond. If there is no special item for these transactions, they will be included with the related account as indicated above.

-
Unsettled transactions: This item includes the values of swap instruments and balances of executed transactions which contractually defer the payment of purchase-sale transactions or the delivery of the foreign currency acquired.

-
Trading investments: This item includes financial instruments intended to be traded and investments in mutual funds which must be adjusted to their fair value in the same way as instruments acquired for trading.

-
Financial derivative contracts: Financial derivative contracts with positive fair values are presented in this item. It includes both independent contracts as well as derivatives that should and can be separated from a host contract, whether they are for trading or hedging, as shown in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

-
Trading derivatives: Includes the fair value of derivatives which do not qualify for hedge accounting, including embedded derivatives separated from hybrid financial instruments.
-
Hedging derivatives: Includes the fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments in hedge accounting, including the embedded derivatives separated from the hybrid financial instruments designated as hedging instruments in hedge accounting.

-
Interbank loans: This item includes the balances of transactions with domestic and foreign banks, including the Central Bank of Chile, other than those reflected in the preceding items.

-
Loans and accounts receivable from customers: These loans are non-derivative financial assets for which fixed or determined amounts are charged, that are not listed on an active market and which the Bank does not intend to sell immediately or in the short term. When the Bank is the lessor in a lease, and it substantially transfers the risks and benefits incidental to the leased asset, the transaction is presented in loans.

-
Investment instruments: These are classified into two categories: held-to-maturity investments and available-for-sale instruments. The held-to-maturity investment category includes only those instruments for which the Bank has the ability and intent to hold them until their maturity. Other available for sale investments are treated as available for sale.

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:
 
 Classification of financial liabilities for measurement purposes

Financial liabilities are initially classified into the various categories used for management and measurement purposes.

Financial liabilities are classified for measurement purposes into one of the following categories:

-
Financial liabilities held for trading (at fair value through profit or loss): Financial liabilities issued to generate a short-term profit from fluctuations in their prices, financial derivatives not deemed to qualify for hedge accounting and financial liabilities arising from definitive sales of financial assets purchased under resale agreements or borrowed (“short positions”).

-
Financial liabilities at amortized cost: financial liabilities, regardless of their type and maturity, not included in any of the aforementioned categories which arise from the borrowing activities of financial institutions, whatever their form and maturity.
 
 Classification of financial liabilities for presentation purposes

Financial liabilities are classified by their nature into the following line items in the consolidated financial statements:

-
Demand deposits and other demand obligations. This item includes all on-demand obligations except for term savings accounts, which are not considered on-demand instruments in view of their special characteristics. Obligations whose payment may be required during the period are deemed to be on-demand obligations; i.e., operations which become callable the day after the closing date are not treated as on-demand obligations.

-
Unsettled transactions: This item includes the balances of asset purchases that are not settled on the same day and for sales of foreign currencies not delivered.

-
Investments under repurchase agreements: This item includes the balances of sales of financial instruments under securities repurchase and loan agreements.

-
Time deposits and other liabilities: This item shows the balances of deposit transactions in which a term at the end of which they become callable has been stipulated.

-
Financial derivative contracts: This item includes financial derivative contracts with negative fair values, whether they are for trading or for account hedging purposes, as set forth in Note 8.

 
-
Trading derivatives: Includes the fair value of the financial derivatives which do not qualify for hedge accounting, including embedded derivatives separated from hybrid financial instruments.

 
-
Hedging derivatives: Includes the fair value of the derivatives designated as hedge accounting instruments, including embedded derivatives separated from hybrid financial instruments and designated as hedge accounting instruments.

-
Interbank borrowings: This item includes obligations due to other domestic banks, foreign banks, or the Central Bank of Chile, which were not classified in any of the previous categories.

-
Debt instruments issued: This encompasses three items. They are obligations under letters of credit, subordinated bonds, and senior bonds.

-
Other financial obligations: This item includes credit obligations to persons distinct from other domestic banks, foreign banks, or the Central Bank of Chile, for financing purposes or operations in the regular course of business.


 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

h)        Valuation of financial assets and liabilities and recognition of fair value changes

In general, financial assets and liabilities are initially recorded at fair value which, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is deemed to be the transaction price. Financial instruments not measured at fair value based on profit or loss are adjusted by actual transaction costs. Thereafter, and at the end of each accounting period, they are valued pursuant to the following criteria:

i.  Valuation of financial assets

Financial assets are valued according to their fair value, gross of any transaction costs that may be incurred for their sale, except for loans and accounts receivable.

The “fair value” of a financial instrument on a given date is the amount for which it could be bought or sold on that date by two knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction, acting prudently. The most objective and common reference for the fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be paid on an active, transparent, and deep market (“quoted price” or “market price”).

If there is no market price for a given financial instrument, its fair value is estimated based on the price established in recent transactions involving similar instruments and, in the absence thereof, of valuation techniques commonly used by the international financial community, considering the specific features of the instrument to be valued, and particularly, the various types of risk associated with it.

All derivatives are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at the fair value from their trade date. If their fair value is positive, they are recorded as an asset, and if their fair value is negative, they are recorded as a liability. The fair value of the trade date is deemed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be the transaction price. The changes in the fair value of derivatives from the trade date are recorded in “Net income from financial operations” in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
 
Specifically, the fair value of financial derivatives included in the portfolios of financial assets or liabilities held for trading is deemed to be their daily quoted price and if, for exceptional reasons, the quoted price cannot be determined on a given date, these financial derivatives are measured using methods similar to those used to measure over the counter (OTC) derivatives.
 
The fair value of OTC derivatives is the sum of the future cash flows resulting from the instrument, discounted to present value at the date of valuation (“present value” or “theoretical close”) using valuation techniques commonly used by the financial markets: “net present value” (NPV), option pricing models among other methods.

“Loans and accounts receivable from customers” and “Held-to-maturity instrument portfolio” are measured at amortized cost using the “effective interest method.” “Amortized cost” is the acquisition cost of a financial asset or liability, plus or minus, as appropriate, by repayments of principal and the cumulative amortization (recorded in the income statement) of the difference between the initial cost and the maturity amount. For financial assets, amortized cost also includes any reductions for impairment or uncollectibility. For loans and accounts receivable hedged by fair value hedges, the changes in their fair value related to the risk or risks being hedged are recorded.

The “effective interest rate” is the discount rate that exactly matches the initial amount of a financial instrument to all its estimated cash flows over its remaining life. For fixed-rate financial instruments, the effective interest rate coincides with the contractual interest rate established on the acquisition date plus, where applicable, the fees and transaction costs that, because of their nature, are a part of the financial return. For floating-rate financial instruments, the effective interest rate coincides with the rate of return prevailing until the next benchmark interest reset date.

Equity instruments whose fair value cannot be determined in a sufficiently objective manner and financial derivatives that have those instruments as their underlying assets and are settled by delivery of those instruments are measured at acquisition cost, adjusted, where appropriate, by any related impairment loss.
 
 
 
F-17

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:
 
The amounts at which the financial assets are recorded represent, in all material respects, the Bank’s maximum exposure to credit risk at each reporting date. The Bank has also received collateral and other credit enhancements to mitigate its exposure to credit risk, which consist mainly of mortgage guarantees, equity instruments and personal securities, assets leased out under leasing and rental agreements, assets acquired under repurchase agreements, securities loans and derivatives.

ii.  Valuation of financial liabilities

In general, financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost, as defined above, except for those included under financial liabilities designated as hedged items (or hedging instruments) in fair value hedges, which are measured at fair value.

iii.  Valuation techniques

Financial instruments at fair value, determined on the basis of quotations in active markets, include government debt securities, private sector debt securities, shares, short positions, and fixed-income securities issued.

In cases where quotations cannot be observed, Management makes its best estimate of the price that the market would set using its own internal models. In most cases, these models use data based on observable market parameters as significant inputs and, in very specific cases, they use significant inputs not observable in market data. Various techniques are employed to make these estimates, including the extrapolation of observable market data and extrapolation techniques.

The best evidence of the fair value of a financial instrument on initial recognition is the transaction price, unless the value of the instrument can be obtained from other market transactions performed with the same or similar instruments or can be measured by using a valuation technique in which the variables used include only observable market date, mainly interest rates.

The main techniques used as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 by the Bank’s internal models to determine the fair value of the financial instruments are as follows:

i.
In the valuation of financial instruments permitting static hedging (mainly “forwards” and “swaps”), the “present value” method is used. Estimated future cash flows are discounted using the interest rate curves of the related currencies. The interest rate curves are generally observable market data.

ii.
In the valuation of financial instruments requiring dynamic hedging (mainly structured options and other structured instruments), the Black-Scholes model is normally used. Where appropriate, observable market inputs are used to obtain factors such as the bid-offer spread, exchange rates, volatility, correlation indexes and market liquidity.

iii.
In the valuation of certain financial instruments exposed to interest rate risk, such as interest rate futures, caps and floors, the present value method (futures) and the Black-Scholes model (plain vanilla options) are used. The main inputs used in these models are observable market data, including the related interest rate curves, volatilities, correlations and exchange rates.

The fair value of the financial instruments arising from the aforementioned internal models considers contractual terms and observable market data, which include interest rates, credit risk, exchange rates, the quoted market price of raw materials and shares, volatility and prepayments, among other things. The valuation models are not significantly subjective, since these methodologies can be adjusted and evaluated, as appropriate, through the internal calculation of fair value and the subsequent comparison with the related actively traded price.
 

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

 
iv.  Recording results
 
As a general rule, changes in the carrying amount of financial assets and liabilities are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income, distinguishing between those arising from the accrual of interest, which are recorded under interest income or interest expense as appropriate, and those arising for other reasons. Finally they are recorded at their net amount under “Net income from financial operations”.

In the case of trading investments, the fair value adjustments, interest income, indexation adjustments, such as realized profits/losses from trading, are included in the Consolidated Statement of Income under “Net income from financial operations.”

Adjustments due to changes in fair value from:

 
-
“Available-for-sale instruments” are recorded as part of the Bank’s consolidated net equity (Other comprehensive income) until they are removed from the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position in which they originated, at which time they are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

 
-
Items debited or credited to “Valuation adjustments” remain in the Bank’s consolidated net equity until the related assets are removed, whereupon they are charged to the Consolidated Statement of Income.

v.  Hedging transactions

The consolidated entities use financial derivatives for the following purposes:
 
 
i)
to sell to customers who request these instruments in the management of their market and credit risks,
 
ii)
to use these derivatives in the management of the risks of the Bank entities’ own positions and assets and liabilities (“hedging derivatives”), and
 
iii)
to obtain profits from changes in the price of these derivatives (“trading derivatives”).

All financial derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as “trading derivatives.”

A derivative qualifies for hedge accounting if all the following conditions are met:

1.
The derivative hedges one of the following three types of exposure:
 
a.
Changes in the value of assets and liabilities due to fluctuations, among others, in the interest rate and/or exchange rate to which the position or balance to be hedged is subject (“fair value hedge”);
 
b.
Changes in the estimated cash flows arising from financial assets and liabilities, commitments and highly probable forecasted transactions (“cash flow hedge”);
 
c.
The net investment in a foreign operation (“hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation”).

2.
It is effective in offsetting exposure inherent in the hedged item or position throughout the expected term of the hedge, which means that:
 
a.
At the date of arrangement the hedge is expected, under normal conditions, to be highly effective (“prospective effectiveness”).
 
b.
There is sufficient evidence that the hedge was actually effective during the life of the hedged item or position (“retrospective effectiveness”).

3. There must be adequate documentation evidencing the specific designation of the financial derivative to hedge certain balances or transactions and how this effective hedge was expected to be achieved and measured, provided that this is consistent with the Bank’s management of own risks.


 
F-19

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

The changes in the value of financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting are recorded as follows:

a.
In fair value hedges, the profits or losses arising on both the hedging instruments and the hedged items (attributable to the type of risk being hedged) are recorded directly in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

In fair value hedges of interest rate risk on a portfolio of financial instruments, the profits or losses that arise in measuring the hedging instruments are recorded directly in the Consolidated Statement of Income, whereas the profits or losses due to changes in the fair value of the hedged amount (attributable to the hedged risk) are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income with an offset to “Net income from financial operations”.

b.
In cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in value of the hedging instrument is recorded temporarily in Other comprehensive income under “Cash flow hedge” until the forecasted transaction occurs, thereafter being recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income, unless the forecasted transaction results in the recognition of non-financial assets or liabilities, in which case it is included in the cost of the non-financial asset or liability. The ineffective portion of the change in value of hedging derivatives is recorded directly in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

c.
The differences in valuation of the hedging instrument corresponding to the ineffective portion of the cash flow hedging transactions are recorded directly in the Consolidated Statement of Income under “Income from financial operations”.

If a derivative designated as a hedge no longer meets the requirements described above due to expiration, ineffectiveness or for any other reason, the derivative is classified as a “trading derivative.” When “fair value hedge accounting” is discontinued, the adjustments previously recorded on the hedged item are attributed to income using the effective interest rate method, recalculated at the date the hedge is discontinued. The adjustments are fully amortized at maturity.

When cash flow hedges are discontinued, any cumulative profit or loss of the hedging instrument recorded in Other comprehensive income under “Valuation adjustments” (from the period when the hedge was effective) remains recorded in equity until the hedged transaction occurs, at which time it is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income, unless the transaction is no longer expected to occur, in which case any cumulative profit or loss is recorded immediately in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

vi.  Derivatives embedded in hybrid financial instruments

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or in other host contracts are accounted for separately as derivatives if their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of the host contracts, provided that the host contracts are not classified as “Other financial assets (liabilities) at fair value through profit or loss” or as “Portfolio of trading investments.”

vii.  Offsetting of financial instruments

Financial asset and liability balances are offset, i.e., reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at their net amount, only if the subsidiaries currently have a legally enforceable right to offset the recorded amounts and intend either to settle them on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

viii.   Removal of financial assets and liabilities from accounts

The accounting treatment of transfers of financial assets depends on the extent and the manner in which the risks and rewards associated with the transferred assets are transferred to third parties:

i.
If the Bank transfers substantially all the risks and rewards to third parties, as in the case of unconditional sales of financial assets, sales under repurchase agreements at fair value at the date of repurchase, sales of financial assets with a purchased call option or written put option deeply out of the money, utilization of assets in which the assignor does not retain subordinated debt nor grants any credit enhancement to the new holders, and other similar cases, the transferred financial asset is removed from the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and any rights or obligations retained or created in the transfer are simultaneously recorded.
 
 
 
 
F-20

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

ii.
If the Bank retains substantially all the risks and rewards associated with the transferred financial asset, as in the case of sales of financial assets under repurchase agreements to repurchase at a fixed price or at the sale price plus interest, securities lending agreements under which the borrower undertakes to return the same or similar assets, and other similar cases, the transferred financial asset is not removed from the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and continues to be measured by the same criteria as those used before the transfer. However, the following items are recorded:

 
1.
An associated financial liability for an amount equal to the consideration received; this liability is subsequently measured at amortized cost.

 
2.
Both the income from the transferred (but not removed) financial asset as well as any expenses incurred on the new financial liability.

iii.
If the Bank neither transfers nor substantially retains all the risks and rewards associated with the transferred financial asset — as in the case of sales of financial assets with a purchased call option or written put option that is not deeply in or out of the money, securitization of assets in which the transferor retains a subordinated debt or other type of credit enhancement for a portion of the transferred asset, and other similar cases — the following distinction is made:

 
1.
If the transferor does not retain control of the transferred financial asset, the asset is removed from the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and any rights or obligations retained or created in the transfer are recorded.

 
2.
If the transferor retains control of the financial asset transferred, it continues to be recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position for an amount equal to its exposure to changes in value and a financial liability associated with the transferred financial asset is recorded. The net carrying amount of the transferred asset and the associated liability is the amortized cost of the rights and obligations retained, if the transferred asset is measured at amortized cost, or the fair value of the rights and obligations retained, if the transferred asset is measured at fair value.

Accordingly, financial assets are only removed from the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position when the rights over the cash flows they generate have terminated or when all the inherent risks and rewards have been substantially transferred to third parties. Similarly, financial liabilities are only removed from the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position when the obligations they generate have been terminated or when they are acquired with the intent to either cancel or resell them.

i)        Recognizing income and expenses

The most significant criteria used by the Bank to recognize its revenues and expenses are summarized as follows:
 
i.   Interest revenue, interest expense and similar items

Interest revenue and expense are recorded on an accrual basis using the effective interest method. Dividends received from other companies are recorded as revenue when the consolidated entities’ right to receive them arises.

However, when a given operation or transaction is past due by 90 days or more, when it originated from a refinancing or renegotiation, or when the Bank believes that the debtor poses a high risk of default, the interest and adjustments pertaining to these transactions are not recorded directly in the Consolidated Statement of Income unless they have been actually received.

As interest and adjustments are generally referred to as “suspended” and are recorded in memorandum accounts which are part of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and are reported as part of the complementary information thereto (Note 28). This interest is recognized as income, when collected, as a reversal of the related impairment losses.

Dividends received from companies classified as “Investments in other companies” are recorded as income when the right to receive them arises.

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:
 
ii.Commissions, fees, and similar items

Fee and commission income and expenses are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income using criteria that vary according to their nature. The main criteria are:

-
Fee and commission income and expenses relating to financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss are recognized when paid.
-
Those arising from transactions or services that are performed over a period of time are recognized over the life of these transactions or services.
-
Those relating to services provided in a single act are recognized when the single act is carried out.

iii.  Non-finance income and expenses

These are recorded for accounting purposes on an accrual basis.

iv.  Loan arrangement fees

Loan arrangement fees, mainly loan origination and application fees, are accrued and recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income over the term of the loan.

j)         Impairment

i.    Financial assets:

A financial asset is evaluated on each financial statement filing date to determine whether objective evidence of impairment exists.

A financial asset or group of financial assets will be impaired if, and only if, objective evidence of impairment exists as a result of one or more events that occurred after initial recognition of the asset (“event causing the loss”), and this event or events causing the loss have an impact on the estimated future cash flows of a financial asset or group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated. It might not be possible to identify a single event that was the individual cause of the impairment.

An impairment loss relating to financial assets recorded at amortized cost is calculated as the difference between the recorded amount of the asset and the present value of estimated cash flows, discounted at the effective interest rate.

An impairment loss relating to a financial asset available for sale is calculated based on its fair value.

Individually significant financial assets are individually tested to determine their impairment. The remaining financial assets are evaluated collectively in groups that share similar credit risk characteristics.

All impairment losses are recorded in income. Any cumulative loss relating to a financial asset available for sale previously recorded in equity is transferred to income.

The reversal of an impairment loss occurs only if it can be objectively related to an event occurring after the initial impairment loss was recorded. In the case of financial assets recorded at amortized cost and for the financial assets available for sale that are securities for sale, the reversal is recorded in income. In the case of financial assets that are variable-rate securities, the reversal is directly recorded in equity.

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

ii.  Non-financial assets:

The Bank’s non-financial assets, excluding investment properties, are reviewed at each closing date to determine whether they show signs of impairment (i.e. its carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount). If such evidence exists, the amount to be recovered from the assets is then estimated.

In connection with other assets, impairment losses recorded in prior periods are assessed at each filing date in search of any indication that the loss has decreased or disappeared and should be reversed. An impairment loss is reversed to the extent that it is not in excess of the cumulative impairment loss that has been recorded.

k)       Property, plant and equipment

This category includes the amount of buildings, land, furniture, vehicles, computer hardware and other fixtures owned by the consolidated entities or acquired under finance leases. Assets are classified according to their use as follows:

i.  Property, plant and equipment for own use

Property, plant and equipment for own use (including, among other things, tangible assets received by the consolidated entities in full or partial satisfaction of financial assets representing accounts receivable from third parties which are intended to be held for continuing own use and tangible assets acquired under finance leases) are presented at acquisition cost less the related accumulated depreciation and, if applicable, estimated losses resulting from comparing the net carrying amount of each item with the related recoverable amount, which is calculated as the value in use of each asset.

For these purposes, the acquisition cost of awarded assets is equivalent to the net amount of the financial assets surrendered in exchange for its award.

Depreciation is calculated using the straight line method over the acquisition cost of assets minus their residual value, assuming that the land on which buildings and other structures sit has an indefinite life and, therefore, is not subject to amortization.

The Bank must apply the following useful lives for the tangible assets that comprise its assets:

ITEM
 
Useful Life
(Months)
     
Land
 
-
Paintings and works of art
 
-
Assets retired for disposal
 
-
Carpets and curtains
 
36
Computers and hardware
 
36
Vehicles
 
36
Computational systems and software
 
36
ATM’s
 
60
Machines and equipment in general
 
60
Office furniture
 
60
Telephone and communication systems
 
60
Security systems
 
60
Rights over telephone lines
 
60
Air conditioning systems
 
84
Installations in general
 
120
Security systems (acquisitions since October 2002)
 
120
Buildings
 
1,200

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

The consolidated entities assess at the reporting date whether there is any indication that the carrying amount of any of their tangible assets’ exceeds its recoverable amount; if this is the case, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and future amortization charges are adjusted in proportion to the revised carrying amount and to the new remaining useful life, if the useful life needs to be re-estimated.

Similarly, if there is an indication of a recovery in the value of a tangible asset, the consolidated entities record the reversal of the impairment loss recorded in prior periods and adjust the future amortization charges accordingly. In no circumstance may the reversal of an impairment loss on an asset increase its carrying value above the one it would have had if no impairment losses had been recorded in prior years.

The estimated useful lives of the items of property, plant and equipment held for own use are reviewed at least at the end of the reporting period to detect significant changes therein. If changes are detected, the useful lives of the assets are adjusted by correcting the amortization charge to be recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income in future years on the basis of the new useful lives.

Maintenance expenses relating to tangible assets (property, plant and equipment) held for own use are recorded as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.

ii.  Assets leased out under an operating lease

The criteria used to record the acquisition cost of assets leased out under operating leases, to calculate their depreciation and their respective estimated useful lives, and to record the impairment losses thereof, are consistent with those described in relation to property, plant and equipment held for own use.

l)         Leasing

i.   Finance leases

Finance leases are leases that substantially transfer all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the leased asset to the lessee.

When the consolidated entities act as the lessor of an asset, the sum of the present value of the lease payments receivable from the lessee plus the guaranteed residual value, which is generally the exercise price of the lessee’s purchase option at the end of the lease term, is recorded as loans to third parties and is therefore included under “Loans and accounts receivable from customers” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

When the consolidated entities act as lessees, they show the cost of the leased assets in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position based on the nature of the leased asset, and simultaneously record a liability for the same amount (which is the lower of the fair value of the leased asset and the sum of the present value of the lease payments payable to the lessor plus, if appropriate, the exercise of the purchase option). The depreciation policy for these assets is consistent with that for property, plant and equipment for own use.

In both cases, the finance revenues and finance expenses arising from these contracts is credited and debited, respectively, to “Interest income” and “Interest expense” in the Consolidated Statement of Income so as to achieve a constant rate of return over the lease term.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

ii.  Operating leases

In operating leases, ownership of the leased asset and substantially all the risks and rewards incidental thereto remain with the lessor.

When the consolidated entities act as the lessor, they present the acquisition cost of the leased assets under “PP&E” (property, plant and equipment). The depreciation policy for these assets is consistent with that for similar items of tangible assets (property, plant and equipment) held for own use and revenues from operating leases is recorded on a straight line basis under “Other operating income” in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

When the consolidated entities act as the lessees, the lease expenses, including any incentives granted by the lessor, are charged on a straight line basis to “Administrative and other expenses” in their Consolidated Statement of Income.
 
iii.Sale and leaseback transactions

For sale at fair value and operating leasebacks, the profit or loss generated is recorded at the time of sale. In the case of finance leasebacks, the profit or loss generated is amortized over the lease term.

m)       Factored receivables

Factored receivables are valued at the amount disbursed by the Bank in exchange for invoices or other commercial instruments representing the credit which the transferor assigns to the Bank. The price difference between the amounts disbursed and the actual face value of the credits is recorded as interest income in the Consolidated Statement of Income through the effective interest method over the financing period.

When the assignment of these instruments involves no liability for the assignor, the Bank assumes the risks of insolvency of the parties responsible for payment.

n)        Intangible assets

Intangible assets are identified as non-monetary assets (separately identifiable from other assets) without physical substance which arise as a result of a legal transaction (contractual terms) or are developed internally by the consolidated entities. They are assets whose cost can be estimated reliably and from which the consolidated entities have control and consider it probable that future economic benefits will be generated.

Intangible assets are recorded initially at acquisition or production cost and are subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses.

Internally developed computer software

Internally developed computer software is recorded as an intangible asset if, among other requirements (basically the Bank’s ability to use or sell it), it can be identified and its ability to generate future economic benefits can be demonstrated.

Expenditure on research activities is recorded as an expense in the year in which it is incurred and cannot be subsequently capitalized.

The estimate of useful life for software is 3 years.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

o)        Cash and cash equivalents

For the preparation of the cash flow statement, the indirect method was used, beginning with the Bank’s consolidated pre-tax income and incorporating non-cash transactions, as well as income and expenses associated with cash flows, which are classified as investment or financing activities.

For the preparation of the cash flow statement, the following items are considered:
 
 
i.
Cash flows: Inflows and outflows of cash and cash equivalents, such as deposits with the Central Bank of Chile, deposits in domestic banks, and deposits in foreign banks.
 
ii.
Operational activities: Normal activities performed by banks and other activities that cannot be classified as investing or financing activities.
 
iii.
Investing activities: The acquisition, sale, or disposal by other means of long-term assets and other investments not included in cash and cash equivalents.
 
iv.
Financing activities: Activities that result in changes in the size and composition of net assets and liabilities that are not part of operational activities or investments.

p)        Allowances for loan losses

The Bank records allowances for probable loan losses in accordance with its internal models. These models for rating and evaluating credit risk were approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.

According to the methodology developed by the Bank, loans are divided into three categories:

 
i.
Consumer loans,
 
ii.
Mortgage loans, and
 
iii.
Commercial loans.

The specialization of the Santander Bank’s risk function is based on the type of customer and, accordingly, a distinction is made between individualized customers that is individually evaluated and standardized customers, evaluated in groups in the risk management process.

The internal risk models used to calculate the allowances are described as follows:

Allowances for individual evaluations on commercial loans

For large commercial loans, leasing and factoring, the Bank assigns a risk category level to each borrower and his respective loans. The Bank considers the following risk factors within the analysis: industry or sector of the borrower, owners or managers of the borrower, their financial situation, their payment capacity and payment behavior. The Bank assigns one of the following risk categories to each loan and borrower:
 
 
i.
Classifications A1, A2 and A3, correspond to borrowers with no apparent credit risk.
 
ii.
Classifications B, correspond to borrowers with some credit risk but no apparent deterioration of payment capacity.
 
iii.
Classifications C1, C2, C3, C4, D1 and D2 correspond to borrowers whose loans have deteriorated.

For loans classified as A1, A2, A3 and B, the Bank assigns a specific level of risk to each borrower and, therefore, amount of loan loss allowance is determined on a case by case basis.  All commercial loans for Companies, including leasing and factoring, have since been rated using a model for evaluating and calculating provisions on an individual basis.  Since a debtor’s behavior varies over time, in order to determine the provisions, it is necessary to make a distinction between normal debtors and deteriorated debtors.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

For loans classified in Categories C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, and D2, the Bank must maintain the following levels of reserves:

Classification
 
Estimated range of loss
 
Allowance
         
C1
 
Up to 3%
 
2%
C2
 
More than 3% and up to 19%
 
10%
C3
 
More than 19% and up to 29%
 
25%
C4
 
More than 29% and up to 49%
 
40%
D1
 
More than 49% and up to 79%
 
65%
D2
 
More than 79%
 
90%

Borrowers with insufficient payment capacity in foreseeable circumstances are classified under these categories. The categories listed above relate to a classification based on the level of expected loss of commercial loans and leasing transactions of the customer’s business as a whole, quantified according to the methodology used by the Bank.

For purposes of determining allowances amount, the percentage associated with the estimated loss rate is applied to the total credit.

Allowances for group evaluations

Banco Santander Chile uses group analysis for determining the provisioning levels for certain types of loans. These models are intended to be used primarily to analyze loans to individuals (including consumer loans, lines of credit, mortgage loans and commercial loans to individuals) and commercial loans, primarily to small and some mid-sized companies. Provisions are determined using these models to determine a historical loss rate by segment and risk profile of each group of clients.
The provisioning models for consumer loans segments these loans in four groups, each with its own model:

 
·
New clients, not renegotiated
 
·
Old clients, not renegotiated
 
·
New clients, renegotiated
 
·
Old clients, renegotiated

Each consumer model is segmented by risk profile which is based on a scorecard statistical model that establishes a relation through regressions between various variables, such as payment behavior in the Bank, payment behavior outside the Bank, various socio-demographic data, among others, and a response variable that determines a client’s risk level, which in this case is 90 days non-performance. Once the scorecards have been determined, risk profiles are established that are statistically significant with similar expected loss levels or charge-off vintage.

The expected loss rates for consumer loans are defined by the “Vintage of Net Charge-Offs” (charge-offs net of recoveries). This methodology establishes the period in which the expected loss is maximized. Once this period is obtained its is applied to each risk profile of each model to obtain the net charge-off level associated with this period.

For group evaluation of commercial loans the industry or sector of the borrower, owners or managers of the borrower, the borrower’s financial situation, its payment capacity and payment behavior are used as the main variables for determining the risk profile. For group evaluation of mortgage loans we consider the borrower’s credit history, including any defaults on obligations to other creditors, as well as the overdue periods on the loans borrowed from us. The expected loss rates are then determined using historical averages and other statistical estimates depending on the segment and loan product.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

q)        Provisions, contingent assets and contingent liabilities

Provisions are liabilities in which uncertainty exists as to their amount or maturity. Provisions are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position when the following requirements are simultaneously met:

 
i.
It is a present liability as a result of past events; and
 
ii.
As of the date of the financial statements it is likely that the Bank will have to expend resources to settle these obligations and the amount of these resources can be reliably measured.

Contingent assets or contingent liabilities are any possible rights or possible obligations arising from past events whose existence will be confirmed only if one or more uncertain future events that are not under the Bank’s control occur.

The following are classified as contingent in the complementary information:

i.
Guarantees and bonds: Guarantees, bonds, and standby letters of credit. In addition, guarantees of payment from buyers in factored receivables.

ii.
Confirmed foreign letters of credits: Letters of credit confirmed by the Bank.

iii.
Documentary letters of credit: Includes documentary letters of credit issued by the Bank, which have not yet been negotiated.

iv.
Documented guarantees: Guarantees with promissory notes.

v. 
Interbank guarantees: Guarantees issued.

vi.
Unrestricted credit lines: The unused amount of credit lines that allow customers to draw without prior approval by the Bank (for example, using credit cards or overdrafts in checking accounts).

vii.
Other credit commitments: Amounts not yet lent under committed loans, which must be disbursed at an agreed future date when events contractually agreed upon with the customer occur, such as in the case of lines of credit linked to the progress of a construction or similar projects.

viii.
Other contingent credits: Includes any other kind of commitment by the Bank which may exist and give rise to lending when certain future events occur. In general, this includes unusual transactions such as pledges made to secure the payment of loans among third parties or derivative contracts made by third parties that may result in a payment obligation and are not covered by deposits.

The consolidated annual accounts reflect all significant provisions for which it is estimated that the probability of having to meet the obligation is more likely than not.

Provisions (which are quantified using the best available information on the consequences of the event and are re-estimated at each accounting close) are used to address the specific liabilities for which they were originally recorded. Partial or total reversals are recorded when such liabilities cease to exist or decrease.

Provisions are classified according to the liabilities they cover as follows:

 
-
Provisions for personnel salaries and expenses.
 
-
Provisions for mandatory dividends.
 
-
Provisions for contingent credit risks.
 
-
Provisions for contingencies.


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

r)        Deferred income taxes and other deferred taxes

The Bank records, when appropriate, deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects attributable to differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. The measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on the tax rate, according to the applicable tax laws, using the tax rate that applies to the period when the deferred asset and liability is settled.  The future effects of changes in tax legislation or tax rates are recorded in deferred taxes beginning on the date on which the law approving such changes is published.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the bank has recognized deferred tax assets; as management has determined that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences of tax losses can be utilized at the end of each reporting period.

The effects of deferred taxes because of temporary differences between the tax basis and the carrying amount balances are recorded on an accrual basis, according to IAS 12.

s)        Use of estimates

The preparation of the financial statements requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the application of the accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results may diverge from these 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 instead of a forced settlement or sale. Where available, quoted market prices in active markets have been used as the basis for measurement. Where quoted market prices in active markets are not available, the Bank has estimated such values based on the best information available, including the use of modeling and other valuation techniques.

The Bank has established allowances to cover possible losses in accordance with regulations issued by the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions. These regulations require that, to estimate the allowances, they must be regularly evaluated taking into consideration factors such as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, trends in forecasted portfolio quality, credit quality and economic conditions that may adversely affect the borrowers’ ability to pay. Increases in the allowances for loan losses are reflected as “Provisions for loan losses” in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Loans are charged-off when management determines that a loan or a portion thereof is uncollectible. Charge-offs are recorded as a reduction of the provisions for loan losses.

The relevant estimates and assumptions are regularly reviewed by the Bank’s Management to quantify certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and commitments. Revised accounting estimates are recorded in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any affected future period.

These estimates, made on the basis of the best available information, chiefly refer to:

 
- Losses for impairment of certain assets (Notes 09, 10, 22, and 12)
 
- The useful lives of tangible and intangible assets (Notes 14, 15, and 35)
 
- The fair value of assets and liabilities (Notes 06, 08, 12, and 38)
 
- Commitments and contingencies (Note 24)
  - Current and deferred taxes (Note 16)
 

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

t)         Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets (or a group which includes assets and liabilities for disposal) expected to be recovered mainly through sales rather than through continued use, are classified as held for sale. Immediately prior to this classification, assets (or elements of a disposable group) are re-measured in accordance with the Bank’s policies. The assets (or disposal group) are measured at the lower of book value or fair value minus cost of sale.

Any impairment loss on disposal is first allocated to goodwill and then to the remaining assets and liabilities on a pro rata basis, except when no losses have been recorded in financial assets, deferred assets, employee benefit plan assets, and investment property, which are still evaluated according to the Bank’s accounting policies. Impairment losses on the initial classification of held-for-sale assets and profits and losses from the revaluation are recorded in income. Profits are not recorded if they outweigh any cumulative loss.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank has not classified any non-current assets as held for sale.

Assets received or awarded in lieu of payment

Assets received or awarded in lieu of payment of loans and accounts receivable from customers are recorded, in the case of assets received in lieu of payment, at the price agreed by the parties, or otherwise, when the parties do not reach an agreement, at the amount at which the Bank is awarded those assets at a judicial auction.

These assets are subsequently valued at the lower of initially recorded value or net realizable value, which corresponds to their fair value (liquidity value determined through an independent appraisal) minus the cost of sales associated therewith.

According to the studies conducted by the Bank, as of December 31, 2009 the average cost of sale (the cost of maintaining and divesting the asset) was estimated at 5.9% of the appraisal value; as of December 31, 2008 that average value was 6.5%, and as of January 1, 2008 it was 5.8%.

u)       Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are determined by dividing the net income attributable to the Bank shareholders in a period by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted earnings per share are determined in the same way as Basic Earnings, but the weighted average number of outstanding shares is adjusted to take into account the potential diluting effect of stock options, warrants, and convertible debt.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008 the Bank did not have instruments that generated diluting effects on shareholders’ equity.
 

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

v)         Temporary acquisition (assignment) of assets

Purchases (sales) of financial assets under non-optional resale (repurchase) agreements at a fixed price (“repos”) are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position financial assignments (receipts) based on the nature of the debtor (creditor) under “Deposits in the Central Bank of Chile,” “Deposits in financial institutions” or “Loans and accounts receivable from customers” (“Central Bank of Chile deposits,” “Deposits from financial institutions” or “Customer deposits”).

Differences between the purchase and sale prices are recorded as financial interest over the term of the contract.

w)       Assets under management and investment funds managed by the Bank

The assets managed by the different companies that are within the Bank’s perimeter of consolidation (Santander Asset Management S.A., Administradora General de Fondos and Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora), which are the property of third parties are not included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The relevant management fees are included in “Fee and commission income” in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

x)        Provision for mandatory dividends

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008 the Bank recorded a provision for mandatory dividends. This provision is made pursuant to Article 79 of the Corporations Act, which is in accordance with the Bank’s internal policy, pursuant to which at least 30% of net income for the period is distributed, except in the case of a contrary resolution adopted at the respective shareholders’ meeting by unanimous vote of the outstanding shares. This provision is recorded, as a deducting item, under the “Retained earnings – Provisions for mandatory dividends” line of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

y)        Personnel benefits

i.   Defined benefit plans:

The Bank records under the “Provisions” line in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (or in assets under “Other assets,” depending on the sign of the difference) the present value of its post-employment defined benefit obligations, net of the fair value of the “plan assets” and of the unrecorded accumulated net actuarial profits and/or losses, revealed in the valuation of these commitments which are deferred by virtue of the treatment of the so-called “fluctuation band,” and of the “Cost for past services”, the recognition of which is deferred in time as explained below.

“Plan assets” are deemed to be those with which the obligations will be settled and which meet the following requirements:

-
They are not the property of the consolidated entities, but that of legally separate third parties that are not related to the Bank.

-
They are available only to pay or fund post-employment benefits and cannot return to the consolidated entities except when the assets remaining in the plan are sufficient to fulfill all the obligations of the plan or the entity in relation to the benefits due current or past employees or to reimburse employee benefits previously paid by the Bank.

If the Bank can demand that the insurance companies pay a part or all of the disbursement required to settle a defined benefit obligation, it being practically certain that said insurer will reimburse any or all of the disbursements required to pay off that obligation, but the insurance policy does not fulfill the requirements to be a plan asset, the Bank records its right to reimbursement in assets of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position under “Other assets,” which is treated as a plan asset in all other respects.

These benefits plans, which are registered according to IAS 19 “Employee benefits”, are not significant for the financial statements.


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

Actuarial profits and losses are deemed to be those arising from the differences between previous actuarial assumptions and changes in actual fact, and changes in the actuarial assumptions used. For the plans, the Bank applies the “fluctuation band” criterion, whereby it records the amount determined by dividing by five the higher of the net value of the accumulated actuarial profits and/or losses not recorded at the beginning of each period and exceeding 10% of the current value of the obligations or 10% of the fair value of the assets at the beginning of the period in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

“Cost of past services” — which is originated by changes made to existing post-retirement benefits or the introduction of new benefits — is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income on a straight line basis over the period beginning on the date on which the new commitments arose to the date on which the employee has an irrevocable right to receive the new benefits.

Post-employment benefits are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income as follows:

-
The cost of services for the current period (understood as the increase in the current value of the obligations arising as a consequence of the services provided by the employees during the period) under the “Personnel expenses” item.

-
The interest expense (understood as the increase in current value of the obligations as a consequence of the passage of time which occurs during the period). When the obligations are shown in liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position net of the plan assets, the cost of the liabilities which are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income reflects exclusively the obligations recorded in liabilities.

-
The expected return on assets allocated to hedge the commitments and the profits and losses in their value, minus any cost arising from their management and the taxes to which they are subject.

-
Amortization of the actuarial profits and losses in the application of the “fluctuation band” treatment and in the unrecorded past cost of services. The actuarial gains and losses calculated using the corridor approach and the unrecognized past service cost, are registered under “Personnel salaries and expenses” in the consolidated statement of income.

ii.  Seniority compensation:

Seniority compensation for years of employment are recorded only when they actually occur or upon the availability of a formal and detailed plan in which the fundamental modifications to be made are identified, provided that such plan has already started to be implemented or its principal features have been publicly announced, or objective facts about its execution are known.

iii.  Share-based compensation:

The allocation of equity instruments to executives of the Bank and its Subsidiaries as a form of compensation for their services, when those instruments are provided at the end of a specific period of employment, is recorded as an expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income under the “Personnel expenses” item, as the relevant executives provide their services over the course of the period.

These benefits do not generate diluting effects, since they are based on shares of Banco Santander S.A. (the parent company of Banco Santander Chile, headquartered in Spain).

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

z)        Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

The Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity presents all the changes occurring in net equity, including those produced by changes in accounting criteria and the correction of errors. Accordingly, this statement provides a reconciliation of book value at the beginning and end of the period for all items in consolidated net equity, grouping the changes into the following items based on their nature:
 
 
i.
Adjustments for changes in accounting criteria and the correction of errors: includes the changes in consolidated net equity arising as a consequence of the retroactive restatement of the financial statement balances as a consequence of changes in the accounting criteria or in the correction of errors.

 
ii.
Revenues and expenses recorded in the period: reflects, in aggregate form, all the items recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income indicated above.

aa)      Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

This represents the income and expenses generated by the Bank as a result of its business activity in the period, separately disclosing the income and expenses recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the period and the other income and expenses recorded directly in consolidated equity.

Accordingly, this statement presents:

i.
Consolidated income for the period.
 
ii.
The net amount of the income and expenses temporarily recorded in consolidated equity under valuation adjustments.
 
iii.
The net amount of income and expenses permanently recorded in consolidated equity.
 
iv.
The income tax incurred from the items indicated in b) and c), above, except for valuation adjustments arising from investments in associated or multi-group companies accounted by using the equity method, which are presented net.
 
v.
Total consolidated income and expenses recorded, calculated as the sum of the above items, presenting separately the amount attributable to the Bank shareholders and the amounts relating to minority interests.
 

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

ab)      New accounting pronouncements

As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the following accounting pronouncements have been issued by the IASB, although their application is not mandatory.

Revision of IFRS 3, Business Combinations and Amendment to IAS 27, Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (obligatory for years beginning on or after July 1, 2009): introduce significant changes in several matters relating to accounting for business combinations. These changes include most notably the following: acquisition costs must be expensed, rather than recognized as an increase in the cost of the business combination; in step acquisitions the acquirer must remeasure at fair value the investment held prior to the date that control is obtained; and there is an option to measure at fair value the non-controlling interests of the acquire, as opposed to the single current treatment of measuring them as the proportionate share of the fair value of the net assets acquired. Since the standard will be applied prospectively, and is applicable from January 1, 2010, in general the directors do not expect it to have a significant effect on the business combinations performed.

Amendment to IAS 39, Eligible Hedged Items (obligatory for years beginning on or after July 1, 2009): this amendment establishes that inflation may only be designated as a hedged item if it is a contractually specified portion of the cash flows to be hedged. Only the intrinsic value and not the time value of a purchased option may be used as a hedging instrument.

Amendment to IAS 32, Classification of Rights Issues (obligatory for years beginning on or after February 1, 2010): this amendment relates to the classification of foreign currency denominated rights issues (rights, options or warrants). Pursuant to this amendment, when these rights are to acquire a fixed number of shares in exchange for a fixed amount, they are equity instruments, irrespective of the currency in which that fixed amount is denominated and provided that other requirements of the standard are fulfilled.

IFRIC 12, Service Concession Arrangements (obligatory following its adoption for years beginning on or after April 1, 2009): owing to the nature of this interpretation, its application does not affect the consolidated financial statements.

IFRIC 17, Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners (obligatory for years beginning on or after July 1, 2009): this interpretation addresses the accounting treatment of the distribution of non-cash assets to owners (dividends payable), although its scope does not include distributions of assets within a group or between entities under common control. The interpretation requires an entity to measure such liabilities at the fair value of the asset to be distributed and to recognize any difference between the carrying amount of the dividend payable and the carrying amount of the asset distributed in profit or loss.

IFRIC 18, Transfers of Assets from Customers (obligatory for years beginning on or after July 1, 2009): this interpretation clarifies the requirements for agreements in which an entity receives from customers items of property, plant or equipment (or cash to construct such items) that must be used to connect those customers to a network (e.g. electricity, gas or water supply).

At the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements, the following standards and interpretations had not yet been adopted by the European Union:

Revision of IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures: the revised IAS 24 addresses related party disclosures in financial statements. There are two new basic features. Firstly, it provides a partial exemption from certain disclosure requirements when the transactions are between State-controlled entities or government-related entities (or equivalent government institution) and, secondly, it simplifies the definition of a related party, clarifying its intended meaning and eliminating inconsistencies from the definition.

Amendments to IFRIC 14, Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement: these amendments remedy the fact that in some circumstances entities could not recognize certain voluntary prepayments as assets.


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:


IFRIC 19, Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments: this interpretation addresses the accounting by a debtor when all or part of a financial liability is extinguished through the issue of equity instruments to the creditor. The interpretation does not apply to transactions in situations where the counterparties in question are shareholders or related parties, acting in their capacity as such, or where extinguishing the financial liability by issuing equity instruments is in accordance with the original terms of the financial liability. In this case, the equity instruments issued are measured at fair value at the date the liability is extinguished and any difference between this value and the carrying amount of the liability is recognized in profit or loss.


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 2  FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS:

Prior to 2008, the Group issued its consolidated financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Chile (hereinafter “Chilean GAAP”). Beginning in 2009, the Group issues its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (hereinafter “IFRS”).

The figures included in these consolidated financial statements for the 2008 period have been reconciled in order to present them using the same principles and criteria applied in 2009.

As a result of the application of these new accounting regulations, the Bank adopted a plan for the transition to the IFRS that includes, among other things, an analysis of the differences in accounting criteria, the selection of the accounting criteria to be applied in the cases in which alternative treatments are permitted, and the evaluation of the changes of procedure and information systems.

Below is a detail and explanation of the principal impacts of the “First Time Adoption of IFRS” on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and the Consolidated Statement of Income.




 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

a)       Reconciliation of Equity under Chilean GAAP to Equity under IFRS

The principal adjustments in Equity arising from the application of the IFRS are:
         
Total Equity
 
         
As of January 1, 2008
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Explanation (*)
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Equity before changes in standards
          1,458,089       1,602,610  
                       
Adjustments:
                     
Perimeter of consolidation
   i       (1,689 )     1,664  
Associated entities
 
ii
      506       719  
Price-level restatement
 
iii
      -       (30,493 )
Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
 
iv
      (64,494 )     (58,613 )
Assets received in lieu of payment
   v       2,999       2,489  
Charge-offs of loans
 
vi
      (2,205 )     (4,235 )
Deferred taxes
 
vii
      10,751       14,884  
Other adjustments
 
viii
      (12,765 )     (11,376 )
Subtotals
            (66,897 )     (84,961 )
                         
Equity according to IFRS
            1,391,192       1,517,649  

(*) A detailed explanation of the nature of the principal adjustments is given in letter f).

b)       Reconciliation of Consolidated Income under Chilean GAAP to Consolidated Income under IFRS

The principal adjustments in Consolidated Income arising from the application of IFRS are the following:

         
Consolidated Income
 
   
Explanation
   
2008
 
      (*)    
MCh$
 
               
Income before changes in standards
            331,017  
                 
Adjustments:
               
Perimeter of consolidation
   i       3,353  
Associated entities
 
ii
      213  
Price-level restatement
 
iii
      78,027  
Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
 
iv
      5,881  
Assets given or awarded lieu of payment
   v       2,742  
Charge-offs of loans
 
vi
      (2,030 )
Deferred taxes
 
vii
      4,281  
Other adjustments
 
viii
      1,389  
Subtotals
            93,856  
                 
Income according to IFRS
            424,873  

(*) A detailed explanation of the nature of the principal adjustments is given in letter f).

As discussed above, these adjustments are generated by the adoption of IFRS; accordingly, they do not reflect recognition of errors in prior periods pursuant to IAS 8.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


 
NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

c)       Opening Consolidated Statements of Financial Position under IFRS

As discussed above, the IFRS were applied retroactively as of January 1, 2008, to prepare the corresponding opening balance sheet under these new accounting standards.

Below is a presentation of the reconciliation of balances for the Statement of Financial Position, for which the following definitions apply:

Closing balances:
These are the balances shown in the consolidated financial statements of the Bank and its Subsidiaries as of January 1, 2008, which were prepared in accordance with the previously applicable accounting criteria and principles.

Adjustments:
Changes arising mainly from the valuation criteria and accounting policies modified by the new set of standards. Changes in the perimeter of consolidation prescribed by the new Compendium of Accounting Standards are included in this item.

Opening Balances:
These are the balances reflecting the adjustments’ effect on the closing consolidated financial statements.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


 
NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

Reconciliation of Consolidated Statement of Financial Position under Chilean GAAP to Consolidated Statement of Financial Position under IFRS as of January 1, 2008:

 
 
As of January 1, 2008
 
   
Closing Balances under CHGAAP
   
Adjustments (*)
   
Opening Balances under IFRS
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
ASSETS
                 
Cash and deposits in banks
    1,108,444       193       1,108,637  
Unsettled transactions
    316,240       -       316,240  
Trading investments
    1,090,004       3,441       1,093,445  
Investments under resale agreements
    33,999       -       33,999  
Financial derivative contracts
    780,775       -       780,775  
Interbank loans
    45,961       -       45,961  
Loans and accounts receivable from customers
    12,028,053       (5,778 )     12,022,275  
Available for sale investments
    779,635       -       779,635  
Investments in other companies
    6,795       506       7,301  
Intangible assets
    56,187       37       56,224  
Property, plant and equipment
    245,619       (43,130 )     202,489  
Current taxes
    1,933       566       2,499  
Deferred taxes
    61,260       19,061       80,321  
Other assets
    474,091       (9,881 )     464,210  
TOTAL ASSETS
    17,028,996       (34,985 )     16,994,011  
                         
LIABILITIES
                       
Demand deposits and other demand liabilities
    2,868,769       (835 )     2,867,934  
Unsettled transactions
    135,219       -       135,219  
Investments under repurchase agreements
    308,651       (1,021 )     307,630  
Deposits and other time deposits
    7,887,897       -       7,887,897  
Financial derivative contracts
    778,217       -       778,217  
Interbank borrowings
    1,099,443       14       1,099,457  
Issued debt instruments
    2,154,996       -       2,154,996  
Other financial liabilities
    147,868       27,799       175,667  
Current taxes
    15,897       170       16,067  
Deferred taxes
    10,877       207       11,084  
Provisions
    46,376       3,726       50,102  
Other liabilities
    116,697       1,852       118,549  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    15,570,907       31,912       15,602,819  
                         
EQUITY
                       
Attributable to Bank shareholders:
    1,438,042       (64,984 )     1,373,058  
Capital
    818,535       -       818,535  
Reserves
    47,330       -       47,330  
Valuation accounts
    (9,475 )     -       (9,475 )
Retained earnings
    581,652       (64,984 )     516,668  
Retained earnings from prior periods
    581,652       (64,984 )     516,668  
Income for the period
    -       -       -  
Minus: Provision for minimum dividends
    -       -       -  
Non controlling interest
    20,047       (1,913 )     18,134  
                         
TOTAL EQUITY
    1,458,089       (66,897 )     1,391,192  
                         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
    17,028,996       (34,985 )     16,994,011  
 
(*) A detailed explanation of the nature of the principal adjustments is given in letter f).
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


 
NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

d)       Reconciliation of Consolidated Statement of Financial Position under Chilean GAAP to Consolidated Statement of Financial Position under IFRS as of December 31, 2008:

   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Chilean GAAP
   
Adjustment (*)
   
IFRS
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
ASSETS
                 
Cash and deposits in banks
    854,838       573       855,411  
Unsettled transactions
    335,405       -       335,405  
Trading investments
    1,161,631       4,795       1,166,426  
Investments under resale agreements
    -       -       -  
Financial derivative contracts
    1,846,509       -       1,846,509  
Interbank loans
    95,499       -       95,499  
Loans and accounts receivable from customers
    14,319,370       (8,021 )     14,311,349  
Available for sale investments
    1,580,240       -       1,580,240  
Investments in other companies
    6,990       287       7,277  
Intangible assets
    73,089       (4,857 )     68,232  
Property, plant and equipment
    260,105       (59,716 )     200,389  
Current taxes
    18,289       426       18,715  
Deferred taxes
    64,821       23,681       88,502  
Other assets
    520,348       (9,795 )     510,553  
TOTAL ASSETS
    21,137,134       (52,627 )     21,084,507  
                         
 LIABILITIES
                       
Deposits and other demand liabilities
    2,949,757       (1,595 )     2,948,162  
Unsettled transactions
    142,552       -       142,552  
Investments under repurchase agreements
    563,234       (1,011 )     562,223  
Deposits and other time deposits
    9,756,266       -       9,756,266  
Financial derivatives contracts
    1,469,724       -       1,469,724  
Interbank borrowings
    1,425,065       2       1,425,067  
Issued debt instruments
    2,651,372       -       2,651,372  
Other financial obligations
    103,278       28,040       131,318  
Current taxes
    163       628       791  
Deferred taxes
    18,766       671       19,437  
Provisions
    162,165       4,048       166,213  
Other liabilities
    292,182       1,551       293,733  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    19,534,524       32,334       19,566,858  
                         
EQUITY
                       
Attributable to Bank shareholders:
    1,578,045       (86,275 )     1,491,770  
Capital
    891,303       -       891,303  
Reserves
    51,539       -       51,539  
Valuation accounts
    (7,552 )     -       (7,552 )
Retained earnings
    642,755       (86,275 )     556,480  
Retained earnings from prior periods
    413,053       (172,005 )     241,048  
Income for the period
    328,146       85,224       413,370  
Minus: Provision for minimum dividends
    (98,444 )     506       (97,938 )
 Non controlling interest
    24,565       1,314       25,879  
                         
 TOTAL EQUITY
    1,602,610       (84,961 )     1,517,649  
                         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
    21,137,134       (52,627 )     21,084,507  
 
(*) A detailed explanation of the nature of the principal adjustments is given in letter f).
 

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008



NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

d)
Reconciliation of Consolidated Statement of Income and Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income under Chilean GAAP to Consolidated Statement of Income and Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income under IFRS as of December 31, 2008:

   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Chilean GAAP
   
Adjustment (*)
   
IFRS
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
OPERATING INCOME
                 
                   
Interest income
    2,061,112       234       2,061,346  
Interest expense
    (1,164,071 )     (5,209 )     (1,169,280 )
Net interest income
    897,041       (4,975 )     892,066  
                         
Fee and commission income
    276,433       19,536       295,969  
Fee and commission expense
    (52,840 )     -       (52,840 )
Net fee and commission income
    223,593       19,536       243,129  
                         
Net income from financial operations
    273,084       393       273,477  
Currency exchange profit (loss), net
    (187,042 )     -       (187,042 )
Other operating revenue
    16,512       (5,616 )     10,896  
Total operating income
    1,223,188       9,338       1,232,526  
                         
Provision for loan losses
    (285,953 )     (2,030 )     (287,983 )
                         
NET OPERATING PROFIT
    937,235       7,308       944,543  
                         
Personnel salaries and expenses
    (209,134 )     (37,641 )     (246,775 )
Administrative expenses
    (161,977 )     28,295       (133,682 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (51,944 )     4,317       (47,627 )
Impairment
    -       (84 )     (84 )
Other operating expenses
    (42,259 )     5,961       (36,298 )
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
    (465,314 )     848       (464,466 )
                         
OPERATING INCOME
    471,921       8,156       480,077  
                         
Income from investments in other companies
    851       (219 )     632  
Price-level restatement
    (78,027 )     78,027       -  
                         
Income before tax
    394,745       85,964       480,709  
                         
Income tax expense
    (63,728 )     3,986       (59,742 )
                         
CONSOLIDATED INCOME
FOR THE PERIOD
    331,017       89,950       420,967  
                         
Attributable to:
                       
Bank shareholders
    328,146       85,224       413,370  
Non controlling interest
    2,871       4,726       7,597  
                         
(expressed in pesos)
                       
Basic earnings
    1.741       0.453       2.194  
Diluted earnings
    1.741       0.453       2.194  
 
(*) A detailed explanation of the nature of the principal adjustments is given in letter f).
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


 
NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:
 
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Chilean GAAP
   
Adjustment (*)
   
IFRS
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
CONSOLIDATED INCOME FOR THE PERIOD
    331,017       89,950       420,967  
                         
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                       
                         
Available for sale investments
    (14,471 )     -       (14,471 )
Cash flow hedge
    16,740       -       16,740  
                         
Other comprehensive income before income tax
    2,269       -       2,269  
                         
Income tax related to other comprehensive income
    (385 )     -       (385 )
                         
Total other comprehensive income
    1,884       -       1,884  
                         
                         
CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR
    332,901       89,950       422,851  
                         
Attributable to:
                       
Bank shareholders
    330,069       85,224       415,293  
Non controlling interest
    2,832       4,726       7,558  

 
(*) A detailed explanation of the nature of the principal adjustments is given in letter f).
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


 
NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

e)
Reconciliation of Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow under Chilean GAAP to Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow under IFRS as of December 31, 2008:

   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Chilean GAAP
   
Adjustment (*)
   
IFRS
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
A - CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
CONSOLIDATED INCOME BEFORE TAX
    394,745       85,964       480,709  
Debits (credits) to income that do not represent cash flows
    (831,975 )     61,817       (770,158 )
Depreciation and amortization
    51,944       (4,317 )     47,627  
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
    84       -       84  
Provision for loan losses
    323,848       2,029       325,877  
Mark to market of trading investments
    (1,121 )     -       (1,121 )
Net Gain on investments in other companies
    (851 )     219       (632 )
Net Gain on sale of assets received in lieu of payment
    (8,481 )     6,963       (1,518 )
Net Gain on sale of investments in other companies
    (4,348 )     -       (4,348 )
Net Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
    139       (858 )     (719 )
Write-off of assets received in lieu of payment
    5,410       (5,410 )     -  
Net interest income
    (897,041 )     4,975       (892,066 )
Net fee and commission income
    (223,593 )     (19,536 )     (243,129 )
Price-level restatement
    (78,097 )     78,097       -  
Changes in assets and liabilities due to deferred taxes
    132       (345 )     (213 )
Increase/decrease in operating assets and liabilities
    411,501       (132,376 )     279,125  
Decrease (increase) of loans and accounts receivable from customers
    (1,949,477 )     2,243       (1,947,234 )
Decrease (increase) of financial investments
    (907,888 )     (1,354 )     (909,242 )
Decrease (increase) due to resale agreements
    39,512       -       39,512  
Decrease (increase) of interbank loans
    (49,561 )     -       (49,561 )
Decrease of assets received in lieu of payment
    (10,195 )     2,030       (8,165 )
Increase of debits in checking accounts
    109,230       (760 )     108,470  
Increase (decrease) of time deposits and other time liabilities
    1,547,972       -       1,547,972  
Increase of obligations with domestic banks
    1,786       -       1,786  
Increase (decrease) of other demand liabilities or time obligations
    (57,518 )     240       (57,278 )
Increase of obligations with foreign banks
    321,580       -       321,580  
Decrease of obligations with the Central Bank of Chile
    (959 )     -       (959 )
Increase of repurchase agreements
    280,402       10       280,412  
Decrease of other short-term liabilities
    (58,173 )     -       (58,173 )
Net increase of other assets and liabilities
    (46,707 )     (153,332 )     (200,039 )
Redemption of letters of credit
    (161,664 )     -       (161,664 )
Senior bond issuances
    303,722       -       303,722  
Redemption of senior bonds and interest payments
    (24,771 )     -       (24,771 )
Subordinated bond issuances
    145,421       -       145,421  
Redemption of subordinated bonds and interest payment
    (12,728 )     -       (12,728 )
Interest received
    1,604,053       234       1,604,287  
Interest paid
    (823,039 )     (5,209 )     (828,248 )
Dividends received from investments in other companies
    638       -       638  
Fees and commissions received
    276,433       19,536       295,969  
Fees and commissions paid
    (52,840 )     -       (52,840 )
Income tax period
    (63,728 )     3,986       (59,742 )
Net cash used in operating activities
    (25,729 )     15,405       (10,324 )
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Chilean GAAP
   
Adjustment (*)
   
IFRS
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
B - CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:
                 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (18,672 )     (890 )     (19,562 )
Sales of property, plant and equipment
    10,866       1,148       12,014  
Sales of investments in other companies
    386       -       386  
Purchases of intangible assets
    (38,177 )     -       (38,177 )
Net cash used in investment activities
    (45,597 )     258       (45,339 )
                         
C - CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
From shareholders’ financing activities
    (173,575 )     -       (173,575 )
Increase in other obligations
    27,044       -       27,044  
Dividends paid
    (200,619 )     -       (200,619 )
From minority shareholder financing activities
    -       (33 )     (33 )
Dividends and/or withdrawals paid
    -       (33 )     (33 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (173,575 )     (33 )     (176,608 )
                         
D – NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS DURING THE PERIOD
    (244,901 )     15,630       (229,271 )
EFFECT OF INFLATION ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    3,126       (3,126 )     -  
E – EFFECTS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE VARIATIONS ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    -       (12,123 )     (12,123 )
                         
F - INITIAL BALANCE OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    1,289,466       192       1,289,658  
                         
FINAL BALANCE OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    1,047,691       573       1,048,264  

In the Reconciliation of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow under Chilean GAAP to Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow under IFRS as of December 31, 2008, changes arises from adjustments to other financial statements and the incorporation of companies as indicated below in letter f), “Perimeter of consolidation”. There is no change in the “Cash and cash equivalents” definition.

f)      Description of principal adjustments

i.      Perimeter of consolidation

Pursuant to the standards in force until December 31, 2007, Chapter 11-6 “Equity in Domestic Companies” of the Updated Compilation of Standards (Chilean GAAP), the Bank included its subsidiaries and affiliates entities within its perimeter of consolidation.

The companies belonging to the first category were consolidated through global consolidation (line to line), as follows:

 
Company
 
% of Equity Held
 
   
Direct
   
Indirect
   
Total
 
                   
Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada
    99.75       0.01       99.76  
Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa
    50.59       0.41       51.00  
Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos
    99.96       0.02       99.98  
Santander S.A. Agente de Valores
    99.03       -       99.03  
Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora
    99.64       -       99.64  
Santander Servicios de Recaudación y Pagos Limitada
    99.90       0.10       100.00  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008



NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

The affiliates entities accounted for in accordance with the equity method of accounting (VPP or VP, abbreviations in Spanish) are as follows:
 
 
Company
 
% Holding
 
       
       
Redbanc S.A.
    33.42  
Transbank S.A.
    32.71  
Automated Clearing House
    33.33  
Sociedad Interbancaria de Depósito de Valores S.A.
    29.29  
Cámara Compensación de Alto Valor S.A.
    11.52  
Administrador Financiero del Transantiago S.A.
    20.00  
Sociedad Nexus S.A.
    12.90  

With the application of IFRS, the Bank analyzed and redefined its perimeter of consolidation, since the fundamental criteria to be applied now is the Bank’s degree of control over a given entity, not the percentage of equity that the Bank holds.

As a result of this analysis, the following was determined:

 
1.
The method of consolidation used until December 31, 2008 will continue to be used for the subsidiaries and affiliates entities. This is because it was concluded that the Bank controls the first category of companies and exercises significant influence on the second.
 
2.
Pursuant to the provisions of IAS 27 “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements” and SIC 12 “Consolidation — Special Purpose Entities”, the Bank has evaluated the existence of Special Purpose Entities (SPE), which must be included within the perimeter of consolidation, with the following principal characteristics:

 
-
The SPE’s activities have essentially been conducted on behalf of the company that presents the consolidated financial statements, and in response to its specific business needs.
 
-
The necessary decision making authority is held to obtain most of the benefits or other advantages from these entities.
 
-
The entity essentially retains most of the risks inherent to the ownership or residuals of the SPE, or its assets, for the purpose of obtaining the benefits from its activities.

As a result of this evaluation, it was concluded that the Bank exercised control over a certain number of entities, which were incorporated into its perimeter of consolidation. These entities are:

- Santander Gestión de Recaudación y Cobranza Limitada.
- Multinegocios S.A.
- Servicios Administrativos y Financieros Limitada.
- Servicios de Cobranzas Fiscalex Limitada.
- Multiservicios de Negocios Limitada.
- Bansa Santander S.A.
- Santander Multimedios S.A.

In early 2009, Santander Multimedios S.A. changed its line of business, and as a result its income no longer depended mainly on transactions with the Bank. Consequently, it was determined that the Bank no longer exercised control over it, and it should be excluded from the perimeter of consolidation beginning in March 2009.

ii.     Affiliates Entities

The particular effects generated by the adoption of the IFRS on each of the different Associated entities are reflected in this item, in each case considering the proportional effect generated by these effects/adjustments on the Bank’s equity, based on the percentage of these companies’ equity that is held by the Bank.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008



NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

iii.   Price-level restatement

Pursuant to previous accounting standards, the consolidated financial statements had been prepared applying price-level restatement in order to reflect the effects of the changes in the Chilean peso’s purchasing power during each period.

Pursuant to the International Financial Reporting Standards, mainly IAS 29 “Financial Information in Hyperinflationary Economies,” price-level restatement will only be applied when an entity’s functional currency corresponds to a hyperinflationary economy (defined as an economy experiencing 100 percentage points of inflation in a 3 year period). The Bank’s functional currency is the Chilean peso.

Since the Chilean economy does not meet the aforementioned requirements, the Bank was required to eliminate the price-level restatement as of January 1, 2008. Pursuant to the provisions of exemption paragraph 22 IFRS 1, the price-level restatement applied until December 31, 2007 was not reversed. The price-level restatement for the paid-in capital and reserves as of December 31, 2008, was not reversed.

iv.    Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

The main effects of the recalculation of depreciations and amortizations of intangible assets (software and information technology developments) and property, plant and equipment as a result of the elimination of the price-level restatement (as described in point iii) and the determination of the cost of property, plant and equipment on January 01, 2008 are included.

In accordance with IFRS 1 a first-time adopter may elect to use a previous GAAP revaluation of an item of property, plant and equipment at, or before, the date of transition to IFRSs as deemed cost at the date of the revaluation, if the revaluation was, at the date of the revaluation, broadly comparable to: (i) fair value; or (ii) cost or depreciated cost in accordance with IFRSs. The Bank has elected to revalued certain items of property, plant and equipment at its fair value and used that fair value as its deemed cost, for the remaining items of property, plant and equipment it has used the depreciated cost under previous GAAP as its deemed cost.

v.      Assets received in lieu of payment

Previously, assets received in payment (ARP) were valued at cost (the price agreed upon with the debtor for the transfer in payment or the value determined at a judicial auction, as the case may be, after price-level restatement), minus a provision for individual valuation based on an independent appraisal.

The most important change in the valuation of ARP in the IFRS (in addition to the elimination of the price-level restatement as described in item iii) is that, when making the provision for initial valuation, it is necessary to take into account its net realizable value, i.e., its fair value (independent appraisal), minus the necessary costs of maintaining and divesting it.

According to studies performed by the Bank, an average cost of sale (the cost of maintaining and divesting the good) estimated at 5.8% of the appraised value was determined as of January 1, 2008; such cost rose to 6.5% as of December 31, 2008.

The effects generated by the application of the cost of sale described above are presented in this item.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


 
NOTE 2 – FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS. continued:

vi.     Charge-off of loans

Under previous GAAP the term for charging off (impairment loss of loans) past-due and late installments on credits and accounts receivable was calculated from the time of their classification in the past-due portfolio, which represented transactions in arrears for payment of principal and interest by ninety days or more. This method was realized previously quota by quota.

Under IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” an impairment loss of financial asset or group of financial assets is recognized if, and only if , objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after initial recognition of the asset (a loss event), and that loss (or events) has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of a financial asset or group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated. It may not be possible to identify a single event that caused the impairment. According to this definition the impairment is determined for each loan considering its total amount and no longer quota by quota as under previous GAAP.

An Impairment relating to loan recorded at amortized cost is calculated as the difference between the recorded asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the effective interest rate.
 
Individually significant financial assets are individually tested to determine their impairment. All impairments are recorded in the Consolidated Statement Income.

The Bank has classified the effects arising from the application of IFRS for charge-offs of loans and accounts receivable, as well as the associated effect caused in the allowances established for each transaction (when 100% of the transaction was charged-off, the related allowances were released).

vii.   Deferred taxes

This item includes the tax effects (deferred taxes) generated by temporary differences resulting from the adjustments previously described, whether they apply directly to equity or to the income.

viii.  Other adjustments

This item refers to the collateral effect generated by the incorporation of new entities into the perimeter of consolidation, such as the increases in expenditure previously accrued and recognized in the financial statements.

g)        First-time Application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Transition of the consolidated financial statements of the Bank to IFRS has been carried out through the application of IFRS 1: First-time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, applying the exemption provided by this standard.
 
The Bank has applied the following exemptions as permitted by IFRS 1:

 
i.
Business Combinations

The Bank has applied the exemption provided under IFRS 1 for business combinations, and, therefore, did not apply IFRS 3, Business Combinations retrospectively to those business combinations that occurred prior to the transition date of January 1, 2008.

 
ii.
Value or revaluations as deemed cost

The Bank elected to measure certain items of property, plant and equipment at the date of transition at their fair value and use that fair value as their deemed cost at that date. Likewise, they decided to measure the other items of property, plant and equipment at their price-level restated cost as of January 1, 2008.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


 
NOTE 3 - SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:

As of December 31, 2009, the following significant events have occurred and had an impact on the Bank’s operations or the financial statements:

a)         The Board

A Shareholders’ Meeting of Banco Santander Chile was held on April 28, 2009, chaired by Mr. Mauricio Larraín Garcés (Chairman), and attended by Jesús María Zabalza Lotina (First Vice President), Carlos Olivos Marchant (Second Vice President), Víctor Arbulú Crousillat, Claudia Bobadilla Ferrer, Marco Colodro Hadjes, Juan Manuel Hoyos Martínez de Irujo, Roberto Méndez Torres, Vittorio Corbo Lioi, Lucía Santa Cruz Sutil, Roberto Zahler Mayanz (Directors), Raimundo Monge Zegers (Alternate Director), and Jesús María Zabalza Lotina (Alternate Director).

The Chairman, Mr. Mauricio Larraín Garcés, informed the Board that Mr. Gonzalo Romero Astaburuaga had submitted his irrevocable resignation from the positions of general counsel and Secretary of the Board on June 30, 2009. The Chairman proposed the appointment of Mr. Juan Pedro Santa María Pérez as general counsel; he is a distinguished attorney and General Counsel of Grupo Santander, having acted as its general counsel since July 1, 2009.

At a Special Board Meeting held on December 22, 2009 in response to the resignation as principal Director Juan Manuel Hoyos Martínez de Irujo, the Board appointed Mr. Oscar von Chrismar Carvajal to replace him as principal Director; he will temporarily continue serving as the Bank’s General Manager until December 31, 2009. Commencing on January 1, 2010, Mr. Oscar von Chrismar Carvajal will be Second Vice President of the Board, and Mr. Carlos Olivos Marchant will resign as Second Vice President but will continue acting as a Director.

In addition, Claudio Melandri Hinojosa was appointed as the Bank’s General Manager beginning on January 1, 2010. Furthermore, Mr. Juan Manuel Hoyos Martínez was appointed as Alternate Director of the Bank, filling a vacant position.

b)         Issuance of bonds

In 2009, the Bank placed senior bonds in the amount of UF 18,000,000 and USD 800,000,000, in addition to |subordinated bonds totaling UF 300,000, as set forth:

Current bonds:

Series
Amount
Term
Issue Rate
Date of
Issue
Maturity Date
F1
UF 3,000,000
8 years
3.50% per annum simple
5/2/2008
5/2/2016
F2
UF 3,000,000
9 years
4.20% per annum simple
9/1/2008
9/1/2017
F3
UF 3,000,000
5 years
4.50% per annum simple
2/1/2009
2/1/2014
F4
UF 3,000,000
4 years
4.50% per annum simple
2/1/2009
2/1/2013
F5
UF 3,000,000
4.5 years
2.50% per annum simple
5/1/2009
11/1/2013
F6
UF 3,000,000 (1)
5 years
3.50% per annum simple
9/1/2009
9/1/2014
F7
UF 3,000,000 (2)
4.5 years
3.30% per annum simple
11/1/2009
5/1/2014
Total
UF 18,000,000
       

144 A
USD 500,000,000
3 years
2.875% per annum simple
11/13/2009
11/13/2012
144 A
USD 300,000,000
3 years
2.875% per annum simple
11/13/2009
11/13/2012
Total
USD 800,000,000
       


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 3 - SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, continued:

Subordinated bonds
 
Series
Amount
Term
Issue Rate
Date of
Issue
Maturity Date
G2
UF 300,000 (1)
30 years
4.80% per annum simple
9/1/2008
3/1/2038
 
 
(1)
On September 1, 2008 and September 1, 2009 a series of subordinated bonds and a series of senior bonds amounting to UF 3,000,000 each, Series G2 and F6, with terms of 30 and 5 years, respectively, were recorded in the Securities Registry of the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions. These bonds have not been fully placed; the Series G2 bond has a face value of UF 1,950,000 pending placement, and the Series F6 bond has a face value of UF 1,090,000 pending placement as of December 31, 2009.

 
(2)
On November 1, 2009 a series of senior bonds amounting to UF 3,000,000, Series F7, with a 4.5 year term, was recorded in the Securities Registry of the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions. No placements of this bond have been made in the current period.

c)         Building sale

On December 30, 2009, Banco Santander Chile sold the building located at calle Bandera No.201 to IM Trust Administradora General de Fondos which bought it on behalf of Fondo de Inversión Privado Inmobiliario Bandera a private real estate investment fund. The total payment for this transaction amounted to Ch$11,102 million. The building’s book value at the time of the sale was Ch$4,030 million, generating an income of Ch$7,072 million from the sale, included in “Other operating income” in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

d)         Stock purchases

On March 9, 2009, Banco Santander Chile purchased 54 shares of Sociedad Operadora de la Cámara de Compensación de Pagos Alto Valor S.A., from Banco Ripley S.A. The sales price was Ch$295,208.49 per share, resulting in a total purchase price of Ch$16 million, included in the “Investments in other companies” item of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

On April 21, 2009, Banco Santander Chile purchased 55 shares of Sociedad Operadora de la Cámara de Compensación de Pagos Alto Valor S.A., from Banco Penta S.A. The sales price was Ch$295,208.49 per share, resulting a total purchase price of Ch$16 million, included in the “Investments in other companies” item of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

e)         Stock sales

On March 10, 2009, Visa Inc. granted a total of 34,093 LAC Class shares to Banco Santander Chile. On March 20, 2009, the Bank sold 51% of these shares, corresponding to 17,387 shares, at a price of Ch$27,442 per share, generating an income of Ch$477 million, which is included in “Other operating income” in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

On June 26, 2009, the Bank sold 16,049 Mastercard shares. On the date of the sale, their book value was Ch$83 million and their selling price was Ch$1,453 million, generating an income of Ch$1,370 million, which is included in “Other operating income” in the Consolidated Statement of Income.


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 3 - SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, continued:

f)          Stock purchases between related companies

On July 31, 2009, Santander Chile Holding S.A. purchased 99.96% and 99.99% of the shares of Multinegocios S.A. and Servicios de Cobranzas Fiscalex Limitada, respectively. The total purchase price was Ch$52 million and Ch$7 million, respectively.

On July 31, 2009, Santander Inversiones Limitada purchased 2 shares, equivalent to 0.04% of Multinegocios S.A. shares and 0.01% of the Servicios de Cobranzas Fiscalex Limitada equity. The total purchase price was Ch$20,959 and Ch$699, respectively.

On July 31, 2009, Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Limitada purchased 90% of the equity of the Multiservicios de Negocios Limitada. The total purchase price was Ch$14 million. It also purchased 90% of the equity of the company Servicios Administrativos y Financieros Limitada. The total purchase price was Ch$14 million.

On July 31, 2009, Aurum S.A. purchased 10% of the equity of the Multiservicios de Negocios Limitada. The total purchase price was Ch$2 million. It also purchased 10% of the equity of Servicios Administrativos y Financieros Limitada. The total purchase price was Ch$2 million.

g)         Sale of assets received in lieu of payment

On December 30, 2009, Banco Santander Chile sold 201 real estate properties received in lieu of payment to IM Trust Administradora General de Fondos on behalf of Fondo de Inversión Privado Inmobiliario Bandera a private real estate investment fund, for Ch$5,852 million, whose book value at the time of the transaction amounted to Ch$5,723 million, generating an income of Ch$130 million, included in the “Other operating income” item of the Consolidated Statement of Income.

h)         Loans sold

In 2009, the Bank sold part of its charged-off loan portfolio. The transfer of rights was made in November 2009, for a total of Ch$8,689 million, which was recorded entirely as gain from sale of charged-off portfolio. This gain is included in the “Net income from financial operations” item of the Consolidated Statement of Income.

In addition, in 2009, it sold Ch$15,389 million of current loans, which generated a gain from sale of portfolio of approximately Ch$542 million. This gain is included in the “Net income from financial operations” item of the Consolidated Statement of Income.


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 4 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS:

The Bank manages and measures the performance of its operations by business segment. The information included in this note is not necessarily comparable to that of other financial institutions, since it is based on the internal information system for management by segment which has been adopted by the Bank. However, the valuation and classification of each segment’s assets, liabilities, and income is consistent with the accounting criteria indicated in Note 1 d) of the consolidated financial statements.

Inter-segment transactions are conducted under normal arm’s length commercial terms and conditions. Each segment’s assets, liabilities, and income include items directly attributable to the segment to which they can be allocated on a reasonable basis.

The Bank is comprised of the following business segments:

Individuals

a.
Santander Banefe
Serves individuals with monthly incomes of Ch$150,000 to Ch$400,000 pesos, who receive services through Santander Banefe. This segment gives customers a variety of services, including consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans, mortgage loans, debit cards, savings products, mutual funds, and insurance.

b.
Commercial banking
Serves individuals with monthly incomes exceeding Ch$400,000 pesos. This segment gives customers a variety of services, including consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans, commercial loans, foreign trade, mortgage loans, debit cards, checking accounts, savings products, mutual funds, stock brokerage, and insurance.

Small and mid-sized companies (PYMEs)

Serves small companies with annual sales of less than Ch$1,200 million. This segment gives customers a variety of products, including commercial loans, government-guaranteed loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, credit cards, mortgage loans, checking accounts, savings products, mutual funds, and insurance.

Institutional

Serves institutions such as universities, government agencies, and municipal and regional governments. This segment provides a variety of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, credit cards, mortgage loans, checking accounts, transactional services, treasury services, savings products, mutual funds, and insurance.

Companies

The Companies segment is composed of Commercial Banking and Company Banking, where sub-segments of medium-sized companies (Companies), real estate companies (Real Estate) and large corporations are found:

a.
Companies
Serves companies with annual sales exceeding Ch$1,200 million and up to Ch$10,000 million. This segment provides a wide variety of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, credit cards, mortgage loans, checking accounts, transactional services, treasury services, financial consulting, savings products, mutual funds, and insurance.
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 4 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS, continued:

b.
Real estate
This segment also includes all the companies engaged in the real estate industry. These clients are offered not only the traditional banking services but also specialized services to finance projects, chiefly residential, with the aim of expanding sales of mortgage loans.

It brings together all the real estate companies that carry out projects to sell properties to third parties and all the builders with annual sales exceeding Ch$800 million, with no ceiling.

c.
Large corporations
The sub-segment of companies whose annual sales exceed Ch$10,000 million. This segment provides a wide variety of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, credit cards, mortgage loans, checking accounts, transactional services, treasury services, financial consulting, investment banking, saving products, mutual funds, and insurance.
 
Global Banking and Markets
 
The Global Banking and Markets segment is comprised of:
 
a.
Corporate
Foreign multinational corporations or Chilean corporations whose sales exceed Ch$10,000 million. This segment provides a wide variety of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, credit cards, mortgage loans, checking accounts, transactional services, treasury services, financial consulting, investment banking, savings products, mutual funds, and insurance.

 
b.
Treasury
The Treasury Division provides sophisticated financial products, mainly to companies in the Wholesale Banking area and the Companies segment. These include products such as short-term financing and fund raising, brokerage services, derivatives, securitization, and other tailor-made products. The Treasury area also handles intermediation of positions and manages the owned investment portfolio.
 
 
Corporate Activities (“Other”)
 
This segment includes Financial Management, which performs global foreign exchange structural position management functions, those involving the parent company’s structural interest risk, and those having to do with liquidity risk. The latter, through issuances and utilizations. Also managed are the Bank’s own funds, the provision of capital allocated to each unit, and the financing cost of the investments that are made. The foregoing usually results in a negative contribution to income.

In addition, this segment encompasses all the intra-segment income and all the activities not assigned to a given segment or product with customers.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 4 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS, continued:

 
The segments’ accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of accounting policies, and are customized to meet the needs of the Bank’s management. The Bank earns most of its income in the form of interest income, fee and commission income and income from financial operations. The highest decision making authority in each segment is based only on interest income, fee and commission income and provision for expenses to assess the segments’ performance and thereby be able to make decisions regarding the resources to be allocated to each one.

To achieve the strategic objectives adopted by the top management and adapt to changing market conditions, the Bank makes changes in its organization from time to time, which in turn have a greater or lesser impact on how it is managed or administered.

Hence, this disclosure furnishes information on how the Bank is managed as of December 31, 2009. The information for the previous year (2008) has been prepared on the basis of the criteria in force at the closing date for these financial statements, to achieve a proper comparability of figures.

The following tables show the Bank’s income by business segment for the years ending December 31, 2008 and 2009, as well as the balances for loans and accounts receivable from customers as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and as of January 1, 2008:
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 4 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS, continued:

As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Loans and accounts receivable from customers (1)
   
Net interest income
   
Net fee and commission income
   
ROF (2)
   
Provision for loan losses
   
Support expenses (3)
   
Segment’s net contribution
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
Segments
                                         
Individuals
    7,287,925       532,060       171,433       19,027       (230,503 )     (268,934 )     223,083  
Santander Banefe
    609,808       115,840       29,452       5,078       (82,588 )     (54,913 )     12,869  
Commercial Banking
    6,678,117       416,220       141,981       13,949       (147,915 )     (214,021 )     210,214  
Small and mid-sized companies (PYMEs)
    2,485,505       228,928       41,917       11,037       (76,075 )     (58,741 )     147,066  
Institutional
    282,933       18,789       1,962       664       (327 )     (6,799 )     14,289  
Total Retail
    10,056,363       779,777       215,312       30,728       (306,905 )     (334,474 )     384,438  
                                                         
Companies
    2,471,162       114,432       20,567       16,181       (24,333 )     (30,628 )     96,219  
Companies
    1,051,875       53,407       9,813       7,248       (8,618 )     (15,989 )     45,861  
Real estate
    982,938       17,792       2,338       148       2,041       (4,280 )     18,039  
Large Corporations
    436,349       43,233       8,416       8,785       (17,756 )     (10,359 )     32,319  
Global Banking and Markets
    1,194,706       33,738       18,747       64,557       (2,511 )     (29,485 )     85,046  
Corporate
    1,194,706       54,728       19,387       5       (2,511 )     (14,803 )     56,806  
Treasury
    -       (20,990 )     (640 )     64,552       -       (14,682 )     28,240  
Other
    29,045       (71,431 )     (496 )     55,662       (98 )     (13,307 )     (29,670 )
                                                         
Totals
    13,751,276       856,516       254,130       167,128       (333,847 )     (407,894 )     536,033  
Other operating income
    25,866  
Other operating expenses
    (36,662 )
Income from investments in other companies
    297  
Income tax expense
    (88,924 )
Consolidated income for the period
    436,610  
 
(1) Corresponds to Loans and accounts receivable from customers, net (Ch$ 13,378,379 million) plus interbank loans, net (Ch$23,370 million), before deduction of their allowances for loan losses (Ch$ 349,485 million and Ch$ 42 million, respectively), which were restituted for presentation purposes in this table.
(2) Results from financial operations. Corresponds to the sum of Net income from financial operations (Ch$ 3,887 million) and foreign exchange profit (loss), net (Ch$ 163,241 million).
(3) Corresponds to the sum of Personnel salaries and expenses (Ch$ 224,484 million), administrative expenses (Ch$ 136,712 million),,depreciation and amortization (Ch$ 46,623 million) and impairment (Ch$ 75 million).
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 4 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS, continued:

As of December 31, 2008
   
As of January 1, 2008
 
   
Loans and accounts receivable from customers (1)
   
Net interest income
   
Net fee and commission income
   
ROF (2)
   
Provision for loan losses
   
Support expenses (3)
   
Segment’s net contribution
   
Loans and accounts receivable from customers (4)
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
Segments
                                               
Individuals
    6,859,547       520,332       160,286       19,460       (221,715 )     (281,532 )     196,831       5,870,141  
Santander Banefe
    698,268       137,299       28,292       6,208       (84,295 )     (58,842 )     28,662       663,721  
Commercial Banking
    6,161,279       383,033       131,994       13,252       (137,420 )     (222,690 )     168,169       5,206,420  
Small and mid-sized companies (PYMEs)
    2,468,820       220,058       39,931       9,452       (53,669 )     (61,663 )     154,109       2,128,785  
Institutional
    224,776       17,591       1,789       765       (290 )     (7,189 )     12,666       209,937  
Total Retail
    9,553,143       757,981       202,006       29,677       (275,674 )     (350,384 )     363,606       8,208,863  
                                                                 
Companies
    2,882,943       113,223       16,846       14,740       (16,188 )     (32,692 )     95,929       2,491,306  
Companies
    1,124,918       50,592       8,339       6,666       (8,556 )     (17,095 )     39,946       990,170  
Real estate
    1,235,465       19,244       1,712       256       (597 )     (4,561 )     16,054       517,922  
Large Corporations
    522,560       43,387       6,795       7,818       (7,035 )     (11,036 )     39,929       983,214  
Global banking and markets
    2,221,144       31,783       14,786       60,332       (759 )     (31,184 )     74,958       1,521,699  
Corporate
    2,221,144       52,352       14,555       -       (759 )     (15,567 )     50,581       1,521,699  
Treasury
    -       (20,569 )     231       60,332       -       (15,617 )     24,377       -  
Other
    23,858       (10,921 )     9,491       (18,314 )     4,638       (13,908 )     (29,014 )     76,772  
                                                                 
Totals
    14,681,088       892,066       243,129       86,435       (287,983 )     (428,168 )     505,479       12,298,640  
Other operating income
    10,896  
Other operating expenses
    (36,298 )
Income from investments in other companies
    632  
Income tax expense
    (59,742 )
Consolidated income for the period
    420,967  
 
(1) Corresponds to Loans and accounts receivable from customers, net (Ch$ 14,311,349 million) plus interbank loans, net (Ch$95,499 million), before deduction of their allowances for loan losses (Ch$ 274,205 million and Ch$ 35 million, respectively), which were restituted for presentation purposes in this table.
(2) Results from financial operations. Corresponds to the sum of Net income from financial operations (Ch$ 273,477 million) and foreign exchange profit (loss), net (Ch$ (187,042) million).
(3) Corresponds to the sum of Personnel salaries and expenses (Ch$ 246,775 million), administrative expenses (Ch$ 133,682 million), depreciation and amortization (Ch$ 47,627 million) and impairment (Ch$ 84 million).
(4) Corresponds to Loans and accounts receivable from customers, net (Ch$ 12,022,275 million) plus interbank loans, net (Ch$45,961 million), before deduction of their allowances for loan losses (Ch$ 230,404 million and for interbank loans no allowance was established as of January 1, 2008), which were restituted for presentation purposes in this table.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 5 - CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

a)         The detail of the balances included under cash and cash equivalents is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Cash and bank deposits
                 
Cash
    418,987       337,509       299,329  
Deposits in the Central Bank of Chile
    988,978       189,183       48,011  
Deposits in domestic banks
    255       874       783  
Deposits in foreign banks
    635,238       327,845       760,514  
Subtotals - Cash and bank deposits
    2,043,458       855,411       1,108,637  
                         
Unsettled transactions, net
    192,660       192,853       181,021  
                         
Total cash and cash equivalents
    2,236,118       1,048,264       1,289,658  
 
The level of funds in cash and at the Central Bank of Chile, which are included in the “Deposits in the Central Bank of Chile” line, reflects regulations governing the reserves that the Bank must maintain on average in monthly periods.

b)         Unsettled Transactions

Unsettled transactions are transactions in which only settlement remains pending, which will increase or decrease funds in the Central Bank of Chile or in foreign banks, normally within the next 24 to 48 business hours from the end of each period. These transactions are presented according to the following detail:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Assets
                 
Documents held by other banks (documents to be exchanged)
    206,454       214,929       183,190  
Funds receivable
    261,680       120,476       133,050  
Subtotals
    468,134       335,405       316,240  
Liabilities
                       
Funds payable
    275,474       142,552       135,219  
Subtotals
    275,474       142,552       135,219  
                         
Unsettled transactions, net
    192,660       192,853       181,021  
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 6 - TRADING INVESTMENTS:

The detail of the instruments deemed as financial trading investments is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities:
                 
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    667,703       786,263       552,128  
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    63,868       218,355       251,958  
Other Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
    29,806       71,739       117,240  
Subtotals
    761,377       1,076,357       921,326  
                         
Other Chilean securities:
                       
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    -       -       10,039  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    11       2,787       32,713  
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       3,030       7,742  
Chilean corporate bonds
    -       24,832       11,541  
Other Chilean securities
    -       -       15,343  
Subtotals
    11       30,649       77,378  
                         
Foreign financial securities:
                       
Foreign Central Banks and Government securities
    -       -       -  
Other foreign financial instruments
    -       -       6,927  
Subtotals
    -       -       6,927  
                         
Investments in mutual funds:
                       
Funds managed by related entities
    37,151       59,420       87,814  
Funds managed by others
    -       -       -  
Subtotals
    37,151       59,420       87,814  
                         
Totals
    798,539       1,166,426       1,093,445  

Instruments sold under repurchase agreements to customers and financial institutions totaling Ch$506,127 million, Ch$23,410 million, and Ch$96,162 million as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, respectively, are included in the “Chilean Central Bank and Government securities” item.

As of December 31, 2008 and January 1, 2008, instruments sold under repurchase agreements to customers and financial institutions totaling Ch$971 million and Ch$294 million, respectively, are included under Other Chilean securities and Foreign financial securities. As of December 31, 2009 there were no transactions with this category of instruments.

The repurchase agreements have an average maturity of 40 days as of December 31, 2009 (27 and 28 days as of December 31 and January 1, 2008, respectively).

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 7 – INVESTMENTS UNDER RESALE AGREEMENTS:

a)
Rights arising from resale agreements

The Bank purchases financial instruments agreeing to resell them at a future date. As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008 the instruments acquired under resale agreements are as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
From 1 day and less than 3 months
   
More than three
months and less
than one year
   
More than
one year
   
Total
   
From 1 day and less than 3 months
   
More than three months and less than one year
   
More than
one year
   
Total
   
From 1 day and less than 3 months
   
More than three months and less than one year
   
More than
one year
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                                         
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities:
                                                                       
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    14,020       -       -       14,020       -       -       -       -       15,533       -       -       15,533  
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       9,695       -       -       9,695  
Other Chilean Government Central Bank instruments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,349       -       -       1,349  
Subtotals
    14,020       -       -       14,020       -       -       -       -       26,577       -       -       26,577  
Other Chilean securities:
                                                                                               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       770       -       -       770  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       6,652       -       -       6,652  
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Chilean corporate bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other instruments issued in Chile
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
                                                                    7,422                       7,422  
Foreign financial securities:
                                                                                               
Foreign Central Banks and Government securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other foreign financial instruments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Investments in mutual funds:
                                                                                               
Funds managed by related entities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Funds managed by others
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Totals
    14,020       -       -       14,020       -       -       -       -       33,999       -       -       33,999  

Pursuant to the current SBIF standards, the Bank does not record instruments acquired under repurchase agreements as its own portfolio.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 7 - INVESTMENTS UNDER RESALE AGREEMENTS, continued:

b) 
Obligations arising from repurchase agreements

The Bank raises funds by selling financial instruments and committing itself to buy them back at future dates, plus interest at a predetermined rate. As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, the instruments sold under repurchase agreements are as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
From 1 day and less than 3 months
   
More than three
months and less
than one year
   
More than
one year
   
Total
   
From 1 day and less than 3 months
   
More than three months and less than one year
   
More than
one year
   
Total
   
From 1 day and less than 3 months
   
More than three months and less than one year
   
More than
one year
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                                         
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities:
                                                                       
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    313,588       451,765       -       765,353       402,760       -       -       402,760       191,437       2,940       -       194,377  
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    100,072       45,224       -       145,296       12,901       86       91       13,078       86,903       3,501       -       90,404  
Other Chilean Government Central Bank instruments
    21       -       -       21       54       -       -       54       5,604       -       -       5,604  
Subtotals
    413,681       496,989               910,670       415,715       86       91       415,892       283,944       6,441               290,385  
Other Chilean securities:
                                                                                               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    94,485       242       -       94,727       133,313       10,432       175       143,920       4,498       7,947       -       12,445  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    139       109,069       -       109,208       1,816       -       587       2,403       4,507       -       -       4,507  
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       8       -       8       293       -       -       293  
Chilean corporate bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other instruments issued in Chile
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    94,624       109,311       -       203,935       135,129       10,440       762       146,331       9,298       7,947       -       17,245  
Foreign financial securities:
                                                                                               
Foreign Central Banks and Government securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other foreign financial instruments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
                                                                                               
Investments in mutual funds:
                                                                                               
Funds managed by related entities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Funds managed by others
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Totals
    508,305       606,300       -       1,114,605       550,844       10,526       853       562,223       293,242       14,388       -       307,630  

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 7 - INVESTMENTS UNDER RESALE AGREEMENTS, continued:

As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, the detail of instruments sold under repurchase agreements, by type of portfolio, is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
Available for Sale portfolio
   
Trading Portfolio
   
Total Instruments with agreement
   
Available for Sale portfolio
   
Trading Portfolio
   
Total Instruments with agreement
   
Available for Sale portfolio
   
Trading Portfolio
   
Total Instruments with agreement
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                       
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities:
                                                     
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    277,209       506,127       783,336       403,416       11,601       415,017       112,839       62,928       175,767  
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    152,173       -       152,173       -       11,809       11,809       44,775       33,234       78,009  
Other Chilean Government Central Bank instruments
    21       -       21       54       -       54       5,604       -       5,604  
Subtotals
    429,403       506,127       935,530       403,470       23,410       426,880       163,218       96,162       259,380  
Other Chilean securities:
                                                                       
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    102,974       -       102,974       97,351       44,671       142,022       -       16,857       16,857  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    163,114       -       163,114       1,204       1,206       2,410       -       4,534       4,534  
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       294       294  
Chilean corporate bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other instruments issued in Chile
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    266,088       -       266,088       98,555       45,877       144,432       -       21,685       21,685  
Foreign financial securities:
                                                                       
Foreign Central Banks and Government securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other foreign financial instruments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Investments in mutual funds:
                                                                       
Funds managed by related entities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Funds managed by others
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Totals
    695,491       506,127       1,201,618       502,025       69,287       571,312       163,218       117,847       281,065  
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVES FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGES ACCOUNTING:

a)
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and as of January 1, 2008, the Bank holds the following portfolio of derivative instruments:
 
     
As of December 31, 2009
 
     Notional amount    
Fair value
 
   
Up to 3
months
   
More than 3 months to one year
   
More than
one year
   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                               
Hedging derivatives at fair value
                             
Currency forwards
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate swaps
    -       86,963       580,132       2,446       3,794  
Cross currency swaps
    -       26,079       583,035       16,972       805  
Call currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Call interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate futures
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other derivatives
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       113,042       1,163,167       19,418       4,599  
                                         
Cash flow hedging derivatives
                                       
Currency forwards
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate swaps
    -       -       -       -       -  
Cross currency swaps
    51,993       582,830       73,551       4,741       52,301  
Call currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Call interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate futures
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other derivatives
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    51,993       582,830       73,551       4,741       52,301  
                                         
Trading derivatives
                                       
Currency forwards
    6,533,147       4,195,874       587,541       199,665       184,112  
Interest rate swaps
    2,418,161       4,240,574       9,618,573       243,965       330,975  
Cross currency swaps
    887,942       1,594,972       9,880,693       922,498       772,959  
Call currency options
    34,341       22,107       -       203       43  
Call interest rate options
    122       5,189       39,900       281       595  
Put currency options
    33,198       15,487       -       3,083       3,232  
Put interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate futures
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other derivatives
    29,320       -       -       24       90  
Subtotals
    9,936,231       10,074,203       20,126,707       1,369,719       1,292,006  
                                         
Totals
    9,988,224       10,770,075       21,363,425       1,393,878       1,348,906  
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVES FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGES ACCOUNTING, continued:
 
     As of December 31, 2008  
     Notional amount      Fair value  
   
Up to 3 months
   
More than 3 months to one year
   
More than one year
   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                               
Hedging derivatives at fair value
                             
Currency forwards
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate swaps
    -       -       45,849       1,234       1,332  
Cross currency swaps
    -       -       359,100       106,335       -  
Call currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Call interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate futures
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other derivatives
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       -       404,949       107,569       1,332  
                                         
Cash flow hedging derivatives
                                       
Currency forwards
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate swaps
    -       -       -       -       -  
Cross currency swaps
    51,300       573,598       128,250       73,036       151  
Call currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Call interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate futures
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other derivatives
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    51,300       573,598       128,250       73,036       151  
                                         
Derivatives for trading
                                       
Currency forwards
    5,643,973       2,983,543       438,347       600,199       302,479  
Interest rate swaps
    3,865,373       4,635,536       9,922,492       239,867       362,813  
Cross currency swaps
    619,041       1,634,073       9,281,020       803,199       780,614  
Call currency options
    225,936       157,871       1,347       21,901       18,126  
Call interest rate options
    -       128,250       -       -       45  
Put currency options
    195,792       138,795       1,347       657       4,164  
Put interest rate options
    -       64,125       -       -       -  
Interest rate futures
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other derivatives
    15,016       -       -       81       -  
Subtotals
    10,565,131       9,742,193       19,644,553       1,665,904       1,468,241  
                                         
Totals
    10,616,431       10,315,791       20,177,752       1,846,509       1,469,724  
 
 

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVES FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGES ACCOUNTING, continued:
 
     
As of January 1, 2008
 
     Notional amount      Fair value  
   
Up to 3 months
   
More than 3 months to one year
   
More than one year
   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                               
Hedging derivatives at fair value
                             
Currency forwards
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate swaps
    -       -       121,209       3,891       502  
Cross currency swaps
    -       -       278,757       -       9,246  
Call currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Call interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate futures
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other derivatives
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       -       399,966       3,891       9,748  
                                         
Cash flow hedging derivatives
                                       
Currency forwards
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate swaps
    -       -       -       -       -  
Cross currency swaps
    -       -       472,891       -       55,171  
Call currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Call interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put currency options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Put interest rate options
    -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate futures
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other derivatives
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       -       472,891       -       55,171  
                                         
Trading derivatives
                                       
Currency forwards
    5,776,546       3,938,733       785,841       111,681       159,969  
Interest rate swaps
    1,935,239       3,254,410       8,759,290       86,515       159,146  
Cross currency swaps
    133,688       460,902       6,557,457       576,515       392,337  
Call currency options
    64,751       29,708       644       262       292  
Call interest rate options
    -       -       74,667       1       -  
Put currency options
    159,781       36,532       -       1,501       1,172  
Put interest rate options
    -       -       75,667       -       9  
Interest rate futures
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other derivatives
    196,371       2,943       -       409       373  
Subtotals
    8,266,376       7,723,228       16,253,566       776,884       713,298  
                                         
Totals
    8,266,376       7,723,228       17,126,423       780,775       778,217  
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVES FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGES ACCOUNTING, continued:

b)
Hedge Accounting

Fair value hedges:

The Bank uses cross-currency swaps, interest rate swaps, and call money swaps to hedge its exposure to changes in the fair value of the hedged elements attributable to interest rates. The aforementioned hedge instruments change the effective cost of long-term issuances from a fixed interest rate to a variable interest rate, decreasing the duration and modifying the sensitivity to the shortest segments of the curve.

Below is a detail of the hedged elements and hedge instruments under fair value hedges as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and as of January 1, 2008, classified by term to maturity:

   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Within 1 year
   
Between 1 and 3 years
   
Between 3 and 6 years
   
Over 6 years
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Hedged element
                       
Chilean Central Bank Bonds in Pesos (BCP)
    -       -       10,320       37,173  
Chilean Central Bank Bonds in UF (BCU)
    -       83,113       57,911       31,588  
Corporate bonds
    -       -       10,906       -  
Senior bonds
    -       405,800       -       -  
Subordinated bonds
    -       111,595       152,175       -  
Short-term loans
    -       -       25,000       22,191  
Interbank loans
    -       131,885       -       -  
Time deposits
    113,042       4,640       -       -  
Mortgage bonds
    -       -       -       78,870  
                                 
Totals
    113,042       737,033       256,312       169,822  
                                 
Hedge instrument
                               
Cross currency swap
    26,079       214,998       220,406       147,631  
Interest rate swap
    71,963       517,395       10,906       -  
Call money swap
    15,000       4,640       25,000       22,191  
                                 
Totals
    113,042       737,033       256,312       169,822  
 
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Within 1 year
   
Between 1 and 3 years
   
Between 3 and 6 years
   
Over 6 years
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Hedged element
                       
Senior bonds
    -       -       13,787       -  
Subordinated bonds
    -       166,725       224,437       -  
                                 
Totals
    -       166,725       238,224       -  
                                 
Hedge instrument
                               
Cross currency swap
    -       166,725       192,375       -  
Interest rate swap
    -       -       45,849       -  
                                 
Totals
    -       166,725       238,224       -  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVES FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGES ACCOUNTING, continued:

   
As of January 1, 2008
 
   
Within 1 year
   
Between 1 and 3 years
   
Between 3 and 6 years
   
Over 6 years
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Hedged element
                       
Corporate bonds
    -       -       10,702       -  
Subordinated bonds
    -       -       110,507       149,334  
Interbank loans
    -       -       129,423       -  
                                 
Totals
    -       -       250,632       149,334  
                                 
Hedge instrument
                               
Cross currency swap
    -       -       129,423       149,334  
Interest rate swap
    -       -       121,209       -  
                                 
Totals
    -       -       250,632       149,334  

Cash flow hedges:

The Bank uses cross currency swaps to hedge the risk from variability of cash flows attributable to changes in the interest rates of bonds and interbank loans at a variable rate. The cash flows of the cross currency swaps equal the cash flows of the hedged items, which modify uncertain cash flows to known cash flows derived from a fixed interest rate.

Below is the nominal amount of the hedged items as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and as of January 1, 2008, and the period when the cash flows will be generated:

   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Within 1 year
   
Between 1 and 3 years
   
Between 3 and 6 years
   
Over 6 years
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Hedged element
                       
Bonds
    -       -       -       -  
Interbank loans
    634,823       73,551       -       -  
                                 
Totals
    634,823       73,551       -       -  
                                 
Hedge instrument
                               
Cross currency swap
    634,823       73,551       -       -  
                                 
Totals
    634,823       73,551       -       -  
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVES FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGES ACCOUNTING, continued:

   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Within 1 year
   
Between 1 and 3 years
   
Between 3 and 6 years
   
Over 6 years
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Hedged element
                       
FRN bonds
    256,500       -       -       -  
Interbank loans
    368,398       128,250       -       -  
                                 
Totals
    624,898       128,250       -       -  
                                 
Hedge instrument
                               
Cross currency swap
    624,898       128,250       -       -  
                                 
Totals
    624,898       128,250       -       -  

   
As of January 1, 2008
 
   
Within 1 year
   
Between 1 and 3 years
   
Between 3 and 6 years
   
Over 6 years
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Hedged element
                       
FRN bonds
    -       199,112       -       -  
Interbank loans
    -       273,779       -       -  
                                 
Totals
    -       472,891       -       -  
                                 
Hedge instrument
                               
Cross currency swap
    -       472,891       -       -  
                                 
Totals
    -       472,891       -       -  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVES FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGES ACCOUNTING, continued:

Below is an estimate of the periods in which the flows are expected to be produced:

   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Within 1
   
Between 1 and 3
   
Between 3 and 6
   
Over 6
 
 
year
   
years
   
years
   
years
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Hedged element
                       
Inflows
    -       -       -       -  
Outflows
    (7,570 )     (1,487 )     -       -  
Net flows
    (7,570 )     (1,487 )     -       -  
                                 
Hedge instrument
                               
Inflows
    7,570       1,487       -       -  
Outflows
    (2,570 )     (938 )     -       -  
Net flows
    5,000       549       -       -  

   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Within 1
   
Between 1 and 3
   
Between 3 and 6
   
Over 6
 
 
year
   
years
   
years
   
years
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Hedged element
                       
Inflows
    -       -       -       -  
Outflows
    (13,212 )     (645 )     -       -  
Net flows
    (13,212 )     (645 )     -       -  
                                 
Hedge instrument
                               
Inflows
    13,212       645       -       -  
Outflows
    (13,464 )     (1,155 )     -       -  
Net flows
    (252 )     (510 )     -       -  

   
As of January 1, 2008
 
   
Within 1 year
   
Between 1 and 3 years
   
Between 3 and 6 years
   
Over 6 years
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Hedged element
                       
Inflows
    -       -       -       -  
Outflows
    -       (37,403 )     -       -  
Net flows
    -       (37,403 )     -       -  
                                 
Hedge instrument
                               
Inflows
    -       37,403       -       -  
Outflows
    -       (28,173 )     -       -  
Net flows
    -       9,230       -       -  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVES FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGES ACCOUNTING, continued:

c)
The income generated by cash flow hedges whose effect was recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 is shown below:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Senior bond
    -       3,163  
Loan
    (3,162 )     7,710  
                 
Net flows
    (3,162 )     10,873  

Since the variable flows for both the hedged element and the hedging element mirror each other, the hedges are 100% efficient, which means that the variations of value attributable to rate components are netted out.

In the 2009 and 2008 period the Bank does not record expected future transactions in its cash flow hedge accounting portfolio.

d)
Below is a presentation of income generated by cash flow derivatives whose effect was transferred from other comprehensive income to income for the period:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Senior bond
    -       -  
Loan
    (66 )     -  
                 
Net income from cash flow hedges
    (66 )     -  

e)
Net investment hedges for foreign businesses:

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank does not present foreign net investment hedges in its hedge accounting portfolio.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 9 - INTERBANK LOANS:

a)
At December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, the balances in the “Interbank loans” item are as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Domestic banks
                 
Loans and advances to banks
    3       -       45,961  
Deposits in the Central Bank of Chile
    -       -       -  
Nontransferable Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    -       -       -  
Other Central Bank of Chile loans
    -       -       -  
Interbank loans
    -       -       -  
Overdrafts in checking accounts
    -       -       -  
Nontransferable domestic bank loans
    -       -       -  
Other domestic bank loans
    -       -       -  
Allowances and impairment for domestic bank loans
    -       -       -  
                         
Foreign banks
                       
Loans to foreign banks
    23,409       95,534       -  
Overdrafts in current accounts
    -       -       -  
Nontransferable foreign bank deposits
    -       -       -  
Other foreign bank loans
    -       -       -  
Allowances and impairment for foreign bank loans
    (42 )     (35 )     -  
                      -  
Totals
    23,370       95,499       45,961  

b)
The amount in each period for allowances and impairment of interbank loans, which are included in the “Provisions for loan losses” item of the Consolidated Statement of Income, is shown below:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
 
Domestic banks
   
Foreign banks
   
Total
   
Domestic banks
   
Foreign banks
   
Total
 
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                     
As of January 1
    -       35       35       -       -       -  
Charge-offs
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Allowances established
    -       7       7       -       35       35  
Allowances released
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Totals
    -       42       42       -       35       35  
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 10 - LOANS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES FROM CUSTOMERS:

a)
Loans and accounts receivables from customers

As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, the composition of the loan portfolio is as follows:

   
Assets before allowances
   
Allowances established
       
 As of December 31, 2009  
Normal portfolio
   
Substandard loans (*)
   
Total
   
Individual allowances
   
Group allowances
   
Total
   
Net assets
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                           
Commercial loans
                                         
Commercial loans
    4,832,638       656,957       5,489,595       45,857       78,418       124,275       5,365,320  
Foreign trade loans
    531,487       104,841       636,328       21,732       1,295       23,027       613,301  
General purpose mortgage loans
    69,060       23,851       92,911       623       2,947       3,570       89,341  
Factoring transactions
    126,106       4,166       130,272       1,642       744       2,386       127,886  
Leasing transactions
    890,107       74,591       964,698       6,531       1,308       7,839       956,859  
Other loans and accounts receivables from customers
    1,026       9,932       10,958       1,912       3,430       5,342       5,616  
                                                         
Subtotals
    6,450,424       874,338       7,324,762       78,297       88,142       166,439       7,158,323  
                                                         
Mortgage loans
                                                       
Loans with mortgage finance bonds
    169,827       5,765       175,592       -       576       576       175,016  
Mortgage mutual loans
    139,890       59,249       199,139       -       9,040       9,040       190,099  
Other mortgage mutual loans
    3,717,188       67,134       3,784,322       -       6,918       6,918       3,777,404  
Leasing transactions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                         
Subtotals
    4,026,905       132,148       4,159,053       -       16,534       16,534       4,142,519  
                                                         
Consumer loans
                                                       
Installment consumer loans
    945,924       432,120       1,378,044       -       130,532       130,532       1,247,512  
Credit card balances
    564,685       22,252       586,937       -       24,433       24,433       562,504  
Consumer leasing contracts
    3,447       388       3,835       -       9       9       3,826  
Other consumer loans
    250,742       24,491       275,233       -       11,538       11,538       263,695  
                                                         
Subtotals
    1,764,798       479,251       2,244,049       -       166,512       166,512       2,077,537  
                                                         
Totals
    12,242,127       1,485,737       13,727,864       78,297       271,188       349,485       13,378,379  

 
(*) Since December 1, 2009, under this concept is included a 100% of the loans or accounts receivables from customers of a debtor subject to group evaluation when any of their loans are overdue for 90 days or more.
 
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 10 - LOANS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES FROM CUSTOMERS, continued:

   
Assets before allowances
   
Allowances established
       
   
Normal portfolio
   
Substandard loans*
   
Total
   
Individual allowances
   
Group allowances
   
Total
   
Net assets
 
As of December 31, 2008
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                           
Commercial loans
                                         
Commercial loans
    5,206,239       269,216       5,475,455       31,880       52,417       84,297       5,391,158  
Foreign trade loans
    1,381,928       77,256       1,459,184       11,287       1,301       12,588       1,446,596  
General purpose mortgage loans
    105,871       15,529       121,400       1,017       2,557       3,574       117,826  
Factoring transactions
    318,676       4,460       323,136       1,309       546       1,855       321,281  
Leasing transactions
    932,200       32,894       965,094       5,830       643       6,473       958,621  
Other loans and accounts receivables from customers
    3,730       7,861       11,591       2,768       2,574       5,342       6,249  
                                                         
Subtotals
    7,948,644       407,216       8,355,860       54,091       60,038       114,129       8,241,731  
                                                         
Mortgage loans
                                                       
Loans with mortgage finance bonds
    221,017       7,705       228,722       -       968       968       227,754  
Mortgage mutual loans
    165,813       31,492       197,305       -       4,400       4,400       192,905  
Other mortgage mutual loans
    3,472,866       81,663       3,554,529       -       7,262       7,262       3,547,267  
Leasing transactions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                         
Subtotals
    3,859,696       120,860       3,980,556       -       12,630       12,630       3,967,926  
                                                         
Consumer loans
                                                       
Installment consumer loans
    1,036,068       311,074       1,347,142       -       106,313       106,313       1,240,829  
Credit card balances
    562,297       20,296       582,593       -       28,162       28,162       554,431  
Consumer leasing contacts
    4,807       58       4,865       -       -       -       4,865  
Other consumer loans
    303,783       10,755       314,538       -       12,971       12,971       301,567  
                                                         
Subtotals
    1,906,955       342,183       2,249,138       -       147,446       147,446       2,101,692  
                                                         
Totals
    13,715,295       870,259       14,585,554       54,091       220,114       274,205       14,311,349  

(*) As of December 31, 2008, under this concept was included only the loans or accounts receivables from customers with an overdue of 90 days or more. This differs from the criterion applied in 2009, which considers 100% of the loans or accounts receivables from customers of a debtor, this is, for any loan granted to the same debtor irrespective of the kind of loan granted.


BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 10 - LOANS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES FROM CUSTOMERS, continued:

   
Assets before allowances
   
Allowances established
       
   
Normal portfolio
   
Substandard loans
   
Total
   
Individual allowances
   
Group allowances
   
Total
   
Net assets
 
As of January 1, 2008
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                           
Commercial loans
                                         
Commercial loans
    4,480,505       245,404       4,725,909       25,546       43,295       68,841       4,657,068  
Foreign trade loans
    800,872       13,607       814,479       2,696       841       3,537       810,942  
General purpose mortgage loans
    136,016       13,137       149,153       523       2,266       2,789       146,364  
Factoring transactions
    261,468       5,177       266,645       710       939       1,649       264,996  
Leasing transactions
    848,044       26,899       874,943       4,284       1,405       5,689       869,254  
Other loans and accounts receivables from customers
    3,220       4,135       7,355       1,345       1,663       3,008       4,347  
                                                         
Subtotals
    6,530,125       308,359       6,838,484       35,104       50,409       85,513       6,752,971  
                                                         
Mortgage loans
                                                       
Loans with mortgage finance bonds
    267,082       3,764       270,846       -       1,389       1,389       269,457  
Mortgage mutual loans
    9,616       200,080       209,696       -       3,364       3,364       206,332  
Other mortgage mutual loans
    2,815,468       48,405       2,863,873       -       4,570       4,570       2,859,303  
Leasing transactions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                         
Subtotals
    3,092,166       252,249       3,344,415       -       9,323       9,323       3,335,092  
                                                         
Consumer Loans
                                                       
Installment consumer loans
    983,554       263,547       1,247,101       -       97,482       97,482       1,149,619  
Credit card balances
    513,813       11,517       525,330       -       25,471       25,471       499,859  
Consumer leasing contacts
    4,575       120       4,695       -       -       -       4,695  
Other consumer loans
    279,971       12,683       292,654       -       12,615       12,615       280,039  
                                                         
Subtotals
    1,781,913       287,867       2,069,780       -       135,568       135,568       1,934,212  
                                                         
Totals
    11,404,204       848,475       12,252,679       35,104       195,300       230,404       12,022,275  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 10 - LOANS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES FROM CUSTOMERS, continued:

b)
Portfolio characteristics:

As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, the portfolio before allowances has the following detail by customer’s economic activity:

   
Domestic loans (*)
   
Foreign loans
   
Total loans
   
Distribution percentage
 
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
%
   
%
   
%
 
                                                                         
Commercial loans
                                                                       
Manufacturing
    640,395       937,305       717,824       -       -       -       640,395       937,305       717,824       4.66       6.39       5.84  
Mining
    67,057       323,269       51,570       -       -       -       67,057       323,269       51,570       0.49       2.21       0.42  
Electricity, gas and water
    144,386       207,542       195,992       -       -       -       144,386       207,542       195,992       1.05       1.41       1.59  
Agriculture and livestock
    610,909       647,897       483,522       -       -       -       610,909       647,897       483,522       4.44       4.40       3.93  
Forest
    71,085       88,554       66,841       -       -       -       71,085       88,554       66,841       0.52       0.60       0.54  
Fishing
    127,025       170,934       109,739       -       -       -       127,025       170,934       109,739       0.93       1.16       0.89  
Transport
    362,508       423,856       303,561       -       -       -       362,508       423,856       303,561       2.64       2.89       2.47  
Communications
    164,077       192,750       176,299       -       -       -       164,077       192,750       176,299       1.20       1.31       1.43  
Construction
    817,293       887,391       779,106       -       -       -       817,293       887,391       779,106       5.95       6.04       6.33  
Commerce (**)
    1,650,903       2,219,987       1,638,178       23,409       95,534       -       1,674,312       2,315,521       1,638,178       12.03       15.78       13.32  
Services
    288,256       395,840       348,282       -       -       -       288,256       395,840       348,282       2.10       2.70       2.83  
Other
    2,380,871       1,860,535       2,013,531       -       -       -       2,380,871       1,860,535       2,013,531       17.34       12.68       16.38  
                                                                                                 
Subtotals
    7,324,765       8,355,860       6,884,445       23,409       95,534       -       7,348,174       8,451,394       6,884,445       53.35       57.57       55.97  
                                                                                                 
Mortgage loans
    4,159,053       3,980,556       3,344,415       -       -       -       4,159,053       3,980,556       3,344,415       30.30       27.11       27.20  
                                                                                                 
Consumer loans
    2,244,049       2,249,138       2,069,780       -       -       -       2,244,049       2,249,138       2,069,780       16.35       15.32       16.83  
                                                                                                 
Totals
    13,727,867       14,585,554       12,298,640       23,409       95,534       -       13,751,276       14,681,088       12,298,640       100       100       100  
 
(*) Includes domestic loans and accounts receivables from customers and interbank loans (Note 9).
(**) Includes loans to domestic financial institutions amounting to Ch$3 million as of December 31, 2009 (Ch$45,961 million as of January 1, 2008).
As of December 31, 2008 there were no such loans.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 10 - LOANS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES FROM CUSTOMERS, continued:

c)
Allowances

The allowance activities in the 2009 and 2008 periods are as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Individual allowances
   
Group allowances
   
Total
   
Individual allowances
   
Group allowances
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                     
Balances as of January 1,
    54,091       220,114       274,205       35,104       195,300       230,404  
                                                 
Portfolio charge offs:
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial loans
    (4,898 )     (43,220 )     (48,118 )     (3,796 )     (29,139 )     (32,935 )
Mortgage loans
    -       (8,708 )     (8,708 )     -       (5,032 )     (5,032 )
Consumer loans
    -       (239,005 )     (239,005 )     -       (236,405 )     (236,405 )
                                                 
Total charge offs loans
    (4,898 )     (290,933 )     (295,831 )     (3,796 )     (270,576 )     (274,372 )
                                                 
Allowances established
    34,739       363,670       398,409       25,508       300,578       326,086  
Allowances released
    (5,635 )     (21,663 )     (27,298 )     (2,725 )     (5,188 )     (7,913 )
                                                 
Totals
    78,297       271,188       349,485       54,091       220,114       274,205  


In addition to these loan loss allowances, there are allowances to mitigate country risk for foreign operations, which are recorded as liabilities under the item “Provisions”.

Contingent loan loss allowances are recorded as liabilities under the item “Provisions”. (For further details see Note 22).

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 11 - LOAN PURCHASES, SALES AND SUBSTITUTIONS:

In 2009 the following loan trading operations were conducted:

     
As of December 31, 2009
 
     
Book value
   
Sale value
   
Allowances
   
Effect on income
 
     
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                           
Loans item
                         
 
(1)
      -       8,689       -       8,689  
 
(2)
      14,847       15,389       -       542  

(1)
In 2009 the Bank sold part of its loan portfolio that had been charged off. The transfer of rights was made in November 2009, for a total of Ch$8,689 million, which was recorded as income from sale of charged-off portfolio in its entirety.

(2)
In addition, current portfolio totaling Ch$15,389 million was sold in 2009, generating an income from portfolio sale of approximately Ch$542 million.

In 2008 the following loan trading operations were conducted:

     
As of December 31, 2008
 
     
Book value
   
Sale value
   
Allowances
   
Effect on income
 
     
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                           
Loans item
                         
 
(1)
      -       5,811       -       5,811  
 
(2)
      -       7,611       1,611       6,000  
 
(3)
      22,257       23,237       -       980  
 
(4)
      -       -       -       2,226  

(1)
In 2008 the Bank sold part of its loan portfolio that had been charged off: The transfer of rights was made in February 2008, for a total of Ch$5,811 million, which was recorded as income from sale of charged-off portfolio.

(2)
Transfer of Rights in August 2008, which represented at total of Ch$7,611 million for the portfolio sale, Ch$6,000 million of which was recorded as income and the remaining Ch$1,611 million remained available in a special account for potential price adjustments that might occur in the future, in accordance with the procedure established in the contract.

(3)
In addition, through the Leasing Bank Division, on August 20, 2008 a current transaction was sold for a total of Ch$23,237 million, generating an income from portfolio sale of approximately Ch$980 million.

(4)
In 2007 the Bank sold part of the charged-off loan portfolio in a Transfer of Rights conducted on March 9, 2007, for a total price of approximately Ch$39,603 million, of which Ch$9,901 million remained in a special account for potential future price adjustments, pursuant to the procedure established in the loan assignment contract (escrow deposit). In March 2007 approximately Ch$4,094 million of the loans that were cancelled between the cut-off date for the loans to be assigned (September 30, 2006) and the date on which this assignment was formalized (March 9, 2007) was refunded. Hence, the net amount recorded as charged-off portfolio recoveries for this operation was Ch$25,608 million.

Finally, on December 14, 2007, by means of a public instrument, the rights transfer and escrow deposit contract were amended and concluded. According to this last amendment, the Bank would receive Ch$2,424 million (Ch$2,226 million at historic value) in 2008 from the aforementioned price adjustment, which actually happened during the first quarter of 2008.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 12  AVAILABLE FOR SALE INVESTMENTS:

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the detail of available for sale investments is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
                 
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    1,063,879       690,123       282,561  
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    264,011       49,204       54,305  
Other Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
    212,362       93,128       109,194  
Subtotals
    1,540,252       832,455       446,060  
                         
Other Chilean securities
                       
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    41,407       1,305       -  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    236,847       284,033       273,010  
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -  
Chilean corporate bonds
    11,584       13,522       10,638  
Other Chilean securities
    -       -       -  
Subtotals
    289,838       298,860       283,648  
                         
Foreign financial securities
                       
Foreign Central Banks and government securities
    -       -       -  
Other foreign financial securities
    -       448,925       49,927  
Subtotals
    -       448,925       49,927  
                         
Totals
    1,830,090       1,580,240       779,635  

Chilean Central Bank and Government securities include instruments sold to customers and financial institutions under agreements to repurchase in the amount of Ch$403,295 million and Ch$58,859 million as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, respectively.

As of December 31, 2009 available for sale investments included unrealized net losses of Ch$29,304 million, recorded as a “Valuation adjustment in equity,” distributed between Ch$29,132 million attributable to Bank shareholders and Ch$172 million attributable to minority interest.

As of December 31, 2008 available for sale investments included unrealized net losses of Ch$20,019 million, recorded as a “Valuation adjustment” in Equity, distributed between Ch$19,972 million attributable to Bank shareholders and Ch$47 million attributable to minority interest.

As of January 1, 2008 available for sale investments included unrealized net losses of Ch$5,548 million, recorded as a “Valuation adjustment” in Equity, attributable solely to Bank shareholders.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 12 - AVAILABLE FOR SALE INVESTMENTS, continued:

Realized profits and losses are calculated as the proceeds from sales less the cost (specific identification method) of the investments identified as for sale. In addition, any unrealized profit or loss previously recorded in equity for these investments is reversed when recorded in the income statements.

Gross profits and losses realized on the sale of available for sale investments as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Proceeds from sale of available for sale investments generating realized profits
    5,577,210       697,089  
Realized profits
    56,977       2,765  
Proceeds from sale of available for sale investments generating realized losses
    1,830,765       774,658  
Realized losses
    5,060       1,897  

The Bank reviewed the unrealized instruments with losses as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008 and concluded that there was no impairment other than temporary impairment. This review consisted of evaluating the economic reasons for any declines, the credit ratings of the securities’ issuers and the Bank’s intention and ability to hold the securities until the unrealized loss is recovered. Based on this analysis, the Bank believes that there were no other than temporary impairments in its investment portfolio, since most of the decline in fair value of these securities was caused by market conditions which the Bank considers to be temporary. Most of the instruments that have unrealized losses as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008 were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than one year.

The realized value and fair value of the available for sale investments as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008 are as follows:

   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Cost
   
Gross unrealized profits
   
Gross unrealized losses
   
Fair
value
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
                       
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    1,077,227       200       (13,548 )     1,063,879  
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    264,866       31       (886 )     264,011  
Other Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
    220,609       19       (8,266 )     212,362  
Subtotals
    1,562,702       250       (22,700 )     1,540,252  
Other Chilean securities
                               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    41,388       19       -       41,407  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    244,097       80       (7,330 )     236,847  
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -       -  
Chilean corporate bonds
    11,207       377       -       11,584  
Other Chilean securities
    -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    296,692       476       (7,330 )     289,838  
Foreign financial securities
                               
Foreign Central Banks and government securities
    -       -       -       -  
Other foreign financial securities
    -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Totals
    1,859,394       726       (30,030 )     1,830,090  

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 12 - AVAILABLE FOR SALE INVESTMENTS, continued:

   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Cost
   
Gross unrealized profits
   
Gross unrealized losses
   
Fair value
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
                       
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    684,176       13,536       (7,589 )     690,123  
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    50,349       -       (1,145 )     49,204  
Other Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
    94,318       676       (1,866 )     93,128  
Subtotals
    828,843       14,212       (10,600 )     832,455  
Other Chilean securities
                               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    3,092       -       (1,787 )     1,305  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    305,552       23       (21,542 )     284,033  
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -       -  
Chilean corporate bonds
    13,847       -       (325 )     13,522  
Other Chilean securities
                               
Subtotals
    322,491       23       (23,654 )     298,860  
Foreign financial securities
                               
Foreign Central Banks and government securities
    -       -       -       -  
Other foreign financial securities
    448,925       -       -       448,925  
Subtotals
    448,925       -       -       448,925  
Totals
    1,600,259       14,235       (34,254 )     1,580,240  


   
As of January 1, 2008
 
   
Cost
   
Gross unrealized profits
   
Gross unrealized losses
   
Fair value
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
                       
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    282,995       175       (609 )     282,561  
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    54,358       15       (68 )     54,305  
Other Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
    109,993       264       (1,063 )     109,194  
Subtotals
    447,346       454       (1,740 )     446,060  
Other Chilean securities
                               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    -       -       -       -  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    277,155       542       (4,687 )     273,010  
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -       -  
Chilean corporate bonds
    10,755       -       (117 )     10,638  
Other Chilean securities
    -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    287,910       542       (4,804 )     283,648  
Foreign financial securities
                               
Foreign Central Banks and government securities
    -       -       -       -  
Other foreign financial securities
    49,927       -       -       49,927  
Subtotals
    49,927       -       -       49,927  
Totals
    785,183       996       (6,544 )     779,635  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 12 - AVAILABLE FOR SALE INVESTMENTS, continued:

The following tables show the available for sale investments in an unrealized profit (loss) position as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and January 1, 2008.

As of December 31, 2009:

   
Less than 12 months
   
More than 12 months
   
Total
 
   
Amortized cost
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized profit
   
Unrealized loss
   
Amortized cost
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized profit
   
Unrealized loss
   
Amortized cost
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized profit
   
Unrealized loss
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                                         
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
                                                                       
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    1,077,227       1,063,879       200       (13,548 )     -       -       -       -       1,077,227       1,063,879       200       (13,548 )
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    264,866       264,011       31       (886 )     -       -       -       -       264,866       264,011       31       (886 )
Other Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
    220,609       212,362       19       (8,266 )     -       -       -       -       220,609       212,362       19       (8,266 )
Subtotals
    1,562,702       1,540,252       250       (22,700 )     -       -       -       -       1,562,702       1,540,252       250       (22,700 )
                                                                                                 
Other Chilean securities
                                                                                               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    41,388       41,407       19       -       -       -       -       -       41,388       41,407       19       -  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    244,097       236,847       80       (7,330 )     -       -       -       -       244,097       236,847       80       (7,330 )
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Chilean corporate bonds
    11,207       11,584       377       -       -       -       -       -       11,207       11,584       377       -  
Other Chilean securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    296,692       289,838       476       (7,330 )     -       -       -       -       296,692       289,838       476       (7,330 )
                                                                                                 
Foreign financial securities
                                                                                               
Foreign Central Banks and government securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other foreign financial securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                                                 
Totals
    1,859,394       1,830,090       726       (30,030 )     -       -       -       -       1,859,394       1,830,090       726       (30,030 )
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 12 - AVAILABLE FOR SALE INVESTMENTS, continued:

As of December 31, 2008:

   
Less than 12 months
   
More than 12 months
   
Total
 
   
Amortized cost
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized profit
   
Unrealized loss
   
Amortized cost
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized profit
   
Unrealized loss
   
Amortized cost
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized profit
   
Unrealized loss
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                                         
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
                                                                       
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    684,176       690,123       13,536       (7,589 )     -       -       -       -       684,176       690,123       13,536       (7,589 )
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    50,349       49,204       -       (1,145 )     -       -       -       -       50,349       49,204       -       (1,145 )
Other Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
    94,318       93,128       676       (1,866 )     -       -       -       -       94,318       93,128       676       (1,866 )
Subtotals
    828,843       832,455       14,212       (10,600 )     -       -       -       -       828,843       832,455       14,212       (10,600 )
                                                                                                 
Other Chilean securities
                                                                                               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    3,092       1,305       -       (1,787 )     -       -       -       -       3,092       1,305       -       (1,787 )
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    305,552       284,033       23       (21,542 )     -       -       -       -       305,552       284,033       23       (21,542 )
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Chilean corporate bonds
    13,847       13,522       -       (325 )     -       -       -       -       13,847       13,522       -       (325 )
Other Chilean securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    322,491       298,860       23       (23,654 )     -       -       -       -       322,491       298,860       23       (23,654 )
                                                                                                 
Foreign financial securities
                                                                                               
Foreign Central Banks and government securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other foreign financial securities
    448,925       448,925       -       -       -       -       -       -       448,925       448,925       -       -  
Subtotals
    448,925       448,925       -       -       -       -       -       -       448,925       448,925       -       -  
                                                                                                 
Totals
    1,600,259       1,580,240       14,235       (34,254 )     -       -       -       -       1,600,259       1,580,240       14,235       (34,254 )
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 

NOTE 12 - AVAILABLE FOR SALE INVESTMENTS, continued:

As of January 1, 2008:

   
Less than 12 months
   
More than 12 months
   
Total
 
   
Amortized cost
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized profit
   
Unrealized loss
   
Amortized cost
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized profit
   
Unrealized loss
   
Amortized cost
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized profit
   
Unrealized loss
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                                         
Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
                                                                       
Chilean Central Bank Bonds
    282,995       282,561       175       (609 )     -       -       -       -       282,995       282,561       175       (609 )
Chilean Central Bank Notes
    54,358       54,305       15       (68 )     -       -       -       -       54,358       54,305       15       (68 )
Other Chilean Central Bank and Government securities
    109,993       109,194       264       (1,063 )     -       -       -       -       109,993       109,194       264       (1,063 )
Subtotals
    447,346       446,060       454       (1,740 )     -       -       -       -       447,346       446,060       454       (1,740 )
                                                                                                 
Other Chilean securities
                                                                                               
Time deposits in Chilean financial institutions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Mortgage finance bonds of Chilean financial institutions
    277,155       273,010       542       (4,687 )     -       -       -       -       277,155       273,010       542       (4,687 )
Chilean financial institutions bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Chilean corporate bonds
    10,755       10,638       -       (117 )     -       -       -       -       10,755       10,638       -       (117 )
Other Chilean securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotals
    287,910       283,648       542       (4,804 )     -       -       -       -       287,910       283,648       542       (4,804 )
                                                                                                 
Foreign financial securities
                                                                                               
Foreign Central Banks and government securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other foreign financial securities
    49,927       49,927       -       -       -       -       -       -       49,927       49,927       -       -  
Subtotals
    49,927       49,927       -       -       -       -       -       -       49,927       49,927       -       -  
                                                                                                 
Totals
    785,183       779,635       996       (6,544 )     -       -       -       -       785,183       779,635       996       (6,544 )

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 13 - INVESTMENTS IN OTHER COMPANIES:

a)
The Consolidated Statements of Financial Position reflects investments in other companies amounting to Ch$7,417 million as of December 31, 2009, Ch$7,277 million as of December 31, 2008 and Ch$7,301 million as of January 1, 2008, as shown in the following table:


         
Investment
 
   
Ownership interest
   
Carrying value
   
Participation in Income
 
 
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
%
   
%
   
%
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
Companies
                                               
Centro de Compensación Automatizado
    33.33       33.33       33.33       304       300       275       18       44  
Redbank S.A.
    33.43       33.43       33.43       1,756       1,680       1,410       191       145  
Transbank S.A.
    32.71       32.71       32.71       2,292       2,256       2,112       317       403  
Sociedad Interbancaria de Depósito de Valores S.A.
    29.28       29.28       29.28       415       380       346       93       19  
Sociedad Nexus S.A.
    12.90       12.90       12.90       921       932       903       94       147  
Administrador Financiero del Transantiago S.A.(1) (11)
    20.00       20.00       20.00       583       536       813       (614 )     (308 )
Cámara Compensación de Alto Valor S.A. (3) (5)
    12.65       11.52       11.52       422       390       369       66       97  
                                                                 
Subtotals
                            6,693       6,474       6,228       165       547  
                                                                 
Shares or rights in other companies
    ( *)     ( *)     ( *)                                        
Bolsas de Comercio (8) (9)
    -       -       -       358       358       664       69       85  
Other (2) (4) (6) (7) (10)
    -       -       -       366       445       409       63       -  
                                                                 
Totals
    -       -       -       7,417       7,277       7,301       297       632  
 
(*) These investments in shares are maintained by the Bank and its subsidiaries because they are required to obtain the right to operate according to its line of business. The ownership interest in these companies is lesser than 1%.

(1)
On November 30, 2009, by means of a letter addressed to the Superintendence of Securities and Insurance, Administrador Financiero del Transantiago S.A. reported that, in accordance with the implementation of the IFRS standards, it had modified its equity as of December 31, 2009 to record UF 210,750 (Ch$ 4,414 million as of December 31, 2009) of accumulated income which it had previously held in deferred liabilities. Banco Santander Chile recorded that higher value of investment against accumulated income in the amount of Ch$853 million.

(2)
On June 26, 2009 Banco Santander Chile sold all of its Mastercard shares, totaling 16,049 shares with a value of Ch$1,453 million, generating a Ch$1,370 million profit from the sale, which is presented in the “Non-operating income” item of the Consolidated Statement of Income.

(3)
On April 21, 2009 Banco Penta sold and transferred to Banco Santander Chile 55 shares in the Cámara Compensación de Alto Valor S.A. at a total price of Ch$16 million.

(4)
On March 10, 2009 Visa Inc. transferred to Banco Santander Chile a total of 34,093 LAC class shares. On March 20, 2009, 51% of these shares were sold, totalling 17,387 shares, at a price of Ch$27,442 per share, generating an income of Ch$477 million, which is included in Other operating income in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

(5)
On March 9, 2009 Banco Ripley sold and transferred to Banco Santander Chile 54 shares in the Cámara Compensación de Alto Valor S.A. for a total price of Ch$16 million.

(6)
On August 18, 2008, 36 SWIFT shares were sold. At the time of the sale their book value was Ch$45 million and their sale price was Ch$51 million, generating a Ch$6 million gain on the sale.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008



NOTE 13 - INVESTMENTS IN OTHER COMPANIES, continued:

(7)
On March 12, 2008 Visa Inc. transferred to Banco Santander Chile a total of 312,379 Class C, Series 1, shares valued at Ch$1 in local currency. On March 28, 2008, 56.19% of the total number of shares, numbering 175,512 shares, was sold at a price of Ch$19,190 per share, generating a Ch$3,368 million gain on the sale.

(8)
On January 14, 2008 the Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa subsidiary sold one share in the Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago. Its book value at the time of the sale was Ch$341 million and its sale price was Ch$1,315 million, generating a Ch$974 million gain on the sale.

(9)
In August 2007, Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa sold one share in the Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago. The sale price was Ch$1,215 million and the profit generated was Ch$826 million.

(10)
In November 2007, 17,000 shares in the Mastercard company were sold, generating a Ch$1,439 million profit, which is shown in the non-operating item of the Consolidated Statement of Income.

(11)
On December 21, 2007, it was decided by a Special Shareholders Meeting of the Administradora Financiero del Transantiago S.A. company to capitalize the commercial credit account which was granted by its shareholders, for a total of Ch$11,107 million. Banco Santander Chile owns 20% of that company, and accordingly, its contribution was Ch$2,221 million.

During 2009, the Bank received Ch$833 million (Ch$638 million in 2008) as dividends from its related companies.

b)
Activity with respect to investments in other companies during 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Initial book value
    7,277       7,301  
Acquisition of equity
    32       -  
Sale of equity
    (209 )     (386 )
Participation in income
    297       632  
Dividends received
    (833 )     (638 )
Other equity adjustments
    853       368  
                 
Totals
    7,417       7,277  
 
c)        Investments in other companies has not undergone any impairment in 2009 and 2008.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 14 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

a)
Intangible assets as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008 is as follows:

                     
2009
 
   
Useful life
(years)
   
Remaining amortization
(years)
   
Opening balance as of January 1, 2009
   
Gross balance
   
Accumulated amortization
   
Net balance
 
               
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                     
Licenses
    3       1.8       1,732       4,422       (2,878 )     1,544  
Softwares (acquired)
    3       2       66,500       123,939       (48,223 )     75,716  
                                                 
Totals
                    68,232       128,361       (51,101 )     77,260  

                     
2008
 
   
Useful life
(years)
   
Remaining amortization
(years)
   
Opening balance as of January 1, 2008
   
Gross balance
   
Accumulated amortization
   
Net balance
 
               
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                     
Licenses
    3       1.6       2,420       3,194       (1,462 )     1,732  
Software development (acquired)
    3       2       53,804       91,207       (24,707 )     66,500  
                                                 
Totals
                    56,224       94,401       (26,169 )     68,232  

b)
The activity in intangible assets during 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

b.1)          Gross balance

   
Licenses
   
Software development (acquired)
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Gross balances 2009
                 
Opening balances as of January 1, 2009
    3,194       91,207       94,401  
Acquisitions
    1,228       32,732       33,960  
Other
    -       -       -  
                         
Balances as of December 31, 2009
    4,422       123,939       128,361  
                         
Gross balances 2008
                       
Opening balances as of January 1, 2008 (*)
    2,420       53,804       56,224  
Acquisitions
    774       37,403       38,177  
Other
    -       -       -  
                         
Balance as of December 31, 2008
    3,194       91,207       94,401  

(*) On January 1, 2008, intangible assets were recorded at their amortized cost value, net of accumulated amortization.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 14 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS, continued:

b.2)          Accumulated amortization

Accumulated amortization
 
Licenses
   
Softwares (acquired)
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Opening balances as of January 1, 2009
    (1,462 )     (24,707 )     (26,169 )
Amortization for the period
    (1,416 )     (23,516 )     (24,932 )
Other changes in book value in the period
    -       -       -  
                         
Balances as of December 31, 2009
    (2,878 )     (48,223 )     (51,101 )
                         
Opening balances as of January 1, 2008 (*)
    -       -       -  
Amortization for the period
    (1,462 )     (24,707 )     (26,169 )
Other changes in book value in the period
    -       -       -  
                         
Balances as of December 31, 2008
    (1,462 )     (24,707 )     (26,169 )

(*) On January 1, 2008, intangible assets were recorded at their amortized cost value, net of accumulated amortization.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 15 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

a)       Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008 is as follows:

         
2009
 
   
Opening balance as of January 1, 2009
   
Gross balance
   
Accumulated depreciation
   
Net balance
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Land and buildings
    170,197       180,868       (18,946 )     161,922  
Equipment
    15,597       27,993       (14,602 )     13,391  
Ceded under operating leases
    4,092       727       (38 )     689  
Other
    10,503       17,513       (9,393 )     8,120  
                                 
Totals
    200,389       227,101       (42,979 )     184,122  

         
2008
 
   
Opening balance as of January 1, 2008
   
Gross balance
   
Accumulated depreciation
   
Net balance
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Land and buildings
    169,409       178,502       (8,305 )     170,197  
Equipment
    17,135       22,990       (7,393 )     15,597  
Ceded under operating leases
    4,161       4,161       (69 )     4,092  
Other
    11,784       16,150       (5,647 )     10,503  
                                 
Totals
    202,489       221,803       (21,414 )     200,389  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 15 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, continued:

b)       The activity in property, plant and equipment during the 2009 and 2008 periods is as follows:

b.1)          Gross balance

2009
 
Land and buildings
   
Equipment
   
Ceded under operating leases
   
Other
   
Total
 
Cost
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                               
Opening balances as of January 1, 2009
    178,502       22,990       4,161       16,150       221,803  
Additions
    5,730       5,085       -       941       11,756  
Disposals (iii)
    (2,637 )     (7 )     (4,161 )     (19 )     (6,824 )
Impairment due to damage (i)
    -       (75 )     -       -       (75 )
Transfers
    (727 )     -       727       441       441  
Other
    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Balances as of December 31, 2009
    180,868       27,993       727       17,513       227,101  

2008
 
Land and buildings
   
Equipment
   
Ceded under operating leases
   
Other
   
Total
 
Cost
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                               
Opening balances as of January 1, 2008 (ii)
    169,409       17,135       4,161       11,784       202,489  
Additions
    10,310       5,949       -       3,303       19,562  
Disposals
    (1,217 )     (10 )     -       (48 )     (1,275 )
Impairment due to damages
    -       (84 )     -       -       (84 )
Transfers
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other
    -       -       -       1,111       1,111  
                                         
Balances as of December 31, 2008
    178,502       22,990       4,161       16,150       221,803  

(i)
During 2009 the Bank recorded impairment due to damage to property, plant and equipment totaling Ch$75 million. The indemnification payment received from the insurance company for this damage is shown in “Other revenues” in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

(ii)
As of January 1, 2008 the Bank determined the cost attributed to its property, plant and equipment choosing the lower of each asset’s historical cost (including its respective price-level restatements up to December 31, 2007) and its fair value based on an appraisal thereof by an independent third-party appraiser. That is why the property, plant and equipment as of January 1, 2008 are recorded at their amortized cost value, net of accumulated depreciation.

(iii)
On December 30, 2009 the Bank sold a building it had received in payment, located at calle Bandera No.201, to IM Trust Administradora General de Fondos for Fondo de Inversión Privado Inmobiliario Bandera, a private real estate investment fund, as is disclosed in Note 3, subsection c.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 15 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, continued:

b.2)          Accumulated depreciation

2009
 
Land and constructions
   
Equipment
   
Ceded under operating leases
   
Other
   
Total
 
Cost
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                               
Opening balances as of January 1, 2009
    (8,305 )     (7,393 )     (69 )     (5,647 )     (21,414 )
Depreciation charges in the period
    (10,705 )     (7,209 )     (31 )     (3,746 )     (21,691 )
Sales and disposals in the period (iii)
    64       -       62       -       126  
Discontinued operations
    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Balances as of December 31, 2009
    (18,946 )     (14,602 )     (38 )     (9,393 )     (42,979 )

2008
 
Land and constructions
   
Equipment
   
Ceded under operating leases
   
Other
   
Total
 
Cost
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                               
Opening balances as of January 1, 2008
    -       -       -       -       -  
Depreciation charges in the period
    (8,349 )     (7,393 )     (69 )     (5,647 )     (21,458 )
Sales and disposals in the period
    44       -       -       -       44  
Discontinued operations
    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Balances as of December 31, 2008
    (8,305 )     (7,393 )     (69 )     (5,647 )     (21,414 )

c)
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank has operating leases which cannot be unilaterally rescinded. The information on future payments is broken down as follows:

   
Up to 1 year
   
From 1 to 5 years
   
More than 5 years
   
Total
 
                         
As of December 31, 2009 (iii)
    -       -       2,463       2,463  
As of December 31, 2008
    -       -       21,999       21,999  
 
 
d)
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank has no financial leases which cannot be unilaterally rescinded.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 16 - CURRENT TAXES AND DEFERRED TAXES:

a)       Current Taxes

At the end of each year the bank recognizes a Provision for Income Tax, which is determined based on the currently applicable tax legislation and reflected liabilities of Ch$59,290 million for 2009 (a Ch$17,924 million asset as of December 31, 2008 and a Ch$13,568 million liability as of January 1, 2008). This provision is recorded net of taxes recoverable, as shown as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Summary of current tax liabilities (assets)
                 
Current taxes (assets)
    (4,541 )     (18,715 )     (2,499 )
Current taxes (liabilities)
    63,831       791       16,067  
                         
Total tax payable (recoverable)
    59,290       (17,924 )     13,568  
                         
(Assets) liabilities current taxes detail (net)
                       
Income tax, tax rate 17%
    106,882       66,318       66,568  
Minus:
                       
Provisional monthly payments (PPM)
    (41,061 )     (75,962 )     (61,226 )
PPM from accrued losses, Article No.31, part 3
    -       -       (13 )
Credit for training expenses
    (1,148 )     (1,262 )     (315 )
Other
    (5,383 )     (7,018 )     8,554  
                         
Total tax payable (recoverable)
    59,290       (17,924 )     13,568  

b)       Effect on income

The effect of tax expense on income during the periods from January 1 to December 31, 2009 and 2008 is comprised of the following items:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Income tax expenses
           
Current tax
    106,882       66,318  
                 
Credits (debits) for deferred taxes
               
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
    (18,154 )     (641 )
Prior years tax benefit
    -       (3,367 )
Subtotals
    88,728       62,310  
Tax for rejected expenses Article No.21
    196       221  
Other
    -       (2,789 )
                 
Net charges to income for income tax
    88,924       59,742  

Years open for review by tax authorities

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank has, in addition to the two years mentioned below, 2005, 2006 and 2007 open for review in relation to the main taxes applicable to it. The other consolidated entities have the corresponding years open for review, pursuant to their respective tax regulations.
 
Because of the possible different interpretations which can be made of the tax regulations, the outcome of the tax audits of the years reviewed and of the open years might give rise to contingent tax liabilities which cannot be objectively quantified. However, the Bank’s tax advisers consider that the possibility of such contingent liabilities becoming actual liabilities is remote, and that in any event the tax charge which arises there from tax audits would not materially affect the consolidated financial statements of the Bank.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 16 - CURRENT TAXES AND DEFERRED TAXES, continued:

c)       Effective tax rate reconciliation

The reconciliation between the income tax rate and the effective rate applied in determining tax expenses as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Tax rate
   
Amount
   
Tax rate
   
Amount
 
 
   
%
   
MCh$
   
%
   
MCh$
 
                         
Income before tax
    17.00       89,341       17.00       81,721  
Permanent differences
    (0.06 )     (304 )     (4.61 )     (22,151 )
Additions or deductions
    (0.05 )     (250 )     -       -  
Unique tax (rejected expenses)
    0.04       188       0.05       221  
Other
    (0.01 )     (51 )     (0.01 )     (49 )
                                 
Effective rates and expenses for income tax
    16.92       88,924       12.43       59,742  

The variation between the tax expenses in 2009 and 2008 was caused by the recognition of Ch$115,763 million for a price-level restatement of equity for tax purposes as an expense in 2008, leading to a Ch$19,680 million decrease in tax expense. This effect did not exist in 2009, because there was no price-level restatement for tax purposes due to the negative CPI variation.

d)         Effect of deferred taxes on equity

Below is a summary of the separate effect of deferred tax on Equity, showing the asset and liability balances, during the periods between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 and 2008, which consists of the following items:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Deferred tax assets
                 
Available for sale investments
    4,982       3,403       943  
Cash flow hedge
    537       -       997  
Total deferred tax assets affecting equity
    5,519       3,403       1,940  
                         
Deferred tax liabilities
                       
Cash flow hedge
    -       (1,848 )     -  
Total deferred tax liabilities affecting equity
    -       (1,848 )     -  
                         
Net deferred tax balances in equity
    5,519       1,555       1,940  
                         
Deferred taxes in equity attributable to Bank shareholders
    5,490       1,547       1,940  
Deferred tax in equity attributable to minority interest
    29       8          

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 16 - CURRENT TAXES AND DEFERRED TAXES, continued:

e)         Effect of deferred taxes onincome

In 2009 and 2008 and on January 1, 2008, the Bank has recorded deferred tax effects in its financial statements.

Below are the effects of deferred taxes on assets, liabilities, and income assigned as a result of timing differences:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
 Deferred tax assets
                 
 Interest
    2,012       615       4,511  
 Extraordinary charge-off
    8,804       9,076       5,958  
 Assets received in lieu of payment
    210       433       337  
 Exchange rate adjustments
    35       1,926       806  
 Valuation of Property, plant and equipment
    7,472       10,306       17,642  
 Allowance for loan losses
    43,420       31,583       28,133  
 Provision for expenses
    6,556       11,385       3,275  
 Derivatives
    17       2,111       34  
 Leased assets
    19,241       3,374       8,268  
 Affiliates’ tax losses
    51       3,920       3,881  
 Other
    1,507       10,370       5,536  
Total deferred tax assets
    89,325       85,099       78,381  
                         
 Deferred tax liabilities
                       
 Valuation of investments
    (2,512 )     (147 )     (4,050 )
 Depreciation
    (78 )     (13,748 )     (4,584 )
 Prepaid expenses
    (519 )     (2,439 )     (1,837 )
 Other
    (271 )     (1,255 )     (613 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (3,380 )     (17,589 )     (11,084 )

f)       Summary of deferred tax assets and liabilities

Below is a summary of the deferred tax assets and liabilities, indicating their effect on both equity and income:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Deferred tax assets
                 
Affecting equity
    5,519       3,403       1,940  
Affecting income
    89,325       85,099       78,381  
Total deferred tax assets
    94,844       88,502       80,321  
                         
Deferred tax liabilities
                       
Affecting equity
    -       (1,848 )     -  
Affecting income
    (3,380 )     (17,589 )     (11,084 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (3,380 )     (19,437 )     (11,084 )
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 17 - OTHER ASSETS:

The Other assets item’s composition is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Assets for leasing (*)
    52,070       101,952       59,574  
                         
Assets received in lieu of payment (**)
                       
Received in lieu of payment
    13,146       7,407       4,993  
Awarded in judicial sale
    2,179       13,807       9,158  
Provision for assets received in lieu of payment
    (908 )     (1,649 )     (2,360 )
Subtotals
    14,417       19,565       11,791  
Other assets
                       
Guarantee deposits
    229,083       157,862       189,539  
VAT credit
    7,180       7,104       7,157  
Income tax recoverable
    15,261       10,811       7,348  
Prepaid expenses
    8,960       11,635       12,364  
Assets recovered from leasing for sale
    985       1,326       3,843  
Pension plan assets (Note 37)
    4,893       -       -  
Accounts and notes receivable
    53,196       84,906       43,071  
Notes receivable through brokerage and simultaneous transactions
    60,622       74,875       84,009  
Higher value paid on purchase of mortgage finance bonds issued by Bank
    561       847       1,300  
Other assets
    7,595       39,670       44,214  
Subtotals
    388,336       389,036       392,845  
Totals
    454,823       510,553       464,210  

(*)
Assets available to be granted under the financial leasing agreements.

(**)
The assets received in lieu of payment are assets received as payment of customers’ past-due debts. The assets acquired must at no time exceed, in the aggregate, 20% of the Bank’s effective equity. These assets represent 0.52% (0.84% as of December 31, 2008 and 0.49% as of January 1, 2008) of the Bank’s effective equity.

The assets awarded at judicial sale are assets that have been acquired as payment of debts previously owed towards the Bank. The assets awarded at judicial sales are not subject to the aforementioned margin. These properties are assets available for sale. For most assets, the sale is expected to be completed within one year from the date on which the asset was received or acquired. If the asset in question is not sold within the year, it must be written off.

In addition, a provision is recorded for the difference between the initial award value plus its additions and its estimated realization value (appraisal) when the first is higher.

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 18 - DEPOSITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES:

As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, the composition of Deposits and other liabilities is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Deposits and other demand liabilities
                 
Checking accounts
    2,776,607       2,268,991       2,123,221  
Other deposits and demand accounts
    303,495       206,347       281,993  
Other demand liabilities
    453,432       472,824       462,720  
                         
Totals
    3,533,534       2,948,162       2,867,934  
                         
Time deposits and other time liabilities
                       
Time deposits
    4,219,392       9,476,024       7,651,725  
Time savings accounts
    98,985       102,951       97,155  
Other time liabilities
    2,856,880       177,291       139,017  
                         
Totals
    7,175,257       9,756,266       7,887,897  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 19 - INTERBANK BORROWINGS:

At December 31, 2009 and 2008 financial statements and as of January 1, 2009, interbank borrowings are as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Loans from financial institutions and the Central Bank of Chile
                 
Other obligations to the Central Bank of Chile
    1,850       3,012       3,972  
Subtotals
    1,850       3,012       3,972  
Loans from domestic financial institutions
                       
The Royal Bank of Scotland
    1,500       -       -  
The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi
    4,800       5,003       -  
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    20,001       -       -  
Subtotals
    26,301       5,003       -  
Loans from foreign financial institutions
                       
Banco Santander – Hong Kong
    457,610       -       -  
Wachovia Bank N.A. Miami
    211,480       204,826       121,008  
Standard Chartered Bank, New York
    193,176       9,620       44,864  
Banco Santander – Madrid
    190,539       -       19,581  
Bayerische Landesbank
    183,329       232,631       217,244  
Bank of America
    131,784       76,559       59,734  
Citibank N.A. New York
    91,994       41,231       24,889  
Banco Santander – Montevideo
    75,155       -       -  
Bank of Montreal – Toronto
    68,681       -       44,824  
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A. New York
    63,501       45,412       -  
The Toronto Dominion Bank – Toronto
    55,935       12,859       49,829  
Commerzbank A.G.-Frankfurt
    55,831       -       -  
Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg
    50,802       195,357       102,699  
Intesa San Paolo SPA U.S.A.
    45,833       35,328       32,397  
Banesto New York
    35,536       16,057       -  
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
    35,636       29,191       -  
Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio
    30,533       -       -  
Commercebank N.A. – Miami
    15,286       -       -  
Deutsche Bank A.G. New York
    13,971       32,134       -  
Dresdner Bank A.C.
    -       70,730       -  
Bank of Montreal
    -       64,474       -  
Caja de Madrid
    -       48,284       32,558  
HSBC Bank USA London
    -       32,409       -  
ABN Amro Bank N.V. Amsterdam
    -       25,798       49,778  
ING Bank N.V. Amsterdam
    -       23,783       14,999  
Santander Overseas Bank
    -       19,776       3,851  
Unicrédito Italiano New York
    -       19,574       12,445  
The Bank of New York Mellon
    -       19,269       -  
Standard Chartered Bank, Hong Kong
    -       16,253       -  
Toronto Dominion Bank Singapur
    -       17,645       -  
American Express Bank, Ltd (USA)
    -       12,898       16,925  
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterr
    -       12,852       -  
BNP Paribas, Panamá Branch
    -       12,844       -  
Toronto Dominion Bank
    -       12,835       -  
Credit Suisse, Zurich
    -       9,731       -  
BHF-Bank Aktiengesellscjatft
    -       9,684       -  
WGZ Bank A.G. Westdeutsche Genos
    -       7,707       5,995  
National Westminster Bank PLC
    -       -       49,984  
The Chase Manhattan Bank – New York
    -       -       39,325  
Dresdner Bank A.G. – Frankfurt
    -       -       34,997  
HSBC Holding
    -       -       24,889  
The Bank of New York
    -       -       19,911  
National City Bank Cleveland
    -       -       14,933  
Banco Español de Crédito
    -       -       9,956  
Other
    12,027       49,301       47,870  
Subtotals
    2,018,639       1,417,052       1,095,485  
                         
Totals
    2,046,790       1,425,067       1,099,457  

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 19 - INTERBANK BORROWINGS, continued:

a)
Obligations to the Central Bank of Chile

Debts to the Central Bank of Chile include credit lines for the renegotiation of loans and other Central Bank borrowings. These credit lines were provided by the Central Bank of Chile for the renegotiation of loans due to the need to refinance debt as a result of the economic recession and crisis of the banking system in the early 1980s. The lines of credit for the renegotiations, which are considered long-term, are related to mortgage loans linked to the UF index and bore a real annual interest rate of 3% as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008.

The outstanding amounts owed to the Central Bank of Chile under these credit lines are as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Totals Line of credit for renegotiation of obligations to the Central Bank of Chile
    1,850       3,012       3,972  

b)
Loans from domestic financial institutions

These obligations’ maturities are as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Due within 1 year
    26,301       5,003       -  
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 5 years
    -       -       -  
Totals loans from domestic financial institutions
    26,301       5,003       -  

c)
Foreign obligations

These obligations’ maturities are as follows:
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Due within 1 year
    1,812,296       1,107,997       608,889  
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    206,343       143,555       241,588  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    -       165,500       115,430  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    -       -       129,578  
Due after 5 years
    -       -       -  
Totals loans from foreign financial institutions
    2,018,639       1,417,052       1,095,485  

The foreign obligations are generally issued in U.S. dollars and are mainly used to fund foreign commercial loans of the Bank; they have average per annum interest rates of 1.4% and 3.9% as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and of 1.3% as of January 1, 2008.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 

NOTE 20 - DEBT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS:

As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, the composition of this item is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Other financial obligations
                 
Obligations to the public sector
    90,144       62,259       38,371  
Other domestic obligations
    55,015       55,903       61,884  
Foreign obligations
    1,752       13,156       75,412  
Subtotals
    146,911       131,318       175,667  
Debt instruments issued
                       
Mortgage finance bonds
    263,864       344,680       434,275  
Senior bonds
    2,068,786       1,618,780       1,225,007  
Subordinated bonds
    592,026       687,912       495,714  
Subtotals
    2,924,676       2,651,372       2,154,996  
                         
Totals
    3,071,587       2,782,690       2,330,663  
 
The debts classified as short term are either demand obligations or will mature in one year or less. All other debts are classified as long term. The Bank’s debts, both short and long-term, are summarized below:

   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Long term
   
Short term
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Mortgage finance bonds
    213,853       50,011       263,864  
Senior bonds
    1,901,972       166,814       2,068,786  
Subordinated bonds
    592,026       -       592,026  
Debt instruments issued
    2,707,851       216,825       2,924,676  
                         
Other financial obligations
    109,013       37,898       146,911  
                         
Totals
    2,816,864       254,723       3,071,587  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 20 - DEBT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS, continued:

   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Long term
   
Short term
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Mortgage finance bonds
    289,913       54,767       344,680  
Senior bonds
    1,362,198       256,582       1,618,780  
Subordinated bonds
    687,912       -       687,912  
Debt instruments issued
    2,340,023       311,349       2,651,372  
                         
Other financial obligations
    32,277       99,041       131,318  
                         
Totals
    2,372,300       410,390       2,782,690  

   
As of January 1, 2008
 
   
Long term
   
Short term
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Mortgage finance bonds
    376,847       57,428       434,275  
Senior bonds
    1,225,007       -       1,225,007  
Subordinated bonds
    495,714       -       495,714  
Debt instruments issued
    2,097,568       57,428       2,154,996  
                         
Other financial obligations
    33,749       141,918       175,667  
                         
Totals
    2,131,317       199,346       2,330,663  

 
a)
Mortgage finance bonds

These bonds are used to finance mortgage loans. The outstanding principal 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 bear a weighted-average annual interest rate of 4.7% as of December 2009 and 4.6% as of December 2008.

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Due within 1 year
    50,011       54,767       57,428  
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    31,804       41,211       47,461  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    28,574       37,635       45,331  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    23,277       31,284       41,456  
Due after 4 years but within 5 years
    27,350       33,655       36,951  
Due after 5 years
    102,848       146,128       205,648  
Mortgage finance bonds totals
    263,864       344,680       434,275  
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 20 - DEBT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS, continued:

b)
Senior Bonds

The following table shows, at the indicated dates, our senior bonds issued.

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Santander Bonds denominated in UF
    1,660,877       1,362,198       1,025,758  
Santander Bonds denominated in US $
    407,909       256,582       199,249  
Senior bonds totals
    2,068,786       1,618,780       1,225,007  

In 2009 the Bank places bonds for UF 16,289,000 and USD 800,000.000.

Bonds
                   
Series
 
Amount
 
Term
 
Issue Rate
 
Issue Date
 
Maturity Date
                     
F1
 
UF 3,000,000
 
8 years
 
3.50% per annum simple
 
5/2/2008
 
5/2/2016
F2
 
UF 2,379,000
 
9 years
 
4.20% per annum simple
 
9/1/2008
 
9/1/2017
F3
 
UF 3,000,000
 
5 years
 
4.50% per annum simple
 
2/1/2009
 
2/1/2014
F4
 
UF 3,000,000
 
4 years
 
4.50% per annum simple
 
2/1/2009
 
2/1/2013
F5
 
UF 3,000,000
 
4.5 years
 
2.50% per annum simple
 
5/1/2009
 
11/1/2013
F6
 
 UF 3,000,000 (*)
 
5 years
 
3.50% per annum simple
 
9/1/2009
 
9/1/2014
F7
 
 UF 3,000,000 (**)
 
4.5 years
 
3.30% per annum simple
 
11/1/2009
 
5/1/2014
Total
 
UF 20,379,000
               
                     
144 A
 
USD 500,000,000
 
3 years
 
2.88% per annum simple
 
11/13/2009
 
11/13/2012
144 A
 
USD 300,000,000
 
3 years
 
2.88% per annum simple
 
11/13/2009
 
11/13/2012
Total
 
USD 800,000,000
               

In 2008 the Bank placed bonds on the local market totaling UF 12,621,000 (Ch$264,320 million as of December 31, 2009). The detail of these bonds is as follows:

Bonds
                   
Series
 
Amount
 
Term
 
Issue rate
 
Placement date
 
Maturity date
                     
Y
 
UF 4,000,000
 
6 years
 
3.50% per annum simple
 
1/17/2008
 
12/3/2013
Y1
 
UF 3,000,000
 
5 years
 
3.50% per annum simple
 
4/28/2008
 
2/1/2013
Y2
 
UF 3,000,000
 
25 years
 
Non-interest bearing
 
5/9/2008
 
2/1/2033
Y3
 
UF 2,000,000
 
10 years
 
3.80% per annum simple
 
6/4/2008
 
2/1/2018
F2
 
UF 621,000
 
9 years
 
4.20% per annum simple
 
12/16/2008
 
9/1/2017
Total
 
 UF 12,621,000
               

 
(*) On September 1, 2009 a line of senior bonds totaling UF 3,000,000 corresponding to F6 series with a 5-year term was registered in the SBIF’s Registry of Securities. The F6 series bond has an unplaced face value of UF 1,090,000 as of December 31, 2009.

 
(**) On November 1, 2009 a line of senior bonds totaling UF 3,000,000 corresponding to F7 series with a 4.5 year term was registered in the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions’ registry of securities. No placements of this bond have been made in the current period.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 20 - DEBT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS, continued:

These bonds mature as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Due within 1 year
    166,814       256,582       -  
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    218,339       170,358       199,249  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    438,446       226,910       137,872  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    378,064       8,805       209,543  
Due after 4 years but within 5 years
    171,647       259,768       9,390  
Due after 5 years
    695,476       696,357       668,953  
Senior bonds totals
    2,068,786       1,618,780       1,225,007  

c)       Subordinated bonds

The following table shows, at the indicated dates, the balances of our subordinated bonds.
 
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Subordinated bonds denominated in US $
    278,087       364,410       263,676  
Subordinated bonds denominated in UF
    313,939       323,502       232,038  
Subordinated bonds totals
    592,026       687,912       495,714  

In 2009 the Bank placed subordinated bonds on the local market for UF 300,000, which is broken down as follows:

Subordinated bonds
                   
Series
 
Amount
 
Term
 
Issue rate
 
Issue date
 
Maturity date
                     
G2 (*)
 
UF 300,000
 
30 years
 
4.8% per annum simple
 
9/1/2008
 
3/1/2038
Total
 
UF 300,000
               

During the year the Bank issued subordinated bonds totaling UF 3,750,000 of G1 and G2 series (Ch$80,447 million as of December 31, 2008) with 25 and 30 year maturities, respectively.

Subordinated bonds
                   
Series
 
Amount
 
Term
 
Issue rate
 
Placement date
 
Maturity date
                     
G1
 
UF 3,000,000
 
25 years
 
3.90% per annum simple
 
7/25/2008
 
5/2/2033
G2 (*)
 
UF 750,000
 
30 years
 
4.80% per annum simple
 
12/26/2008
 
3/1/2038
Total
 
UF 3,750,000
               

(*) As of December 31, 2009 there are unplaced G2 series bonds with a U.F. face value 1,950,000.
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008


NOTE 20 - DEBT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS, continued:

The maturities of these bonds, considered long term, is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Due within 1 year
    -       -       -  
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    12,899       -       -  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    119,211       19,420       -  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    -       141,187       17,349  
Due after 4 years but within 5 years
    158,876       -       116,330  
Due after 5 years
    301,040       527,305       362,035  
Subordinated bonds totals
    592,026       687,912       495,714  

 
d)       Other financial obligations

The composition of other financial obligations, by maturity, is detailed below:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
Long-term obligations:
                 
Due after 1 year but within 2 years
    4,583       2,772       3,304  
Due after 2 years but within 3 years
    3,515       2,502       2,727  
Due after 3 years but within 4 years
    3,556       1,835       2,539  
Due after 4 years but within 5 years
    27,868       1,626       1,977  
Due after 5 years
    69,491       23,542       23,201  
Long-term financial obligations subtotals
    109,013       32,277       33,748  
                         
Short-term obligations:
                       
Amounts due to credit card operators
    31,045       41,018       23,497  
Acceptance of letters of credit
    -       -       75,134  
Other long-term financial obligations, short-term portion
    6,853       58,023       43,288  
Short-term financial obligations subtotals
    37,898       99,041       141,919  
                         
Other financial obligations totals
    146,911       131,318       175,667  
 

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 21 - MATURITIES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the detail of maturities of assets and liabilities is as follows:

 
 
Demand
   
Up to 1 month
   
Between 1 and 3 months
   
Between 3 and 12 months
   
Subtotal up to 1 year
   
Between 1 and 5 years
   
More than 5 years
   
Subtotal after 1 year
   
 
Total
 
As of December 31, 2009
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                       
Assets
                                                     
Cash and deposits
in banks
    2,043,458       -       -       -       2,043,458       -       -       -       2,043,458  
Unsettled transactions
    468,134       -       -       -       468,134       -       -       -       468,134  
Trading investments
    37,151       521       2,541       663,359       703,572       71,262       23,705       94,967       798,539  
Investments under resale agreements
    -       14,020       -       -       14,020       -       -       -       14,020  
Financial derivative contracts
    -       54,140       73,784       166,202       294,126       732,143       367,609       1,099,752       1,393,878  
Interbank loans
    -       23,370       -       -       23,370       -       -       -       23,370  
Loans and accounts receivable from customers (*)
    353,799       1,050,056       897,422       2,033,400       4,334,677       4,277,025       4,573,427       8,850,452       13,185,129  
Available for sale investments
    5,132       93,861       120,057       342,426       561,476       620,963       647,651       1,268,614       1,830,090  
Held to maturity
investments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Total assets
    2,907,674       1,235,968       1,093,804       3,205,387       8,442,833       5,701,393       5,612,392       11,313,785       19,756,618  
                                                                         
Liabilities
                                                                       
Deposits and other demand liabilities
    3,533,534       -       -       -       3,533,534       -       -       -       3,533,534  
Unsettled transactions
    275,474       -       -       -       275,474       -       -       -       275,474  
Investments under repurchase agreements
    -       191,118       317,187       606,300       1,114,605       -       -       -       1,114,605  
Time deposits and other time liabilities (**)
    1,235       2,338,029       1,750,407       1,945,620       6,035,291       1,029,446       11,535       1,040,981       7,076,272  
Financial derivative contracts
    -       81,601       77,426       216,070       375,097       668,674       305,135       973,809       1,348,906  
Interbank borrowings
    3,726       69,060       350,645       1,417,016       1,840,447       206,343       -       206,343       2,046,790  
Issued debt instruments
    3,450       18,308       169,012       26,055       216,825       1,608,489       1,099,362       2,707,851       2,924,676  
Other financial obligations
    32,443       1,163       604       3,688       37,898       39,522       69,491       109,013       146,911  
                                                                         
Total liabilities
    3,849,862       2,699,279       2,665,281       4,214,749       13,429,171       3,552,474       1,485,523       5,037,997       18,467,168  

 
(*) 
Excludes amounts already matured.
 
(**)
Excludes time savings accounts.
 
 
F-101

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 21 - MATURITY OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, continued:

   
Demand
   
Up to 1 month
   
Between 1 and 3 months
   
Between 3 and 12 months
   
Subtotal up to 1 year
   
Between 1 and 5 years
   
More than 5 years
   
Subtotal after 1 year
   
Total
 
As of December 31, 2008  
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                       
Assets
                                                     
Cash and deposits in banks
    532,897       322,514       -       -       855,411       -       -       -       855,411  
Unsettled transactions
    335,405       -       -       -       335,405       -       -       -       335,405  
Trading investments
    59,420       1,655       2,523       212,071       275,669       741,913       148,844       890,757       1,166,426  
Investments under resale agreements
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Financial derivative contracts
    -       144,191       233,545       393,833       771,569       596,347       478,593       1,074,940       1,846,509  
Interbank loans
    95,499       -       -       -       95,499       -       -       -       95,499  
Loans and accounts receivable from customers (*)
    290,941       2,092,500       1,320,866       2,034,584       5,738,891       4,134,266       4,437,651       8,571,917       14,310,808  
Available for sale investments
    986       474,148       12,174       110,703       598,011       460,182       522,047       982,229       1,580,240  
Held to maturity investments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Total assets
    1,315,148       3,035,008       1,569,108       2,751,191       8,670,455       5,932,708       5,587,135       11,519,843       20,190,298  
                                                                         
Liabilities
                                                                       
Deposits and other demand liabilities
    2,948,162       -       -       -       2,948,162       -       -       -       2,948,162  
Unsettled transactions
    142,552       -       -       -       142,552       -       -       -       142,552  
Investment under repurchase agreements
    -       524,007       26,837       10,526       561,370       853       -       853       562,223  
Time deposits and other time liabilities (**)
    446       2,944,775       2,491,573       2,620,290       8,057,084       1,582,324       13,907       1,596,231       9,653,315  
Financial derivative contracts
    -       145,974       119,815       218,260       484,049       578,402       407,273       985,675       1,469,724  
Interbank borrowings
    4,371       50,639       235,605       825,397       1,116,012       309,055       -       309,055       1,425,067  
Issued debt instruments
    -       20,135       2,855       288,359       311,349       970,233       1,369,790       2,340,023       2,651,372  
Other financial obligations
    78,094       16,631       2,015       2,301       99,041       8,735       23,542       32,277       131,318  
                                                                         
Total liabilities
    3,173,625       3,702,161       2,878,700       3,965,133       13,719,619       3,449,602       1,814,512       5,264,114       18,983,733  

 
(*)
Excludes amounts already matured.
 
(**)
Excludes time savings accounts.
 
 
F-102

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008

 
NOTE 21 - MATURITY OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, continued:

As of January 1, 2008
 
Demand
   
Up to 1 month
   
Between 1 and 3 months
   
Between 3 and 12 months
   
Subtotal up to 1 year
   
Between 1 and 5 years
   
More than 5 years
   
Subtotal after 1 year
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                       
Assets
                                                     
Cash and deposits in banks
    1,108,637       -       -       -       1,108,637       -       -       -       1,108,637  
Unsettled transactions
    316,240       -       -       -       316,240       -       -       -       316,240  
Trading investments
    -       145,170       7,087       113,274       265,531       431,615       396,299       827,914       1,093,445  
Investments under resale agreements
    -       33,999       -       -       33,999       -       -       -       33,999  
Financial derivative contracts
    -       36,907       37,049       92,043       165,999       259,690       355,086       614,776       780,775  
Interbank loans
    -       45,961       -       -       45,961       -       -       -       45,961  
Loans and accounts receivable from customers (*)
    490,610       1,732,281       778,159       1,742,638       4,743,688       3,639,248       3,522,685       7,161,933       11,905,621  
Available for sale investments
    138       60,296       14,202       71,916       146,552       183,136       449,947       633,083       779,635  
Held to maturity investments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Total assets
    1,915,625       2,054,614       836,497       2,019,871       6,826,607       4,513,689       4,724,017       9,237,706       16,064,313  
                                                                         
Liabilities
                                                                       
Deposits and other demand liabilities
    2,867,934       -       -       -       2,867,934       -       -       -       2,867,934  
Unsettled transactions
    135,219       -       -       -       135,219       -       -       -       135,219  
Investment under repurchase agreements
    -       307,630       -       -       307,630       -       -       -       307,630  
Time deposits and other time liabilities (**)
    -       2,272,828       1,763,080       2,213,515       6,249,423       1,531,142       10,177       1,541,319       7,790,742  
Financial derivative contracts
    -       44,426       38,435       84,599       167,460       303,887       306,870       610,757       778,217  
Interbank borrowings
    962       10,301       5,359       596,239       612,861       486,596       -       486,596       1,099,457  
Issued debt instruments
    4,885       16,666       3,331       32,546       57,428       860,932       1,236,636       2,097,568       2,154,996  
Other financial obligations
    49,166       65,728       21,394       5,630       141,918       10,548       23,201       33,749       175,667  
                                                                         
Total liabilities
    3,058,166       2,717,579       1,831,599       2,932,529       10,539,873       3,193,105       1,576,884       4,769,989       15,309,862  

 
(*)     
Excludes amounts already matured.
 
(**)   
Excludes time savings accounts.
 
 
F-103

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 22 - PROVISIONS:

a)
As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, the composition of the allowances item is as shown below:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Provisions for personnel salaries and expenses
    31,208       38,235       30,535  
Provision for mandatory dividends (*)
    129,467       97,938       -  
Allowance for contingent loans
    4,077       2,769       2,362  
Provisions for contingencies
    21,460       27,271       17,205  
Allowance for country risks
    -       -       -  
Totals
    186,212       166,213       50,102  

b)
Below is the activity in provisions during the 2009 and 2008 periods:

   
Provisions for
       
   
Personnel salaries and expenses
   
Allowances for contingent loans
   
Contingencies
   
Mandatory dividends
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                               
Opening balances as of January 1, 2009
    38,235       2,769       27,271       97,938       166,213  
Provisions established
    26,882       1,380       1,088       129,467       158,817  
Used provisions
    (31,934 )     -       (586 )     (97,938 )     (130,458 )
Release of provisions
    (1,975 )     (72 )     (14,793 )     -       (16,840 )
Reclassifications
    -       -       7,283       -       7,283  
Other
    -       -       1,197       -       1,197  
                                         
Balances as of December 31, 2009
    31,208       4,077       21,460       129,467       186,212  
                                         
                                         
Opening balances as of January 1, 2008
    30,535       2,362       17,205       -       50,102  
Provisions established
    44,076       2,808       1,075       190,532       238,491  
Used provisions
    (36,119 )     -       (3,282 )     (92,594 )     (131,995 )
Release of provisions
    (898 )     (2,401 )     (1,246 )     -       (4,545 )
Other
    641       -       13,519       -       14,160  
                                         
Balances as of December 31, 2008
    38,235       2,769       27,271       97,938       166,213  
 
 
F-104

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 22 - PROVISIONS, continued:

c)
Provision for personnel salaries and expenses:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Provision for seniority compensation
    312       4,030  
Provision for stock-based personnel benefits
    1,076       673  
Provision for performance bonds
    14,025       18,005  
Provision for vacations
    14,053       14,723  
Provision for other personnel benefits
    1,742       804  
                 
Totals
    31,208       38,235  

d)
Seniority compensation:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Present value of obligations at beginning of the period
    4,030       1,675  
Increase in provisions
    926       4,447  
Payments made
    (4,240 )     (2,092 )
Prepayments
    -       -  
Used provisions
    (404 )     -  
Other
    -       -  
                 
Totals
    312       4,030  

e)
Movements in provision for performance bonds:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Opening balances as of January 1, 2008
    18,005       15,202  
Provisions established
    14,897       18,903  
Applications of provisions
    (18,059 )     (15,202 )
Used provisions
    (818 )     (898 )
Other
    -       -  
                 
Totals
    14,025       18,005  

f)
Movements in provision for personnel vacation:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Opening balances as of January 1, 2008
    14,723       12,725  
Provisions established
    6,730       16,868  
Used provisions
    (7,320 )     (15,484 )
Releases of provisions
    (80 )     -  
Other
    -       614  
                 
Totals
    14,053       14,723  
 
 
F-105

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 23 - OTHER LIABILITIES:

This item’s composition is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Accounts and notes payable
    79,491       74,302       75,961  
Unearned income
    2,081       4,669       6,437  
Guarantees received (threshold)
    148,308       177,017       15,188  
Notes payable through brokerage and simultaneous transactions
    14,802       11,192       11,697  
Other liabilities
    18,714       26,553       9,266  
                         
Totals
    263,396       293,733       118,549  
 
 
 
F-106

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 24 - CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS:

a)         Lawsuits and legal procedures

On the date of these financial statements’ issuance, the Bank and its affiliates were subject to certain legal actions in the normal course of their business. As of December 31, 2009 the Bank and its affiliates maintained provisions for these legal actions, totaling Ch$830 million (Ch$1,394 million as of December 31, 2008 and Ch$1,566 million as of January 1, 2008), which are part of the “Provisions for contingencies” item.

b)         Contingent loans

The following table shows the Bank’s contractual obligations to issue loans.


   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Letters of credit issued
    155,956       181,381       181,034  
Foreign letters of credit confirmed
    35,818       122,783       145,016  
Guarantees
    655,780       766,727       627,642  
Pledges and other commercial commitments
    169,931       172,568       236,661  
Subtotals
    1,017,485       1,243,459       1,190,353  
Available credit lines
    4,615,787       4,041,849       3,338,221  
Totals
    5,633,272       5,285,308       4,528,574  
 
 
F-107

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 24 - CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS, continued:

c) 
Held securities:

The Bank holds securities in the normal course of its business as follows:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                   
Securities held in custody
    238,490       463,161       128,549  
                         
Collections
    179,547       432,786       283,908  
                         
Assets from third parties managed by the Bank and its affiliates held in custody
    66       1,158       658  
                         
Issued securities held in custody
    7,371,486       10,081,416       8,844,411  
                         
Totals
    7,789,589       10,978,521       9,257,526  

d)
Guarantees

Banco Santander Chile has a comprehensive officer fidelity insurance policy, No.2340815, with the Chilena Consolidada de Seguros insurance company, for an amount of USD $5,000,000, which jointly covers both the Bank and its affiliates for the period from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos

In conformity with General Standard No.125, the company designated Banco Santander Chile as the representative of the beneficiaries of the guarantees established by each of the managed funds, in compliance with Articles 226 and following of Law No.18,045.

In addition to these guarantees for creating mutual funds, there are other guarantees for a guaranteed return on certain mutual funds, totaling Ch$64,346 million, and time deposits totaling UF 20,385.18 million (Ch$ 426,924,379 million as of December 31, 2009) as a guaranty of Private Investment Funds (P.I.F.) as of December 31, 2009.

Santander S.A. Agente de Valores

To ensure correct and full performance of all its obligations as an Agent, in conformity with the provisions of Articles No.30 and following of Law No.18,045 on the Securities Market, the Company provided a guarantee in the amount of UF 4,000 (Ch$ 84 million as of December 31, 2009) through Insurance Policy No.209106829, taken out from the Compañía de Seguros de Crédito Continental S.A., which matures on December 19, 2010.

Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

To ensure correct and full performance of all its obligations as a Stock Broker, in conformity with the provisions of Articles 30 and following of Law 18,045 on the Securities Market, the Company has given fixed-income securities to the Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago for a current value of Ch$2,369 million as of December 31, 2009 (Ch$1,791 million as of December 31, 2008).

In addition, the Company has provided guarantees to the Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago to cover simultaneous transactions with a current value of Ch$14,802 million as of December 31, 2009 (Ch$10,934 million as of December 31, 2008).
 
 
F-108

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 24 - CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS, continued:

Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada

a)
Insurance policies

In accordance with Circular No.1,160 of the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, the Company has an insurance policy in connection with its obligations as an intermediary in insurance contracts. The guarantee policy for insurance brokers No.4282537, which covers UF 500 (Ch$ 10 million as of December 31, 2009), and professional liability policy No.4282542, which covers UF 60,000 (Ch$ 1,257 million as of December 31, 2009), were taken out from the Seguros Generales Consorcio Nacional de Seguros S.A. Each is in effect from April 16, 2009 to April 14, 2010.

b)
Deferred customs duties

In conformity with legal procedures, the obligation to pay deferred customs duties on imports of leased goods is transferred to the lessees, which undertake to make that payment both directly to the appropriate customs office and indirectly in the leases into which they enter into with the Company. Accordingly, if a lessee fails to make a payment, the Chilean government would have the right to be paid from the proceeds of the imported good’s sale at auction, but that auction can be avoided if the Company pays the customs duties and then charges the lessee for them, as is stipulated in the contract.

Bansa Santander S.A.

On March 15, 2006 it was resolved at a special shareholders meeting of the Company, pursuant to Article 57 No.5 of Law No.18,046, to authorize the Company to provide a bond in favor of Banco Santander Chile, to ensure fulfillment of all the obligations that might arise from the injunction against entering into legal acts and contracts over real properties at lot 18 of the Hijuela El Arco subdivision.
 
 
 
F-109

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 25 - EQUITY:

a)
Capital stock and preferred shares

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008 the Bank had 188,446,126,794 shares outstanding, all of which are subscribed for and paid in full. All shares are common shares, with no par value or other preferences.

The activity with respect to shares during 2009 and 2008 was as follows:

   
Shares
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Number
   
Number
 
             
Issued as of January 1
    188,446,126,794       188,446,126,794  
Paid-up shares issued
    -       -  
Owed shares issued
    -       -  
Stock options exercised
    -       -  
                 
Issued as of December 31,
    188,446,126,794       188,446,126,794  


As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008, the Bank does not have any of its own shares in treasury, nor do any of the companies included in the perimeter of consolidation.

As of December 31, 2009 the shareholder composition was as follows:

Corporate Name or Shareholder’s Name
 
Shares
   
ADRs (*)
   
Totals
   
% of Equity Holding
 
                         
Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Limitada
    78,108,391,607       -       78,108,391,607       41.45  
Santander Chile Holding S.A.
    66,822,519,695       -       66,822,519,695       35.46  
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
    -       31,775,852,329       31,775,852,329       16.86  
Inversiones Antares S.A.
    250,363,545       -       250,363,545       0.13  
Antonio Hitschfeld Bollman
    200,000,000       -       200,000,000       0.11  
Banks and stock brokers on behalf of third parties
    6,985,588,652       -       6,985,588,652       3.71  
Other minority shareholders
    4,303,410,966       -       4,303,410,966       2.28  
Totals
                    188,446,126,794       100.00  
 
 
F-110

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 25 – EQUITY, continued:

As of December 31, 2008 the shareholder composition was as follows:

Corporate Name or Shareholder’s Name
 
Shares
   
ADRs (*)
   
Totals
   
% of Equity Holding
 
                         
Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Limitada
    78,108,391,607       -       78,108,391,607       41.45  
Santander Chile Holding S.A.
    66,822,519,695       -       66,822,519,695       35.46  
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
    -       29,254,384,271       29,254,384,271       15.52  
Inversiones Antares S.A.
    415,363,545       -       415,363,545       0.22  
Banks and stock brokers on behalf of third parties
    9,075,663,584       -       9,075,663,584       4.82  
Other minority shareholders
    4,769,804,092       -       4,769,804,092       2.53  
Totals
                    188,446,126,794       100.00  

As of January 1, 2008 the shareholder composition was as follows:

Corporate Name or Shareholder’s Name
 
Shares
   
ADRs (*)
   
Totals
   
% of Equity Holding
 
                         
Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Limitada
    78,108,391,607       -       78,108,391,607       41.45  
Santander Chile Holding S.A.
    66,822,519,695       -       66,822,519,695       35.46  
The Bank of New York
    -       26,772,309,006       26,772,309,006       14.21  
Inversiones Antares S.A.
    425,363,545       -       425,363,545       0.23  
Banks and stock brokers on behalf of third parties
    11,164,190,056       -       11,164,190,056       5.92  
Other minority shareholders
    5,153,352,885       -       5,153,352,885       2.73  
Totals
                    188,446,126,794       100.00  

(*)  American Depository Receipts (ADR) are certificates issued by a U.S. commercial bank to be traded on the U.S. securities markets.
 
Banco Santander Spain controls Santander-Chile through its holdings in Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Ltda. and Santander-Chile Holding, which are controlled subsidiaries of Banco Santander Spain. As of December 31, 2009, Banco Santander Spain directly or indirectly owned or controlled 99.5% of Santander-Chile Holding and directly or indirectly owned or controlled 100% of Teatinos Siglo XXI S.A. This gives Banco Santander Spain control over 76.91% of the shares of the Bank, and actual participation, when excluding minority shareholders, of 76.74% at December 31, 2009.
 
 
F-111

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 25 – EQUITY, continued:

b)
Dividends

During the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the following dividends were declared and paid by the Bank:
 
Distributed dividends
 
Total attributable to shareholders
   
Allocated to reserves or retained earnings
   
 
Allocated to Dividends
   
 
Percentage distributed
   
 
Number of shares
   
Dividend
per share
(in pesos)
 
                                     
 - Year 2007
 (Shareholders Meeting April 2008)
    308,647       108,028       200,619       65 %     188,446,126,794       1.065  
                                                 
 - Year 2008
(Shareholders Meeting April 2009)
    413,370       200,075       213,295       52 %     188,446,126,794       1.132  

c)
As of December 31, diluted earnings and basic earnings were as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
a) Basic earnings per share
           
Total attributable to shareholders
    431,557       413,370  
Weighted average number of outstanding shares
    188,446,126,794       188,446,126,794  
Dividend per share (in pesos)
    2.290       2.194  
                 
b) Diluted dividends per share
               
Total attributable to shareholders
    431,557       413,370  
Weighted average number of outstanding shares
    188,446,126,794       188,446,126,794  
Assumed conversion of convertible debt
    -       -  
Adjusted number of shares
    188,446,126,794       188,446,126,794  
Diluted earnings per share (in pesos)
    2.290       2.194  
                 

As of December 31, 2008 and 2009, the Bank has no instruments with dilutive effects.

 
F-112

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 

NOTE 26 - CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS (BASEL):

Pursuant to the General Law of Banks, the Bank must maintain a minimum ratio of effective equity to risk-weighted assets of 8% net of required allowances, and a minimum ratio of basic equity to consolidated total assets of 3%, net of required allowances. However, as a result of the Bank’s merger in 2002, the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions (SBIF) has determined that the Bank’s combined effective net equity cannot be lower than 11% of its risk-weighted assets. Effective net equity is defined for these purposes as basic equity (capital and reserves) plus subordinated bonds, up to a maximum of 50% of basic equity.

Assets are allocated to different risk categories, each of which is assigned a weighting percentage according to the amount of capital required to be held for each type of asset. For example, cash, deposits in banks and financial instruments issued by the Central Bank of Chile have a 0% risk weighting, meaning that it is not necessary to hold equity to back these assets according to current regulations. Property, plant and equipment have a 100% risk weighting, meaning that a minimum capital equivalent to 11% of these assets must be held. All derivatives traded off the exchanges are also assigned a risk weighting, using a conversion factor applied to their notional values, to determine the amount of their exposure to credit risk. Off-balance-sheet contingent credits are also included for weighting purposes, as “Credit equivalents.”
 
   
Consolidated assets
   
Risk-weighted assets
 
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
   
As of December 31,
       
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                     
Balance-sheet assets (net of allowances)
                                   
Cash and deposits in banks
    2,043,458       855,411       1,108,637       -       -       -  
Unsettled transactions
    468,134       335,405       316,240       191,287       58,580       73,437  
Trading investments
    798,539       1,166,426       1,093,445       41,918       97,594       164,600  
Investments under resale agreements
    14,020       -       33,999       14,020       -       33,999  
Financial derivative contracts (*)
    1,391,886       1,459,901       1,283,957       837,692       844,892       597,881  
Interbank loans
    23,370       95,499       45,961       4,674       19,100       9,192  
Loans and accounts receivable from customers
    13,378,379       14,311,349       12,022,275       11,717,337       12,721,633       10,814,912  
Available for sale investments
    1,830,090       1,580,240       779,635       154,089       167,995       67,769  
Investments in other companies
    7,417       7,277       7,301       7,417       7,277       7,301  
Intangible assets
    77,260       68,232       56,224       77,260       68,232       56,224  
Property, plant and equipment
    184,122       200,389       202,489       184,122       200,389       202,489  
Current taxes
    4,541       18,715       2,499       454       1,872       250  
Deferred taxes
    95,229       88,825       80,989       9,523       8,883       8,099  
Other assets
    452,559       508,655       460,282       269,313       382,452       464,282  
Off-balance-sheet assets
                                               
Contingent loans
    1,160,118       1,240,690       1,190,363       693,009       735,126       714,218  
Totals
    21,929,122       21,937,014       18,684,296       14,202,115       15,314,025       13,210,653  
 
(*)
“Financial derivative contracts” are presented at their “Credit Equivalent Risk” value as established in Chapter 12-1 of the Recopilación Actualizada de Normas – RAN – (updated compilation of rules) issued by the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions.

These capital requirements (Basel) are referred to their local values, according to criteria regulated by the Superintendency of Banks, so that some of their values do not match the amounts of full IFRS Consolidated Balance Sheet. These amounts correspond to the Other assets, deferred taxes and Shareholder’s Equity, which varied primarily on the back of the charge off of the asset received in lieu of payment.

To maintain a base of accounting information, the Bank has presented the ratio of basic capital and effective equity for the year 2008 in accordance with the new regulations established in Circular No.3,479 of the Superintendency of Banks, of August 18, 2009, which is in force as of September 30, 2009. The ratio determined under the standards in force prior to the changes would be 7.18% and 13.80% for the basic capital and effective equity limits, respectively, as shown in the following detail:
 
 
F-113

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 26 – CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS (BASEL), continued:

The levels of Basic capital and Effective net equity at the close of each period are as follows:

 
         
Percentage
 
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
%
   
%
   
%
 
                                     
Basic capital
    1,658,316       1,489,689       1,129,395       7.56       6.79       6.04  
Effective net equity
    2,214,092       2,104,225       1,602,432       15.59       13.74       12.13  
 
 
F-114

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
 NOTE 27 - NON CONTROLLING INTERESTS:

This item reflects the net amount of the subsidiaries’ net equity attributable to equity instruments which do not belong to the Bank either directly or indirectly, including the part that has been attributed to income for the period.

The non controlling interest in the affiliates’ equity is summarized as follows:

                     
Other comprehensive income
 
As of December 31, 2009
 
Third-party share
   
Equity
   
Income
   
Available for sale investments
   
Deferred tax
   
Total other comprehensive income
   
Comprehensive income
 
   
%
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                           
Affiliates:
                                         
Santander S.A. Agente de Valores
    0.97 %     437       63       (2 )     -       (2 )     61  
Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora
    0.36 %     4       -       -       -       -       -  
Santander Investment S.A. Corredores de Bolsa
    49.00 %     22,612       3,156       (123 )     21       (102 )     3,054  
Santander Asset Management S.A. Adm. Gral.
de Fondos
    0.02 %     13       5       -       -       -       5  
Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada
    0.24 %     127       14       -       -       -       14  
                                                         
Subtotals
            23,193       3,238       (125 )     21       (104 )     3,134  
                                                         
Special-purpose entities:
                                                       
Bansa Santander S.A.
    100 %     2,380       (412 )     -       -       -       (412 )
Santander Gestión de Recaudación y Cobranzas Limitada
    100 %     3,368       1,542       -       -       -       1,542  
Multinegocios S.A
    100 %     96       28       -       -       -       28  
Servicios de Administración y Financieros Limitada
    100 %     336       380       -       -       -       380  
Servicios de Cobranzas Fiscalex Limitada
    100 %     51       48       -       -       -       48  
Multiservicios de Negocios Limitada
    100 %     375       229       -       -       -       229  
                                                         
Subtotals
            6,606       1,815       -       -       -       1,815  
                                                         
Totals
            29,799       5,053       (125 )     21       (104 )     4,949  
 
 
F-115

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
NOTE 27 - NON CONTROLLING INTERESTS, continued:

Non controlling interests in equity and the affiliates’ income as of December 31, 2008 are as follows:

     
As of December 31, 2008
 
                           
Other comprehensive income
 
   
Third-party share
   
Equity
01.01.08
   
Equity
31.12.08
   
Income
   
Available for sale investments
   
Deferred tax
   
Total other comprehensive income
   
Comprehensive income
 
   
%
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                 
Affiliates:
                                               
Santander S.A. Agente de Valores
    0.97 %     1,374       1,473       210       (47 )     8       (39 )     171  
Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora
    0.36 %     4       4       -       -       -       -       -  
Santander Investment S.A. Corredores de Bolsa
    49.00 %     18,271       22,706       4,229       -       -       -       4,229  
Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos
    0.02 %     18       18       5       -       -       -       5  
Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada (formerly Santander Leasing S.A.)
    0.24 %     154       179       19       -       -       -       19  
Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada
    0.01 %     3       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                 
Subtotals
            19,824       24,380       4,463       (47 )     8       (39 )     4,424  
                                                                 
Special-purpose entities:
                                                               
Bansa Santander S.A.
    100 %     (2,362 )     (3,027 )     (1,411 )     -       -       -       (1,411 )
Gesbán Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada.(1)
    100 %     533       211       139       -       -       -       139  
Santander Gestión de Recaudación y Cobranzas Limitada
    100 %     (279 )     3,864       4,211       -       -       -       4,211  
Multinegocios S.A.
    100 %     103       92       16       -       -       -       16  
Servicios Administración y Financieros Limitada
    100 %     86       32       19       -       -       -       19  
Servicios de Cobranzas Fiscalex Limitada
    100 %     67       71       43       -       -       -       43  
Multiservicios de Negocios Limitada
    100 %     162       256       117       -       -       -       117  
                                                                 
Subtotals
            (1,690 )     1,499       3,134       -       -       -       3,134  
                                                                 
Totals
            18,134       25,879       7,597       (47 )     8       (39 )     7,558  


(1)
On December 31, 2008 it was decided to modify the corporate purpose and transform the entity into a limited liability company operating under the name of Gesban Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada (formerly Santander Multimedios S.A.); its line of business was also changed, as a result of which its income ceased to be largely dependent on operations conducted with the Bank.

As indicated above, it was determined that the Bank no longer controlled it, so it was excluded from the perimeter of consolidation as of March 2009.
 
 
F-116

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 28 – INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE:

This item refers to interest earned in the period by all the financial assets whose return, whether implicitly or explicitly, is determined by applying the effective interest rate method, regardless of the value at fair value, as well as the reclassifications of products as a consequence of hedge accounting.

a)       On the financial statement closing date, the composition of income from interest and adjustments, not including income from hedge accounting, is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
         
2008
 
   
Interest
   
Adjustments
   
Prepaid fees
   
Total
   
Interest
   
Adjustments
   
Prepaid fees
   
Total
 
Items
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                 
Repurchase agreements
    16,903       3,603       -       20,506       3,691       -       -       3,691  
Interbank loans
    262       -       -       262       1,273       -       -       1,273  
Commercial loans
    574,912       (65,137 )     3,016       512,791       577,043       273,751       1,935       852,729  
Mortgage loans
    182,262       (88,801 )     4,109       97,570       169,946       317,678       4,874       492,498  
Consumer loans
    506,896       (1,844 )     3,249       508,301       548,570       9,704       2,282       560,556  
Investment instruments
    47,331       (20,646 )     -       26,685       55,631       59,895       -       115,526  
Other interest income
    3,102       1,897       -       4,999       32,619       7,750       -       40,369  
                                                                 
Interest income
    1,331,668       (170,928 )     10,374       1,171,114       1,388,773       668,778       9,091       2,066,642  

b)       As indicated in section i) of Note 1, suspended interest are recorded in order accounts (off-balance-sheet accounts) until they are effectively received.

At the period end, the detail of income from suspended interest is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
         
2008
 
   
Interest
   
Adjustments
   
Prepaid fees
   
Total
   
Interest
   
Adjustments
   
Prepaid fees
   
Total
 
Off balance sheet
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                 
Commercial loans
    21,224       3,933       -       25,157       11,188       14,748       -       25,936  
Mortgage loans
    5,570       2,726       -       8,296       1,728       1,678       -       3,406  
Consumer loans
    32,788       (671 )     -       32,117       18,168       7,538       -       25,706  
                                                                 
Totals
    59,582       5,988       -       65,570       31,084       23,964       -       55,048  
 
 
F-117

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 28 – INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE, continued:

c)       At the end of the period the detail of expenses for interest and adjustments is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
         
2008
 
   
Interest
   
Adjustments
   
Prepaid fees
   
Total
   
Interest
   
Adjustments
   
Prepaid fees
   
Total
 
Items
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                 
Demand deposits
    (704 )     (167 )     -       (871 )     (1,551 )     (67 )     -       (1,618 )
Repurchase agreements
    (15,372 )     572       -       (14,800 )     (32,096 )     (903 )     -       (32,999 )
Time deposits and liabilities
    (293,658 )     65,909       -       (227,749 )     (447,990 )     (286,493 )     -       (734,483 )
Interbank borrowings
    (29,030 )     64       -       (28,966 )     (54,547 )     (280 )     -       (54,827 )
Issued debt instruments
    (112,549 )     49,801       -       (62,748 )     (108,356 )     (169,986 )     -       (278,342 )
Other financial obligations
    (3,834 )     1,447       -       (2,387 )     (2,429 )     (3,502 )     -       (5,931 )
Other interest expenses
    (1,994 )     (71 )     -       (2,065 )     (3,308 )     (9,112 )     -       (12,420 )
      -       -       -       -                                  
Interest expenses totals
    (457,141 )     117,555       -       (339,586 )     (650,277 )     (470,343 )     -       (1,120,620 )

d)       At the end of the period the summary of interest and expenses is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Items
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Interest income
    1,171,114       2,066,642  
Interest expense
    (339,586 )     (1,120,620 )
                 
Interest income
    831,528       946,022  
                 
Income from hedge accounting (net)
    24,988       (53,956 )
                 
Total net interest income
    856,516       892,066  

 
F-118

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 29 – FEES AND COMMISSIONS:

This item includes the amount of fees earned and paid in the period, except for those which are an integral part of the financial instrument’s effective interest rate:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Fees and commissions income
           
Fees and commissions for lines of credit and overdrafts (*)
    25,822       38,878  
Fees and commissions for guarantees and letters of credit
    24,558       17,092  
Fees and commissions for card services
    96,388       87,403  
Fees and commissions for management of accounts
    27,566       25,605  
Fees and commissions for collections and payments
    65,782       59,237  
Fees and commissions for intermediation and management of securities
    7,808       8,830  
Fees and commissions for investments in mutual funds or others
    30,766       28,220  
Compensation for marketing of securities
    16,307       15,284  
Office banking
    8,586       5,285  
Other fees earned
    12,342       10,135  
Totals
    315,925       295,969  

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Fees and commissions expenses
           
Compensation for card operation
    (44,718 )     (43,631 )
Fees and commissions for securities transactions
    (1,276 )     (2,292 )
Office banking
    (6,034 )     (3,341 )
Other fees
    (9,767 )     (3,576 )
Totals
    (61,795 )     (52,840 )
                 
Net fees and commissions income
    254,130       243,129  

The fees earned through transactions with letters of credit are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income in the “Interest income” item.

 
(*) According to SBIF Circular 3,452, of November 25, 2008, amended by SBIF Circular 3,466 of February 4, 2009, fee charges on overdrafts for which there is no contractual provision were eliminated.
 
 
F-119

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 30 - INCOME FROM FINANCIAL OPERATIONS:

This item includes the adjustments for changes in financial instruments, except for interest attributable to the application of the effective interest rate method for adjustments to asset values, as well as the income earned in purchases and sales of financial instruments.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the detail of income from financial operations is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Net income from financial operations
           
Derivatives classified as trading
    (102,825 )     178,883  
Trading investments
    49,220       77,222  
Decrease (increase) of loans and accounts receivable from customers
               
Current portfolio
    542       980  
Written-off portfolio
    8,689       14,037  
 Available for sale investments
    47,335       3,807  
 Other income from financial operations
    926       (1,452 )
Totals
    3,887       273,477  


NOTE 31 - NET FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME:

This item includes the income earned from foreign currency trading, the differences arise from converting monetary items in a foreign currency to the functional currency and those generated by non-monetary assets in a foreign currency at the time of their divestiture.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the detail of foreign exchange income is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Currency exchange differences
           
Net profit (loss) from currency exchange differences
    401,695       (402,927 )
Hedging derivatives
    (266,221 )     243,979  
Income from adjustable assets in foreign currency
    (10,138 )     12,684  
Income from adjustable liabilities in foreign currency
    37,905       (40,778 )
Totals
    163,241       (187,042 )
 
 
F-120

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 32 - PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES:

The recorded activity in the 2009 and 2008 periods for provision for loan losses recorded on the income statement is as follows:
 
         
Loans and accounts receivable from customers
             
As of December 31, 2009
 
Interbank loans
   
Commercial loans
   
Mortgage loans
   
Consumer loans
   
Contingent credits
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                     
Allowances and charge-offs
                                   
- Individual evaluations
    (7 )     (34,739 )     -       -       (1,380 )     (36,126 )
- Group evaluations
    -       (73,774 )     (14,061 )     (276,530 )     -       (364,365 )
Total allowances and charge-offs
    (7 )     (108,513 )     (14,061 )     (276,530 )     (1,380 )     (400,491 )
                                                 
Allowances released
                                               
- Individual evaluations
    -       5,635       -       -       -       5,635  
- Group evaluations
    -       1,718       1,450       18,495       72       21,735  
Total released allowances
    -       7,353       1,450       18,495       72       27,370  
                                                 
Recovery of loans previously charged off
    -       8,446       2,560       28,268       -       39,274  
                                                 
Net charge to income
    (7 )     (92,714 )     (10,051 )     (229,767 )     (1,308 )     (333,847 )

 
         
Loans and accounts receivable from customers
             
As of December 31, 2008
 
Contingent
interbank loans
   
Credits,
commercial
   
Credits,
mortgage
   
Loans,
consumer
   
Credits,
contingent
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                     
Allowances and charge-offs
                                   
- Individual evaluations
    (35 )     (32,284 )     -       -       (2,759 )     (35,078 )
- Group evaluations
    -       (41,235 )     (8,761 )     (251,068 )     (49 )     (301,113 )
Total allowances and charge-offs
    (35 )     (73,519 )     (8,761 )     (251,068 )     (2,808 )     (336,191 )
                                                 
Allowances released
                                               
- Individual evaluations
    -       2,725       -       -       2,401       5,126  
- Group evaluations
    -       2,046       685       2,457       -       5,188  
Total released allowances
    -       4,771       685       2,457       2,401       10,314  
                                                 
Recovery of loans previously charged off
    -       9,244       1,932       26,718       -       37,894  
                                                 
Net charge to income
    (35 )     (59,504 )     (6,144 )     (221,893 )     (407 )     (287,983 )
 
 
F-121

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 33 - PERSONNEL SALARIES AND EXPENSES:

a)
Composition of personnel salaries and expenses:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Personnel salaries
    152,695       161,801  
Bonuses or gratifications
    47,983       47,364  
Stock-based benefits
    2,371       1,352  
Seniority compensation
    3,075       17,844  
Pension plans
    100       -  
Training expenses
    1,452       1,763  
Day care and kindergarten
    1,582       1,295  
Health funds
    2,519       2,492  
Welfare fund
    462       435  
Other personnel expenses
    12,245       12,429  
Totals
    224,484       246,775  

b) 
Stock-based benefits

Banco Santander Chile and its Affiliates have designed variable-compensation plans for their employees, based on performance targets and objectives, the achievement of which are evaluated and paid on a quarterly and/or annual basis. There are also multi-year variable-compensation plans designed to retain and motivate executives, whose compensation depends on the achievement of overall wide and individual targets over the course of a time period exceeding one year.

Long-term incentive policy

In 2007, the Parent Company’s Board of Directors approved a long-term incentive plan (PI06) consisting of granting stock-options on Bank’s shares for the 2008-2010 period. This plan focuses on the Santander Group’s executive directors and certain executive employees in Spain and other Santander Group companies.

As of December 31, 2008 approximately 90 of the Bank’s executives enrolled in Plan PI06 exercised 3,099,850 options over Banco Santander S.A. shares. (the Parent Company located in Spain) at a price of €9,09.

Stock performance plan

This consists of a multi-year incentive plan with compensation in shares of the Parent Company. The plan’s beneficiaries are the Executive Directors, other members of Top Management and other Bank employees designated by the Parent Company’s Board of Directors or, by delegation from it, the Executive Committee. The shares are distributed if the following conditions are met:

 
i.
The share price reaches the top 10 as compared to 30 other global banks.
 
ii.
Earnings per share reach the top 10 as compared to 30 other global banks.
 
iii.
The Bank has achieved its commercial and financial budget objectives in the last two years.
 
iv.
The executive has achieved his/her personal targets during the last two years and has continued to work at the Bank until the end of the program.
 
 
F-122

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 33 - PERSONNEL SALARIES AND EXPENSES, continued:

This plan involves cycles of shares given to the beneficiaries. Each cycle has a three-year length, so a cycle will begin every year and, from 2009 onward, another cycle will simultaneously terminate. The objective is to establish an adequate sequence between the end of the incentive program linked to the previous plan (PI06) and the successive cycles of this plan. Accordingly, the first two cycles began in July 2007, the first cycle had a two-year length (PI09), and the second cycle has a standard three-year length (PI10). In June 2008 and 2009 the beginning of the third-cycle (PI11) and fourth-cycle (PI12) incentive plans was approved by the Parent Company. They will be linked to the fulfillment of the predetermined objectives. These new plans consisting of three-year cycles began to impact the Consolidated Statement of Income in 2009.

For each cycle and beneficiary who remains employed at the Bank throughout the plan’s term, the Parent determines a maximum number of shares that may be granted. The objectives to be fulfilled, which will determine the number of shares to be granted, were defined by comparing the Santander Group’s performance with that of a reference group of financial institutions. These objectives are linked to two parameters: Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and Increase in Earnings per Share (EPS), each of which has a 50% weighting in the determination of the percentage of shares to be granted.

The final number of shares to be granted in each cycle is determined by the degree of fulfillment of the objectives on the third anniversary of each cycle (with the exception of the first cycle, for which the second anniversary is used), and the shares will be delivered within seven months from the date the cycle ends. The TSR and the growth of EPS for Santander and the reference financial institutions will be calculated at that time, which will yield 50% of the percentage of shares to be granted according to the following scale and based on the relative position of the Parent Company:

Santander’s position in the TSR Ranking
 
Maximum percentage of shares earned
 
Santander’s position in the EPS growth ranking
 
Shares earned as percentage of maximum
             
1st to 6th
 
50%
 
1st to 6th
 
50%
7th
 
43%
 
7th
 
43%
8th
 
36%
 
8th
 
36%
9th
 
29%
 
9th
 
29%
10th
 
22%
 
10th
 
22%
11th
 
15%
 
11th
 
15%
12th and more
 
0%
 
12th and more
 
0%

If Banco Santander, S.A. is within the first quartile (including the 25th percentile) for each of the measures considered (TSR and EPS growth), the maximum percentage of shares will be earned; if it is at the median (including the 50th percentile), 30% of the maximum percentage of shares will be earned. If it is below the median, all the share distributions will be voided.

Plan PI09 ended in 2009 and over 707,305 shares were granted to 181 Bank’s executives. In addition, Plan PI10 commenced during that period; and over 419,312 shares were granted to 181 executives, yielding a cumulative total of 980,784 shares to 181 executives. Plan PI11 granted 476,025 shares, and Plan PI12 granted 522,155 shares, to 214 and 271 executives, respectively.

 
F-123

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 33 - PERSONNEL SALARIES AND EXPENSES, continued:

As of December 31, 2009 the aforementioned objectives were achieved in their entirety, so the Bank recorded a cost for the period of Ch$2,371 million, which corresponds to the fair value of Plan I09 (which terminated on July 31, 2009), Plan I10, Plan I11, and Plan I12 for the shares granted; this sum was charged to income in the specific period in which the beneficiaries provided their services to Banco Santander Chile. This program had no diluting effects on the minority interests. This fair value was calculated as described below:
 
The fair value of the 50% which is linked to the TSR was determined by Santander Group on the basis of the Monte Carlo valuation model with 10,000 simulations run to determine the TSR for each of the reference Group companies, considering the aforementioned variables. The results (each of which represents the distribution of a number of shares) are classified in descending order through the calculation of the weighted average, and this amount is discounted at the risk-free interest rate.
 
   
PI09
   
PI10
   
PI11
   
PI12
 
Expected volatility (*)
    16.25%       15.67%       19.31%       42.36%  
Historical annual dividend return
      3.23%         3.24%         3.47%         4.88%  
Risk-free interest rate
      4.47%         4.49%         4.83%         2.04%  
 
(*) Determined on the basis of the historical volatility over the course of the period (two or three years).
 
 
The simulation model’s application yields a percentage value of 42.7% for PI09, 42.3% for PI10 and 44.9% for the second cycle for PI11, and finally, 55.4% for PI12, applied to 50% of the value of the granted shares to determine the carrying amount of the incentive’s TSR-based portion. Since this valuation is related to a market condition, it cannot be adjusted after the date on which the shares are granted.
 
In view of the high correlation between the TSR and EPS, it can reasonably be concluded that the TSR value is also valid for EPS in a high percentage of cases. Accordingly, it was determined that the fair value of the portion of the plans linked to the Bank’s relative EPS position, for example the remaining 50% of the shares granted, was the same as the 50% corresponding to TSR. Since this valuation does not refer to market conditions, the number of shares expected to be granted will be re-examined and adjusted on a per-annum basis.
 
 
F-124

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
NOTE 33 - PERSONNEL SALARIES AND EXPENSES, continued:

Below is a table which provides a detail of the foregoing:

   
Number of shares
   
Exercise price
   
Group of employees
   
Number
of individuals
 
Date of commencement
of Exercise Period
 
Date of termination
of Exercise Period
 
   
MCh$
   
                       
                                   
Plans in force on January 1, 2005
                                 
Options granted (Plan I06)
    4,284,700       9.09 (**)  
Managers
      123  
1/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
Options exercised
    -       -       -                    
Options cancelled or not exercised
    (267,700 )     -       -       (6 )
1/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2005
    4,017,000       9.09                            
Options exercised
    -       -       -                    
Options cancelled, net (Plan I06)
    (166,600 )     9.09    
Managers
      (5 )
1/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2006
    3,850,400       9.09                            
Options granted (Plan I09)
    270,823       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
Options granted (Plan I09)
    12,844       -    
Other non-managerial positions
      23  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I10)
    402,865       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
Options granted (Plan I10)
    18,564       -    
Other non-managerial positions
      23  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
                                           
Options cancelled, net (Plan I06)
    (184,900 )     9.09    
Managers
                   
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2007
    4,370,596       -                            
Options granted (Plan I09)
    134,985       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
Options granted (Plan I09)
    6,401       -    
Other non-managerial positions
      22  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I10)
    133,874       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
Options granted (Plan I10)
    6,169       -    
Other non-managerial positions
      22  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
                                           
Options cancelled, net (Plan I06)
    (565,650 )     -     - -          
4/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
Options exercised, net (Plan I06)
    (3,099,850 )     -    
Managers
      90            
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2008
    986,525                                    
Options granted (Plan I09)
    269,472       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
Options granted (Plan I09)
    12,780       -    
Other non-managerial positions
      22  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I10)
    400,842       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
Options granted (Plan I10)
    18,470       -    
Other non-managerial positions
      22  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I11)
    443,098       -    
Managers
      161  
7/31/2008
 
7/31/2011
 
Options granted (Plan I11)
    32,927       -    
Other non-managerial positions
      53  
7/31/2008
 
7/31/2011
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I12)
    458,850       -    
Managers
      176  
7/31/2009
 
7/31/2012
 
Options granted (Plan I12)
    63,305       -    
Other non-managerial positions
      95  
7/31/2009
 
7/31/2012
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I09)
    (675,280 )     -    
Managers
      159            
Options granted (Plan I09)
    (32,025 )     -    
Other non-managerial positions
      22            
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2009
    1,978,964                                    
Plan I10
    980,784                                    
Plan I11
    476,025                                    
Plan I12
    522,155                                    
(**) The exercise price for the options under Plan I06 was 9.09 Euros per share, which is the weighted average of the average daily market price of the Bank shares over the continuous market for the first 15 trading days of January 2005. This was the criterion established in the resolution approving Plan I06, adopted at the Annual General Meeting of the Parent Company on June 18, 2005. Such plan maintained a restriction on exercising the option 15 days prior to the 2008 Financial Statement closing date, which explains why the options not exercised before December 15, 2008 were cancelled in their entirety.
 
 
F-125

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 34 - ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008 the composition of this item is as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
 
             
General administrative expenses
           
Maintenance and repair of property, plant and equipment
    10,260       10,455  
Office lease
    17,202       14,687  
Equipment lease
    228       192  
Insurance payments
    1,183       1,225  
Office supplies
    6,626       7,350  
Information technology and communication expenses
    19,789       22,620  
Lighting, heating, and other utilities
    6,204       5,576  
Security and valuables transport services
    10,136       10,116  
Representation and personnel travel expenses
    3,789       4,080  
Judicial and notarial expenses
    4,470       2,452  
Fees for technical reports
    5,665       5,155  
Fees for professional services
    631       725  
Other general administrative expenses
    3,012       2,943  
                 
Outsourced services
               
Data processing
    14,585       8,568  
Other outsourcing
    6,631       9,092  
Other
    2,767       5,194  
                 
Board expenses
               
Compensation to Board members
    645       628  
Other Board expenses
    -       -  
                 
Marketing Expenses
               
Publicity and advertising
    13,847       14,615  
                 
Taxes, payroll taxes and contributions
               
Real estate contributions
    1,886       1,795  
Patents
    1,701       1,526  
Other taxes
    24       30  
Contribution to SBIF
    5,431       4,658  
                 
Totals
    136,712       133,682  
 
 
F-126

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 35 - DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:

a)
The values of depreciation and amortization charges during the 2009 and 2008 periods are detailed below:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Depreciation and amortization
           
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
    (21,691 )     (21,458 )
Amortization of intangible assets
    (24,932 )     (26,169 )
                 
Totals
    (46,623 )     (47,627 )


b)
The reconciliation between the book values as of January 1, 2008 and the balances as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

 
      Accumulated depreciation and amortization  
           2009                  2008(*)        
   
Property, plant and equipment
   
Intangible assets
   
Total
   
Property, plant and equipment
   
Intangible assets
   
Total
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                       
Opening balances as of January 1 (*)
    (21,414 )     (26,169 )     (47,583 )     -       -       -  
Depreciation and amortization charges for the period
    (21,691 )     (24,932 )     (46,623 )     (21,458 )     (26,169 )     (47,627 )
Sales and disposals in the period
    126       -       126       44       -       44  
                                                 
Balances as of December 31
    (42,979 )     (51,101 )     (94,080 )     (21,414 )     (26,169 )     (47,583 )

(*) As of January 1, 2008 both property, plant and equipment and intangible assets were shown net of their accumulated depreciation.
 
 
F-127

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 36 - OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES:

a)
Other operating income is comprised of the following components:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Income from assets received in lieu of payment
           
Income from sale of assets received in lieu of payment
    29       1,518  
Subtotals
    29       1,518  
Income from sale of investments in other companies (**)
               
Gain on sale of investments in other companies
    1,859       4,348  
Subtotals
    1,859       4,348  
Other income
               
Leases
    1,123       1,304  
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment (***)
    7,622       1,248  
Recovery of provisions for contingencies
    14,793       1,246  
Other
    440       1,232  
Subtotals
    23,978       5,030  
                 
Totals
    25,866       10,896  

 
(*)
On December 30, 2009 Banco Santander Chile sold 201 real estate properties received in payment to “IM Trust Administradora General de Fondos for the Fondo de Inversión Privado Inmobiliario Bandera”, a private real estate investment fund, for Ch$5,852 million; their book value at the time of the transaction came to Ch$5,723 million, generating an income of Ch$130 million.

 
(**)
As is stated in section e) of Note 3, in 2009 Banco Santander Chile recorded a Ch$1,847 million gain on sale of stocks (Ch$477 million for Visa and Ch$1,370 million for Mastercard). During 2008, income of Ch$4,336 million was recorded (Ch$3,368 million recorded by Banco Santander Chile for sale of Visa shares and Ch$974 by Santander S.A. Corredora de Bolsa, stemming from a sale of shares of the Santiago Commercial Exchange).

 
(***)
As is expressed in section c) of Note 3, on December 30, 2009 Banco Santander Chile sold a real estate property to the “Fondo de Inversión Privado Inmobiliario Bandera”, a private real estate investment fund, generating a Ch$7,072 million income.
 
 
F-128

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 36 - OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES, continued:

b)
Other operating expenses are comprised of the following components:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Provisions and expenses for assets received in lieu of payment
           
Provisions for assets received in lieu of payment
    3,206       1,511  
Expenses for maintenance of assets received in lieu of payment
    2,922       1,667  
Subtotals
    6,128       3,178  
                 
Credit card expenses
               
Credit card expenses
    3,004       4,127  
Credit card memberships
    2,898       3,159  
Subtotals
    5,902       7,286  
                 
Customer services
    8,807       9,366  
                 
Other expenses
               
Operating charge-offs
    3,106       3,791  
Life insurance and general product insurance policies
    4,553       4,777  
Additional tax on expenses paid overseas
    1,728       2,499  
Expenses for mortgage credits
    814       1,383  
Losses on sale of property, plant and equipment
    24       529  
Expenses for foreign trade operations
    306       211  
Provisions for contingencies
    1,088       1,075  
Other
    4,206       2,203  
                 
Subtotals
    15,825       16,468  
                 
Totals
    36,662       36,298  
 
 
F-129

BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 37 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES:

In addition to Affiliates and associated entities, the Bank’s “related parties” include the “key personnel” of the Bank’s executive staff (members of the Bank’s Board and the Managers of Banco Santander Chile and its Affiliates, together with their close relatives), as well as the entities over which the key personnel could exercise significant influence or control.

The Bank also considers the companies that are part of the Santander Group worldwide as related parties, given that all of them have a common parent, i.e., Banco Santander S.A. (located in Spain).

Article 89 of the Ley de Sociedades Anónimas (Public Companies Act), which is also applicable to banks, provides that any transaction with a related party must be made under equitable conditions similar to those that customarily prevail in the market.

Moreover, Article 84 of the Ley General de Bancos (General Banking Act) establishes limits for loans that can be granted to related parties and prohibits lending to the Bank’s directors, managers, or representatives.

Transactions that the Bank enters into with related parties are specified below. To facilitate comprehension, we have divided the information into four categories:

Santander Group Companies
This category includes all the companies that are controlled by the Santander Group around the world, and hence, it also includes the companies over which the Bank exercises any degree of control (Affiliates and special-purpose entities).

Associated companies
This category includes the entities over which the Bank, in accordance with section b) of Note 1 to these Financial Statements, exercises a significant degree of influence and which generally belong to the group of entities known as “business support companies.”

Key personnel
This category includes members of the Bank’s Board and the managers of Banco Santander Chile and its Affiliates, together with their close relatives.

Other
This category encompasses the related parties that are not included in the groups identified above and which are, in general, entities over which the key personnel could exercise significant influence or control.

The terms for transactions with related parties are equivalent to those which prevail in transactions made under market conditions or to which the corresponding considerations in kind have been attributed.
 
 
F-130

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 37 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES, continued:

a)       Loans to related parties:

Below are loans and receivables, and contingent loans, corresponding to related entities:

   
As of December 31, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
   
As of January 1, 2008
 
   
Companies
 of the
Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key
personnel
   
Other
   
Companies of the
Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key personnel
   
Other
   
Companies of the
Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key personnel
   
Other
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                                         
Loans and receivables
                                                                       
Commercial loans
    11,331       914       2,840       108,372       54,996       51       2,417       110,074       9,375       36       2,274       71,979  
Mortgage loans
    -       -       12,754       -       -       -       11,517       -       -       -       10,256       -  
Consumer loans
    -       -       1,744       -       -       -       911       -       -       -       972       -  
Loans and receivables
    11,331       914       17,338       108,372       54,996       51       14,845       110,074       9,375       36       13,502       71,979  
                                                                                                 
Provision for loan losses
    (13 )     (1 )     (11 )     (298 )     (114 )     -       (8 )     (34 )     (5 )     -       (4 )     (25 )
Net loans
    11,318       913       17,327       108,074       54,882       51       14,837       110,040       9,370       36       13,498       71,954  
                                                                                                 
Guarantees
    4,552       -       45,550       596       62,040       -       13,867       602       25,791       -       12,526       45,626  
                                                                                                 
Contingent loans
                                                                                               
Personal guarantees
    -       -       15,900       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Letters of credit
    1,868       -       -       -       1,582       -       -       -       4,760       -       -       -  
Performance bonds
    134,644       -       -       259       51,237       -       -       25       45,510       -       -       -  
Contingent loans
    136,512       -       -       259       52,819       -       -       25       50,270       -       -       -  
                                                                                      -          
Provision for contingent loans
    (21 )     -               -       (4 )     -       -       -       (17 )     -       -       -  
                                                                                      -          
Net contingent loans
    136,491       -       -       259       52,815       -       -       25       50,253       -       -       -  
 
 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 37 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES, continued:

The activity of loans to related parties during the years 2009 and 2008 is shown below:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Companies of the Group
   
Associated
companies
   
Key
personnel
     Other    
Companies of the Group
   
Associated
companies
   
Key
personnel
    Other  
    MCh$     MCh$     MCh$    
MCh$
    MCh$     MCh$      MCh$    
MCh$
 
                                                 
Balance as of January 1
    107,815       51       14,845       110,099       59,645       36       13,502       71,979  
New loans
    176,516       2,268       8,279       30,220       107,916       49       3,732       39,461  
Payments
    (136,488 )     (1,405 )     (5,785 )     (31,688 )     (59,746 )     (34 )     (2,389 )     (1,341 )
                                                                 
                                                                 
Balances as of December 31
    147,843       914       17,338       108,631       107,815       51       14,845       110,099  
 
 
F-132

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 37 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES, continued:

b) 
Assets and liabilities with related parties
 
 
As of December 31, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
   
As of January 1, 2008
 
 
Companies of the Group
   
Associated companies
 
Key personnel
   
Other
   
Companies of the Group
   
Associated companies
 
Key personnel
   
Other
   
Companies of the Group
   
Associated companies
 
Key personnel
   
Other
 
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                                 
Assets
                                                               
Trading investments
  -       -     -       -       -       -     -       -       55,549       -     -       -  
Investments under resale agreements
  -       -     -       -       -       -     -       -       -       -     -       -  
Financial derivatives contracts
  405,411       -     -       -       293,649       -     -       -       235,056       -     2       187  
Available for sale investments
  -       -     -       -       -       -     -       -       -       -     -       -  
Other assets
  117,060       -     -       -       15,422       -     -       -       17,732       65     60       13  
                                                                                         
Liabilities
                                                                                       
Demand deposits and other demand obligations
  1,503       6,238     502       925       6,827       4,963     1,442       5,761       156,000       7,029     567       752  
Investments under repurchase agreements
  -       -     -       -       40,345       -     -       -       -       -     -       -  
Deposits and other time liabilities
  411,295       -     1,126       21,652       387,477       -     2,918       3,057       65,353       -     538       313  
Financial derivatives contracts
  245,574       -     -       -       358,747       -     -       -       52,553       -     2       150  
Issued debt instruments
  89,258       -     -       -       186,098       -     -       -       11,505       -     -       -  
Other financial liabilities
  55,156       -     -       -       8,967       -     -       -       10,594       -     -       -  
Other liabilities
  310       -     -       -       2,710       -     -       -       3,922       -     -       -  
 
 
F-133

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
NOTE 37 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES, continued:

c) 
Income (expenses) recorded with related parties
 
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Companies
of the Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key
personnel
   
Other
   
Companies
of the Group
   
Associated companies
   
Key
personnel
   
Other
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                                 
Income (expense) recorded
                                               
Income and expenses from interest and adjustments
    (23,344 )     42       308       (769 )     1,070       -       67       (11 )
Income and expenses from fees and services
    56,822       71       79       50       47,984       -       11       5  
Net income from financial and foreign exchange transactions (*)
    129,046       -       2       (13,634 )     (210,308 )     -       -       97  
Other operating revenues and expenses
    (4,294 )     -       -       -       (3,995 )     -       -       -  
Key personnel compensation and expenses
    -       -       (28,663 )     -       -       -       (29,820 )     -  
Administrative and other expenses
    (13,107 )     (16,666 )     -       -       (12,656 )     (28,016 )     -       -  
                                                                 
Totals
    145,123       (16,553 )     (28,274 )     (14,353 )     (177,905 )     (28,016 )     (29,742 )     91  

(*) Reflects derivative contracts that hedge Group positions in Chile.

d)  Payments to Board members and key management personnel

The compensation received by the key management personnel, including Board members and all the executives holding Manager positions, shown in the “Personnel compensation and expenses” and/or “Administrative expenses” items of the Consolidated Statement of Income, corresponds to the following categories:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
Personnel compensation
    13,531       14,156  
Board members’ compensation
    645       628  
Bonuses or gratifications
    10,318       10,143  
Compensation in stock
    1,676       1,248  
Training expenses
    49       40  
Seniority compensation
    1,759       2,982  
Health funds
    242       299  
Other personnel expenses
    343       324  
Pension plan
    100       -  
Totals
    28,663       29,820  
 
 
F-134

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 37 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES, continued:

e) 
Composition of key personnel

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the composition of the Bank’s key personnel is as follows:

Positions
 
No. of executives
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Directors
    13       12  
Division managers
    13       16  
Department managers
    83       86  
Managers
    58       65  
                 
Total key personnel
    167       179  
 
 
 

 
F-135
 

 

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 37 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES, continued:

f)       Stock-based benefits

The following table details the activity in stock-based benefits paid to the key personnel of the Bank and its Affiliates. The detail for each of these benefit plans is described in section b) of Note 33.

   
Number of shares
   
Exercise price
   
Group of employees
   
Number of individuals
 
Date of Exercise Period
 
Date of termination of Exercise Period
 
   
MCh$
   
                       
                                   
Plans in force on January 1, 2005
                                 
Options granted (Plan I06)
    4,284,700       9.09 (**)  
Managers
      123  
1/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
Options exercised
    -       -     -                    
Options cancelled or not exercised
    (267,700 )     -     -       (6 )
1/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2005
    4,017,000       9.09                            
Options exercised
    -       -     -                    
Options cancelled, net (Plan I06)
    (166,600 )     9.09    
Managers
      (5 )
1/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2006
    3,850,400       9.09                            
Options granted (Plan I09)
    270,823       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I10)
    402,865       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
                                           
Options cancelled, net (Plan I06)
    (184,900 )     9.09    
Managers
                   
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2007
    4,339,188                                    
Options granted (Plan I09)
    134,985       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I10)
    133,874       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
                                           
Options cancelled, net (Plan I06)
    (565,650 )     -     -          
4/15/2008
 
1/15/2009
 
Options exercised, net (Plan I06)
    (3,099,850 )     -    
Managers
      90            
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2008
    942,547                                    
Options granted (Plan I09)
    269,472       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2009
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I10)
    400,842       -    
Managers
      159  
6/23/2007
 
7/31/2010
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I11)
    443,098       -    
Managers
      161  
7/31/2008
 
7/31/2011
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I12)
    458,850       -    
Managers
      176  
7/31/2009
 
7/31/2012
 
                                           
Options granted (Plan I09)
    (675,280 )     -    
Managers
      159            
                                           
Plans in force on December 31, 2009
    1,839,529                                    
                                           
Plan I10
    937,581                                    
Plan I11
    443,098                                    
Plan I12
    458,850                                    

 
F-136

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 37 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES, continued:

g)       Post-employment benefits

During the second half of 2009, the Bank granted an additional benefit to its principal executives, consisting of a pension plan whose purpose is to endow them with funds for a better supplementary pension upon their retirement.

In practical terms, the Bank will match the voluntary contributions made by the beneficiaries for their future pensions with an equivalent contribution. The executives will be entitled to receive this benefit only when they fulfill the following conditions:

 
i.
Retire from the Bank (or from any other Santander Group company) and be 60 years of age or older;
 
ii.
The reason for termination of their employment may not be any of the legal grounds for dismissal attributable to the executive in question.

In other words, in the event the employment relationship between the executive and the company is terminated before the executive meets the aforementioned conditions, he will have no rights under this benefit plan.

In the event of the executive’s death or total or partial disability, he will be entitled to receive this benefit.

The Bank will make the contributions to this benefit plan on the basis of mixed collective insurance policies whose beneficiary is the Bank. The life insurance company with whom such policies are executed is not an entity linked or related to the Bank or any other Santander Group company.

During the second half of 2009, the Bank made a contribution of Ch$4,726 million, and a current contribution of Ch$267 million.

The assets related to the savings fund that are contributed by the Bank in the Insurance Company for defined benefit plans are presented net of associated commitments. The balance for this item at the close of the period is as follows:

   
Post-employment
 
   
plans
 
   
2009
 
   
MCh$
 
       
Plan assets
    4,993  
Commitments for defined-benefit plans
       
For active personnel
    (100 )
Incurred by inactive personnel
    -  
Minus:
    -  
Unrealized actuarial (gain) losses
    -  
Balances at the period end
    4,893  


 
F-137

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
NOTE 37 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES, continued:

The period’s activity for post-employment benefits is as follows:
 
 
Post-employment
plans
 
2009
 
MCh$
   
a ) Fair value of plan assets
 
Balance at beginning of period
-
Expected yield of insurance contracts
-
Employer contributions
4,993
Actuarial (gain) losses
-
Premiums paid
-
Benefits paid
-
Other activity
-
Fair value of plan assets at end of period
4,993
b ) Present value of obligations
 
Current value of obligations at beginning of period
-
Net incorporation of Group companies
-
Service cost
(100)
Interest cost
-
Curtailment/settlement effect
-
Benefits paid
-
Past service cost
-
Actuarial (gain) losses
-
Other activity
-
Present value of obligations at end of period
(100)
Net balance at end of period
4,893

 
F-138

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 38 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:

Fair value is defined as the amount at which a financial instrument (asset or liability) could be delivered or settled, respectively, on that date between two independent knowledgeable parties who act freely and prudently; i.e., not in a forced or liquidation sale. The most objective and customary reference for the fair value of an asset or liability is the quoted price that would be paid for it on a transparent organized market (“estimated fair value”).

For financial instruments with no available market prices, fair values have been estimated by using recent transactions in analogous instruments, and in the absence thereof, the present values or other valuation techniques based on mathematical valuation models sufficiently accepted by the international financial community. In the use of these models, consideration is given to the specific particularities of the asset or liability to be valued, and especially to the different kinds of risks associated with the asset or liability.

These techniques are inherently subjective and are significantly influenced by the assumptions used, including the discount rate, the estimates of future cash flows and prepayment expectations. Hence, the fair value estimated for an asset or liability may not coincide exactly with the price at which that asset or liability could be delivered or settled on the date of its valuation, and may not be justified in comparison with independent markets.

Determination of fair value of financial instruments

Below is a comparison between the value at which the Bank’s financial assets and liabilities are recorded and their fair value as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

   
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
Amount recorded
   
Fair value
   
Amount recorded
   
Fair value
   
Amount recorded
   
Fair value
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                                     
Assets
                                   
Cash and deposits in banks
    2,043,458       2,043,458       855,411       855,411       1,108,637       1,108,637  
Unsettled transactions
    468,134       468,134       335,405       335,405       316,240       316,240  
Trading investments
    798,539       798,539       1,166,426       1,166,426       1,093,445       1,093,445  
Investments under resale agreements
    14,020       14,020       -       -       33,999       33,999  
Financial derivatives contracts
    1,393,878       1,393,878       1,846,509       1,846,509       780,775       780,775  
Loans and accounts receivable from customers and interbank loans
    13,401,749       15,075,810       14,406,848       16,183,644       12,068,236       13,478,112  
Available for sale investments
    1,830,090       1,830,090       1,580,240       1,580,240       779,635       779,635  
                                                 
Liabilities
                                               
Deposits
    12,755,581       12,446,748       14,129,495       14,007,109       11,855,288       10,551,438  
Unsettled transactions
    275,474       275,474       142,552       142,552       135,219       135,219  
Investments under repurchase agreements
    1,114,605       1,114,605       562,223       562,223       307,630       307,630  
Financial derivatives contracts
    1,348,906       1,348,906       1,469,724       1,469,724       778,217       778,217  
Short and long term issued debt instruments
    3,071,587       3,184,880       2,782,690       3,202,637       2,330,663       1,685,037  

In addition, the fair value estimates presented above do not attempt to estimate the value of the Bank’s profits generated by its business activity, nor its future activities, and accordingly, they do not represent the Bank’s value as a going concern. Below is a detail of the methods used to estimate the financial instruments’ fair value:

 
F-139

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 38 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, continued:

a)       Cash and deposits in banks

The recorded value of cash and interbank loans approximates its estimated fair value in view of these instruments’ short-term nature.

b)
Unsettled transactions, trading instruments, available for sale investment instruments, resale agreements, and securities loans

The estimated fair value of these financial instruments was determined through the use of market values or quotes by an available dealer, or the prices quoted on the market for similar financial instruments. Investments maturing in less than one year are valued at their recorded value because they are — in view of their short terms — deemed to have a fair value that does not significantly diverge from their recorded value. For the fair value estimates of debt investments or debt securities included in these items, additional variables and inputs are considered to the extent applicable, including an estimate of prepayment rates and the issuers’ credit risk.

c)
Loans and accounts receivable from customers and interbank loans

The fair values of commercial loans are estimates made by performing a cash flow discount analysis, using the interest rates that are currently offered for loans with terms similar to those of borrowers having a similar credit quality. The fair values of unearned loans are estimated by using the cash flow discount analysis stemming from the settlement of the underlying securities, if any (or other sources of payment), at an estimated discount rate. For floating-rate loans whose prices change frequently and are not subject to any significant change of credit risk, the estimated fair values are based on the recorded values. The fair values estimated for certain mortgage loans, credit cards, and other consumer loans are based on market values for similar loans, adjusted for differences in the loans’ characteristics.

d)
Deposits

The disclosed fair value of deposits that do not accrue interest and savings accounts is the amount payable on the reporting date, and accordingly, it is equal to the recorded amount. The fair value of time deposits is calculated by using a discounted cash flow calculation, which applies current interest rates being offered at the time to a calendar of monthly maturities established for time deposits. The value of long-term relations with depositors does not take into consideration the disclosed fair value estimate.

 
e)       Short and long term issued debt instruments

The fair value of these financial instruments is calculated by using the cash flow discount analysis based on the current incremental lending rates for similar types of loans having similar maturities.

f)       Financial derivative contracts

The estimated fair value of currency forward contracts was calculated using the prices quoted on the market for financial instruments having similar characteristics.
 
 
F-140

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 38 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, continued:

The fair value of interest rate swaps represents the estimated amount that the Bank expects to receive or pay to rescind the contracts or agreements, bearing in mind the term structures of the interest rate curve, the underlying asset’s volatility and the counterparts’ credit risk.

If there are no quoted prices on the market (either direct or indirect) for any derivative instrument, the respective fair value estimates have been calculated by using models and valuation techniques such as Black-Scholes, Hull, and Monte Carlo simulations, taking into consideration the relevant inputs/outputs such as volatility of options, observable correlations between underlying assets, counterparts’ credit risk, implicit price volatility, the velocity with which the volatility reverts to its average value, and the straight-line relationship (correlation) between the value of a market variable and its volatility, among others.

Measurement of fair value and hierarchy

IAS 39 provides a hierarchy of reasonable value which separates the inputs and/or valuation technique assumptions used to measure the fair value of financial instruments. The hierarchy attributes the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices on active markets, to identical (level 1) assets or liabilities, and a lower priority to measures which involve significant unobservable inputs or outputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the hierarchy of fair values are:

 
• Level 1: inputs/outputs with (unadjusted) quoted prices on active markets for identical assets and liabilities which the Bank can access on the date of measurement.

 
• Level 2: inputs/outputs other than the quoted prices included in level 1 which are observable for assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly.
   
 
• Level 3: inputs/outputs which are not observable for the asset or the liability.
 
The level of hierarchy at which a measurement is classified is based on the lowest level of input/output which is significant for the measurement as such of the fair value in its entirety.

The Bank has currently determined certain financial instruments as pertaining to level 3, because the calculation made at market value is based on information from internal modeling and not observable on the market.
The following financial instruments are classified as level 3:

Type of financial instrument
Model used in valuation
Description
Caps/Floors/Swaptions
Black Normal Model for Cap/Floors and Swaptions
There is no observable input of implicit volatility.
UF Options
Black – Scholes
There is no observable input of implicit volatility.
 
Cross currency swap with Window
Hull-White
Hybrid HW model for rates and Brownian motion for FX. There is no observable input of implicit volatility.
Cross currency swaps with Metro de Santiago S.A.
Implicit Forward Rate Agreement (FRA)
Start Fwd unsupported by MUREX (platform) due to the UF fwd estimate.
Cross currency swap, Interest rate swap, Call money swap in Tasa Activa Bancaria (Active Banks Rate) TAB
Sundry
Validation obtained by using the interest curve and interpolating at flow maturities, but TAB is not a directly observable variable and is not correlated to any market input.

 
F-141

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 38 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, continued:

The following table presents the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurrent basis, as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and January 1, 2008:

   
Measures of fair value
 
December 31,
 
2009
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Assets
                       
Trading investments
    798,539       798,539       -       -  
Available for sale investments
    1,830,090       1,830,090       -       -  
Derivatives
    1,393,878       -       1,181,660       212,218  
Totals
    4,022,507       2,628,629       1,181,660       212,218  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Derivatives
    1,348,906       -       880,058       468,848  
Totals
    1,348,906       -       880,058       468,848  

   
Measures of fair value
 
December 31,
 
2008
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Assets
                       
Trading investments
    1,166,426       1,166,426       -       -  
Available for sale investments
    1,580,240       1,580,240       -       -  
Derivatives
    1,846,509       -       1,765,205       81,304  
Totals
    4,593,175       2,746,666       1,765,205       81,304  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Derivatives
    1,469,724       -       1,418,323       51,401  
Totals
    1,469,724       -       1,418,323       51,401  

   
Measures of fair value
 
January 1,
 
2008
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Assets
                       
Trading investments
    1,093,445       1,093,445       -       -  
Available for sale investments
    779,635       779,635       -       -  
Derivatives
    780,775       -       716,458       64,317  
Totals
    2,653,855       1,873,080       716,458       64,317  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Derivatives
    778,217       -       771,034       7,183  
Totals
    778,217       -       771,034       7,183  

During years 2009, 2008 and 2007 there is no changes between levels as shown above.
 
 
F-142

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 38 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, continued:

The following table presents the Bank’s activity for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurrent basis using unobserved significant entries (Level 3) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
As of January 1, 2008
    64,317       (7,183 )
                 
Total realized and unrealized profits (losses):
               
Included in profit
    16,987       (44,218 )
Included in comprehensive income
    -       -  
Purchases, issuances, and placements (net)
    -       -  
                 
As of December 31, 2008
    81,304       (51,401 )
                 
Total profits or losses included in income for 2008 that are attributable to change in unrealized profits (losses) related to assets or liabilities as of December 31, 2008.
    16,987       (44,218 )

   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
             
As of December 31, 2008
    81,304       (51,401 )
                 
Total realized and unrealized profits (losses):
               
Included in profit
    130,914       (417,447 )
Included in comprehensive income
               
Purchases, issuances, and placements (net)
               
                 
As of December 31, 2009
    212,218       (468,848 )
                 
Total profits or losses included in income for 2009 that are attributable to change in unrealized profits (losses) related to assets or liabilities as of December 31, 2009.
    130,914       (417,447 )

The realized and unrealized profits (losses) included in income for 2009 and 2008, in the assets and liabilities valued at fair value on a recurrent basis through unobservable significant entries (Level 3) are recorded in the Income Statement under the “Net profit from financial operations” item.

The potential effect as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 on the valuation of assets and liabilities valued at fair value on a recurrent basis through unobservable significant entries (level 3), generated by changes in the principal assumptions if other reasonably possible assumptions that are less or more favorable were used, is not considered by the Bank to be significant.
 
 
F-143

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT:

Introduction and general description

Through its activity with financial instruments, the Bank is exposed to several types of risk. The principal risks related to the financial instruments that are applicable to the Bank are the following:

 
-
Market risks: these arise from holding financial instruments whose value may be affected by fluctuations in market conditions, generally including the following types of risk:
 
a.
Foreign exchange risk: this arises as a consequence of exchange rate fluctuations among currencies.
 
b.
Interest rate risk: this arises as a consequence of fluctuations in market interest rates.
 
c.
Price risk: this arises as a consequence of changes in market prices, either due to factors specific to the instrument itself or due to factors that affect all the instruments negotiated in the market.
 
d.
Inflation risk: this arises as a consequence of changes in Chile’s inflation rate, whose effect would be mainly applicable to financial instruments denominated in UFs.

 
-
Credit risk: this is the risk of one of the parties to a financial instrument failing to meet its contractual obligations for reasons of insolvency or inability of the individuals or legal entities in question, causing a financial loss on the other party.

 
-
Liquidity risk: liquidity risk is the possibility that an entity may be unable to meet its payment commitments, or that in order to meet them, it may have to raise funds on onerous terms or damage its image and reputation.

 
-
Operating risk: this is a risk arising from human errors, system errors, fraud or external events which may damage the Bank’s reputation, may have legal or regulatory implications, or cause financial losses.

This note includes information on the Bank’s exposure to these risks and on its objectives, policies, and processes involved in their measurement and management.

Risk management structure

The Board is responsible for the establishment and monitoring of the Bank’s risk management structure, for which purpose it has an on-line corporate governance system with the international recommendations and trends, adapted to Chilean regulatory conditions and able to apply the most advanced practices in the markets in which the Bank operates. To optimize the performance of this function, the Board has established the Assets and Liabilities Committee (“ALCO”), whose principal task is to assist in carrying out its functions relating to oversight and management of the Bank’s risks. To complement the ALCO in the risk management function, the Board also has three key committees: the Markets Committee (“CDM,” the acronym in Spanish) the Executive Credit Committee (“CEC,” the acronym in Spanish) and the Audit Committee (“CDA,” the acronym in Spanish). Each of these committees is composed of directors and executive members of the Bank’s management.

The ALCO is responsible for formulating the Bank’s risk management policies according to guidelines of the Board, those of Santander Spain’s Global Risk Department, and the regulatory requirements adopted by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions (“SBIF”). These policies have been created mainly to identify and analyze the risks faced by the Bank, determine the risk limits and appropriate controls, and keep track of the risks and comply with the limits. The Bank’s risk management policies and systems are regularly reviewed to reflect the changes in market conditions and in products or services offered. Through training in and management of standards and procedures, the Bank seeks to develop a disciplined and constructive control environment in which all its employees understand their functions and obligations.

 
F-144

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

To carry out its duties, the ALCO works directly with the Bank’s control and risk departments, whose joint objectives include the following:

 
-
evaluate risks whose magnitude might threaten the Bank’s solvency or which might potentially pose significant risks to its operations or reputation;
 
-
ensure that the Bank is equipped with the means, systems, structures, and resources consistent with best practices, which enable the implementation of the risk management strategy;
 
-
ensure the integration, control, and management of all the Bank’s risks;
 
-
apply homogeneous risk principles, policies and metrics throughout the Bank and its businesses;
 
-
develop and implement a risk management model at the bank, in order for risk exposure to be adequately integrated into the different decision making processes;
 
-
identify risk concentrations and mitigation alternatives, monitor the macroeconomic and competitive environment, quantifying sensitivities and the foreseeable impact of different scenarios on risk positioning; and
 
-
carry out the management of structural liquidity, interest rate and exchange rate risks, as well as those arising from the Bank’s own resource base.

To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the Bank (its management and the ALCO) performs a variety of activities relating to risk management, including the following: calculate exposures to risk of different portfolios and/or investments, taking into consideration mitigating factors (guarantees, netting, collateral, etc.); calculate the probabilities of expected loss for each portfolio and/or investment; assign loss factors to the new transactions (rating and scoring); measure the risk values of the portfolios and/or investments based on different scenarios by means of historical simulations; specify limits for potential losses based on the different risks incurred; determine the potential impact of the structural risks on the Bank’s Consolidated Statements of Income; set limits and alerts which guarantee the Bank’s liquidity; and identify and quantify the operating risks by line of business, so as to facilitate their mitigation through corrective actions.

The CDA is mainly responsible for supervising compliance with the Bank’s risk management policies and procedures, and for reviewing the adaptation of the risk management framework to the risks faced by the Bank.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of one of the parties to a financial instrument contract failing to meet its contractual obligations for reasons of insolvency or inability of the individuals or legal entities in question, causing a financial loss to the other party. For credit risk management purposes, the Bank consolidates all the elements and components of the exposure to credit risk (for example, individual arrears by creditor, the innate risk of a given line of business or industry and/or geographic risk).

Mitigation of credit risk for loans and accounts receivable

The Board has delegated the duty of credit risk management to the ALCO and CEC, as well as to the Bank’s risk departments, whose roles are summarized below:

 
-
Formulation of credit policies, by consulting with the business units, meeting requirements of guarantees, credit evaluation, risk rating and submission of reports, documentation and legal procedures in compliance with the regulatory, legal and internal requirements of the Bank.

 
F-145

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

 
-
Establish structure for the authorization of approval and renewal of credit applications. The Bank structures credit risk levels by assigning concentration limits on such risk for individual borrowers, industry segments, and countries. The authorization limits are assigned to the respective officers of the business unit (commercial, consumer, PYME), in order to be permanently monitored by Management. In addition, these limits are periodically reviewed. The risk evaluation teams at the branch level regularly interact with customers, but for large-scale operations, the risk teams of the parent and even the CEC work directly with the customers in the evaluation of credit risk and preparation of the loan applications. Even Banco Santander – Spain participates in the approval process of the most important loans, such as those made to customers or economic groups with amounts of debt that exceeds US$40 million.

 
-
Limit concentrations of exposure to customers or counterparts, in geographic areas or industries (for accounts receivable or loans), and by issuer, credit rating, and liquidity (for investments).

 
-
Develop and maintain the Bank’s credit risk classifications, for the purpose of classifying risks according to the degree of exposure to financial loss that is faced by the respective financial instruments, with the aim of focusing risk management specifically on the associated risks.

 
-
Review and evaluate credit risk. Management’s risk divisions are largely independent of the Bank’s commercial division and evaluate all credit risks in excess of the specified limits, prior to loan approvals for customers or prior to the acquisition of specific investments. Renewals and revisions of loans are subject to similar processes.

While preparing a loan application for a corporate customer, the Bank verifies multiple parameters such as ability to service debt (generally including the projected cash flows), the customer’s financial history, and/or projections for the economic sector or industry in which it operates. The risk division is closely involved in this process. All applications contain an analysis of the customer’s strengths and weaknesses, a rating, and a recommendation. Credit limits are not determined on the basis of the customers’ outstanding loan balances, but on the financial group’s direct and indirect credit risk. For example, a corporation would be evaluated jointly with its Affiliates and affiliates.

Consumer loans are evaluated and approved by their respective risk divisions (individual, PYME), and the evaluation process is based on an evaluation system known as Garra (Hook) (Banco Santander) and Syseva (Santander Banefe). Both of these processes are decentralized, automated, and based on a scoring system that includes the credit risk policies adopted by the Bank’s Board. The loan application process is based on a collection of information to determine the customer’s financial condition and ability to pay. The parameters used to evaluate an applicant’s credit risk include several variables, such as income level, duration of current employment, indebtedness and credit bureau reports.

 
-
Provide advice, orientation and specialized knowledge to the business units in order to promote the Bank’s best practices in credit risk management.

Mitigation of credit risk of other financial assets (investments, derivatives, commitments)

As a part of the acquisition process of financial investments and financial instruments, the Bank examines the probability of uncollectibility from issuers or counterparties, using internal and external evaluations, such as risk evaluators that are independent from the Bank. The Bank is also governed by a strict and conservative policy which ensures that the issuers of its investments and the counterparties in derivative transactions are highly reputable.

 
F-146

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

In addition, the Bank operates with a variety of instruments which imply credit risk, but are not reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, such as: guarantees and bonds, documentary letters of credit, performance bonds, and commitments to grant loans.

The guarantees and bonds imply an irrevocable payment obligation. If a guaranteed customer fails to meet their obligations to third parties secured by the Bank, the Bank will make the relevant payments; hence, these transactions imply the same credit risk exposure as an ordinary loan.

Documentary letters of credit are commitments documented by the Bank on behalf of customers, which are secured by the shipped merchandise to which they relate, and hence, have a lower risk than direct indebtedness. Performance bonds are contingent commitments which become enforceable only if the customer fails to carry out the work agreed upon with a third party and secured by such performance bonds.

For commitments to grant loans, the Bank is potentially exposed to losses in an amount equivalent to the total unused amount of the commitment. However, the probable amount of loss is smaller than the total unused amount of the commitment. The Bank monitors the maturities of lines of credit because long-term commitments generally pose a higher credit risk than short-term commitments.

Maximum credit risk exposure

For financial assets recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the credit risk exposure is equal to their book value. For the financial guarantees granted, the maximum credit risk exposure is the maximum amount the Bank would have to pay if the guarantee were enforced.

Below is the distribution by financial asset of the Bank’s maximum exposure to credit risk as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, without deduction of collateral or credit improvements received:

         
As of December 31,
   
As of January 1,
 
         
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
         
Amount of exposure
   
Amount of exposure
   
Amount of exposure
 
   
Note
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
                         
Cash and deposits in banks
    5       2,043,458       855,411       1,108,637  
Unsettled transactions
    5       468,134       335,405       316,240  
Trading investments
    6       798,539       1,166,426       1,093,445  
Investments under resale agreements
    7       14,020       -       33,999  
Financial derivatives contracts
    8       1,393,878       1,846,509       780,775  
Loans and accounts receivable from customers
 
9 and 10
      13,401,749       14,406,848       12,068,236  
Available for sale investments
    12       1,830,090       1,580,240       779,635  
Off-balance commitments:
                               
Letters of credit issued
    24       155,956       181,381       181,034  
Confirmed foreign letters of credit
    24       35,818       122,783       145,016  
Guarantees
    24       655,780       766,727       627,642  
Available credit lines
    24       4,615,787       4,041,849       -  
Guarantees
    24       169,931       172,568       236,661  
Totals
            25,583,140       25,476,147       17,371,320  
 
 
F-147

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

Credit quality is classified as described in the SBIF’s Compendium of Standards as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Commercial loans
   
Consumer loans
   
Mortgage loans
   
Total
       
Category
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
%
 
                               
A
    -       1,895,241       -       1,895,241       13.8  
A1
    -       -       -       -       -  
A2
    3,187,959       -       3,808,195       6,996,154       50.9  
A3
    2,998,956       -       223,928       3,222,884       23.5  
B
    601,080       165,181       10,481       776,742       5.5  
B-
    -       69,150       -       69,150       0.5  
C
    -       74,735       3,636       78,371       0.6  
C1
    224,732       -       18,101       242,833       1.8  
C2
    97,885       -       8,640       106,525       0.8  
C3
    60,679       -       2,012       62,691       0.4  
C4
    56,985       -       27,294       84,279       0.6  
D
    -       39,742       -       39,742       0.3  
D1
    80,574       -       42,438       123,012       0.9  
D2
    39,324       -       14,328       53,652       0.4  
Total
    7,348,174       2,244,049       4,159,053       13,751,276       100.0  

As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Commercial loans
   
Consumer loans
   
Mortgage loans
   
Total
       
Category
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
%
 
                               
A
    -       1,811,060       3,562,617       5,373,677       36.7  
A1
    -       -       -       -       -  
A2
    6,463,445       -       -       6,463,445       44.0  
A3
    1,351,054       -       -       1,351,054       9.2  
B
    208,954       203,375       199,087       611,416       4.2  
B-
    -       75,281       79,930       155,211       1.1  
C
    -       94,507       64,972       159,479       1.1  
C1
    220,434       -       -       220,434       1.5  
C2
    26,738       -       -       26,738       0.2  
C3
    34,296       -       -       34,296       0.2  
C4
    36,100       -       -       36,100       0.2  
D
    -       64,915       73,950       138,865       0.9  
D1
    48,711       -       -       48,711       0.3  
D2
    61,662       -       -       61,662       0.4  
Total
    8,451,394       2,249,138       3,980,556       14,681,088       100.0  
 
 
F-148

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

As of January 1, 2008
 
   
Commercial loans
   
Consumer loans
   
Mortgage loans
   
Total
       
Category
 
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
   
%
 
                               
A
    -       1,746,587       -       1,746,587       14.3  
A1
    -       -       -       -       -  
A2
    5,346,983       -       3,116,306       8,463,289       68.8  
A3
    1,237,799       -       147,644       1,385,443       11.3  
B
    74,068       154,328       23,697       252,093       2.0  
B-
    -       66,905       -       66,905       0.5  
C
    -       71,508       -       71,508       0.6  
C1
    88,171       -       12,200       100,371       0.8  
C2
    20,920       -       7,350       28,270       0.2  
C3
    18,518       -       2,773       21,291       0.2  
C4
    38,480       -       19,103       57,583       0.5  
D
    -       30,452       -       30,452       0.2  
D1
    40,277       -       12,819       53,096       0.4  
D2
    19,229       -       2,523       21,752       0.2  
Total
    6,884,445       2,069,780       3,344,415       12,298,640       100.0  

 
-
The A categories pertain to borrowers that pose minimal credit risk.

 
-
The B categories pertain to borrowers that pose a certain credit risk, having minimal inability to pay and a low vulnerability to defaulting on their financial obligations. This category includes borrowers whose ability to pay depends on favorable business and economic conditions. It may include those who have past-due contractual interests or principal payments but such impairment is not deemed inappropriate by the Bank, based on the level of available security interest and/or the stage of collection of the amounts owed to the Bank.

 
-
The C and D categories pertain to impaired loans for which the Bank determines that the borrower will not be able to raise all the principal and interest owed pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement.

See Note 32 for a detail of the Bank’s impaired loans and their respective allowances. See also Note 21 for a detail of the maturities of the Bank’s financial assets.

Impairment of other financial instruments

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank had no significant impairment of its financial assets other than loans and accounts receivable.

Security interests and credit improvements

The maximum exposure to credit risk is reduced in some cases by security interests, credit improvements, and other actions which mitigate the Bank’s exposure. Based on the foregoing, the creation of security interests are a necessary but not a sufficient condition for granting a loan; accordingly, the Bank’s acceptance of risks requires the verification of other variables and parameters, such as the ability to pay or generate funds in order to mitigate the risk being taken on.

The procedures for management and valuation of security interests are reflected in the internal risk management policy. The basic principles for credit risk management, which includes management of the security interests received in transactions with customers, are set forth in these policies. In this respect, the risk management model includes a determination of the existence of appropriate and sufficient security interests that enable recovery of the loan if the borrower’s circumstances do not allow it to meet its obligations.
 
 
F-149

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

The procedures used for the valuation of security interests conform to best market practices, which provide for the use of appraisals for mortgage securities, market prices for stock securities, value of the interest for investment funds, etc. All collateral received must be properly documented and registered in the appropriate registry, and must be approved by the Bank’s legal divisions.

The Bank also has rating tools which allow it to rank the credit quality of transactions or customers. In order to analyze the manner in which this probability fluctuates, the Bank has historical databases which store internally generated information. The rating tools vary according to the segment to which the customer being analyzed belongs (commercial, consumer, PYME, etc.).

Below is the detail of security interests, collateral or credit improvements provided to the Bank as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.

   
2009
   
2008
 
   
MCh$
   
MCh$
 
Nonimpaired financial assets:
           
Properties/mortgages
    6,778,005       6,268,670  
Investments and other
    322,435       330,244  
Impaired financial assets:
               
Properties/mortgages
    517,495       703,702  
Investments and other
    26,422       17,982  
                 
Totals
    7,644,357       7,320,598  

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Bank may have difficulty meeting the obligations associated with its financial obligations.

Liquidity risk management

The Bank is continually exposed to demands for cash arising from multiple banking transactions such as payments from checking accounts, payments on time deposits, payments of guarantees, disbursements for derivative transactions, etc. As is inherent in banking activity, the Bank does not hold enough cash to cover the balance of these positions, since experience shows that only a minimal amount of these funds will be withdrawn, which amount can be foreseen with a high degree of certainty.

The Bank’s approach to liquidity management is to make as certain as possible that it always has enough liquidity to meet its obligations when they mature, under both normal circumstances and conditions of stress, without incurring unacceptable losses or running the risk of damage to the Bank’s reputation. The Board sets limits at a minimum portion of maturing funds available to make these payments, and over a minimum level of interbank transactions and other loan facilities which must be available to cover unexpected levels of demand, which is periodically reviewed. Moreover, the Bank must comply with regulatory limits imposed by the SBIF for term asymmetries.

These limits affect the asymmetries of future flows of income and outlays on an individual basis. They are:

 
(i)
asymmetries of up to 30 days for all currencies, up to the amount of basic capital;
 
(ii)
asymmetries of up to 30 days for foreign currencies, up to the amount of the basic capital; and
 
(iii)
asymmetries of up to 90 days for all currencies, twice the basic capital.

 
F-150

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

The treasury department receives information from all the business units on the liquidity profile of their financial assets and liabilities, as well as details of other expected cash flows stemming from future businesses. Based on that information, the treasury department maintains a portfolio of liquid short-term assets, comprised mainly of liquid investments, loans and advances to other banks, to make sure the Bank has sufficient liquidity. The business units’ liquidity needs are met through short-term transfers from the treasury department to cover any short-term fluctuations and long-term financing to address all the structural liquidity requirements.

The Bank monitors its liquidity position every day, determining the future flows of its outlays and revenues. In addition, stress tests are performed at the end of each month, for which a variety of scenarios encompassing both normal market conditions and conditions of market fluctuation are used. The liquidity policy and procedures are subject to review and approval by the Bank’s Board. Periodic reports are generated, providing a detail of the liquidity position of the Bank and its Affiliates, including any exceptions and the corrective measures adopted, which are regularly submitted to the ALCO for review.

The Bank relies on customer (retail) and institutional deposits, obligations to banks, debt instruments, and time deposits as
its main sources of funding. Although most obligations to banks, debt instruments and time deposits have maturities of more than one year, customer (retail) and institutional deposits tend to have shorter maturities and a large proportion of them are payable within 90 days. The short-term nature of these deposits increases the Bank’s liquidity risk, and hence, the Bank actively manages this risk through continual supervision of the market trends and price management.

Exposure to liquidity risk

The key measure used by the bank to manage liquidity risk is the ratio of net liquid assets to customer deposits. For this purpose, the net liquid assets must include cash, cash equivalents and debt securities for which there is an active and liquid market, minus bank deposits, fixed-income securities issued, loans and other commitments maturing within the next month. A similar but not identical measure is used to determine the bank’s compliance with the liquidity limit established by the SBIF. The ratios of net liquid assets to customer deposits at the reporting dates were as follows:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
 
%
   
%
 
30 days
    7       29  
90 days
    57       40  

 
F-151

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

The detail by contractual maturity of the Bank’s asset and liability balances as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, including consideration of off-balance commitments:

 
As of December 31, 2009
 
Demand
MCh$
   
Up to 1 month
MCh$
   
Between 1 and 3 months, MCh$
   
Between 3 and 12 months
MCh$
   
Between 1 and 5 years
MCh$
   
More than 5 years, MCh$
   
Total
MCh$
 
Maturity of assets (Note 21)
    2,907,674       1,235,968       1,093,804       3,205,387       5,701,393       5,612,392       19,756,618  
Maturity of liabilities (Note 21)
    (3,849,862 )     (2,699,279 )     (2,665,281 )     (4,214,749 )     (3,552,474 )     (1,485,523 )     (18,467,168 )
Net maturity
    (942,188 )     (1,463,311 )     (1,571,477 )     (1,009,362 )     2,148,919       4,126,869       1,289,450  
Off-balance commitments:
                                                       
Guarantees and bonds
    -       (23,412 )     (86,692 )     (43,378 )     (16,322 )     (127 )     (169,931 )
Confirmed foreign letters of credit
    -       (8,851 )     (6,935 )     (17,453 )     (2,579 )     -       (35,818 )
Letters of credit issued
    -       (49,347 )     (82,488 )     (16,685 )     (7,435 )     -       (155,955 )
Securities
    -       (76,173 )     (92,409 )     (287,001 )     (193,458 )     (6,739 )     (655,780 )
                                                         
Net maturity, including commitments
    (942,188 )     (1,621,094 )     (1,840,001 )     (1,373,879 )     1,929,125       4,120,003       271,966  

 
As of December 31, 2008
 
Demand
MCh$
   
Up to 1 month
MCh$
   
Between 1 and 3 months, MCh$
   
Between 3 and 12 months
MCh$
   
Between 1 and 5 years
MCh$
   
More than 5 years
MCh$
   
Total
MCh$
 
Maturity of assets (Note 21)
    1,315,148       3,035,008       1,569,108       2,751,191       5,932,708       5,587,135       20,190,298  
Maturity of liabilities (Note 21)
    (3,173,625 )     (3,702,161 )     (2,878,700 )     (3,965,133 )     (3,449,602 )     (1,814,512 )     (18,983,733 )
Net maturity
    (1,858,477 )     (667,153 )     (1,309,592 )     (1,213,942 )     2,483,106       3,772,623       1,206,565  
Off-balance commitments:
                                                       
Guarantees and bonds
    -       (65,081 )     (11,690 )     (67,090 )     (28,707 )     -       (172,568 )
Confirmed foreign letters of credit
    -       (20,254 )     (58,846 )     (43,286 )     (397 )     -       (122,783 )
Letters of credit issued
    -       (63,129 )     (95,513 )     (21,242 )     (1,497 )     -       (181,381 )
Securities
    -       (70,257 )     (87,779 )     (324,035 )     (284,656 )     -       (766,727 )
                                                         
Net maturity, including commitments
    (1,858,477 )     (885,874 )     (1,563,420 )     (1,669,595 )     2,167,849       3,772,623       (36,894 )

The above tables show the undiscounted cash flows of the Bank’s financial assets and liabilities based on their estimated maturities. The Bank’s expected cash flows from these instruments can diverge considerably from this analysis. For example, demand deposits are expected to remain stable or grow, while not all off-balance loan commitments that have been arranged are expected to be executed. In addition, the foregoing detail excludes disposable lines of credit, since they do not have contractually defined maturities.

Market risk

Market risk arises as a consequence of activity in the markets, through financial instruments whose value can be affected by fluctuations in market conditions, reflected in changes in the different assets and financial risk factors. The risk can be mitigated through hedges using other products (assets/liabilities or derivatives), or by cancelling the open transaction/position. The purpose of market risk management is to manage and control exposure to market risk, keeping it within accepted parameters.

There are four major risk factors that affect market prices: interest rates, exchange rates, prices and inflation. In addition and for certain positions, it is necessary to consider other risks as well, such as spread risk, base risk, commodity risk, volatility or correlation risk.
 
 
F-152

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

Market risk management

The Bank’s internal management to measure market risk is based mainly on the procedures and standards of Santander Spain, which are in turn based on analysis of management in three principal components:

 
-
trading portfolio;
 
-
domestic financial management portfolio;
 
-
foreign financial management portfolio.

The trading portfolio is comprised mainly of investments valued at fair value and free of any restriction on their immediate sale, which are often bought and sold by the Bank with the intent of selling them in the short term in order to benefit from short-term price fluctuations. The financial management portfolios include all the financial investments not considered a part of trading portfolio.

The ALCO has the overall responsibility for market risk. The Bank’s risk/finance department is responsible for formulating detailed management policies and applying them to the Bank’s operations, in conformity with the guidelines adopted by the ALCO and the Global Risk Department of Banco Santander Spain.

The department’s functions in connection with the trading portfolio include the following:(i) apply the “Value at Risk” (VaR) techniques to measure interest rate risk, (ii) adjust the trading portfolios to market and measure the daily income and loss from commercial activities, (iii) compare the real VaR with the established limits, (iv) establish procedures to prevent losses in excess of predetermined limits, and (v) furnish information on the trading activities to the ALCO, other members of the Bank’s management and the Global Risk Department of Santander – Spain.

The department’s functions in connection with financial management portfolios include the following:(i) perform sensitivity simulations (as explained below) to measure interest rate risk for activities denominated in local currency and the potential loss forecasted by these simulations, and (ii) provide daily reports thereon to the ALCO, other members of the Bank’s management, and the Global Risk Department of Santander - Spain.

Market risk - trading portfolio

The Bank applies VaR methodologies to measure the market risk of its trading portfolio. The Bank has a consolidated commercial position comprised of fixed-income investments, foreign currency trading, and a minimal position in equity securities. This portfolio is comprised mostly of Chilean Central Bank Bonds, mortgage bonds and locally issued, low-risk corporate bonds. At the end of the year, the trading portfolio included no equity portfolio securities.

For the Bank, the VaR estimate is made under the historical simulation methodology, which consists of analyzing the behavior of the income and losses that would have occurred in the current portfolio if the market conditions for a given historical period had been applicable, in order to infer the maximum loss on the basis of that information with a given level of confidence. The methodology has the advantage of precisely reflecting the historical distribution of the market variables and not requiring any assumptions regarding the distribution of specific probabilities. All the VaR measures are intended to determine the distribution function for a change in the value of a given portfolio, and once that distribution is known, to calculate the percentile related to the necessary level of confidence, which will be equal to the value at risk by virtue of those parameters. As calculated by the Bank, the VaR is an estimate of the maximum expected loss of market value for a given portfolio over a 1-day horizon, with a 99.00% confidence level. It is the maximum 1-day loss that the Bank could expect to experience in a given portfolio, with a 99.00% confidence level. In other words, it is the loss that the Bank would expect to experience only 1.0% of the time. The VaR provides a single estimate of market risk which is not comparable from one market risk to another. Returns are calculated through the use of a 2-year time window or at least 520 data points obtained since the last reference date for calculation of the VaR going backward in time.
 
 
F-153

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

The Bank uses the VaR estimates to provide a warning when the statistically expected losses in its trading portfolio would exceed prudent levels, and hence, there are certain predetermined limits.

Limitations of the VaR model

When applying a calculation methodology, no assumptions are made regarding the probability distribution of the changes in the risk factors; the historically observed changes are used for the risk factors on which each position in the portfolio will be valued.

It is necessary to define a valuation function fj(xi) for each instrument j, preferably the same one used to calculate the market value and income of the daily position. This valuation function will be applied in each scenario to generate simulated prices for all the instruments in each scenario.

In addition, the VaR methodology should be interpreted taking into consideration the following limitations:

 
-
Changes in market rates and prices may not be independent and identically distributed random variables, and may not have a normal distribution. In particular, the assumption of normal distribution may underestimate the probability of extreme market movements;

 
-
The historical data used by the Bank may not provide the best estimate of the joint distribution of changes in the risk factors in the future, and any modification of the data may be inadequate. In particular, the use of historical data may fail to capture the risk of potential extreme and adverse market fluctuations, regardless of the time period used;

 
-
A 1-day time horizon may not fully capture the market risk positions which cannot be liquidated or covered in a single day. It would not be possible to liquidate or cover all the positions in a single day;

 
-
The VaR is calculated at the close of business, but trading positions may change substantially in the course of the trading day;

 
-
The use of a 99% level of confidence does not take account of, or make any statement about, the losses that could occur outside of that degree of confidence; and

A model such as the VaR does not capture all the complex effects of the risk factors over the value of the positions or portfolios, and accordingly, it could underestimate potential losses.

 
F-154

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

At no time in 2009 and 2008 did the Bank exceed the VaR limits in connection with the three components which comprise the trading portfolio: fixed-income investments, variable-income investments and foreign currency investments. The high, low, and average levels for each component and for each year were as follows:


Consolidated
 
2009
%
   
2008
%
 
             
VaR:
           
High
    9.79       11.6  
Low
    4.24       3.7  
Average
    5.98       6.6  
                 
Fixed-income investments:
               
High
    9.14       9.5  
Low
    4.22       3.3  
Average
    5.87       6  
                 
Variable-income investments:
               
High
    1.65       1.4  
Low
    0.04       0.2  
Average
    0.17       0.5  
                 
Foreign currency investments
               
High
    7.02       4.0  
Low
    0.66       0.6  
Average
    2.31       2.5  

Market risk - local and foreign financial management

The Bank’s financial management portfolio includes most of the Bank’s non-trading assets and liabilities, including the credit/loan portfolio. For these portfolios, investment and financing decisions are strongly influenced by the Bank’s commercial strategies.

The Bank uses a sensitivity analysis to measure the market risk of local and foreign currency (not included in the trading portfolio). The Bank performs a simulation of scenarios, which is calculated as the difference between the present value of the cash flows in the chosen scenario (a curve with a parallel movement of 100 bp in all its segments) and their value in the base scenario (current market). All the inflation-indexed local currency (UF) positions are adjusted by a sensitivity factor of 0.57, which represents a 57 basis point change in the rate curve for the real rates and a 100 basis point change for the nominal rates. The same scenario is performed for the net foreign currency positions and the interest rates in US dollars. The Bank has also established limits regarding the maximum loss which these interest rate movements may impose on the capital and net financial income budgeted for the year.

Limitations of the sensitivity models

The most important assumption is the use of a 100 basis point change in the yield curve (57 basis points for the real rates). The Bank uses a 100 basis point change because sudden changes of that magnitude are considered realistic. The Global Risk Department of Santander Spain has established comparable limits by country, to be able to compare, monitor and consolidate the market risk by country in a realistic and orderly way.
 
 
F-155

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

In addition, the sensitivity simulation methodology should be interpreted taking into consideration the following limitations:

 
-
The simulation of scenarios assumes that the volumes remain in the Bank’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and are always renewed at maturity, thereby omitting the fact that certain credit risk and prepayment considerations may affect the maturity of certain positions.

 
-
This model assumes an identical change along the entire length of the yield curve and takes no account of the different movements for different maturities.

 
-
The model takes no account of the sensitivity of volumes which results from interest rate changes.

 
-
The limits to losses of budgeted financial income are calculated based on the financial income foreseen for the year, which may not be actually earned, meaning that the real percentage of financial income at risk may be higher than the expected one.

Market Risk – Financial management portfolio – December 31, 2009 and 2008

   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Effect on financial income
   
Effect on capital
   
Effect on financial income
   
Effect on capital
 
                         
Financial management portfolio – local currency (MCh$)
                       
Loss limit
    37,264       127,000       24,000       86,400  
High
    17,711       123,834       16,720       85,837  
Low
    1,504       95,791       3,138       60,251  
Average
    6,404       107,239       10,807       72,622  
                                 
Financial management portfolio – foreign currency (in millions of $US)
                               
Loss limit
    46,0       74,0       36,0       54,0  
High
    18,4       17,3       31,2       9,4  
Low
    1,2       1,5       1,8       0,2  
Average
    6,9       11,4       15,1       4,2  
                                 
Financial management portfolio – consolidated (MCh$)
                               
Loss limit
    37,264       127,000       24,000       86,400  
High
    17,724       123,836       16,720       86,051  
Low
    1,939       96,280       3,138       60,252  
Average
    8,188       107,495       10,707       72,683  

 
F-156

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 39 - RISK MANAGEMENT, continued:

Operating risk

Operating risk is the risk of direct or indirect losses stemming from a wide variety of causes related to the Bank’s processes, personnel, technology and infrastructure, as well as external factors other than credit, market, or liquidity, such as those related to legal or regulatory requirements. Operating risks arise from all the Bank’s operations.

The Bank’s objective is to manage operating risk in order to mitigate economic losses and damage to the Bank’s reputation through a flexible internal control structure.

The Bank’s management is mainly responsible for the development and application of controls to address operating risks. This responsibility is supported by the global development of the Bank’s operating risk management standards in the following areas:

 
-
Requirements for adequate segregation of duties, including independent authorization of transactions
 
-
Requirements for reconciliation and supervision of transactions
 
-
Compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory requirements
 
-
Documentation of controls and procedures
 
-
Requirements for periodic evaluation of applicable operating risks and improvement of the controls and procedures to address the risks that are identified
 
-
Requirements for disclosure of operating losses and the proposed corrective measures
 
-
Development of contingency plans
 
-
Training and professional development
 
-
Adoption of ethical business standards
 
-
Reduction or mitigation of risks, including acquisition of insurance policies if they are effective

Compliance with the Bank’s standards is supported by a program of periodic reviews conducted by the Bank’s internal audit unit, whose results are internally submitted to the management of the business unit that was examined and to the CDA.

Concentration of risk

The Bank operates mainly in Chile, so most of its financial instruments are concentrated in that country. See Note 10 of the financial statements for a detail of the concentration of the Bank’s loans and accounts receivable by industry.
 
 
F-157

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
 
NOTE 40 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

Between December 31, 2009 and the date on which these financial statements were issued, the following subsequent event occurred:

a)       Bonds issuance:

In January 2010 the Bank issued senior bonds in the amount of UF 3,000,000 in Chile. They have the following detail:

Bonds
                   
Series
 
Amount
 
Term
 
Issue rate
 
Issue date
 
Maturity date
F7
 
UF 3,000,000 (*)
 
4.5 years
 
3.30% per annum simple
 
11/1/2009
 
5/1/2014
Total
 
UF 3,000,000
               

(*) On November 1, 2009 a line of bonds comprising a single series titled F7 Series was registered in the securities registry of the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, having a total value of UF 3,000,000 and divided into 1,500 bonds of 2,000 Development Units (UF) each, with a 4.5 year bullet and an issue rate of 3.30% per annum.

In April 2010 the Bank issued a floating rate senior bond in the amount of USD 500,000,000 in the United States. It has the following detail:

Bonds
                   
Series
 
Amount
 
Term
 
Issue rate
 
Issue date
 
Maturity date
144A
 
USD 500,000,000 (**)
 
2 years
 
LIBOR + 1.25% per annum
 
04/15/2010
 
04/20/2012
Total
 
 USD 500,000,000
               

(**) Interest on the bonds will accrue at a floating rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to the three-month U.S. Dollar London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, plus 1.25%. Interest on the bonds will be payable quarterly in arrears on each January 20, April 20, July 20 and October 20 each year, subject to the Day Count Convention, commencing on July 20, 2010.

b) On January 1, 2010 Mr. Claudio Melandri Hinojosa was appointed as the Bank’s General Manager. In addition, Mr. Juan Manuel Hoyos Martínez was appointed as Alternate Bank Director, a position which had been vacant.

Commencing January 1, 2010 Mr. Oscar von Chrismar Carvajal will serve as Second Vice Chairman of the Board.

 
F-158

 
BANCO SANTANDER CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2008
 
c) On February 27, 2010, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Chile. The earthquake epicenter was located 200 miles southwest of Santiago and 70 miles north of Concepción, Chile’s second largest city. Due to the severity of the earthquake and its devastating consequences, former President Michelle Bachelet declared a national “state of catastrophe” on February 28, 2010. Significant aftershocks followed the initial earthquake, including aftershocks of 6.2, 5.4 and 5.6 magnitudes within an hour of the initial earthquake, aftershocks of 6.9, 6.7 and 6.0 magnitudes on March 11, 2010 and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on March 13, 2010. As a result of the earthquake, economic and banking activity in Chile could be affected in 2010, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

d) On March 25 and April 8, 2010, the Superintendency of Banks issued temporary regulations (applicable during March and April 2010) with the purpose of protecting the credit history of borrowers affected by the earthquake. Pursuant to these regulations, banks may report accounts in arrears as current to the extent such accounts were current as of February 27, 2010 and the bank determines that the borrower missed payments due to the recent earthquake. Additionally, the bank must either (i) be in the process of modifying the terms of the borrower’s loan, or (ii) have been unable to contact the borrower. In connection with mortgage loans in arrears, if the bank determines that a total loss is expected, the regulations allow the reporting of these mortgage loans to remain current until insurance proceeds are received. In connection with a partial loss on such loans, the bank must consider financing the borrower’s insurance deductible payments on the same terms as the mortgage loan’s principal. In connection with restructurings of loans to borrowers from affected areas in March and April, the regulations allow banks not to report the modified loans as restructured for purposes of classification, allowances and interest accrual, provided that the loans were current as of February 27, 2010, the date of the earthquake. Following the termination of these temporary regulations on April 30, 2010, the Bank will reclassify all accounts and loans affected by these regulations according to normal reporting regulations.

e) On April 30, 2010, Banco Santander Chile sold 5 branches to Inmobiliaria Descubrimiento S.A., the price sale was Ch$ 11,546 million, whose book value at the time of the transaction amounted Ch$ 4,927 million, generating an income of Ch$ 6,619 million.

f) Between January 1, 2010 and the date on which these financial statements were issued (June 21, 2010), no other events have occurred which could significantly affect their interpretation.
 





FELIPE CONTRERAS FAJARDO
Accounting Manager
 
CLAUDIO MELANDRI HINOJOSA
Chief Executive Officer