FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
 
 
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
For the month of November 2011
 
Commission File Number: 001-14554
 
 
Banco Santander-Chile
Santander-Chile Bank
(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)

Bandera 140
Santiago, Chile
(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
 
Form 20-F
X
 
Form 40-F
 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
 
Yes
   
No
X

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
 
Yes
   
No
X

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
 
Yes
   
No
X

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A




 
 

 


Item
 
   
1.
Interim Report for the Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
  Page
 
 
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
1
Certain Terms and Conventions
2
Presentation of Financial Information
3
Item 1. Key Information
5
Item 2. Information on the Company
11
Item 3. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
21
Item 4. Major Shareholders And Related Party Transactions
68
Item 5. Financial Information
71
Item 6. The Offer and Listing
71
Item 7. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
73
Item 8. Additional Information
81
Item 9. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
82
 
 
 

 
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
We have made statements in this report on Form 6-K that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions 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 including:
 
 
·
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 report which contain forward-looking statements include, without limitation, “Item 1: Key Information–Risk Factors,” “Item 3: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” “Item 5: Financial Information–Legal Proceedings,” and “Item 9: 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 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
 
 
1

 
 
·
unemployment
 
 
·
increases in defaults by our customers
 
 
·
decreases in deposits, customer loss or revenue loss
 
 
·
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 at which they were made. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this 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 report on Form 6-K, “Santander-Chile”, “the Bank”, “we,” “our” and “us” or similar terms refer to Banco Santander Chile together with its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
When we refer to “Santiago” in this report, we refer to Banco Santiago and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to its merger with Old Santander-Chile. When we refer to “Old Santander-Chile” in this report, we refer to the former Banco Santander-Chile, which ceased to exist upon its merger into Santiago, effected on August 1, 2002, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
 
2

 
 
When we refer to “Banco Santander Spain” or “Santander Spain”, we refer to our parent company, Banco Santander, S.A.
 
As used in this report, the term “billion” means one thousand million (1,000,000,000).
 
In this 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. See “Item 3: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”.
 
In this report, references to the Audit Committee are to the Bank’s Comité de Directores y Auditoría.
 
In this 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 has prepared its unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements included in this report in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
 
As required by local regulations, our locally filed condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles issued by the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions (“Chilean Bank GAAP” and the “SBIF,” respectively). The accounting principles issued by the SBIF are substantially similar to IFRS but there are some exceptions.  Therefore, our locally filed consolidated interim financial statements have been adjusted for inclusion herein according to IAS 34: Interim Financial Reporting in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). For further details on the main differences between Chilean Bank GAAP and IFRS, see Item 3: A. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Accounting Standards Applied in 2011.
 
The notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements contain information in addition to that presented in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Financial Position, Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Income, Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income, Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity and Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Cash Flows. The notes provide narrative descriptions or details of these financial statements.
 
The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements included in this report on Form 6-K have been prepared from accounting records maintained by the Bank and its subsidiaries.
 
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 SEC that contains classification requirements for bank holding company financial statements.
 
Functional and Presentation currency
 
The Chilean peso is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Bank operates and the currency which influences its structure of costs and revenues. As such, in accordance with International Standard 21 —The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates, the Chilean peso has been defined as the functional and presentation currency.  Accordingly, all 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 (Ch$ million) into thousands of US dollars (ThUS$) using the rate as indicated below under “Exchange Rates,” for the Unaudited Condensed
 
 
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Consolidated Interim Statement of Financial Position, Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Income, Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income, Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity and Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Cash Flow for the nine-month periods ended as of September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
Loans
 
Unless otherwise specified, all references herein (except in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim 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 SBIF. Non-performing loans include loans for which principal or interest is overdue by more than 90 days, and do not accrue interest. Restructured loans for which no payments are overdue are not ordinarily classified as non-performing loans but do not accrue interest.
 
According to the IFRS, a loan is evaluated on each financial statement reporting date to determine whether objective evidence of impairment exists.  A loan 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 carrying amount of the financial asset and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition.
 
Individually significant loans are individually tested for impairment. 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.
 
Outstanding loans and the related percentages of our loan portfolio consisting of corporate and consumer loans in the section entitled “Item 2: C. Business Overview” are categorized based on the nature of the borrower. Outstanding loans and related percentages of our loan portfolio consisting of corporate and consumer loans in the section entitled “Item 3: E. Selected Statistical Information” are categorized in accordance with the reporting requirements of the SBIF, which are based on the type and term of loans. This disclosure is consistent with IFRS.
 
Effect of Rounding
 
Certain figures included in this report and in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements have been rounded up for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this 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 report may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements. Certain other amounts that appear in this report may not sum due to rounding.
 
Economic and Market Data
 
In this 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 SBIF 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 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
 
 
4

 
 
preparing the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim 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 period end, for any period 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 period. On December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2011, the exchange rate in the Informal Exchange Market as published by Reuters at 1:30 pm on these days was Ch$467.95 and Ch$519.65, or 0.09% less and 0.40% more expensive, respectively, than the published observed exchange rate for such date of Ch$468.37 and Ch$521.76, 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 1: A. Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates.”
 
On January 3, 2011, Chile’s Central Bank announced plans to increase its total international reserves by US$12 billion in 2011. The Central Bank carried out this program throughout the year. The last announced phase started November 9 and ends December 8. We expect the effect of these purchases will be to further devalue the peso against the dollar, although actual outcomes could differ due to macroeconomic and other factors.
 
As of December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2011, one UF was equivalent to Ch$21,455.55 and Ch$22,012.69; respectively. The U.S. dollar equivalent of one UF was U.S.$45.81 as of December 31, 2010, using the observed exchange rate reported by the Central Bank as of December 31, 2010, of Ch$468.37 per U.S.$1.00. The U.S. dollar equivalent of one UF was U.S.$42.19 as of September 30, 2011, using the observed exchange rate reported by the Central Bank as of September 30, 2011, of Ch$521.76 per U.S.$1.00.
 
 
ITEM 1. 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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2010 (the “2010 Form 20-F”) our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements included herein. Our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and notes at and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2011 included in this report are prepared in accordance with IFRS and therefore differ in some respects from the financial statements at and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2011 previously issued locally by the Bank in Chile in accordance with Chilean Bank GAAP.
 
We have selected the following financial information from our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements. You should read this information in connection with, and this information is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements included in this report.
 

   
For the Nine-Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
In US$ thousands(1)
   
In Ch$ millions(2)
 
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA (IFRS)
                 
Net interest income
    1,362,752       708,154       707,854  
Provision for loan losses
    (446,343 )     (231,942 )     (208,826 )
Net fee income and commission income
    403,021       209,430       193,945  
Operating costs (3)
    (710,488 )     (369,205 )     (335,556 )
Other income, net (4)
    89,610       46,567       66,506  
Income before tax
    698,552       363,004       423,923  
Income tax expense
    (111,503 )     (57,943 )     (56,752 )
 
 
5

 
 
   
For the Nine-Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
In US$ thousands(1)
   
In Ch$ millions(2)
 
Net income for the period
    587,049       305,061       367,171  
Net income attributable to:
                       
Bank shareholders
    580,551       301,684       367,270  
Non-controlling interests
    6,498       3,377       (99 )
Net income attributable to Bank shareholders per share
    0.0031       1.60       1.95  
Net income attributable to Bank shareholders per ADS (5)
    3.20       1,663.36       2,024.94  
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions)
            188,446.13       188,446.13  
Weighted-average ADS outstanding (in millions)
            181.373       181.373  
 

   
September 30, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
In US$ thousands(1)
   
In Ch$ millions(2)
 
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION DATA (IFRS)
                 
Cash and deposits in banks
    3,488,471       1,812,784       1,762,198  
Financial investments (6)
    5,043,037       2,620,614       2,024,635  
Loans and accounts receivable from customers and interbank loans net of allowance for loan losses
    33,260,490       17,283,814       15,301,835  
Financial derivative contracts (assets)
    3,871,038       2,011,585       1,624,378  
Other non-financial assets (7)
    3,708,299       1,927,018       1,377,668  
Total assets
    49,371,335       25,655,815       22,090,714  
Deposits (8)
    26,733,384       13,892,003       11,495,191  
Other interest bearing liabilities (9)
    13,339,744       6,931,998       6,235,959  
Financial derivative contracts (liabilities)
    3,127,632       1,625,274       1,643,979  
Total equity (10)
    3,888,649       2,020,737       1,937,977  
Equity attributable to Bank shareholders (11)
    3,826,505       1,988,444       1,906,168  

   
As of September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS (IFRS)
           
Profitability and performance:
           
Net interest margin (12)
    4.7 %     5.5 %
Return on average total assets (13)
    1.7 %     2.4 %
Return on average equity (14)
    20.6 %     28.3 %
Capital:
               
Average equity as a percentage of average total assets (15)
    8.3 %     8.4 %
Total liabilities as a multiple of equity (16)
    11.70       10.8  
Credit Quality:
               
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans (17)
    2.80 %     2.66 %
Allowance for loan losses as percentage of total loans
    2.73 %     2.80 %
Operating Ratios:
               
Operating expenses /net operating profit before loan losses (18)
    40.5 %     37.1 %
Operating expenses /average total assets
    2.3 %     2.4 %
                 
OTHER DATA
               
CPI Inflation Rate (19)
    3.27 %     1.87 %
Revaluation (devaluation) rate (Ch$/US$) at period end (19)
    10.0 %     (4.2 %)
Number of employees at period end
    11,706       11,049  
Number of branches and offices at period end
    494       500  

 
6

 
 

(1)
Amounts stated in U.S. dollars at and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, have been translated from Chilean pesos at the interbank market exchange rate of Ch$519.65 = US$1.00 as of September 30, 2011. See “Item 1: 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 the line items on personnel salaries and expenses, administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization and impairment within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income, corresponding to “Support expenses” as shown in note 4 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.
 
(4)
Other income, net is the sum of the line items on other operating income, net income from financial operations (net trading income), foreign exchange transactions, income from investment in other companies less other operating expense within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income.
 
(5)
1 ADS = 1,039 shares of common stock.
 
(6)
Includes the line items on trading investments, investments available for sale and investments held to maturity, and investments under resale agreements.
 
(7)
Includes the line items on unsettled transactions, investments in other companies, intangible assets, property plant and equipment, current taxes, and deferred taxes.
 
(8)
Deposits is equal to the sum of the line items on deposits and other demand liabilities and time deposits and other time liabilities.
 
(9)
Other liabilities is equal to the sum of the line items on investments under repurchase agreements, interbank borrowings, issued debt  instruments and other financial liabilities.
 
(10)
Equity includes equity attributable to Bank shareholders plus non-controlling interests less allowance for mandatory dividends. Provision for mandatory dividends is made pursuant to Article 79 of the Corporations Act, in accordance with the Bank’s internal dividend 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 the unanimous vote of the outstanding shares.
 
(11)
Equity attributable to Bank shareholders is total equity minus non-controlling interest
 
(12)
Net interest income annualized divided by average interest earning assets (as presented in “Item 3: E. Selected Statistical Information”).
 
(13)
Net income for the period annualized divided by average total assets (as presented in “Item 3: E. Selected Statistical Information”).
 
(14)
Net income for the period annualized divided by average equity (as presented in “Item 3: E. Selected Statistical Information”).
 
(15)
This ratio is calculated using total equity including non-controlling 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.
 
(18)
The efficiency ratio is equal to operating expenses over operating income. Operating expenses includes personnel salaries and expenses, administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other operating expenses. Operating income includes net interest income, net fee and commission income, net income from financial operations (net trading income), foreign exchange profit (loss), net and other operating income.
 
(19)
Based on information published by the Central Bank.
 
 
7

 
 
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 Informal Exchange Market is comprised of entities that are not expressly authorized to operate in the Formal Exchange Market, such as certain foreign exchange houses and travel agencies, among others. The Central Bank is empowered to require that certain purchases and sales of foreign currencies be carried out on the Formal Exchange Market. The conversion from pesos to U.S. dollars of all payments and distributions with respect to the ADSs described in this report must be transacted at the spot market rate in the Formal Exchange Market.
 
Both the Formal and Informal Exchange Markets are driven by free market forces. Current regulations require that the Central Bank be informed of certain transactions and that they be effected through the Formal Exchange Market. In order to keep the average exchange rate within certain limits, the Central Bank may intervene by buying or selling foreign currency on the Formal Exchange Market.
 
The U.S.$ Observed Exchange Rate (dólar observado), which is reported by the Central Bank and published daily in the Chilean newspapers, is the weighted average exchange rate of the previous business day’s transactions in the Formal Exchange Market. The Central Bank has the power to intervene by buying or selling foreign currency on the Formal Exchange Market to attempt to maintain the Observed Exchange Rate within a desired range.  Even though the Central Bank is authorized to carry out its transactions at the Observed Exchange Rate, it generally uses spot rates for its transactions.  Other banks generally carry out authorized transactions at spot rates as well.
 
Purchases and sales of foreign currencies 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. In recent years, the variation between the Observed Exchange Rate and the Informal Exchange Rate has not been significant. On December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2011, the exchange rate in the Informal Exchange Market as published by Reuters at 1:30 pm on these days was Ch$467.95 and Ch$519.65, or 0.09% less and 0.40% more expensive, respectively, than the published observed exchange rate for such date of Ch$468.37 and Ch$521.76, 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. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for pesos.
 
   
Daily Observed Exchange Rate Ch$ Per US$(1)
 
Year
 
Low(2)
   
High(2)
   
Average(3)
   
Period End(4)
 
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  
2010
    468.37       549.17       510.38       468.37  
Month
                               
December 2010
    468.37       487.87       474.78       468.37  
January 2011
    466.05       499.03       489.44       483.32  
February 2011
    468.94       484.14       475.69       475.63  
 
 
8

 
 
   
Daily Observed Exchange Rate Ch$ Per US$(1)
 
Year
 
Low(2)
   
High(2)
   
Average(3)
   
Period End(4)
 
March 2011
    472.74       485.37       479.65       482.08  
April 2011
    460.04       479.46       471.32       460.04  
May 2011
    460.09       474.19       467.73       467.31  
June 2011
    465.13       474.59       469.13       473.64  
July 2011
    455.91       468.15       462.94       455.91  
August 2011
    457.41       474.10       466.79       465.66  
September 2011
    460.34       521.85       483.69       515.14  
October 2011
    492.04       533.74       511.74       492.04  
November 2011 up to November 21, 2011 
    490.29       511.66       501.58       510.11  
 


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 on 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 2011 dividend must be proposed and approved during the first four months of 2012. 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 dates 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 us not being able to comply with applicable 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” of our 2010 Form 20-F.
 
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
 
 
9

 
 
with prior approval of the Central Bank. See “Item 10: D. Exchange Controls” of our 2010 Form 20-F.
 
The following table presents dividends declared and paid by us in nominal terms in the past three 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
    258,752       1.37       1,426.63       60       60  
2011
    286,294       1.52       1,578.48       60       57  



(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. Risk Factors
 
You should carefully consider the risk factors below and included in our 2010 Form 20-F which should be read in conjunction with all the other information presented in this report. These risks and uncertainties described below and therein 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.
 
We are subject to market risks that are presented in “Item 3: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 9: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”
 
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.  The Reformas al Mercado de Capitales II, also known as the “MK2 regulations,” among other things, modified certain provisions set forth in the General Banking Law. Under new legislation which went into effect on June 5, 2007, 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.
 
A bill has been introduced by some members of Congress to modify the way in which the maximum interest rate is calculated in Chile. The government has recently introduced another bill in this respect which is currently being discussed. This new project is aimed at loans of less than UF 200 (Ch$ 4,402,538, US$ 8,472) and more than 90 days, thus including consumer loans in installments, lines of credit and credit card lines. Currently, the maximum interest rate is calculated as the average rate of all operations done within the banking industry over the previous month, multiplied by a factor of 1.5 times. As of October 14, 2011, the average annual interest rate for this type of loans reached 33.64% and the maximum annual interest rate reached 50.46%. The bill proposed by the government would change the factor to 1.36. Hence, the maximum annual interest rate would drop to 45.75%. On the other hand, the bill proposed by members of Congress would set the maximum interest rate at the equivalent of three times the MPR (Monetary Policy Rate). As of October 30, 2011, the MPR reached 5.25%, thus, the maximum annual interest rate would reach 15.75%. Recent developments on the discussion aim towards a consensus solution which could set
 
 
10

 
 
the maximum interest rate for this type of loans at around 25%. If the bill presented by the government is passed as it is, the impact would be mainly on Banefe’s segment, which represents less than 5% of our total loans. We have estimated that the impact on our results would be relatively minor. If the bill proposed by members of Congress were passed, it would have an adverse affect on our results of operations. Our average interest rate on loans of this category in 2011 has been 25.9%.
 
In 2012, new regulations regarding the selling of mandatory insurance for loans will be introduced that will increase competition and that could lower our fees from collecting these premiums. This could have a negative impact on fees, which impact has not yet been quantified.
 
The government has also sent to Congress a bill that aims to give additional enforcement powers to the SERNAC (Chile’s Consumer Protection Agency) regarding financial services and products. It also gives powers to require additional information from financial services and products issuers. This could lead to additional scrutiny regarding prices and contracts for financial products and services, increasing competition among bank and non-bank competitors and adversely affecting prices.
 
Any downgrading of Chile’s debt credit rating for domestic and international debt and/or our controlling shareholder’s ratings by international credit rating agencies may also affect our ratings, our business, our future financial performance and the value of our securities.
 
Our foreign currency deposit ratings are equivalent to the Chilean sovereign ratings. On October 11, 2011, Fitch downgraded our controlling shareholder’s ratings to AA- (Negative) from AA (Stable), following a similar action on October 7, 2011 with the Spanish sovereign which was downgraded to AA- (Negative) from AA+. On October 13, 2011, Fitch downgraded our rating to A+ (Negative) from AA- (Stable). Furthermore, on October 11, 2011, S&P downgraded the rating of our controlling shareholder to AA- (Negative) from AA. On October 13, S&P revised its outlook on our rating to negative from positive, reaffirming our A+ rating. Additionally, on October 19, 2011, Moody’s downgraded our controlling shareholder’s rating to Aa3 (Negative) from Aa2, following a similar action on October 18, 2011 on Spain’s sovereign rating which was downgraded to A1 (Negative) from Aa2. As of October 31, 2011, Moody’s has not undertaken any action on our rating which stands at Aa3 (Stable) since June 2010. Any additional adverse revisions to our controlling shareholder’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 securities.
 
We could be vulnerable to the current disruptions and volatility in the Eurozone.
 
In 2011, the Eurozone has experienced difficult credit and liquidity conditions and market disruptions leading to less liquidity, greater volatility, and general economic weakening, including in Spain, the home of our controlling shareholder. Continued or worsening disruption and volatility in the Eurozone, especially Spain, 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 profitability.
 
ITEM 2. 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. As of September 30, 2011, we had total assets of Ch$ 25,655,815 million (US$ 49,371 million), loans net of allowances for loans losses of Ch$ 17,283,814 million (US$ 33,260 million), total deposits of Ch$ 13,892,003 million (US$ 26,733 million) and shareholders’ equity of Ch$ 2,020,737 million (US$ 3,889 million). As of September 30, 2011, we employed 11,706 people (on a consolidated basis) and had the largest private branch network in Chile  with 493 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
 
 
11

 
 
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 report. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Puglisi & Associates located at 850 Library Ave. Suite 204 Newark, Delaware 19711.
 
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. In February 2011, Banco Santander Spain sold 1.9% of its ownership through Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Ltda in the market. This gives Banco Santander Spain control of 75.00% of our shares and actual participation when excluding non-controlling interests participating in Santander Chile Holding is 74.84%.
 
 
Shareholder
 
Number of Shares
   
Percentage
 
Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones Ltda.
    74,512,075,401       39.54 %
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.
 
 
12

 
 
 
 
C.  Business Overview
 
We have 494 total branches, 260 of which are operated under the Santander brand name, with the remaining branches under certain specialty brand names, including 98 under the Santander Banefe brand name, 45 under the SuperCaja brand name, 37 under the BancaPrime brand name and 54 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) Commercial Banking and (ii) Global Banking and Markets.
 
The Commercial Banking segment is comprised of the following sub–segments:
 
 
·
Santander Banefe, consisting of individuals with monthly incomes between Ch$150,000 (US$289) and Ch$400,000 (US$770) and served through our Banefe branch network. This segment accounts for 4.4% of our total loans outstanding as of September 30, 2011. 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.
 
 
·
Individuals (Commercial Banking), consisting of individuals with a monthly income greater than Ch$400,000 (US$770). Clients in this segment account for 47.3% of our total loans outstanding as of September 30, 2011 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$2.3 million). As of September 30, 2011, this segment represented approximately 14.2% 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. As of September 30, 2011, these clients represented 2.0% 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
 
 
13

 
 
segment. This sub-segment is included in the Retail segment because customers in this sub-segment are a potential source for new individual customers.
 
 
·
Companies, consisting of companies with annual revenue over Ch$1,200 million (US$2.3 million) and up to Ch$10,000 million (US$19.2 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. As of September 30, 2011, these clients represented 8.9% of our total loans outstanding.
 
 
·
Real estate, consisting of all companies in the real estate sector with annual revenue over Ch$800 million (US$1.5 million), including construction companies and real estate companies that execute projects for sale to third parties. As of September 30, 2011, these clients represented 3.2% 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$19.2 million). Customers in this segment are also offered the same products that are offered to the customers in our mid-sized companies segment. As of September 30, 2011, these clients represented 8.9% of our total loans outstanding.
 
The Global Banking and Markets segment is comprised of the following sub-segments:
 
 
·
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$19.2 million). As of September 30, 2011, these clients represented 10.7% 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. This segment includes the Financial Management Division, which manages global functions such as the management of our structural foreign exchange gap position, our structural interest rate risk and our liquidity risk. The Financial Management Division 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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2011. Please see “Note 4” to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for details of revenue by business segment in the last three years.
 
 
14

 

 
   
As of September 30, 2011 (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
    9,187,526       416,739       140,905       5,432       (157,586 )     (237,911 )     167,579  
Santander Banefe
    789,253       84,851       29,255       267       (52,375 )     (52,227 )     9,771  
Commercial Banking
    8,398,273       331,888       111,650       5,165       (105,211 )     (185,684 )     157,808  
SMEs
    2,522,698       149,164       28,702       7,611       (49,450 )     (55,260 )     80,767  
Institutional
    351,644       19,531       1,382       677       (209 )     (8,232 )     13,149  
Companies
    3,731,980       99,999       18,265       10,146       (30,021 )     (30,039 )     68,350  
Companies
    1,572,862       46,370       9,542       5,308       (15,613 )     (16,658 )     28,949  
Real estate
    572,887       13,825       2,295       548       (307 )     (3,322 )     13,039  
Large Corporations
    1,586,231       39,804       6,428       4,290       (14,101 )     (10,059 )     26,362  
                                                         
Global Banking & Markets
    1,905,005       35,369       17,689       54,711       4,788       (25,788 )     86,769  
Corporate
    1,892,850       47,046       17,989       1,182       7,410       (10,230 )     63,397  
Treasury (6)
    12,155       (11,677 )     (300 )     53,529       (2,622 )     (15,558 )     23,372  
Other (7)
    69,541       (12,648 )     2,487       (307 )     536       (11,975 )     (21,907 )
                                                         
TOTAL
    17,768,394       708,154       209,430       78,270       (231,942 )     (369,205 )     394,707  
                                                         
Other operating income
                                      1,164  
Other operating expenses
                                      (34,540 )
Income from investments in other companies
                                      1,673  
Income tax
                                      (57,943 )
Consolidated profit (loss) for the period
                                      305,061  



(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 income, 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 Financial Management and the contribution of non-segmented items such as interbank loans, the cost of our capital and fixed assets. Net interest income and net financial transactions, included in other are 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 liquidity. The aim of Financial Management is to inject stability and recurrence into the net income of commercial activities and to assure we comply 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 nine–month period ended September 30, 2011, our subsidiaries collectively accounted for 2.36% of our total consolidated assets.
 
 
15

 

 
   
Percentage Owned
 
 
Subsidiary
 
As of September 30, 2011
   
As of September 30, 2010
 
   
Direct
   
Indirect
   
Total
   
Direct
   
Indirect
   
Total
 
   
%
   
%
   
%
   
%
   
%
   
%
 
Santander S.A. Corredores de Bolsa
    50.59       0.41       51.00       50.59       0.41       51.00  
Santander Corredores de Seguro Ltda. (Ex–Santander Leasing S.A.)
    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 Ltda. (Ex–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  
 
 
 
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);
 
 
·
Fiscalex Ltda. (collection services);
 
 
·
Multiservicios de Negocios Ltda. (call center); and
 
 
·
Bansa Santander S.A. (management of repossessed assets and leasing of properties).
 
Competitive Strengths
 
We believe that our current profitability and competitive advantages are the result of the following strengths:
 
Profitability, efficiency and financial strength
 
We have the lowest cost structure in our peer group, which we define as the five largest banks in Chile in terms of shareholders’ equity, and have an efficiency ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenues) of 37.0% for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 40.5% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011. Our average return on equity was 29.0% and 20.6% for the same periods, and we had one of the strongest capital positions in our peer group with a ratio of total regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets of 14.52% at December 31, 2010 and 13.94% at September 30, 2011.
 
Leading market position
 
We are a market leader in Chile, ranking first or second in most indicators among other banks in our peer group as shown in the following table.
 
   
As of September 30, 2011,
unless otherwise noted
 
   
Market Share
   
Rank
 
Commercial loans
    18.5 %     2  
Consumer loans
    26.8 %     1  
Residential mortgage loans
    23.6 %     1  
Total loans
    20.8 %     1  
Deposits
    18.9 %     1  
Mutual funds (assets managed)
    16.6 %     2  
Credit card accounts(1)
    34.6 %     1  
 
 
16

 
 
   
As of September 30, 2011,
unless otherwise noted
 
   
Market Share
   
Rank
 
Checking accounts(2)
    25.3 %     1  
Branches(3)
    18.8 %     1  
 

Source: SBIF
 
(1)
According to latest data available as of June 2011.
 
(2)
According to latest data available as of April 2011.
 
(3)
According to latest data available as of June 2011. Excludes special–service payment centers.
 
 
We believe this market leadership provides us with a strong competitive position.
 
Operating in a stable economic environment within Latin America
 
We conduct substantially all of our business in Chile. The Chilean economy is generally recognized as among the most stable in Latin America, as evidenced by its A+ rating by Standard & Poor’s and Aa3 rating by Moody’s, the highest ratings in the region. Chile has consistently received investment-grade credit ratings since Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s started coverage in 1992 and 1994, respectively.
 
Opportunity for growth from current and new businesses
 
We believe there is substantial opportunity for growth based on the relatively low penetration in Chile of retail banking services and fee-based financial products in general.  For example, in Chile only 29% of the workforce has a checking account and the ratio of total consumer loans to GDP is approximately 15.4% as of December 31, 2010.
 
We believe we are well-positioned to grow in these areas based on our extensive distribution network and our size, which afford us greater marketing opportunities and significant cost synergies.
 
State-of-the-art integrated technology platform
 
We operate a customer-centered technology platform that incorporates the standards and processes, as well as the proven innovations, of Banco Santander Spain worldwide.   Because our IT platform is integrated with that of Banco Santander Spain, we are able to support our customer’s global businesses and benefit from a flexible and scalable platform that will support our growth in the country. We are currently in the process of upgrading our customer relationship management system which will enable us to deliver products and services targeted to the needs of individual customers and better integrate our different distribution channels.
 
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 group. Our relationship with Banco Santander Spain allows us to:
 
 
·
leverage the Banco Santander Spain’s global information systems platform, reducing our technology development costs, providing operational synergies with Banco Santander Spain and enhancing our ability to provide international products and services to our customers;
 
 
·
access the Banco Santander Spain’s multinational client base;
 
 
·
take advantage of the Banco Santander Spain’s global presence, in particular in other countries in Latin America, to offer international solutions for our Latin American corporate customers’ financial needs as they expand their operations globally;
 
 
·
selectively replicate or adapt the Banco Santander Spain’s successful product offerings from other countries in Chile;
 
 
17

 
 
 
·
benefit from the Banco Santander Spain’s operational expertise in areas such as internal controls and risk management, which practices have been developed in response to a wide range of market conditions across the world and which we believe will enhance our ability to expand our business within desired risk limits;
 
 
·
benefit from the Banco Santander Spain’s management training and development which is composed of a combination of in-house training and development with access to managerial expertise in other Banco Santander Spain units outside Chile.
 
Although we benefit from our relationship with our controlling shareholder, as a matter of group policy, we are not dependent upon our parent company or other affiliates in the operation of our business.  Funding from our parent company and its affiliates amounted approximately 4% of our total funding at September 30, 2011.  Although we obtain certain services from our parent company, such as information technology and internal audit, these services are provided at market rates.
 
Please see "Item 4. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions" for additional information.
 
Strategy
 
Our goal is to create value by leveraging our client base, distribution network and range of services to profit from growth in the Chilean economy, while seeking to maintain our world-class efficiency levels and to proactively manage credit risks by applying our sophisticated credit analysis procedures. Our principal strategy is to actively manage our balance sheet, focusing on capital and continuing to expand our Commercial Banking segment, which includes individuals (from low income to high income), small and mid-sized companies (“SMEs”) and our middle-market segments.  In the Commercial Banking segment, we expect the Chilean economy to continue growing, which in turn should result in increased banking activity and a rise in bank penetration levels via increased lending and deposits, more checking accounts, greater levels of assets under management and insurance brokerage. We seek to capitalize on this growth by increasing our customer base, leveraging on our extensive distribution network to cross-sell additional services and products and increase product usage. As part of this strategy, we are adopting focused marketing and sales efforts, pursuing strategic alliances with key market players, service providers and universities, selectively investing in our branch network and IT systems, and promoting the use of alternative distribution channels such as the internet, call centers and ATMs.
 
In our Global Banking and Markets segment (wholesale banking), we expect to continue to focus on non-lending products such as cash management, treasury services, asset management, investment banking and other tailored services to expand profitability. We also will seek to increase the synergies between this segment and Commercial Banking by reaching the employees of our major corporate customers. In the wholesale segment, our goal is to increase revenues by expanding the range of products we offer, cross-selling and focusing on sophisticated services and fee-based products. Historically, there has been low penetration of fee-based services in the Chilean financial market, with financial institutions focusing primarily on asset growth.
 
We will maintain a commitment to economic, social and environmental sustainability in our procedures, products, policies and relationships.  We will continue building durable and transparent relationships with our customers through understanding their needs and designing our products and services to meet those needs.  We believe that our commitment to transparency and sustainability will help us create a business platform to maintain growth in our operations over the long term and that is instrumental to forge business relationships, improve brand recognition and attract talented professionals.  We will continue to sponsor educational opportunities through our portals to foster future potential customer relationships.
 
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
 
 
18

 
 
along with the state–owned bank together accounted for 82.0% of all outstanding loans by Chilean financial institutions at September 30, 2011.
 
The Chilean banking system has experienced increased competition in recent years largely due to consolidation in the industry and new legislation. 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.
 
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 September 30, 2011.
 
Loans
 
As of September 30, 2011, our loan portfolio was the largest among Chilean banks. Our loan portfolio on a stand–alone basis represented 20.8% 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 September 30, 2011
 
 
Loans (1)
 
Ch$
million
   
US$
million
   
Market
Share
 
Santander Chile
    17,680,356       34,024       20.8 %
Banco de Chile
    16,776,474       32,284       19.8 %
Banco del Estado
    12,283,961       23,639       14.5 %
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    10,779,682       20,744       12.7 %
Corpbanca
    6,207,755       11,946       7.3 %
BBVA, Chile
    5,897,571       11,349       6.9 %
Others
    15,269,491       29,384       18.0 %
Chilean financial system
    84,895,290       163,370       100.0 %


Source: SBIF
 
(1)
Excludes interbank loans.
 
Deposits
 
On a stand-alone basis, we had a 18.9% market share in deposits, ranking first among banks in Chile at September 30, 2011. 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 September 30, 2011
 
 
Deposits
 
Ch$
million
   
US$
million
   
Market
Share
 
Santander Chile
    13,892,003       26,733       18.9 %
Banco del Estado
    13,780,978       26,520       18.8 %
Banco de Chile
    13,537,792       26,052       18.4 %
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    9,340,701       17,975       12.7 %
Corpbanca
    4,908,252       9,445       6.7 %
BBVA, Chile
    4,588,076       8,829       6.3 %
Others
    13,333,930       25,659       18.2 %
Chilean financial system
    73,381,732       141,213       100.0 %


Source: SBIF
 
 
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Total Equity
 
With Ch$ 1,959,791 million (US$ 3,771 million) in shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2011, we were the largest commercial bank in Chile in terms of shareholders’ equity representing 20.5% as of September 2011. The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2011.
 
   
As of September 30, 2011
 
 
Total Equity
 
Ch$
million
   
US$
million
   
Market
Share
 
Santander Chile
    1,959,791       3,771       20.5 %
Banco de Chile
    1,697,746       3,267       17.7 %
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    1,169,637       2,251       12.2 %
Banco del Estado
    1,026,029       1,974       10.7 %
Corpbanca
    712,958       1,372       7.4 %
BBVA, Chile
    531,750       1,023       5.5 %
Others
    2,484,598       4,781       26.0 %
Chilean financial system
    9,582,509       18,439       100.0 %

Source: SBIF. Information according to local Chilean Bank GAAP.
 
Efficiency
 
As of September 30, 2011, 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 for the nine–month period indicated.
 
 
Efficiency ratio
 
Nine-Month Period Ended
September 30, 2011
 
Santander Chile
    38.4 %
Corpbanca
    38.9 %
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    44.2 %
Banco de Chile
    45.7 %
BBVA, Chile
    49.0 %
Banco del Estado
    60.8 %
Chilean financial system
    44.5 %

Source: SBIF.  Information according to local Chilean Bank GAAP.
 
Net income
 
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we were the largest bank in Chile in terms of net income with Ch$ 336,339 million (US$ 647 million). The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s net income at September 30, 2011.
 
   
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
Net income
 
Ch$ million
   
US$ million
   
Market
Share
 
Santander Chile
    336,340       647       25.7 %
Banco de Chile
    329,218       634       25.2 %
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    188,375       363       14.4 %
Corpbanca
    95,694       184       7.3 %
Banco del Estado
    67,240       129       5.1 %
BBVA, Chile
    59,259       114       4.5 %
Others
    230,439       443       17.6 %
Chilean financial system
    1,306,565       2,514       100.0 %

Source: SBIF.  Information according to local Chilean Bank GAAP.
 
 
20

 

 
Return on equity
 
As of September 30, 2011, we were the second most profitable bank in our peer group (as measured by return on 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 at the latest available date.
 
   
Return on equity
as of September 30, 2011
   
 
BIS Ratio as of
July 31, 2011
Banco de Chile
    25.9 %  
13.3%
Santander Chile
    22.9 %  
13.7%
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    21.5 %  
14.5%
Corpbanca
    17.9 %  
15.8%
BBVA, Chile
    14.9 %  
12.7%
Banco del Estado
    8.7 %  
12.1%
Others
    12.4 %  
16.2%
Chilean financial system
    18.2 %  
14.1%

Source: SBIF, calculated by dividing annual net income by period end equity, according to local Chilean Bank GAAP equity.
 
Asset Quality
 
As of September 30, 2011, we had the second highest non-performing loan loss to loan ratio in our peer group. The following table sets forth our and our peer group’s non-performing loan ratio as defined by the SBIF at the dates indicated.
 
   
Non-performing loan/total loans (1) as of September 30, 2011
 
Banco de Chile
    0.97 %
Corpbanca
    1.67 %
BBVA, Chile
    1.82 %
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
    2.16 %
Santander Chile
    2.81 %
Banco del Estado
    4.81 %
Others
    2.53 %
Chilean financial system
    2.45 %

Source: SBIF
 
(1)
Non-performing loans divided by total loans excluding interbank loans.
 
 
ITEM 3. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
 
A. Accounting Standards Applied in 2011
 
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 IFRS as issued by IASB, in order to comply with requirements of the SEC. As required by local regulations, our locally filed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Chilean Bank GAAP. The accounting principles issued by the SBIF are substantially similar to IFRS but there are some exceptions. Therefore, our locally filed condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been adjusted according to IAS 34: Interim Financial Reporting. Chilean banks are subject to the regulatory supervision of the SBIF under the provisions of the General Banking Law. The General
 
 
21

 
 
Banking Law establishes that in accordance with legal regulations, Chilean banks must abide by the accounting standards stipulated by the SBIF.
 
Therefore, as stated above, in order to comply with requirements of the SEC, the Bank has prepared the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements included in this report under IFRS-IASB.
 
Differences between IFRS and Chilean Bank GAAP
 
As stated above, Chilean Bank GAAP, as prescribed by “Compendium of Accounting Standards” (the “Compendium”), differs in certain respects with IFRS. The main differences that should be considered by an investor are the following:
 
Suspension of Income Recognition on Accrual Basis
 
In accordance with the Compendium, financial institutions must suspend recognition of income on an accrual basis in their statements of income for certain loans included in the impaired portfolio. IFRS does not allow the suspension of accrual of interest on financial assets for which an impairment loss has been determined. We do not believe that this difference materially impacts our financial statements.
 
Charge-offs and Accounts Receivable
 
The Compendium requires companies to establish deadlines for the charge-off of loans and accounts receivables. IFRS does not require any such deadline for charge-offs. A charge-off due to impairment would be incurred if, and only if, there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events occurring after the initial recognition. This is measured on an “incurred” basis. We do not believe that this difference materially impacts our financial statements.
 
Assets Received in Lieu of Payment
 
The Compendium requires that the initial value of assets received in lieu of payment be the value agreed with a debtor as a result of the loan settlement or the value awarded in an auction, as applicable. These assets are required to be written off one year after their acquisition, if the assets have not been previously disposed of.
 
IFRS requires that assets received in lieu of payment be initially accounted for at fair value. Subsequently, asset valuation depends on the classification provided by the entity for that type of asset. No deadline is established for charging-off an asset. The restatement of gains and losses from repossessed assets would have an impact on the restatement of financial statements under full IFRS guidelines although we would not expect it to be material.
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 
With respect to goodwill and intangible assets, the Compendium provides that:
 
 
·
The value of “goodwill” and other depreciable intangible assets will be supported by two reports issued by specialists independent from the (i) bank, (ii) the bank’s external auditors, and (iii) each other.
 
 
·
For assets acquired before December 31, 2008, “goodwill” will be determined according to the Compendium, and will be amortized according to the original amortization schedule for such assets.
 
 
·
Goodwill arising from acquisitions before the date of transition to new Chilean Bank GAAP in January 2009 will be determined based on the previously used accounting criteria.
 
With respect to goodwill and intangible assets, IFRS provides that:
 
 
·
The use of independent experts’ valuations is not mandatory.
 
 
·
Beginning with the first full year in which IFRS applies, an entity must discontinue goodwill depreciation and is required to evaluate goodwill for impairment, in compliance with IAS 36.
 
 
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·
It is possible to (i) choose a retroactive application of IFRS to goodwill generated before the date of the transition to IFRS, or (ii) adopt an optional exemption to record the balance of goodwill at December 31, 2008 as an attributed cost.
 
Since we have no goodwill, we do not believe that this difference impacts our financial statements.
 
Fair Value Option with Respect to Financial Assets and Liabilities
 
According to the Compendium, banks are not allowed to value assets or liabilities at their fair value in place of the depreciated cost method.
 
IFRS allows an entity to value a financial asset or liability (or a group of financial assets or liabilities, or both), on the official recognition date, at fair value with changes in fair value to be recognized in its financial statements. Once this option has been made, it is irrevocable. The fair value option is not applicable to investments in capital instruments without a market price available in an active market, and thus whose fair value cannot be estimated in a reliable way.
 
We do not believe that this difference impacts our financial statements because this accounting treatment is optional.
 
Loan loss allowances
 
Considering our incurred loss approach for IFRS purposes by using our internally developed models, all differences with the SBIF models have been reversed in respect to our Consolidated Financial Statements prepared under IFRS as issued by the IASB.
 
Santander-Chile’s transition date to IFRS was 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 was January 1, 2009.
 
The notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements contain information in addition to that presented in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position, Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income, Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive Income, Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Equity and Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows. These notes provide a narrative description of such statements.
 
B. Other Critical Accounting Policies
 
General
 
Our unaudited condensed consolidated interim 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 and the selection of useful lives of certain assets.
 
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.
 
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.
 
 
23

 
 
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. 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.
 
Derivative activities
 
As of September 30, 2011 and 2010, derivatives are measured at fair value on the statement of financial position and the net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives is classified as a separate line item within the income statement. Under IFRS, 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 Bank recognizes three kinds of hedge accounting: (i) cash flow hedges, (ii) fair value hedges and (iii) hedging of foreign net investments.
 
 
·
When a cash flow hedge exists, the fair value movements on the part of the hedging instrument and the hedged item that is effective are recognized in equity as “valuation adjustments”. Any ineffective portion of the fair value movement on the hedging instrument and the hedged item 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.
 
 
·
When a hedge of net investment in a foreign operation exists, the fair value movements on the part of the hedging instrument and the hedged item 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.
 
C. 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 2010, the Chilean economy grew 5.1%, compared to a decrease of 1.5% in 2009 and an increase of 3.2% in 2008.
 
In the first half of 2011 the Chilean economy grew 8.4%. In the first half of 2011, internal demand increased 12.0%, private investment increased 15.4%, and private consumption increased 11.4%. Unemployment has also been decreasing. As of August 2011, the unemployment rate was 7.4%, compared to 8.3% in August 2010.  Part of this growth can be explained by the strong rebound in economic activity compared to a weaker first half of 2010 that was negatively affected by the February 2010 earthquake.  Going forward economic activity is expected to continue to increase, but at a slower pace given the uncertain global environment.
 
As a result of the economic recovery, the CPI and interest rates have been increasing. In the twelve month period ended September 30, 2011, CPI inflation reached 3.27%.  CPI inflation in 2010 increased 2.97% compared to a 1.38% decrease in 2009.  As a result of rising price levels and higher economic activity, interest rates also increased in 2011. The overnight interbank rate set by the Central Bank increased 250 basis points in the twelve month period ended September 30, 2011 to 5.25%.
 
The Chilean banking sector evolved in line with overall economic developments with an increase in the volume of loans. Total loans as of September 30, 2011 in the Chilean financial system were Ch$84,895,290 million (US$175.5 billion), an increase of 16.5% in the last twelve months. Total customer deposits (defined as time deposits plus checking accounts) totaled Ch$73,381,732 million (US$151.7 billion) as of September 30, 2011, an
 
 
24

 
 
increase of 19.6% in the last twelve months. The non-performing loan ratio defined as in the Chilean banking industry decreased from 2.7% at year-end 2010 to 2.4% as of September 30, 2011.
 
Impact of Inflation
 
Our assets and liabilities are denominated in Chilean pesos, UF and foreign currencies. The Bank no longer recognizes 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 CPI during the prior calendar month. One UF equaled Ch$20,942.88 at December 31, 2009, Ch$21,455.55 at December 31, 2010 and Ch$22,012.69 at September 30, 2011.

High levels of inflation in Chile could adversely affect the Chilean economy and have an adverse effect on us. Negative inflation rates also could negatively impact our results. In 2010, CPI inflation was 3.0% compared to a decline of 1.4% in 2009 and a rise of 7.1% in 2008. CPI inflation in year-to-date in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 increased 2.98% compared to a 2.68%  increase year-to-date in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.  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 we will not be adversely affected by changing levels of inflation. In summary:
 
 
·
UF-denominated assets and liabilities. In 2010, UF inflation was +2.45% compared to -2.4% in 2009 and +9.3% in 2008. UF inflation in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 increased 2.60% compared to a 1.90% increase in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. 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$ 3,478,952 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to Ch$ 3,092,340 million in the same period in 2010.  See “Selected Statistical Information ―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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, the interest gained on interest earning assets denominated in UF increased 21.4% compared to the same period in 2010 as a result of the higher inflation rates. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, the interest paid on these liabilities increased 22.1% compared to the same period in 2010.
 
 
·
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 9: 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 the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, the loss from the swaps taken in
 
 
25

 
 
order to hedge mainly for inflation and interest rate risk totaled Ch$24,208 million compared to Ch$15,202  million in the same period in 2010.
 
   
As of September 30,
   
% Change
 
Inflation sensitive income
 
2011
   
2010
      2011/2010  
   
(In million of Chilean pesos)
 
Interest earned on UF assets (1)
    492,160       405,419       21.4 %
Interest paid on UF liabilities (1)
    (272,347 )     (223,068 )     22.1 %
Hedging results
    (38,978 )     2,965       -- %
Net gain
    180,835       185,316       (2.4 %)


(1)
Includes results from interest-rate 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 3: 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. (See “Item 9: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”). The ratio of the average of such demand deposits to average interest-earning assets was 17.5% as of September 30, 2011 and 18.1% as of September 30, 2010.
 
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 are generally re-priced 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 3: 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 re-pricing 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 2010, the Chilean peso in relation to the U.S. dollar appreciated 7.5% compared to a 19.5% appreciation in 2009 and a 26.9% depreciation in 2008. Year-to-date as of September 30, 2011, the Chilean peso has depreciated 10.0%. (See “Item 1: 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
 
 
26

 
 
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 with both internal limits and regulatory limits to seek to manage 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 9: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”).
 
 
27

 
 
The compositions of our assets, liabilities and equity as of September 30, 2011, by currency are as follows:
 
   
As of September 30, 2011, Ch$ million
 
   
Ch$(1)
   
UF
   
Ch$ linked to
   
US$
   
Total
 
 
US$
 
Assets
                             
Cash and deposits
    873,031       -       -       939,753       1,812,784  
Unsettled transactions 
    460,788       -       -       355,813       816,601  
Trading investments 
    81,456       419,703       -       2,654       503,813  
Investments under agreements to resell 
    12,157       -       -       -       12,157  
Financial derivative contracts 
    2,011,585       -       -       -       2,011,585  
Interbank loans 
    -       -       -       88,019       88,019  
Loans and receivables from customers 
    6,739,410       8,553,273       52,895       1,850,217       17,195,795  
Available for sale investments 
    1,982,877       109,899       -       11,868       2,104,644  
Investments held to maturity
    -       -       -       -       -  
Investments in other companies 
    8,232       -       -       -       8,232  
Intangible assets 
    77,229       -       -       -       77,229  
Property, plant and equipment 
    153,116       -       -       -       153,116  
Current taxes 
    27,746       -       -       -       27,746  
Deferred taxes 
    130,548       -       -       -       130,548  
Other assets (2) 
    489,816       71,119       3,645       148,966       713,546  
Total assets 
    13,047,991       9,153,994       56,540       3,397,290       25,655,815  
Liabilities
                                       
Deposits and other sight obligations 
    3,695,803       195,205       -       605,749       4,496,757  
Unsettled transactions 
    173,022       -       -       293,041       466,063  
Investment under agreements to repurchase 
    180,469       1,024       -       45,550       227,043  
Deposits and other time deposits 
    5,805,419       2,249,181       -       1,340,646       9,395,246  
Financial derivative contracts 
    1,625,274       -       -       -       1,625,274  
Interbank borrowings 
    -       910       -       2,024,146       2,025,056  
Issued debt instruments 
    254,306       2,662,905       -       1,595,695       4,512,906  
Other financial liabilities 
    143,328       14,002       6,679       2,984       166,993  
Current taxes 
    2,300       -       -       -       2,300  
Deferred taxes 
    11,580       -       -       -       11,580  
Provisions 
    142,834       -       -       -       142,834  
Other liabilities (2) 
    261,153       25,773       4,033       272,067       563,026  
Total liabilities 
    12,295,488       5,149,000       10,712       6,179,878       23,635,078  
Equity
                                       
Attributable to Bank Shareholders
    1,988,444       -       -       -       1,988,444  
Capital 
    891,303       -       -       -       891,303  
Reserves 
    51,539       -       -       -       51,539  
Valuation adjustment 
    593       -       -       -       593  
Retained earnings :
                                       
Retained earnings of prior periods 
    833,830       -       -       -       833,830  
Net income for the period 
    301,684       -       -       -       301,684  
Minus: Provision for mandatory dividends 
    (90,505 )     -       -       -       (90,505 )
Non−controlling interest 
    32,293       -       -       -       32,293  
Total equity 
    2,020,737       -       -       -       2,020,737  
Total liabilities and equity 
    14,316,225       5,149,000       10,712       6,179,878       25,655,815  

(1)
Includes the value of swap instruments and balances of executed transactions which contractually defer the payment of sales transactions or the delivery of foreign currency acquired.
 
(2)
Other assets and liabilities include the threshold position from derivative contracts.
 
 
28

 
 
Results of Operations for the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
The following discussion is based upon and should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements included in this report.  The Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. The following table sets forth the principal components of our net income for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 as published by the Bank on October 27, 2011.
 
   
For the Nine-Month Period Ended September 30,
       
   
2011
   
2011
   
2010
       
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM INCOME STATEMENT DATA
 
US$ thousands(1)
   
Ch$ million of constant pesos
   
% Change
2011 /2010
 
IFRS:
                       
Interest income and expense
                       
Interest income
    2,446,412       1,271,278       1,045,602       21.6 %
Interest expense
    (1,083,660 )     (563,124 )     (337,748 )     66.7 %
Net interest income
    1,362,752       708,154       707,854       0.0 %
Fees and income from services
                               
Fees and commission income
    522,546       271,541       247,346       9.8 %
Fees and commission expense
    (119,525 )     (62,111 )     (53,401 )     16.3 %
Net fees and commission income
    403,021       209,430       193,945       8.0 %
Other operating income
                               
Net income from financial operations
    295,458       153,535       51,946       195.6 %
Foreign exchange profit (losses), net
    (144,838 )     (75,265 )     24,381       (408.7 %)
Financial transactions, net
    150,620       78,270       76,327       2.5 %
Other operating income
    2,240       1,164       25,826       (95.5 %)
Total other operating income
    152,860       79,434       102,153       (22.2 %)
Net operating profit before loan losses
    1,918,633       997,018       1,003,952       (0.7 %)
Provision for loan losses
    (446,343 )     (231,942 )     (208,826 )     11.1 %
Net operating profit
    1,472,290       765,076       795,126       (3.8 %)
Operating expenses
                               
Personnel salaries and expenses 
    (399,076 )     (207,380 )     (184,921 )     12.1 %
Administrative expenses
    (234,924 )     (122,078 )     (109,743 )     11.2 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (76,278 )     (39,638 )     (36,227 )     9.4 %
Impairment
    (210 )     (109 )     (4,665 )     (97.7 %)
Other operating expenses
    (66,469 )     (34,540 )     (36,822 )     (6.2 %)
Total operating expenses
    (776,957 )     (403,745 )     (372,378 )     8.4 %
Operating income
    695,333       361,331       422,748       (14.5 %)
Other non-operating results
                               
Income from investments in other companies
    3,219       1,673       1,175       42.4 %
Total other non-operating results
    3,219       1,673       1,175       42.4 %
Income before tax
    698,552       363,004       423,923       (14.4 %)
Income tax
    (111,503 )     (57,943 )     (56,752 )     2.1 %
Net income for the period
    587,049       305,061       367,171       (16.9 %)
Net income attributable to:
                               
Equity holders of the Bank
    580,551       301,684       367,270       (17.9 %)
Non-controlling interests
    6,498       3,377       (99 )     -- %

(1)
Amounts stated in U.S. dollars at and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, have been translated from Chilean pesos at the exchange rate of Ch$519.65 = US$1.00 as of September 30, 2011. See “Item 1: A. Selected Financial Data–Exchange Rates” for more information on exchange rate.
 
Net income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, decreased 16.9% to Ch$305,061 million. Our return on annualized average equity was 20.6% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to 28.3% in the same period in 2010.
 
 
29

 
 
In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, net operating profit before loan losses was Ch$997,018 million, a decrease of 0.7% compared to the corresponding period in 2010. Our net interest income was essentially unchanged at Ch$708,154 million in the 2011 period. The average balance of our interest-earning assets increased by 17.3% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to the corresponding period in 2010.  However, our net interest margin decreased 80 basis points to 4.7% in the same period mainly due to higher funding costs. As discussed in further detail below, the rise in the average rate of interest paid on time deposits from the effect of higher short-term interest rates increased overall funding costs. This was only partially offset by higher volumes and higher asset yields reflecting higher inflation in 2011 compared to 2010.
 
Net fees and commission income increased 8.0% to Ch$209,430 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Net fees were positively affected by the growth of the Chilean economy and the Bank’s marketing and promotion efforts to increase product usage. Fees from credit, debit and ATM cards increased 9.8%, fees from insurance brokerage fees increased by 15.8% and securities brokerage fees increased 30.0% in the periods being analyzed. These increases were partially offset by a 6.5% decrease in fees from checking accounts and lines of credit. This decline was due to the reduction in the amount of lines of credit and overdraft lines made available to clients, following an increase in Chilean Bank GAAP of provisioning requirements for unused lines of credit.
 
Results of financial transactions, net, which is the sum of trading activities, fair value adjustments and foreign exchange transactions, totaled Ch$78,270 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, an increase of 2.5% compared to the corresponding period in 2010. These results include the results of our Treasury Department’s trading business and financial transactions with customers, Santander Global Connect (SGC) as well the results of our Financial Management Division. The results from SGC, a specialized platform designed to facilitate the sale of derivatives to a broad range of companies in all segments through our branch network and through market-making, increased 4.6%. Our proprietary trading results totaled a gain of Ch$13,895 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, which represented an increase of 98.5% compared to the corresponding period in 2010. This was mainly due to positive results in the foreign exchange market. The results from the Financial Management Division were a loss of Ch$8,545 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to a gain of Ch$2,295 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. Throughout 2011, the Bank has maintained above average levels of liquidity, part of which is generated from US$ liabilities, as a conservative measure given the uncertainty surrounding global financial markets. These dollar liabilities are hedged through derivatives (short term foreign currency swaps), but as the short term interest rate differential between USD and CLP has increased, this has produced a higher cost  registered in financial transactions, net. This higher cost is partially offset in net interest income where the interest earned on the short-term liquid asset is registered and the interest expense of the US$ liabilities is also recorded.
 
Other operating income totaled a gain of Ch$1,164 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, a 95.5% decrease from Ch$25,826 million in the corresponding period in 2010. This decline was mainly due to the gain from sale of branches recorded in 2010 which did not occur in 2011 as well as lower recoveries of provisions for contingencies and a decrease in insurance payments  relating to the earthquake.  In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, the Bank sold 16 branches for a gain of Ch$12,975 million recognized as income from the sale of Bank property, plant and equipment.  These branches are now rented to us. The Bank did not finance this acquisition and the acquirers were non-related parties.
 
Charge-offs of non-performing loans increased 28.4% in the periods being analyzed, totaling Ch$194,222 million. Consumer loan charge-offs increased 37.5% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to the corresponding period in 2010.  The rise was mainly due to the growth in consumer lending, which in the same period, increased 14.5%. The tightening of renegotiation policies for consumer loans also led to a greater amount of impaired consumer loans entering non-performing status and subsequently being charged-off. The ratio of non-performing consumer loans to total consumer loans rose from 2.87% as of September 30, 2010 to 3.84% as of September 30, 2011. Coverage of consumer non-performing loans was 217.6% as of September 30, 2011 compared to 294.9% as of September 30, 2010.  The ratio of impaired consumer loans to total consumer loans decreased from 17.8% as of September 30, 2010 to 14.5% as of September 30, 2011.
 
Net provision expense increased by 11.1% to Ch$231,942 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. This was mainly due to the 28.4% increase in charge-offs. Gross provisions on the other hand decreased 33.8% to Ch$53,739 million. This decrease was mainly due to lower gross provisions in consumer lending. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, we recognized Ch$30,466  million in provisions mainly for consumer loans as a result of improvements made to credit scoring models. The effect of non-recurrence in 2011 of this change in our model was offset in part by an increase in gross provision for residential mortgage loans.  The total impact of this change on loan loss reserves was Ch$13,006 million or 0.3% of the Bank’s total residential mortgage portfolio.
 
As a result of the factors mentioned above, net operating profit decreased 3.8% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 and totaled Ch$765,076 million.
 
 
30

 
 
Operating expenses in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 increased 8.4% compared to the corresponding period in 2010. Personnel salaries and expenses increased by 12.1% mainly due to higher headcount, as well as higher severance payments. Administrative expenses increased 11.2%. The main reason for this rise in administrative expenses was the greater business activity as well as the expenses related to IT projects being carried out to improve productivity. An additional factor was the 25.5% rise in branch rental expenses to Ch$16,437 million in the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 due to our branch sales in 2010. Our efficiency ratio was 40.5% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to 37.1% in the same period in 2010.
 
Other operating expenses were Ch$34,540 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, a 6.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2010. The decrease in other expenses was due in part to lower earthquake related expenses, lower expenses related to repossessed assets and lower credit card expenses.
 
Our income tax expense increased by 2.1% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The effective tax rate paid was 16.0% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to 13.4% in the corresponding period in 2010. The statutory tax rate in Chile in 2011 was 20% compared to 17% in 2010.  The higher effective tax rate is mainly due to this rise in the statutory corporate tax rate. The Chilean government and Congress in 2010 approved a temporary increase in the corporate tax rate to 20% in 2011, 18.5% in 2012 and back to 17% in 2013, as part of the plan to finance the reconstruction of public works in the zones most affected by the February 2010 earthquake and tsunami.  The Bank’s effective tax rate tends to be below the statutory rate since for tax purposes the Bank must still recognize the effects of price level restatement on equity even though inflation accounting is no longer required by Chilean Bank GAAP.
 
Results of operations by business segments
 
For internal information, Banco Santander Chile maintained in 2011 the general criteria used in 2010 for business segmentation, with the following exception:
 
The system for calculating the internal transfer rate (ITR) changed. Prior to 2011, Banco Santander Chile’s management model applied an ITR to each operation on the basis of its maturity, regardless of whether it was an operation for assets or liabilities. During and since the financial and liquidity crisis, the real cost of liquidity has consistently and significantly differed from the reference yield curve.  Therefore, the Bank decided to revise the system for measuring the spread by changing the ITR applied by the corporate centre to the units. This change makes the model more in line with the requirements of regulators, ensures a better pricing of operations and enables the market to better assess the profitability of businesses.
 
This change was not significant for the Bank and does not materially alter its results.
 
As a result of the above mentioned change in the ITR calculation in 2011, in order to compare homogeneous financial information, the income statement for the nine months period ended September 30, 2010 of the business segments should be adjusted, in the net interest income line, as follows: